In the battle of Waterloo, the faith of modern Europe was being shaped. The army of the United Kingdom was facing the French army under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. People in England were anxiously awaiting news of the outcome from the battleground. A signalman was stationed on top of the Winchester Cathedral with specific […]

Recently, I read a story about a Sunday School teacher (see The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew by Michael J. Wilkins) who decided to quiz her preschool class and find out what they learned and remembered about Easter. The first student she asked stood up and explained that Easter is when all the family comes together, […]

We treasure the memory of our loved ones and remember them by having their pictures next and around us. From the earliest times, Christians around the world created and cherished depictions and illustrations of Christ. Over the centuries, how Christ was portrayed in art changed and evolved. And while there is very little in common […]

In 1972, NASA launched the space probe Pioneer 10. It was a bold and brave attempt to accomplish something no spacecraft has ever done before. Its mission was to reach planet Jupiter, approach the planet as close as possible, carry out experiments, collect and transmit valuable scientific data back to earth. Much about the success […]

Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel Oliver Twist depicts the lives and struggles of two very peculiar characters. Oliver and Nancy are both kids, orphans thrown into the chaos of human misery and misfortune, homelessness and poverty. They have absolutely nothing – no power, no position, no money, no relatives or friends. But they were not helpless […]

Those of us who are parents, who raised children and saw kids growing up know very well that children can be very specific and peculiar in what they want and when they want it. A week after they receive their Christmas presents my kids already know exactly what they want for next Christmas. Of course, […]

During the weeks of the Great Lent, the church does something amazing. Every week it brings to our attention an essential Chrisitan virtue. Like a mother holding the hand of a child, it guides us and walks us through these spiritual passages of faith, helping us to prepare mentally and spiritually for the glorious Easter and […]

The ancient myth of Narcissus is a fascinating story about a man who had everything to live a life full of joy and happiness. But he never recognized his blessings and missed every opportunity that life presented to him. Instead, he embraced and resorted to a life of self-centered admiration, which only led to delusion, […]

In 1916, a young pianist took his jeep and drove across the Arizona desert to watch and experience the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. What Ferde Grofe witnessed that early morning far surpassed all his expectations and could only be described and expressed in a language of music. Grofe’s ‘Grand Canyon Suite’ for a symphonic […]