ODJ: a hit to the heart
Commotio cordis, which normally leads to cardiac arrest, is caused by an abrupt and blunt hit to the chest. Often it occurs as an object strikes an individual near the heart during the “window of vulnerability”—a 10 to 30 millisecond moment between heartbeats. The medical condition, usually experienced by boys and young men as they play sports, often results in death.Dur
ODB: The Book Behind The Story
Millions of people around the world have seen Gone with the Wind, which premiered in the United States on December 15, 1939. It won 10 Academy Awards and remains one of Hollywood’s most commercially successful films. It was based on Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 novel, which sold one million copies within 6 months, received a Pulitzer Prize, and has been translated into more than 40 langua
ODJ: victory over death
This isn’t an easy article for me to write. It means reflecting on some of the darkest evil plaguing our world today: terrorism. But a recent encounter allowed me to see more clearly the power of God’s sustaining Word—even amidst terror caused by evil actions.At a coffee shop in Uganda I met a young man who had witnessed and survived (by hiding in a meat freezer) the 21
ODB: Giving All
During his only inaugural address as the US President, John F. Kennedy issued this challenge to Americans: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It was a renewed call for citizens to surrender their lives in sacrifice and service to others. His words especially inspired the sons and daughters of men and women who had served their country in war.His
ODJ: ultimate posterity
In Britain, the houses of famous people are often commemorated with a small blue plaque. On a house in the town of Oxford one such sign reads: “C. S. LEWIS, Scholar and Author, lived here 1930–1963.” Many contemporary British writers, scientists, politicians and others dream of having a blue plaque on their house one day to commemorate their lives.Humans throughout history have
ODB: Hope Lives
When unspeakable tragedy shatters people’s lives, they search for answers. Recently, a mother who had lost a teenager said to me, “I can’t figure it out. I don’t know if I can believe anymore. I try, but God doesn’t make sense to me. What does it all mean?” There are no easy answers to such big concerns. But for those who have trusted Christ, there is hope—whether we are basking in b
ODJ: earnest prayers
As a child, I was told that I should put my hands together and close my eyes to pray. So I used to scrunch up my eyes and clench my fingers together to be even more earnest as I asked God for the things on my heart. The harder I worked at praying this way, the more God would answer—or so I thought!Nehemiah was grieved at the report about his beloved Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:3-4). His prayer
ODB: Now Go!
More than 10,000 evangelists and Christian leaders sat in a giant auditorium in Amsterdam in 1986 listening to world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham. I sat among them, listening as he narrated some of his experiences. Then, to my surprise, he said, “Let me tell you: every time I stand before the congregation of God’s people to preach, I tremble and my knees wobble!”What! I wondered
ODJ: motivated
My husband and I recently saw a friend we hadn’t seen in a while. Standing outside the gym where he worked out, he highlighted the facility’s offerings. His words revealed his sense of ownership of the exercise facility. He had found identity, purpose and a place to belong amid the mats lined with barbells and other strength-training equipment. This place had become his community and