I must confess that I don’t like to wait. I don’t like sitting in waiting rooms and I’d rather not eat in a restaurant or make a purchase if I have to wait in a long line to do so. I guess God knew I needed patience, so I jokingly tell people, 30 years ago God gave me a wife. Someone once said that patience is a quality you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead. The wise Solomon said, “The end of the matter is better than it’s beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, 9 NIV).

Multitudes of American families have been fractured and forsaken. People are searching for roots, relationships, and a sense of family and fulfillment. Many have come to realize a need for community and connectedness. How can you have life-changing family ties?

Jesus Christ has given us the answer. “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The church has gotten a bad rap by some people. Some of the accusations may be justified, but most people are unaware of the necessity and benefits of the church. The church is referred to as the “body of Christ”. Believers in Christ are called “living stones” who makeup the temple of God where His presence dwells. (I Peter 2:1-10)

The exhilaration of floating free from earth’s confines in a hot air balloon is almost indescribable. Equally rewarding to me has been serving on a ground crew and balloon chase team with my wife and friends. I look forward to the next BalloonFest.

Some people enjoy the excitement of chasing their dreams; others chase tornadoes, foxes, and some (though illegal and dangerous) chase fire engines. And some enjoy being on a balloon chase crew. But after the initial thrill of ascending in a hot air balloon, I’m content to serve on the ground crew and help others experience the joy of hot air ballooning.

It’s not popular to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Throughout the centuries of church history, believers have been persecuted and imprisoned for their faith. Even today multitudes of Christians throughout the world are imprisoned for sharing their faith in Christ. Even in Canada preachers are being thrown in jail for preaching the Word of God and taking a stand for righteousness and morality.

Perhaps you are not in a physical prison with iron bars and razor wire, but you know you are bound, chained, and imprisoned by a much crueler captor.

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)

Life is not like a sprint, a fast dash to the finish line. No, life is more like a marathon. I watched a video clip of the iron man competition held in Hawaii. The competitors had to swim two miles, endure a 100-mile bicycle race, and then run a 26-mile marathon. All who finished the grueling races were considered winners. They were cheered and hugged by those who had already finished.

The Word of God pictures those “great cloud of witnesses” in the heavenly grandstands, cheering us on (Hebrews 12:1). Everyone who enters and finishes this race is a winner and receives a crown and a reward. Some start with a burst of energy and purpose but drop out along the way. Some start well but do not finish well.

October is known for harvest and Halloween. Spiritually speaking, there is little harvest of souls without dealing with what Halloween represents. For many, Halloween is simply fun and games or a spoof on ghosts, goblins, death, demons, and the devil. But the kingdom of darkness is real and deadly serious about destroying and damning souls to a Christ less eternity in hell.

Peter admonishes us, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (I Peter 5:8-9 NLT; NKJV).

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.

The day after the Rutgers’ women’s basketball team reached the NCAA finals radio talk show host Don Imus made some derogatory comments about the team members and their coach. The coach, C. Vivian Stringer, called radio talk show host Don Imus’ comments, “despicable, abominable, and unconscionable.” The team overcame much adversity to reach the championship finals – Coach Stringer overcame much as well.

In reply to Imus’ degrading remarks, Coach Stringer gave what I saw as a powerful, inspired sermon during a national news conference held in the Rutgers’ gym. She gave thanks to the Lord who brought the team and herself to a place of victory.

At the turn of the new millennium, the celebrations in the city of Sydney, Australia were broadcasted to an estimated three billion people all over the world. The countdown from 1999 to 2000 triggered off one of the greatest fireworks displays the city had ever seen – illuminating the city skyline and the Harbour Bridge. At the climax of the spectacular finale, a single word emerged in fifty-foot high luminous letters on the bridge – ETERNITY - what a significant and powerful message for every person on the earth to contemplate.

My grandchildren like the movie Cars. I love old cars. A first car is usually very special. I’ll always remember my first car. It was on old ’55 Ford – sky blue in color. I remember the day my dad took me to buy it. I proudly drove it home. Once a week I would wash, wax, and clean it. Even though my dad helped me get it, I had to fulfill my responsibility to keep gas in it and maintain it. It had power under the hood. But, unless I engaged the engine, put it in gear, and accelerated, I would go nowhere. When I engaged all of my responsibilities I could enjoy the ride. I didn’t have to push or pull the car; I simply engaged my responsibility and enjoyed the journey.

Ralph was mentally handicapped but basically harmless. He loved to dress in army fatigues and play soldier. A highlight of his career was the day the National Guard rolled through his small Kentucky town in a long convoy of trucks, jeeps, and equipment. Already dressed in his uniform, Ralph thought he would help out by directing traffic. Unsuspectingly the lead vehicles followed Ralph’s directions until they came to a dead-end with nowhere to turn around. Angrily the sergeant relieved Ralph of his duty and slowly began to back the convoy up.

Not everyone who dresses as a soldier is one. Not everyone who wears a suit is a success. Not everyone who wears a clerical collar can preach or necessarily knows God.

If you were given three personal wishes that would be certain to come true, what would they be? Some people are big on wishing. They throw coins in a fountain or wishing well, vie for the wishbone of the turkey, regularly thumb through their favorite wish book, religiously blow out all the candles of their birthday cake, and some dreamily wish upon a star. Sadly, most people’s wishes end in disappointment, regret, or resignation.

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines “wish” as “feel or express strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable; want something that cannot or probably will not happen . . . silently invoke such a hope or desire”.

As I stood in line at the check-out counter, I listened to the cashier talk to a customer. Her accent sounded very familiar. When it was my turn to pay for my items, I asked her, “Are you by chance from Herrick, IL?” “Why yes,” she replied with a surprised look on her face. “How did you know?” “Your accent sounds like it,” I replied. A few days earlier I had talked to a relative of mine from Herrick who had the same distinct accent as the cashier.

I’ve always been fascinated by accents. The other day I happened to be in Sullivan, IL and had some time to spare, so I went into the public library.

We were filled with sadness that searing hot summer’s day as we stood around the grave of Mitzi our little Shih Tzu. As we conducted a simple funeral, my grandson asked, with tears trickling down his face, “Grandpa, do all good dogs go to heaven?”

Many heartbroken pet lovers have asked a similar question. I confess that over the years I have somewhat changed my view concerning the question, “Will animals be in heaven?” In the Millennium the lion will lie down with the lamb. Much is written about horses and eagles. The Bible mentions animals many times.

December 1, 2006 was ushered in by one of the most damaging storms in about two decades in the Midwest. It rained all night on November 30th. After midnight the temperatures plummeted leaving a thick coat of ice on trees and power lines. By 4:00 am it had begun to snow and the trees and power lines began snapping and falling to the ground. Many parts of Central Illinois would be without power for three days to more than a week.

I was in Decatur when the storm began. I started home at 7:00 am not knowing what was ahead of me.

People in some cultures live in terror of the “Evil Eye”. In 1946, magician Henri Gamache published the book Terrors of the Evil Eye Exposed. Gamache brought evil eye beliefs to the attention of American hoodoo practitioners. Those who believe in the “evil eye” curse have used a plethora of talismans, amulets, and cures for the “curse of the evil eye.

The evil eye has long been a part of folklore in many cultures. It is believed that envy of the good fortune of people, whether in the form of material possessions or possessing beauty, health, or children, may result in their misfortune or elicit someone cursing them with the “evil eye”.

We all face a daily cosmic battle with temptation and the tempter. The tempter knows the weakest link in our armor and usually aims his arrows at the Achilles heel of our humanity. It is not a sin to be tempted. After all, even the Son of Man, Jesus, was tempted by the tempter. Jesus knows what it feels like to be assailed by the tempter. But Jesus conquered temptation and boldly routed the tempter. That is why the Scriptures encourage us to look to Jesus. “For we do no have a priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence, to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in the time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NASB).

Have you seen the quirky television commercials sponsored by a wireless company? A young man walks through the swamp, over mountains, and rides a burro through a far flung, arid Mexican region with a cell phone in hand and up to his ear, he is in constant touch with the home office and repeatedly asks, “Can you hear me now?” “Can you hear me now?” I suppose the message is that this company works hard so that you can stay in touch wherever you go.

I once saw an interesting bumper sticker that read “This car breaks for garage sales and turtles.” If you have recently felt brain dead, stressed out, or just plain worn out, you need to break today. McDonald’s made this slogan famous – “You deserve a break today!” But you need more than a quick fix or a fast food or coffee break. You need a regular, deep, quality break. You need a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. For real rest break for Jesus each day.

What we need is an old-fashioned Christmas. Oh, I’m not advocating a nostalgic, picture post-card Christmas. But a real Christmas, where the focus is on the reason for the season – the birth of Christ Jesus, Messiah, Lord of heaven and earth. Many believers are opting out of the over commercialized, secular Christmas. The glitz and gifts galore have left them tired and empty. Instead they are getting back to a simple old-fashioned Christmas where there is time to reflect on why Jesus came to earth as a babe in Bethlehem and to give devotion and worship to the Holy one, the Christ of Christmas.

The group of giggling kids posed the question as they boarded the bus for their ride home, “Are you an alien?” After a moments thought I replied in the affirmative. “Yes, I guess I am an alien. I’m sure many have thought that.” A few months ago a teenage, who is into science fiction, shared his theory with me. “There are aliens among us!” he said. “They have invaded the earth and have taken on human form. Who knows, the person next to you may really be an alien disguised as a human.”

For Ron McMann (not his real name) this particular day would go down as a “Red Letter Day”. Sales and stock for his company had never been higher. His employees were productive and prospering. He had peace and hope for the first time in months – perhaps years. But this red-letter day was not due to his business or financial success. But it was due to the fact that for the first time in months, or actually years, he looked forward to getting home to be with his wife.

The sound of croaking frogs filled the air. The stench of thousands of dying frogs was overpowering. They hopped through yards, filled the wells and water supply, jumped across their beds, and covered their floors like a slimy green carpet. Frogs were everywhere - hopping into ovens and jumping out of the kettles in Pharaoh’s kitchen. God has a way of getting our attention and, sometimes, He does so in a dramatic and humorous way. Moses had delivered God’s message to Pharaoh of Egypt – “Let my people go.”

Grandpa Os had several businesses and did some farming. He was the first person to question the existence of God to me. One day he asked me, “How do you know that there is a God?” I was just a young boy but the answer immediately popped into my mind, “Because I talked to Him this morning and He talked to me.” Grandpa Os had no reply. Personal experience can’t be argued with. Grandpa Os died of a heart attack sometime later. But before he died he asked my grandmother to pray with him.