About now, football fever is kicking into high gear. Debates over whether Michigan really beat Western Michigan on Sept. 5 are already on the back burner. That said, shouts of “rigged” will continue as long as I’m on this earth. But what should concern every fan is the undeniably corrosive influence of sports gambling. According…
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Spurred on by our pastor, my wife and I are reading through the entire Bible this year. We had completed such plans before, but stopped when they became more of a system of checking off boxes than a time of study and reflection. Now that we are intent on reading and comprehension, one reminder of…
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More than a dozen years have passed since my ill-fated attempt to turn a financial planner’s investing insights into a novel. Time has only partially eased the sting of my collaborator pulling the plug less than two chapters into the draft. What possessed me to accept this assignment is an object lesson: Don’t let anyone—even…
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Because of my journalism background, I tend to be a “just the facts” kind of guy. In writing a story, I want full names, ages, locations, and other details. In his sparkling new book, Chasing Rich, author Nicholas Schwartz does the opposite. The man spotlighted in each chapter is identified only by first name. I…
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Former attorney turned author Allen Levi has accomplished the kind of feat most authors can only dream of: self-published his first novel, Theo of Golden, in his late 60s. Then, saw it become so successful that an imprint of Simon & Schuster bought the publishing rights. The book has sold more than 3.5 million copies…
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Just over two-thirds of the way into 2026, I can say it’s been a tough year for writers and freelancers, no matter what the field or endeavor. Not only has my income declined noticeably, I have seen numerous tales of woe on editorial email strings. And, multiple requests concerning finances from members of my Christian…
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More than a week has lapsed since the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton. Given the mountain of condolences and praises offered her—and the ultimate honor of flags flown at half-staff nationwide—I’m not sure I can add much to all the distinguished words. Still, I feel it necessary to note that one shining quality…
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The city where I live recently approved the acquisition of Flock Safety high-tech license plate readers and security cameras. To say the move has been controversial would be an understatement. The council meeting that ended in a 6-4 vote in favor of the move lasted until 4 a.m. the day after it started. Soon after,…
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Whether it is wildfires, earthquakes, or flooding—which struck my home state of West Virginia just over a month ago—news coverage of disasters largely concerns the loss of life, property, and security for victims. As well it should. Yet, behind the headlines are stories that are heartening and remind us we are not alone in this…
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It’s been more than three weeks since the crowning of the 2026 World Cup champion. So you might consider the topic old hat. I beg to differ. I think the five-week-long event spanning North America awakened a generation of Americans to soccer in ways not previously seen. Until the Cup came to our shores, I…
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