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Ending Well
Several years ago, I had a neighbor whose father died and soon afterwards her dog died. When the father died, I never acknowledged his death in anyway to my neighbor. However, when the dog died, I expressed my condolences to her. At the time, I thought it was odd that I did not acknowledge the father’s death, but did the dog’s death. I remember thinking, “I put more emphasis on the dog dying than I did the father dying which seems odd.” Part of this misplaced value was my inability to know how to interact with the death of a human. Death is an integral part of life. We all…
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Some Things I Learned this Easter from Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As I reflected on her story (Luke 8:1-2; Matthew 27:55-56, 60-61; 28:1; Mark 16:1-5; Luke 24:1-11; John 20:2, 11-18) this Easter, I gleaned some insights into my life. First, her story. Mary Magdalene was a woman from the city of Magdala who had seven demons in her. She must have endured much torture, anguish, and turmoil as she housed these demons. I can imagine how painful it was to be an outcast of society and live a miserable life. But then she met Jesus. Jesus miraculously cast out the demons and healed her. He brought wholeness…
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Six Words to Guide You in Difficult Adult Relationships
One day when I was analyzing a difficult adult relationship, a thought occurred to me, “I need to get rid of the ‘prove words’ concerning this relationship. These ‘prove words’ are adding fuel to this flagrant relationship.” I sensed I needed to be free of letting these six words rule this relationship. These six words are: Prove. Approve. Disapprove. Improve. Disprove. Reprove.[1] Prove.To test the worth or quality of. I needed to be free of having to prove to this person that I am worthy of her respect and honor. I can never prove myself to another. I already have approval of the One…
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Adjustments for Life
I recently purchased some new eye glasses. Within the first hour of wearing the glasses, I knew the hinge on one side was loose. Because of traveling, it took about 2 weeks before I could go back to my optometrist to get the glasses adjusted. When I walked in, the associate asked what he could do for me. I replied, “I can see great and I love these new glasses, but they need to be adjusted.” He quickly said, “I can see how they are slipping on your nose.” I was surprised he said that because I had gotten so used to dealing with glasses over the years that slipped…
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What Should I Do with Rejection?
In an unfamiliar city, my family and I were searching for a quick meal before heading off to the airport. We spotted a restaurant that looked like it would work so we entered and asked for a table. We were promptly seated….and then our waitress arrived. In a rough and hoarse voice, she barked, “Do you want me to harass you and give you a hard time?” I was shocked and horrified. In an uncharacteristic manner of my introverted self, I quickly replied, “No, we don’t want that!!!” She said OK, and proceeded to take our orders. As other waiters and waitresses continued to badger their customers (and customers badgered…
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Emotions: Pathways for Transformation
When I left for college, I remember being in the drive way about to get in my car to begin the five-hour drive to west Texas. Being overwhelmed with the thought of leaving what I knew for so many unknowns, I turned to my mom and began to cry. She responded by moving me toward my car so I would get in. She was a very stoic woman and did not express many emotions. I grew up handling the commotion in emotions by stuffing them. However, I believe that God uses our emotions to get our attention for what is going on in our souls. Our emotions can be pathways…
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Our Applause for Good Deeds and Behavior–Who Does It Go To?
Who are we honoring when we see good deeds and behavior? I think how we answer this question determines if we fall into the trap of envy or not. “The Seven Deadly Sins” is a list of categories of predominate sins that were identified formally around the fourth century. Envy, greed, lust, sloth, gluttony, pride, and anger are the seven that made the final list. In exploring these categories, I was confronted with one way that envy can be manifested—“Envy begrudges someone their status, material possessions or the relationships and good will that they have earned from others in the community.”[1]“Yuck!” I thought, “I subconsciously do that!” Verses like 1…
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Handling the Commotion in Emotions-Growing in Supporting Others
In 2015, Barna Group did research on factors changing women’s relationship with churches.[1] One of the factors researched was the amount of support women felt they received at church. Sixty percent of women felt no support or not much support at church. The lack of support women feel at church is a sad fact. I think we can increase the percent of women that feel support. One way to increase support for women is to become more attentive to emotions—our emotions and other’s emotions. Emotions can create commotion deep within. Because we are embodied souls, God uses our emotions to let us know what is going on in our souls.…
