Archive for "September, 2011"
CURRENT EVENT – OCTOBER 9, 2011
Recently, Nelson Mandela celebrated his ninety-third birthday. There were many birthday messages on Facebook and Twitter, and 12.4 million school children in South Africa sang Happy Birthday to him at 8:05 that morning.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – OCTOBER 9, 2011
What an intriguing story we have in Ecclesiastes 9:13-18. I know that when I read through all of the Bible a few years ago, I read this passage (and even underlined v. 17 apparently), but I honestly don’t remember it.
REFERENCE SHELF – OCTOBER 9, 2011
Compared to the great skills manifested in the five activities mentioned in v. 11, timeliness must seem like a minor thing.
DEVOTIONAL – OCTOBER 9, 2011
“Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
CURRENT EVENT – OCTOBER 2, 2011
A study from the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) found that when people have had good luck in the past regarding natural disasters, they may be more likely to have a false sense of security about future disasters. People who have near misses with things like hurricanes or floods are less likely to evacuate when asked to do so in the future.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – OCTOBER 2, 2011
Our passage this week begins with the statement, “When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall” (Pr 29:16). It’s a comforting sentiment. We’ve all seen too many examples of the wicked thriving.
REFERENCE SHELF – OCTOBER 2, 2011
Verses 15-18 alternate between concern with education and concern with the role of the righteous king. One could easily see these verses as a further contrast on public authority versus private education (in the home).
DEVOTIONAL – OCTOBER 2, 2011
“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised ” (Proverbs 27:21). I was surprised by the final words of that proverb. I would have expected to see words like adversity, sorrow, defeat or poverty. I did not expect to read “being praised.”
CURRENT EVENT – SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
An initiative called Healthy Relationship and Marriage Education Training (HRMET) was started in 2008 to help adults to build stronger family and individual relationships. This five-year program was put together by the University of Missouri Extension and David Schramm, assistant professor of human development and family studies.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
Based on the proverbs in our passage this week, I can say that Solomon had a much higher opinion of kings than I do. Throughout history, kings have ranged from terrible to incredible. They are imperfect people just like anybody. But Solomon sees them as a cut above the rest.
REFERENCE SHELF – SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
At the head of the chapter the superscription attributes the sayings to Solomon and their “copying” to Hezekiah…. Hezekiah’s reign is known in Hebrew literature as a time of reform after the destruction of the northern kingdom in 722 BC (2 Kgs 18-20; 2 Chr 29-30).
DEVOTIONAL – SEPTEMBER 25, 2011
en I attend functions that include a meal, I often become anxious when we enter the dining area. Where should I sit? I hesitate to sit at the head of a table unless I am directed to do so.