Tomorrow's World Commentary

On Thursday, May 5th, in Syria’s war-torn Homs province, beautiful music temporarily drowned out the echoes of bombs and gunshots. On a stage where Islamic State militants once murdered their victims and destroyed ancient artifacts, a Russian symphony orchestra played familiar classics. What prompted this brief interlude of peace and normalcy amid the ongoing terror? Full text here: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/music-in-the-midst-of-war

Once, while I was waiting to watch the news, I remember several ads that were playing. There was nothing remarkable in this, by itself; ads are part of the daily bombardment of modern society. What got my attention this time, however, was that one ad was about a video game, and the narrator mentioned right from the start: “Rated for Teenagers.” I then saw image after image of men in body armor shooting other men in body armor, of explosion after explosion. They were selling destruction—supposedly saving a world from something, but destroying everything in their path. Right afterwards was an ad introducing a new Star Wars video game, saying: “You are part of the Rebel Alliance, set to destroy the Empire.” Again, violence, war and destruction were promoted. Full text here: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/lord-when-will-all-of-this-end

There is a natural curiosity that young children possess. They look upon scenic environs with wonderment, awed by the beauty and the variety of plant and animal life they encounter. What a child sees is unfiltered and not yet fully processed and categorized—making what they see new and captivating. Full text here: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/you-really-do-want-to-know

When we think of Jews returning to Israel, what comes to mind? Holocaust survivors seeking a fresh start in a nation that seeks to support rather than exterminate them? Impoverished Russian immigrants fleeing an oppressive Soviet Union to practice a faith they barely know? Zealous Orthodox faithful emigrating to Israel (Aliyah) to immerse themselves in their religious practice? Twenty-five years ago, one small community of Jews fled to Israel, in the process challenging some observers’ assumptions and expectations about the worldwide Jewish community. Full text here: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/bringing-beta-israel-home

Disaster after disaster, misery heaped upon misery—drought, fires, floods, earthquakes, wars, diseases—dominate the news these days. Does it seem as if these things are growing more intense, or is it just that they are “better reported” than ever? Full text at: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/apocalypse-or-business-as-usual-0

God gave the Holy Spirit to His Church on the Day of Pentecost, but few understand the meaning of this Holy Day. God’s Holy Spirit is vital for true Christian living, but many are unaware of what it is, what Pentecost is, and what it means to Christians today! Full text at: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-spirit-of-pentecost

In Greek mythology, a chimera was a grotesque, fire-breathing monster usually depicted with the head of a lion, a goat’s body and a serpent’s tail. But the creation of modern-day chimeras—lab-grown human-animal hybrids—is moving beyond the realm of mythology or science-fiction—which is raising disturbing bioethical concerns. Full text at: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/human-animal-hybrids-the-science-and-ethics-of-chimeras

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, Dutch speed skater Sven Kramer was heavily favored in the long-distance track, already being a world champion in all the events in which he would compete. He raced to a world record time in the 10,000 meter event. Unfortunately, his coach accidentally told him to change lanes at the wrong time during the course of the race, which got Kramer disqualified. Full text at: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/winning-by-the-rules

Once the nation of the United States of America was established, what role did religion play in the years following? Was there a wall of separation between religion and the state? Many believe that the founding fathers delivered the nation from the influence of religion and the Bible. Let us examine the facts. Full text at: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/amnesia

Today in our society, we seem to be inundated with visual images of human sexuality. You see it everywhere: ads in the newspaper, scenes on television and in movies, magazines, the Internet, and on the street—people wearing tight or skimpy clothing that screams, "Look at me!" It all encourages roving eyes and roving minds. Is all this perfectly harmless, or does it have a potential impact that is harmful if left unchecked? Full text at: http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/dangers-of-visual-immorality

Why would someone build a bridge to nowhere? Either they do not realize where they were headed, or they just are not the sharpest tool in the shed. The fact is though, all of us have constructed our own bridges to nowhere—in other words, spending a lot of effort on something that will never take us to a useful destination. Chances are, most of us have, at one time or another, held onto grudges—which are effectively bridges to nowhere. Full text at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/a-bridge-to-nowhere

Many people enjoy a good mystery. Mystery books by authors like Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock and a host of others appeal to the desire for suspense and intrigue—and memorable characters such as the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes capture our attention with their adventures. But what about another book, that far predates these others? Do you regard the Bible as a “book of mysteries?” Full text at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/a-good-mystery

Every day, all day, our “inner voice” chatters away at us in an internal monologue we have with ourselves. This “discussion” can be positive or negative, and greatly impacts our life. Full text at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/are-you-talking-to-yourself

What happened to the “functional” family? You know, the one with a Dad and a Mom and children centered around the home, doing the things families do, working together, playing together, laughing and sometimes crying together? Full text at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/take-the-dys-out-of-dysfunctional

All husbands have a deep-seated desire for their wives to believe in them. Many husbands do what they do for the admiration of one woman: their wife. Ladies, remember back when you were first dating your husband? You gladly and enthusiastically played the role of his cheerleader; you motivated him with your eyes that were filled with pride and admiration. You were generous in your lavish praise and uplifting words which deeply touched his heart. When he married you he thought the cheers would last forever. Full text at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/r-e-s-p-e-c-t-your-husband

What if you could travel the Earth, expenses paid, from Africa to Jerusalem and from Asia to the Americas? Well, one man is doing that, right now! No, he will not literally tread across the Pacific Ocean on some kind of special rubber gadget footgear… but he is covering a lot of distance on foot, in service of National Geographic.

What is the difference between most of modern Christianity and the teachings of the Bible? The answer may be very surprising, but a short analogy comparing the Bible to a real conundrum concerning weights and measurements may help you understand… More at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/commentary/the-weight-of-the-bible

I was reading the comics today (not as much fun as it was when I was a kid, to be sure, but still a pleasant diversion in the morning) and one of the comic strips caught my eye.

"If it bleeds, it leads…" seems to be the rule that newspapers, television, and other news sources use today—and they have no shortage of heinous crimes and tragic occurrences to write about.

When I was in high school, I was in a one-act play that reached the state finals. Our last competition started at 9:00 p.m.—on Friday evening. As a Sabbath-keeper, I wasn’t able to participate. One girl from our cast asked me, “Can’t you miss church once?” She casually added, “God would understand.”