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God never intended for everyone to do what they see fit

By Mark Wilmoth Five hundred years before Christ, the city of Athens, Greece, birthed the world’s first known democracy. Though only male citizens could vote (women and slaves were excluded), the idea that people might determine their own laws and rule themselves was attractive, considered a great step up from the despotic rule of kings. Even the arbitrary rule of kings, however, proved better than having no rules at all. Judges 17:6 (NIV) describes conditions in Israel before Saul was anointed as Israel’s first king: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw ...

Each of us needs to be in the worship assembly

On September 7, 1995, Baltimore’s Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s previous Major League consecutive game record by playing in 2131 consecutive games. Before he was finished, Ripken set the new record at 2632 games, the equivalent of going more than 16 seasons without a missed appearance. When asked why he had never missed a game despite injuries, slumps and personal problems, Ripken responded, “I wanted to be there.” The owner of a New Orleans restaurant chain served as the president of several civic organizations and also as an Elder in his local church. Despite his busy ...

The next Catholic archbishop of New York seeks ‘a church that builds bridges’

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Hicks is set to be installed Friday as the 11th archbishop of New York in a ceremony at the revered St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan where dignitaries and laypeople from all walks of life are expected to gather and celebrate. Previewing the Mass to reporters on Thursday, Hicks said he will talk about his vision for one of the largest archdioceses in the nation that serves roughly 2.5 million Catholics in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island in New York City, as well as seven counties to the north. He also plans to include plenty of references to Pope ...

Leaders change the world through action

When the Soviet Union overran and annexed Latvia back in 1940, the American Charge d’Affaires ad interim, John Wiley, worried that Red Cross supplies shipped to Latvia for humanitarian reasons would be seized by the Soviets. Wiley asked permission from the State Department to fly the United States flag above the Red Cross warehouse to deter Soviet interference. The State Department responded, “No precedent exists for such action.” Wiley promptly raised the American flag over the warehouse and cabled back, “As of this date, I have established precedent.” Good for Wiley. He saw ...