To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. For most of its history, the island nation of Japan has remained culturally isolated from the rest of the world. That began to change during the second half of the 20th century. After its catastrophic defeat in World War II, Japan quickly became a major player on the global economic stage…. Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. For most of its history, the island nation of Japan has remained culturally isolated from the rest of the world. That began to change during the second half of the 20th century. After its catastrophic defeat in World War II, Japan quickly became a major player on the global economic stage…. Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. More than 500 years ago, during the time of Shakespeare, there were no TVs, movie theaters, or handheld communication devices. There were also no video games, pizza joints, destination vacations, cruises, or team sporting events in gigantic arenas. What could average people do for entertainment? They could attend live theater, of course – if they… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. The leaves of the milkweed plant apparently taste delicious. But few marauding insects and grazing livestock ever get the chance to enjoy a milkweed meal. That’s because this common herb has not one or two but three major lines of defense to keep hungry visitors at bay. First, the plant’s leaves and stems are… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. Have you ever wanted to memorize a Bible verse? Looking for one that’s short and easy to remember? Try I Thessalonians 5:17. It’s just two words: Pray continually. That’s it. As Dora the Explorer would declare enthusiastically, “You did it!” Now, if only it seemed even remotely possible to live out such a verse. The average… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. For 237 dark, desperate days, Americans lived in junk food limbo. On November 21, 2012, Hostess – having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection – ceased production of all its iconic snack products. They finally returned to the shelves on July 15, 2013, after the brands had been purchased by another company. People can… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. For a number of men, Father’s Day can be tough. A middle-aged man recently wrote, “I hate Father’s Day. It takes me hours to find a card. All the cards have sentiments that don’t fit – ‘Dad, you’re a pal,’ or ‘I’ve always been able to count on you,’ or ‘You taught me… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. For a nation with such a long and illustrious history, not to mention a rich musical heritage, it seems odd that England has no official national anthem. Major sporting events and national gatherings usually default to God Save the King (sung to the same tune as My Country Tis of Thee). From time… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. Dear God: Thanks for nothing. Before you conclude that this must be the winner of the Worst Prayer Ever Contest, consider the possibility that nothing is sometimes really something. Thanking God for nothing can be a prayer of profound gratitude. Thanks, Lord, that nothing happened to me while driving this past week. Thanks that nothing prevented… Read more »
To listen to this reflection as a podcast, click here. Sir Winston Churchill lived what was arguably the most remarkable life of the twentieth century. He was an unrivalled public speakerA skilled oil painterThe winner of a Nobel Prize for LiteratureAll despite the fact he had been a mediocre studentHe struggled to please his distant, demanding fatherAnd his socialite mother rarely gave him… Read more »
