Thursday, May 7, 2020 marks the 68th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer. Did you realize or remember that? On April 17, 1952, the importance of faith and prayer in the lives of the American people was openly recognized. Congress established National Day of Prayer as an annual event by a joint resolution signed into…
In recent years, we’ve witnessed the public downfall of leaders from almost every arena of society – business, sports, religion and politics. One day they are on top of the heap. The next, shame and infamy are heaped on them. We are incensed by the catastrophic failures of these leaders. After all, we cheered them,…
I did not anticipate it. . . I did not make any plans for it. . . I’m guessing that you didn’t either. I am referring to the COVID-19 virus that is sweeping the world, snuffing out the lives of an unknown number of people like you and me. Some of those folks you may…
A number of years ago, I unexpectedly had three stent implants in my heart. Need I say it was an attention-getting happening with residual effects to this day. One of the first things I did was to reevaluate the way I used my time. I came up with a list of the five most valuable…
Her name was Bertha Evans . . . Miss Evans to all her students, thank you. She was the prototype of an old maid school teacher – rather homely-looking, a frumpy dresser, frizzy hair and always, I repeat, always wore dark red lipstick. But as a freshman in high school, even I recognized that Miss…
Trust, or the lack of it, is a popular topic or theme today … especially in political circles. The list of untrustworthy leaders is getting longer everyday: Ponzi schemes, athletes and steroids, bankers and bonuses and well… who do we trust these days? When trust is lost, nothing else gets accomplished. We spend our day working…
“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Eastern New Mexico and West Texas . . . It’s a part of world that is best known for its rolling tumbleweeds, sand storms and blazing hot summer days…
Time is precious . . . Ask the coach whose team is behind in the final seconds of a game. Ask the air traffic controller in charge of scheduling takeoffs and landings at a major airport like Sea-Tac. Ask the cancer patient who has recently learned they only have two months left to live. Or…
Crowns and scepters. Thrones and palaces. Rulership and riches. These are the words we associate with medieval royalty. Celebrity and ceremony. Elegance and style. Popularity and paparazzi. These are the words we associate with modern royalty. Tattered cloth and shepherd’s staffs. A stable and manger. Humility and servant hood. These are the words we associate…
The story of America has been fractured into a thousand pieces. In fact, it has been burdened with so much ideological baggage that studying history actually alienates most young Americans from the possibility of properly appreciating their past. It has only been in the last 20 years, that a suitable level textbook in U.S. History…
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Behind the times…Stubborn…Anti-progress…Inflexible…Old School. These are the monikers we attach to the people in our organizations that resist change. You may be one such person; however, for your sake, I hope not. Seldom do we speak of traditionalists in flattering terms. When was the last time you heard a colleague praised for displaying prudence or…
I was born and raised in Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. Farming and ranching were the predominate industries in the area. I learned early on what every farmer knows . . . The growth of a crop only happens when the right ingredients are present. To harvest plentiful fields, the farmer has to begin…
Is our nation at risk? As a student of history, I find myself asking that question with greater frequency than I like to admit. However, from ancient Rome to the superpowers of the 20th century, all of the greatest nations in history have something in common. They have shared various symptoms that inevitably led to…
United States Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The 100-day debate known as the Constitutional Convention was one of the most important occurrences…
The primary elections for 2019 are history. . . For some candidates, their hopes were dashed. Dreams turned into nightmares all too soon. For others, at least two in each race, they were given continued hope through the general election on Nov. 6. As one who has gone through numerous campaigns over my political career, I…
With rare exception, whereever you go, you will find celebrations with cookouts, fireworks and family reunions — one of my favorite days of the year even when it rains. Independence Day should also be a time of reflection — a day to think about the founding of our nation, about the Declaration of Independence, the…
I recently turned 76… It was not a birthday that I necessarily relished. To be perfectly honest, the word that pops into my mind is “endured.” I don’t view myself as being old. I confess, however, that this particular birthday has had an impact on me like no other. It has proven to be a major…
Her name was Myrta Glendora Trout. . . To me she was known affectionately as Mama Myrt. She was my grandmother on my mother’s side of the family. She was far from perfect – a strong-willed lady as I recall; however, I loved her dearly and she loved me. As a child, I would go…
At this time of year, Americans kick off their summers, holiday weekend, vacations and barbecues. However, it is good to pause and remember our countrymen who have answered the call to serve, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On May 29, 2004, the United States dedicated the National World War II Memorial in…
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1943 . . . It was a cold winter day. The wind was blowing, snow was falling. Streets and sidewalks were covered with sheets of ice. It was a day not fit for man nor beast — much less a time for a pregnant lady to give birth to a new born….
I remember the date well . . . It was Jan.26, 2009. After multiple weeks of work session discussions and no less than two public hearings at business meetings, the time had come for a formal council vote. And vote we did. The City Council formally adopted a Community Vision. In brief, the Vision states that…
Her name is J.K. Rowling . . . She is the author of the wildly successful Harry Potter series. What you may not know is that she was a divorced, single mom and all but homeless before she discovered writing fiction was her passion. At one point Ms. Rowling is quoted as saying that failing…
Christmas 2018 is just a matter of days away. Seasonal carols have been filling the air waves since the day after Thanksgiving. But all is not well in our beloved America. There is a great scarcity of peace on earth and mercy mild. A question looms over our nation that begs to be answered. It is…
It was July 4, 1776 . . . Representatives of the Second Continental Congress assembled at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. They had gathered to sign one of the most important and ambitious documents in human history — the Declaration of Independence. The final line of the Declaration of Independence is a magnificent statement…
I remember her well . . . Her name was Mrs. Burke. She was my first speech teacher when I was a freshman in high school. Our first day in class, she made a point of stressing if we ever hoped to be successful as a public speakers, there were several cardinal rules that we…
