It’s Independence Day, meaning flags are flying high and fireworks will fill the sky tonight.
But does patriotism have a place only at Fourth of July picnics, or does it also have a connection to faith? The News-Press asked some St. Joseph Christians to share their thoughts:

Religion in brief for July 4, 2009

He has “more degrees than a Texas thermometer,” and he’s the new president and CEO of Heartland Health.
This description was used Wednesday morning in introducing Dr. Mark Laney. Dr. Laney — who had been on vacation in Florida with his family but flew in for the announcement — is president of the Cook Children’s Physician Network. That’s a Fort Worth, Texas-based pediatric multi-specialty group with more than 250 physicians, who see more than 800,000 patient visits annually.
His first day as Heartland’s CEO will be Aug. 1.

Maybe you’ve seen the commercials with the popsicle and the punch and the people with no way to back up their beliefs that the high fructose corn syrup in them is bad.
These ads — which are sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association and encourage viewers to seek more information at a Web site, SweetSurprise.com — point out that high fructose corn syrup is made from corn, doesn’t have artificial ingredients and, like sugar, is fine in moderation. But is it true that the product, which has been blamed for the increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes in the United States, really isn’t as bad as it’s been made out to be?

Today, they’re just kids with potato chips and pudding cups, taking a break from the heat in an air-conditioned lodge at
a campground in Stewartsville, Mo.

It was a hoedown in a parking lot at Heartland Regional Medical Center on Friday, as the hospital celebrated 25 years, as well as the retirement of its 25-year CEO.
With local band VandelSnook belting out country tunes and a horse-drawn carriage offering rides, Heartland staff and other community members gathered beneath a large white tent to wish Lowell Kruse the best as he prepares to leave the hospital. The evening also included barbecue, games such as a beanbag toss (officially called the cow-pie fly), as well as plenty of hay bales.

Religion in brief for June 27, 2009

In the midst of a lot of talk nationally about health care reform, people gathered locally on Wednesday to pray about the issue.

It’s officially summer, and you know what that means: It’s time to swim.
It’s also time for a few reminders about how to stay safe in the pool, lake or wherever else you might go for a dip.

Healthcare notes for June 23, 2009