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.

A popular brand of clothing that I’ve seen many people wearing is called “Bugle Boy”. Perhaps Christians should be wearing spiritual bugle boys. I believe we are living at the end of the age when our “blessed hope” shall be fulfilled.

“Behold, I tell you a mystery, we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we shall be changed” (I Corinthians 15: 52 NASB).

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

On Valentine’s Day we think of our sweethearts and give expressions of love such as candy, cards, and flowers. A favorite icon is Cupid’s heart with an arrow through it. But what kind of heart does God, the greatest lover, look for? What kind of heart pleases God?

The life of David is a great character study of a heart that pleases God. David was called “a man after God’s own heart”. When he was anointed to be the new king of Israel, Samuel wondered if David was really the one that God had chosen.

Valentine’s Day, February 14th, gives us another opportunity to express the very heart of ministry. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind . . . and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). When we consider Christ’s love for the church, God’s Word gives us this illustration of love. “Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Marriage is to be an illustration of God’s love.

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!”

I’ll never forget 07/07/07. Thousands of gathered at Centennial Park in Nashville, TN to march through downtown in a silent prayer walk of repentance to start “The Call”. A river of some 50,000 people flowed 2.7 miles down Church Street to the Titan’s football stadium for 12 hours of praise, worship, and prayer for revival. My wife and daughter heard what sounded to them like a river of water flowing through downtown Nashville as thousands walked in prayer and repentance. I wondered if the thousands of people walking side-by-side in the hot humid sun would generate big time body odor. I was pleasantly surprised as a sweet fragrance wafted through the air.

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.

Spring has arrived! The lilacs are blooming. The cherry and apple blossoms are in full color wafting their fragrances through the air. The bees are buzzing and the birds are busy building their nests. The splendor of God’s creation is awe-inspiring

Someone recently asked me a question concerning God’s creation. “What was the first fruit?” they asked. What do you believe it was? The Word of God is silent on the specific type of fruit. Some would speculate that the first fruit was an apple. Some have even called the round like ball in the front of a man’s throat an “Adam’s Apple”.

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.

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.

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.

The New Year will bring new victories. There is no doubt about it. But every victory has a battle. We have an adversary and a devourer of the souls of men. (I Peter 5:8) We are commanded to stand firm against the devil and stand strong in the faith.

Jehoshaphat was one of the godliest kings of Judah. A vast army of enemy nations was marching against him with one intent in mind – to destroy him and his witness of the One and Only God. When Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord and God sent His Word, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours but God’s . . . Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory” (II Chronicles 20:15-17 NLT).

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.)