Category Archives: Anecdotal Stories

Having and Solving Scripture References: 1 Samuel 25:10-11; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 The National Center for Health Statistics surveyed over 42,000 adults in 1991 and discovered that while depression was more common for women, men were more restless, and both felt … Continue reading →

The Delusion of Wealth Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:10-12; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 A national survey, conducted by scientists at the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, found that over half of Americans feel at least moderate stress in their lives. … Continue reading →

Learning From Other’s Mistakes Scripture References: Jeremiah 7:12; 1 Corinthians 10:11 On October 25, 1983, United States forces invaded the island of Granada, in the eastern Caribbean. Hard-line Marxists had seized control of the government, assassinated the previous ruler, and … Continue reading →

Not to Erase the Good Scripture References: Ezekiel 18:21-22; Colossians 3:13 A couple enjoyed a wonderful twenty—year marriage. Compatible in every way, it seemed the perfect match. When he died, the widow proved inconsolable. Her life had come to an … Continue reading →

Even They Scripture References: Joshua 7:2-5; 1 Corinthians 10:12 George Morar made his first parachute jump in Korea when his plane went down behind enemy lines. It saved his life. In 1983 he made his last jump from a small … Continue reading →

Not That at All Scripture References: Job 42:6; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 Columbus’ fortunes plummeted after his first voyage. When he returned under fire from his second, he decided that pride had led God to frown on his achievements. To curry … Continue reading →

Only a Few Scripture References: Psalm 18:1-3, 16-17; Romans 8:17 Forty-six percent of actors and actresses live in Los Angeles and 36 percent in New York. In 1982 they earned an unevenly distributed $459 million. More than 81 percent of … Continue reading →

In His Mind Scripture References: Nehemiah 4:6; Colossians 3:9-10 “Bat,” or “Roman Nose,” as the whites called him, stood six feet three inches. He claimed to possess great medicine in a headdress he wore in all battles. It repeatedly protected … Continue reading →

Each Person Needs Scripture References: Jeremiah 2:35; 3:13; Mark 10:13-17 While his studies led Nicolaus Copernicus from a geocentric to a heliocentric perception of the universe, he retained an unaltered personal faith in God. And, in a spiritual humility many … Continue reading →

Not Able to Forget Scripture References: Genesis 9:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 He stormed ashore on Utah Beach, June 6, 1944, a young infantryman, alert and frightened. In the village of Sainte Mere Eglise, he blundered into a German patrol and … Continue reading →

A Mother’s Memory Scripture References: Joshua 22:21-28; John 11:51-52 In 1961, a seventeen-year-old runaway who was serving time in a reform school surrendered the son born to her there. In 1980 she began a determined effort to find the boy … Continue reading →

Harmful If Swallowed? Scripture References: Micah 2:11; John 5:39-40 The prescription a doctor scribbles should help our body’s immune system fight off disease. Improperly taken, or taken with the wrong food and drink, however, it can be more harmful than … Continue reading →

Never Reach the Goal Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 12:12; John 15:2, 7 Robert Hutchins wrote that school systems usually take for granted that learning stops after formal education. That is unfortunate, he wrote, “because most of the important things that human … Continue reading →

An Endemic Vice Scripture References: 1 Kings 22:11-12; Acts 5:3 A poll on “Lying in America,” released in February 1987, indicated that Americans consider honesty as rare as a temporary tax. Seventy-one percent of the 1,006 adults questioned expressed dissatisfaction … Continue reading →

In Code Scripture References: Genesis 39:6-9; Colossians 2:15 In addressing the Iranian hostages after their 444-day terror, President Reagan referred to the hardships they had experienced and the valor they had shown. He mentioned Sergeant Gomez, one of the Marine … Continue reading →

For Himself Alone Scripture References: 1 Kings 18:20-21; Colossians 2:20-23 An opponent of the Burmese government, Aung San escaped from authorities in 1941, contacted Japanese officials, and organized his forces under their training, accompanying them in attacks on Burma. However, … Continue reading →

Only Within Marriage Scripture References: Song of Solomon 1:2, 4:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7 Roland Bainton correctly wrote that many in the Renaissance saw love as an ennobling passion but felt it was possible only outside of marriage because it could … Continue reading →

Afterwards, Begin Again Scripture References: Isaiah 53:4; John 16:33 Thomas Carlyle spent a year in research, gathering materials. Then he wrote for endless hours daily through many weeks to complete the first volume of his history of the French Revolution. … Continue reading →

A Man of Stature Scripture References: 1 Samuel 10:24, 16:6-7; 2 Corinthians 10:10 At age thirteen, while on vacation with her family, actress Betty Davis had her first crush–on a soda jerk. Each day she walked to the drugstore and … Continue reading →

The Despair of Loneliness Scripture References: 1 Kings 19:14; Luke 22:28 Henry Ford II ruled an automobile company, spent princely sums on whatever he fancied, and had the attention of everyone he met. Yet this often lonely man would regularly … Continue reading →