Syria recently shot down a Turkish military jet fighter, and shot at a rescue plane looking for the downed jet (Reuters, June 26, 2012).  In response, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stated, “Every military element approaching Turkey from the Syrian border and representing a security risk and danger will be assessed as a military threat and will be treated as a military target.”

As 2012 unfolds, erratic weather conditions are jolting the United States.  A sudden, severe storm with 90-mile an hour winds left three million homes in the eastern U.S. without power.  Downed trees cut power lines, stopped air conditioners during 100-degree temperatures, stopped gas pumps and shut off traffic signals, snarling traffic.

July 4 is the day the United States celebrates its independence. Many nations throughout history have fought for their independence and have set aside days to mark their attainment of it. Is independence and self-rule the real answer to mankind’s search for peace and happiness? Sometimes, when injustice or oppression, either real or perceived, becomes too great, people will follow movements to "rise up" against, "throw off," or reform a system.

When I was a youngster, we lived close to a blacksmith’s shop. The smith was a man trained to take a piece of metal, heat it, beat it, and cool it—thereby producing needed and useful articles. His tools were simple, his strength was great, and his eye was keen. The blacksmith’s implements were few: a hammer, anvil, and forge. His forge was used to produce heat; his anvil was a large piece of solid metal to pound on with the hammer. He performed a vital service for the local community, and what he taught us remains relevant today.

In the recent Egyptian election, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi emerged the victor (Agence France-Presse, June 25, 2012).