Certain songs seem to survive the test of time. These “gems” continue to pop up in our worship services (contemporary or traditional.) They instruct and inspire modern believers just as they did in the past.
One clear example would be Robert Robinson’s “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Since 1758, believers’ hearts have sung the first verse (“Tune my heart to sing they grace.”) And their minds have queried the meaning of the second verse (“Here I raise my Ebenezer.”) The question arises, “What in the world is an ‘Ebenezer’ and why are we singing about it?”
A familiar scenario plays out before us. The entire family converges upon a restaurant for a celebratory dinner. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all gather around a large table. Early in the proceedings, a parent leans forward and lovingly corrects their child. “Don’t just fill up on…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Monday, July 4, 2022 — You are a warm, caring, loving person who is close to your loved ones. It’s important to you that there is peace and harmony within the family, because discord creates stress for you. Good news! This is your year for success, awards, promotions and a…
Pope Francis has hailed as a martyr an Italian missionary nun slain in Haiti, where she cared for poor children. The diocese of Milan says Sister Luisa Dell'Orto was slain “during an armed aggression,” probably a robbery attempt, on Saturday in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Francis on Sunday in remarks to the public in St. Peter's Square expressed his closeness to the nun's family members and noted she had lived there for some 20 years, dedicating herself to helping poor children who lived on the street. Francis said he prays for the Haitian people, especially the youngest ones, so they can have a better future without misery or violence.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 77-year-old male. I’m 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weigh 145 pounds, with difficult-to-control high blood pressure. For many years I had a blood pressure reading around 140/80 with no medicines. Last year I had a very severe headache, and I thought it might be a s…
We are surrounded by bad money advice — from social media, from influencers and even from friends and family. Bad money advice might be oversimplified, ignoring the particulars of your personal situation. It could be outdated or based on harmful stereotypes. It may come in the form of a get-…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Saturday, July 2, 2022 — You are warm, caring and generous. You are also spontaneous and witty! You have an excellent sense of timing. In fact, you have many talents! This year your talents are certainly recognized, because it’s a time for promotions, acknowledgements, kud…
Dear Dr. Roach: Each year when I receive results from my yearly bloodwork I notice that my GFR score keeps going down. This year is the first year that my score dropped below 60, with a score of 57. I am 66 years old, and there are no other scores in my bloodwork that would indicate kidney d…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Friday, July 1, 2022 — You are a sensitive, loving person who values family and friends. You are intuitive and imaginative, and you have an excellent memory. This is a year of learning and teaching for you. Time spent in solitude to develop yourself personally and increase…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, June 30, 2022 — You are witty, outgoing and friendly. You are a kind, giving person who has poise and self-control. You love to share intelligent ideas and interact with groups. The theme of this year is service to others, especially family. Remember to invest in…
Dear Dr. Roach: I had an MRI that showed three of my four rotator cuff tendons have complete tears. I can only lift my right arm midway. I cannot comb my hair, and I’m right-handed. I cannot lift a glass or coffee cup to put on a shelf in kitchen cabinets. I have some pain if I move my arm t…
Q: On an AWD vehicle, do front brake pads wear faster than rear brake pads since more weight is carried by the front wheels? L.K., Park Ridge, Illinois
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Wednesday, June 29, 2022 — You are a loving and compassionate person, which is why you truly care about others. Because you are tenderhearted, you sometimes need to withdraw to protect yourself. This is a year of change for you; therefore, stay light on your feet and remai…
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 74-year-old male. I had open heart surgery one year ago. I am currently taking several medicines, all for a year or more. About a month ago I started having very hard stools, and they had become like different size marbles. I have had no changes to my diet. Can a perso…
Dear Savvy Senior, I recently saw a news segment on TV about a government funeral assistance program available to families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. What can you tell me about this? I lost my 78-year-old mother to COVID in 2021 and want to find out if I’m still eligible for an…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Tuesday, June 28, 2022 — You are witty and sociable, and you know how to please others. You like to succeed, because you don’t want to fail. This year construction will be your theme. You might physically build something or you might build an inner structure in your life. …
Q. I got pregnant right out of high school. My son’s father was equally as young and did not want to take on the responsibility. He enlisted in the army, and I have not seen him in nine years. I married my husband when my son was almost 2 and my husband has raised our son as his own. We also…
Dear Dr. Roach: I am now 78 years old. My mother’s two brothers died of heart attacks at 55 and 65, so when I was in my 50s, I had a calcium scan of my heart. Since then, I have been taking 10 mg of atorvastatin along with blood pressure medication.
There may be nothing more sweet in this big, wide world than gazing upon photos and videos of your kids or grandkids — with smiles a mile wide — holding up what they think is a huge “monster” fish (even if it’s just a small sunfish or bluegill), or photos of your family all together enjoying…
Ready to make the most of your summer? Grab your friends and family and get out on the water. Boating gives you the freedom to explore the outdoors and offers added wellness benefits. Studies show being on the water improves emotional health, relaxation and creativity.
With summer here and the July 4th holiday weekend just around the corner, the National Fire Protection Association is reminding people about potential electrical hazards that exist in swimming pools and hot tubs, onboard boats, on docks and piers, and in waters surrounding boats, marinas, an…
Thanks to increasingly busy weekday schedules that have families running in different directions for work, school and extracurricular activities, weekends are an ideal time to recharge. Too often, however, family members retire to their respective rooms, devices in hand.
Large summer toys, like boats and RVs, are expensive, and few people can cover the purchase price outright. If you need to borrow money to pay for a summer vehicle, a secured loan is typically the most affordable option. Many lenders also offer unsecured loans. Smaller purchases, like a jet ski, can go on a credit card, but interest rates are high, so you’ll want to be careful with this option. Consider your overall budget and any additional costs related to your purchase before deciding on your best financing option.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Monday, June 27, 2022 — You are an excellent communicator. You’re an idea person who is also open to hearing ideas from others. This makes you decisive. This is an excellent year for self-improvement and a possible makeover. Act on opportunities to create a better impressi…
Yard sales take hours of preparation and plenty of hard work. But they don’t all make money. If you’re looking to declutter your home and bring in some cash, consider these tips. First, decide whether a yard sale is the right method to meet your goals. If so, invite friends or neighbors to s…
