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2 weeks ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
A farmer came to possess a young eagle. He nursed it to its normal strength and size in his barnyard. The eagle seemed a brother to the chickens in his domesticated ways. But the farmer wanted the eagle to know the life for which it was born. So he would take the big bird, saying: “You are an eagle; to the skies you belong.”He would toss it into the air, but it would settle down to earth. He climbed atop his barn with the young eagle, trying to coax it into the skies, but it was to no avail.
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3 weeks ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
There is a good picture about worry in one of Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” cartoons. Snoopy is flat on his back on top of his good old doghouse. He’s looking up in the sky and pondering some great thoughts. “Rats!” he cries.
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4 weeks ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
Mark Twain visited Europe with his wife and 11-year-old daughter. The nobles and kings of Europe entertained them constantly. They met many famous people. As they were on the ship returning to America, Twain and his wife were reviewing the list of celebrities they had seen during their stay. Finally, their daughter spoke up with this comment: “Daddy, you must know everybody worth knowing except God.”Twain’s daughter sounds pretty sharp. I hope he got to know God later. It’s sad to hear that story.
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
These are the comments of a young mother: “Before I got married, I had six theories about bringing up children. Now I have six children and no theories.”It takes awhile for every generation to gain some maturity. I think Memorial Day is one of those things we don’t pay much attention to when we are young. Over the years we realize how important it is to take time to remember those who have gone before us, especially those who have served their country.
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
The story is told of a hard-core atheist who, one day, as he was on a hunting expedition, walked deep into the woods.
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
I just got back from a trip down the Danube River in Europe. It was an amazing time. I was able to go with my wife Deb, son Paul, and our granddaughter Elise. There’s one thing I learn over and over every time I travel. People are the same wherever you go!My son, Paul, and I were going to use a restroom just before going on the Charles Bridge in Prague. You have to pay a small amount to use the restroom in most of Europe. I was looking at my change and had enough for two people.
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1 month ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
Some years ago, in a column of Ann Landers, I could hardly believe the nerve of the person who wanted her wedding present back. As I recall, the marriage only lasted a short time and the person who wrote to Ann wanted to know if she shouldn’t get her present back. In other columns, I recall people who had written in to ask Ann if they should demand thank-you notes for presents they had given. I liked Ann’s response. She reminded people that giving a gift means just that.
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2 months ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
In one of the Peanuts cartoon strips; Linus possesses a security blanket that is very dear to him. Snoopy snatches the security blanket from Linus and flies through the door in cold midwinter with Linus suspended in midair holding onto the blanket for dear life. Outside in the snow, a battle ensues. At last Linus wins, grabs his blanket, and stands exhausted at the front door. His sister, Lucy, yells at him, “Are you crazy?
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2 months ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
At Easter time we proclaim the miracle of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. It’s a great joy to think about ourselves, our families and friends being resurrected and being in heaven together. It’s more than just “pie in the sky” theology. There is power we can experience here on earth too. The power of the resurrection is seen in changed lives. One pastor said, “God can do more with our sins than just forgive them.
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2 months ago | 
theindependent.com | Dan Safarik
Some years ago a Hollywood producer named Quincy Jones was able to bring together the superstars of the entertainment world. He produced and directed several entertainment events such as the hit recording, “We Are The World”. To set the tone for the team of music superstars he put a sign over the entrance to the recording studio that read: “CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR.”This is the same message Jesus delivered on several occasions. One of those was in Luke 14:7-11.
