The Benefactor On The Second Floor
Many years ago a man came into enormous wealth. No one was ever quite sure where it came from, but his net worth seemed infinite. With part of his money he purchased several square miles and built a huge two story castle that sprawled over several acres. He constructed the…
The Price Our Founders Paid
This coming Tuesday, America observes its 241st birthday with cookouts, parades, and fireworks. Although we often take our freedoms for granted, Independence Day really should be celebrated with great fanfare and all citizens should pause to thank God and our founders for the rare privileges we enjoy. Fifty-six men of courage…
June Brides, Then and Now
June is the month for weddings. According to Soundvision.com, nearly 11% of all couples tie the nuptial knot sometime during this month. Not only is the weather favorable, but the timing also coincides nicely with graduations when many are ready to begin the next chapters of their lives. As such,…
Insight From Our Ash Trees
Our Shenandoah Valley forests are taking another hit. A little over 100 years ago, the Chestnut Blight eliminated one of the most useful and stately trees in our woodlands. About 50 years later, the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid began to hammer our Eastern Hemlocks and many have succumbed to their relentless…
Graduation, Football, and Life
It’s a special weekend here in Shenandoah County as our high school seniors walk across stages, pick up their diplomas, and head off into life. Many surrounding localities have already celebrated these milestones and a few are yet to come, but by mid-June most schools are out and students who…
The Folly of Millennium Tower
In 2002, Millennium Partners pitched a proposal to build the tallest residential building west of the Mississippi in San Francisco. The Planning Commission approved their request and the $350 million construction project began in 2005. Four years later, the 645 foot 58 story skyscraper known as Millennium Tower was completed…
A Fall At The Falls
As I shared in last week’s column, Nancy and I were privileged to recently visit Hawaii and enjoy many scenic and historic sites as well as the local cuisine, of which I brought back not a little on my person. It was truly an enjoyable trip and we are thankful…
We Still Need To Pray For America
The first Thursday of every May has been designated as America’s National Day of Prayer. Although we should pray every day, this special time is set aside for Christians to join together to pray for our nation, our citizens, and our leaders. The USA has and continues to enjoy many…
The Resurrection Deserves A Celebration!
Sunday marks the observance of the greatest miracle in human history. The resurrection of a human being who had been dead for three days was unprecedented until it occurred just outside Jerusalem in the first century. There have been reports of miraculous healings, incredible weather changes, sudden provisions, military turnarounds,…
Tears on Inauguration Day
This weekend Christians around the world will celebrate Palm Sunday, the day on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem declaring Himself to be the promised Messiah. His choice of a donkey for His mount not only fulfilled a prophecy Zechariah made hundreds of years earlier, but also underscored His kingship in…