A ONE-LEGGED MAN

It’s strange how a few words can permanently alter your life. Exactly two years ago today, Linda and I sat at our kitchen table on a video call with an oncologist, as he delivered these disturbing words: “Ovarian cancer … stage four … incurable.” From that moment on, my world hasn’t been the same.

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Barney Cargile Comment
THE GREAT "I WILL BE"

Pop quiz. What’s the simplest, shortest sentence in the English language? (Text language doesn’t count). The answer is: “I am.” It can’t get any more basic. “I am.” It’s also the most powerful statement ever uttered, because those two simple words form the name of God.

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Barney CargileComment
A MAN WITHOUT A FAMILY

He epitomized the essence of negativity. After leaving my car at a dealership for repair, their shuttle driver transported me to my office. Our conversation consisted of his litany complaints of all that was wrong with our world. Any effort to turn the discussion in a positive direction failed to make a crack…

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Barney CargileComment
A YEAR OF SURPRISES

It was truly an unforgettable moment. In 1993, our family rented Fire in the Sky, the story of an alleged alien abduction. As we watched, we realized the movie was filmed in Roseburg, Oregon, where we had lived a couple of years earlier. Suddenly Linda cried out, “That’s our house!!” It was unmistakable. Our former domicile was home to the lead character…

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Barney CargileComment
ANSWER THE PHONE LIKE BUDDY

December’s calendar is packed with special days. But we’re also treated to a host of lesser holidays to observe. Make sure to mark next year’s planner for National Christmas Lights Day, Food Drive for Hungry Animals Day, and Stupid Toy Day—actual observances of special days in December.

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Barney Cargile
BORN IN A BARN

A teenage girl and her husband—two insignificant peasants, from an insignificant village, in an insignificant country—travel to an insignificant town. While there, she gives birth to a baby boy, in the most insignificant of places—not in a hospital, or a house, or even a toolshed. No, this couple’s baby entered the world in the humblest place we could imagine. He was literally “born in a barn.” By now, I imagine you’ve figured out we’re talking about Jesus.

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Barney CargileComment
D-DAY AND CHRISTMAS DAY

Turning slowly, the stranger faced me as we stood at the drinking fountain. I thanked him through dewy eyes. As he wiped his tears, I knew he appreciated my gratitude. We embraced and departed, never to see one another again.

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Barney Cargile
NO VACANCY

We were driving through Kansas around midnight with two small children. The hotels were filled in every town we passed through. Eventually, we spotted a sign flashing Vacancy. Approaching the office, I prayed the desk clerk hadn’t forgotten to turn on the No Vacancy sign. In retrospect, perhaps we should have kept driving…

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Barney CargileComment