This quote by Robert Lintner sums up Thanksgiving perfectly. “Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.” John F. Kennedy said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”

Did you know mundane structures communicate real-life lessons to us every day? Here is an example of seeing beyond what you see in the room of an unknown author’s home.

The story is told of a man who lives on a beautiful farm. When he died, the property, which had been in the family for over 200 years, was sold to one of the neighbors. One day, the new owner was walking in a field when he noticed an odd-looking rock sticking out of the dirt. He took it home, washed it, and then took it to the jewelers.

Here’s a story I think you will enjoy. The children lined up in a Catholic elementary school cafeteria for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and posted on the apple tray: “Take only ONE. God is watching.” Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table, was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A girl had written a note, “Take all the cookies you want. God is watching the apples.” That girl is probably one of those characters that could use a bit of character.

I learned how to fly a private airplane when I was 27 years old. I loved flying, and flying worked well for the business I owned then, Central Bindery. I learned to fly in a small two-seat airplane, a Cessna 150.

This article is designed to fuel your mental motor so that you can head out on the highway. So let’s start with Ten Fun Facts…

One of the British national newspapers has been asking for comments about what it means to be British. So here is a statement from a chap in Switzerland who lived in Britain for twelve years.

Here’s a short story today for your consideration and application.

One day a biologist observed an ant carrying a piece of straw which seemed to be an enormous burden for it. The ant came to a crack in the earth that was too wide for it to cross. The ant stood for a time as though pondering the situation. Then the ant put the straw across the crack and walked across it as a span. “What a lesson for us!” the impressed biologist said. “The burden can become the bridge for progress.”

Let me introduce you to Bruno if you don’t know him. In the movie Encanto, Bruno is the uncle in a family who no one in his family talks about.

I enjoy playing golf. Now that I think about it, I don’t enjoy it. I tolerate it. Or maybe golf tolerates me.

Most every golfer who plays for real has a handicap. Handicaps are created so everyone comes out, even in a golf tournament. If my handicap is 20, and I play on a par 72 golf course, I could score a 92 and be even par. On the other hand, the golfer with an eight handicap and scores 84 scores 76. I scored lower than the guy who scored an 84 because of my handicap. The better golfers become, the less handicap they have.

Let me introduce you to a couple some of you may have heard about from your Sunday school days. The couple was once the king and queen of Israel. Their names were Ahab and Jezebel.

I recently discovered a principle of life that I knew was working but didn’t understand very well. I have spoken for years now on this principle. Stephen Covey wrote the 90/10 Principle, and I have quoted him in this article with some minor editing.

As I travel the globe speaking at churches and leadership conferences, every once and a while, I meet someone special who brings refreshment, a beyond-the-borders approach to Christianity, and profound but straightforward wisdom.

There you go. The title of this article today is a definition of self-control. Self-control is just controlling yourself. Here’s an actual account of an event that happened in 1986. Self-control could and should have easily prevented this tragic occurrence.

Here’s a thought for you. Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

One of the scriptures’ most influential and insightful books is The Song of Songs. It is a love story of two real-life characters and their relationship that happened long ago. One was a sun-beaten shepherdess at the bottom of the social spectrum. Her life and choices had beaten her up. She had given up on most anything other than the worst happening to her.

The following testimony is by author/speaker Ty Bennett. What Mr. Bennett says in this short testimony is a life-lifting principle for those who put what he says into practice.

I thought it would be interesting to share six short stories with loud and clear messages written by others. All I can say is read, grow, and enjoy. Oh, one more thing, don’t say to yourself, “My friend, my colleague, or my family member, really needs this story. It would help them so much.” The issue is not ‘them.’ The story is for you first and then ‘them.’ So, grab your cup of coffee and read on.

From time to time, most of us feel left out. We feel like misfits. Others seem so confident, so sure of themselves, “insiders” who know the ropes, old hands in a club from which we are excluded. So, what do the “outsiders” do? They form exclusive clubs too.

Have you noticed that some people are naturally likable? They find it easy. Other people may not possess the intangible of likability, but with a bit of work can be just as likable as those who find it easy. Consider the story below.

Let’s start with an illustration that applies to every human being at some time or another. It’s called ‘Rowing a Boat that Goes Nowhere.’