Here at the Intramuralist, we are very intentional about our topics. Some stories are worked on weeks in advance, noting the extent of research required. Others are crafted in the immediate hours prior to posting, noting the urgency in the country\u2019s collective conversation. When the heart of the country somberly and prayerfully responded to the heart of Buffalo\u2019s Damar Hamlin last week, for example, that prompted our immediate attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some blogs are whimsical. Some are historical. Some tell personal stories, but all wrestle with various insights and angles of various issues. There is no topic we won\u2019t touch, albeit always respectfully so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some blogs, perhaps, really aren\u2019t fair. Take the following, for example\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because we possess the power of the pen (or at least the keyboard on my iMac),<\/em> today I\u2019d like to utilize a little more of our creative license than usual. While admittedly, none of us are qualified to fully discern the changes another should <\/em>or needs <\/em>to make \u2014 or as I like to say, \u201cplay the Holy Spirit in another\u201d \u2014 here are our Top Ten Resolutions for 2023\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 for <\/em>other<\/em><\/strong> people. \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, we wish\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n 10. For Prince Harry to learn what it means to work on family dysfunction in a healthy, private manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9. For Congress to address and improve their obvious dysfunction (\u2026 and yes, that is both parties who take masquerading turns acting as if solely <\/em>they<\/em><\/strong> put country before party).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 8. For government to spend significantly less. For government, too, like all other responsible entities, to pay back what we owe (\u2026 our current U.S. national debt is $31,473,035,697,684\u2026 wait\u2026 that\u2019s wrong; <\/em>the debt grows at a rate of $45,486 per second).<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. For Pres. Joe Biden and former Pres. Donald Trump to realize the majority of the country doesn\u2019t wish for either one of them to run again (\u2026 thanks for your service, but unfortunately, too much division has been the result of each of your tenures; sometimes \u2014 admittedly in different ways \u2014 you have each encouraged it).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. For sports legends Tom Brady, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, Aaron Rodgers, Diana Taurasi, Venus Williams and Tiger Woods to know when to retire (\u2026 and how to do so gracefully).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. For CNN, FOX, MSNBC and more to openly admit their bias and thus often, lack of objectivity (\u2026 bias exists everywhere; let\u2019s simply acknowledge its ability to skew a story).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. For the economy to stabilize, inflation to subside, and for all politicians to recognize their role in it<\/em> and responsibility for it<\/em> \u2014 as opposed to blaming all negative impact on the policies of another pending the consonant after their name (\u2026 as if only they are the economic genius).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. For Damar Hamlin to fully recover and realize how he unintentionally, but beautifully spurred on an entire country to consider what is most important in life (\u2026 noting it has nothing to do with sports).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. For the country to realize prayers and action are not mutually exclusive (\u2026 and to realize Who we\u2019re actually praying to).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And #1. For all of us to learn to be more respectful and honoring of all others. There isn\u2019t a single one of us not in need of growing in this too oft sacrificed virtue.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let me ask a final question today, friends: who is it that you have trouble respecting and honoring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just a resolution\u2026 trying to decide for whom\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here at the Intramuralist, we are very intentional about our topics. Some stories are worked on weeks in advance, noting the extent of research required. Others are crafted in the immediate hours prior to posting, noting the urgency in the country\u2019s collective conversation. When the heart of the country somberly and prayerfully responded to the … <\/p>\n