In a sense, America is suffering from amnesia. We have forgotten our roots and what has made us great. We do not remember the origins of our holidays. We only remember the date and the weekend of entertainment they provide.

Sometimes in life there is a person or animal that always brings a smile to your face when you cross paths with them. I have one cow that always does that for me. Her name is Dixie, and she is one very unique individual.

There are millions of people who are good-hearted and tender-minded who still love their neighbors and care for those around them. They make it a point to reach out to the widow and fatherless and give abundantly to disaster funds to help those who have been devastated by natural disasters, but it seems that the world is dividing into teams to fight the great and final battle between good and evil.

Look around, our country is in much need of fasting. There are demons of every kind plaguing our society. Economic turmoil, sickness, drug addiction, poverty, homelessness and the like. These are the kind that need fasting and prayer. Chapter 58 of Isaiah gives us the answer.

The other day I was driving and saw a dead-end sign. I didn’t think about driving down that road because I knew I didn’t want to have to turn around, but I started to think about the dead-end signs the Lord has put in our paths by way of commandments.

When the kids were little and we needed a babysitter to go on a date, it took effort. After we finally found a night that worked for someone to come, inevitably something happened. An irrigation ditch flooded. We got snowed in. The kids got sick. The dog got hurt. Usually, though, the cows got out.

In this light, the only true gift we can give to God is our wills, our choice to follow Him and do His will. He has given us everything, and we have no power over anything in our lives except our agency to choose.

Here we are again in an election cycle. In November, we go to the polls.

I’m reminded every so often of a conversation I had with a friend of mine over 30 years ago. The memory is usually triggered by some random comment or event, but it’s one of those memories that seems to always linger near the surface of my thoughts.