Today’s Troubles Will Test Us

        Lots of words describe trouble:  disaster, forest fire, robbery, wreck, flood, attack, tragedy, violence.   Today’s newspapers and the latest TV and Internet reports bring us a huge list of troubles from here and around the world. 

        What’s the logical thing to do?  Perhaps turn off the TV after an hour of the bad news?  Or, look into the cause and effect of some of the troubles that pique our interest?  Maybe write to our senators, our representatives, and post to social media websites?

        Today’s troubles will test us.  That same fact has applied to each person, even way, way, way back in the olden days.  God allows calamities, disease, failures, wars to get our attention. 

Outside on a Starry Night

Where do you start on a journey of faith?

     Start outside on a dark, clear night.

Stand on tiptoe and stretch to the sky

     Look up at the bright starry sight.

See worlds in orbit and suns aflame;

     Pause to consider their faraway light.  

Why I Want to Live

        A surge of pride is pointing people to suicide. “I can do what I want, when I want. No one is going to tell me what to do.” This terrible solution to life’s problems bypasses the stigma of depression.  To justify such a drastic action some are telling themselves, “Assert yourself. Take charge.” 

        Here’s a thoughtful piece written by Peter Hardt. Maybe you know someone who needs to read this:

        In conversations with a few members of the younger “I-want-it-all-now!” generation, it’s been suggested to me that I don’t actually have to plan and prepare for the crisis just ahead. They think I should go on with my life – business as usual – and just commit suicide when things become unbearable. An “Eat! Drink! For tomorrow we die!” philosophy...
        I strongly disagree. This is why I want to live:

Explore Your Doubts

     If you have had no doubts in life we must ask, “Are you awake? Are you thinking?”

     Doubts are normal for the normal person. It alerts your clever brain to get to work, take a more critical look at the surroundings and the other people. It starts you on a journey of discovery. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?