One-on-One with Aaron and Jennifer Smith on ‘Marriage After God’

“Marriage was meant for so much more than just happily ever after.” Ed: You’ve shared your marriage stories on your blogs, The Unveiled Wife and Husband Revolution. How has building a “ministry-minded marriage” impacted your family? Smiths: When we realized what Christ did for us on the cross and how much he endured for our sake and the world’s sake, we were motivated to persevere and endure with each other. Because of our own sin, and our own broken perspectives... Read More

By the Power Vested in Me by God Or the Internet: The Fight Over Online Ordinations

With lay officiants on the rise, Tennessee’s ban spurs religious freedom challenge. After a religious freedom lawsuit, a federal judge this week blocked Tennessee’s new ban on online ordination for wedding officiants, citing “serious constitutional issues.” The Universal Life Church Monastery—a top destination for giving friends and family credentials to perform ceremonies—had sued the Volunteer State over the policy, which it said “grants a preference... Read More

Drilling for Oil, Contending for Truth

A historian shows how the pursuit of God and “black gold” went hand in hand—and how it changed the shape of American Christianity. Editor’s note: CT’s June cover story considers the use and abuse of oil from a Christian lens. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus frames a stark choice between God and money, declaring, “You cannot serve both” (Matt. 6:24). His warning has not exactly fallen on deaf ears in the modern United States, but it hasn’t kept many... Read More

With much Good Humor, vintage ice cream trucks serve nostalgia on a stick

Steve Popkin, co-founder of Coral Springs-based Karmic Ice Cream, never forgot the best day of his life, his wife Debbie says. As a boy in Wantagh, Long Island, “he was playing outside and suddenly three ice cream trucks were coming at him at the same time — Good Humor, Mister Softee and Bungalow Bar,” she said. The dopamine spike was so powerful, it imprinted a lifelong desire to own his own ice cream truck. ... Read More

South Florida creatives showcase Everglades as a local treasure

“What’s crazy is this is a free photo contest to enter and the prize package was a trip for two to Kenya, a safari of 10 days. I think it was something like a $15,000 prize package, which was more than I had made the whole year working at my part time job with the county,” he explained. “It was the first time I had photography as the sole purpose for 10 days. I came back with confidence.” ... Read More

Ask a real estate pro: Not all good fences make good neighbors

If you give in and agree to contribute to the installation, you may also have to help maintain it later. You and your neighbor should write down your agreement so that there are no misunderstandings later. Of course, if you do not agree there will be nothing to write down. You do not need a contract to say you are not participating, but if you want to be safe, you can send him an email or letter so there is no question of your intentions later. ... Read More

Insurance magnate lists condo in America’s wealthiest ZIP code | PHOTOS

Fisher Island, just off the tip of Miami Beach, is a tony enclave for the world’s uber-rich. Accessible only by ferry, private boat or helicopter, the 216-acre island offers residents privacy and security and has extensive amenities, including a private club, multiple dining venues, a luxurious spa, world-class tennis, golf course, private beach and beach club, a private day school and two marinas. It also has a grocery store, hotel and aviary with exotic birds. ... Read More