Opposites attract when dealing with magnets. It is not that simple with humans. There are many stories of individuals who shared little in common and yet thrived when connected; much has also been written when the opposite occurred. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in the entertainment business and Bill and Melinda Gates in technology fit the bill in the latter case, while Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf in sports and the “Ragin Cajun” (James Carville) and Mary Matalin in politics have overcome their differences to enjoy long lasting relationships. Putting the secular aside, what does the Bible say about opposite […]

Never underestimate how seemingly small incidents, circumstances, or experiences can end up changing your world. All of history is built from small catalysts.   Personal catalysts spark movements A young Peter the Great found a small British skiff in his family’s palace storage that had been given as a gift long ago. He restored it and learned to sail – the catalyst for his drive to build his nation all the way to the Pacific – making Russia a world power. John Ambrose Fleming, the great inventor, was going deaf and was compelled “to find some instrument to record radio telegraphic signals which […]

He was practiced in the art of deception. People back then knew him as Alexander of Abonoteichus, a second century character Lucian describes in his essay “Alexander the False Prophet.” Apart from Lucian’s descriptions of him, we know little about the man. However, his impact in the ancient world was profound and even commemorated in coins from the second century.    Looking good, but… Lucian regarded Alexander as quite good looking: “He was a fine handsome man with a real touch of divinity about him, white-skinned, moderately bearded; he wore besides his own hair artificial additions which matched it so […]

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).   We saw last month that the good news of the Gospel is both reasonable and desirable. During this cultural moment, it is important that we share Christ through both reason and romance, engaging both heads and hearts with the Truth and Beauty of Jesus. Last month we saw the Searching Mercy of Jesus displayed in His encounter with the woman at the well; this month we will […]