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Feb 17, 2023
Life Is God's Gift
Disbelief, shock, then anger are the initial responses to a personal announcement of imminent death. It is rarely an acceptable...
Feb 3, 2023
Things I Forgot
Things I Forgot When My Friend Was Hurting I forgot that when her crisis occurred, she needed someone right away, not hours or days...
Jan 20, 2023
A Most Important Guideline
Not too long ago, I read a letter to Dear Abby that touched directly on some lessons I have repeated frequently from my 13 Secret...
Jan 6, 2023
Be Responsive
Here are the final two suggestions from my 'thirteen secrets', which we began last month. Remember, however, that these ‘Secret...
Dec 23, 2022
When Are the Twelve Days of Christmas?
We love to sing that joyful and slightly humorous song at Christmas time. But does anyone know what those twelve days are about? Is it...
Dec 9, 2022
A Kindness Suggestion for Christmas Time
Last night, at about 8:00, I stopped at a home, the residents of which were strangers to me. I rang the door bell and a man came to the...
Nov 25, 2022
Focus on People
We've been building a list over the the previous two blogs. Here are more to add to the list — you're getting the idea. Acts of kindness...
Nov 11, 2022
We're On A Roll Here
We started talking in the previous blog about those little things that you can do daily . . . but, more importantly . . . INTENTIONALLY....
Oct 28, 2022
Don't Be Misled!
Don't People Do These Things Automatically? Well, yes they do. They smile; they pay compliments; they act friendly. But mostly . . . they...
Oct 14, 2022
Can You Believe It's So Simple?
Yes! It is so simple — so simple that we don't realize the impact of doing these things. People all around us are hungry for a touch of...
Sep 30, 2022
Act Like You're Glad To See Me
There are at least six major supermarkets to choose from when I contemplate my weekly foray into the grocery world. Sales and specials...
Sep 16, 2022
How To Deal With Your Aging
At my 80th birthday party, I was honored very pleasantly and humorously. Then I was asked to make my own responsive remarks. Among my...
Sep 2, 2022
Beware of the Infection of Self-Centeredness
As we grow older, there is a tendency to drift into preoccupation with ourselves — our health, our physical problems, our sleep, money,...
Aug 19, 2022
More Thoughts on Retirement
Is it a good thing? In my previous comments on this topic, I mostly addressed those who are now of an age to consider themselves...
Aug 5, 2022
Thoughts on Retirement
Is it a good thing? I remember a conversation with a man who had been nominated to be an Elder of the church. He had served before, but...
Jul 22, 2022
Kok's Recommended Antidote
The amount of stress that everyone is feeling these days can be overwhelming without having the right attitude when dealing with it, nor...
Jul 8, 2022
Theology From An Astronaut
Getting away from it all works wonders, and experience teaches us. Quiet-time ... being alone ... solitude ... all create space for...
Jun 24, 2022
The Price of an Unpaid Traffic Ticket
In 1958, I left Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I was working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, to go to seminary in...
Jun 10, 2022
An Angel Experience?
Or a Coincidence? We were sleeping at a cottage at Cobmoosa Shores, near Stony Lake, and facing Lake Michigan. Only Linda and I were...
May 27, 2022
Noticing the Good in Life!
. I made a quick mental run through my week just ending and made a striking discovery. Although intensely involved in some important...
May 13, 2022
You Are Far More Than You Think You Are!
The newly installed hospital chaplain, a middle age pastor, exclaimed, "I don't have anything to offer her." He said this as he talked...
Apr 29, 2022
10 Tips for Helping a Hurting Person
Sadly, well-meaning people often feel awkward when dealing with a friend who is deeply hurting. And in their awkwardness, they grope for...
Apr 15, 2022
Giving Improves Your Health
Hold on a minute! Hear me out! You are approached with requests that you give or donate to something or other all the time, right? You...
Apr 1, 2022
How Tall Are You?
Here is an interesting experiment you can try. I have done this before groups of people, and the results are quite interesting. Stand,...
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