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In 1893 Katharine Lee Bates, an English professor from Massachusetts, visited theColorado Rockies. Her stay included an expedition, in a prairie wagon, to the 14,000-foot summit of Pike’s Peak. From that towering mountaintop, “the wonder of America,” with its “sea-like expanse,”1 spread before her. Returning to the hotel, she penned the words to “America the […]
It may be that we have more expressions about “home” than anything else. We’ve allheard “home is where the heart is,” “there’s no place like home,” and “home sweet home”— simple sayings that ring with truth and bear repeating. The hallmark of a happy home is not its size or location, but what goes on […]
In 1940, as the thunder and lightning of armed conflict erupted across Europe, WinstonChurchill stood at the head of a nation faced with the horrible reality of a calamitous war. “I have nothing to offer,” he told his countrymen, “but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”i In spite of the arduous road, Churchill was firm in […]
The great Irish tenor Ronan Tynan inspires audiences around the world with his abundant musical gifts. We admire his singing and performing, but just as impressive is his life story. Ronan was born with a lower-limb disability. Then, when he was 20 years old, both of his legs were amputated below the knee following a […]
From the timeless tale of the puppet brought to life comes the classic ballad “When You Wish upon a Star.” The little wooden Pinocchio, painstakingly carved by Gepetto, wished to be a real boy. He could move his arms and legs, he could sing and dance, but to achieve his ultimate dream he had to […]
One of the great opportunities in life is to gain a variety of experiences. It is important that we fill our days with a balance of meaningful events and activities that will stretch our minds and strengthen our relationships. Even everyday duties can provide a chance for us to improve our skills and share our […]
It’s one thing to write a song about rejoicing when all is well and the future looks bright. It’s quite another to sing of rejoicing while enduring violence and persecution—as did William W. Phelps in Missouri in 1833. He wrote “Now Let Us Rejoice” against a backdrop of “defeat, frustration, homelessness, suffering, privation, [and] hunger.”1 […]
Throughout history, men and women have drawn strength from stepping away from the crowd to quietly commune with their Maker. Isaac of old “went out to meditate in the field at the eventide,”1 as did David2 and Jesus3 and so many others in the scriptures. In more recent history, the story is told of General […]
During the first half of the past century, Edgar A. Guest became well-known as the “people’s poet.” Celebrated for his homespun, sentimental verse, he penned some 10,000 poems during his life, which were syndicated in hundreds of newspapers across the country and reprinted in several books, such as A Heap O’ Livin’ and Just Folks. […]
John F. Kennedy reminded us nearly half a century ago, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”[1] Most of us honor and remember those close to us who have made an imprint on our lives. Who heads the list of […]
“Is there no balm in Gilead . . . ?”1 asked the prophet Jeremiah. Anciently, an ointment known for its power to heal and soothe came from Gilead, near the Jordan River. Made from the gum of a tree, the balm was in high demand as a trade commodity at the time. Today we talk […]
On a recent flight during rainy weather, a young boy looked out the window as the airplane rose through the clouds, then beyond, into the calm, blue skies of a sunny day. Turning to his father, he shared his new discovery: “If you go up high enough, it’s always sunny.” How true. Above the clouds, […]
Some of us might think that if we just had more education, more social connections or financial opportunities, we could really be something. But often the quality that makes all the difference is nothing more than perseverance, or steadfastness, even in the face of opposition. We know it as “hanging in there” and “sticking with […]
Twenty years ago, a humble steelworker who appeared to have made little difference in the world died. He wasn’t famous, never earned much money, and didn’t associate with any VIPs. But he was a good man, a loving and dedicated father, a caring husband, and a kind neighbor and friend. At his funeral, hundreds came […]
Old men have told fantastic stories about ancient Polynesian pilots—men who would get into boats not much larger than a canoe, launch into the ocean, and travel thousands of miles through treacherous waters to a tiny pin-prick of an island in the midst of a vast ocean. Because of the impossibility of the task, these […]
Looking to the future with anticipation can help us feel more happy and alive. Instead of focusing only on the present, make plans for tomorrow, for a year or a decade from now. Find something that adds a little zest to life simply because it hasn’t happened yet. A widowed grandmother starts anticipating the next […]
A little fun makes a lot of work more doable. When we take well-deserved breaks for wholesome rest and recreation, we return to our labors feeling rejuvenated. Mentally, physically, and even spiritually, we are more alert than we were before. A wise religious leader compared his mind to a bow that would lose its spring […]
Every person hearing this message today needs encouragement. Whatever our age or circumstance, we all need the lift that comes from someone who cares. Some years ago a speech teacher at a rural high school encouraged a shy student by giving him an opportunity to improve. The boy spoke with a slight stutter, if he […]
We love to hear the performance of a quality solo singer. An individual voice can be entertaining and inspiring. But is there really any such thing as a solo? Even a performer seemingly standing alone is usually supported by the accompaniment of other singers or instrumentalists. And someone else probably wrote the music. The blending […]
On September 7, 1774, as the British were attacking Boston, the First Continental Congress met in Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia. The Congress voted to open that meeting with a prayer. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, John Adams described that first prayer and the disagreements surrounding it. He wrote, “We were so divided in […]
When was the last time you felt like rejoicing? Chances are it was after—or maybe even during—a difficult time. Usually the deepest feelings of joy are the blessed reward for having endured pain, sorrow, or heartache. But how do we get from the sorrow to the joy? While some feelings of sadness may require long-term […]
A good father, even in death, never dies. He lives forever in the hearts of those who cherish, honor, and love him. One day, not long ago, a young son poured out his heart to his father. Some school kids had said some hurtful things to the boy, and he was heartbroken. The father gently […]
When you hear the first few bars of a favorite song, how can you keep from singing? In the year 2000, the much-loved ballad “Somewhere over the Rainbow” was named the greatest song of the century past. Its beginning, however, was not so celebrated. The directors tried to drop the song from the film The […]
Everything seems better in the morning. Dark though the night may be, deep though the shadows fall, there’s always light at the break of day. In the morning, we tend to think more clearly and act with more purpose. Henry David Thoreau believed that “The morning, the most memorable season of the day, is the […]
Memorials and monuments have been erected in remembrance of great people since the beginning of time. Statues, walls, and obelisks are put in place to memorialize those who paid the ultimate price in defending their country, who lifted the downtrodden, who brought the light of peace, and who rescued others in political or spiritual bondage. […]
The classic story The Velveteen Rabbit was read to many of us when we were young. Now we read those pages to our children and grandchildren. The timeless tale reflects on the love between a little boy and his stuffed toy. As the story progresses we read: “The little Rabbit grew very old and shabby, […]
We live in a world of home improvements. Television shows, magazines, and superstores are devoted to making our homes more livable. The possibilities are endless. But what of the home building that happens in our hearts? A wise religious leader taught: “There is no home without love. You may have a palace and yet not […]
A day to honor mothers is well-deserved and important. Unfortunately, some women have mixed feelings about all the attention. They’re not used to spending much time thinking about themselves. Some mothers feel discouraged when they hear praise poured out about idealized motherhood. But, who doesn’t fall short of the ideal? Others are working to repair […]
Nearly a century ago, the brave Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen set off for the North Pole after many years of study and preparation. His plans were shattered, however, when news came that Robert Peary had reached the North Pole first. Instead of wasting time in pity or anger, Amundsen simply continued preparations and changed his […]
’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile: “What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried, “Who’ll start the bidding for me?” “A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll […]