Stretching back to remote antiquity, seals have been used to validate documents and letters in much the same way we use signatures today. The concept of the seal developed from the ancient cultures of Egypt and Babylon. A seal specified the name of the person to whom it belonged, his official position of authority and […]
On October 7, 2023, the world was shocked by the news that Hamas had orchestrated a surprise attack on the nation of Israel. In one day, over a thousand were killed, and another 250 were abducted and taken to Gaza. What these hostages have endured can only be described as horrific. During her 477 days […]
Minimalist Krissy Branson used to live an escapist life: “I was never truly present.... I was looking for ways to zone out, ways to distract myself—as opposed to waking up and living the life in front of me.” Some of the ways she zoned out were scrolling for hours on her phone, binge-watching TV series, […]
Addiction is very cruel. Whatever form it takes—from substances to behaviors—it’s a hard taskmaster. “Addiction feels like you’re drowning, and the substance is the only thing keeping you afloat. But in reality, it’s dragging you deeper into the abyss.” “It’s a love-hate relationship with the very thing that’s ruining your life. You hate it for […]
While studying at Sydney University in Australia, both of us were avid sportsmen. Our heavy involvement in table tennis produced great emotional tension. We swung from heightened elation when we won to bitter disappointment when we lost. Competition appealed to our pride, anger, selfish ambition, bitterness, and rivalry. It did not bring us closer to […]
We tend to think of religion from the standpoint of how it affects us. Our Lord appreciates it when we think of it from the standpoint of how it affects Him. Have you ever thought of how important you are to God? He has a place in His infinite heart that only you can fill. […]
British writer Bernard Hare recalls how an act of supreme kindness changed his life one sad night. In 1982, as a student living north of London, he was struggling in more than one way. The police called for him at his student apartment, but he wouldn’t answer the door, fearing that they had come to […]
In His earthly life, Jesus was relentlessly pursued by the devil from His birth to the grave, and there were certain times in His life when He went through intense temptation. It was not by chance that this happened; it was part of the plan for our salvation. Most people know about Jesus’ trial, mocking, […]
Despite endless debate, scientists of all stripes agree on one thing: nature looks designed. It’s inescapable! The better our scientific instruments become, the more we uncover intricate, finely-calibrated systems everywhere—from microorganisms to the universe itself. But there are paradoxes, too. On one hand, we find natural laws, fine-tuning, cooperation, and great beauty. On the other, […]
Scientists are increasingly aware that our ability to exist on Earth depends on an exquisite balance of chemistry, physics, and biology. Without this “fine-tuning,” there could be no life. It’s a little like making a successful loaf of bread, where four ingredients and in the right balance are essential: flour, water, yeast, and salt. If […]