Sep 19, 2015 4 min read

Q. My husband and I live in a very desirable area and are happy to have guests often. The problem is, a male friend of mine wants to visit, but my husband doesn’t want to have a single man in the house while he’s at work. He claims it would make him uncomfortable knowing that I was playing tour guide and sharing wonderful memories in his absence with someone he doesn’t know well. My husband is aware that I am not, nor would I ever be attracted to this person. He says he would feel this way regardless of who the guy was.

We really don’t have trust issues, so this is perplexing and embarrassing to explain to my friend. He cannot afford a hotel in our town, and was hoping to stay with us to save a few bucks. How should I tell him? – Not His Girlfriend

A. Tell him the truth – that you are so sorry, but your husband is uncomfortable having a single male staying in the house when he isn’t home. If you have a friend who would put him up, that would be a kindness. You also can ask your husband about having the friend out of the house during working hours. Send him to the beach, the museum or the local attractions. Otherwise, whether or not to visit under these restrictions is up to your friend.

Dear Annie: I read the article from “O,” who asked how to dispose of an old Bible. I have the best solution for her.

Our brave men and women fighting to keep us safe often need a word of encouragement or solace to help them through a problem. I recently collected old Bibles from members of my church and mailed them overseas. This is a wonderful way to recycle our holiest of books. Plus it provides something very special for anyone who might be in need. – G.N.

Dear G.N.: This is a sweet suggestion, but if the Bible is torn, falling apart or otherwise too damaged to donate, it would be difficult to send overseas. Our readers had several other suggestions. Here is a sampling:

From Jason: When doing construction, placing a Bible in the wall or floorboards will give a pleasant memory to those who know it is there. It will also be a surprise if future work is done and it is discovered.

Anita: There are missionaries who would be happy to have even half of a Bible to share. Check the Bible Foundation at bf.org for locations to drop one off.

Quebec: The procedure in our Altar Guild was to burn the old Bibles in our fireplace along with altar linens, and put the ashes in the church garden.

Crown Point, Ind.: My husband reads his Bible a lot, and writes and highlights in it, so it is well-used. He thought a good idea would be when someone dies, to place the worn Bible in the casket with the person. I thought this was a wonderful suggestion.

Pragmatist: Oh, for heaven’s sake, put the Bible in the recycle bin and honor Mother Earth. The respect and appreciation you feel will be in your heart.

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