In 2009 William L. Calley, the only U.S. Army officer convicted of the 1968 slaying of Vietnamese civilians at My Lai, made an extraordinary public apology.
Calley was a young Army lieutenant when he was court-martialed for his part in the massacre of 500 men, women, and children. In his confession he said, “There’s not a day that goes by that I do not feel remorse for what happened t...
During India’s mutiny against Great Britain 1857-58, British soldiers were camped outside the city of Delhi when the commander gave the order for his men to attack the city. Medics began to move among the troops to determine who among them was fit for battle.
A young soldier lay wounded and as the medic looked at him, he pled, “Sir, please don’t declare me unfit for battle. It’s just a...
The first emotion of the first man born on earth was anger. Cain, out of a fit of jealous rage, killed his brother. Anger was not just a problem for the first mortal man born on earth but for every man. It expresses itself in countless ways: road rage, spousal abuse, security guards, having to have metal detectors at schools, airports, and athletic events, and scores of other ways.
It’s...
Edwin Markham, the poet, reached the age of retirement only to discover that the banker who was managing his money had defrauded him. He was so obsessed by anger and bitterness that he could no longer write poetry. While sitting at his desk and doodling one day the Holy Spirit convicted him that he must deal with his anger or it would destroy him. He decided then and there that he would forgive...
Actor Ed Asner said, “Raising kids is part joy and part guerilla warfare.” Boy, do I agree. But if you think kids are worse now than they have ever been consider this: Cain, the first mortal man born on earth, murdered his own brother. Noah was a preacher but his sons disgraced him.
Abraham threw his son Ishmael out of the house when he was fourteen. Jacob stole the family inheritance...
A teacher told her class to list the Seven Wonders of the World. The generally accepted group consists of: The Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon, Panama Canal, Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Great Wall of China.
One little girl was having trouble making her list so the teacher asked if she could help. The little girl said, “No, give me time.” Then...
Writer Ernest Hemingway grew up in a strong evangelical Christian home in Old Platte, Illinois. His grandparents were missionaries and his father was a devout churchman. His family conformed to the strictest code of Christianity, and as a boy and then man he was active in the life of his church, even serving as a choirboy.
Then came the first World War. He went away as a war correspon...
Newcomers in town are often confused when trying to find a church home. There are so many good churches around that they do not know how to decide between them. No one church will suit everybody but there are four things that are important in this decision.
1. The pastor. While the pastor is only a small part of the church, he exerts an influence all out of proportion t...
Laura Drummond, who taught at St. Edwards University in Austin, was a police officer on the streets of Austin for nine years to pay her way through school. After graduation she wrote a book entitled, Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You.
In an interview about the book she was asked, “What did you learn from your years as a police officer?” I took note that her fi...