The Other Way
Photographer Oliver Curtis’ exhibit Volte-face (“about turn”) interacts with iconic landmarks—only his images capture what’s found in the opposite direction. So, when he arrived at Stonehenge, he turned 180 degrees before taking his pictures, capturing images that are typically ignored. Curtis says the photos “send [our] gaze elsewhere and . . . favor the incidental over the monumental.”
Laying Down Our Lives
In May 2016, a teacher was eating at a restaurant with his wife when he saw a man attack a waitress with a knife. George Heath left his wife’s side and leapt into action—running at the attackers and wrapping his arms around him in an effort to keep the man from hurting anyone else. Heath’s efforts to protect the others in the restaurant proved successful. He was able to detain the suspect until police arrived. Sadly, however, the brave teacher died just minutes later. A stab wound during his heroic rescue attempt led to his death.
true value
Johannes Gutenberg had an idea that would change the world, but he needed money to finance it. He contacted his neighbor, Johann Fust, who loaned him the cash to build his first printing press. Gutenberg initially made his loan payments by printing indulgences for the Catholic Church. The job paid well, but Gutenberg had higher hopes for his new machine. He wanted to print Bibles—magnificent books with Gothic letters that resembled a scribe’s meticulous style. But his 1,200-page Bibles took too long to produce and sell, and in 3 years he was bankrupt. Gutenberg handed his press over to Fust, who used it to publish a wide variety of books throughout Germany and France.
breaking away
Say the word glacier and most of us think of something massive and slow-moving. One group of Alaskan tourists, however, witnessed a jaw-dropping surprise when a 200-foot-tall chunk of ice broke away from a glacier.
One passenger aboard the Tracy Arm Fjords Tours boat captured a video clip of the “mini” iceberg plunging into the water. It created forceful waves and…
golden handcuffs
Friends of mine are acquainted with a media leader. He invited them to appear on his television show to talk about a family tragedy, and he was so impressed by their faith in Christ that he invited them back.
When I asked my friends about their experience, they said that the news anchor seemed to be in awe of their…
blessings on the mourners
A man with whom I attended college committed suicide recently. He killed himself on the 3-year anniversary of the day his wife died. He left behind a video in which he told how heartbroken he had been and of the many ways he had attempted to assuage his sorrow. I’m sad for my friend. I’m sorry for his pain and…
life's music
I need to play the notes You have written
I need to follow the score, as You planned.
You’re the Composer. You’re the Conductor.
And I—but a player in Your great Band.
Too many times I mess it all up, Lord.
Too often I play wrong notes, or off key!
Another master would have kicked me out,
But You, patiently, keep working on me!
Sometimes I hear wee…
seeking and following
In Mark 10, we follow the lives of two men. Financially they couldn’t be more different. Spiritually they have much in common. Their stories teach us much.
One is a rich man who has all his physical needs met (Mark 10:22); the other is a blind man who must beg for his food (Mark 10:46). The rich man approaches Jesus…
faith and following Jesus
[caption id="attachment_7977" align="aligncenter" width="524" caption="—pic submitted by Bharathy Singaravel, India"]
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Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they…
more than loaves
Isaac Penington, an early defender and promoter of the Quaker movement (founded in 17th-century England), said, “Thus has the Lord been teaching me to live upon Himself, not from anything received from Him but upon the Life itself.”
The crowd in John 6 wanted to live off Jesus, not because their hearts were loyal to Him, but because their hearts…
we must decide
"It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead…
the easy button
I remember a few years ago when Staples came out with the Easy Button. What a great concept. They have a solution for all of your bookwork or homework needs, and you can find it all in their stores. 
Now that was easy.
This reminds me of a life with Jesus. He makes things easy. First, when we're searching for Him,…
all things are possible
The movie The Blind Side tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless, quiet teen from a broken home. He flourished into an All-American college football player and first-round National Football League draft pick with the help of a compassionate woman and her family.
The movie included two quick shots of what appears to be an arch entering the private…
echo and his master
Well, since the washing machine broke last week (and yes, I grumbled), I have found myself at the laundromat twice this week.
Today, as I was waiting on a rinse cycle, I observed a man and his dog. This was a wonderful moment at the local laundromat I would have missed had I been home doing the laundry. (I've determined…
waiting . . .
Ever feel like your life is on hold? I have. It seems like you’re stuck in the present as you continually muse about the future: Once I get that job everything will be better . . . Once I get married I’ll truly be happy . . . Once I get through this financial crisis I’ll really give to God…
