To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Matt Emmons of the U.S. rifle team was one shot away from a gold medal. He didn’t even need a bull’s eye. All he had to do was leave a mark anywhere on the target. That would give him enough points to win the 50-Meter Three-Position… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here A bit of makeup might have changed the course of history. Vice-President Richard Nixon and Senator John F. Kennedy were neck-and-neck in the race for the White House in 1960. For the first time during an American election, the candidates would engage in a live televised debate. CBS played host in… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here In 1981, the Academy Award for Best Picture went to an unusual British film that had no sex, no violence, and no car chases. It was called Chariots of Fire. The movie tells the true story of two world class athletes, Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell. Both compete as sprinters for… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here The late author and pastor Tim Keller recalls a conference breakout session that changed his life. A presenter named Barbara Boyd promised some tips on reading the Bible – not a particularly cutting-edge subject. Boyd provided these instructions: “Sit for 30 minutes and write down at least 30 things you learn from… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here When PTL’s television ministry suddenly imploded early in 1987, everything was put on the auction block. Like beachcombers eager to pocket a relic from a shipwreck, thousands of people crowded into the corporation’s auditorium in North Carolina hoping to grab a memento from one of the greatest spiritual shipwrecks of recent… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here Americans have long cherished what has been described as a “special relationship” with Great Britain. Our relationship with France? That’s a bit more complicated. It’s true that France was in our corner from the start, serving as our principal military ally during our Revolution. In 1876, to mark the 100th anniversary of… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here Robin Willilams, as part of his standup routine, occasionally offered his own definition of politics. “Politics,” he explained, “comes from the Latin word ‘poly,’ which means ‘many,’ and ‘ticks,’ which means ‘blood-sucking creatures.’” In his new book Age of Revolutions, Fareed Zakaria notes that Williams’ quip always got a big laugh…. Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here Jay Leno rose from the obscurity of doing stand-up routines for miniscule audiences to hosting The Tonight Show. As he recounts in his autobiography, Leading with My Chin, he gradually learned the comic profession’s tricks of the trade. One of his early learning experiences happened when he was a guest on… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here In his book Finding Our Way Again, pastor Brian McLaren recounts the story of a man who began attending his church. Outwardly, he seemed to be a respectable guy. He held a responsible position in his company. But he had a secret addiction. That had ultimately led to criminal behavior. Law… Read more »
To listen to today’s reflection as a podcast, click here Great cities should have an iconic centerpiece. That, at least, was the thinking of the planning committee for the Paris Centennial in 1889 – a World’s Fair that would coincide with the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The planners were biased. They wanted something really big. At that time the Washington Monument… Read more »