The Mystery of the Silver Scrolls
In 1979, Israeli archaeologist Gabriel Barkay peered into the semi-darkness of an ancient burial cave in the heart of Jerusalem. What he saw caused his heart to race with excitement. He had entered a long-lost world never intended to be seen by human eyes. Surrounding him were dozens of grinning skeletons – ancient Israelites, dead for thousands of years. And there was treasure, fabulous treasure, including two silver scrolls that carried an important message for us today.
Butterflies – Nature’s Gift
Butterflies charm our eyes with their captivating colours and graceful dance of their fluttering wings. Yet their beauty is fragile, and their lives are fleeting, a brief flowering that embodies the ephemeral nature of the seasons. This delicate beauty has made butterflies the most sought-after and studied of all insects.
In many ancient civilisation’s butterflies were symbols of life, hope, joy, renewal and perfection. They are found in the writings, festivals, and tomb paintings of many ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Mayans, Aztecs, and early Europeans. And they continue to mesmerise and delight us today – and not just by their brilliance and beauty – but also by their amazing miracle of metamorphosis, the terrific transformation that happens as caterpillars change into butterflies. What happens inside this chrysalis is one of the great mysteries of the natural world.
Busting the Myths of Fats and Oils
In this program, we consider a topic that is probably confronting for many of us. When you hear the words fats and oils, you immediately think of French fries, potato chips, cheesy pizzas, onion rings, burgers, and doughnuts—foods that taste great and that we like to eat. Though they are tasty, we are often reminded that they are not good for our health. That’s because they tend to be high in calories, fat, and salt and are called refined carbs. The whole matter of fats and oils can be very confusing and raise some important questions. If fats and oils are said to be bad for you, why do we need fats and oils in our diet? Are there good and bad fats? What does the term saturated or unsaturated fats mean? Join Gary as we meet Dr Delia McCabe, a nutritional neuroscientist whose research specialises in how the food we eat affects brain functions. In particular, we are going to look at the important topic of fats and oils: Are they good for us, and what effect do they have on our brains?
Jesus Predicts the Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, a city rich in tradition and history, is home to the world’s greatest concentration of religious sites, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Encircled by walls that have seen countless sieges and reconstructions, it remains the most sacred city in the world. Despite its fortifications, Jerusalem has faced numerous attacks and destructions, the most devastating being Rome’s destruction of the city and its temple. This dark chapter, foretold in the Bible by Jesus through seven chilling predictions, serves as a powerful reminder of lost opportunities and a message that resonates even today. Join Gary in Jerusalem as he explores the city’s tragic past and the enduring lessons it offers.
Dinosaurs and the Bible
Planet Earth is filled with a dazzling diversity of life, but few animals can compete with the extinct dinosaurs for variety, size, and sheer magnificence. They roamed the earth away back in the ancient past and came in incredible shapes and sizes. Some of these ancient creatures had enormous bodies and were the most colossal creatures ever to have lived on land, while others were only the size of chickens.
Part 3: The Exodus – Moses: A Hero for Our Time Series
On the shores of the Red Sea, God performed his final act of judgment against the Egyptians and his most powerful act of deliverance on behalf of the Israelites. While the Egyptian armies rushed to slaughter their recently released slaves, God parted the waters of the Red Sea and commanded the Israelites to cross on dry land. The very path that offered the Israelites their freedom turned into a watery grave for their enemies when the Egyptians raced into the middle of the sea only to have the walls of water collapse around them. From the Red Sea, God led the Israelites through the wilderness, performing one miracle after another. Instead of trusting God, the Israelites constantly complained when faced with challenges. Moses was receiving much of their disgruntlement, largely because he was their visible leader. Despite all his challenges, however, Moses remained faithful to God and cared for the Israelites as tenderly as a shepherd caring for his sheep.
The Oxford Martyrs
Oxford, England, is a wonderful place to wander, the narrow cobblestone lanes take you on a journey back through the centuries as you cross old stone bridges and pass some of the most famous landmarks in Britain. But not all the cobblestone streets in Oxford lead to places of romance and beauty, one led to a place of execution and death. The small area of cobblestones forming a cross in the centre of Broad Street beside one of Oxford’s most famous colleges marks the site where three men were led and publicly executed. It was right here that the Oxford martyrs were tied to a stake, wood piled up around them, bags of gunpowder placed around their necks and burnt alive. Who were these men and why did they die? Well, their story will surprise, shock and inspire you, make sure you stay tuned for our program: The Oxford Martyrs
The Wonders Of Space
Space! Immeasurable distances! Incalculable numbers! Incomparable speeds! Incomprehensible spheres! Inconceivable power. The magnitude of space is awe-inspiring. The sheer vastness of it, along with the trillions upon trillions of objects in the many billion galaxies of the universe is almost incomprehensible to the human brain. For instance, there are more stars in space than grains of sand in the world. In fact, there are 10 times more stars in the night sky than grains of sand on all the beaches of planet earth. There are 100 sextillion stars visible from Earth through a telescope. That’s 100 with 21 zeros. And then, in addition, there are probably more planets than stars. And, remember this, we can only see a small percentage of the universe from Earth, even with an optical telescope. The sheer size of space makes it impossible to accurately predict just how many stars we have – they’re really completely uncountable.
Gen Y and Z – Born to be Digital
The Internet. It’s our gateway to a wealth of knowledge and social connection. From the invention of the world-wide web in 1990, to the current day, technology has taken the world by storm and in some ways taken over our lives. Almost all teenagers and around 2/3 of primary school kids now have their own mobile screen-based device, spending as many as 5 hours a day on social media, texting, video chatting, viewing content, and playing multi-platform video games. In this program we uncover research on the impact all of this technology is having on our lives and on our kid’s mental health.
Jesse Owens – Gold Medal Hero
James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens grew up in a poor, small town in Alabama in the early 1900s, where he faced racial discrimination and health issues. Despite these challenges, Owens’ Christian family believed in a better future. When he was nine, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, seeking better opportunities. In Cleveland, Owens excelled in school sports, setting national high school records in track events. He later attended Ohio State University, where he continued to shine as an athlete.
In 1935, despite an injury, Owens achieved remarkable success, setting multiple world records. His athletic prowess earned him a place in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, held under the Nazi regime. Owens’ stunning performances at the Olympics, winning four gold medals, defied Nazi propaganda and made him a global icon.
While in Berlin, Owens formed an unlikely friendship with German athlete Luz Long, who offered him crucial advice during the long jump competition, helping Owens secure the gold medal. This act of sportsmanship transcended racial and political barriers, highlighting the human spirit’s capacity for connection and compassion.
