In 315 BC, King Cassander of Macedon established the capital of Macedonia in the ancient Greek port town of Therma. As was popular among conquering rulers, he renamed it, in his case he renamed it for his wife who was the half-sister of Alexander the Great. Its inhabitants adapted to…
Waiting
As a kid, Christmas is about one thing: presents. Thinking back to the days of our youth, everyone can recall a Christmas where you were hoping and dreaming for a very specific Christmas present. Maybe it was a bike, or a video game, or a Red Ryder carbine-action two hundred…
Free time
Can there be a more popular spice than cinnamon? It’s found in everything from toothpaste to French toast, and especially this time of the year it is one of the most frequently used spices. Sweet potato casserole wouldn’t be right without cinnamon. If it’s missing from apple or pumpkin pie…
The Devil We Know Best
As with many traditions, dressing up in costumes for Halloween has a history that blends pagan rituals with the celebration of Catholic feasts. In medieval times, the Celts would celebrate Samhain — the end of summer — on October 31st with costumes and animal sacrifices. The next day, Catholics celebrate…
The Heart of the Church
“We are now standing in the face of the greatest historical confrontation humanity has ever experienced. I do not think that the wide circle of the American Society, or the whole wide circle of the Christian Community realize this fully. We are now facing the final confrontation between the Church…
Windows & Doors
When you first move into a house, there are a number of things you do right away to make it your own. You paint the walls, arrange your furniture, and plant some of your favorite plants. Then comes the more tedious task of choosing window treatments. Curtains or blinds? If…
We are all Peter
Imagine for a moment that you are a young and ambitious entrepreneur living in Silicon Valley, one with a vision of becoming the next Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Amazon. And while we’re daydreaming, let’s also say you have a rich and successful father who will spend as much of his…
Our Father’s Pride
With summer upon us, many traditions come with it. It is the time of the year for fireworks and lightning bug hunts, for road trips and lazy days at the pool, and for cookouts and cornhole. And every so often, there’s the other time-honored tradition that we all participate in:…
A Mother’s Hands
The human hand is an engineering marvel of truly Divine Creation. Each human hand is made up of 27 bones. Ligaments and tendons connect the 14 bones of the fingers to the 13 bones of the palm, and even more connective tissue connects all that to your wrist and forearm.…
Room
Throughout history, every culture has come up with annual feasts and celebrations that draws people together to celebrate traditions of food, music, events, and entertainment. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Oktoberfest in Munich, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City, the Day of the Dead in Mexico… each…