I fear we often pay too much attention to professional athletes. While some serve as remarkable role models, many despite fantastic athletic ability do not set an example anyone would be wise to follow. So, it may surprise readers to learn I am writing about two sports superstars who can teach all of us a valuable lesson whether we are athletic or not...

Harvard political scientist Robert D. Putnam and Harvard graduate Shaylyn Romeny Garrett wrote a fascinating book released Oct. 13, 2020, entitled, “The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again.” Dr. Jim Denison’s Daily Article for Dec. 16, 2020, observed the book takes a perceptive look at overall societal trends during the last 125 years...

All of us occasionally fall into the trap of viewing important things as if they are insignificant. At other times we make the opposite mistake, foolishly turning small things into issues which seem monumental. In short, we lose perspective...

We live in a world which increasingly emphasizes our individuality. While personal rights are important, when taken to an extreme, they can be dangerous. For society to be well served, our focus on individuality requires balance. My friend Jonathan Kopel prompted me to think about this recently. Jonathan writes a daily devotional which he frequently emails to me. One of his recent pieces included these extremely insightful quotes from Catholic priest, R. Rohr...

In his delightful work, The One Year Book of Amazing Stories, Dr. Robert Peterson writes about an unusual friendship he developed with two interesting and remarkable ladies while he was a pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wanda and Lucille looked like twins but were in fact mother and daughter. ...

The Washington Post recently featured an article by John Greer and Mary Catherine Sullivan entitled, “How Politically Divided is the US?” The June 7, 2022, column challenges the assumption America is more divided than it has ever been...

In the days before modern supermarkets most Americans lived on farms, and even those who lived in towns often had a garden. Preserving food was not a hobby — it was a matter of survival. Mason and Ball were the two best known names when it came to canning food, but neither had been able to make a self-sealing lid that worked well...

The Hebrew word, “Lemuel” means “devoted to God.” Lemuel Haynes took the meaning of his name as his personal calling and committed himself to God. Haynes’ early life was anything but easy. At only five months old both of his parents abandoned him. ...

Over the last few years Americans have become increasingly polarized about politics. With that in mind I try to avoid writing anything in my columns which can be seen as political. While this week’s article has politics in it, let me be clear, I am not making a partisan point, but using historical events to illustrate a spiritual principle...

Occasionally, I hear a story which makes me simultaneously smile and shudder. One I recently read in the Our Daily Bread devotional for Jan. 19 did that. Writer Marvin Williams told how a sleepy German bank employee dozed momentarily in the middle of a transaction and set up a nearly $300 million transfer...

Future President Ronald Reagan starred in the 1939 Warner Brother’s film, Code of the Secret Service. He played the role of tough Secret Service agent Brass Bancroft. I am being kind when I say the film was not particularly good. It was so bad producer Bryan Foy attempted to shelve the movie before it was even released. One disillusioned fan told Reagan, “You should be ashamed.” Reagan agreed, and later described it as, “the worst picture I ever made.”...

Young people today often wear ripped and tattered jeans. To them, the damaged jeans are not ruined — they have character. This fashion statement is part of a larger trend about which Amy Peterson wrote in the Oct. 20, 2020, edition of Our Daily Bread. She described a group from the Netherlands who offered a workshop on fashion design called, “Golden Joinery.”...

Some of you may have noticed my column did not appear in your newspaper recently. While I was attending morning worship at my church on Dec. 5, I was notified my younger brother, Jerry, had taken a turn for the worse and needed to be put on a ventilator...

As I write these words I am sitting alone in my in-law’s living room reflecting on my blessings. I feel happy and content after celebrating a delightful Thanksgiving with my wife’s wonderful parents. I am grateful for them, but I am even more grateful for their daughter, my wife, Kelly. This Thursday, we will celebrate our 15th anniversary...

In the March 7, 2018, edition of the devotional guide, Our Daily Bread, Cindy Hess Kasper described the routine she and granddaughter Allyssa go through each time they say goodbye. They wrap their arms around each other and wail. The grandmother and granddaughter sob dramatically for 15 to 20 seconds before casually saying, “See ya.” Kasper acknowledges it is all a little silly because they expect to see one another again soon. ...

Many amazing events have occurred in history which defy the odds of being merely coincidence. Several years ago, I read Rick Beyer’s fascinating book, The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told. Based on the title, my wife knew I would enjoy the book and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. Today, I want to share one of the incredible stories Beyer told...

Americans who followed the Olympic games were uncertain who would win medals in this year’s Olympics, with one exception; they knew Simone Biles would add to her impressive medal count. Then we saw the 24-year-old gymnast first struggle to compete and then withdraw from the all-around team competition. Most Americans were disappointed when she decided to completely withdraw from this year’s Olympic games...

Those who regularly read my columns know I sometimes share devotionals written by my friend Larry Davies. This week, I’m passing along one he wrote last month. Larry said he has seen many examples of miraculous healing, but more commonly has witnessed times when “a miraculous healing was wished for, prayed for, but the answer was not what was hoped for.”...

Many believe Christians should never acknowledge their doubts. Having occasional doubts is normal, since every believer sometimes has questions about their faith. Even strong believers occasionally acknowledge their faith is not as strong as they wish. What is most surprising is how scripture does not whitewash a Christian’s struggle to believe...

For most of my adult life I have been a senior pastor. I was privileged to serve four churches in that role and given the opportunity to preach regularly. Preaching is one of my favorite things. Currently I serve as an associate pastor in a much larger church and the opportunity to preach is much less frequent — but last Sunday, while our senior pastor was on vacation, I preached the Sunday morning sermon...