Using white marble, in the year 1173 builders began constructing the bell tower we know as Italy’s famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower was supposed to stand 185 feet high, about one-third the height of the Washington Monument, but the soft subsoil on which it was built caused one side of the structure to […]

Have you seen the credit card commercials that ask, “What’s in your wallet?” Here’s another question: “What’s in your garage?” I keep my garage uncluttered enough that a car can fit inside during the winter, but otherwise my wife Candy concedes the space to me for storing household tools, yard equipment, and a few keepsakes. […]

We all have likes and dislikes. Remember Julie Andrews’ song, “My Favorite Things”? The toolbar on my laptop keyboard contains a button called “Favorites.” I have a favorite baseball team (the Cincinnati Reds) and a favorite pair of sneakers (my well-worn Reeboks). I don’t care for eggs, but I like eggnog. You can start a […]

Peter, James, and John knew how to catch fish, but Jesus challenged them to fish for people. And when it comes to fishing, this principle applies: The smaller the net, the smaller the catch. Jesus cast a large net when he told his disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on […]

Have you ever heard of unpaired words? Language experts consider a word unpaired if it stands alone even though on the surface it looks like it should have a straightforward opposite. For example, “dismayed” has no corresponding opposite (“mayed”). Here are some more examples: If you’re not disgruntled, are you gruntled? Since disheveled means you […]