“Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!” is the chant kids use when they catch someone who is deliberately fabricating the truth. But what about when a lie is more subtle, more indirect or seemingly harmless? Sometimes lies are transparent (such as when a country calls an unprovoked invasion a “special operation”).

It’s been over 75 years since “the bomb” was dropped on Hiroshima, ending World War II and entering the nuclear age. Since that time our world has lived with the constant threat that someone might use the nuclear option again. We have all come to understand what that means.

“Almighty God, … give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow our words and actions to be governed thereby… Before all else we seek… the blessings of Almighty God… May we pursue the right – without self-righteousness… May we grow in strength

I’m not an alarmist when it comes to political events that occur on the world stage, but the attacks by Russia on Ukraine have certainly set off some alarm bells and may also be a needed wake-up call for the church. The world has not seen anything like this since World War II.

Love is in the air this time of year. Red heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolate line the shelves of stores. Flower growers have timed their roses to be in full bloom. Those little candy heart abound with trite sayings of yearning affection on them. Ask most people to define love