Each new year brings the promise of fresh beginnings, re-setting goals that weren’t accomplished as you had hoped they would be, and new aspirations. That to-do and to-be list that you are writing in your mind and thoughts can be your best friend … or worse enemy. We are all familiar with the ‘worse enemy’ Read More
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Needs vs. Wants
Did you know that you have needs that you think are wants, and wants that you think are needs? In modern, “civilized” countries, we are inundated with advertising slogans and media ploys to encourage us to spend more and desire more. As we have grown as a nation, we have prospered to a point where Read More
Unselfishness vs. Selfishness
Did you know that you can be selfish and still be someone who demands nothing from others and yet is constantly giving time, energy and money? Did you know that you can receive many things from many people and even ask for them – and not be someone who is always giving to others – Read More
Christianity, or Witchcraft?
Within the past seven years or so, I’ve had many chance encounters with people who proudly stated that they once were Christians … but had been delivered from that horrendous belief system. In asking them to describe to me what areas they had the greatest problem with, none showed any hesitation as they listed the Read More
Stopping Fear and Dread in Your Life
Like a shadow, the presence of dread is so familiar, so commonplace that it is rarely seen or acknowledged for what it is. As the sun rises, the mind awakens from it’s deep sleep. During the night, the mind spoke the deep thoughts of the subconscious in rhymes, riddles and symbols. Emotions were amplified and appeared Read More
Where is the Love?
Unconditional love can be confusing at best. In our modern world, “unconditional” means that there are no consequences to our actions. Stating that love should be “unconditional” sets up a mighty resistance in the person who is told that they must love ‘unconditionally’, the abusive and selfish actions of their spouse (for instance.) If that Read More
Perfect Peace is a Choice
Every one of us has, or is, or will face a challenge so great, we aren’t sure that we’ll be able to maintain our “sanity” riding out the storm. Whether it is a financial situation, a relationship, health or some other sudden or growing crisis, our peace hangs in the balance. Truly, our relationship with Read More
Listening to What is Not Being Said
There are moments when we are in the heat of a discussion and tempers flare, that the art of listening slides to the rear of our minds. Emotions boil up, over and out, carrying acid thoughts and accusations. When listening ends, we take to heart only what we EXPECT to hear, not what is actually Read More
More Than Coffee
“Would you like a Carmel Highrise?” Carol asks as she moves towards the counter the moment we walk through the door of our favorite coffee shop. Who ever asks first is saying, “I love you and want to buy you coffee this morning.” Carol is always thoughtful and extremely patient. The energy she brings with Read More
Un-conditional Love – Oh Really?
“Sweetheart,” the young mother said, as she leaned over her teenage daughter sitting on the couch pouting. “Don’t you understand that God and I love you UN-conditionally?” “If that’s the case then you’d let me do what I want to do and it would be okay, right? the daughter replied. “Well, that’s not what I Read More
Too Fast and Furious Too
Hey! Here’s a good one … After inquiring about a ministry project that a fellow minister was working on, I received a stream of excuses about why they had not progressed since the last time I’d asked. First it was that the devil was beating them up. (Amazingly, this had been occuring every three months, Read More
When Getting Beat Up is Self-Serving
Have you ever asked a dear Saint, “How are things with you?” and then received the reply, “Man, I tell you, the devil is really beating me up.” You ask what is going on, and they continue with a flourish, all the gory details of conflict, crisis, and disasters. “Wow,” you think (and are led Read More