Most of us struggle with self-will, and that problem most emerges in marriage. No other relationship so blends the amount of time spent together and the intricate meshing of lives with its closeness and importance. Understandably, that connection gets the most threatened by our selfishness. Ironic, the surprise that hit me on our 39th anniversary celebration...
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image by maryland-trout-stocking
Untouched
Some follow. Stalkers. They spot their prey, stay in sight until vulnerability maxes out, then they act. Following the trout stocking truck, they wait until it leaves and throw their line and Power Baited hook into the stream, in dreams of landing trout. Many trout. Large trout. Trout stunned by being transplanted from their comfortable home into a planting truck and then dumped into a frigid stream. Easy trout. And while I did that some in my younger years...
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image from dw.com
Appearances Deceive
Dan Hicks, the NBC announcer for the Olympics women’s super-G, declared, “It’s Anna Veith of Austria who repeats as Olympic super-G champion!” After a commercial, NBC went to figure skating. The result pleased me; that made four consecutive gold medals in that event for Austria. I appreciate talent, hard work, and diligence, and Austria’s alpine program shows that. At least, it appeared that way—NBC said so. But...
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image by world-first.co.uk
I'm Done
Some time back in a small group, a woman asked another who was in her eighth month of pregnancy, how she was doing. “I’m done. I just want this over. I don’t want to be pregnant anymore.” Some qualifications. I have no idea if all or most or some or maybe only this pregnant woman feel this way. I’m a guy. Never been pregnant. But I get...
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Kootenay Ferry, across Kootenay Lake
Learn the Customs
Our 2017 destination: Banff, Canada. The weather: rain. All over. We rode east through Washington, skirting the Canadian border. Mick’s bucket list included Banff, but the weather there was colder and wetter than where we were. Until we hit Sandpoint, and the rain and cold grew. We sheltered in place at a Sandpoint motel, trying to wait it out. When…
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image by The Syrophoenician Woman
God Awareness
Last week’s post explored how our harsh language can damage others and turn people off to God, so let’s flip the coin to see how we might build a positive view of him in our society. No street preaching of “Turn or Burn.” No need for a degree in defending the gospel. No memorized testimonies that may not relate to our listeners. Instead…
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image by cohesionart.com
No Facebook?
Two events recently combined to spark this post. A fellow author, let’s call him Max, wrote a thoughtful article about the effectiveness of engaging in Facebook discussions that often have a hostile, demeaning tone. At the same time, another Facebook friend cautioned her friends that if they “badmouthed” those politicians she favored, she would unfriend them. When asked to clarify bad mouthing, she strongly bad mouthed the other side. Yes, she claims Jesus as Savior and Lord, but missed seeing...
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Lemonade
A long time friend, Sue Thornburg Fellows, posted the above pic on FB, and I commented with a simple “Lemonade!” Her husband responded with “????”, and I quoted the cliché, “When life gives you lemons (cancer), make lemonade (ear warmers).” Sue has battled cancer, and decided to make lemonade. Here’s her story, in her words.
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