Today is May 4, 2016. Over the last 2 days, Ted Cruz and John Kasich have suspended their presidential campaigns leaving Donald Trump as the “presumptive GOP nominee”. It only stands to reason that the last man standing will win the race; however, I believe there will be a different outcome. Continue reading “Why Trump will not be the GOP Nominee”
Forgiveness is Easy (a guest post by Rico Ignace)
If love covers a multitude of sins, then forgiveness is the fabric of that sheet.
A friend of mine has a large family, with about ten children. A huge family by today’s norms! And at this point in time, he and his wife are accumulating a fair number of grandchildren. Some years ago this couple had an experience with their oldest, a son and a truly great guy, that serves as an illustration of how to work out what I call the “post-forgiveness” process. Continue reading “Forgiveness is Easy (a guest post by Rico Ignace)”
Being In Love – Valentine’s Week Inspiration from C.S. Lewis
If the old fairy-tale ending ‘They lived happily ever after’ is taken to mean ‘They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married,’ then it says what probably never was nor ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships? But, of course, ceasing to be ‘in love’ need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense — love as distinct from ‘being in love’ — is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed themselves, be ‘in love’ with someone else. ‘Being in love’ first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. it is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.
– from Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
(emphasis added)
Chosen for Pain?
My beautiful daughter has lived with continual pain for more than 5 years. A number of specialists from local providers, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Duke University Medical Center have confirmed rotator cuff damage, thoracic outlet syndrome and partial rib development to be the root cause of her hurts. This led to multiple trips for multiple surgeries resulting in permanent nerve damage – think receptors sending continual signals of being on fire throughout your body. A plethora of medicinal experiments have been attempted to no avail. Just in case you might wonder if it is possible for a once joyful teenager to endure more, she recently received an additional diagnosis of fibromyalgia from the experts at Duke University Neurology and Pain Clinic. Continue reading “Chosen for Pain?”
Anxious, Worthless and Bears – Oh my!
Bears – I live in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of town where neighbors wave hellos and children play. Many days, I come home to my son playing XBOX with his pal from next door. Other days, I find that they are playing basketball at his house. Many times, they are not to be found at either house, but that is not a concern. They are most likely riding bikes or playing on the playground at the school across the street. They are great boys and we know they are probably out having fun somewhere. Life is great and I love knowing that my son has friends to run around and enjoy spending time with – until earlier this week… Continue reading “Anxious, Worthless and Bears – Oh my!”