“The stories we love are filled with struggle, conflict, and failure, yet so often the stories we present to others are a highlight reel of accomplishments, perfect meals, and sunny days.” – Brian Bailey. As I reflect upon this quote, I realize the many ways that we see the truth of his statement. Think about…
A few months ago I heard a speaker talk about his years of pastoring a church in Arkansas. During his time there, he had a gentleman in the church who was a Fish and Games Official. This came in pretty handy as this official would periodically call him to tell him where they had recently…
Do you remember when you were young and your mother said something like, “Don’t eat any cookies before dinner or you will ruin your appetite.” So what did you do? For me, the call of the cookies was oftentimes too strong and I would succumb. But then you know what would happen. I wasn’t hungry…
At first I intended to just use excerpts of this letter in my comments. However, I fear my comments would pale in comparison to the power of the letter as it stands. Ronald Reagan wrote this letter to his son on the eve of his wedding. They are powerful words for all men. June 1971…
I came across an article a few months ago in which the author was complaining about the continual need for new passwords. I could relate as every 90 days my university wants me to change my computer password. In the case of the author of the article, his company made him change his every 30…
My mother is the mildest mannered and least confrontational person that I know. So, it was interesting, and out of character, for her to recently comment to a family member, “I think if they took the word complain out of the English language, you wouldn’t have anything to say.” Let’s face it, we like to…
It has been a long and somewhat frustrating day at work. You arrive home planning to have a little solace in the front of the TV. However, as you walk in the door, your spouse, who is bubbling with excitement wants to talk. Talk – ugh – this requires thinking and brain cells that are…
A recent article asked this question in a number of ways. It examined attempts that individuals have made to push their bodies to extremes. For example: the longest someone has been able to last without solid food was 382 days; or the most friends (not Facebook friends) a person can have is 150; or the…
Remember as a kid when your mom told you, “No dessert before dinner,” but then she caught you eating half a dozen cookies? Most likely your response was, “Sorry.” Was it sincere? In January 2013, Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey. She asked him, “Did…
A few years ago, a friend of mine shaved off his mustache, which he had been sporting for a number of years. One evening while he and his wife were out to dinner with some mutual friends, the other couple asked, “Hey, when did you shave your face?” Quickly turning her head in surprise, his…