Sometimes, seemingly dull details can be very important. Like bond markets—who notices them? In case you haven’t been watching, big movements are occurring in the bond markets that could have big implications for the U.S. economy, the U.S. government and even the world economy.

I still remember once stopping at Starbucks to enjoy a hazelnut iced macchiato, when something interesting happened. The lady who was in front of me realized at the register that she had forgotten to put her wallet into her purse! In her embarrassment, she apologized and told the cashier that her sister was coming to meet her, and that she would pay for it. Since I was next in line, I took the opportunity to pay for her drink. This simple act of kindness made all the difference to both the woman and the cashier, and provided me an extra shot of motivation for my day!

Earlier this year, thousands of workers crowded into a huge building known as the Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This building housed several clothing factories, where workers endured deplorable working conditions not uncommon in many developing countries. As the workday unfolded, the building suddenly began rumbling and shaking. However, this was no earthquake, but the imminent collapse of the shoddily constructed building itself!

Many historians have written about the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. From Edward Gibbon’s epic work to modern books on the subject, numerous reasons are offered for Rome’s decline that offer interesting parallels to America’s declining power and prestige. Could America also fall?

From the barbarian hordes and the over-extension of the military to moral and political decay, the reasons given by historians for the Roman Empire’s decline and fall are wide-ranging.

My wife and I once had the opportunity to rescue a baby deer that had become separated from its mother and was on the verge of dying. While we were driving to and from a deer rehabilitation center in North Carolina, we began discussing our experience, and it became quite apparent that there is a great deal of responsibility and joy associated with taking care of God’s creation. We saw this experience as a God-given opportunity to help us learn some vital lessons in how important it is to tend and keep the earth.