At one time, I did some editing work for a conservative financial columnist who regularly lamented our nation’s profligate spending. He pointed out how Barack Obama criticized George Bush for the national debt increasing to $10 trillion—then turned around and nearly doubled it in eight years. The past four years, former President Donald Trump presided…
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With scenes of the U.S. Capitol under siege fresh in our minds, and a president departing in disgrace, I’m sure the doomsday prophets are in high gear about now. I can imagine sales of survival kits, emergency food, and generators going through the roof this year. Not to mention multiplied numbers of online conspiracy theorists…
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It’s one of the shorter verses of Scripture and yet it’s always been a personal favorite: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The words of Psalm 37:4 came to mind during a recent discussion with our small men’s group (like so many things these days, on…
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We can get food in minutes (seconds if we’re really in a hurry), can follow breaking news in real time, and consider last week ancient history. So, even before the Jan. 6 riot and attempted insurrection that temporarily halted approval of the Electoral College results, many had already judged the job President Donald Trump has…
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As we enter the new year of 2021 with millions hoping for anything but a repeat of 2020, I think it’s time to inject a note of optimism into a world that many paint as a dismal scenario. It comes from an interview I read recently with bestselling romance novelist Beverly Jenkins. According to Writer’s…
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Time magazine probably expressed the feelings of millions with its recent cover story, “2020: The Worst Year Ever.” However, at the risk of appearing insensitive, tone deaf, or braggadocious, I think of 2020 as my best year ever. Not because it was my best year for income in more than 35 years of freelancing. I’m…
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We call it our “Charlie Brown” tree. Measuring 20 inches high and containing just a few branches, it reminds us of the one that made “A Charlie Brown Christmas” into must-see seasonal TV after its 1965 debut. Like so many knickknacks that have made their way into our home, we aren’t sure where we bought…
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Answering my smartphone used to be a pedestrian process: touch the green button when the phone rang and it answered, even if the phone was in sleep mode. Then came a new method I never asked for: to answer, I have to punch the button and swipe right after it rings. I discovered this the…
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While much of the nation lapsed into a frenzy of presidential vote-counting myopia during election week, I spent time quietly celebrating the passage of Proposition 22 in California. I even came up with a private chant: “Up with the gig economy! Down with the Nanny State!” I cheered because the measure turned back an effort…
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Recently, as we neared the end of the week’s lesson in our favorite Bible study material, a closing summary point suggested reflecting on the salvation God provides through His Son and writing a prayer of thanks. I spontaneously jotted, “Dear Lord, thank You for the salvation that rescued me from certain disaster, changed me from…
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