Author Archives: Dr. Philip W. Turner

One of the lessons that my parents taught me was not to talk with my mouth full. When eating, I should swallow my food before beginning to speak as no one wants to see food chewed while the person is talking. Talking while eating can lead to food accidentally falling out of your mouth asContinue reading “A Mouth Full”

We live by the clock. That is, time matters. As the clock hands turn so do our lives. Time let us know what we are supposed to be doing at any moment: it’s time to wake up, it’s lunchtime, time for work, time for my doctor’s appointment, time for my show on television, time toContinue reading “Stable Time”

In the Christmas story, as told by the Gospel of Luke, we learn of shepherds who were in the fields watching over their sheep at night when angelic messengers informed them of Jesus’s birth. When the workday began for them, I doubt any of them imagined that the day would turn out the way itContinue reading “Ordinary Days”

“Over the River and Through the Woods” was originally published in 1844 as a poem written by Lydia Maria Child. The poem was published in Child’s book of poems Flowers for Children, Volume 2, and was originally titled “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day.” In time, Child’s poem was set to music by an unknown composer, and over theContinue reading “Over the Hills and Through the Woods”

Often after eating a big meal, people will respond, “I’m full.” It means that their stomach has reached its capacity. Generally, human stomachs have a volume of about one liter, which is a little more than one quart. Since the stomach has the ability to expand, it can hold much more food. The human stomach can be distended up to four liters, which is more than oneContinue reading “Full Hearts”

There is no doubt that our senses are heightened during the season of Christmas. As our world magically transforms into the holiday season, we are greeted with the sights and sounds of this time of year. Darkened spaces are covered in bright lights. Buildings that you might not usually notice are lit up. Trees coveredContinue reading “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas”

Most people remember what their children’s first words were. In many cases, it is some form of mom and dad. Once heard, parents will try to get their child to repeat it so others can listen too. And as time moves forward, parents wait excitedly to hear what the next word will be. And asContinue reading “Christmas’ First Word”

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of Jesus’ birth as Mary and Joseph travel to the town of Bethlehem for the census. Luke begins his story with “in those days.” Luke then sets those days in a historical context. Caesar Augustus rules over Rome, and Quirinius is the governor of Syria. Luke had already written at theContinue reading “In Those Days”

When’s the last time you got excited about something? So excited that you can barely contain your enthusiasm. We all have those experiences where the excitement of the moment makes us feel as though a volcano of joy is about to erupt from within. It’s more than a good feeling; it is a great feeling.Continue reading “Leap for Joy”

During the Christmas season, it seems that we become more conscious of time. We have to pay attention to time, especially when it comes to not running out of time to do everything to get ready for Christmas day. How much time do we have left to shop? What is the latest time you canContinue reading “Christmas Time”

Sometimes we enter into an experience with great expectations. We may be on our way to a new vacation spot, and our expectations are high for what it will be like. We can have great expectations about books and movies, events and activities, and even people. Leading up to the experience, we are hopeful thatContinue reading “Great Expectations”

Most people at one time or another know what it is like to toss and turn in bed at night and unable to sleep. For whatever reason, you cannot get comfortable and relax. Often this sleeplessness occurs because something is weighing heavy on our minds. While our body tries to enter sleep, the mind willContinue reading “Christmas Sleep”

It happens more often than I would like. I cut wrapping paper for a Christmas gift, but I didn’t cut enough when I go to wrap the gift. The paper will not fully cover the gift. The gifts are bigger than the amount of paper. So, I either have to patchwork the wrap or cutContinue reading “Wrapped in Love”

Most times, when you purchase an item at a store for someone at Christmas, the salesperson will ask if you would like a gift receipt. A gift receipt is a purchase record that you can give to the person to know where they can return or exchange the present if they need to. It isContinue reading “Gift Receipt”

I’m not sure what happens between one Christmas and the next, but it always seems that my Christmas lights are tangled up into knots when I unpack them. I’ve never seen a gremlin jump out of the storage boxes, so I have to assume that it is my fault. Most likely, at the end of the previousContinue reading “Tangled Up”

Once the Christmas tree is up and decorated at our house, we then check for empty spaces. When we stand back and look at the tree, are there noticeable places that need to have an ornament? We then go back and fill these empty places with ornaments so that the tree looks full. Not untilContinue reading “Empty Spaces”

For most people, when they put up their Christmas tree for the holiday season, they have to decide how to rearrange the furniture in the room where the tree will be located. With the addition of a tree, then something usually has to change. There is not enough room. A Christmas tree can take upContinue reading “Rearranging the Furniture”

Each year on Good Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas shopping season officially begins. Stores across the nation open early and entice shoppers by offering incredible deals on their merchandise. It is not uncommon to see shoppers lined up outside early to be first in the stores as there is often a limited supply.Continue reading “The Best Deals”

Our lives are full of memories. Early in life, we begin collecting our memories. Our memories are a mixture of both the good and bad experiences of life. Some memories we cherish like rare gifts, while other memories we wish we could erase. As someone once said, “Memories warm you up from the inside. But theyContinue reading “Every Time I Remember”

We said it. Now we wish we could take it back. Perhaps we didn’t think before we spoke. Maybe we spoke out of a moment of emotion like anger. Sometimes we knowingly choose our words realizing the impact they will have on those who hear them. Indeed, words have a way of wounding. We knowContinue reading “Word Choices”