Our controversial president has created a new term in American lexicon—even used it himself on occasion—Trump Derangement Syndrome. It seems almost everyone loves to voice their opinions pro or con about Trump. Yet, I think a far more relevant kind of TDS in most of our lives is Technology Derangement Syndrome. It affects nearly all…
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On several occasions in the past, I have written stories about assorted investment cons and fraudulent deals that victimized churches, Christian investors, and small businesses. The common denominator of such schemes was how many victims wanted to run and hide when they learned they had been duped. Even when thousands of dollars were involved, many…
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Within weeks of moving back east from Colorado some years, I saw a story from the Rocky Mountains about a boulder crashed down onto the highway below, killing an ill-fated motorist. Colorado’s governor at the time, Richard Lamm, promptly issued an apology and condolences to the family. In a matter of days, legal experts were…
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Judging by the absence of information on many church marquees in our area, coupled with school years that kick off in boiling August temperatures, the Vacation Bible School (VBS) season is over. Many know about those a-week-or-longer-now-trimmed-to-three-day events, so familiar on the church landscape that they are often just called by their three-letter acronym. Not…
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Several times in recent years, I made offhand remarks about the supposed economic recovery of the past few years—and how I doubted we were experiencing such a turnaround. “If someone advertised a plant opening that would hire 500 workers, 5,000 people would show up,” I said one time. Turns out I underestimated the ratio. I…
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Anyone who has been around church for a while has likely heard this familiar passage: “Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 MEV). Often, these words of wisdom are delivered in a…
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I’ve never been a huge fan of royal weddings, particularly those that are held at 4 a.m. Eastern time. Yet, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the wall-to-wall news coverage accorded the recent nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. That included a cover theme in Time magazine, which devoted eight stories and a…
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I got in a reflective mood recently, during a morning devotional time with my wife. The book we are using asked what memorial places are special to you and what makes them so significant. My first answer was the headstone our son-in-law placed in the garden outside the home where he and our daughter lived—and…
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Together with some friends, my wife and I are nearing the end of New City Catechism, a 52-question study about basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Since we meet only twice a month, at one question per session it’s taken awhile to wind our way through. Yet, we have enjoyed going through it and reflecting…
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While vacationing last October in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, I saw a TV commercial for a candidate in neighboring Virginia. I don’t remember the office the candidate was campaigning for, but it was a statewide election. In other words, no small change. The pitch: the candidate vowed to outlaw spoofing calls by telemarketers. “Wow,” I…
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