Sunday, February 14, is Valentine's day and this is traditionally a day for couples (married, engaged, committed, or engaged) to express their love for one another.  In some ways it is sad that we need a specific day to remind us to share our love with those who are special to us.  Still it is helpful to have a specific day when we can stop and focus our affection on the people we value most.  This year, perhaps more than any other, is a year when we need to share our love...

I recently "connected" with Debra Laaser on linkedin.  In doing so I learned that she and her late husband, Mark, had worked together, for over thirty years, developing the Faithful and True ministries which provides services especially for those struggling with sexual addiction.  (You can read more about their ministry at:  www.faithfulandtrue.com.).  Their services include:  counseling, workshops, articles, podcasts, blog posts, and books.  They have a wonderful team of professionals dedicated to assisting  individuals and couples in their struggle with sexual addiction.  I believe most are aware that the need for these kind of professional services  is rapidly growing...

Last night I watched the first Presidential Debate.  Though I definitely have a preference in the race I will have to say that the debate was anything but "presidential."  Both candidates interrupted, attempted to "talk over" their opponent, and stooped to allegations and name calling.  In short, I thought the true looser was the American people.  But, it is not really politics that I want to focus on; rather it is the tension between substance and style in communication...

I recently attended the circus with my wife, daughter, and two grandchildren.  I love the circus and enjoy watching the many displays of courage, talent, and skill.  In most of the "acts" it was human talent that was on display, but several of them featured the skills of various animals.  As I watched a giant elephant sit "gracefully" on a stool with a young lady riding on it's back, I wandered to myself, "How did they teach him (I guess it was a him) to do that?