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 1 million Americans will help others on this Make a Difference Day.
Episode 238: Make a Difference Day →
One of the very faithful readers of this Warm Thoughts column recently sent me an article entitled, "You Can Make a Difference." It was an article informing the public to take action on October 26th and make that day a day of caring, a national day to inform us that the Make a Difference Day can help everyone to help others. The sixth annual event, in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation, takes place on October 26th. Mark your calendar!
Episode 232: What Would It Say? →
During July, in the month when we celebrate independence day, many patriotic thoughts come to mind as I see "Old Glory" wave high in the skies. If that flag could speak, what would it say? In my thought file, I have the following thoughts about our flag.
Episode 231: The Year I Was Born →
Traveling throughout the heartland of America, I was impressed with the beauty of the green fields. After attending the International Congress on the Family in Colorado, it was a joy to again spend special time with family and friends and celebrate another birthday. I did not realize that the year I entered this big world, it was a banner year. It was family in Wisconsin who shared these thoughts on a birthday card.
Episode 230: Family - Community of Love →
Many of the readers of this warm thoughts column are aware that I write these lines a week before you have the opportunity to read the column. When you read this column, I will have returned from the International Congress on the Family, which was held on July 5th - 9th in Denver, Colorado. So stay tuned to this column as I will share with you my personal experiences and thoughts from this Congress.
Episode 229: 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, Seward, Nebraska, Independence Day has very special memories for me. Singing the Star Spangled Banner has inspired millions and moved many to tears. It is symbolized with the flag, what it really does mean to be a loyal American.
Episode 228: Happy Father's Day →
The first day of summer! Good old Summertime is very near. Next Sunday not only is the first day of summer, but it is also Father's Day. In our own special way, we honor our fathers on this day. We have very special memories. Many memories touched my heart as I read about the "Old Fashion Daddy."
Episode 227: Old Glory →
When you read this column, it will be only a few days before Flag Day. I have often wondered if "Old Glory" can 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 217: Malice Toward None & Charity For All →
As I write these warm thoughts, we are celebrating Presidents Day. Many patriotic thoughts come to mind on this national holiday on which we celebrate the birthdays of our first president, George Washington, and of our 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
Episode 216: Praying for Our Nation →
Every year in February, we observe Presidents Day. Many churches throughout the land may observe a day of prayer, at which time they pray for the leaders of our country. Two of my friends were among the many who attended the President's breakfast in Washington DC. This annual day of prayer is a 45 year-old Washington tradition that draws people from around the world, including politicians, judges, diplomats, bureaucrats, foreign leaders, and military personnel. Praying for our nation and for our leaders is no new thought. Instead, it has been encouraged throughout the ages. C H. Spurgeon stated, "Whenever God determines to do a great work, he first sends his people to pray."
Episode 215: A Visit from the President →
When you read this Warm Thoughts column and look at the calendar, it tells us that Abraham Lincoln's birthday is February 12th. In the one room country school where I went as a child, the pictures of George Washington and Abe Lincoln hung on the wall along with the ten commandments. In those years, the government recognized two President holidays in February. These two presidents became examples of compassion and courage in my life. George Washington was our first president and known as the father of our country. Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War. Very recently, I read an incident about Abraham Lincoln that happened in the Civil War. It really touched my heart during this heart month, and I felt compelled to share these thoughts on caring and compassion with you.
Episode 204: Liberty →
November: the month of Remembrance Day, also known as Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day. How thankful we are to live in our America. Liberty, so precious a gift for each of us. It is so special that we can enjoy our liberty every day here in America.
Episode 203: Leadership Lessons from the Geese →
This is a time of year when some folks leave the Prairie Winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residence there will say, "The snowbirds are coming!" About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south and a "V" formation. In the spring they fly north and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese.
Episode 198: How Can You Make a Difference? →
One of the very faithful readers of this Warm Thoughts column recently sent me an article entitled, "You can Make a Difference." It was an article informing the public to take action on October 26th and make that day a day of caring. A National Day to inform us that the Make a Difference Day can help everyone to help others. The sixth annual event in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation takes place on October 26th. Mark your calendar! How do you plan to spend Make a Difference Day? It may be a month away but it is not too early to think about what you can do to help your community pull together a project for the day. You can also make a difference in the life of even one lonely shut-in, give a helping hand to a busy mother, write a letter of cheer to someone in need of an encouraging word, or touch the life of a child by sharing a gift of time with that child. Perhaps Saturday October 26th does not fit into your schedule, then make it October 27th or a day that will also Make a Difference Day for you or someone in need.
Episode 196: Our Duty to Serve & Give →
One of the most faithful readers of this warm thoughts column has sent his significant insights from the book entitled, "Never Give In." This book was written by Stephen Mansfield and is about the extraordinary character of Winston Churchill. In a recent issue of the US News and World Report, it asked about heroes and the magazine shares the lives of 20 men and women who risked it all to make a difference. Winston Churchill was truly one of the heroes of England, although he was hated and rejected in various ways.
Episode 188: The Flag of Stars & Stripes →
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 185: Ascension Day →
Today is Ascension Day. Some churches throughout the world observe this church festival day with special services. Ascension Day is on Thursday, forty days after Easter. It commemorates Christ's ascension which took place by tradition at the Mount of Olives near Bethany in the Holy Land.
Episode 184: Come Visit My Grave →
May is the month when families come together for the Memorial Day weekend. I shall never forget the memorial service I once attended in a cemetery. And as I stood at the grave of a veteran who had given his life for his country, this poem was read over the loudspeaker, and I would like to share it with you in this week's Warm Thoughts column.
Episode 183: All Around Me, Peaceful →
May is family month! When you read this week's column, many of you will be looking forward to a day off from work - a three day weekend, the opening of the swimming pool, and the official start of the summer season. You may be celebrating life with family and friends. Memorial Day is a day and a time to remember the dead, especially those who perished in America's wars. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Episode 167: No Place Like Home →
Recently I read an article about the "Little Houses on the Prairie." Perhaps you, too, have read about the 1,400 people who came to a small Native American reservation here in South Dakota, to build thirty homes in five days. This happened in mid-July of last year and at that time, on those prairies, the wind was warm. These volunteer workers for Habitat for Humanity came from all walks of life. At one time, there were three PhDs on the roof of a house nailing on shingles. To build thirty homes in one week became a most ambitious project. It became known as "Jimmy Carter's Work Project." It was named after Habitat's best known volunteer. Alongside was former First Lady Rosalynn Carter working with her husband. There they were for the week, dressed for the work project. The people called the former president, "Wawikia Lakota - for one who cares about people."