Who is a friend in need? There are few things as satisfying in life as a good friendship. Children crave friendships intensely, and we continue to cherish our friendships through life’s waning years. The “texting” shorthand “BFF”—“Best Friend Forever”—speaks to a heartfelt desire that is almost universally felt. Who would not want a friend with whom we can share our days of happiness and joy, who will also be there for us when things are not going so well?

In the last 15 years, scientists have uncovered evidence of a “sleeping” giant subduction zone (The Cascadia) 60 miles off the West Coast.  The 800-mile-long fault runs from northern California to Vancouver and closely resembles giant faults off the coasts of Chile (9.5 quake in 1960), Sumatra (9.3 quake in 2004), Alaska (9.2 quake in 1964) and Tohoku, Japan (9.0 in 2011, causing the devastating tsunami).

There is a very old saying about money: “You can’t take it with you.” Truly, when life is over, we leave everything behind. This ancient bit of wisdom comes right out of the Bible.

Life’s most simple and yet profound pearls of wisdom are found in the pages of the Bible. The modern-day maxim that we “can’t take it with us” is found in the book of Ecclesiastes, written by ancient Israel’s King Solomon. Ecclesiastes is a book filled with eloquent advice, sharing truths about fleeting human life. As it reminds us, our life’s work and pleasures are all-too-brief.

The nation of Israel has long benefited from its geographical location.  A recent Stratfor report summarized the risks to Israel, based on its geography and its past.  Throughout its history, Israel has been able to defend itself against its neighbors, and even a combined attack by more than one neighbor was relatively easy to repel because of its unique geography.  What history reveals is that only external powers with clear military and financial advantage have been able to overthrow Israel (e.g., Assyria, Babylon, Britain, and Rome).

A special assembly of the German parliament just elected a new president to replace Christian Wulff, who recently resigned amid scandal.  The 72-year-old Joachim Gauck, a former Lutheran pastor, commented on the news of his appointment, “What a glorious Sunday!”  Angela Merkel is the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. Both also hail from the former East Germany.  Mr. Gauck has four children and is divorced.  His partner (not his wife), will take on the responsibilities of “first lady” (BBC.com, March 18, 2012).