During Halloween, ghouls, goblins, and ghosts by the thousands parade around the neighborhoods of America, trick-or-treating for fun and candy. Most of them are children masquerading for fun and frivolity.

About 2000 years ago, the Halloween season for the Celts was a time of evil spirits filling the darkness. Bonfires were burned as homage to the sun god, as well as to frighten off evil spirits. Animal and sometimes human sacrifices were made to the Lord of Death, Samhain. Druid priests practiced their magic arts. The people lived in fear and dread of demons and darkness.

Who is your hero? Dirty Harry or Holy Jesus? Dirty Harry takes aim at a perp and, challenging him to flee, intones, “Go ahead, make my day.” That is the moment in which his personality is defined. He will achieve personal fulfillment if he can kill the evil villain.

Jesus Christ, holy and innocent suffered reproach, abuse, flogging, and crucifixion. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” (I Peter 2:22-24) Jesus cried out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Freedom is dear because freedom is costly. On Memorial Day flags waved in salute over the graves of the brave who served and sacrificed their lives in the Armed Forces to give Americans and many throughout the world life and liberty.

The bestselling book Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley, and the graphic and gripping movie based on the book, portray the horrible story of the Battle for Iwo Jima. The memorable photo of the six men who raised the flag of the United States at Iwo Jima became and icon representing the heroes who fought for the land of the brave and the free.

A promise is only as real and as wonderful as the one who made it. Perhaps you have had someone make a promise to you that you took a “wait and see” attitude toward the promise made. Why? Is it because of that person’s insincerity or untrustworthiness in the past? Perhaps you have been disappointed by unfulfilled or empty promises of a friend, spouse, or loved one. If so, I have good news for you. “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has He said and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19 NKJV) God not only is totally trustworthy, He has the power to exceedingly and abundantly perform all of His promises. (Ephesians 3:20; II Peter 1:40)

When Jesus wanted to teach something important he would often point out children as examples. Recently two of my grandchildren, Noah age five and Kaitlyn age 7, spent the night with us. They amazed me with their knowledge of bird life. Noah explained the differences between gold-finches and ordinary house-finches. Kaitlyn named several bird species and said that if she couldn’t identify a certain bird she would look at it with grandma’s “bird goggles” and then looks it up in the bird book.

Jesus is a bird watcher. He watches over all His creation and even sees those thought to be the most insignificant by society.

Multitudes of men and women languish in prisons throughout America. Those behind bars need hope and help to break free from their bondages and the consequences of bad decisions. God has a vast army of volunteers who are shining a light into the darkness and proclaiming the good news of hope.

As I have shared the Word of Life in prisons, I’ve noticed that one of the most repeated prayer requests is for God’s help to overcome fear and anxiety. People inside and outside the church also struggle to overcome fear.

Billy Joe was a simple young man who lived in a small village in the hills of Kentucky. Nothing much ever happened in his little town. Billy Joe loved to dress in Army fatigues and direct traffic at one of the two stop signs that stood sentinel at the center of the small town. Nobody ever paid much attention to Billy Joe. Everyone knew he was “slow” but harmless.

One hot summer morning, Billy Joe had one of the most exciting things in his life happen to him. As usual, he was standing on the street corner directing the occasional vehicle that passed by.

Most people in the world seek purpose, success, significance, and love. Each day millions of people hope, covet, and labor to obtain these profound yet elusive ideals. Those who pursue happiness and meaning in life by grasping for riches, fame, or power seldom if ever obtain true contentment and happiness.

Is it possible to have a sense of purpose? To feel special in this world of more than six billion people? To prosper spiritually and financially? God gives us His Word and says, “Yes!”

For the multiplied thousands behind bars, the Christmas season is a time of extreme loneliness, pain, and despair. But the radiant hope of the good news is shining into the darkness bringing the light of life.

One of the greatest revelations of Christmas is found in the name given to the Christ of Christmas – Immanuel. Isaiah prophesied of His coming, “The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT). In Isaiah 8:8 the prophet cries out “O Immanuel.”

Why do so many Americans promulgate the myths of the tooth fairy, Santa Clause, and the Easter Bunny but do not believe in miracles nor emphasize the most important miracle of all – the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? Could it be that to believe and admit to the resurrection would then require an acknowledgement and accountability to the living Christ as Savior and Lord?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that He is who He claimed to be – the Son of the Living God – deity. Salvation and eternal hope stand on that bedrock.

There was a popular jingle that helped sell millions of packs of chewing gum. The commercial told us that we could double our pleasure by chewing “Double Mint Gum”. God gives us commands in His Word that brings double the blessings. If you want to double your pleasure, “Give respect and honor to whom it is due” (Romans 13:7). To some of God’s servants we are to give DOUBLE HONOR! Paul instructed, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (I Timothy 5:17). Paul said “double honor”, in other words – twice the honor you’d give someone in a place of secular authority. In the context, it includes the way we financially honor ministers.

Sam (not his real name) maneuvered his big motor home into the truck stop to fuel up and use the restroom. When Sam asked his wife, Betty, if she was going in, she indicated no; she would go to the back and take a nap. Sam paid for the fuel, got back in their motor home and headed down the highway. Unknown to him, Betty had changed her mind and decided to use the restroom. About 300 miles down the interstate, a state trooper pulled Sam over and explained that his wife had been left behind and would appreciate it if he would go back and pick her up.

Depression is not a paper tiger – it is real and can be deadly. I have battled bouts of depression through various seasons of my life. If you are facing depression, you are not alone. Great and godly men and women have battled and defeated depression by the grace of God. In the Bible we see Moses, Job, Naomi, Elijah, David, and Solomon along with a host of saints down through history who succumbed to depression. The good news is – you can defeat depression.

I’ve noticed that one of the first steps to defeat depression is to identify its cause. Here are some common causes of depression identified by psychologists.

Super rock star Madonna and a few other rock musicians have recently depicted themselves hanging on a cross during their concerts. I don’t know their motives or the reasoning for this. But for many followers of Christ it seems to demonstrate profane disrespect for the holy cross of Jesus Christ.

Some people wear crosses as jewelry. For them it is a reminder of the love of their Savior who willingly gave his life to suffer and die on an old rugged cross as the substitute for our sins.

Something was bothering Jan. Her mother noticed the anxiety and hesitancy when she was asked about the upcoming father – daughter banquet. “Jan, did you ask your father to take you to the banquet?” her mother asked. Jan looked down at the floor as she slowly replied that she had not.

“But why not, Jan?” her mother asked. “You know that he would love to take you.” “I know,” stammered Jan, “But when kids see daddy they stare and ask me what’s wrong with him.”

My friend has a sweet Ford Mustang. He has won many trophies in car shows and enjoys spending time cleaning and shining it to a glistening and pristine mean machine. In a conversation I asked if I could propose an interesting question, “What do you think happens when you walk off this earth?” He replied, “I don’t know if I believe in heaven or God anymore. If God is love then why does he allow so much suffering and evil?”

Many people have faced the same questions as my friend.

Multitudes have viewed the new movie “The Passion of the Christ”. I have observed that most people exit the theatre after viewing the suffering and crucifixion of Christ with a holy hush, speechless, or in sacred silence. When Jesus died on the cross at 3:00 in the afternoon, darkness had fallen across the land, followed by an earthquake – rocks split apart, the curtain in the temple that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, was torn in two – from the top to the bottom. The Roman soldiers and others at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that happened. Heaven was silent! (See Matthew 27:45-54.)

I often noticed the battered pick-up as I’ve driven down the road. It would be interesting to know the driver. The other day I noticed the truck was in front of me again. What got my attention was the decal/sunshield that covered the back window. It read – COW-BOY UP. I think I needed that reminder at the time. Instead of giving in to sickness, self-pity, or depression, I needed to “cow-boy up”.

Cowboys are known for their toughness. I read about a rodeo cowboy who, over the years of competition, had broken his arm, wrist, and leg, had a ruptured spleen, and concussions. When cowboys get hurt they remind one another to cow-boy up – to be tough, suck it up, persevere, get back on the horse and keep going. If you have taken some hard knocks – don’t give up – cow-boy up.

God is a God of love and occasionally surprises us with serendipitous moments to remind us of the wonder of His concern and involvement in the details of our lives. Such was the case as my wife and I did a “walk-through” of the house we were considering renting. We sincerely wanted God’s direction. I had shared with Cyndi that I had prayed for God’s confirmation as to whether this was the house and community where He wanted us to live. Cyndi excitedly called me to come and look in the closet that was in the den. There on the shelves were three eagle statuettes. Was this a mere coincidence that I had a keen interest in eagles and had entitled my new ministry Eagle Life Ministries and finding these statuettes?

We can learn so much from children. They see life from a totally different perspective. A little girl was sent upstairs by her father to empty the wastebaskets, but she returned so quickly that her father said, “You couldn’t have emptied all the baskets in this short of time.” “They didn’t need to be emptied, Daddy,” she replied, “They just needed stepping in.”

Children can teach us to enjoy life. As we grow into adulthood, we tend to forget how to celebrate the simple things in life – like running through puddles after a rain storm; catching fireflies; or laughing with exuberance. It’s been said that laughing is the best communication of all.

The hurricane season wreaked havoc along the coastal states this year. Fire and floods devastated many communities. As I viewed the aftermath of various natural disasters on the network news, there seemed to be a reoccurring sentiment from those sifting through the remains of their homes. Many of the survivors lost everything, but most of them stated that their houses and goods could eventually be replaced. What saddened them the most was the cherished treasures that could never be replaced. For some it was wedding and family picture, memorabilia of their children growing up, or family heirlooms that were lost to posterity.

My grandson’s response brought back memories of my childhood. Maybe that happens more often the older you get. My wife and I like to have some of our grandchildren’s favorite cereals on hand when they spend the night. When Elijah was asked what kind he wanted, he answered, “Cheerios, but the honey-nut kind.” He got his honey-nut cheerios. But I remembered how that was my favorite cereal when I was his age. Cheerios have been around a long time. I never did think much about the name until now. I just remembered how the advertising promoted the formation of muscles and strength for those who ate iron fortified Cheerios. Elijah is right though, now I also like Honey-nut Cheerios the best.

“Are you living and breathing?” the doctor jokingly asked as he checked my vital signs. We may be breathing, but are we really living? When those trained in C.P.R. encounter someone in distress they immediately check their vital signs. As important as it is to check our physical well-being, it is even more vital to check our spiritual well-being.

Many people spend much time and energy in keeping physically fit, but neglect the vital spiritual dimension. God’s Word points out that, “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:8). Check your vitals. Are you pursuing God or the gods of this world? Are you filled with pride or peace? Are you motivated by lust or love? Are you serving self or the Savior?

Each year it seems that God speaks to me in a unique way concerning Christmas. God does speak to us if we keep our ears, eyes and heart open. In the past, God has given fresh insight and revelation. Sometimes through a Bible passage, perhaps a sermon, or a musical production like “Young Messiah,” or through books like Lew Wallace’s Ben Hur or Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, or some special serendipitous happening.

This year a warm light flooded my soul as I viewed again the video, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” at our Kid’s Club Christmas party. The old worn out VCR malfunctioned just like a lot of things in Charlie Brown’s growing up.

My wife’s assessment is correct in many respects. “You don’t like change,” she told me. Why change if you like what you have? Why change cars, cereal, or clothing when you like the one you have? I don’t always enjoy change, but I realize that change is inevitable. It’s necessary for growth and development. Our attitude often determines the benefits that change may bring about in our lives.

Change is a part of life. Someone said that they don’t always like living life, but it sure beats the alternative.