Yes, you failed. It ended badly for you. Bankruptcy, nervous breakdown, divorce, the loss of any relationship with your kids, or maybe a physical adventure that went sideways and ended in you getting to know the fine folks of your local hospital. Endless possibilities come to mind when it comes to the ways we can lose at life.

The many emotions of grief are usually compounded with guilt and regret for things said, things not said, or things done or not done. One often can't get beyond forgiving themselves or others who directly or indirectly affected the loss. This is not only a challenge for those who have lost a loved one to death, but results from many losses in life, such as divorce, foreclosure, relationships, finances and the like.

In the world we live in, people seem to be so beaten down by the everyday struggles of life. I have very few days when I don’t visit with someone who is burdened down and losing hope. Some seem to be so tired and weary. Psalm 46:1 (NKJV) tells us: “ 1 God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”

Scissortail Hospice Chaplain Bristow, Oklahoma Children Children are precious gifts from God, and we need to remember them when the family is going through a tragic death. Children who are old enough to love are old enough to grieve.

The Depew Church of Christ recently hosted Lanny Tucker of Eastern European Missions, who shared many exciting stories about providing free Bibles in people’s heart languages with us, including this one: In May 2023, I had the privilege of traveling to Serbia to meet some of our ministry partners distributing Bibles. Drasko Djenovic, our Serbian co-worker guided us to meet nine ministry partners working for Christ in a culture where about 85% practice a very nominal Orthodox faith.

In the world we live in, people seem to be so beaten down by the everyday struggles of life. Some seem to be so tired and weary.

We were created by our God to be different from each other. We all have different personalities, likes, loves, dislikes and downright detests. Unfortunately, too much of the time the detests are each other.

Many radio stations for years broadcast a newscaster/ commentator named Paul Harvey. He would begin his program, “And now, the rest of the story.” He gave startling news items hinting at our perverse civilization.

Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT): “ 22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, He went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once.

Who determines right and wrong? Is there any absolute truth? Pollster George Barna discovered that nearly threequarters of all Americans reject the concept of absolute truth. To the vast majority of Americans truth is relative.