We were having a great time at Centralia’s Hot Air Balloon Fest this year. Our grandchildren were enjoying the activities in the children’s area. While we were waiting for the kids, we had a good visit with our friend Paul, president of a local bank. That’s when God used Paul to give me a serendipitous word.

Paul told us about giving his young grandson a ride on his Honda motorcycle. His grandson was thrilled. After they had returned home, his mother asked if he had a great time. “Oh, it was beyond great!” his grandson exclaimed. Sometimes there are just not enough superlatives to fully describe something, is there?

The splendor and splash of autumn leaves and the golden hue of harvest signal that the fall season is upon us. For some people, fall is a time for Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns, ghost, goblins, and witches. Several years ago a popular television series “Bewitched” portrayed a fun loving, harmless witch named Samantha. But witchcraft is not fun and games nor is it harmless. Satan’s aim is sinister and deadly. (John 10:10)

It is interesting that Paul uses the word “bewitched” when writing to the Galatian Christians. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1)

Are we safer now than before 9/11/01? That is the question politicians and people are asking. We live in a world where terror and tragedy can happen at any moment. Many people are gripped by anxiety and fear. Devastating weather, war, criminals, crazy people, disease, death, fascists, famine, the devil, and hordes of demons seem to be unleashed in escalating intensity. Can we be safe from the “noonday destruction”? (Psalm 91:6)

Although we are not immune from the troubles that plague the human race, there is a safe place for those who will abide in the shadow of the Almighty and under His wings. (Psalm 91) There is a supernatural peace available even in the midst of the storms that rage.

I’m spending a lot more time at playgrounds lately. My grandchildren are coniseurs of playgrounds. When they come to visit, I usually ask them what they want to do. Invariably, they excitedly sing out, “Let’s go to the park!” Park to them means a playground. They can’t conceive of a park without a playground.

I’ve learned some valuable lessons at the playground. On our last trip to a playground, two of my grandchildren came along. They had just put clean clothes on and it had rained during the night. So I was a little apprehensive about the puddles of water on the playground.

A few weeks ago someone posed the question “Are we having fun yet?” to me. Many people don’t enjoy life. God wants us to celebrate and enjoy the journey of life. You may gasp at the thought, but God wants us to have fun. I believe God had fun creating the world. After each creation event in the book of beginnings, Genesis, we read, “And God saw that it was good”. Many Christians are on their way to heaven but few seem to be enjoying the trip. Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10 Amplified Bible).

More than 10 million viewers tuned in to the Fox television network’s talent search “American Idol”. Millions of teenagers went to their telephones to vote for a favorite soloist. So what does this craze tell us about America’s youth? One commentator made the observation that many young people are bored and dissatisfied with life. Given the opportunity, many young people would do almost anything to experience stardom themselves. Like their parents, they worship America’s idols – money, fame, and power.

I like newness. New things give us a certain feel, a certain excitement. I like a new ink pen, a new notebook or journal, the smell of a new car, a new calendar, a new Bible, new potatoes, the wonder of a new born baby, and a brand new year, to name a few. What are some new things that you enjoy? Perhaps you have made some New Year resolutions or set new goals. Unfortunately many New Year resolutions are broken and new things wear off or get old. But the new things that God gives are eternal. Let’s consider some new things that God gives. They are inexhaustible.

Two of the most honored and revered men in American history are not known nor remembered as much for their statesmanship or great intellect as for their staunch character. As Americans to name two of the greatest Presidents in American history and the majority would undoubtedly name Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. While in College, my history professor, like many professors, delighted in trying to blemish the character of Lincoln and Washington. But after reading extensively over the years about Washington and Lincoln, it is my belief that they were not only men of character but also men of prayer and men of destiny.

It’s been said that “the clothes make the man”. Joey would certainly have agreed. As he strolled down the street, he was aware of admiring looks from passers-by. His technicolor coat made him stand out in a crowd. The coat was more exclusive than an Armani. Joey would tell you how his father had it custom designed and tailored especially for him. Joey’s brothers saw him coming down the dusty road. His technicolor coat easily identified him. “Here comes that dreamer,” one of his brothers snarled disdainfully.

Sometimes a child’s understanding of things gets a little mixed-up. Such was the case of my grandson. The baby-sitter was looking through the family picture album and pointed out a picture of his cousin who lives in Seattle. She asked him his name. “We call him Taet, but I think his parents named him Satan,” he replied. It was later explained to the puzzled baby-sitter that his cousin was not named Satan, but Staeton. When I was in kindergarten I remember the teacher leading the class in a game where we would all hold hands and march around in a circle singing what I thought was a song entitled “Ring Around a Rosie”.

My son Chris lives in the state of Washington surrounded by majestic snow capped mountains and the splendor of God’s magnificent creation. But 70 miles away looms Mt St Helens and the threat of an erupting volcano. Scientist say that Mt Ranier will someday erupt sending an avalanche of molten lava and debris cascading down through the Seattle – Tacoma area into the Puget Sound. But the residents stay! Why? They hope that it will not happen – at least not in their lifetime.

What would happen if you were bitten by a radioactive spider? Consider the plight of the super-hero Spiderman. Super-human power from being bitten by a radiant arachnid enabled Spiderman to do good deeds for people and vanquish evil. But the downside for Spiderman was that he could no longer have a normal relationship with his girlfriend. As Spiderman explained his situation to his love he made this statement, “For me, living an ordinary life is not an option anymore.” Far too many people settle for an ordinary hum-drum life.