The dim alleys of ancient Rome hide an even greater darkness within. Nero, the mad emperor, set fire to the city, pointing his deranged finger at the followers of Jesus Christ. Feeling threatened by the widespread growth of the early church throughout the Roman empire, the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty plotted to fight fire with fire, so to speak, hoping to extinguish Christianity for good. The Apostle Luke enters the city on a mission. He is there to find the underground church, Continue Reading
Cultivating Contentment This Christmas {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
Russell Conwell was a 19th-century attorney, philanthropist and writer, who later became a Baptist minister and founder of Temple University in Philadelphia. Conwell was known for his eloquent sermons, and the stories he often told to illustrate spiritual and life principles. One of his most acclaimed essays is titled “Acres of Diamonds.” It was written before Conwell became a pastor, and published in book form in 1890 by the John Y. Huber Company of Philadelphia. He delivered this message Continue Reading
Fear and Anxiety – The Evil of the Century {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
Fear and anxiety. A deadly combination that sweeps our modern world these days. My teenage daughter shared her heart in a recent conversation, where she talked about some of the fears that often cross her mind. Some of them invade her thoughts in the middle of the night, keeping her awake for hours on end. I remember having the same crippling, often irrational fears for many years: fear of dying. Fear of robbers entering my house. Fear that my parents would die. The list went on and on. As Continue Reading
Teens & the Distorted Reality of Social Media {The Atlanta Journal Constitution}
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist, widely known for some of the most popular all-American songs. He wrote hundreds of tunes, many of which became major hits, making him a celebrity before turning 30. In addition to composing favorites such as “God Bless America” and “Easter Parade,” he also wrote “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” which ranks as a best-selling musical score to this day. In an interview for the San Diego Union, cartoonist and illustrator Don Freeman Continue Reading
