Tomorrow's World Commentary

We Americans pride ourselves in our freedom. Freedom of choice is a hallmark of our national identity and our heritage. We have the freedom to choose how we will live our lives. Sadly many individuals do not realize that freedom of choice carries the potential for great good in our lives as well as the potential for great harm. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-power-to-choose

The shofar trumpet mentioned in the Bible was made from a ram’s horn. It was blown by the priests of God for various purposes. Like today’s siren, which makes a loud, attention-getting sound, the blast of the shofar also demanded people’s attention. Those who heeded could say, (pardon the pun), “shofar, so good!” and be saved from serious injury or death. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/shofar-so-good

For anyone keenly observing today’s world scene, an undercurrent of shamelessness soon becomes very clear. You’ll see it in everything. Political shenanigans, movies, popular music, and—this being the “Information Age,” after all—the “blogosphere,” where anyone can air his or her views, gripes, and opinions, without reservation. And this culture is becoming more disturbing all the time. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/shame-of-face

People have all kinds of fears. Even the bravest among us, though they may not like to admit it, have a fear or two lurking in the mind. Whether it be a common one, like the fear of public speaking (Glossophobia), or a quirky one like the fear of clowns (Coulrophobia), fears are unpleasant. What are you afraid of? Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/what-are-you-afraid-of

Of all the values society holds dear today, freedom must top the list! As we look around our nations and communities, what freedoms do we value? We value freedom of speech, freedom of travel, and freedom to act as individuals. We cherish freedom of choice—in marriage, family, religion, and myriad other things. Many even seem to value freedom from marriage, freedom from children, or freedom from religion, and the list goes on seemingly endlessly. But does freedom have a “price”? Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-freedom-trap

The state school board meeting room was packed with standing room only. I was there to observe the proceedings and to show support for an application for a Charter School (a school open to the public that is privately funded and operated). The richly paneled room was equipped with the latest technology, including a large flat screen monitor so everyone could see those coming before the board and the board members as they responded. The meeting droned on for hours as the proponents of various educational matters presented their cases, pro and con. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/a-better-way

"Prosperity preachers" proclaim that God wants you to have material wealth and happiness—right now. While positive thinking has its merits, does God promise prosperity, health, and happiness for you in this life? In the years ahead, this question, and the strength of your relationship with God and Jesus Christ, will become more profound than you may realize. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/jeremiah-and-prosperity-preaching

Depression plagues many people. I’m not talking about having a bad day or feeling blue, which everyone experiences now and then. The depression I’m referring to is the kind of feeling that incapacitates a person with overwhelming feelings of dark and foreboding thoughts that cannot simply be shaken off. It is the kind of depression that drives people to do desperate, often irrational things, including suicide. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-black-dog

On December 14, 2008 I traveled to the town of Terezin, Czech Republic with a German friend of mine. There is a former Nazi-controlled Jewish-ghetto-turned-concentration camp located there. Endless brick walls constitute the fortress—a sea of orange, yellow, and red bricks against a canvas of green grass, stretching long between the structures. Most of the walls and buildings were crowned with barbed wire. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/no-religion

As I traveled with my family along the highway winding through America's heartland, we were struck by the natural beauty of the landscape; mile upon mile of fields and forests, spotted with occasional towns. And then we saw it. In this of all settings it looked so out of place. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/stairway-to-hell

Declinism is the belief that a country or civilization is in decline. Today, many believe that things are indeed getting worse in the world. Is that thinking just so much collective pessimism, or is there really a decline? Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/declinism-or-just-cognitive-bias

Have you ever been rousted out of bed by an unexpected, urgent knock at your door? Instantly, your heart races and you hurriedly react. If this has happened to you, I hope it was a minor event that you handled in stride. In this age of rampant crime, including home invasions, the security alarm business prospers as people attempt to protect themselves and their property. Sophisticated systems are now available to let you know who is at your door, even when you are not at home. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-knock

Summer, one of my favorite seasons, is waning in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s hot and humid here in the American South, but everything about it—family trips, Fourth of July celebrations, and even the weather—is a wellspring of memories for me. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-festival-season-is-here

The average American would love to have a happy marriage to the right individual. Most people who divorce come to the conclusion that they were simply terribly unlucky in getting stuck with the wrong person. There is much to be said about being wise and choosing the right person to commit one's life to. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/mythology-of-divorce

Watching news reports, one could easily say that the rising level of hateful behavior is appalling! A United States representative called for harassing public officials of the opposing political party. A restaurant owner refused to serve a government official, while others refused to serve police. Hollywood actors and comedians say threatening, vile, and disgusting things against political leaders and their family members, stunning our sensibilities! Sadly, some applaud and cheer these rants rather than soundly condemning such behavior. Why is there so much hatefulness, vitriol, and out-of-control behavior? Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/why-such-hateful-behavior

The thistle enjoys an exalted position in Scottish heraldry, and is loved by the little passive donkey Eeyore, a character in Winnie the Pooh written by A. A. Milne. Personally, I do not like thistles, but there is a reason for their existence. Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/i-dont-like-thistles

“Have you quit smoking?… Smoking kills 1,300 Americans every day....” This headline introduces a recent Forbes report about the “Addiction Stick” habit. Eight times more Americans die per year from smoking-related health issues than died in the Vietnam War. But do you realize that quitting can save more than your life, even if smoking has already damaged you? Full text here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/never-too-late-to-quit

The sound of the cicadas was deafening as I walked along on a summer Sabbath morning, enjoying the breeze and collecting my thoughts after a busy and eventful week. I had so much to think about, and was trying to making sense of it from a biblical point of view. Yet, those cicadas were humming away so loudly, it was hard to concentrate. Full text here - https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-sounds-of-summer-0

Who is a friend in need? There are few things as satisfying in life as a good friendship. Children crave friendships intensely, and we continue to cherish our friendships through life’s waning years. The “texting” shorthand “BFF”—“Best Friend Forever”—speaks to a heartfelt desire that is almost universally felt. Who would not want a friend with whom we can share our days of happiness and joy, who will also be there for us when things are not going so well? Full text at - https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/a-friend-in-need

My father had a knack for fixing things. He was very mechanically inclined. On numerous occasions, I observed him fixing a broken, often poorly manufactured item and making it better than it was before. Sometimes he fixed what supposed “experts” could not. Broken things need fixing. Full text at - https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/fixing-what-is-broken