I’m not an aficionado of pudding but I do like the old-fashioned, homemade type. I don’t consider the instant box type as real pudding, but homemade rice pudding, tapioca, or custard pudding – now that’s delicious. A century or so ago many people considered plum pudding a delicacy. I’ve never eaten plum pudding but if anyone makes a good plum pudding I’d be glad to sample some of it.

There is an interesting quotation dating back to at least 1615 when Miguel de Cervantes published “Don Quixote”. In his comic novel he uses the phrase, “The proof of the pudding is the eating.”

It was the perfect storm. I watched in fascination as the meteorologist on the Weather Channel described the pattern of waves that swept the ocean floor. This powerful storm was not the giant Tsunami that wreaked havoc and swept thousands their death. This storm being shown on the Weather Channel swirled deep under the ocean surface and stirred up powerful ocean waves across the ocean floor, plowing up tons of sand. This storm never came to land.

I’m looking forward with great anticipation to see the new movie “The Passion of the Christ”. It has already generated controversy in some circles and brought attacks against Mel Gibson, the director. “The Passion of the Christ” depicts the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. Gibson, an award winning actor and director, said that the idea to make the movie had been germinating for over 10 years.

Although he had been a successful actor and director for several years, Gibson said that his life had become unhinged, “I got to a bad place, a really desperate place”. Gibson had drifted away from his early Roman Catholic faith. A midlife crisis led him to reconsider his faith. He meditated on the Stations of the Cross, which Catholics use to mark the hours of Christ’s passion. “I got on me knees,” Gibson said, “I realized that His wounds could heal my wounds.”

I had a lot of holes in the seat of my pants as a toddler. My mother told me that every time I would wander on to the road my dog, a shepherd mix, would grab me by the seat of the pants and drag me back. One day he grabbed me in the nick of time, saving me from a speeding car.

We recently set our clocks back from daylight savings time to standard time. We all look for ways to save time. Many times I have heard the nurse say to someone’s loved one, “It’s time.” They would whisk them off to surgery as we began a prayer vigil. What feelings flood your emotions when you hear the words “It’s time?”

One of my favorite activities during Christmas is viewing the lights of Christmas. Some light displays are gaudy and some are godly. Some are comical and some are colorful. Some are commercial and some celebrate Christmas. Some are illustrious and inspiring. Some are brilliant and some are blinking. Some are radiant and some reflect. Some are hilarious and some shine on holiness.

God lit up the darkness of creation with the light of the sun, moon, and stars. He spoke of deliverance to Moses form a burning bush. God directed the wise men to the Christ of Christmas by a guiding star. After all “God is light”. He dwells in unapproachable light. “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).

Most Americans are collectors. My wife and I have a collection of lighthouses. Some of my most memorable vacations have been touring some of America’s lighthouses. Until recent years the keeper of the lighthouse was a key element in its operation. Many lighthouse keepers would take a lifeboat out into perilous waters to rescue victims of shipwrecks. Kate Walker, a widow whose husband had been the light keeper of the Robbin’s Reef lighthouse in New York Harbor, rescued more than 50 fishermen in distress over the years. In addition to taking care of the lighthouse, which she tended until she was 73 years old, she raised two sons, rowing them a mile each day to Staten Island so that they could attend school.

It’s been said that a positive, hopeful person sees a light at the end of a tunnel. A pessimist looks at the end of a tunnel and sees a train coming. We cannot really live without hope.

Before the turn of the 20th century, an asylum near Boston housed severely retarded and disturbed individuals. One of the patients, called “Little Annie”, was totally unresponsive to others in the asylum. The staff tried to help her, but to no avail. Finally she was confined to a cell in the basement of the asylum and given up as being hopeless.

What comes to your mind when you think of a knight? Younger people may think of a Jedi from Star Wars. But knights of old were known for chivalry, bravery, honor, and loyalty. The lore of knighthood taught society much about a code of conduct that seems lacking in today’s culture and society.

One of the most popular and inspiring musicals produced by a multitude of thespians over the years is “Man of La Mancha”. Most Americans are familiar with the song the man of La Mancha sings, “To Dream the Impossible Dream”. He meets Aldonza, the prostitute, and calls her, “My lady! And I give you a new name – Dulcinea.”

It’s a frustrating feeling – losing your keys. Perhaps even worse than not knowing where they are is not being able to get to them. Have you ever locked your keys in the car? Or you have an elderly neighbor who was constantly locking herself out of her house?

Harry Houdini was one of the greatest entertainers and escape artists of all times. He was locked in chains, handcuffs, straitjackets, and submerged in water while suspended upside-down. But he always managed to escape. He often took up challenges to escape from “escape proof” jails

A few years ago, Michael Landon was cast as an angel in the popular television series, “Highway to Heaven.” As an angel, he was sent to help sincere, but struggling, people and urge them to take the “highway to heaven.”

In the United States, we are fortunate to have thousands of miles of the best highways in the world. We can travel just about anywhere in the country in a matter of hours or a few days at the most. But to reach your destination, you must make sure that you are on the right road, headed in the right direction. It doesn’t matter how smooth and scenic the highway might be, if you’re on the wrong highway, or going the wrong direction, you will not reach your destination.

The scream of bombs falling through the night sky, the whining air raid sirens and explosions in the distance shook Joanne out of a fitful sleep. Fires lit up the sky throughout London. Fear and deprivation stalked Joann, my wife’s stepmother, as a young girl in England during WWII. But when the falling bombs shook her house and lit up the sky, she had a hiding place. It was not the bomb shelter her family ran to, but the 91st psalm they trusted in.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Many of the great men and women of America have come from small and obscure places. Many have forgotten or have not become acquainted with the great contributions of “The Great Commoner,” William Jennings Bryan, who was born in 1860 in Salem, Illinois. A museum in Salem portrays some of the heritage and works of statesmanship and literature that he left behind. He was almost idolized by the masses because of his masterful oratory and as a champion who was said to have acted as “the conscience of the nation in opposing special privileges for favored groups.”

What has been your most cherished gift? One father fondly remembers the carefully wrapped Christmas present given to him by his little girl. “Daddy, this is from me”, she excitedly said. As he opened it, he was surprised to find that the box was empty. “Honey, you’re not supposed to give someone an empty box as a gift.”

“But, Daddy,” the little girl cried, “It’s not empty, I put all my hugs, kisses, and love for you in it!”

Could this really be the famed “fountain of youth” sought by Ponce de Leon so long ago? My wife and I certainly felt invigorated as we walked and splashed along the sandy bottom of Spring Run and Sandy Creek. The stream that flowed from Ponce de Leon spring was cold and crystal clear.

We thanked our gracious hosts, Ron and Jane, as they shared some beautiful sights in western Florida. Perhaps these springs were the “fountain of youth” associated with the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Ponce de Leon made a fortune as governor of Puerto Rico from 1509 to 1512.

My grandson, Noah, eyed the collection of eagles in my study. The various eagle paraphernalia scattered throughout the room must have impressed him. “Paw Paw,” he said, “Why do you like eagles so much?” I thought for a moment – how do I explain in simple terms my fascination with eagles to a four year old? “Well, because eagles are so cool. They are so majestic and can soar higher in the sky than any other bird,” I replied. “Oh,” he said as he picked up an eagle statuette. I think it’s about time to take another eagle sighting trip to Grafton.

Manuel’s drug of choice was more costly than he ever dreamed. It cost him his marriage, his dignity, and left him dependent, depressed, and – dead. A well-known talk show host became hooked on prescription painkillers and now faces criminal charges. A church deacon’s drug of choice started with one reluctant drink at an office party and resulted in 30 years of alcoholism.

Our country has treatments and drugs for almost every malady. But there are some remedies we can only obtain from God’s pharmacy.

Miki, our golden retriever, is always read and willing. If you ask if she wants to go for a walk, go for a ride, play fetch or even take a bath, she is eager and ready to go. Ask Miki if she wants to go to the bank and she is in heaven. She knows the teller has a doggy treat just for her. Some people are like Miki, always ready, upbeat and positive. They view God as generous, kind, positive and always desirous to bless people. Unfortunately, some view God as stingy, negative and a reluctant spoil sport.

I could see the brilliant colored race cars whizzing around the oval track. A deafening roar erupted from the crowd in the grandstands. The race official waved the checkered flag as multitudes of brilliantly hued cars zoomed across the finish line to exuberant shouts and applause. No it wasn’t the Daytona 500. It was a race so vivid in my mind’s eye that it seemed I was right there.

It’s said that NASCAR racing is the number one sport in America. Fans travel thousands of miles to watch their favorite driver race. A government official earned the ire of NASCAR fans when he ordered his employee’s to get inoculated before visiting various racetracks.

A cool rain fell intermittingly through a blaze of fall foliage as we navigated the hills and hollers to the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County, IN. It was a memorable weekend as we took in several covered bridges and craft fairs. Many people love covered bridges – perhaps because they are considered as romantic sites by some, they certainly are rare and revered for their craftsmanship. Covered bridges were constructed to keep horses from being spooked as they pulled wagons and buggies across rivers and streams.

Some bridges are engineering marvels. But whether a bridge is a complicated conveyance across a great river or a simple structure over a bubbling brook, its purpose is to safely convey people across the water.

Summer is almost over. School is back in session. The big yellow school bus stopped in front of me and it seemed odd to be behind the wheel of my car rather than in the driver’s seat of the bus. I reflected on the 17 years that I drove a school bus to supplement our income while pasturing a small church. I enjoyed it, but, I must confess, toward the end of the school year I was ready for a vacation.

To drive or ride a school bus safely there must be some rules and guidelines. Many of these guidelines can apply to us in a spiritual sense in life’s journey. Consider some of the lessons I learned while driving a big yellow school bus.

Someone described the Bible using the acrostic: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I like that! A mother gave her son a Bible before he went to war. She wrote on the flyleaf, “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.” That soldier became my Bible college Professor.

At a prison church service the men were given the opportunity to tell how they came to Christ. A young man shared with us that when he was in the county jail someone gave him a Bible. He intended to use it to roll some smokes when he ran out of cigarettes. He carried it around for days so no one else would take it. The thought came to him that he should at least read some of it before he made his smokes. He began reading the New Testament where he met Jesus the Son of God and committed his life to Christ. His life is being transformed as he devours the Word of God in prison.

Gene was the embodiment of the movie “A River Runs Through It”. He was an expert in the art of fly casting. He even tied his own flies. I longed to learn the art of fly casting from him. But, alas, we moved from North Dakota and I never did learn to fly cast.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “casting”? It has many interesting and varied uses.

The Word of God instructs us in the art of casting in many scriptures. Jesus even taught His disciples how to cast their nets for a great catch of fish. (Luke 5:5; John 21:6) How much time, work, and energy we would save if we would follow the Lord’s direction and in faith and obedience cast our net where He tells us.

The 101st Airborne Division has become renowned for its bravery, rapid deployment, and prowess against the enemy. I have friends who have served with distinction in that historic unit.

King David was a great and valiant military leader. Even more so, David was a passionate spiritual leader who went hard after God. He knew what it was to fall into sin, but he also knew that God is “rich in mercy”. I love the sweet sound of this scripture, “But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4 KFV). David learned not only how to fight the enemies of Israel but also the enemy of the soul – Satan.

Thank God it’s Friday! Perhaps you have made that remark after a tough, grueling week. Many people look forward to the weekend so they can unwind and rest up. Some consider themselves as inveterate party animals and look forward to the weekend to go bar hopping, drinking, and dancing.

While attending a seminar recently in the Chicago area, my son and daughter-in-law took me to a nearby restaurant called TGIF Fridays. As I waited for my meal, I thought about how many times I had heard someone say, “Thank God it’s Friday!” I recalled a few times when I had said the same thing. Unfortunately, the anticipated weekend becomes a let down for many people; a dismal disappointment. Some go back to work physically dragging or depressed. TGIF turns into TMIM – Tell me it’s not Monday!

As I was walking down the street the other day, I saw a figure coming toward me dressed in clothes reminiscent of those worn by the Pilgrims.

“Who are you?” I asked, thinking this was a leftover from Halloween, perhaps just now finding his way home. “I am Thanksgiving,” he replied, tipping his hat and allowing a bedraggled turkey feather to flutter to the ground. “What are you doing here?” I inquired.

“I’m trying to let people know that I still exist,” he said. “They seem to have forgotten about me over the last several years.”