In 1995, Glafira Rosales confidently strolled into the prestigious Knoedler Gallery in New York with a painting by abstract expressionist Mark Rothko valued at several million dollars. In addition to…
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The Thumb Stall
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithIn the Civil War, canons played a huge role in deciding the outcome of battles, and thus, the war itself. Each canon required up to eight men to operate and six…
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StealingโฆWith Nothing to Show For It
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithAugustine of Hippo, better known as St. Augustine, wasnโt always a โsaint.โ In fact, in one of his most famous books, Confessions, the ancient church father bared his soul and outlined his many sinful thoughts, words, and deeds.
One story shows that the world famous theologian was once nothing more than a common thief.
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Ruined Wedding
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithโHurt. Devastated. Crushed.โ Those arenโt the typical emotions most newlyweds would use to describe their wedding day. But thatโs exactly how Charles and TeโAndrea Wilson feel when they look back on their big day.
Sadly, it was a group of โChristiansโ who were responsible for their pain.
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My Wife Is Missing
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithHank was distraught. His wife had gone shopping the day before and hadnโt returned. The only thing he could think to do was report the situation to the sheriffโs department. When he walked into the headquarters, he was directed to Deputy Jones. โHey, bro, my wife has gone missing. Can you help?โ
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Doctrinal Dispute
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithFour pastors were in the habit of meeting together to discuss their beliefs, doctrine, and overall theology. For whatever reason, it was always three pastors in agreement against the fourth. One morning, after the usual 3-to-1 โmajority rulesโ discussion, the odd pastor out decided he would appeal to a higher authority.
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A House Divided
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithNobody had a house like Annie and Lee Gleason. Nobody. It wasnโt fancy, or big โ just a simple wooden structure that sat underneath a stand of pines in East Texas during the Great Depression. But it was completely unique; no one had a house like it.
But nobody would want one like theirs, either.
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I Don’t Want God to Exist
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithAll of us look at our world and wish a few things didnโt exist. For example, most sane people agree there should be no hunger or war. Weโd love to live in a world without cancer. But our world contains the things many of us do not like.
Even atheist Thomas Nagel wishes the world didnโt contain something, or Someoneโฆ.
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The โAll You Can Eatโ Church
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithThe first church that Fred Craddock served as pastor was a tiny, rural one near Oak Ridge, TN. During his tenure, the community exploded with laborers brought in to work at the newly developed nuclear plants. The young pastor wanted to attract the workers to his church; there was just one problem.
The church didnโt want them. At all.
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Fatal Hesitation
by davidrsmithby davidrsmithWhen Jon Smalldridge went to bed on Saturday night, October 25, 2003, he was aware of the wildfires burning 15 miles away in San Diego. However, he wasnโt aware the fires could spread so quickly. When the flames and smoke woke him just a few hours later, he knew he had to move quickly to survive.
Sadly, many others didnโt quite see the urgency.