NO WONDER THERE ARE SO MANY DIVISIONS

Segregation is a BAD thing. The history of the United States proves that over and over. Sadly, I remember that when I was growing up, the only theater in Springfield, MO that would admit African-Americans was the Landers Theater. There was a catch to that as those American citizens had to sit in the second balcony rather than any place in the theater. Blacks attended high school at Lincoln High instead of Springfield Senior High. It took a lot of black and white people to make things so much better. As a baseball fan, I have learned about the Negro Leagues and there is a museum celebrating the history of those times. Buck O'Neil began this piece of history. It shows how bad segregation was. Even after the color line was broken by Jackie Robinson, for several years the black players had to stay in facilities different from the white players. I had the happy privilege of meeting Buck at Lou Brock's home several years ago.

Do you believe segregation is over? Certainly not. One of the places where it is most evident is the Congress of the United States of America. Is it any wonder that Democrats and Republicans dislike each other and have so much trouble doing good things for our people? Think about it. There is an aisle. On one side of the aisle are Democrats and the other side of the aisle are Republicans. Would it not be a good thing if members of Congress did away with this stupid way of trying to do business? Why not have the Congress set up so that a Republican sits next to a Democrat so that friendships may develop and do away with the idea that only good ideas come from one side. Athletic events are often won because of teamwork. It just might be that teamwork will fix the United States of America.

A sideline for you. In two meetings last week, I asked those in attendance who was Branch Rickey. Can you believe that not one person knew. Of course, he was the man that broke the color line in major league baseball by signing Jackie Robinson.

On a personal note, a very special man who was my pastor at First Baptist in Springifeld recently went on to meet our Lord. Dr. Thomas S. Field was a great preacher, man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. I cherish his memory.

LISTENING TO JIM ROHN

Several years ago, I became acquainted with a man by the name of Jim Rohn. I didn't meet him personally, but I bought a lot of his materials and became very impressed with what he said on DVD and in his writings. Today, I want to share a part of his book entitled "7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness." I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

"The tide comes in, and then what? That's right. . . it goes out. It's been that way for at least six thousand years of recorded history. It gets light and then what? It turns dark. . . That's the way it's been for at least six thousand years.

If, when the sun goes down, a man says, 'What happened, what happened?' We would surely know that he just got here, right?

The next season after fall is . . . right again. And pray tell, how often does winter follow fall? Every time without fail for at least six thousand years. True, some winters are long and some are short; some are difficult and some are easy. But no matter what, they always come after fall. It isn't going to change.

Sometimes you can figure it out, sometimes it's a puzzle. Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it is a disaster. Sometimes it sails along, sometimes it gets all tied up in knots. You see, it's not going to change. After six thousand years of recorded history, life is a mixture of opportunity and difficulty. That's the way it is.

Whenever I speak, whether I address business executives or high school kids, my message is always the same: " The only way it gets better for you is when you get better. BETTER IS NOT SOMETHING YOU WISH; IT'S SOMETHING YOU BECOME."

What a message for all of us today.