On the surface, happiness and joy are similar; they are both uplifting and blissful experiences. Yet there are more differences than similarities.
Read MoreA century ago, rural America shopped at crossroads grocery stores or small-town general stores. The shelves of those stores were not always full; you couldn’t depend on what you needed being in stock. Inventory was managed with paper and pencil. Orders to suppliers might be called in by telephone or given in person to a traveling sales representative who stopped by periodically.
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With the kids getting settled back in school what are you hoping they learn this year? Hi, this is Parks Stamper, middays on the Fish. Maybe its Algebra 1. Ugh. I found that a bit challenging… It was so frustrating for me – a good student in everything else but math. I went to a place of incorrect overthinking…”well, I’m just not good at math my brain is not wired for ...
Read MoreA small item I read in the news twenty years ago has stuck in my mind ever since. The Rockdale County High School Bulldogs basketball team of Conyers, Georgia, won their first-ever state championship in March of 1987, rolling over all their opponents. After eighteen years of coaching the team without a championship, coach Cleveland Stroud was ecstatic.
Read More"Will you please empty the dishwasher?" I asked my 15-year-old son one afternoon after school. By the response I got, you would have thought I'd asked the boy to climb a mountain. A heavy sigh accompanied eye rolling just seconds before he let out a mouthful of sass. Oh, the joy of being a parent to a child with no shortage of attitude.
Read MoreThe state of Florida battles sinkholes like the plagues of Egypt. As acidic groundwater dissolves underground rock formations, the surface of the earth caves in.
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Are you embracing your freedom? I'm not talking about celebrating the freedom of living in the USA. We're pretty good at that. It's especially easy this time of year with all the flags, parades, fireworks and patriotic music. I'm referring to the freedom we have in Christ. I'm embarrassed to admit, but I'm not always the best at it. Do you ever do this? You sin, confess, but feel so badly about ...
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“Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10 How’s that for a summer verse? Life moves us through the school year at a fast pace. Even if we don’t have children in school, our communities revolve around it. Now that summer break is here there’s an excitement we can’t deny. It’s a chance at a new schedule, a new season with different weather, activities, food, work. It could be ...
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