By Mark Wilmoth A little boy prepared his letter to Santa. “I’ve been good for 6 months,” he wrote, but then, after a moment’s reflection, the boy crossed out “six” and wrote, “three.” After another pause, he crossed that out and wrote “two weeks.” He soon crossed that ...
By Mark Wilmoth One reason for the lack of civility in American discourse is that Americans have forgotten the courtesies of personal conversation. One commentator noted that, in a generation, we have gone from sitting on the front porch and visiting with neighbors to sitting on the back deck surrounded by a privacy fence. In many instances, interpersonal communication occurs mostly through email, texting or social media, leading to messages that are misunderstood or perhaps worded more strongly than intended. It’s much easier to recognize the impact of one’s words when speaking ...
ROME (AP) — A 15th-century Bible which is considered one of the most spectacular examples of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts went on display in Rome on Thursday as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations. The two-volume Borso D’Este Bible, which is known for its opulent ...
If you’re a veteran, you likely remember these words quite well. This oath, sworn as you began your service to your country, shaped at least a period of your life and may impact your thinking and actions long after your service has concluded. “I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to ...
Smart people are interested in prayer. Seventy-six percent of Americans claim that they pray, and 50% report that they pray daily, according to minister Bob Russell in his book When God Answers Prayer. During the COVID epidemic, online searches for “prayer” were at the highest level ever in over 90 countries in the world and the number one request that people make of spiritual leaders is “teach me to pray more effectively.” Apparently, most people pray, but we don’t think we’re good at it. Maybe you’re better than you think! In His Model Prayer, Jesus taught his ...
By Mark Wilmoth In his book, Follow Me, David Platt points out that while churchgoers are often invited to “make Jesus the Lord and Savior of their life,” that isn’t Scriptural language. No one can “make Jesus Lord.” Jesus is Lord and humanity can only acknowledge that truth. Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV) reads, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the ...
