Sitting with a couple this afternoon, I listened as the wife, in tears, talked about the repeated negative cycles she and her husband experience – and re-experience. It seems that her husband works to make changes, but after a couple of weeks, defaults to old patterns. Why? Many times it has to do with a…
DetailsOver the decades, wedding vows have changed from pretty traditional and predictable to often very inventive. In the more traditional vows, the word “cherish” was often included. I still remember some of the lyrics of the song “Cherish” by the Association, performed in the 60’s. Cherish is the word I use to describe All the…
DetailsI was recently drawn in by the words of a Pastor who wrote, “What would you do in the name of love? The best romantic comedies show us the lengths that people will go to for love. Great displays of affection, extravagant acts of passion and feeling, beautiful offerings of words and sentiment and devotion. …
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I recently read an article by Dr. James Dobson, in which he talks about the opportunities we miss in our Western cultural mindset of retirement. He talked about a retirement center “where the residents spent most of their time playing cards, pickleball, shuffleboard, and drinking heavily at parties. For them, life was like being on…
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Last time I discussed many retirees seeming obsession with attaining the “good life,” only to wind up disillusioned and dissatisfied. And yet, while retirement is nowhere mentioned in the Bible, we also know that, as we age, we can’t continue at the break-neck speed we may have worked during our careers. So, what can one…
DetailsLast week I shared with you some of the story of Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher a couple that was married for 86 years. Herbert died at 105 while his wife was 103. What was striking about this couple was that they did not just endure for 86 years but they vibrantly engaged in life together,…
DetailsAs Jennie sat with her friend Lisa over coffee, she said, “David is such a pig. He never cleans up his messes, he doesn’t put anything away, he gets the milk out and then leaves it on the counter – his inconsideration is driving me crazy.” Needless to say, Jennie was frustrated and felt safe…
DetailsPeople worry. Ok – not a news flash but it is a true statement. While it rarely accomplishes much, except to stress us out, we continue to do it. Some deal with worry by doing something physical – like jogging or going to the gym. Others want to talk about it, perhaps with someone they…
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