The Tragedy of Opioid Abuse, Part 3

In Part 2 we mentioned in the discussion about “put-offs” and “put-ons” that the collateral damage of drug abuse is often human relationships that need to be repaired, forgiveness that needs to be given and requested, and godly communications that need to be restored.

The Tragedy of Opioid Abuse, Part 2

We covered two main points in Part 1: the hope we have and the need to “take heed.” We cannot overcome temptation without the Lord’s help. The third point is anchored in the principles we read in Ephesians 4:22-24

The Tragedy of Opioid Abuse, Part 1

While drug “recovery programs” abound, this has not stemmed the tide of drug use.  Things have only become worse.
But what is to be the response of the church to these difficult situations and individual tragedies?  What do the Scriptures tell us? 

Great Baking Disasters

For many of us in the U.S., the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the other holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day brings with it the nostalgic aromas and tastes of various baked goods. One of our family traditions during this season is to bake pumpkin bread – lots and lots of pumpkin bread – to share with family and friends.

Lessons in Trust from Probate Court

I have had the privilege of being the executor of Shashi’s mother’s estate.  It’s actually not a very large estate, but she was still the owner of a house in California before she went to heaven, and this is what has required us to go through probate court.  I say “privilege,” because I have learned a lot about “trust” in the process of going through probate.

An Unlikely Thanksgiving Parable

I was recently alerted to some research that had been conducted to test whether people are more concerned about their positional well-being versus their absolute well-being.  In other words, does the perception of their well-being depend on how they compare to what someone else has, versus how much they have in absolute terms?

Veterans Day Proclamations

Each year since 1954, the U.S. President has issued a Veterans Day proclamation.  Although these find their way into obscurity rather quickly, they represent each President’s attempt to recognize those who serve us in this way.  Here are excerpts from a few of them

Getting Old Is Not for Sissies

I was at the drug store last weekend waiting in line for a prescription and a lady, advanced in years and a bit unsteady, came down the aisle with her walker looking quite anxious. She had just taken her husband home from the hospital and needed to get his prescription filled for antibiotics.  Those of us in the line gave her instantaneous priority.

Rage Rooms? Really?

For a while now, I have been seeing reports of “rage rooms” or “anger rooms” popping up all over the U.S. – fifteen minutes in a room with all the things you can break with a baseball bat for $45 (prices vary from one rage room to another).

Lessons from Wells Fargo: What Were They Thinking?

I had a boss who once told me, “Steve, it can take 10 years to build a good reputation and 10 minutes to lose it.”  So true.  Trust, dependability, and consistency have to be demonstrated over time, and it does not take much time for that reputation to be lost.