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Showing posts from January, 2014

Taking Care of Your Older Dog

If your dog is getting gray on his or her muzzle and is over seven years old, you've got a senior canine in the house. Just like us, there are signs that age is creeping up on them.  Joints may be stiff, hearing and eyesight may decline. Older dogs may lose some of that keen sense of smell and not be as interested in their kibble. A dog's lifespan is dependent on breed and size. Usually extra large dogs have a shorter time with us, such as Great Danes. The expected lifespan is 6-8 years for them. Other large breed dogs may live to age 10. The little guys, especially terriers may see 16 though, so be aware of what is typical for your breed. Just as you paid special attention to that puppy, now is the time for a little extra care for your aging dog. Here are some ways to make sure your dog is enjoying his old age. 1.  Regular vet check ups and immunizations. Preventative care and early detection of problems are important, just as it is for us. 2.  Older dogs still need wa

Four Ways to Improve Your Pastor

Management expert, the late Peter Drucker once observed that the four most difficult jobs were: President of the United States, a university president, hospital administrator, and you guessed it--pastor of a church. I can hear some of you saying "Are you kidding? He only works on Sundays."  Well, that's not quite true, is it? The research shows that pastors are burned out, prone to moral failure (and not just sexual), and their marriages are often troubled. Who in their right mind would want to be a pastor? It's a tough gig, and God most definitely needs to call you to the pulpit. It's not for the faint of heart or the thin skinned.  There's also this warning from James: Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 NLT   The job is 24/7/365, shepherding the flock of human sheep who, if we're honest, aren't great at following. The church is full