It was just after my ordination into the ministry that it came to my attention that George (not his real name) was secretly smoking.

A church member for several years, George knew that Christians should not do anything which will ultimately cripple or kill us, since we—our bodies—are the temple of God's Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). He had already lost a lung to cancer many years before, and of all people he should have known better than to continue smoking.

The world is at war over oil! It has been going on since World War I. It used to be said that armies marched on their stomachs – and this is still true – but the food, supplies and munitions that armies have used since 1914 have mostly been delivered via oil-burning ships, aviation-fueled aircraft and trucks thirsty for gasoline.

There is tremendous interest in biblical matters today. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit here in Charlotte, North Carolina is drawing large crowds of people from all faiths. These ancient relics appear to confirm that the Bible we have today is remarkably intact.

The absence of a stable family, including both father and mother, in all too many cases can produce maladjusted offspring. Cruelty and meanness have many times been associated with children raised without the constant influence of both loving parents.

The entire world is abuzz about the blockbuster book by Dan Brown, and the movie version, which recently hit theaters worldwide. Critics have excoriated the film, but people seem to be fascinated by it and are attending in droves.

Recently, as I waited for a laboratory technician to take care of some lab work, I overheard her chatting with another patient. The patient asked:

"Have you read the DaVinci Code?"

"Yes," she replied, "It was fascinating!"

"Will you go to see the movie?" he asked.