The Law Of The Squeeze

By: Larry Strong

Before Sherie and I go on trips we like to pray about what we’re supposed to focus on. Before this last trip God made it very clear we were supposed to focus on gratitude. Frankly, gratitude is something we strive to focus on daily but we both felt strongly that gratitude was the theme of our trip. Some of you reading this are already ahead of me here. When we sense a special focus on gratitude we can be almost guaranteed to get “squeezed” by some external stuff that gives us more than ample opportunity to “cow boy up” or tap out.

Fast forward to landing in Calgary. Everything was hunky dory. All bags accounted for, customs was a breeze and we had a long walk to the car rental counters. Even the long walk was welcome after sitting on the plane so we were grateful to be moving.

As we approached the car rental area I see a line. I’m talking a line out of the Guinness Book of Records. I inquired from a beleaguered looking guy if the line was for our rental company and he just nodded his head. So began the squeeze.

Sherie and I looked at each other and chuckled because we immediately knew we were being handed an opportunity to choose what was going to come out. After an hour and a half wait I finally got to the counter and remember offering some encouraging word to the service rep about how much pressure they must be under and thanked them for their service. He looked at me with a puzzled expression and I’m fairly sure he hadn’t heard many encouraging words. I don’t know what impression my encounter had on him but I sure felt better expressing gratitude in the middle of the squeeze.

The Law of the Squeeze is a spiritual law as well as law of physics. When something (or someone) gets squeezed one of two things happens. Something comes out or something breaks. Toothpaste has to be squeezed out of the tube. Orange juice is a byproduct of squeezing and squashing the orange. The most beautiful stone, a diamond, is the result of thousands of years of pressure— squeezing with gargantuan force. So what comes out when you are squeezed? God’s Word says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. ” There is a lot to unpack there and I encourage you to ponder on that for a bit.

Men on Fire is a band of brothers dedicated to equipping, preparing and inspiring men to grow in their faith journey and personal relationship with the Lord. We meet Saturday morning’s at the American Legion at 8:00 am for “Breakfast with a Purpose” and one of the main purposes is to encourage each other to practice the “Law of the Squeeze. ” We’re not exempt from the pressures and hard stuff of this life but do believe we’re given a choice about what comes out when squeezed. Come help us practice the “Law of the Squeeze. You’ll be surprised what may come out.

Jesus called Joanie home on Monday July 24th

For her to be with her loving Father, Mother, husband Sandy, Son Kevin, and her many furry and feathered friends.

James 1:2

James 1:12

Rev 21:1-4

Joanie requested that any donations go to The Learning Center, and the Pet Association of Estes Park.

Donna M. Clark

Celebration Of Life For Shirley Neely-Turpin This Saturday

On Monday, July 10, Donna M. Clark went to be with the Lord. Born to Harry and Marie Clark on February 8, 1937, Donna graduated from North Park College and Theological Seminary of Chicago, Illinois in 1954. She taught second and third grades in Franklin Park, IL till she retired in 1993.

Donna was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but has been a summer resident of Estes Park, Colorado since 1943. She moved to Estes Park full-time when she retired in 1993. After that time, she worked at several stores in town including the gift shop at the Stanley Hotel. Donna also enjoyed volunteering her time at the Estes Park Museum. After making Estes Park her permanent residence she became a member of St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Estes Park PEO group, and several bridge, Mahjong and reading groups,

Donna is survived by her sister Helen and her nieces and nephews. Her memorial service will be held at St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church on August 17th at 1 p.m.

Richard P. Polley Jr.

Please join the family of Shirley for an informal social gathering to celebrate Shirley’s life from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, August 5 at Trout Haven Resorts.

Shirley passed away on January 29th at the age of 87. After having a teaching career and raising her family on

Long Island, she moved with her husband Arthur to the Estes Park area in 1993.

We hope that the many friends of Shirley in this area will enjoy meeting with her family and sharing memories with them.

Gwenda Lynne Gatewood Purdy Service This Saturday

Richard P. Polley Jr. was born January 18, 1951, in Warren, Ohio. He was the son of Richard & Jean Polley (deceased). He had five siblings: Kathy Drobney of Statesville NC, David Polley of Oviedo FL, Jacqueline Polley (deceased), Barbara Hart of Statesville NC, and Audrey Goodman (deceased). He had two sons, Christopher & Michael, born in 1972 & 1974.

Richard graduated from Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio, in 1969. He then excelled at carpentry trade school in Columbus, Ohio. This led to his life-long career in the building trades.

Richard started his own company as a general contractor in the late 1970s in Columbus, Ohio, naming it after his sons: Michael-Christopher Inc. He built various commercial properties in the Columbus area until the recession of 1982. After the company ceased operation, Richard relocated to Colorado, Arizona & New Mexico. He continued building custom-made projects for several years, eventually returning to Estes Park, CO, in 2001. Here, he settled and worked projects for the city as well as private customers. He met his loving wife Robin in 2000, and they were married July 2003 and enjoyed their life in Estes & the surrounding area.

Gwenda Lynne Gatewood Purdy, 77, of Estes Park, Colorado, went to be with the Lord on July 10, 2023.

See Gwenda’s full obituary in the July 21 or 28, 2023 editions of the Estes Park News. www.estesparknews.com

Services will be held at the YMCA of the Rockies at Hyde Chapel in Estes Park this Saturday, August 5, 2023, at

11 a.m. There will be a reception to follow at The Ram’s Horn Lodge also at the YMCA. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Estes Valley Land Trust, an organization Gwenda felt very strongly about. Allnutt Funeral Service is honored to walk alongside this family. Please visit Allnuttestespark.com to leave messages to the family.