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1 week ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
Mark Twain visited Europe with his wife and 11-year-old daughter. The nobles and kings of Europe entertained them constantly. They met many famous people. As they were on the ship returning to America, Twain and his wife were reviewing the list of celebrities they had seen during their stay. Finally, their daughter spoke up with this comment: “Daddy, you must know everybody worth knowing except God.”Twain’s daughter sounds pretty sharp. I hope he got to know God later. It’s sad to hear that story.
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2 weeks ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
These are the comments of a young mother: “Before I got married, I had six theories about bringing up children. Now I have six children and no theories.”It takes awhile for every generation to gain some maturity. I think Memorial Day is one of those things we don’t pay much attention to when we are young. Over the years we realize how important it is to take time to remember those who have gone before us, especially those who have served their country.
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3 weeks ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
The story is told of a hard-core atheist who, one day, as he was on a hunting expedition, walked deep into the woods.
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4 weeks ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
I just got back from a trip down the Danube River in Europe. It was an amazing time. I was able to go with my wife Deb, son Paul, and our granddaughter Elise. There’s one thing I learn over and over every time I travel. People are the same wherever you go!My son, Paul, and I were going to use a restroom just before going on the Charles Bridge in Prague. You have to pay a small amount to use the restroom in most of Europe. I was looking at my change and had enough for two people.
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
Some years ago, in a column of Ann Landers, I could hardly believe the nerve of the person who wanted her wedding present back. As I recall, the marriage only lasted a short time and the person who wrote to Ann wanted to know if she shouldn’t get her present back. In other columns, I recall people who had written in to ask Ann if they should demand thank-you notes for presents they had given. I liked Ann’s response. She reminded people that giving a gift means just that.
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
In one of the Peanuts cartoon strips; Linus possesses a security blanket that is very dear to him. Snoopy snatches the security blanket from Linus and flies through the door in cold midwinter with Linus suspended in midair holding onto the blanket for dear life. Outside in the snow, a battle ensues. At last Linus wins, grabs his blanket, and stands exhausted at the front door. His sister, Lucy, yells at him, “Are you crazy?
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
At Easter time we proclaim the miracle of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. It’s a great joy to think about ourselves, our families and friends being resurrected and being in heaven together. It’s more than just “pie in the sky” theology. There is power we can experience here on earth too. The power of the resurrection is seen in changed lives. One pastor said, “God can do more with our sins than just forgive them.
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2 months ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
Some years ago a Hollywood producer named Quincy Jones was able to bring together the superstars of the entertainment world. He produced and directed several entertainment events such as the hit recording, “We Are The World”. To set the tone for the team of music superstars he put a sign over the entrance to the recording studio that read: “CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR.”This is the same message Jesus delivered on several occasions. One of those was in Luke 14:7-11.
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2 months ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
A man went to his doctor to see what could be done about his problem of snoring. The doctor asked the man if it was loud enough to disturb his wife. The man said, “Disturb my wife? It disturbs the whole congregation!”There are always a few in every congregation who try to catch up on their sleep during church. Most of them are babies. I have to admit I wish I could sleep through a service sometimes. We do need our rest. Even Jesus invited his followers to rest awhile.
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2 months ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
A well-known preacher tells of a little lady who approached him after he had preached at a convalescent home. After a little discussion, he admitted, “I’m afraid I may have preached a little too long for you folks.”“Oh, no,” she replied, it wasn’t too long it just seemed long,”That’s about the shakiest thing that can happen to a preacher. There are a lot of things that leave us feeling shaky in life. Have your ever had a car accident or a near miss?
