In our reading today from Ecclesiastes 12 the Preacher finally ends his struggle to find meaning in life with a very simple yet profound conclusion – “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (v.13).

It’s not very easy to admit you’re wrong. In fact, sometimes you need something very dramatic to happen in your life to have your eyes opened, and that’s what happened to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.

The first verse of our reading today in Acts 8 tells us “Saul approved of his [Stephen’s] execution.” The first verse of our reading today in Acts 8 tells us “Saul approved of his [Stephen’s] execution.” He was there when Stephen was stoned to death, but didn’t physically join in the execution, instead “the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul” (Acts 7:58).

One of the reasons why God puts us through trials is for us to develop empathy with others. In Deuteronomy 15 the principle is explained in the law about how Israelites were to treat their slaves. During the year of release, they were to “let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.

Gold has been a store of value for millennia. It took that mantle because it is relatively rare and never deteriorates.

Why? Have you ever asked yourself this question? We all know that we should pray, and probably that we should pray more. But why do we pray? I would like to consider this question as we examine some key prayers in the Bible, the prayers of Jesus.

It was Sir John Dalberg-Acton who uttered the famous phrase “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men..." Which makes me think of today’s readings, the trial of Stephen and the extreme injustice he received at the hands of men in a position of power and authority.

Today’s reading of Jesus’ interaction with the woman of Samaria is interesting from several angles, especially if we consider it from a first century Jewish perspective. For one thing, we see a man who broke through social boundaries because of his compassion. A man talking to a woman in public, according to rabbis in the first century, was questionable, but especially on theological issues. It was even frowned upon for a man to talk to his wife in public.