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.”

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.

You would expect a conquering king in ancient times to lead a procession on a prancing white steed. How incongruous that the Jews long awaited Messiah came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, the colt of an ass. In what is called “the triumphal entry” that is exactly what Jesus did. (Matthew 21) Those who knew the scriptures would know that the donkey that Jesus rode fulfilled ancient prophecy. Matthew pointed this fact out, “All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet saying, ‘Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass and a colt the foal of an ass’” (Matthew 21:1-5). Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey was a direct fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 and Isaiah 62:11.

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.

This Christmas season, if at all possible, hold a baby in your arms. What do you feel, think, and wonder about that sweet, innocent baby? Perhaps you marvel at the new life in your arms and consider the potential of unique giftedness and blessings wrapped up in such a tiny bundle of life.

More that 2,000 years ago the birth of one baby born in the tiny, dusty village of Bethlehem changed the world and divided history into BC and AD. The Babe of Bethlehem became the hinge, the pivotal point on which the destiny of the world turns. As the small land of Israel became a crossroad of the world, so the Babe of Bethlehem became the crossroad that determines the direction your life will take. This Christmas it is imperative that you focus on the Babe of Bethlehem. Consider the true Christmas story. (Read Luke 2:1-40.)

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!

Where were you that terrible Tuesday, September 11th? As I was getting ready to go to my church office, my wife called and told me to turn on the television. I could hardly believe the footage of the World Trade Center exploding before my eyes. At first, I thought a plane was off course and computer animation was showing what “could” happen. But then the reality of the horrendous trauma hit me. It was really happening!

What happens to our emotional and mental state when we witness trauma? How do we cope with tragic events that touch and change our very lives? We all respond differently. Some are in shock, dazed, some are angry, some are in denial, they can’t believe it happened, some are fearful, and some have disturbed sleep.

Charise went on a dare. At her friend’s urging she went to a “reading”. She thought it was all harmless fun. But when the fortune-teller began to reveal details about her life that she had never shared with anyone, she became alarmed. Cold chills went up and down her spine. Later, at her home, strange things began to happen. Knocking on her walls and shadowy figures seemed to be watching her when she was alone.

Mitch was stressed out and depressed since he had been laid off from his job. One night, as he was watching television, he saw a phone number for a psychic hot line. Before he knew it, he had hundreds of dollars charged to his credit card.

We can learn a lot from the animal kingdom. The Bible refers to seven animals that we can learn some valuable lessons from. (See Proverbs 30:24-31.) While living in South Dakota I found that many American Indian tribes would identify their various clans and each individual with a certain animal. They would seek to emulate the positive characteristics of their specific animal.

My grandchildren like to watch the Animal Planet channel on television. One day after watching an animal segment with them, I asked Kaitlyn what her favorite animal was. I expected to hear her name some cute animal like the Koala Bear or a cat. She surprised me by saying that her favorite animal was a turtle!

Golf can be intriguing, fun, challenging, and, at times, frustrating. I don’t play much golf anymore. It’s become too expensive for one thing. It’s not the greens fees that bother me as much as the broken window fees.

Golf has been called the true gentleman’s sport. If you hit a bad shot off the tee, your partner can let you take a mulligan. A mulligan is a second chance. God is the God of the second chance. The Bible calls it grace. King David messed up big time. When he confessed his sins and repented, God forgave and restored him. “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:8-12).

If you have missed the mark, take a mulligan. Jesus paid for it by dying on the cross for our sins. Peter denied his Lord three times.

In the 60’s and 70’s there emerged an American rock band referred to as CCR or Creedence Clearwater Revival. I enjoyed the sound of what some called swamp rock. But there also emerged at that time a revival movement called The Jesus Movement. That’s why I particularly like the name Clearwater Revival. If I were to have a Christian rock band, I think I would call it Sweetwater Revival. My voice is getting froggy and is far inferior to John Fogerty of CCR, so I promise not to sing, but maybe by grandson Taet will let me play his Taylor guitar in Sweetwater Revival.

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!”

Let’s look at some principles of enjoying supernatural prosperity.

Graduation is a happy and hopeful occasion for graduates and parents alike. But perhaps you have noticed that a high school diploma or college degree does not guarantee success in life. Some people have a great education but lack good common sense or the needed character to succeed in life. One of the wisest and wealthiest men of all times – King Solomon – wrote Proverbs, the book of wisdom, that teaches God’s principles for success in life. If you truly want success in life, study and apply the principles found in God’s Word. Let’s briefly examine some of these characteristics of success in life with the hope that you will do a more in depth study on your own. God wants us to prosper. (II Timothy 3:15-17)

People in America spend millions of dollars annually for purified water. Would to God that purity of soul and mind would be more important to people. Purity of soul is a determining factor in our spiritual health, power, and place with God.

A few years ago I had a terrifying dream of black, filthy, and ferocious looking ducks climbing out of the sewer in the basement of homes. They ascended up a sliding-board into the rooms of the homes. I was busy swatting and chasing them out of the rooms, back down the sliding-board, and back into the sewer.

What is the sense of suffering in the world? Young lives are snuffed out by a drunk driver, grieving family members stand by the grave of their loved one and ask the age old question – why? Crying children and a brokenhearted wife sit in the cold and confusion of the after math of a broken marriage and a shattered family.

From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden up to the present time through tears we still ask, “Why do bad things happen, even to good people?” Many have become estranged in their relationship with God because of this one issue. But instead of asking why bad things happen, we would do better to ask, “How should we respond to suffering?” How does God respond to tragedy and suffering?

One of the delights of spring is the colorful array of flowers. This Easter I observed busy florists surprising fortunate recipients with the delivery of dazzling floral arrangements.

During Easter families have various traditions. On Easter and Memorial Day my family visited the cemetery. For several years we put flowers on the graves of my two brothers and a cousin who were victims of a drunk driver when they were just teenagers. A few years later we added flowers to my dad’s grave who died at the age of 52 from cancer. Over the years the recipients of the graveside flowers has grown considerably.

I enjoy Daylight Savings Time. It makes life a little easier and more delightful. Little Johnny and Suzie don’t have to wait for the bus in the dark. More commuters can get home from work while it is still daylight and people generally function better with more sunlight. Time being outdoors is lengthened. Now congress has decided that people can save energy by moving Daylight Savings Time to an earlier date – March 11th. I don’t particularly like the overabundance of legislation in our personal lives but I do enjoy saving daylight.

Did you know that God is for saving daylight? Spiritually speaking, we are taught to live our lives on “Daylight Savings Time”. Consider some scriptural advice on saving daylight.

I think that I may have missed my calling in life. I probably should have been a driver’s training instructor. It’s hard for me to sit quietly while riding with someone else driving without giving instruction on the rules of the road or putting my foot through the floorboard. It’s not that I’m a perfect driver but maybe I’ve learned something by experience. It could be that after driving a school bus for over 17 years that I’ve learned to drive defensively or not take other driver’s intentions for granted. It could be the teacher in me that compels me to offer instruction or advice whether it’s wanted or not. Perhaps it’s because my two brothers and a cousin were killed in a car accident. If I can prevent someone from dying or driving a bit more safely, then perhaps it’s worth the ire of reluctant “students” who frown on my backseat driving.

Revival. What comes to your mind when you see that word? Some may think of the rock group “Credence Clear Water Revival”. For some it is a word on a church sign. Architects may refer to Greek revival. In Effingham, IL Mid-America Motors sponsors a Volkswagen festival and a Corvette revival each year. Recently over 1,000 VW’s converged on Mid-America Motors and enthusiasts showcased their restored vehicles. In September 1,000’s will view restored Corvettes. It takes much time, talent, and money to restore classic cars.

More than anything else in America we need a spiritual restoration – a national revival. America has strayed from its roots and lost her moral compass.

As I leaned back in my favorite La-Z-Boy recliner and closed my eyes, my granddaughter walked into the living room. “What are you doing PaPa?” she asked. “I’m just resting my eyes,” I replied. The other day she asked, “PaPa, are you going into the room where you rest you’re eyes?” I guess she noticed I enjoy going into “my” room, kicking back, and “resting my eyes”.

We all will one day “rest our eyes” in death. The Word of God tells us, “It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). In the old west, when pioneers and settlers would bury someone, they would often erect a wooden grave marker with R.I.P. inscribed on it. One child remarked to his parents, “There sure were a lot of people named ‘RIP’ around here.” R.I.P. was a short sentiment that would fit easily on the marker – Rest In Peace.