And … Suddenly We Have a Problem

In recent days, we’ve had one of those unexpected problems no one wants to deal with—an overflowing toilet. And, of course, this fiasco happened on a weekend, so no help from a plumber until Monday. I’ll spare the graphic details but suffice to say sopping up potty overflow is an unwanted and unpleasant job. Do […]

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Practicing Contentment

Are you wishing your life away, grasping for something different, better, or more prestigious than your current circumstances? Often, we forgo happiness and contentment, right now, by comparing ourselves to others or focusing on what we don’t have. Contentment doesn’t always come easily to us. In the last two difficult years, we’ve had a choice: […]

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Combating Anxiety

In a world filled with strife, unrest, and fear, anxiety nips at our heals and niggles at the back of our thoughts. If we allow it, anxiety can overtake our minds and hearts to the point of rendering us ineffective for other life pursuits. While anxiety may always be waiting in the wings, we can […]

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Relishing Relationships

This week marks 30 years since my father died. When you have a good Daddy, thirty years is a long time to live without him. But intertwined in missing him are the memories of his hugs, with a jiggly squeeze at the end, the sight of his dimples when he told tall tales, his love, […]

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Promoting Personal Peace

Do world events disturb you? The turbulence of hostile government takeovers, an ongoing pandemic, and personal challenges loom large and threaten to rob us of peace. Often, it takes effort to avoid being pulled into the vortex of tumult and succumbing to fear. I’m not suggesting we shut ourselves off from what is going on […]

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The Emotions Inherent in Life Pauses

Emotions are God-given and part of our humanness. They serve an important purpose by allowing us to express feelings and release tensions. Sometimes, we avoid emotions, suppressing them until we can experience them at a more convenient time. But often that moment never comes and those squelched emotions bubble to the surface unexpectedly and in […]

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The Peace Inspired by Nature

As I entered our neighborhood last week, my mind was occupied with complicated issues, but the sight before me filled me with joy. The late afternoon sun highlighted multiple shades of green—the trees above and the shrubs and grass below. Interspersed in the verdant hues were bright pops of white and purple. It’s easy to […]

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7 Keys to Successful Relationships

My parents have been on my mind this week. If they were still living, they would have celebrated their 74th anniversary March 1. They had the kind of relationship most of us aspire to. Their genuine love and affection for each other were obvious in words and actions. Their relationship was laced with humor and […]

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