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The Magic of “No” Part V: The Moral

This little tale I’ve stylized in the previous installments has occurred over and over again. Time after time this series of events happens to people who can’t find a way to say “no” to something they shouldn’t have said “yes” to in the first place. I’ve seen it so often that I’ve practically become a consultant for this type of situation (or at least I’m often asked to function in that capacity). Part of the reason I’m asked to take this role is that I learned the hard way to say “no.” Now I say “no” quite frequently. Part of … Continue reading →

The Magic of “No” Part IV: Honesty

If you haven’t caught up with Parts one, two, and/or three you should do that now. Today is the conclusion to our little story. Onto the telling… The WOMAN woke up that morning and peered into the room housing her cans. She saw the gleaming little eyes of the rats who had taken up permanent residence in her waterlogged little room. She clutched her robe closer to her body; now there was a draft. She thought about going to get one of those cans. She thought about defending herself from the rats with a pushbroom. She thought about carefully avoiding … Continue reading →

Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets

When we watch the Sound of Music she sings Frederick’s part. When we watch The Magic School Bus she pretends she is Ralphie. She’s Miguel instead of Maya, Gil instead of Molly and Dash instead of Mags. So when my 6-year-old daughter read the back of Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets, I wasn’t the least bit surprised that she was instantly intrigued. “This boy wants to be a girl just like I like pretending I’m a boy,” my lizard king-loving female offspring exclaimed. And so began my first grader’s newest adventure in chapter book reading and another chapter in … Continue reading →

Working by Working

Earlier this evening I had a fit of working. My son and my wife were asleep, the house was quiet, and I had some work to do. The “to do” list had built up over the past weeks due to a variety of things. Big news in Egypt (and elsewhere) pulled my attention for a length of time. My favorite band released a new album. These, and other things, pulled focus from my tiny little “to do” list. It grew. It grew like a monster. It was unruly and needed to be tamed. Silence was the answer… and I finally … Continue reading →

Demonic Doors

Demonic oppression happens a number of ways. We as believers genuinely in Christ cannot be possessed by demons because what fellowship has light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). This does not mean that we can’t open doors for demonic oppression in our lives. As a Christian, I believe the Holy Spirit will guide us to truth as we seek the Lord. God is gracious to work in us, changing our hearts to desire what He wills for us. Still, not everyone is receptive or at the point in their walk where they discern things in their lives that can draw … Continue reading →

Marriage & Love; Love & Marriage

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Sometimes we forget that love and marriage both take work. When we are engaged to be married and planning our wedding ceremony, we think the sky is the limit. We know if we aim for the moon, even if we miss – we’ll still be among the stars. We understand, above all else, that we love each other. This is a thought that we need to remember, because that love can sustain us in the best of times and the worst of times. The following is a bit of a personal glimpse, but it was the best way I knew … Continue reading →