By the time you read this, we will have returned to Tennessee. Right now, Anne and I are sitting on a terrace at our hillside hotel in Amalfi. Anne has to make iced tea by ordering hot tea and a lot of ice. In Germany and other parts of Europe, a “lot of ice” means two pieces; but here in Italy, they like ice! I’m having an “Americano coffee.”

We have met a lot of very nice people. In fact, we have experienced very little rudeness. Basically, the average person-even when I spent a month in Turkey studying archaeology-is just like us. They want a place to live, something filling to eat, and a happy peaceful life. We tend to forget that all of the trouble in the world is caused by a relatively small group of fanatics who are happy to make everyone unhappy, without regard for the benefit of anyone but themselves.

Happiness–and even laughter is a gift from God. You’ve heard more than once that the human body uses many more muscles to frown than it does to smile.

God really made us all the same. You have the power each day to either make someone happy or sad. Choose wisely. God expects you to.

Pastor Michael