Illustration: Redemption

In a recent Parade Magazine article, Mitch Albom told the fascinating story of William Kamkwamba, a young man from Malawi. When William was 14, he had a vision. He wanted to make a windmill that would pump water and make electricity for his village.

Illustration: Opportunity

The right time to do the right thing is always right now. Recent reports indicate that George Washington, if he were alive today, would owe a huge library fine. New York City's oldest library has a ledger that indicates George Washington never returned two books he borrowed in 1789.

Illustration: Media, Influence of

A recent study form the Dartmouth Medical School says that middle school children who are allowed to watch R-rated movies are more likely to start drinking alcohol. Twenty-five percent of those who said their parents let them watch the movies "all the time" started drinking. Nineteen percent who said their parents let them watch "sometimes" had started drinking. Only 3 percent who were forbidden to watch R movies had started drinking.

Illustration: Hope

Jennifer Arnold recently was featured in a PBS documentary titled, "Though the Eyes of a Dog." It chronicles her organization, which is involved in the training of service dogs and matching them with people in need. USA Today also told her story.

Illustration: Happiness

People have their own various interesting takes on happiness. Don Marquis was reported to have said, "Happiness is the interval between periods of unhappiness." Schweitzer said, "Happiness? That is nothing more than health and a poor memory."

Illustration: God, Creator

The leaf cutter bee cuts a round piece of leaf to line a nest. Then she cuts oval pieces for the sides. Here she lays an egg and places near it a paste of pollen-nectar to feed the larva that will hatch. Then she cuts another round piece to close the opening. She makes some of the pieces round and some of them oval. How does she know to do that? Can this be explained in natural terms alone? Those who have eyes to see can perceive evidence of a designer and creator.

Illustration: Commitment

Max Hickerson tells a wonderful story about guitar phenomenon Les Paul. Paul was known as the "Architect of Rock and Roll" and for inventing the solid body electric guitar. In 1948, Paul's passion for the guitar almost came to a tragic end. While driving on a bridge in Oklahoma, his car skidded off into a river and his arm was shattered. Doctors told Paul they could save his arm, but he would never play the guitar again.

Illustration: Church

At the Korean DMZ, you can see into North Korea far enough to see the largest flag pole in the world. The flag by itself weighs 300 kilograms. In Seoul, South Korea, by contrast, you can see churches everywhere, each with a neon cross lighted at night. Sometimes we are prone to wonder if the church makes any difference. It does.