Last year was great for casinos as they reportedly raked in a record $14 billion for the third quarter. As 2021 came to a close, they were on pace to break their $43 billion-plus annual record, set in 2019. With the NFL gearing up for wild card weekend in two days, I can imagine betting…
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A new year always brings resolutions, vows to do better, and crowds to the nearest health club eager to reduce their holiday bulge. The latter is typically followed by a dramatic decline in turnouts come February. But when it comes to a challenge starting over in a nascent 2022, few have it tougher than the…
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Now that everyone has unwrapped the Christmas presents, said, “goodbye” to extended family members, and started thinking about 2022, I suggest a great New Year’s idea is to resolve to attend church more often. I can hear the sneers forming among anti-church skeptics. But I offer this not as a casual comment in the vein…
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It’s that time of year when favorite Christmas movie lists get trotted out. Like many of you, my wife and I enjoy such classics as Home Alone (we plan to borrow a grandson’s collection of all three), although we’ve had enough viewings of It’s a Wonderful Life. Two others we are bound to watch: *…
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When it comes to playing the lottery, I like to tell people I’m way ahead. When their eyes widen, it begs the unspoken question, “How did you do it?” Then they fall when I reply, “I haven’t lost a dollar yet—because I haven’t bought a single ticket.” My inclination to save my money ever since…
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Today marks a special anniversary in my life: it’s been 40 years since I prayed in our living room and made the decision to accept Jesus as my Savior and make Him Lord over my life. The fact that it happened at home and not in a church demonstrates the fact that God is alive…
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While there will be many things to give thanks for next Thursday when our family sits down for turkey dinner, for me heading the list will be feeling normal again. One can only appreciate how wonderful that is after battling through a series of medical crises that turned our lives upside down this year. First…
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News surfaced recently that two notable Christian voices are stepping down from their long-time positions, although both are shifting gears rather than calling it a retirement. The first was the 700 Club’s Pat Robertson, who announced Oct. 1 that he was leaving as host after six decades. But not to go sit in the shade.…
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Sen. Joe Manchin has been labeled everything from not being a “team player” to a Republican in Democrat’s clothing. The criticism grew especially heated last week as President Joe Biden’s proposed social services and climate change bill shrank even further, to about $1.75 trillion. Yet a statement from Sen. Manchin—he the small-state leader who is…
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Recently our pastor took a break from his sermon series to address a timely topic: worry and anxiety. Among Scriptures he had members of the congregation read: Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes,…
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