What do a mirror, a bathroom scale, and the Bible have in common? They all tell you the truth, whether you want to hear it or not. A mirror tells you the truth about your appearance. A scale tells you the truth about your weight. The Bible tells the truth about God and about you. A mirror and a scale... READ MORE >
Solomon, I know exactly what you mean. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity and a chasing of the wind.” You spend your life amassing wealth and when you die, it all goes to someone who squanders it away. You dedicate yourself to gaining wisdom and knowledge, and when you finally get old enough to see a few things clearly, no... READ MORE >
The account of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ according to eyewitnesses: . . . And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide... READ MORE >
It is Tuesday afternoon, almost 2 p.m. This issue of the Cook County News- Herald will hit the stands on Saturday, March 24th. The next day is Sunday, Palm Sunday in Christian circles, the observance and remembrance of the day Jesus of Nazareth rode into the ancient city of Jerusalem to cries of “Hosanna!” and palm branches waved in celebration... READ MORE >
We were driving on the Interstate through Illinois on our way to Indianapolis when a highway sign caught my attention. It was not a particularly unusual sign, just another rectangle, two feet wide and probably three feet long fastened to two poles set in the ground. The sign was white with a ribbon of red about an inch in from... READ MORE >
I am learning to make bread. By hand. From scratch. I don’t have a teacher, just Paul Hollywood’s recipe book, “101 Best Breads.” He writes in English, but sometimes I think it might as well be Greek. I wish it was Greek. I have a dictionary for that language. Paul talks about soft pliable dough, and tight dough, and wet... READ MORE >
In the aftermath of police shootings and school shootings and killing sprees at home and abroad, it is intriguing to observe the responses and debates that arise. Questions and proposals for solutions abound. Policies are considered, accepted, rejected, reconsidered, revised. Emotions run high. People take sides. Sadness, fear, and anger flourish. Evidence abounds that human beings, though we long to... READ MORE >
Essentia Health, one of the hospital/clinic complexes in Duluth, stretches over several downtown blocks from First Street to Fourth Street. Fortunately, given that we usually have business there related to my wife, who is almost always in a wheelchair these days when we anticipate long walking, the buildings are connected by a skyway. That means, when we have several appointments... READ MORE >
It seems strange to me, this continuing life as usual when life has taken the turn to the unusual for so many. Thousands displaced by flooding in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, yet a local museum hosts a pie social to raise awareness of and funding for its existence. A family grieves the death of loved ones and faces the... READ MORE >
On a hot, humid July day a week before Fisherman’s Picnic, you can be thankful you don’t have this lady’s problem. It was snowing heavily and blowing to the point that visibility was almost zero. The mom picked up her young daughter from daycare. As she made her way to her car she wondered how she was going to make... READ MORE >
