Unintended Consequences

A drill sergeant asked a new recruit what would happen if he shot off one of his ears. The recruit answered, “Well, sir, I would lose half my hearing.” “And what If I shot off both of your ears?” “Then I wouldn’t be able to see.” The sergeant said, “That makes no sense. Why did…

Unlocking God’s Blessings

Abraham was 75 years old when he was promised offspring that would bless the world for generations to follow. After a long wait for his promised son, Abraham became discouraged, as his heart filled with doubt. It was then that God took him on a short road trip. “God took him outside and said, ‘Look…

Sinking Ships

Violet Jessop lived a charmed life. Jessop was a stewardess abord the RMS Olympic, one of the Titanic’s sister ships, when it collided with another ship in September, 1911. The Olympic was damaged, but made it back to port with no injuries. Les than six months later Jessop was aboard the Titanic, again as a…

Cleveland Cavs & Porn

Google Analytics can track data on porn site use specific to cultural events. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers played the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 NBA Finals. When the Warriors were on the verge of winning the final game, porn use in the San Francisco area (home to the Warriors) dropped by 21 percent.…

Texas Ranchers

Two Texas ranchers were each bragging on the size of their ranch. The first rancher said, “My ranch is so big that I can get in my pickup truck on one end of the ranch and head for the other end. When the sun goes down, I’m still not to the other end of my…

St. Valentine

According to early tradition, Saint Valentine was imprisoned in Rome, where he restored sight to the blind daughter of his jailer. Another tradition adds on a legend that St. Valentine later wrote a love letter to this woman, and signed it, “Your Valentine,” before his execution. The date of February 14 was set by Pope…

How Bad Do You Want It?

In the fifth chapter of John, Jesus asked a poignant question: “Do you want to get well?” (5:6). For too many of us, we sculpt our lives around the pain. We become so comfortable with it that the prospect of doing whatever is necessary to become well is more frightening than the pain itself. For…

Mad As Hell

“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” (Network, 1976) Forgive my language, but to borrow from the movie, if you are married to a sex addict, it may be that until you are mad as hell and unwilling to take it anymore, your spouse will not get desperate. Don’t misunderstand.…

Melville Weston

If today is your birthday, you are in good company. The following people were born on February 11: Thomas Edison (1847), Lloyd Bentsen (1921), Leslie Nielsen (1926), Tina Louise (1934), Burt Reynolds (1936), Jeb Bush (1953), Sheryl Crow (1962), Sarah Palin (1964), and Jennifer Aniston (1969). And Melville Weston. Don’t forget about Melville Weston. You…

Five Steps to Staying Sober

Dr. Steven Stosny, noted author and addiction expert, offers five steps to staying sober. Let’s jump right in. Step 1 – Practice a regimen to change old habits. Create new patterns of living that alter the behaviors that lead to acting out. Step 2 – Recondition your emotional system. Focus on regulating your emotions in…