Pastor of Jackson Memorial A.M.E. ZIon Church, Hempstead, NY; Husband of Calandra Y. Branch; Father of Isidoa Branch, III and Yvette R. Branch
When Denis started his candy company in an economically depressed neighborhood, a potential investor asked about his rate of “churn.” Churn is how many employee...
When the Bible that Matt Williams kept in the back of his car was stolen, he feared he’d never see it again, and the precious photos he kept tucked in its case ...
While reading a book about World War II, I found the story of the Battle for Hill 609 in Northern Africa, in which my dad was severely wounded. I already knew o...
Tom Cruise has built his film career on a megawatt smile . . . and incredible stunts. The signature stunt in the seventh Mission: Impossible spy action film fea...
Josephine Cochrane (1839-1913) was tired of having her dishes damaged by handwashing, so she decided to create a dishwasher. Shortly after she began her design,...
Ross-on-Wye is a scenic town in Herefordshire, England. Marked by its high church spire and old market house, a hilltop park provides a stunning view of the nea...
You’ve probably seen the signs: No Shirt. No Shoes. No Service. Or if expressed in the positive: Shirt and Shoes Required. Such signs came to widespread promine...
My husband’s serious illness left him weak. But when a physical therapist prescribed exercises to grow strong again, Dan showed little interest. Then one day I ...
With his team winning comfortably, Philadelphia Eagles’ superstar football player Saquon Barkley rested on the bench. There was no need for him to continue play...
While out walking the family dog, my nephew Andy was hit by a car. Someone saw the accident and stopped to give him CPR and call for an ambulance. A ventilator ...
When Monica’s son Augustine wanted to leave home for a city known for its immorality, she pleaded with God not to let him go. But he went anyway, which greatly ...
After being jobless for a year, Ethan finally got a good offer—but his wife stopped him from accepting it. “Is this good for you?” she asked. “It’s a night...
Where were the packages? An inner-city church was having problems receiving deliveries. Although its office staff requested that online orders be dropped off in...
In ancient Greece, actors on stage would portray the emotions of their characters by wearing masks that either expressed tragedy or comedy. Masks also allowed t...
It was raining, bringing the temperature down even more. We were on a multiday hike in Nepal, and leaving the warm mountain lodge to venture into the freezing w...
In a film about a vigilante crime-fighting hero, the protagonist seems to be waging an impossible war. Not only is his city overrun with violence and theft, but...
Six-year-old Tiana clasped her hands. She prayed as she scanned the crowd, glancing toward the front door of the church. Her classmates waved at guests settling...
In a letter dated September 13, 1943—five months after his imprisonment for opposing the Nazi regime—Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote his parents. He asked for books a...
One particularly catchy book promotion featured the auctioning of the chance for readers to have their name in print. Willing participants could pay to have the...
