Reconciling God and Suffering

It is good to learn early enough that suffering and God are not a contradiction but rather a unity, for the idea that God himself is suffering is one ...

Wind Makes Us Strong

For two years, scientists sequestered themselves in an artificial environment called Biosphere 2. Inside their self-sustaining community, the Biospherians ...

"Thirteen Conversations About One Thing": No Reason for Life's Trials?

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing follows four separate characters who face unexpected trials and setbacks. They are forced into making difficult ...

Abraham Lincoln's Life Raft

Abraham Lincoln went into a severe period of grief in February 1862 when his 11-year-old son, Willie, died.

He found comfort in the words of Presbyterian ...

Hymn Story of "It Is Well with My Soul"

In the autumn of 1873, Horatio Spafford, a wealthy Chicago businessman, placed his wife, Anna, and their four children on the Ville du Havre sailing from ...

Steve Jobs Grateful He Was Fired

"I was lucky I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz (Steve Wozniak) and I started Apple in my parents' garage when I was 20. We worked ...

Safety Versus Purpose

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

—Philanthropist John Shedd (1850–1926)

"Band of Brothers": We're Supposed to Be Surrounded

The highly regarded HBO miniseries Band of Brothers follows a company of U.S. paratroopers through the preparation and experience of invading Europe on ...

God and Our Circumstances

"Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while he is using our circumstances to change us."

The Rock Climber's Protection

In his book The Unnecessary Pastor, Eugene Peterson writes:

My two sons are both rock climbers, and I have listened to them plan their ascents. They spend ...