I’m sitting in a restaurant with our church youth group. Suddenly, all the girls get up and go to the restroom together. A mischievous light gleams in the boys’ eyes. Whispers ensue. When the girls return, all the guys get up and go to the restroom at the same time. It’s been years since this hilarious episode took place, but it still serves as a great example of male and female uniqueness when it comes to how we do friendship. Female friendships have particular strengths and weaknesses. Here are some qualities I appreciate about the women I consider to be my true friends: Continue Reading

The news of an old friend's passing is surreal, isn't it? I recently read an old letter of Irene's that I'd tucked away. Suddenly she is gone --but I'll never forget her.   Along with her husband Malcolm, Irene taught me Sunday school when I was a young teen. She helped me understand the word of God, and gave me a great incentive --a brand-new "Living Bible" -- to memorize all of Isaiah chapter 40.   I still remember that sense of accomplishment, and how much I treasured the reward of a modern language Bible. (Yes, I cut my teeth on the KJV.)   Maybe Irene is the Continue Reading

You know that awkward moment when you realize you've done something that hurt another person, but you really want to save face?   We've all been there. It's humbling and downright painful to take the blame and ask the other person to forgive us, isn't it? I mean, it makes us look bad. It makes us feel bad about ourselves.   Sounds like low self-esteem to me, and we can't be having any of that, now, can we?   Not to worry: In light of our dilemma, I've developed a strategy. You may be familiar with some of these already, or you may even have others that could be added Continue Reading

"Sandy doesn't give me the time of day," said Allison. "I bet she's heard bad stuff about me and that's why she doesn't talk to me."     If people aren't warm and cordial to Allison (not her real name), her assumption is that they dislike her.   Allison is insecure.   We tend to sympathize with insecurity, but do you see the problem here?   Allison failed to give Sandy the benefit of a doubt. She assumed Sandy purposefully snubbed her the way a vindictive junior-high girl might. She assumed Sandy listens to gossip.   Yet Allison did not tell Sandy Continue Reading