In the last 15 years, scientists have uncovered evidence of a “sleeping” giant subduction zone (The Cascadia) 60 miles off the West Coast.  The 800-mile-long fault runs from northern California to Vancouver and closely resembles giant faults off the coasts of Chile (9.5 quake in 1960), Sumatra (9.3 quake in 2004), Alaska (9.2 quake in 1964) and Tohoku, Japan (9.0 in 2011, causing the devastating tsunami).

There is a very old saying about money: “You can’t take it with you.” Truly, when life is over, we leave everything behind. This ancient bit of wisdom comes right out of the Bible.

Life’s most simple and yet profound pearls of wisdom are found in the pages of the Bible. The modern-day maxim that we “can’t take it with us” is found in the book of Ecclesiastes, written by ancient Israel’s King Solomon. Ecclesiastes is a book filled with eloquent advice, sharing truths about fleeting human life. As it reminds us, our life’s work and pleasures are all-too-brief.

The nation of Israel has long benefited from its geographical location.  A recent Stratfor report summarized the risks to Israel, based on its geography and its past.  Throughout its history, Israel has been able to defend itself against its neighbors, and even a combined attack by more than one neighbor was relatively easy to repel because of its unique geography.  What history reveals is that only external powers with clear military and financial advantage have been able to overthrow Israel (e.g., Assyria, Babylon, Britain, and Rome).

A special assembly of the German parliament just elected a new president to replace Christian Wulff, who recently resigned amid scandal.  The 72-year-old Joachim Gauck, a former Lutheran pastor, commented on the news of his appointment, “What a glorious Sunday!”  Angela Merkel is the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. Both also hail from the former East Germany.  Mr. Gauck has four children and is divorced.  His partner (not his wife), will take on the responsibilities of “first lady” (BBC.com, March 18, 2012).

Most of us have been asked the question, “Can you do me a favor?” We commonly reply, “Sure,” right before being confronted with a task we are not able or, frankly, willing to do. In today’s society, we often do not give such an exchange a second thought, even though in that moment we have given our word and broken it.