Paul W. Powell Legacy Library

Depression is one of the most common of all emotions. It comes to all of us occasionally. It can range from mild and temporary to severe and prolonged. There are times when we just have the blues for a day or two, and there are other times when it seems as though the light of life has gone out. When it comes to depression I know what I’m talking about. I’...

Walt Garrison, who once played running back for the Dallas Cowboys, was asked if he ever saw Coach Tom Landry smile. He replied, “No, but I’ve only been here six years.” Landry, of course, had a great sense of humor. But he was usually so absorbed in the management of the game he was coaching at the time that he seldom showed any emotion, including...

A teacher told her class to list the Seven Wonders of the World. The generally accepted group consists of: The Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon, Panama Canal, Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Great Wall of China. One little girl was having trouble making her list so the teacher asked if she could help. The little girl said...

Actor Ed Asner said, “Raising kids is part joy and part guerilla warfare.”  Boy, do I agree.  But if you think kids are worse now than they have ever been consider this: Cain, the first mortal man born on earth, murdered his own brother. Noah was a preacher but his sons disgraced him. Abraham threw his son Ishmael out of the house when he was fo...

Edwin Markham, the poet, reached the age of retirement only to discover that the banker who was managing his money had defrauded him. He was so obsessed by anger and bitterness that he could no longer write poetry. While sitting at his desk and doodling one day the Holy Spirit convicted him that he must deal with his anger or it would destroy him. He decided then and...

The first emotion of the first man born on earth was anger. Cain, out of a fit of jealous rage, killed his brother. Anger was not just a problem for the first mortal man born on earth but for every man. It expresses itself in countless ways: road rage, spousal abuse, security guards, having to have metal detectors at schools, airports, and athletic events, and scores...

During India’s mutiny against Great Britain 1857-58, British soldiers were camped outside the city of Delhi when the commander gave the order for his men to attack the city. Medics began to move among the troops to determine who among them was fit for battle. A young soldier lay wounded and as the medic looked at him, he pled, “Sir, please don’t dec...

In 2009 William L. Calley, the only U.S. Army officer convicted of the 1968 slaying of Vietnamese civilians at My Lai, made an extraordinary public apology.   Calley was a young Army lieutenant when he was court-martialed for his part in the massacre of 500 men, women, and children. In his confession he said, “There’s not a day that goes by that...

Knute Rockne was one of the greatest football coaches ever. In his 13 years at Notre Dame, his teams won 105 games, lost 12, and tied 5. He never had a secret practice. In fact, he sometimes put up a sign for visitors that said, “Secret practice. Come and bring your notebooks.” On one occasion when an Army scout missed a train connection and didn’t...