Category Archives: Faith

Myths Relating to the Founding Fathers

Posted on by January 10, 2016

Yesterday I attended a meeting of the Arizona Chapter of the National Speakers Association. One of the ThomasJeffersonpresenters, Rick McPartlin, spoke of “Myths and Principles” as they relate to professional speakers. It was extremely interesting.

Rick defined myths as: “a partially true idea or story that is believed by many people but is not true.” A principle is “a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.” Pretty interesting stuff. read more

Words We Use At Christmas

Posted on by December 4, 2015

ForgivenessThe other day I received a card wishing me Holiday Greetings. That caused me to think about some of the words we ordinarily use during the Christmas season. Think of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays for example.

Happy is defined as pleasant, pleased, and gratified. Holiday is a day commemorated with festivities and is a day on which one is exempted from work. Does that still work?

Greetings are simply “salutations.” So Holiday greetings are salutations sent for the day you are exempted from work! read more

Blessings and Trials

Posted on by November 24, 2015

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverWhen I was first asked, as a young lawyer, to give a presentation to a church group about the Trial of Christ from a lawyer’s standpoint, I was somewhat flabbergasted. My response was that they didn’t teach a course about that in law school.

But I told the group that I would try to educate myself enough to make a passable presentation! They gave me 3 months to prepare.

I began to read books and articles to increase my understanding of the history of the times, the geography of the areas involved, and the laws and rules connected with that trial. I learned a lot. My library on the subject has increased substantially. It all became much more interesting to me, and I hope, to others as I made my talks or lectures. With maps and pictures, nevertheless. read more

C. S. Lewis and Christianity

Posted on by November 15, 2015

445192825_011af775a5_mMost people know C. S. Lewis as the author of “The Chronicles of Narnia” and that he wrote some other stuff about Christianity. But few know that he was at first an atheist. Through experiences in his life he became a Christian.

He wanted others to be able to find the same things he did, so he held a series of radio broadcasts in 1942 to 1944 about the Christian Faith he had by then endorsed. These speeches were gathered into a book titled “Mere Christianity.” It was addressed to people at war, and contains some amazing insights. read more

Happy Halloween, Greet Thanksgiving

Posted on by November 1, 2015

800px-Mtchoirandorchestra_ConferenceCenter_(cropped)They didn’t have Halloween celebrations or trick or treating in the early days of our nation. No masquerade balls, or trunk or treating either.

But they did begin to get ready for Thanksgiving. I hope that’s what we all will do now. It will be here quickly!

“The greatest saint in the world is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice. It is he who is most thankful to God, and who has a heart always ready to praise Him.” –William Law read more

Ben Franklin’s Dying Remarks

Posted on by October 30, 2015

Ben FranklinMy mother-in-law passed away last night. She was a very special person. Why? Because she made everyone around her feel special. She always had a beautifully positive outlook on life and life’s experiences. I remember the first time I met her and how welcome she made me feel.

Anyway, her death brought to mind Benjamin Franklin’s last days. He was the wisest and oldest of the Nation’s Founding Fathers, almost by a whole generation.

Early in April, 1790, Franklin complained of a pain in his chest which endured for at least 10 agonizing days. Then it subsided just enough to let Sally, his daughter, make his bed fresh for his so that he might “die in a decent manner.” After making up the bed, Sally declared that she was praying that Ben would get well and live for many more years. Franklin quietly responded: “I hope not!” read more

Freedom, Founding Fathers, and The Trial of Christ

Posted on by October 26, 2015

HeaderIt’s hard to explain, especially in just a few words, but I’ll try. People always ask me why I wrote my books in such seemingly different areas or topics.

My first book, “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” is a book with chapters about six of our Founding Fathers. Men who had the courage to establish the United States of America. The six men are Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and James Madison.

My second book, “The Illegal Trial of Christ,” came at the request of my publisher, who knew I gave popular presentations about this topic. This book includes biographical information about the many players involved in the four trials that took place at the end of Christ’s life. In this book I also explain some of the rules, procedures, and laws in effect at that time. Both Roman law and Hebrew law. By understanding these people and their circumstances, readers will come to recognize and grasp why some things are worded the way they are in the four Gospels. read more

Always Be Thankful

Posted on by October 18, 2015

GW RulesYou really can find something everyday to be thankful for. My daughter taught a class of young kids at Sunday School today. She brought some small pebbles for each child and told the kids to take off one shoe and place the pebble inside the shoe and then walk around the small classroom.

They did. She asked how that felt. The children all told that it was a little bit uncomfortable. She then handed each a small candy bar and told them to walk around the room again. They did. This time they said it was still uncomfortable but the candy bar made it seem so much better. She reminded them that even though their walk with the pebble in their shoe was with discomfort, having the candy bar to eat on the 2nd path made it all much better. read more

Founding Fathers and Humility

Posted on by October 18, 2015

Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_StatesThis is a quote that reminds me of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and others of our Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes:

“Something Very Beautiful happens to a people when their world has fallen apart: A Humility. A Nobility. A Higher Intelligence Emerges at just the point when our knees hit the Floor.” –Marianne Williamson

The world had fallen apart for these men, and they came to the rescue with humility, nobility, and a belief in the support of a Higher Intelligence. Their knees often hit the floor. read more

Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and Perseverance

Posted on by October 12, 2015

Christopher_Columbus_on_Santa_Maria_in_1492.Happy Columbus Day! Christopher Columbus and George Washington had many character traits in common. The most remarkable is Perseverance.

Columbus had an idea about reaching the East by sailing West. No one had successfully done that before. He was an expert sailor and mapmaker. He came up with his plan and presented it to the King of Portugal, the King and Queen of Spain—four times, the King of France, and he even sent his brother to England to present his plan.

He was on his way to present his plan once again to the King of France, when he was called back to the Majesties of Spain once again. They had just won their war in Grenada and now his plan sounded better to them. One more presentation and it was granted and approved. read more