The best investment
Some time ago, I came across a quote that was attributed to Confucius, and it fits with this issue’s topic of investing in people and the importance of learning: “If your... »
Editor’s Introduction
The search for truth
As Jesus traveled throughout Palestine sharing His message of God’s forgiveness and love, “Follow me” was an invitation He often extended. For example, this passage in Ma... »
A different kind of wealth
The very first person to reach the status of billionaire was business magnate John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937). He first became a millionaire when he was only 23, and he w... »
Step by step
A well-known story tells of a man who was walking along a beach at sunset and noticed a young boy in the distance who kept bending down, picking something up, and throwin... »
A changeless God in a changing world
One thing that seems set in stone is that most things don’t stay the same over time. Many people are conflicted about that. On the one hand, you have people who are eager... »
A love story
In the Bible, God often uses metaphors or word pictures to describe our relationship with Him; for example, a shepherd and sheep, a father and child, a vine and branches—... »
Why suffering
Most people try not to think about it more than they have to, but there's no denying it: There's a lot of suffering in the world. Innocents are killed, maimed, and made h... »
Looking back, looking ahead
In years past, Activated has occasionally featured articles describing little ceremonies the contributors participated in around the turn of the New Year. For example, fr... »
The presence
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s kindness and mercy flows through the text, like this verse in the Psalms: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abou... »
The God factor
In God in the Dock, C.S. Lewis included an essay entitled “Answers to Questions on Christianity.” One of the questions is on which of the religions of the world gives to... »
The Master’s secret
This year, we’ve seen an unprecedented number of lives upended by the COVID-19 health crisis, and far too many are still being impacted. Those who remained on the front l... »
Soul renovation
Oddly enough, whenever I’m at the dentist’s office, there always seems to be one of those home makeover shows playing on the TV in the waiting room. The sound is muted, b... »