December 21, 2024

via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— “Treasures in the darkness,” by Karen Blanchard, women’s life group leader with Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township, Michigan:

Having been in this pandemic for two years now, we face days that seem uncertain and difficult to navigate. Yet through all the darkness and confusion, we can hold onto the promise that God is always with us. The verses below are a few of my favorites to help remind me of this promise.

- Deuteronomy 31:8, ‘It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’ [English Standard Version]
- Joshua 1:9, ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ [ESV]
- Isaiah 41:10, ‘Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ [ESV]
- Isaiah 45:3, ‘I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.’ [New International Version]

via Lifeway Research (April 5, 2021)— "Americans Most Want to Avoid Fear and Anxiety, Gain Freedom and Safety," by Aaron Earls: After what was a scary year for many, more Americans say they want to avoid fear. According to a study from Lifeway Research, when asked which feeling they seek to…

– January 2, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "The difference in knowing and loving," by Mike Durbin, State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, re Famed jeweler Harry Winston: A customer entered Winston’s store in New York City to buy a special diamond. One of his salesmen, his most knowledgeable…

– February 13, 2022
via Samaritan's Purse (March 28, 2022)— "Franklin Graham Meets with Samaritan's Purse Team in Ukraine": Work continues as fighting rages in eastern Europe. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, traveled to Ukraine this past weekend to meet with our teams who have been at work there since the early stages…

– April 3, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (April 1, 2022)— "Fusion Camp for 2nd-6th graders," by Rachel LaBelle, Resurrection Church, Lincoln Park Michigan: ... At camp, we get a short window to replace the busyness of their daily lives and invite them to a safe place where they can focus on Christ. Some would…

– April 24, 2022
re United States Supreme Court decision in Carson v Makin— Lifeway Christian Resources referenced Article 12 of the Southern Baptist Faith and Message, which "deals specifically and uniquely with the topic of education. ... our confessional statement affirms, Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. As we shall see, one…

– June 21, 2022
Maundy Thursday— "On this Thursday before Good Friday, Christians of all colors and stripes celebrate three events on the last night our Lord spent with his apostles before the Crucifixion: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. "The…

– April 14, 2022
Good Friday— "By no means is Good Friday an isolated event, said Winn Collier, the pastor of All Souls Charlottesville, a partner church with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. "Following the church calendar is a congregation’s way of following the footsteps of Christ throughout the year. And for both…

– April 15, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (June 1, 2022)— "A small church serves as a large witness in the wake of Taylor tornado," by Mike Durbin, State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan: An EF3 tornado ripped through Gaylord tragically taking the lives of two people and injuring more than…

– June 5, 2022
re United States Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v Bremerton School District— On April 4, 2022, Compelling Truth revisited the question, "What is the separation of church and state?" Noting that this "is not foundation and is not found in the US Constitution," this assessment went on to assert that…

– June 27, 2022

Rentschler Farm barn after March snowfall

Morning Is Best Time to Photograph the Rentchler Farm Barn in March

March 2, 2018

Historic Rentschler Farm Museum is a popular attraction for the sampling it provides of rural life in Michigan during The Great Depression. Easily visible from Michigan Avenue, its impressive red barn structure makes a great focus for photographs — even for those of us who don’t specialize in the subject category. [1] The best start for ideal daylight photography is typically between sunrise and mid-morning, any time of year. As lighting moves into the lunch hour ....

Alisyn Malek, COO and Co-Founder of May Mobility

Mackinac Policy Conference 2019, Part 3: A renewed, competitive passion for multimodal transportation

May 31, 2019

In its famed Mackinac Policy Conference “To-Do List” unveiled as this event closed, the Detroit Regional Chamber placed a broad emphasis on work that would ensure “continued leadership in automotive and next-generation mobility” here in Michigan. [1,2] Though 2019 did not have the sort of headline visibility seen here on the island last year — with visions of “Transforming the Motor City Into the Mobility City” and anticipation that “Ford’s Mobility Revolution Will Reshape the World” ....

Mill Pond Mechanical Loch Ness Monster At Saline Celtic Festival Is A Blend Of Engineering And Fantasy

July 13, 2018

As the story goes (or, “once upon a time,” if you prefer): Jim Peters and Kevin Murphy were sitting in the beer tent at a Saline Celtic Festival …. [1] Looking out onto Mill Pond, seeing that water as mere backdrop to festivities throughout the park, it seemed to them that something more was needed. Saline needed its own Loch Ness Monster. And it needed to dwell in Mill Pond, surfacing from parts unknown for this ....

Have you ever stopped to think about how “tomorrow” is going to get here, what it will look like, who’s driving it?

January 7, 2019

From the Editor— This past Saturday, I was up at the high school with our Singularity Team, waiting for the latest FIRST Robotics Competition big reveal. A couple dozen students with a handful of adult mentors in one room: Do they hold the keys to our collective future? [1,2,3,4] In the late 1990s when my partner and I were working with a business collective in Pittsburgh, along with Pitt and Carnegie Mellon University, on the ....

This Sunday, Eat at the One Picnic That Will Both Satisfy Your Own Discerning Tastes and Feed Local Families in Need

June 5, 2018

How is that possible? you may be wondering. Organizers describe it as “a picnic with a purpose,” but it’s formally called Grillin’ 2018. Scheduled for Sunday, June 10 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm (rain or shine) at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, here are some admittedly unfairly tempting details about what’s in store for you. [1,2] Feast on gourmet grilled sausages, delectable side dishes and desserts from more than 30 favorite local food purveyors including Zingerman’s, ....