Dear friend— Three weeks ago, I shared some thoughts on using the end of the year as a time for reflection. I challenged you to think about what you choose to reflect on and encouraged you to think more about the positive things that happened in your life this year. I was originally going to…

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There is something I’ve come to value far more than any gift I’ve been given: making memories with the ones I love. To me, that’s what makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. I hear many people this time of year complaining about the chaos of the Christmas season—the hustle and bustle of…

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Christmas is next week, and depending upon your personality, you’re either finished with your Christmas shopping, or you’ve still got six days before you hit the stores. Regardless of which camp you call your own, there’s one question that everyone is asking lately: What do I get [that person] for Christmas? That person might be…

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We’re nearing Christmas, and everywhere you look, there are advertisements encouraging you to think about the people on your gift list. Whether it’s your spouse, your children, a parent or a co-worker, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on giving just the right gift. As a result, people are cheerfully—and busily—shopping to put a smile…

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This week, America will celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving—a day set aside to be grateful for everything from family to food to faith. While people celebrate in different ways, the point of the holiday is to stop for one day and reflect on the abundant blessings we have. It’s also the official kick-off to the…

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Christmas is a time for people to get together. Between office parties, get-togethers with friends, and Christmas dinner itself, most of us spend a lot of time face-to-face with family, colleagues, and friends during this season. And all that “face time” has the potential to be filled with either connection or conflict. How do you…

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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” I don’t know about you, but I love that Christmas song, and it’s fitting because I love the Christmas season. There’s nothing more wonderful to me than the lights, the decorations, the music, and, especially, the time spent with family. It was always fun and meaningful when…

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Well, it’s the week before Christmas, and I suspect that you might be spending some of this time with family. I’ll be spending a lot of time with Margaret, our kids and grandkids in the days before Christmas. I’m so excited about the chance to connect and pour into the grandkids. I consider myself incredibly…

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