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It’s tough to be a young adult!

In the twenties, humans develop their sense of personal identity, set some of their goals for life and begin to find their place as adults in a topsy-turvy world. Sociologists generally list 5 markers that indicate an entrance into adulthood: (1) completing school, (2) moving out, (3) financial independence, (4) marriage and (5) having children. But today’s “twenty-somethings” are sometimes ridiculed for “prolonged adolescence” because they are pushing these markers further into adulthood. For example, in 1980, the median age for marriage was 24.7 years for men, and 22.0 years ...

The challenge to forgive and overcome evil with good

An old Chinese proverb says, “One who pursues revenge should dig two graves.” Anger and the accompanying desire for revenge poisons the life of the angry person, and this is true even when other words like “hurt,” “frustrated” or “irritated” are used because we don’t like to describe ourselves as “angry.” Psychologist Paul Meier says that 95% of the cases of depression that he treats in his clinic come from repressed anger at oneself or others. Anger is a normal reaction to being hurt, and it’s also quite normal to wish ill upon those who hurt us. Even some of ...

A foundation of faith has eternal significance

Some folks cringe when Mother’s Day comes around. For them, “Mom” conjures up images of irresponsibility, insecurity, abuse and neglect. “Mom” might have played a biological role, but she had no warmth and no nurturing instinct. For these folks, Mother’s Day is a painful reminder of what they’ve missed, and they’d just as soon never remember, thank you! One friend often skips the Mother’s Day service at her church. If I’d had her mother, I might skip, too. Others, of course, believe they won the “Mom” lottery. Mom was a constant force for good in their lives, ...

Nothing is ever out of God’s control

Hi, my name is Mark and I’m a control freak. I’d like to make myself sound a little better and say that a different way, perhaps, something like, “Hi, my name is Mark and I am a perfectionist who likes to get things right. Word games, however, wouldn’t change the fact: I am a control freak. Since I’m confessing here, let me continue and admit: I’m scared. Scared of what will happen if things get out of control. Afraid that I will disappoint others and disgust myself if I don’t get everything right. Fearful of the rejection I’ll experience when people discover how ...

We shouldn’t be prompted to seek revenge

Brett Blair tells about a Swedish woman whose husband dumped her and took up with a younger woman after 17 years of marriage. In his divorce filing, the man claimed the downtown apartment where they had been living. His soon-to-be ex-wife agreed to give up the apartment, but asked for 3 days to pack and move out. She hired movers and cleared her things from the apartment. Then she sat down with a glass of chardonnay and a pound of raw shrimp and celebrated being rid of that jerk. After finishing her snack, she took some of the shrimp shells and put them inside the hollow core of each ...

Grow beyond the need for revenge

Brett Blair tells about a Swedish woman whose husband dumped her and took up with a younger woman after 17 years of marriage. In his divorce filing, the man claimed the downtown apartment where they had been living. His soon-to-be ex-wife agreed to give up the apartment, but asked for 3 days to pack and move out. She hired movers and cleared her things from the apartment. Then she sat down with a glass of chardonnay and a pound of raw shrimp and celebrated being rid of that jerk. After finishing her snack, she took some of the shrimp shells and put them inside the hollow core of each ...