Weekly Stories Archive

By Jerry Stewart
Listen When we think of the revolutionary war and those fighting, one man rises above all - George Washington. He was the commanding officer of the American troops, later became our first United States president, and has been given the title "Father of our nation." But, do we really know that much about him? We think we do. He was the one as a young boy who chopped down the cherry tree. Right? Interestingly enough, that may not have happened. But the rest of that story - going to his father to admit his deed and taking full responsibility, is certainly consistent with his character.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen It’s safe to say there’s not a kid alive today that wouldn’t like to be rich. Not when he’s grown up. When he’s a kid and can still really enjoy it. This next story is about two young boys who made an interesting discovery and truly believed they would soon be the richest kids in town.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen There’s a lot of talk today about success and accomplishment, and we are being lead to believe that to accomplish something special we have to have a lot of talent. Is that true? Of course, talent and ability can help, but you show me one person who succeeds because of sheer talent and ability, and I’ll show you a hundred people who had little talent or ability - and still succeeded. Why is that? How can that be? It’s because ability alone is not enough. And, sometimes, talent can work against you because everything just comes too easy. But, no matter what your level of natural talent or ability, if you use what you do have to the fullest, you can succeed.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen When you’re going to school and doing your best to support a family you find yourself doing a lot of different jobs. But, of all the jobs I remember, the one that probably sticks out most is the summer I sold vacuum cleaners. Oh yeah, a friend told me. Sell vacuum sweepers and you can make some good commissions. Well, I did like talking with people and selling stuff so why not give it a try.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen This is a continuation of last week’s story. If you missed part I, I suggest you go back and read it first.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen Over the years as America has grown into the most successful and prosperous nation in the world, there has been an attitude in our country that is so impressive. It is an attitude that refuses to believe that anything is impossible. Simply said, we just don't know that something cannot be done.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen If you've heard many of my holiday programs, chances are you've heard me speak about the job I had years ago working with handicapped people at a church started by a man who, himself, was severely disabled. And this church became a meeting place where people of all ages and disabilities could come to worship and fellowship. And I can tell you, of all the jobs I’ve ever had, this job was one of my favorites because during that time I learned more about people than perhaps any other time in my life.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen Just what are some of the great inventions and ideas that were started in America? A lot. It’s hard to believe, but less than a hundred years ago Americans didn't even have cars. Oh, there were a few experimental horse-less carriages, but it wasn't until Henry Ford released his famous Model T that Americans could actually consider owning their own car. Very impressive. But even more impressive was ford's invention of the assembly line that caused him to triple his new car output in just one year, making the automobile actually affordable for the average American. And today? Well, most people need a two or three car garage just to hold all their cars.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen When my wife, Becky, was just a small child growing up in Fort Worth, Texas someone asked her where her mom worked. Her reply was prompt and confident - she worked at the Empire State building. You can imagine the looks she got - seeing as New York City was about 2000 mile east of Fort Worth. But she was convinced that the building her mom worked in, the tallest building in Fort Worth at that time, was the Empire State building. Maybe Becky didn't know just where the Empire State building was. But, one thing she did know, wherever it was, it was tall - very tall. And, in 1931, when the Empire State building was built, it was an absolutely amazing feat, the single tallest building in the world. So tall that even King Kong couldn't survive a fall from the top. And today, it is still one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. In fact, at 102 stories and 1,250 feet tall there are still only two buildings in all the world that are taller.

By Jerry Stewart
Listen On December 19, 1776, Thomas Paine wrote the famous words: "These are the times that try men’s souls" The new American was in a terrible conflict. It seemed clear that America would not, could not, prevail. The task, the battle, was just too much. But it was a battle worth fighting. He went on to say: