Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered at the March on Washington, is one of the best-known speeches in history. Less known is that the actual speech he had before him on the podium that day had no mention of a “dream” at all. For years, Dr. King had been writing and speaking […]
Nobel laureate Milton is perhaps best known for popularizing the saying “There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” which is now a common English dictum. We understand that anything billed “free of charge” still has a bill attached. Whatever goods and services are provided, someone must pay the cost. Therefore, we suspect that every […]
Woman, your faith is great. Your request is granted.” — Jesus Do you ever get tired of pursuing a goal? I do. Sometimes, even when the goal is a worthy one, I become weary and am tempted to quit – especially when it feels like I’m being shut out. No matter how hard I try […]
Years ago in the New Yorker, H. G. Wells wrote a story about an Episcopalian clergyman. The bishop was the kind of man who always said pious things to people. When troubled folks came to him, he found that a particularly helpful thing to say, if said in a right tone of voice, was, “Have […]
Anthony Robles was born with only one leg. Now, you might see this as a limitation. But Anthony didn’t see it that way. He chose a different path. Instead of letting what he lacked define him, he used it as a unique strength. Through dedication, hard work, and relentless determination, he became an NCAA wrestling […]
This Christmas, I’m reminded of a story that was one of my late wife Gayle’s favorites to tell. It is a story we’ve shared with friends and loved ones through the years. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. It was going to be the best Christmas ever! I was six years […]
She had $1.11. And she thought it could buy a miracle. Eight-year-old Tess didn’t understand medicine or money. All she knew was that her little brother needed help, and someone said, “Only a miracle can save him now.” So she walked to the local pharmacy and asked to buy one. The pharmacist was at a […]
When You’re Not Where You’re Supposed to Be Somewhere in the forests of Berlin, a wallaby is hopping around like he owns the place. He doesn’t. He belongs in the Australian outback, not dodging German traffic and licking his paws on dimly lit sidewalks while baffled pedestrians try to film him. Authorities aren’t even chasing […]
Writing in a book entitled With Open Hands, Henri Nouwen asserts: “The challenge of the gospel lies precisely in the invitation to accept a gift for which we can give nothing in return. For the gift is the very life-breath of God, the Spirit who is poured out on us through Jesus Christ. This life […]
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving one week earlier to help boost the economy. (I guess Black Friday was important back then, too!) But his plan backfired big time! Chaos broke out: some states followed the new date, others stuck to the traditional one, and a few (like Texas) just celebrated both. People were […]
