HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! You are 233 years old. That’s a long time for a nation to remain free. However, when you take the long, historical view, you’re just a child among the nations. Egypt, China, Japan, Rome, or Greece---they all had much longer histories, but not as free.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! You have a rich spiritual history that continues to influence the world. “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” was written by a Baptist minister, Samuel Francis Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by another Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy. The words, “In God We Trust” are traced to the efforts of Rev. W.R. Watkinson. Rev. John Witherspoon, a Presbyterian minister was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. And so it goes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! You’re entire history has spanned only 4 generations. When Thomas Jefferson died, Abraham Lincoln was a young man of 17. When Lincoln was assassinated, Woodrow Wilson was a boy of eight. By the time the nation mourned his death, Ronald Reagan was a boy of 12. But even though you have a relatively short history, God has richly blessed you. You are still the richest nation in the world. Your natural resources are still the greatest of all nations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! You have learned your lessons well. You began by breaking free from British shackles. You survived a civil war that nearly cost you your national soul. You fought and won against several foreign enemies on soil not your own, including kicking some desert sand in the face of a two-bit dictator.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! You are great because you are good! You are good because you are still opening your doors to those of other lands, remembering that you are made up of those who came to these shores searching for freedom and opportunity.
And you are great because you are still the most generous of all nations, giving untold billions in aid to third world countries—sending out missionaries to feed the hungry and starving souls of our world. You are great because you allow your fellows the freedom to choose who and where they worship. And finally, you are great because you still take the side of the little guy against the bullies of this world.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! You have learned that greatness is not measured in silver and gold, rivers and forests, or even in bombs and missiles. Greatness is an inner quality found in what we are rather than what we possess.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! The noble lady in New York harbor stands proudly with her flame lifted up for all to see---a gift from the French, she still inspires even those of us who were born here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Your flag waves proudly in the free air---a symbol of all that makes you great. Whether at a ball game, political rally, concert, or worship service, she still sends a chill up and down our spine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Keep the candles of your birthday cake of freedom burning brightly. May your 340,000 churches continue to offer hope and salvation to the lost and downtrodden and serve as moral and spiritual oases in a desert of unrighteousness. May your eagle, symbol of power, strength, and independence remember that even she is a creation of God. And may the motto found on all your coins be forever emblazoned on the hearts of your people.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

TECH SUPPORT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I mean there are loads of stories about frustrating conversations with some Geek in India or Indonesia or wherever, who speaks TWO foreign languages! First, there’s cyber talk and then there is the heavy accent, sprinkled occasionally with understandable English. I am convinced that when they apply for these positions, a basic requirement is that they must speak unintelligibly.

As a matter of fact, did you hear about one of Microsoft's finest techs who was drafted and sent to boot camp? At the rifle range, he was given some instruction, a rifle, and bullets. He fired several shots at the target. The report came from the target area that all attempts had completely missed the target. The Microsoft tech looked at his rifle and then at the target again. He looked at the rifle again, and then at the target again. He put his finger over the end of the rifle barrel and squeezed the trigger with his other hand. The end of his finger was blown off, whereupon he yelled toward the target area: "It's leaving here just fine. The trouble must be at your end!"

I have had my moments with these supposedly helpful agents of confusion. Often when I finish the conversation, it usually means that I am: (1) more confused than before I made the call, (2) so frustrated that I can’t think straight, or (3) so glad to be through with him that I breathe a giant sigh of relief. I must say though that I did talk recently to a charming lady who spoke perfect English and was extremely polite and quite helpful. Also, I learned that if you can’t handle the accent, you can ask for someone in the next level up and you will usually have contact with someone who will be very articulate in your language.

My problem though is often due to my lack of knowledge. If I am fortunate enough to connect with someone who speaks excellent English, well and good. But when they begin cyber speech, then I am really at a loss. Case in point: I put a call in to tech support regarding a virus protection plan that I have installed on my computer. The guy’s accent was so heavy that I had to constantly respond with, “Excuse me,” “I’m sorry,” “Pardon me,” or the like. Can you identify with me? (actually there are times when that works well if you don’t understand their technical language, but don’t want them to know it).

In any event, about halfway through the process, he asked a question that I just couldn’t make out. I asked him to repeat it FOUR times! Then I said, “Could you please speak slowly, sir?” He did. Here’s what he said, “How is the weather there?” I felt like a jerk. I said, “It’s about 80, cloudy and very humid. “ I strained to hear his reply. “Oh, it’s 105 degrees here.” He must have been calling from the Gobi desert or the planet Mercury.

Here’s the moral of the story: If you’re having a serious problem with the internet, call a friend who lives near you. That’s what I do. And make sure he/she is American-born!

FATHER’S DAY IS ALMOST UPON US and it reminded me of a story I read about a dad who really understood his role. Some years ago, in a military academy, the students mutinied, probably a reaction to the hard demands of such an environment. The students had struck in everything: lessons, study hours, drill. When word reached their parents, the students began to receive telegrams, which the principal had in his possession. These messages were like a telescope through which one could look into the various kinds of boy’s homes and the parental relationships connected with them.

One father wired his son, “I expect you to obey.” Another said, “If you are expelled from school, you needn’t come home.” Still another said, “I’ll send you to an insane asylum if you are sent home.” Another said, “I’ll cut you off without a penny if you disgrace the family.” But the best message was couched in these laconic words: “Steady, my boy, steady! Father.”

There was a man who believed in his son and probably there is no greater influence upon a young man than a father who respects the spirit of his son and treats him like a man.

When children go astray, parents can either help or aggravate the situation. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, we find principles to help us react redemptively when faced with a wayward child.

The father in the parable did not disown his son. There is no trace of anger and retaliation. The father simply kept on loving his son. Doesn’t that sound like God? Of course it does, because that is who he represents!

The father did not allow himself to be overcome with despair. He went on with his life. He didn’t allow the situation to ruin his own life.

The father didn’t chase his son. Overzealous parents can sometimes push their children farther away by hounding them. The father allowed his son the freedom to choose his own path.


The father did not withhold material things from his son. This stands in contrast to those fathers who pull back and say, “Well, since you’ve decided to adopt a different life-style than I want for you, you can’t have anything of mine.” It’s tempting to try to control behavior by material means.

The father never gave up hope. In verse 20 we see the father looking for the return of his son. Through it all, he kept believing in his son---that he would someday come to his senses and return.

The father didn’t throw the son’s mistakes back in his face. He didn’t say, “I told you so.” He freely forgave his son and welcomed him back.

The father involved others in celebrating the son’s return. This suggests to me that he had also shared his concern with them. Parents need the support of others when suffering the hurts of a wayward child.

In this parable we find our example of how to deal with children who disappoint us. We love them and accept them (not their deeds) just as our heavenly Father loves and accepts us.

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT IF THERE’S ONE THING THAT FRUSTRATES ME, it’s waiting at a traffic light while the driver in front of me just sits there when the light turns green. I try not to beep, but then the light turns red and I have to wait another two minutes. Am I too impatient? Can anyone out there identify with me?

Did you hear about the guy whose car stalled in heavy traffic as the light turned green? All his efforts to start the engine failed, and a chorus of honking behind him made matters worse. He finally got out of his car and walked back to the first driver and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If you’ll go up there and give it a try, I’ll stay here and blow your horn for you!”

Someone said, “Patience is like a mosquito sitting of an anemic person who is waiting for a blood transfusion.” I know one thing for sure---I need to acquire more of it. I expect it from others, therefore I must extend it to them as well.

A train was filled with tired people. Most of them had spent the day traveling through the hot dusty plains and at last evening had come and they all tried to settle down to a sound sleep. However, at one end of the car a man was holding a tiny baby and as night came on the baby became restless and cried more and more. Unable to take it any longer, a big brawny man spoke for the rest of the group. "Why don't you take that baby to its mother?" There was a moment's pause and then came the reply. "I'm sorry. I'm doin' my best. The baby's mother is in her casket in the baggage car ahead." Again there was an awful silence for a moment. Then the big man who asked the cruel question was out of his seat and moved toward the man with the motherless child. He apologized for his impatience and unkind remark. He took the tiny baby in his own arms and told the tired father to get some sleep. Then in loving patience he cared for the little child all through the night.

WHAT LOVE DOES. Love is Patient – It takes a long time before fuming and breaking into flames. Love doesn’t retaliate. Love’s patience is the ability to be inconvenienced by a person over & over again without getting angry. It refuses to pay back evil for evil, but if slapped on the right cheek, will turn the left. One of Abraham Lincoln’s earliest political enemies was Edwin M. Stanton. He called Lincoln a “low cunning clown” and “the original gorilla”. “It was ridiculous for people to go to Africa to see a gorilla,” he would say, “when they could find one easily in Springfield, ILL.” Lincoln never responded to the slander, but when, as president, he needed a secretary of war, he chose Stanton. When his surprised friends asked why, Lincoln replied, “Because he is the best man.” Years later, as the slain president’s body lay in State, Stanton looked into the coffin and said through his tears, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen.” His anger was finally broken by Lincoln’s long-suffering, non-retaliatory spirit.

Lord, please help me to be a patient person, to wait upon You--- to use time constructively. Help me to keep in step with You and not run ahead or lag behind. Give me the spirit of a Lincoln, whether I am at a traffic light or enduring the insults of others.

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE 92-YEAR-OLD WOMAN who resides in a nursing home and is an example of what it means to live on Positive Avenue? She is a very proud lady, who gets fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably prepared and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind. Her husband of 70 years recently died, making her move to the nursing home necessary, but difficult.

After waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, the attendant described her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she stated with enthusiasm. “Mrs. Jones, you haven’t even seen the room,” said the attendant. “That doesn’t have anything to so with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged---it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice: I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is like a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account…you withdraw from what you’ve put in. In my case, I’m still depositing.”
I don’t know about you, but this lady puts me to shame! I like to think of myself as a generally positive person, but I’m not sure that I would handle this life-change quite as well as she did. By saying that “happiness is a decision that one makes each day,” it is apparent that she agrees with those who say, “Attitude is everything.” A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.
Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation's deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. What do you look for as you begin each new day? How do you “arrange your mind?”