Economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton recently developed the phrase “deaths of despair” to describe the sudden rise in deaths from suicide, alcohol and drug abuse. Ross Douthat summarizes the details of a recent Senate Joint Economic Committee that charts the scale of this tragedy: “A doubling from 22.7 deaths of despair per 100,000 Americans in 2000 to 45.8 per 100,000 in 2017.” Such self-destroying trends in America are brutal facts we must all face.

Ten years ago a protest movement began in America called the Tea Party. The various tea parties that dotted the nation insisted on a set of demands: Stop President Obama’s health care law; tame the national debt; and restore responsible government. Several Republicans were elected under the Tea Party banner. But, the Tea Party movement is dead, no longer a factor in the Republican Party’s ideology.

The practice of personal faith is based on one’s knowledge about God, His revelation and His redemptive plan centered in Jesus Christ. But in this Postmodern, Post-Christian era, religion has deteriorated into a matter of experiential, autonomous choice, not revelation. Compared to Western European countries, America remains a highly religious country. But religiosity does not equal sound doctrinal convictions. One of my favorite authors today is sociologist Christian Smith, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology at the University of Notre Dame. Smith has authored a series of books that superbly analyze the culture of American teens and emerging adults (18-30 years of age).

The results of living a life pleasing to God, and how the purpose for all things is realized in Jesus.

Historian Jon Meacham recently posted a story intentionally seeking to humanize, sanitize and legitimize euthanasia. He writes: “Tuesday [6 August 2019] was to be the day — in the morning, because everything was taken care of. The goodbyes had been said, the tears shed, the coffin handmade. In the spring of 2018, Dick Shannon, a former Silicon Valley engineer with untreatable cancer, took advantage of California’s ‘death with dignity’ law to end his own life once all other medical possibilities had been exhausted.

In-depth discussion of Paul’s thanksgiving for the faith of the Colossians, and his prayer for their spiritual growth.