Illustration: Materialism

It should have been the opportunity of a lifetime for ex-con, Abraham Shakespeare. In 2006, he won $30 million in the Florida lottery. He didn't think the money would change him. Just three years later, his body was found in the back yard of a friend's home. While the friend has not been charged with Abraham's murder, she was charged as an accessory.

Illustration: Materialism

Austrian millionaire Karl Rabeder is giving away all of his $4.7-million fortune. He said, "My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing. Money is counter productive-it prevents happiness to come."

Illustration: Heaven

The Sultan of Brunei owns 500 Rolls Royce automobiles, seven airplanes and two helicopters. His palace is the largest residence in the world with 1,788 rooms and 257 bathrooms-but it pales in comparison with heaven.

Illustration: Faith/Belief

John Gibson Paton was a missionary to New Hebrides. He was translating the Gospel of John into the native language. He could not find a word for believe. The natives were cannibals. There was no trust between then.

Illustration: Eternal Life

In his latter days, Johnny Cash, whose spiritual renewal has been well documented, produced a series of songs, now collected in a CD under the title Ain't No Grave. The music contains his musings on faith and life after death.

Illustration: Atonement

The week before Easter in Pampanga province in the Philippines, volunteers are crucified. Each remains on the cross for only a few minutes. The list of volunteers is so long that one must wait at least two years for a turn. The Catholic Archbishop said on national television. "Those who participate have their sins for the past year forgiven."

Illustration: Abundant Life

According to news reports, the International Journal of Epidemiology just published an article that maintains bored people die sooner than people who are excited about life. Britton and Shipley of the University of London did a study of more than 7,500 people. Those who reported that they were bored were 2.5 times more likely to die of a heart problem than those who were not bored.

John Henry Jowett: A Passion for Preaching

On the opening day of the Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching at Yale University in 1912, John Henry Jowett said, "I have had but one passion, and I have lived for it-the absorbingly arduous yet glorious work of proclaiming the grace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Such a confession revealed a romance with preaching that made Jowett one of the most admired ministers of the early 20th century and subsequently earned him the title "Stylist of the English Pulpit." Jowett was born Aug. 25, 1863, in Halifax, England, in the home of devoted and godly parents. His call to the ministry was influenced by his parents and his church, and it was nurtured through his educational training at Airedale College and Edinburgh University. At first, Jowett was interested in a legal career and considered studying law. However, his Sunday School teacher challenged him to reach a decision about the ministry. In his 17th year, he experienced a definite call and surrendered to "the divine initiative."