In February 1946, the world’s first general-purpose electronic computer was introduced at the University of Pennsylvania. The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) filled a 30-by-50-foot room, weighed 50 tons, and used enough electricity every second to power a typical home for a week. Today, a pocket calculator contains more computing power than ENIAC did.
There is an interesting web site entitled, “The Death Clock.” The site claims to predict when a person will die. After answering a series of questions, the projected date of death appears along with a digital clock counting down the number of seconds an individual has left to live. While it is based on current […]
The story is told of a painter who was commissioned to portray a run-down church. But instead of an old, tottering ruin, he painted a magnificent edifice of modern design. Through the windows could be seen an ornate collection box for the gifts of the fashionable worshipers. Above it hung a sign bearing the inscription […]
When people in today’s society say the popular catchphrase, “it’s all good,” they usually mean that it doesn’t matter what’s happening — everything is okay. Nothing is characterized as being wrong or inappropriate, because “it’s all good.” The entire concept of denominational religion is that whatever one wants to believe and practice — “it’s all […]
Why do seemingly intelligent people do not-so-intelligent things? Time after time, this writer hears of sad stories about people with high IQ’s who fall short in the area of moral discernment, leading to tragic results. Obviously, intelligence alone isn’t enough to keep a person from making bad choices.
A wise friend once advised me, “Never be quick to judge whether something is a blessing or a curse.” The story of Naomi reminds me of this advice.
The story is told of a college student who one summer decided that he would earn money for his tuition by selling Bibles door-to-door. He began right away by knocking on the college president’s door. His wife opened the door, the student explained to her what he was selling, and then she politely explained that […]
Sometimes, our life can become dull, bleak, and routine. But it doesn’t have to remain that way. The following are ten suggested ways to get more out of life:
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote: “Into each life some rain must fall.” Into every life, sooner or later, the rains descend, the floods come, and the winds blow and beat. For one man, the “house” of his life falls in ruins because of his carelessness in the building of it, while for another, it stands […]
The Live Science web site reports that a 2006 article in the journal Perspectives in Psychiatric Care said the Internet can “promote addictive behaviors.” We know there are all kinds of addictions — drugs, alcohol, sex, tobacco, etc. As an example, television can be used as a great tool in acquiring information for school reports, […]
Years ago, old timers would say, when asked where they were headed, ” I’m goin’ up the road a piece.” Now, that was said whether they were going north, south, east or west — or whether they were going up in elevation or down in elevation. Today, there’s a “down road” of degradation that many […]
The story is told of a man who once attended a meeting where the guest lecturer was extremely long-winded. When the listener could stand it no longer, he got up and slipped out a side door. In the corridor he met a friend who asked, “Has he finished yet?” “Yes,” the man replied, “he’s been […]
During the presidency of Andrew Jackson, a postal clerk by the name of George Wilson, robbed a federal payroll from a train, and in the process killed a guard. The Supreme Court convicted him and sentenced him to death by hanging. However, because of public sentiment against capital punishment at the time, a movement began […]
Generally speaking, few people enjoy following someone else. However, if there is to be any successful group effort, someone is going to have to take the lead. This implies that everyone else in the group must be willing to follow the leader. Being a successful follower is far more difficult than one might think. Successful […]
A querist asks, “Is the “book of life” an actual physical book, or a representation of some sort of list (or metaphysical thing such as God’s tally sheet), or is it figurative?”
The blood of Christ should cause the Christian’s mind to focus on the “incarnation” of Christ (Philippians 2:8; cf. Hebrews 2:14-18; Hebrews 4:14-15). In thinking of Christ’s death, Christians should be motivated to (1) think about the atonement Christ made for all mankind through the shedding of His blood at the cross (cf. Hebrews 9:12-14) […]
The success of Satan cannot be effectively measured by the number of Christians who have rejected righteousness for sin — although many Christians have fallen into this trap. Satan’s real success story is found in a Christian’s ‘tolerance of sin.’
More than just “interesting reading,” the Old Testament provides many spiritual lessons helpful to us today. One such lesson is found in Nehemiah 8:1-12 regarding our attitude towards the hearing, understanding and application of God’s Word.
America has become a land of “instant” everything. One can purchase instant soup, instant coffee, instant iced tea, instant mashed potatoes, and countless other instant items. The advent of the microwave oven also has increased this demand for instantaneous fulfillment. No longer must hungry consumers wait thirty minutes for a meal to be prepared; now […]
At one time or another, most of us have attended a dinner or reception where place cards are on tables with our names on them. Years ago, I remember my wife and I attending such a dinner, where I, along with other employees from a major gas pipeline company, was being honored with a plaque […]