A Friend Is …

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

We were made for relationships and one of the prevailing relationships in life is that of friendship. Friend: A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, usually exclusive of … Continue reading →

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Really Listening

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

A well-known phone company commercial asked the question, “Can you hear me now?” Well, being able to physically register sounds is only part of the process. The real question is, “Are you really listening?” Hearing means sounds bouncing around into … Continue reading →

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Like A Tree – Variety of Purposes

Posted on January 23, 2012 by

How many species of trees are there in the world? Thousands! (Up to 100, 000 if you believe some online sources). With thousands of species of trees, the variety is amazing. Extremely tall redwoods. Gnarled olive trees. Evergreens and color-changing … Continue reading →

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More Than Family

Posted on January 20, 2012 by

Two women from different cultures, both widows, undertook a long journey. One was consumed by bitterness and sought to return to the “old country.” The other resisted pressure and refused to return to her old home, instead embracing a new faith.  The road … Continue reading →

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Loving Yourself

Posted on January 18, 2012 by

Two relatively simple commands: love God with everything you’ve got and love your neighbor as yourself. Why do we have such trouble following them? Because of those two words at the end … as yourself. On the narcissistic end of … Continue reading →

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Like A Tree – Not A Shrub

Posted on January 16, 2012 by

What’s the difference between a tree and a shrub? From a botanical standpoint, a shrub has multiple stems instead of a single trunk and doesn’t grow nearly as tall as a tree. From a landscape perspective, shrubs are good for … Continue reading →

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Want To Go With?

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

Alone is not the best way to journey through life. We all need somebody to travel with us.  King Solomon wrote that “Two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 -12). Why? Because they help each other succeed. When one falls, … Continue reading →

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You Can’t Make Me

Posted on January 11, 2012 by

“He makes me so mad.” “She drives me crazy.” “They make me laugh.” What’s the common element with these statements? They operate on the assumption that someone or something else is able to force a specific reaction from you. When … Continue reading →

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Like a Tree – Prerequisites

Posted on January 9, 2012 by

Before doing what you want to do, sometimes you have to do something else first. Before you can sign up for a painting class, you have to take Drawing 101. Before you can get your driver’s license, you have to be 16 … Continue reading →

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Like A Tree – Branches

Posted on January 6, 2012 by

Unless I’m standing in the giant Redwood forests of Northern California, what I notice most about trees is their branches. Some trees are tall and narrow while others offer round, oval, or cascading shapes. All have branches that stretch up and out from the main … Continue reading →

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