On February 4, 2011, the asteroid 2011 CQ1 narrowly missed the earth, coming within 3,400 miles (5471 km). Five days later, a larger asteroid called 2011 GA7 passed within 65,000 miles—both astronomical near misses. On February 15, 2011, a silver streak appeared in the sky over Pennsylvania and was seen in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland. Some astronomers are concerned that an astoroid named Apophis will strike the earth in 2036.  Will this be earth's doom?

Looking down the road is a good idea. Taken literally, it makes you a safer driver. Using the phrase "looking down the road" as a metaphor for having vision and foresight can help you anticipate dangers and avoid other kinds of accidents and problems. It can also make you a better employee, a better parent, a better student—and a better Christian.

On January 25, Pope Benedict XVI again proclaimed his desire "to ignite a fervent missionary movement in the Catholic Church," stating he wants to advance "the entire Catholic Church into a new missionary age" in 2011 (Catholic.org, January 28, 2011).  While this movement will ultimately contribute to fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 47:8–9 and Revelation 17:2–5, an aspect of this rejuvenated "fervent missionary movement" already affects billions. This is the growing emphasis on Sunday observance.

The burden of debt on this nation is overwhelming! The United States' government is staring at the need to raise the debt ceiling again above $14 trillion. All but several of the 50 states have budget deficits of billions of dollars. Why did the wealthiest nation in the world come to be in this condition?

Profound sadness is the deep emotion one feels when we learn of the death of a child of tender years. It is an emotion that once gripped me strongly, when I learned of the death of two children, ages nine and twelve, a little boy and a girl having fun in the snow, sledding and doing what kids do until—they fell through the ice in a pond and drowned. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other died a little later in the hospital, as efforts to resuscitate failed.