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Author: pete.stohlman

Canceling Death

Canceling Death

Today I’d like to have a conversation on a topic that virtually no one wants to talk about. It’s time for a frank discussion about death. Let’s begin with its nature and consequences.  In plain terms, death is the cessation of all bodily functions.  Death separates the non-physical part of a person’s being (a.k.a. the soul), from the body.  Death brings an end to worldly passions, plans and preoccupations. Death severs all ties with the living, cutting off interaction and contact with the deceased. “Then…

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The Quintessential Hero

The Quintessential Hero

Little children it seems, are fascinated by tales of an age-old struggle of good and evil, by mythical creatures, mad scientists, villains and heroes—especially heroes. Kids love the idea of a champion, someone strong, reliable and good, who always comes to the rescue in the nick of time, routs the bad guys and triumphs in the end. If the wicked wizards resort to magic, no worries!  Our hero just happens to have supernatural abilities that trump them every time. You would…

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Christ The Crux

Christ The Crux

For anyone who is not a Christian, the experience of attending the typical church service as a guest must be pretty baffling.  And no, I’m not referring to the traditions, the jargon, knowing when to stand, sit or kneel, or how to find the right page at the right time.   Such things can be anxiety producing or downright annoying (no one wants to look out of place or like they don’t know what they’re doing, to feel awkward and self-conscious when they…

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No Day At The Beach

No Day At The Beach

The slang term, “epic fail” means a truly spectacular failure—one from which a comeback is virtually impossible.  It is the kind of event that people can’t seem to resist telling others about.  It yields a form of schadenfreude (perverse pleasure) to record it on cell phones and share it on social media. People who fail publicly and on a grand scale are rarely given a second chance.  Often, they become the butt of jokes.  No one wants to get too close to them, for fear…

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The Missing Person

The Missing Person

“May I help you?” asked the officer behind the desk, in a bored but polite tone. “I hope so,” answered the man standing before him.  “I’d like to report a missing person.” “Name?” “Bill. Bill Jones.” “How long has Mr. Jones been missing?” asked the policeman. “Oh, sorry officer.  That’s my name.  I’m Bill, er, William.  William Jones.  It’s my boss who’s missing.” “What’s your boss’ name, Mr. Jones?” “You’ll find it right there on the form.  I started filling it out while I was waiting, but didn’t…

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The Man From Mars

The Man From Mars

According to published reports, serious plans are being made for public and private (governmental and commercial) missions to Mars, as milestones of manned space exploration in the 21stcentury.  Not so long ago, this was purely the stuff of fiction. H. G. Wells’ novel War of the Worlds, appearing around the turn of the 20thcentury, was instrumental in sparking imagination concerning all things Martian. Then came the famous radio dramatization of October 30, 1938 by Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater Company—a live broadcast…

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A Small Confession

A Small Confession

I admit that I am not a huge fan of the Gospel of John.  As eyewitness accounts go, his is among the strangest.  Some commentators say that John’s command of Greek (the language of the New Testament) is fairly basic, his vocabulary, grammar and syntax unimpressive.  This is hardly a shock, since John was a fisherman by trade, who, along with his brother James, learned the family business from dear old dad.  John was also the youngest of the twelve apostles.  His telling of Jesus’…

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The Name of Jesus

The Name of Jesus

The Bible book of Acts tells the story of a man in his forties who had been crippled from birth.  He was being carried to a place of prayer, when he saw two of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and John.  The crippled man begged them for something small and temporary.  He asked them for money.  But as He so often does, God had a much better gift in mind for this disabled man—faith to be saved and, healing for his body. “Then Peter said, Silver…

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Defusing the Danger

Defusing the Danger

Excavations for the new luxury high-rise near the waterfront unearthed something frightening—a UXB (unexploded bomb), relic of an all-but-forgotten war.  It was a rusty, musty thing, with a small portion of one side exposed and part of one directional vane showing.  Despite having been buried for the longest time, it looked to be in remarkably good condition.  The workmen took no chances, scrambling out of the foundation works, taking to their heels and scattering in all directions. Construction was halted immediately, both by…

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No Argument

No Argument

I have heard it said (and do for the most part believe) that no one is ever argued into the kingdom of God.  If this were not so, the kingdom would be populated mostly with losers—frustrated people who are there chiefly because they do not perform well in debates.  If verbally outmaneuvered in front of others, they may also have felt foolish, publicly humiliated, resentful, even angry. Why were they unable to spot and evade the subtle intellectual traps set for them…

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