Every so often a company creates a product that is so innovative and long-lasting that they become proprietary eponyms.  Proprietary eponyms are brand names for products that are so popular that they become commonly used for the product even if it’s made by a different manufacturer.  Some examples include kleenex, jello, band-aid, white out, frisbee, and scotch tape.  Older folks may even remember “fridge” from Frigidair refrigerators,  “xerox” from Xerox copy machines, and “windex” from Windex glass cleaner.

So names can be important.  When children are born, often the parents look for the literal meaning of the name itself.  Or there may be a great significance to the name within the paternal or maternal side of the family.  Last names are gaining in importance in the U.S. as more and more people become interested in tracing their ancestry.  My wife and I have become very interested in tracing our family backgrounds for the…

Clarice Fong is the winner of our recent Reader’s Choice “Vision” contest. Her entry was Colours of the Sunset.

Congratulations, Clarice!

Remember the game we played when we were kids where we would toss something around trying to get rid of it as soon as possible because it was a “hot potato”? Like the “hot potato,” God wants us to let go of any anger, bitterness and resentment.  Buddha noted, Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.  Long-time advice columnist, Ann Landers once said, Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.  But there is so much unfairness, cruelty and just plain nastiness in the world that it is hard to avoid these feelings.

I grew up with the idea that anger was a “bad” emotion.  It took a long time for me to learn to admit that I was angry.  It took even longer to learn to express…

Joke or Judgment?

Is your joke really a judgment?  What is the fine line between a joke and a judgment?  In my opinion, I would say it is when someone gets hurt at the cost of your laughter.  The issue may appear very funny on the surface but in actuality when uncovered it really is not funny at all.

How do you get people to stop judging even after the person has made a desperate cry for help?  Sometimes the underlying cause has nothing to do with what your eyes compute to be the problem.  There is only one judge and He is the Great I AM!

God’s word says;

 ¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

“ ‘As surely as I live, ’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will…

Driving would be more difficult and more dangerous without our properly-adjusted rear vision mirrors. While driving, we use the broad view through the windscreen as we move ahead, but we also use the rear view mirrors for reference, making quick, periodic glances into them for information to aid us in driving decisions. Reversing or changing lanes would be hazardous without them.

“Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.
Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
~ Psalm 107:28-30 (NKJV)

Coming from someone who was one of the worst “controllers” and “worriers”, I can’t begin to explain the pure rest and pleasure that comes from, in the midst of being attacked, resting solely in the God-ship of our Lord and Savior.  Knowing that He is in control and that the ultimate result will bring Him glory (if we let it), lends a brand new peace, joy, and sense of contentment, as Paul said (Philippians 4:11), in every situation.

I will not go into the details of these attacks, that is not necessary.  They have been in various forms on many fronts.  

…To read your bible.

…To join a small group.

…To go on a missions trip.

…To go to Bible College.

…To find the man/woman of your dreams.

…To find the cure for cancer.

…To be blessed beyond measure.

…To give to charity.

…To find your dream job.

…To lose weight.

…To get strong.

…To teach others how to be healthy.

…To take care of the planet.

…To love your life.

…if…

What could the reason be that Satan would want you to do all these seemingly good and Godly things? Isn’t he evil and trying to get us to not do those things? Your wrong Brad, Satan wouldn’t want me to do any of those things, God wants me to do all those things!

Slow your roll playa’, let me explain something.

There are too many people who think they are doing good things, and while in themselves they are…