Devotionals

The power of symbolism lies in its ability to convey complex concepts through simple images.  It can evoke deep emotion and transcend language barriers.  (Think of the “Red Cross” symbol on a war-torn battlefield.) The Bible makes heavy use of symbolism, such as God’s detailed design of the Ark of the Covenant (the chest that houses the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, a [...]

In 105 B.C., Quintus Servilius Caepio was a member of the Roman aristocracy and a leader in the Roman army. The Senate instructed Caepio to coordinate with fellow army commander Gnaeus Mallius Maximus as they faced a massive tribal invasion. However, because Maximus was not a member of the nobility, Caepio refused to collaborate with him. Caepio believed it was beneath him to seek [...]

“Affirming the Consequent” (also known as the “If-Then Fallacy”) is a formal error in reasoning.  It assumes that an effect (a result) has only one cause, without the possibility of others.  For example, if a broken lamp makes a room dark, then every dark room has a broken lamp.  Another example is, “If the rain causes the ground to be wet, then all wet [...]

Early in the second century, Pliny the Younger served as the Roman governor of Bithynia. The apostle Paul had been killed by Nero about 50 years earlier, but his missionary journeys had been effective, and the budding Christian church was expanding into Europe. During Pliny’s rule, the Roman government first recognized Christianity as a religion distinct from Judaism. During that time, many were arrested [...]

A helicopter’s design has been characterized as “a collection of parts flying in relatively close formation.”  That’s an understated way to describe an extremely complex mechanical and aerodynamic system.  Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, whose design is suited for flight, a helicopter is inherently unstable and requires precise mechanical and pilot input to remain airborne. The most iconic helicopter in history is the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, [...]

All Things New Among the innovations of 2025 are several autonomous robot applications.  We now have self-driving cars, self-operating lawn mowers and drone-delivered packages.  The year also saw the development of the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine, which is believed to enable hypersonic travel (e.g., Los Angeles to Tokyo in under two hours).  Also, you can now access the first compact, at-home ultraviolet printer that [...]