Last week, European Union leaders met to discuss the rapidly changing scene on the continent and how to respond (Politico, February 12, 2026). Pressured by the cratering economies of multiple EU nations and the need to take charge of their own security, EU leaders seem to have concluded that a two-speed or multi-speed Europe is necessary to the bloc’s survival.

Have you noticed a proliferation of swearing? Political candidates and elected officials are “dropping F-bombs” (obscenities) increasingly without fear of public disapproval. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has regulations prohibiting obscenity and profanity on TV and radio, but the broadcast moderators today must be busier than ever “bleeping” out the cursing. What does the Bible have to say about profanity?

In many cultures, married couples wear wedding rings—an outward display of their commitment to each other. Now, in our brave new world where lawlessness abounds and the love of many grows cold (Matthew 24:12), some women are celebrating “freedom” from what they view as the shackles of marriage by wearing “divorce rings” (The Guardian, January 20, 2026).

Germany and France have had an on-again, off-again relationship for decades. Recently, that relationship has soured. Germany sees France as undermining “the landmark Mercosur trade deal with South America, which the Germans have long wanted in order to promote industrial exports. Germany is also considering pulling out of a €100 billion joint fighter-jet program over disputes with the French” (Politico, January 23, 2026).

A young woman once went to her grandmother and told her about the difficulties of her life and the hardships she was facing. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling—whenever one problem was solved, a new one seemed to pop up.