Blind Surfer Derek Rabelo Conquers Waves Fearlessly

Derek Rabelo’s father prayed that his son would be a professional surfer. But Derek was born blind in 1992, and his father’s dream seemed impossible. Seventeen years later, however, Derek decided that not only did he want to surf — he wanted to surf the legendary waves on the North Shore of Oahu. Derek’s courage… Continue reading Blind Surfer Derek Rabelo Conquers Waves Fearlessly

From Wheaton College to TIME Magazine: Elizabeth Dias’ Advice to Aspiring Journalists

“All journalists are insecure overachievers-learn how to make mistakes and own them. Your mistakes don’t define you.” This was one of many memorable phrases shared by TIME Magazine reporter Elizabeth Dias at Wheaton College’s Homecoming weekend 2013. The weekend marked her fifth year college reunion, and she came to campus as a guest of the… Continue reading From Wheaton College to TIME Magazine: Elizabeth Dias’ Advice to Aspiring Journalists

My Philadelphia Adventure with Shane Claiborne at the Simple Way

I’m a journalist with experience reporting all over Chicago, so it wasn’t unusual for me to send up a few prayers as I boarded Philadelphia’s public transit system on my way to interview author/activist/peacemaker Shane Claiborne at his nonprofit, “The Simple Way,” in North Philadelphia. I tried to keep facts like “Philadelphia is one of… Continue reading My Philadelphia Adventure with Shane Claiborne at the Simple Way

Nik Wallenda Crosses the Grand Canyon: ‘Thank You Jesus’

Nik Wallenda crossed the Grand Canyon successfully tonight, without a safety harness, while proclaiming his faith and trust in Jesus. “Thank you, Jesus,” he said several times during his walk across the 1,400-foot tightrope over 1,500 feet above the canyon (a height taller than the Empire State Building). During my interview with him last week,… Continue reading Nik Wallenda Crosses the Grand Canyon: ‘Thank You Jesus’

My Top 3 New York Times Best Seller Recommendations

My Christmas vacation has been filled with screaming children, holiday lattes, and wrapping paper and presents. There have been discussions about Jesus, carols sung about Jesus, and books written about Jesus-the last one being the subject of this blog post. Thousands of authors have been featured on the New York Times best seller list, and… Continue reading My Top 3 New York Times Best Seller Recommendations

Prayer & politics with the Illinois Legislative Summit

Enjoy another guest post today, this time from fellow Wheaton College graduate Joshua Little, who recently attended the Illinois Legislative Summit’s prayer breakfast and came away with some interesting insights on the integration of faith and politics. Read below and comment back – especially in this election season, what do you think of the integration… Continue reading Prayer & politics with the Illinois Legislative Summit

How have I survived 23 years as a twin?

My twin sister left me today. She’s headed back to the sunny shores of SoCal where she will enroll as a 2L at Pepperdine Law School after completing a summer externship in Chicago with a federal district court judge in the Loop, and I’m left here, in my empty studio apartment alone, not sure when… Continue reading How have I survived 23 years as a twin?

Justin Bieber is a BELIEVER

Justin Bieber’s much anticipated album, “Believe,” hit store shelves today. His fourth studio album was immediately purchased by millions of screaming girls and their mothers, hitting the top of iTunes charts in mere hours and, according to Billboard Magazine, is well on its way to becoming the biggest debut of the year. It has finally… Continue reading Justin Bieber is a BELIEVER

DREAM BIG: Nothing is impossible with God

I’m not sure if the 2 1/2 cups of coffee I’ve had or the abundant sunshine in Chicago have anything to do with my energy level today, but I feel so happy I could explode and therefore felt compelled to write another post on optimism to follow up on yesterday’s…because it’s just one of those… Continue reading DREAM BIG: Nothing is impossible with God

Father knows best: Optimism + Jesus > unemployment

My dad has been out of work for several months now, and just this morning had yet another final round of interviews with yet another company. In an economy that is apparently coming out of a recession, the job hunt is moving slower than I’d like it to for him, but when I opened up… Continue reading Father knows best: Optimism + Jesus > unemployment