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2013

The great joy of running

If you’ve ever run a marathon, you know it’s quite a distance to cover on foot—a little over 26 miles. But imagine being an endurance runner, or “ultra runner” as they are sometimes known, who races 100 miles or more! Some of the most inspiring marathon runners and ultra runners have developed a unique perspective on running which has been key to their endurance and success.

A letter to my daughter

Thoughts on God's already-conceived idea.

Complaining or correcting?

Complaining, if we have a habit of doing it, can be the easiest thing in the world. From grumbling about our bank’s poor service, to inefficient city government, to a co-worker’s slowness.

What we can learn from Groundhog Day

My favorite movie is Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. If you haven’t seen it, Murray’s character, Phil Connors, is an arrogant and self-centered TV weatherman.

Good can never be destroyed

After her husband's sudden passing, a woman turns to prayer and finds not just comfort but indestructible joy.

James Spencer replies to an online question . . .

Author James Spencer replies to a question about his January 2013 Journal article “Living in the Third Degree”

'Know thyself!'

True self-knowledge is ultimately a spiritual process, found through prayer.

Led to start a branch church

Answers to prayer can come about in the most unusual ways.

Numbers and life

First appeared in the February 2013 issue of The Herald of Christian Science. Originally written in Portuguese.

Some years ago, there was a show on Brazilian TV in which a comedian mimicked a minister from the government who would often say, “What matters is numbers. ” The comedian’s playfulness is a sign that humanity today seems to be worried about and bound to “numbers.

This is my job!

When weeks, then months, pass without any job prospects, a soon-to-be step-dad finds unexpected opportunities for personal growth.