temparbor

Basic Decency

It seems that it is usually the conservatives in our country who are constantly decrying the loss/lack of basic human decency. It’s hard to be against the idea of decency, but it’s good to be clear and honest about what lack of decency looks like. I found the picture above on a friend’s Facebook wall.Continue reading “Basic Decency”

When Is It Okay to Give Up?

Many people have complimented me on my courage and persistence lately, as I continue to struggle with my MS. The question though, really, is what is the alternative? Is it some great virtue that I refuse to cop an attitude and grow whiny and ask “why me” every five minutes? In the face of a huge challengeContinue reading “When Is It Okay to Give Up?”

Seven Reasons I Avoid Traditional Christian Language, prt. 2

(cont. from previous post) 7. Nearly all traditional Christian language is belief-based instead of relationship-based. Christians claim that knowing God is about a relationship, not about rules, right? But what are doctrines and creeds, other than rules and statements about what you are supposed to believe? The religion of Christianity is a set of rulesContinue reading “Seven Reasons I Avoid Traditional Christian Language, prt. 2”

Seven Reasons I Avoid Traditional Christian Language, prt. 1

I have been trying this past week to keep my social media friends updated on my current struggle with multiple sclerosis. Most responses have been affirming and gracious, but some indicate that I apparently do not use enough traditional Christian language. Some readers have been put off by my references to positive points in otherContinue reading “Seven Reasons I Avoid Traditional Christian Language, prt. 1”

Living with Setbacks

Everybody has setbacks. We all have our cross(es) to bear. No one is exempt. One of the main crosses I bear is multiple sclerosis. As with most crosses people bear, I can’t fix this. There’s nothing I can do to make it very much better. The only thing I can do is decide how IContinue reading “Living with Setbacks”

My Experience with Meditation

When I first started meditating, it nearly always made me angry. I felt such disgust and even self-hatred for how useless it seemed, that I couldn’t seem to ‘get it,’ that I couldn’t control my thoughts. Of course I realized that was exactly the reason I was doing it, and gradually that anger began to subside. In other words,Continue reading “My Experience with Meditation”

Dr. John Gottman on How to Build Trust

Dr. John Gottman on How to Build Trust Dr. John Gottman is the foremost expert in the world on relationships and how they work (and don’t work). When Dr. Gottman speaks, every person in a relationship should listen. He’s the real deal. Here we learn that building trust happens in small moments, moments that areContinue reading “Dr. John Gottman on How to Build Trust”

The Past

If you don’t go back to find out what effect your past is having on your present you will forever live out your present as if it is still your past. That is why therapists often need to have their clients talk about the past. For example, if a little girl grows up without feelingContinue reading “The Past”

Words Give You Away

Words give you away. A week or so ago I posted something on Facebook to encourage people who fear that God has been removed from our schools. That post got more likes and shares and “thank you’s” than anything else I’ve ever put on Facebook. When one of my friends shared it to his FacebookContinue reading “Words Give You Away”

God is in the schools

Facebook post: God is in the Schools The following is a post I put on Facebook that has been shared a great many times and I wanted to put it here for those who have not seen it there. I hope it encourages you. — To those who say America is in trouble because GodContinue reading “God is in the schools”