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“As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to the need to put people and things in their “right” place. To the degree that we embrace the truth that our identity is not rooted in our success, power, or popularity, but in God’s infinite love, to that degree can we let go of our need to judge.”
– Here and Now, Henri Nouwen

I am addicted to categorizing people and putting them in their place.

Let me count the ways.
Continue reading “Addicted to Putting People in Their Place”

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Writer

So many people have a good idea for a book. So many set out to write their book. And most never finish the first draft.

I came to a conclusion on this: there must be a lot of good advice out there on how to ensure your book does not get written. After extensive research of said sources, these are the seven best tips I unearthed:
Continue reading “Seven Ways to Ensure You Will Not Finish Writing Your Book”

Thirty-five years ago an unscrupulous pastor (ie a real jerk) came to Pennsylvania and led a church. He was the most charismatic person that the residents of that small town had ever met, a friendly man who made everyone feel great about themselves, at least at first. People who knew him have told me that by the end of your first encounter with this guy, you would have done anything for him.

Turns out he was also an abuser and a manipulator. Continue reading “A Deceptive Pastor, An Amazing Story, and How Results Don’t Always Match Intent”

Yesterday afternoon I wrote a post entitled, “A Knee-Jerk Reaction to Border’s Liquidation.” In light of yesterday’s news of Border’s demise, I have a few questions:

1) Do you have a favorite local bookstore?

2) Do you have an e-reader of any kind? If so, which one?

3) What’s your prediction on the future of books?

Border’s announced that they will liquidate their remaining assets and shut down their business. 10,700 employees will be looking for new jobs once their 399 stores lock up for the last time.
Continue reading “A Knee-Jerk Reaction to Border’s Liquidation”

In 1987, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” hit the big screen, loaded with two of the funniest men ever to walk the planet: Steve Martin and John Candy. I was in 4th grade and the movie was rated R, so there’s no way I saw it when it first came out, but eventually this movie became one of my go-to comedies (either from the local video store, or on TNT on Sunday afternoons).

If you’ve seen the movie, you know some of the classic lines involve hands between pillows as well as Steve Martin dropping the f-bomb. What you probably didn’t know is that some valuable writing secrets are hidden in there:
Continue reading “Five Writing Secrets I Learned From “Planes, Trains and Automobiles””