There Are Seven Days in the Week — Someday Isn’t One of Them

Develop a solid system for the new year

“What lifetime are you waiting for?” – Bill Hybels Christmas is soon approaching, and we will do some talking and thinking about it presently. Today, though, I want to encourage you to think about your plans for the new year. I have written before about setting SMART goals, and I won’t repeat myself here, but […]

How to Prevail When the Spam Hits the Fan

Hardship is inevitable. Defeat isn't.

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome, ‘Do your worst, for I will do […]

Why Education Is the Greatest Path to Wealth

And why it pays to be a shrewd consumer

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” – Eppie Lederer (a/k/a Ann Landers) Reader — and good friend — Jeff sent an email following Tuesday’s post. As a side note, he has noted that he often agrees with my conclusions, even though he differs with the path I used to reach them. Here’s a […]

Gain Amazing Strength and Resilience in the Wait Room

Just because you haven't found your destiny doesn't mean you don't have one

“The waiting is the hardest part…” – Tom Petty It doesn’t matter whether you call it being a late bloomer, a slow starter, or failure to launch. Plenty of guys these days are finding it difficult to establish themselves in life. Formal education is expensive, and the return on investment is questionable. Full-time employment is […]

Re-Post: The Advent Conspiracy – A Cure for Grinches?

How to bring back the wonder of Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner.  Despite the holiday-themed TV ads that began in early November and the radio stations that started playing Christmas music around the same time, it’s possible you may have missed it.  As a friend of mine observed, “Christmas seems to come earlier every year.” If the crass commercialization of the […]

Lessons Learned from 30 Years of Marriage

Next to parenthood, it's the best trouble you'll ever have

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing     and obtains favor from the Lord.” – Proverbs 18:22 (ESV) Mrs. Booth and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this week. I am profoundly thankful for the years we have had together, and I look forward to the years ahead. The institution of marriage has suffered […]

Are You Looking Through The Wrong End of the Telescope?

Give thanks -- in all things

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”- G.K. Chesterton If you’re living in the US, or if you’re a citizen of the US, a very happy Thanksgiving to you! Before we begin today, please take a moment to watch the following video featuring […]

How to Shine at This Year’s Thanksgiving Dinner

Brush up on your table manners

“And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself in another part of the world And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself-Well…How did I get here?” […]

Re-post: “The Dwarfs Are For The Dwarfs!”

The perils of parochialism

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a […]

Does Religion Deserve the Blame for Paris?

The folly of painting with too broad a brush

“An appeaser is a person who feeds the crocodile in hopes of being eaten last.” – Winston Churchill Like many of you, I am feeling shock and anger at last Friday’s attacks in Paris. I have spent time in and around Paris and have friends there, so this is not purely academic for me. Despite […]