Sean Dietrich

Sean Dietrich

Columnist

Sean is a writer for The Observer

Sean Dietrich's Latest

Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Okay OPINION — Today I read an article my friend sent to me. The article was something that went viral on social media. When I finished reading it, I felt so bad that I had to take some Pepto-Bismol and lie down.It was depressing. The writer...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Oct. 31, 2024

Dear Kid OPINION — Dear Kid,Don’t grow up. Don’t turn into an adult. That’s my advice. Resist adulthood. Be a kid forever.Right now, a lot of adults are angry in America. To be fair, we have a lot to be angry about. But adults can behave badly when...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Facing the unpredictable OPINION —When I was 40, Bruce Larson was one of my favorite authors. His book, The Emerging Church, affirmed for me the necessity of small groups for growing churches. In Dare to Live Now,he challenged lukewarm Christians...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call | Oct. 24, 2024

An appointment with God OPINION — Spending time in prayer, alone with God, has been one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. As I look back, my only regret is that I did not spend more time praying.Only one man ever ridiculed me for praying....

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Oct. 17, 2024

For the love of cornbread OPINION — I don’t engage in controversy. But sometimes I have to. And this is one of those have-to moments.Namely, because I feel it’s my duty as a citizen of this country to bring important matters to the forefront of a...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call | Oct. 17, 2024

Picking Up The Pieces OPINION — One of life’s greatest lessons is learning to pick up the pieces and get back in the game. To live well in the brokenness of our world is a lesson everyone must learn.Looking back at my childhood, I am so thankful my...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call

He will restore hope for the future OPINION — My wife and I were guests of friends in Falls Church, Virginia. I was preaching in their church for a few days. About 4:30 on the morning of our second day there, I collapsed in the hallway. The noise...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Oct. 10, 2024

The aftermath of hell and hurricanes OPINION — It’s all gone.That’s what the lady on the news said.She was an older woman, being interviewed by a reporter. Giant news camera shoved in her face.The lady sounded like she was in a uniquely frantic...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

An Alter Call | Oct. 3, 2024

My philosophy of life changed OPINION — Years ago I was observed that many successful people have a philosophy of life that provides motivation and energy for living. I determined to write my own, but decided first to research “philosophies of...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Oct. 3, 2024

Going through Tennessee OPINION — The first day of autumn is almost here, and Tennessee is experiencing the birth pangs of fall. The colors are changing, the air is crisp, the natural scenery has become purely college football paraphernalia.It’s a...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Sept. 26, 2024

Back to the future OPINION — I’m in the airport. There is a tiny robot cruising around, delivering food to customers. Kids are following the robot, laughing. People are taking pictures.It seems like everyone is talking about AI. It’s on the news....

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call| Sept. 26, 2024

Welcome the touch of another hand OPINION — Need a job? A good way to get hired is to say to a foreman, who might need someone with your skills, “Can you use another hand?” If he accepts your offer, and you put in a good day’s work, you may have a...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Sept. 19, 2024

The Good 'Ol Days OPINION — The news is in. Less than one third of Americans have ever written a physical letter in their lifetime.Which isn’t surprising inasmuch as studies find that 76% of American students lack basic writing skills such as...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call

That trembling in my soul OPINION — Were You There” is a haunting phrase in the old spiritual, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” The refrain stirs my soul every time I sing it: “Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble ….”The song...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call | Sept. 12, 2024

He died for you OPINION — As a young pastor I was taught, when serving the Sacrament, to say to each recipient, “The body and blood of Jesus.” I did that for many years. Then one Sunday I felt led to say simply, “He died for you.”It is one of the...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Sept. 12, 2024

Today in Winder, Georgia OPINION — Dear American School Kid, I don’t know what your name is, but I’m sorry. I am deeply, wholeheartedly, and emphatically sorry.As I write this, at least four were killed and nine were injured in Barrow County,...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South | Sept. 5, 2024

The Sandwich OPINION — The unofficial last day of summer is here. And here, on the last day of summer, I start remembering things. The memories get so thick you have to swat them away like gnats.My favorite thing about summer is tomato sandwiches....

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call

Leaning on Jesus OPINION — In this last chapter of my earthly life, I have moved from struggling with grief to struggling with cancer. It has been a new experience to sit in a large waiting room with 30 other patients, all of us waiting for our...

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Alter Call | Oct. 31, 2024

Alter Call | Aug. 29, 2024

I love you 'Honey' OPINION — Life lessons abound in the common events of life. I learned a good one while refilling the little honey jar I bought from Ruttan Family Farms in LaPine, Alabama.My son Steve’s friend, Butch Ruttan, is the beekeeper who...

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Sean of the South | Oct. 24, 2024

Sean of the South

Becca's Vacation OPINION — This house is a tomb. Ever since the kid left. We’ve had a kid here at the lake for the past several days. Our goddaughter. She left this morning.There is evidence a child has been in this house, however. There is, for...

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