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Browse published articles attributed to Merryl Lentz, with full-archive search.
We've all encountered two-faced people at one time or another -- those individuals who smile in your face and act like your best friend, while they've got a knife poise at your back. They pretend to be your best buddy, only to try to use you, or to spread lies and gossip about you behind your back.
Musicians often have hell to pay for playing rock and roll. They shoulder the blame for being in cahoots with the devil, and for glorifying him with secret messages supposedly hidden in their songs. If a berserk kid goes on a shooting spree, rock music must surely have possessed his soul. If a killer mentions he likes a certain band, their lyrics must definitely have cast a murderous spell over him. Heck, if your lottery numbers don’t hit, why not blame that on the songs of a rock band too?
God is often envisioned as a distant, unapproachable, fearsome entity – a punisher ensconced on a thunderhead, angrily smiting humans for even the smallest transgressions. He is actually everywhere – outside you, around you, within you – waiting expectantly and with great love, for you to invite Him into your life. According to Jeremiah 1:5, He's known you prior to your birth – "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" – and He wants you to get closer to Him by inviting Him into your life.
Bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do when they come for you? For some women, the answer is, "Hurl myself into his tattooed arms." These women are captivated by his untamed wildness, fearlessness, nonconformity, rebelliousness, boldness, charm, charisma and independence. With testosterone production permanently stuck in overdrive, he exudes an irresistibly raw sexuality. Looks that kill
I don't know my next-door neighbors. I don't ever see them. I don't ever get the opportunity to talk to them. I never visit with them. I don't even know their names. There's been such a revolving door of new next-door neighbors in my apartment building that, to be honest, I no longer attempt to try to get to know people who may very likely up and leave. People are transient and just don't put down roots like they used to.
It's only a two-letter word. It's small and simple. Tiny, even. Microscopic. Yet it's sometimes one of the hardest words to say in the English language. It's the word "no." But there are times when saying "yes" to the word "no" can be profoundly liberating, and can assist you in staying true to yourself and your connection to the Divine.
Sometimes, when we're driving, we encounter a bump or boulder in the road which forces us to veer off in a new, unexpected direction. The same holds true with life. At times, The Universe places a bump or boulder in our path to cause our existence to suddenly swerve seemingly off course. This unpredicted -- and often unwanted -- change could be triggered by an illness, a financial predicament, a job situation, a shift in a relationship, or any number of other life-altering incidents.
Lies are like weeds. They start out small, and then grow until they're out of control. And like weeds, they keep popping up again and again. Once they take root, they grab a firm hold, and won't let go.
Where there's smoke, there's often a teen playing with fire – a lit cigarette. If that teen happens to be yours, you may be clouted with emotions ranging from disappointment to rage to shock when you discover them smoking. Above all, you may be worried, because teen smokers are prone to turn into adult smokers. Teens can develop a nicotine addiction with alarming speed – sometimes in as little as several weeks. Many teen smokers assume they can stop whenever they choose, but few can easily kick the habit.
I had a wonderful teacher who provided me with precious and wise lessons about faith and trust. Her name was Jasmine. She died when she was 15 years old. She was abused and neglected before we met. She couldn't communicate through language -- yet she spoke volumes to me. But Jasmine was not a person. Jasmine was my cat.
Some of the world's best teachers have fur, four legs and can bark or meow. Even though they don't speak our language, pets can communicate quite adeptly and with great wisdom. They have an unspoiled innocence, spontaneity and trust that helps them deeply connect with children, who also possess those qualities. Children can learn many lessons from pets – valuable lessons that aren't taught in any school. Responsibility
Your mouth goes dry. You start sweating. Your heart hammers. Your legs feel weak. The English language suddenly seems as foreign to you as ancient hieroglyphics. Are you at the dentist's office? Did you find out you owe money to the IRS? Are you going crazy? Maybe a bit. You're a shy person who's looking for love – and who's also terrified of finding it. So sit down, get out the smelling salts and consider some of these tips for wrestling shyness to the mat and getting on with your love life. Narrow the playing field
Some people handle change smoothly and easily, like a swan gliding across a lake. Other people fight mightily against it, as though trying to paddle through chu ing, swirling white water rapids. What makes one person's journey nearly effortless, or even enjoyable, while another person's is fraught with struggle and resistance? The difference is perspective.