Tag Archives: second chances

Quick Thought – Sunday, November 1, 2026 – Lessons From Mom: The Courage to Start Over

Posted on November 1, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

When my mother packed up her two boys, her schnauzer, and everything she could carry, she was starting over. Years later, I understand the courage that took—and the faithfulness of a God whose mercies are new every morning. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Monday, October 19, 2026: Defeat is Not Final—God Still Has a Purpose

Posted on October 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

On October 19, 1781, Charles Cornwallis suffered a crushing defeat at Yorktown. But his story was far from over. Like Moses and others throughout Scripture, Cornwallis reminds us that our greatest setbacks don’t have to define our future. Continue reading →

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Eighteen Months with Samantha B. Dog—A Story of Love and Compassion

Posted on October 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

When my wife rescued a skinny black dog from a busy road, my first concern was the bourbon collection in the room where she’d put her. Eighteen months later, I was sobbing as we said goodbye to Samantha B. Dog. Somewhere between those two moments, Sammy taught us about compassion, responsibility, unconditional love, and what really matters in life. Continue reading →

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The Story Between the Lines: The Man Everyone Gave Up On

Posted on September 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Dave had once been viewed as having great potential. Then one person after another gave up on him. Nearly forty years later, someone finally saw what he could become. Continue reading →

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The Weirdest Coincidence I’ve Ever Experienced

Posted on August 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I wasn’t sure I had an answer to the weirdest coincidence I’ve ever experienced. Then I remembered two airport encounters that somehow led right back to my classroom. Continue reading →

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How I Met My Wife — More Than Once

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I met Daryl in 1988, but that wasn’t really the whole story. We connected in 1991, went our separate ways, and found each other again nearly 24 years later. Continue reading →

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My Long, Winding, Occasionally Uninvited College Tour

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I attended college the hard way — with false starts, one official uninvitation, a detour through the U.S. Air Force, and a community college class that accidentally changed my life. It turns out learning sticks better when you’re finally ready to show up. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Forgotten Bottle—Rediscovering What the New Year Still Holds

Posted on December 28, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

The New Year isn’t always about starting over. Sometimes it’s about rediscovering what’s been quietly waiting—preserved, not wasted—like a forgotten bottle tucked behind the rest. Continue reading →

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