Facing Jesus Properly
All of us are familiar with Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting of The Last Supper. Unlike frescos painted onto wet plaster, da Vinci painted this incredible masterpiece onto the dry wall of the dining room, or refectory, of the convent in Milan, Italy where friars shared their communal meals. It…
Off-Kilter Towers and Lives
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most popular tourist sites in the world. Over 5 million visitors trek to Italy each year to behold this massive building project gone wrong. The famous tower was begun in 1173 but not completed until 199 years later in 1372. Just…
Distractions and Diversions Then and Now
One of the lowest points in the Old Testament occurs when the kingdom of Israel that David solidified and Solomon expanded split in two. Ten of the northern tribes pulled away and formed their own country under the rebellious leadership of Jeroboam while Judah and Benjamin continued under David’s grandson,…
Propaganda, Truth, and Cholera
In the March edition of Smithsonian magazine, the article entitled, “Voice of Deception” highlights the work of a secret Allied mission during World War II to flood Germany with propaganda. Although Nazi Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, actively distributed the party lines of antisemitism and German…
Thanking God for a Great Leader
Saturday marks the beginning of National FFA Week. Having been a member, Advisor, and now an Honorary Member of the Future Farmers of America, I am very thankful for the influence this organization has on so many young people! It continues to grow and thrive as it celebrates 100 years…
Aqueducts of God’s Love
Years ago a dam was built west of Woodstock to create a reservoir that would be used for the town’s water before it began utilizing the Shenandoah River. Pipes and pumps were installed directing the cool liquid down into town for all to enjoy. Due to its deterioration and the…
Frigid Fowl On The Prowl
The chilly weather the last few weeks has certainly reminded us to be thankful for the blessings of heat. It’s also reminded us of our Alaskan friends, although some of their recent temperatures were actually warmer than ours. Even worse, however, are those who stay in Antarctica to conduct research.…
An Assassination Survivor and Truth Warrior
It’s hard to believe we’re already flipping pages on our calendars this Sunday ushering in the second month of the New Year that is already starting to show its age. With February comes Black History Month which highlights the contributions of African Americans to our nation. Heading this list is…
Paradise Provides Perspective
During these bitterly cold January evenings, Nancy and I have been trying to warm ourselves by remembering our visit to Hawaii. Memories of those welcoming waves, tropical breezes, sandy beaches, and sunny days warm the soul if not the body and draw us back for more. I’m sure Kilauea’s erupting…
An Ancient Battle With Modern Implications
The Bible is filled with stories and each one can teach us much not only about God and ourselves, but also about human nature. While some of these have been made into movies or dramas, others are never likely to have that occur. I recently read one such story in…