Roller Coasters

Roller coasters were created as a distraction from sin. In the 1800s, hosiery businessman LaMarcus Thompson hated that Americans were tempted by hedonistic places like saloons and brothels. So he set out to straighten up one of the most immoral places he could think of – Coney Island in New York. There, he built America’s…

Smart Recovery

Football legend Joe Theismann is well-known for his verbal gaffes. For example, he once said, “Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.” If you aren’t as smart as Norman Einstein, not all is lost. Look to God for wisdom. “The Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth…

When God Doesn’t Show Up

“When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” (John 11:6). If you’re waiting to see God move, you aren’t alone. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years to hold their baby Isaac. Joseph waited 13 years to be appointed to the leadership post he had been promised. The woman…

Shakespeare’s Illiterate Parents

William Shakespeare remains one of the most famous playwrights and poets of all time. And while he attended grammar school to master reading, writing, and Latin, his parents and children were almost entirely illiterate. The ability to read and write wasn’t necessary during the Elizabethan era, and while Shakespeare’s father, John, might have had a…

Know Fear

There is an old proverb that says, “Fear knocked on the door, faith answered, and there was no one there.” Unfortunately, fear knocks on a lot of our doors. We have fear of failure, fear of relapse, fear of staying with our spouse, fear of life.  Max Lucado offers the perfect response to fear. He…

Benefits of Online Groups

A recent study found that of those who struggle with various addictions, only 20 percent ever seek any kind of treatment. What makes this especially tragic is that help is closer than ever before. Thanks to modern technology, we now have online groups.  Let’s consider just a few of the benefits of online Zoom meetings.…

The World’s Shortest Flight

The shortest commercial flight in the world lasts just 57 seconds. The Loganair flight between the two Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray lasts just 57 seconds, covering a distance of 1.7 miles. However, because the trip is made via one of two light eight-seater planes, the exact time of the journey could take…

Obscure Superheroes

As a kid, I idolized Superman. Then there was Spider-Man. And Iron Man. And Hulk. But there are other superheroes who don’t get enough recognition.  Do you ever wish you had a superpower? Maybe the power to say no to every temptation? The power to stay sober anytime you want? The power to overcome fantasy…

John Wayne

“Never apologize, Mister. It’s a sign of weakness.”     – John Wayne, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, 1949 I was raised in a John Wayne household. Grown men don’t cry. We don’t admit it when we are wrong. And we don’t apologize. Nothing could be more opposite from the biblical model. Scripture reads, “Make every effort…

44-Year-Old Gum

Robert Plympton was accused of killing a young woman in 1980. He pleaded not guilty and got off, due to a lack of evidence. But 44 years later, new evidence was discovered – old chewing gum. The DNA from the gum was traced to Plympton, and he was found guilty of the crime. The biblical…