In the waning days of the Roman empire’s rule, a young 16 year old boy was kidnapped and taken to a faraway land where he was tortured with hard labor for many years.
After five years, he fortunately was able to escape. He walked 200 miles to the shore where he was able to find passage on a ship. Finally, the boy arrived back home.
As you can imagine, his family was overjoyed and shocked to see their beloved son back home again.
Looking forward to the first peaceful night’s sleep in his own bed, The boy instead found a night of turmoil and unrest. His dreams were disturbing. Some might even call them visions.
The visions continued night after night. In his nightly visits, the boy was told to go back to the land of his tormentors and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them. Finally, with great resolve, the boy left home on his quest and returned to the land of his tormentors — Ireland.
Would he have to face the Celtic tribesman who had kidnapped him those many years ago? Would he be kidnapped again? Would he ever seen his homeland again? The boy didn’t know. All he knew was that he was a servant of the Most High God and on a mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Was he successful in his mission? Yes. Almost the entire population of Ireland converted to Christianity. And who was the boy to become? None other than Saint Patrick, the honored saint of the island of Ireland. Thanks for reading today.
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A ferocious storm battered the tiny ship. Those on board weren’t confident that the wooden sides could hold up to this type of punishment. But, the Mayflower continued on its journey and what a journey it turned out to be. Particularly, for young John Howland.
During the storm, John came up from the lower deck and onto the exposed top deck. Why he came up in the middle of the storm, we may never know.
John wasn’t on the top deck very long before the violent storm swept him overboard. Those who saw it, thought he was dead for sure. For John sunk below the waves and they thought that was the last time they would ever see him. But, a few seconds later, John appeared from beneath the waves and he had hold of a rope that was attached to the ship. It is a miracle in and of itself that a rope attached to the ship was dangling in the water … and an even greater miracle that John’s outstretched hand was able to grasp it as his body hit the cold sea.
The men on board the Mayflower quickly came to John’s rescue. They pulled and heaved at the rope and were able to pull John alongside the ship. They then lowered a boathook and scooped John up like ice cream being put in a cone.
Watching the scene play out in front of her as if it was a modern-day horror movie, twelve year old Elizabeth Tilley stood on the deck as her emotions convulsed with anguish. What a relief when they pulled John on board.
In the not-too-distant future, Elizabeth and John developed a budding romance. A romance for the ages. They eventually married and had ten children, eighty-two grandchildren, and their descendants sprinkled the American countryside like lilies on the prairie.
Some of their descendants included the actors Humphrey Bogart and Alec Baldwin. Their most famous and influential descendants include three United States presidents: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
What would’ve happened if John Howland had died that day? Just what would have happened to America during World War II if FDR wasn’t in the White House? What would’ve happened if Saddam Hussein was able to continue his rampage against tiny oil rich Kuwait? And, what would’ve happened if we had not had the strong leadership of George W. Bush after September 11, 2001? We will never know.
The Bush family faced a second miracle saving in the 1940’s. During World War II, the senior Bush was the pilot of a three-man torpedo bomber in the Pacific. This was an extremely dangerous job during the war.
Bush flew 58 combat missions during World War II. One of the more stressful missions happened in June 1944. Bush and his crew took on anti-aircraft fire which forced them to make an emergency landing – in water. An emergency landing is harrowing at any time, but in water under those circumstances it is nearly impossible. Little did they know, that experience was a cakewalk compared to what was to come.
On September 2, 1944, they were again hit by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing run on a Japanese island. It was as if a giant boxer had hit the underside of the plane. Bush described it this way, “Suddenly there was a jolt as if a massive fist had crunched into the belly of the plane. Smoke poured into the cockpit, and I could see flames rippling across the crease of the wing, edging toward the fuel tanks.”
His plane was on fire, but Bush managed to finish his bombing run. He then made his way out to sea. His two companions, already dead, may have been the lucky ones.
His plane was crippled and not flyable. Bush’s only choice was to bail out of the plane. As he disembarked, his body hit the tail before finding clear air. The impact ripped a gash into his forehead and his parachute.
Somehow, Bush made it to the ocean surface still conscious of his surroundings. He was losing a lot of blood and being stung by incessant jellyfish which caused noxious vomiting. Despite all of this, Bush managed to swim to his inflatable lifeboat.
The hours felt like days as he floated there on the ocean surface. The Japanese were searching for him and torture was in his future. If not for the American fighter planes which drove off the Japanese boats looking for Bush, his name would be just a footnote in history books. Bush was finally rescued by an American submarine, the USS Finback, and the future 41st president of the United States lived to see another day.
Every day, we face certain doom if not for a miracle from God. How many times have we crossed over death without even a inkling of its existence? We will never know on this side of heaven.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to take this day for granted. I hope you will do the same. Thanks for reading today.
ANNOUNCING! A New Podcast Gaining Attention — Let Me Tell You A Story with Mark Bowser
Stories are everywhere! We all love them! We love them in books, at the movies, and in our favorite podcasts. But, what if a story could be — more? What if a story could change your life in a substantial, positive way? What if a story could take you to the pinnacles of success and show you how to scale life’s mountains too?
Well, that is what Let Me Tell You a Story podcast with Mark Bowser is all about. Professional Speaker & Author Mark Bowser will take you behind the scenes of some of history’s greatest feats and unknown achievements so that their stories can be a city on a hill shining like a beacon in the night inspiring us to live our best! Come join us every Monday and Thursday! Please subscribe now so that you won’t miss one exciting episode.
The Japanese monkey known as Macaca fuscata had been studied for decades. Scientist had been observing them in their natural habitat.
In 1952, scientists decided to change the game a little. On the island of Koshima, the scientists began dropping sweet potatoes into the sand. They were curious to see what the monkeys would do with them. The monkeys loved the taste of the sweet potatoes but they were not too fond of the dirty sand all over their food.
One day, an eighteen month old female monkey the scientists had named “Imo” decided that she was going to wash her sweet potatoes in a nearby stream before she ate them. The scientists watched intently as Imo carried her sweet potatoes and began scrubbing the sand off of them. She loved the taste of the now clean sweet potatoes.
Imo then went on to teach her mother as well as the other young monkeys around her own age on how to clean their sweet potatoes too. Pretty soon, there was a whole group of the monkeys that were cleaning their sweet potatoes in the nearby stream before they ate them. This went on from 1952 to1958.
Then, a very curious thing happened. As more and more monkeys began washing their sweet potatoes, it appeared that the monkeys hit a tipping point in their community. All of a sudden, almost all of the monkeys on the island of Koshima were washing their sweet potatoes.
Then an even more amazing thing happened when all of a sudden monkeys on other nearby islands began washing their sweet potatoes too. How did that happen? It wasn’t as though any monkeys from Koshima swam to the other islands and began presenting seminars on how to clean sweet potatoes. It just happened! But how?
We may never know how or why monkeys on the other islands began practicing the same cleanliness. But, we know that communities do hit tipping points. And we do know that some products will become the next fashion trend and some videos go viral.
It appears that thoughts have energy kind of like radio waves. Have you ever been thinking of something and a friend calls you on the phone and starts talking about the exact same thing? It is kind of freaky, isn’t it? But, it happens.
If one monkey named Imo can change an entire monkey community … then what can we do if we put our minds to it to change our community? Just some food for thought.
Stories are everywhere! We all love them! We love them in books, at the movies, and in our favorite podcasts. But, what if a story could be — more? What if a story could change your life in a substantial, positive way? What if a story could take you to the pinnacles of success and show you how to scale life’s mountains too?
Well, that is what Let Me Tell You a Story podcast with Mark Bowser is all about. Professional Speaker & Author Mark Bowser will take you behind the scenes of some of history’s greatest feats and unknown achievements so that their stories can be a city on a hill shining like a beacon in the night inspiring us to live our best! Come join us every Monday and Thursday! Please subscribe now so that you won’t miss one exciting episode.
“Some Gave It All” is the riveting story of Marine Danny Lane. Danny Lane is an American hero earning two Purple Hearts among other medals for valor during the Vietnam War. He then came home to an ungrateful nation, yet became a hero once again as a decorated police officer, detective, and body guard.
Danny Lane is a martial arts expert and has been inducted into numerous hall of fames for this sport. He is a ninth degree Black Belt, nine time national martial arts champion, former world kick boxing champion, and one of Chuck Norris’ top Black Belts. Danny has trained with Chuck Norris for over thirty five years.
“Mark Bowser Reads” is an informal video series where Author and Professional Speaker Mark Bowser reads the books he has written. So, grab yourself a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy this segment of one of the most exciting adventures…
Chuck Norris said, “Marine Corporal Danny Lane received two purple hearts for his combat wounds during the Vietnam War. He shares the details of his gripping and courageous story for the first time in 50 years in his new book, (co-written by Mark Bowser) “Some Gave it All: Through the Fire of the Vietnam War….
“Because too many of our Vietnam War veterans returned to an ungrateful nation, I hope Lane’s book becomes a bestseller and turns into a movie so a grateful nation today can honor these fallen heroes and freedom fighters….
“I’d encourage you to pick up a copy of “Some Gave it All” and read the rest of his inspirational story. His co-author, Mark Bowser, also gives some great additional biographical notes about Lane in Bowser’s four-minute YouTube video….
“I want to thank Cpl. Lane for being brave enough to share his story with the world and have to relive so much of it in order to do so. My wife, Gena, and I also want to thank him from our hearts for his continued service to our country as a share of the proceeds from his book will be donated to Kickstart Kids, our non-profit foundation and charity to help middle school children learn character through karate. (Lane is also a decorated martial arts champion.)”
INSPIRATION #64: You will never reach greatness until you are willing to step out of the house.
Many of us have great dreams of accomplishing tremendous tasks but we never act on those dreams. We’re afraid we might fail so we’d rather do nothing. I would rather strive for the mountain top and fail then to succeed at being comfortable and never leave my house. Step out of your comfortable surroundings and TAKE ACTION FOR YOUR DREAMS!
*Excerpted from “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Mark Bowser. Get Your Copy Now
Now, it appears that being optimistic is under attack by the so called “realistic” news media. They say it is a philosophical idea of where you believe it, see it, and somehow what you want magically happens. These news people are either ignorant, corrupt, or flat out not very bright.
Positive thinking is an attitude, not a philosophy. Positive Thinkers are not delusional. Positive Thinkers have it right…and we need more of them. Positive Thinkers look for the best and when you look for the opportunities, you will find them. Then, you see that opportunity you choose as if it is achieved (This is called positive imaging and it is used all the time, particularly by athletes. It motivates and pushes you toward that successful end.) Then, you take action…massive action…on that opportunity.
Without Positive Thinking, would there be an American flag on the moon, a victory in WWI and WWII against tyranny, a Wal-Mart or an Amazon, a state championship by Milan High School (see the story of “Hickory” in the movie “Hoosiers” which is based on the true story of Bobby Plump leading Milan to victory)?… I dare say none of these things would have happened if not for positive thinking.
Positive Thinking is about faith in God, a belief in yourself, and taking action toward your goals. When did this become controversial? I suggest all the naysayers pick up a classic book titled “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. It just might change your life!
I am humbly proud to count myself amongst the millions of Positive Thinking champions!
Podcast coming soon…Stay Tuned! Everyone loves stories, particularly inspiring ones. Join author and professional speaker Mark Bowser as he guides you on incredible journeys in search of success. You will cross the Delaware in a snow storm with General George Washington, soar to the moon landing with Neil Armstrong, and hang precariously from a skyscraper with a steel worker named Nick. With each episode, you will be motivated with a story packed with principles that shine the light on your own success journey.
Mark Bowser is an author of several books and a Professional Speaker. To check his speaking availability or to contact him then go to http://www.MarkBowser.com
INSPIRATION #64: You will never reach greatness until you are willing to step out of the house.
Many of us have great dreams of accomplishing tremendous tasks but we never act on those dreams. We’re afraid we might fail so we’d rather do nothing. I would rather strive for the mountain top and fail then to succeed at being comfortable and never leave my house. Step out of your comfortable surroundings and TAKE ACTION FOR YOUR DREAMS!
*Excerpted from “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Mark Bowser. Get Your Copy Now
“You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.” George Washington
Welcome to my blog. As an author, I love to share ideas. But , I also love to hear ideas. This is a place where I can share my thoughts on success and life with you. It is also a place where you can share your ideas with me. It is a place where you can experience my writing style and hopefully be inspired by what you read. It is a place where we can experience the road of success...together. I look forward to the journey.
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