“WHAT A GREAT VERSE OF SCRIPTURE TO CLAIM!” That’s what I said to my brother as I talked with him about his struggle with cancer. He said, “I quote it every day. It sustains me.” What verse? Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It’s his “life” verse.

It’s a great verse because in context it speaks of learning and practicing the secret of contentment—whether we have much or are destitute. Our mighty God is the Source of our ability to cope with whatever He permits to come our way. If we have an overabundance of things, they may cause us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. We can be sure that the Lord will give us the strength to recognize that and to make the necessary adjustments.

On the other hand, if we lack the basic necessities of life, He will provide for us, or as in the case of those who suffer declining health, we can be sure that God’s power will be available to us so that we can endure whatever hardship gains entrance to our life. The more we tap into His power, the more strength will be ours.

The Lord often allows difficulties to come into our lives that we may more fully rest in His grace. At such times there may be a terrific battle against fear and doubt. That’s when we can fall back upon God’s eternal love and promises such as the one above and trust Him though we cannot always trace His hand.

If your heart is often troubled
And you wonder what to do,
Just look up and simply trust Him,
For He’ll surely take you through!

Peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart.

“SAME NAME.” THAT’S THE TITLE OF A NEW REALITY TV SERIES. I watched the first episode last evening. And I must say, it was mildly entertaining. It’s about celebrities trading places for a few days with total strangers who just happen to share the same name. It reminded me of “Wife Swap,” another reality show. By switching places, they get to see how the other half lives.

This “name” thing sets my mind to whirling. Suppose I had the same name as some famous person? Would that impact me in any way? Would it make a difference in the way I think and live? And what about my family name? Am I careful to guard it so that it will not be soiled in any manner? Name and character are so linked together.

What’s in a name? Plenty, according to Justin Kaplan and Anne Bernays, authors of the book, The Language of Names. “Names penetrate the core of our being.” In the section of their book where they discuss literary names, the authors point out that English novelist Charles Dickens was a great master at naming his characters. Seth Pecksniff, Wilkins Micawber, Tiny Tim, Sir Mulberry Hawk, and Thomas Gradgrind are just a few examples of characters whose names reflect who they are.

If God, the Author and finisher of our faith was to give you a name, what do you think it might be? Remember, that name would reflect your character—who you are at the core of your being. Certainly it would give one pause.

As a Christian, I bear a name that must be above reproach. I share the same name with countless others. We get to spend as much time as we care to with the greatest Celebrity of all time. What does the world think of Him by what they see in us? Bringing honor to His name is of extreme importance. Our lives really have only one purpose—to reflect our Lord. We must guard against doing anything that will cause others to profane His holy name.

TALK ABOUT A DREAM REALIZED! To some it would appear silly, but to this senior citizen, it was a momentous occasion—something worth celebrating about. Strike up the band! Shoot off some fireworks! Blow the trumpets!

You see, when I was a boy, I fantasized about owning a Schwinn Cruiser. I knew a rich kid that had one, but also knew that it was out of the question for me. I was born on the wrong side of the tracks. My parents were anything but wealthy. And they believed that if you wanted something, you ought to work for it. As I recall, a new one went for about $30.00. No chance, not on my meager allowance, I always had to settle for some cheap, second-hand, broken-down version—some that were so bad that it was questionable as to whether they were really bicycles at all!

Well, the years passed and so did my memory. Until I saw Pee Wee Herman riding one in a movie some years ago. It rekindled the desire in me. Oh, I had possessed some multi-speed bikes over the years, but a Schwinn Cruiser? Now that’s a different matter. There back in now, you know—it’s all about the retro craze. But when I see one, it’s usually mounted by a senior.

Well, a short time ago I was walking in the mall and strode by the Sears store and there it was—at real beauty—white with black trim. It was beckoning me. I didn’t act immediately. Oh no, not right away.
I waited for it to go on sale. And finally it did. So I made up my mind to descend into my childhood once again—to a time of innocence, a season of carefree living when my biggest concern was, if I was riding one, would the girls notice?

So I took the plunge. I forked over $179.00 at Sears (it was on sale). I didn’t care if the girls notice anymore, because I married the best in the world. In fact, I don’t care who sees me when I’m cruising down the way. I’m on my Schwinn! Schwinn Cruiser! I’m king of the road. The wind is in my face and I feel like a million bucks. And the memory of those sad boyhood years have been swallowed up by the magnificence of the moment.

So if you happen to see me out on one of my excursions, know this: there rides a man whose dream has been fulfilled. See him ride in triumph and bliss!

IT STARTED LIKE SO MANY EVENINGS. Mom and Dad at home and Jimmy playing after dinner. Mom and Dad were absorbed with jobs and did not notice the time. It was a full moon and some of the light seeped through the windows. Then Mom glanced at the clock. “Jimmy, it’s time to go to bed. Go up now and I’ll come and settle you later.”

Unlike usual, Jimmy went straight upstairs to his room. An hour or so later his mother came up to check if all was well, and to her astonishment found that her son was staring quietly out of his window at the moonlit scenery. “What are you doing, Jimmy?” “I’m looking at the moon, Mommy.” “Well, it’s time to go to bed now.” As one reluctant boy settled down, he said, “Mommy, you know one day I’m going to walk on the moon.”

Who could have known that the boy in whom the dream was planted that night would survive a near fatal motorbike crash which broke almost every bone in his body, and would bring to fruition this dream 32 years later when James Irwin stepped on the moon’s surface, just one of the 12 representatives of the human race to have done so.

So, what do you dream about? You haven’t given up dreaming have you? If so, they may as well pronounce you dead! Dreams, goals, aspirations are what keep us alive.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about my dreams. I have seen some come to pass and others yet to be. The writing of a book was my latest, but I still have a few more waiting to be realized. It keeps me alive, motivated. George Bernard Shaw said it well: “You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'”

I believe you can tell a great deal about a person if you know what they dream about. Quite often that is where they will concentrate their resources, energy, and time. To achieve anything worthwhile requires vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember, all things are possible for those who believe.

I’VE BEEN PRIVILEGED IN LIFE TO HAVE MANY FRIENDS, but none better than Everett Charles Burch. Somehow I knew a few years ago when we first met at church that we would become soul mates. We just clicked. That’s how it is with some people you meet along the way. Perhaps a lot of it had to do with our common age or with the fact that we thought alike. I don’t know. I can’t explain it. It just happened.

And now he’s gone. My buddy. And I miss him. I miss his smile, quick wit, sense of humor, and the fact that he was such a Christian gentleman.

I, along with many others, was the beneficiary of his many talents as he went about doing good for others and for his Lord. But those were external gifts that he possessed. It’s his spirit that I will miss most—his generous and kind manner. To have a friend like him is to possess a great treasure, the kind that outlives life itself.

I agree with George Eliot who penned these words: “Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.”

To know that I will resume our friendship on the other side is more comforting than words can express. I look forward to the day when once again we will laugh together, worship together, and serve our wonderful Lord.

Thanks Everett for sharing a bit of your life with me.

ONE OF AESOP’S FABLES IS ABOUT A LION AND A MOUSE. The story goes like this: Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down on him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn
some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go, laughing all the while.

Some time after this the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse.

Kindness has its own rewards, doesn’t it? I wonder how many times such an action has been repeated. Taking pity on someone in need without thought of pay-back is certainly an admirable thing, don’t you think? Do you suppose the lion ever dreamed that one day this little creature would return the favor?
Years after the death of President Calvin Coolidge, this story came to light. In the early days of his presidency, Coolidge awoke one morning in his hotel room to find a cat burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm he wanted to keep. Coolidge then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered he was a college student who had no money to pay his hotel bill or buy a ticket back to campus. Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet -- which he had also persuaded the dazed young man to give back! -- declared it to be a loan, and advised the young man to leave the way he had come so as to avoid the Secret Service! (Yes, the loan was paid back.)
It has been said that one is most like God when they display acts of mercy and compassion. I rest my case.

PASSING THROUGH CHARLOTTE, N.C. on our way northward, we decided to visit the Billy Graham Library, which is only five minutes from I-77. As we stepped out of the car it was immediately apparent that we were on holy ground. The gardens are spectacular and we were directed to a brick pathway that led into a wooded area where Ruth Graham is interred. It also marks the spot where Billy will one day be laid to rest.

Hymns were being played over a speaker system and the birds were singing beautifully at that moment. We felt the presence of the Lord and sat down on one of several stone benches that are provided for those who would care to meditate and/or pray. I wondered at that moment how many others had felt the need to thank God for Mr. Graham’s (and Mrs.) impact on millions around the world. And I also wondered how many souls would be walking those golden streets because of this ministry.

Reminiscent of Billy Graham’s upbringing on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Charlotte, the Library building is styled after a dairy barn. The entrance to the Library is in the shape of a cross, a visual reminder to visitors that it is only through the Cross of Christ that we can be reconciled to God. The Library is organized around the themes of “The Man,” “The Ministry,” “The Message,” and “The Mission.”

All I can say is that it is a “spiritual experience” to walk through the library and view the history of this awesome ministry.

The Library complex includes Billy Graham’s childhood home, built in 1927 on their dairy farm about 3 miles away from the Library. It is a brick home and we were told that it was moved to this location brick by brick. It has been beautifully restored and is filled with family photos and personal items of the Graham family.

If you’re ever planning a trip to the Carolinas, it should include a visit there. You will not be disappointed.