extreme Archives - Diana Derringer

Up One Side and Down the Other

July 13, 2020 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

Many of us enjoy exploring our world up one side and down the other. We want to go everywhere and see everything. We stay ready to hit the trail, whether we go off the beaten path or somewhere well known.

Up one side and down the other means we do something thoroughly.

We go to extremes, such as when we:

Travel to as many places as possible.
Fuss without mercy when someone upsets us.
Look everywhere for items we lose.

We want to be thorough, but we don’t want to waste time.

A few activities are worth extra effort. Others keep us from more important matters.

Enjoy travel, but don’t neglect home.
Confront problems, but deal with them and move on.
Keep items where they need to go, so searching up one side and down the other remains unnecessary.

“Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (Psalm 103:22 NIV).

Thanks to Glenda Britton for the suggestion.

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Over the Top

July 1, 2019 Diana Derringer Comments 0 Comment

Over the Top--winding stairway at Biltmore Estates To get to the top floor of a house, we usually climb stairs. To go over the top of the house requires more work – extreme efforts. Most of us would be foolish to try.

Over the top often means to go beyond acceptable behavior.

We describe such actions as:

Extreme
Reckless
Strange
Shameful
Foolish

Over the top occasionally means brave behavior.

Some soldiers in battle go over the top of their trenches. They leave safety to attack their enemy. That action puts them at greater risk for losing their lives.

Yet, those soldiers:

Value the battle’s purpose more than personal safety
Go beyond the call of duty
Take the risk for a greater cause

They are willing to die for what they believe. Because of such bravery, we celebrate our country’s independence on the Fourth of July.

Let’s choose our behavior carefully.

When we need to be careful, stay wise as an owl. However, when we need to be brave, go over the top.

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him” (Psalm 37:23 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion.

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No Holds Barred

February 25, 2019 Diana Derringer Comments 1 comment

No holds barred means no rules.

Years ago, wrestlers fought with no limits. They used any hold they chose. Today, most follow rules.

No holds barred also means extreme.

We do whatever it takes to get what we want. We fight for:

The best job
More money
Freedom

Nothing gets in the way of our goal.

No holds barred is a dangerous way to live.

Without rules, wrestlers risk injury and death. The same applies to all of us.

We need rules.

We may not always like them. However, rules:

Give guidance
Keep us safe
Let us know what to expect

Rules make life better for everyone. They help keep us out of hot water.

God gave the Ten Commandments for a better life. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love one another. If we do that, we keep all the others. We stay on the straight and narrow.

“If anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5 NET)

Thanks to Timothy Lewis for the suggestion and DeWayne Frazier for the photo.

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