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Blog Post The Two-Dollar Bill and the declaration of independence

The Two-Dollar Bill and the Declaration of Independence

The Two-Dollar Bill and the Declaration of Independence

Independence Day provides a time to watch fireworks explode and see the rocket’s red glare. As you ponder the significance of 4th of July, take time to be thankful we live in America, the home of the brave, and the land of the free.

Not long ago, I stepped up to a bank teller’s window and boldly asked, “Do you have any two-dollar bills?” I wasn’t optimistic.

The teller smiled, and said, “Yes, I do. We just got some.” She excused herself, and in less than a minute she returned.

As she looked through the bills to be sure the ones I was getting were crisp, I was getting excited. Then I recalled what a friend had told me a few days earlier. “They never have any when I ask. I think the tellers and the other bank employees must be keeping them for themselves.”

The ones I got were issued in 1976, America’s Bicentennial. The two dollar-bill beautifully commemorates the signing on July 4, 1776. The picture on the back is entitled Declaration of Independence. It was painted by John Trumbull and hangs in the United States Capitol.

I urge you to look closely at a two-dollar bill. Ponder the fact that by signing the Declaration, the founding fathers were risking their lives and property. And also recall that the freedom of religion was guaranteed by the Bill of Rights when it was ratified in 1791. Keep the faith.

Give away a two-dollar bill to a young person, and keep the flame of freedom alive for generations to come.

The two-dollar bill is the inspiration for one of my forthcoming children’s picture books. Sign up for my newsletter to get information about when it will be released.

Tell me what you think below, and Join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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a Cow in the Garage Blog Post

There is a Cow in the Garage

There is a Cow in the Garage

When I first saw him, he was covered with dust…

My cow is a picture I drew when I was between eight and ten years old.

My parents met milking cows in rural Kansas. They grew up in Girard, in the southeast corner of the state near Pittsburg. Mom and Dad are both gone now, but I still remember taking a trip with them to visit a dairy.

When I got home, I drew a picture of a cow, colored it with crayons, and wrote a short description. My mom put it in a frame, and hung it on the wall where it remained for decades.

The text under my cow picture is written in cursive:

The Dairy Cow

We went to see a cow today. It was a Guernsey. These cows are brown and white. We saw a calf too. He was a Guernsey too. There are three different kinds of cows Guernsey, Holstein and Jersey. The cow is one of the most useful animals to man. The first cows in America were brought by Columbus from Spain on his second voyage in 1493.

Dennis Conrad

I hadn’t seen my cow for years.

Now that I write children’s books, my cow takes on greater significance.

On June 26, 2021, I spoke to members of the Diamond Valley Writers’ Guild via Zoom. My talk was called “Writing for the Children’s Market.” I showed the group my cow and read what I had written.

My cow makes me smile and makes me realize I have always been a writer.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Blog Post The All-of-Me Check

The All-of-Me Check

The All-of-Me Check to God

 

Around 2004, I attended His Surrender, a church-sponsored, men’s program with Christian teaching and small group interaction. The purpose was to get men to surrender all aspects of their lives to God.

We challenged each other, and all of us grew as believers and followers of Jesus. It was a case of Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” I relied on what is says in Philippians 4:13 (ESV): “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

At one point, I realized I had not fully surrendered to God. I could do more. I needed something tangible to seal my commitment and totally surrender.

What better way to do that than to write out a check to God. I sat down with a book of oversized business checks. I prayed. And I started writing my check. On the pay-to-the-order-of line I wrote, “God.” In the amount section, I wrote, “All of Me.” I then dated the check and signed my name.

But, that was not the end of it. Surrender needs to occur daily. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, asked, “Will you go to His feet and place yourself entirely at His disposal?”

The day I wrote my check, I did. Will you do the same?

Pray with me and others during the daily Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Blog Post Five Perspective Changers

Five Perspective Changers

Five Perspective Changers

My wife, Diane, and I had a meeting scheduled, and we were told to bring a silver platter, a rubber band, a joke book, a pad of paper, and a pen.

We had no clue where we were going. Fifteen minutes later we arrived on a dusty mountain top with communication towers. Jim said, “We’re going for a walk.”

During our walk and talk, he asked why we wanted to teach for the summer in South Korea. Then he quizzed us about the platter and the other items.

After guessing what the platter represented, we realized teaching overseas would require the heart of a servant. Teachers in cross-cultural situations also needed the flexibility of a rubber band. The joke book reminded us to always maintain a sense of humor. The pad of paper and the pen together meant we needed to be prepared to record what we learned.

That summer and the following summer, we taught adults oral and written communication skills in South Korea.

The time on the mountain top remains a vivid memory. As I write stories for children, I keep in mind that I need to serve others, be flexible, have a sense of humor, and be open to learn.

Join me and others as we pray for God’s wisdom every day.

 

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Blog Post Escape from Danger

Thankful for an Escape from Danger

Ever say goodbye to a friend knowing you may never see them again?

My wife, Diane, and I taught English and public speaking in Central Asia for three weeks during the summer of 2010.

One weekend, when we were not teaching, we went to a restaurant that served hamburgers and other American favorites.

We gathered with friends, and our group of eight enjoyed lively conversation. One friend shared pictures he had on his iPad. Finally, it was time we all started back to our flats (the British English term for the apartments where we stayed).

The friend with the iPad and his wife led the way for Diane and me. He kept his iPad in an over-the-shoulder canvas bag. On our way to see the city’s symphony hall, we walked by a large hotel.

That is when I noticed a six-foot-six, solidly built man walking near us. He stood next to me while we were waiting to cross to the symphony. The light was about to change, but at the last minute, we changed our minds. We stayed across the street from the symphony and walked by a waiting taxi. I looked back and noticed the big man had not crossed. He was following us. Was he after the canvas bag?

I came up to my friend with the iPad. “Be careful,” I said. “We’ve picked up a tail” (the slang term for when a person is being followed).

My friend understood and slowed down, and the man walked past. My friend told me to grab hold of his belt and guide him as he walked backwards. I did. He was facing the big man, who, as we backed up, had turned around and moved toward us. He looked mad.

Within a minute we got to the taxi, negotiated a fare, jumped in, and we were driven away.

True story. We were unharmed. When we talked about what happened, we all agreed God provided our means of escape. For that we were thankful!

Is there some danger you need to escape? If so, do it now.

Join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Blog Post I Remember You

I Remember You!

Ever say goodbye to a friend knowing you may never see them again?

That is what happened again and again when my wife, Diane, and I served as summertime teachers overseas. Those we taught included university professors in one country and university students in another. We shared meals, played games, and enjoyed picnics. That, coupled with walks in the park and stops at ice cream venders, bonded us for life.

There were instances in which we reconnected with friends when we happened to return in subsequent years. These encounters provided great reunions and reinforced our love for each other.

We exchanged email addresses with only a few people. We did this to cut down on contacts because we never knew from one year to the next if we would return.

My wife got to know one student very well, and they exchanged email addresses. At the end of one three-line email, the student added a Bible verse without text: Philippians 1:3. In the New International Version, it reads:

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Although we may never see this person again, we know their faith is strong. Amen!

We have been blessed to have entertained former students in our home, where we played board games, enjoyed meals, and ate ice cream.

Scrapbooks filled with pictures remind us of the people we have met along life’s journey. When we look at the pictures, we thank God for his provision, and pray for our friends.

Is there someone you have been meaning to call? Do it. Take action to let them know you are thinking of them.

Join me as we pray for wisdom every day in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.