Addictions can be overcome with honesty, prayer and counseling
An addiction is something that almost consumes a person’s time and energy, and that they can’t break out of on their own.
Dear Abby | Don’t worry about ex’s new baby
DEAR ABBY: I am the mother of a 5-year-old daughter I’ll call Mandy. Her father and I separated when she was 16 months old, and now we are divorced. I am newly engaged to a wonderful man and very happy.
If you don’t love somebody, set them free
DEAR ABBY: I am a divorcee with college-aged children. I love my children, and I thought I loved my ex. However, after my divorce I wonder if I’m capable of loving anyone other than my children again.
You can grow in faith throughout your life
Many Christians sincerely commit their lives to Jesus (perhaps when they are young) but never grow in their faith, and they remain immature and ineffective.
Miss Manners | Showing good will requires deft touch
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have at many times read in the paper about people buying meals, etc., for others as a gesture of kindness. I have found myself in situations where I would like to show similar good will, but have been hesitant to do so for fear of insulting the intended recipient.
Dear Abby | Give RVs plenty of space on the road
DEAR ABBY: It’s vacation time again, time to hit the road in the RV. Please make your readers aware that people driving motorhomes, towing fifth-wheel trailers and travel trailers CANNOT stop as quickly as a small car or truck.
Encourage neighbor to turn away from affair
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: My neighbor just confessed to me that she’s carrying on an affair behind her family’s back, and is thinking about leaving them so she can marry her lover (who’s also married). I want to help her, but how can I? She claims she’s at peace with her decisions. — N.N.
Former friends want to encroach on vacation time
DEAR ABBY: I live in Alaska and have good friends I visit every summer on the East Coast. I have some acquaintances and former co-workers who live there, too. Many of them want me to visit when I come down. I have grown apart from these former friends and keep in touch only through occasional emails and Facebook.
This graduation notice doesn’t require a gift
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A family friend that my wife knew growing up, but was never close friends with, sent her a notice of her son’s high school graduation, along with a picture of the son. Never in all these years did my wife receive any other pictures, holiday cards or even an announcement when the son was born, so this is the first we’ve known of him.
Give of yourself to those who are lonely or discouraged
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: My aunt went into a nursing home a few months ago, and whenever I go to see her I come away saddened because so many of the people there are lonely and never have any visitors. Should I encourage our pastor to start visiting there? — L.M.
She’s not interested in men or sex
DEAR ABBY: I am a woman in my late 40s and I hate sex. I always have and always will. I’m disabled, and it has always been torture. I never got any positive benefits out of it.
Friendly gesture or impertinent remark?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my mother was visiting for the weekend, we ran into one of my neighbors, who had met my mother once prior. As we were getting into my car, the neighbor waved and said, “Hi, Mom!”
Friend with cancer needs your prayers, and the hope of Christ
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: I have a friend who’s always been the upbeat, optimistic type, no matter what happened. But now she’s been diagnosed with untreatable cancer, and it’s really sent her into an emotional tailspin. What happened to all her optimism? — A.R.
Grandpa insists engaged couple change his last name
DEAR ABBY: My wife’s niece is marrying a wonderful man of Greek descent this summer. Her grandfather insists that his last name is too long and impossible to pronounce. He thinks they need to change the name when they marry.
Because of Christ, we have the hope of heaven
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: My aunt is in hospice with untreatable stage 4 cancer, and she keeps asking me why God doesn’t just let her die and go to be with Jesus. I always try to be optimistic and tell her she’s going to get better, although we both know she isn’t. What can I say to cheer her up? — L.A.
Twelve-year-old can’t understand sad feelings
DEAR ABBY: I am a 12-year-old girl who is happy, healthy and doing great in school. But lately I have felt sad, lonely and just plain frustrated. I used to talk to my parents about it, but I don’t feel comfortable doing it anymore, and my friends don’t like listening to me.
Mothers everywhere can model God’s love for their children
DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: What advice do you have for a new mother? I didn’t grow up in a stable home, and I don’t want to make the same mistakes my mother made, even if they weren’t always her fault. — V. M.
Value grandson who likes girl toys for who he is
DEAR ABBY: I am a longtime reader but a first-time writer. My problem has been bothering me for some time now.
If you must invite her, include husband as well
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A rather despicable married friend has been estranged from her husband for years, yet they maintain a home together. She has had several love interests in the past few years. I suspect I’ve been used as her “beard” for some of her escapades.
Satan’s goal is to blind us to God’s truth
Satan believes in God — that is, he believes God exists, and he even knows that God is powerful.
All scripture should be treasured, including the Old Testament
For many years I made it a practice to read five Psalms and one chapter of Proverbs every day, enabling me to read through those two books each month.
Snoop is suspicious that friend is having affair
DEAR ABBY: I have a friend who I think is having an affair. I have no concrete evidence, only a slew of circumstantial evidence such as odd work hours, blocks of mystery time set aside at night in his cellphone’s day planner, and evading questions about texts from females.
Boyfriend’s child support may be a deal-breaker
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 60-year-old woman with grown children. My husband and I divorced after 30 years of marriage because he met someone at work. It was a quick process, and because I was in shock, I agreed to the terms of the divorce even though they weren’t in my favor.
Facebook wedding announcement has no bearing on gift
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s niece was engaged to be married in the summer, but the wedding was moved up because she and her fiance decided they couldn’t wait. Their ages are 19 and 18, respectively.
Christ is the way, the truth and the life
Jesus proclaimed he was the truth, sent from heaven to reveal God to us.
