In what is surely a sign of the times, rather than a Christmas card in mid-December, at year’s end I received an e-mail from an old friend. His wife passed away last April, and she likely handled the mailing duties. He mentioned compiling a list last fall of 80 things he wanted to accomplish before…
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Like much of the nation, the flu has struck numerous people in my immediate circles. That prompted the postponement of a family birthday party a week, and a similar delay for another get-together for a game night. Both delays occurred the same week a story appeared in our local newspaper about the wave of flu…
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Even though we have stepped into winter, I can’t help reflecting on how much I enjoyed last spring’s weather after the horrendous cold and snow of 2013-14. On several occasions we awoke to minus zero conditions outside and chilly temperatures inside. Our beleaguered heat pump simply couldn’t keep the house warm enough. To add insult…
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Since the boxes were inspected, packaged and sent on their way right after Thanksgiving, it is much too late to participate in Operation Christmas Child. Yet for those who believe in looking ahead, I heartily recommend getting planning to get involved in this effort next year. I had written a couple stories in the past…
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I recently switched to a different way of covering my health care costs where I am responsible for all doctor and other medical facility visits that total less than $500. If any one incident goes over that amount, I am covered, but the minor stuff doesn’t even count towards that deductible. Naturally, asking about cash…
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The connections between Pastor Rick Warren and me are thin as a reed. We have never met and—considering his schedule—aren’t likely to in the future. Yet a few links exist, starting with me writing a couple stories for the Purpose Driven web site, back when his mega-bestseller had created a mini-publishing boom at Saddleback Church.…
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Among the many reasons I will be pleased to visit my wife’s sister on Thanksgiving is the common bond we share of having walked the road to Emmaus. The Walk to Emmaus® is often described as a spiritual retreat, yet is so much more. It is a worldwide movement aimed at strengthening the local church…
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Snap judgments. We’re all guilty of making them. In my case, that includes consigning aromatherapy and essential oils to the fringes of some weird, mystical, New Age land. Yet I knew nothing about them. Experience changed my mind. It started while I was editing a book this past summer about natural ways to fight colds…
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I first heard the term “spiritual markers” when my wife and I went through Experiencing God. Henry Blackaby’s bestselling Bible study has sold more than six million copies, been translated into 35-plus languages, and spawned many other books and studies. Blackaby calls these markers a time of “transition, decision or direction” when he knows that…
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More than five years ago, at an extended family member’s wedding, I encountered a guest who spoke of her plans to take early retirement the following spring. Nothing earth-shattering—except for the fact that she planned to do so at the ripe old age of 52. Discussing her plans to play with her grandchildren (who, I…
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