A recent warm thoughts column provided information about "Make a Difference Day," which is October 26th. It is a day when everyone is encouraged to make a difference in their community and world by making it a day of caring. An annual national day of helping others. Across the nation, about one million Americans will help others on this Make a Difference Day. Can one person make a difference? We are aware that there have been many difference makers in history.
Episode 150: Grandparent Hugs →
Every year at this time I am reminded by letters I received about International Hug Day. This year, it is September 17th. It is rather interesting that it is a week later than Grandparents Day. The National Grandparents Day is the second Sunday in September every year.
Episode 141: God Bless America & You →
Did you celebrate America's birthday? Over 200 years have come and gone for our good, old USA. Many ceremonies come to mind as we remember celebrating Independence Day. As we reflect on the month of June, and Father's Day celebrations with family, my thoughts reflect on historical facts about the father of our country, George Washington. Recently I read Washington's prayer for our country. And I would like to share his warm thoughts for our country.
Episode 140: Healing Liberty →
It is that time of year when many patriotic thoughts arise as we see the flag flying high in the sky. I am very impressed in my travels to note where homes fly the flag on a daily basis.
Episode 139: Fatherhood Throughout the Years →
When you read this warm thoughts column, Father's Day 1997 will be another memory. A dear Nebraska reader of this column sent me some thoughts on Father's Day - precious thoughts to ponder all year.
Episode 138: Old Glory →
When you read this column, it will only be a few days before Flag Day. I have often wondered if Old Glory could tell her story, just what she might tell us. Recently, I read some warm thoughts which I'd like to share with you, my dear readers of this column.
Episode 137: Like Flying a Kite →
June. The month for Children's Day, Father's Day, Flag day. A month for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, bridal showers, weddings, graduations, family reunions and the celebration of family. I find it very interesting that Children's Day and Flag Day fall on the same day and Father's Day and the first day of summer are also on the same day this year.
Episode 136: Our Lady of Freedom →
When you read this last column for the month of May, many thoughts come to mind about Memorial Day. As we reflect on the many Memorial days of the past, we experience many warm thoughts on peace and about our land of freedom. In this week's column, I will share a poem sent to me by a lady in her 80s. She is a very special friend who has been a real inspiration to me, especially during the last several weeks. She is a distinguished member of the International Society of Poetry, and her poetry will be featured in the "Best Poems of the 90s," a publication of the National Library of Poetry. And most recently, she was inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
Episode 131: Come with Me, and Abide →
At this time of year, we all look forward to the glorious Easter season and experience the joy of Easter morning. The week before Easter is especially meaningful for me as I recall my pre-Easter pilgrimage to the Holy Land and walking that road to Calvary. When I returned from my pilgrimage, I wrote these thoughts which I've used many times in a slide lecture on "My Journey with Jesus." And now I will share with you, my readers of this warm thoughts column.
Episode 130: Reconciliation Day →
As I flipped the calendar, I was shocked that it was April already and April Fool's Day! Some of the readers of this warm thoughts column will recall the fun we had as children and trying to fool someone on that day, even if we had to lie a little bit. It did seem permissible for just one day. You tried to fool at least one person and it was just a fun game.
Episode 123: Who is Your Hero President? →
Presidents Day is Monday, February 19th. We now celebrate all former presidents. We originally honored only George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom had birthdays during the month of February - February 22nd and 12th, respectively. George Washington was the first and only president to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College. He received all 69 of the votes. He was the first president with false teeth and the first to appear on a postage stamp. He was our country's first president and was known as a father of our country. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President and the first president to be assassinated. He was the first to support women's right to vote. There are for US state capitals that are named after presidents. The presidents who have state capitols named after them are Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.
Episode 122: Love in Every Language →
Since February is national children's month, I thought about writing an essay on what my grandchildren have taught me. They are now in school with children of other cultures. And although they may have graduated from Crayola college, they are colorblind and love their friends from other cultures. Recently, my grandson Trevor was teaching me to count to five in the Japanese language and even write the numbers. Since we will be celebrating Valentine's Day next week, I have researched how to say, "I love you," in 15 languages. (And I, Trina, apologize in advance if I mispronounce any these)
Episode 118: Warm Thoughts for the New Year →
New Year's resolutions have been made by now and we are looking forward to this brand new year. May you be inspired by a blessing for the 1997 New Year. This year, choose to be happy now. Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Write a letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Think first of someone else. Be kind and gentle. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it still, once again.
Episode 117: Christmas in a Cave →
Recently, my dear friend from Nebraska shared with me her anticipated pre-Christmas pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Her excitement over being able to be in His land in the Christmas season brought many warm thoughts to my mind. It was 10 years ago that I experienced the joy of worshipping in a cave on the shepherd hills on Christmas Eve. While the many experiences I had the day before Christmas, and on Christmas day were so vivid in my mind. I wrote them down the day after Christmas, in the International Hotel on a hill in Jerusalem. And I will share these thoughts with you dear readers of this Warm Thoughts column.
Episode 116: Happy Christmas to All →
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" These heartwarming and familiar words so dear to all, complete Clement Clarke Moore's beloved poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas." The following Christmas poem was written by an unknown author, "Twas the Night Before Jesus Came."
Episode 112: A Tribute to My Son - A Vietnam Veteran →
A TRIBUTE TO MY SON:
A Vietnam Veteran
by Dr. Luetta G. Werner
Just why did you do it... go to war?
So many people wondered why
You volunteered to serve your country;
You left as a teen and said, "Good-bye."
To serve your country…that was your goal.
You believed the cause was to fight to win.
God was your quide and stayed by your side,
And you felt His great love again and again.
The scars of this war will always be there.
You went a teen and came back a man.
Faith in your god and prayer saw you through,
Love for your country and this prairie land.
May God bless all those who serve their country!
Episode 106: The Mother of Grandparent's Day →
September. Thirty days have September. Do you remember this rhyme? Some ancient smart person must have invented mnemonics a fancy word meaning tricks, or devices for remembering things hard to remember. In September, we have our first autumn day, and the first Sunday after Labor Day is national Grandparents Day. Although it is called Grandparents Day, the purpose is to honor all older citizens.
Episode 99: The Pioneers of Yesteryear →
Each year on July 4th we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and we celebrate the birthday of our nation. It is a time to renew patriotism, and add a consciousness that our nation needs our prayers. It is a time when we are even more aware of the freedoms we enjoy here in America. With thankful hearts we sing America the Beautiful, and God bless America.
Episode 98: Fort Meade & The Star Spangled Banner →
The month of July is a very special month. July has many reasons to celebrate. Though not widely known, it was on July 2nd, not July 4th that The Continental Congress passed the resolution declaring the independence from the colonies. We celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. Are you a celebrator? Having lived several years in the Fourth of July city in Seward, Nebraska, Independence Day has very special memories for me. Singing the Star Spangled Banner has inspired millions and moved many to tears. It has symbolized with the flag, what it really does mean to be a loyal American.
Episode 96: The Mother of Father's Day →
Have you ever wondered who was the mother of Father's Day? It was Sonora Louise Dodd and the thought for Father's Day came to her in church, as she listened to her pastor extol the virtues of motherhood in his Mother's Day message. Sonora felt he failed to mention the value and importance of fathers. She felt fathers deserved equal credit and praise.