The second president of the United States, John Adams, has some suggestions.  He wrote, "It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with… games, sports… bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other...” Adams had reason for his enthusiasm.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence were committing treason against Great Britain, and could have been punished with death. But...

Turkey hunting season just wrapped up here in Florida. As one of my sons and I were sitting in our blind with a gobbler decoy planted in front of us, I thought about the "decoys" in our lives. These decoys can lure us and may lead us away from what’s really important or maybe even into a trap.  Here are some decoys to look out for. First, television and technology. It’s so easy to plop down on the couch and be...

You reach into your pocket and pull out that forgotten twenty dollar bill.  Found money. . . We all love it!  Did you know you may have some right in front of you?  Here are some great ways to have an extra twenty or more every month.  First, do it yourself.  Take the mower for a quick trip around the yard yourself or have your kids do it instead of a yard man.  Second, negotiate.  Don’t just pay your monthly...

Tim Kizziar once said, “Our greatest fear…should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.”  Is there anything worse than giving something all you’ve got when, in the end, it amounts to nothing? Determining where to invest your time and energy can be tough. Be sure to limit the time you spend on things in life that don’t really matter in the end…things like the pursuit of...

An elephant never forgets.  When they are too small to escape, we train elephants in captivity by shackling their ankles and staking them down. They try and try to tug away from their bonds; but they eventually learn they can't get loose. That’s when their “elephant memory” takes over.  For the rest of their lives they remember that they can't get away.  In the same way, when someone makes a careless or...

Author Andy Stanley says when it comes to making decisions you shouldn’t ask “What’s the right thing for me to do?” but “What’s the wise thing for me to do?”  There are three filters you need to consider as you ask this question: Is this wise in light of your past experiences, your present circumstances, and your future hopes and dreams? Good decision-making is more than simply choosing between right and wrong, or...

Losing a job. . . marriage problems . . . health issues.  Experiencing hardship in your life is like driving on a dark, winding mountain road.  You can’t see what’s around the next curve.  You’re scared and confused.  But, when the darkness finally turns to light, and the winding road becomes straight, you may look back and see some good in the journey. So, the next time you experience hardship, try to focus on...