Caleb Quaye discovered what’s in a name. David Letterman called Eric Clapton, famed rock musician, as being the greatest guitarist who ever lived. Eric Clapton replied, “I’m not the greatest. Caleb Quaye is the best guitarist in the world.” English rocker Caleb Quaye found that success and fame were unreal and transient. In his book A Voice Louder Than Rock and Roll, Quaye reveals what it was like to produce music and play guitar for great names like Elton John, The Who, the Beatles, and many others. Quaye became a world famous guitarist. But one day he found himself in front of a mirror after a life of drugs, girls, fame, and fortune.

What do Eilin, Trang, Juan, and Peter have in common? They all have recently become citizens of the United States of America. With proud and radiant smiles they swore allegiance to the USA. Some people like to “slam” the US and point out its faults. But it’s interesting that millions of people want to come to America and very few want to leave America.

What makes America so great?

First – THE FOUNDING “FATHERS” were great men and women of faith. The early pilgrims and political leaders had courage, foresight, and a sense of God’s guiding providence.

As I walked up the street with my golden retriever, I saw her standing in front of the small village post office. She was looking up at the sun through her fingers. I could tell she was probably autistic. When she saw my golden retriever, she looked at us through the slits in her fingers. “Does it bite?” she asked. “No, she loves people”, I replied. Coming closer, she asked if she could pet her. “Sure,” I replied, “Her name is Miki. What’s your name?” “Candie,” she said, as a smile brightened her face. “That’s a sweet name,” I told her. “You can pet Miki while I go into the post office for a minute.” When I returned, we said goodbye to Candie and went on our way.

It seems that the storms and stresses of life throughout the world have increased exponentially sense that dreadful day of 9/11. In fact Jesus said that in the end times, “men’s hearts would fail them for fear of those things that are coming upon the earth” (Luke 21:26). In Matthew 24 Jesus gave some future signs that would point to and precede His return to earth. He referred to this time as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8). He described it as being like a woman in labor pains. Could we be in “the beginning of sorrows” that will usher in the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to planet earth?

In 1776, America’s founders gathered in Philadelphia to draft the Declaration of Independence. A new nation was born – free and independent – the United States of America. In 1787, after the American patriots had won our independence on the bloody battlefields, representatives met to draft the Constitution of the United States.

The Constitution has been amended over the years, but its broad language is illuminated by the Declaration of Independence where the founding fathers outlined their moral vision and the government it implied. The opening lines are perhaps the most important: “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” What were the moral truths? “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon showed the world how much some people hate freedom. Some don’t like free trade, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government or freedom of religion. They believe an elite group should dictate to the masses how life should be lived.

Someone once said, “War is hell.” Yes, war is spawned and instigated in hell. God’s love is giving mankind freedom to choose evil or good, righteousness or unrighteousness, heaven or hell. God’s love in allowing humankind to choose it’s own course (including partnering with evil unto the most hideous consequences) is neither indifferently passive nor aggressively active when horrible things happen. God has always been and is and always will be redemptive. He provided the way for reconciliation – the Cross of His Son Jesus Christ.

Two brothers running across America, as well as a young couple sitting on the steps of a subway station near the collapsed World Trade Center, all must face the question: “Where are you headed?”

A famous rock singer sang, “The world is a bad place, a very bad place to live. Oh, but I don’t want to die.”

Today we watch shattered children, the victims of war, groaning on the six o’clock news while we calmly eat our dinner. We hear people threaten one another and plot the bombing and massacre of innocent families. We suddenly realize that we Americans are also vulnerable along with the rest of the world. The enemy, the devil (John 10:10) is trying to rip apart our world of peace and freedom, leaving only a memory.

He was the son of a well digger. If you have ever lived in an arid land, you know how vital water is. In the old west, range wars were fought over water rights. Man or livestock could not live or thrive without adequate water. Years ago, well diggers were revered men. My grandfather once hired a well digger. Those that I’ve met seemed to have a certain mystique. Isaac’s father was a well digger. He knew where to find precious water and bring it up to quench the thirst of the parched and weary.

More Americans than ever have climbed the ladder of success. For many people, though, life is getting better while they are feeling worse.

In the February 26th issue of the Centralia Sentinel, an editorial by Gregg Easterbrook, caught my attention. The title intrigued me – “Stress is the dirty secret of success”. Mr. Easterbrook made the following observation – “Americans are finding that merely possessing the good life does not ensure happiness. This may tell us there is a ‘revolution of satisfied expectations’ – that general prosperity brings with it an empty feeling. Here is another possible explanation of the progress paradox: That along with getting better at manufacturing cell phones, DVD players, and SUV’s society gets even better at manufacturing stress.”

The spiritual side of man has always reached toward the secret, mystical realities. History has shown us the rise in secret societies, secret rites, and so called “secret” knowledge – much of which emanates from pride and prejudice.

Rhonda Byrne’s book THE SECRET has sold over 6 million copies and was endorsed by Oprah Winfrey. Byrne claims to have discovered “The Secret” that you can be a god and through your mind create your own reality, which is really the age-old deception of Satan. In short, if you think positively – good things will happen to you; if you think negatively – bad things will happen.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

He was a survivor! A bear and a lion attack was no match for this young man. He became a champion when he killed the giant of Gath. His courage in battle helped catapult him from obscurity to a great military leader. He survived numerous attempts on his life. Promoted to the head of state he survived petty politics, slander, and a coup led by his own son to usurp his throne. He even survived a sex scandal involving the Bathsheba affair. Yes, King David was a survivor who lived to a ripe old age. David would be the first to tell you that it was not his cunning, courage, charisma, or physical prowess that made him a survivor, rather it was his trust in God and a heart after God that enabled him to survive and thrive.

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.

When asked who in the history of the United States the greatest president was, most would say George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. There have been a lot of good presidents but perhaps fewer great presidents. Greatness is usually determined by how one handles great adversity. Certainly both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln persevered under extreme adversity and guided our nation through a dangerous juncture to make it what it is today.

Both Washington and Lincoln believed in the power of prayer. Both prayed for wisdom and strength to lead the nation. But all of Lincoln’s ideas came from a frame of reference of belief in divine providence. He expressed this belief best in his farewell address at Springfield, “I now leave . . . with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being, who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail.”

One of our most treasured possessions was given to us almost thirty years ago as a wedding gift. It’s a wooden plague with hand carved praying hands on it. Those praying hands not only remind of the carpenter of Nazareth’s praying hands but also the following story of “The Praying Hands” from an unknown author.

In 1490 two young friends, Albrecht Durer and Franz Knigstein, were struggling young artists. Since both were poor, they worked to support themselves while they studied art. Work took so much of their time and advancement was slow in coming. Finally, they reached an agreement that they would draw lots; one would work to support them while the other would study art. Albrecht won and began to study while Franz worked at hard labor to support them. They agreed that when Albrect was successful he would support Franz while he studied art.

The company motto has stuck with me for several years for some reason. “We aim to please,” was the motivating mission of this small business. People took them at their word and they became a very successful and growing business.

We all live to please someone. The question is, “Whom do you live to please?” Some people please the public or their employers in order to succeed in politics or business. Some people endeavor to please everyone in order “to get along”. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 NKJV). But there is a difference between being a peacemaker and making peace.

It was a surreal moment - a moment frozen in time that we will never forget. The terrorist attack on America September 11, 2001 was replayed before us on television as we watched in stunned silence. When the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center collapsed, the death and destruction amongst the ruble and twisted steel was referred to as “Ground Zero”.

Faith and heroic rescue attempts ensued in the aftermath of the horrible destruction. As we commemorate the anniversary of September 11th, let us remember the victims and pray for the families, friends, and fellow Americans who suffered terrible loss on that infamous day. Let us pray that God will bless America and help us preserve peace and freedom.

Ground Zero was the word the media used to describe the devastation in the aftermath of the appalling attacks on the World Trade Center. The infamous events of September 11th have caused millions of Americans to re-examine priorities and take inventory of their lives.

Stanley Praimnath was at Ground Zero that September 11th. Stanley, an assistant vice-president of Fuji Bank in New York City, was at his desk on the 81st floor of the South Tower. He arrived early to spend time reading his Bible and praying. “For some reason, I gave the Lord a little extra time of myself that morning in prayer,” he says. Fifteen minutes later a red-orange flash catches his eye. Outside his window flames cough black smoke as the result of American Airlines Flight 11 plunging into the World Trade Center North Tower. Stanley and his co-workers rush to the 78th floor elevators. At ground level a security guard meets them. “Don’t leave the building,” the guard says, “You’ll be safer inside because of falling debris.”

Recently as I sat in a McDonald’s in Central Illinois, there was a young man sitting on a stool enjoying his extra-value meal. I noticed that he was an employee of McDonald’s and developmentally challenged. He obviously had finished his workday and knew that it was payday. At least a half dozen times he went to the counter and loudly demanded his paycheck. After his job coach finally instructed him on proper etiquette, he received what he was due – his paycheck. In working with and ministering to the developmentally challenged over the years, I’ve noticed that even the most severely challenged come to know and expect payday.