spirituality

February 22, 2024

February 22, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero meets his A&P platoon

Ross Calvert, Phil’s good friend from Officer Candidate School two years before, walked him into the building, where Phil’s men rose to attention. “At ease!” Ross […]
February 21, 2024

February 21, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new battalion on Anzio

In the middle of February, the weather turned rainy, and the wind was sharp and ice-cold. Phil and the other men were a miserable bunch, and […]
February 20, 2024

February 20, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new unit on Anzio

Phil was one of 182 men (17 officers and 165 enlisted men, including men returning from the hospital) who received slips indicating they would be replacements […]
February 19, 2024

February 19, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Anzio

On February 19, 1944, Phil received his orders to report to the 30th Infantry Regiment on the Anzio Beachhead. Late that afternoon, he hopped aboard a truck […]
February 18, 2024

February 18, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a master dressage stallion — Magellan

Phil returned the next day and began instruction with the master and one of his apprentices, Antonio, who was bilingual. “He wants you to mount one […]
February 17, 2024

February 17, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero meets a dressage master

After arriving on the docks at Naples, the ever-present Army 6×6 trucks were waiting to take Phil and the other second lieutenants to the Replacement Depot, […]
February 16, 2024

February 16, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero’s future units pinned down on Anzio

On February 16, 1944, the Germans had completely surrounded the Allies that were pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead — which the men quickly named ‘The […]
February 15, 2024

February 15, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Naples

In Oran, Phil was among 200 infantry lieutenants who boarded the Highland Queen, a small British steamer bound for Naples, Italy. He was part of a […]
August 30, 2011

Spiritual talks boost hospitalized patients’ perceptions of care

HealthDay reports that hospitalized patients who are “able to talk about their religious and spiritual concerns are more satisfied with their care,” according to a study in […]
December 14, 2011

NEWS: Devotional website from Dr. Walt launches December 19

NEWS: I’m launching a new twice-a-day devotional on December 19. I hope you’ll sign up for it.
January 14, 2012

I hope you’ll give my brand new devotional a look

It’s been 10 years in the making … and it’s now available … so, if you’ve not seen or signed up for my daily devotional, “Morning […]
December 21, 2023

A Wonderful Christmas Story – Part 2

Yesterday, I began a Christmas story that came from my book Bryson City Seasons. You can read Part 1 here. This is the second of three parts. I hope […]
December 22, 2023

A Wonderful Christmas Story – Part 3

Two days ago, I began a Christmas story that came from my book Bryson City Seasons. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. This is […]