Scientists say, “While silence can be a conscious choice, a form of self-preservation, or even a sign of wisdom, it can also be perceived as an endorsement of the status quo, especially when injustice or wrongdoing is involved.”

Still others argue that some people remain silent due to a lack of awareness, or empathy for the situation. Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated that “there comes a time when silence is betrayal. This emphasizes that when silence allows injustice or suffering to continue.

Being silent is wise when we don’t understand what’s happening. Job’s friends misrepresent God and make false assumptions about Job’s character. They believe God is punishing Job for his sin, but they are wrong. Sometimes, the best counselling is listening.

The Bible offers guidance on when to speak and when to be silent, particularly when defending the vulnerable and speaking out against injustice. It emphasizes the importance of speaking truth and righteousness, while also recognizing the value of wisdom in choosing the right time to speak.

The Bible consistently calls on believers to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Proverbs 31:8-9 says to “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy”. To speak truth and righteousness: Speaking up against injustice and falsehood is a core biblical principle.

While it’s important to stand up for what is right, it’s also important to be mindful of the potential consequences of speaking and to choose battles wisely. Talk to God about it and invoke the Holy Spirit to tweak your thoughts.

When speaking to a fool, Proverbs 23:9 says, “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words” according to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

That sentiment reflects the idea that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength and self-awareness. Many people see asking for help as a courageous act, because it demonstrates that you are willing to admit limitations and seek assistance when needed. While others would rather fail than ask.

Help can lead to learning opportunities and greater success. Asking for help can also help you Improve relationships and free up time.  Asking others for help can strengthen your bonds with them. Also, delegating tasks or seeking assistance allows you to focus on your most important priorities.

In essence, asking for help is an important skill that can lead to personal and professional growth. However, you may have experienced people say,” If you need help, just ask” but when you ask, they are never available, or make you wish you had not done so. If you encounter someone like this, just ask someone else.

I will never forget when I entered graduate school, how it made me feel when my advisor would say, “Jerry, let me help you with that.” That was new to me. Many of my previous professors treated me like an adversary.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of asking for help, both from God and others. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; know and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-11).

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him/her ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him/her.” (James 1:5-6).  This is God’s willingness to provide and encourages believers to approach Him with their needs.

“What ever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it,” (John 14:13-14). Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you (Matthew 5:42).

While the Bible emphasizes personal responsibility, it also warns against pride and self-reliance.

On yesterday, 1 June, 2025, I met the biological sister that I never knew I had.  Over the years I have claimed many substitutes, only to be abandoned in a short time. This created a feeling of abandonment.

In addition, I have been saddened over the years that I did not have a sister, because I believed that if I had a sister I would have learned how to love sooner. Someone is responsible for my pain.

Perhaps they had a greater reason to do so. However, Jesus did not say that certain offenses are unworthy of our forgiveness. My prayer is to ask God to make me like Christ, so that I can pray, “Father, forgive them.” 

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1), where one of the disciples, after witnessing Jesus praying, asked, “Lord, teach us how to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” Jesus then proceeded to teach them a model prayer, often referred to as the “Lord’s prayer.”

The passage in Luke 11:1-4 provides the context for this request and Jesus’ response. It’s a significant event in the New Testament, as it highlights the importance of prayer in the Christian faith and demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to instruct His disciples.

God’s nature is forgiveness (Exod. 34:6-7). If we are to be His disciples, we must follow His example. Ask God to make you aware of those dark corners in your life where you are harboring resentment. It is better sooner, but never too late to do so.

Few things are more precious to receive than forgiveness. Jesus told His disciples to ask God for forgiveness every time they prayed, Jesus knew that we would incur debts daily, against God, as we inevitably fall short of God’s standard.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus instructs His disciples to forgive “70 times 7” (490 times) when someone wrongs them. Not that you are supposed to keep a running score, rather a call to unlimited forgiveness.

Jesus warned that we should expect forgiveness from God as we forgive those who sin against us. In other words, God will forgive us in the same way we forgive others (Matt. 6:15).

If we choose to withhold forgiveness from someone, our worship and prayers are futile (Matt. 5:23-24).

You will never have a problem-free life. Problems happen to rich people, poor people, educated people, uneducated people, sophisticated people, simple minded people. They happen to single people, married people, spiritual people, and unchurched people.

But not all people see problems the same way. Some people are overcome by problems. Others overcome problems. Some people are left bitter, and some are left better. Some people face their challenges with fear. Others with faith.

You don’t have a choice about having problems. But you do have a choice about what you do with them. One day you might seem to be on the top of the world, and the next day might seem like the world is on top of you.

Job 1:21 saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed. Job acknowledges the sovereignty of God, affirming that everything he had was a gift from the Lord, reminding us that our possessions are not eternal.

The world has order and beauty but it is wild and dangerous. Therefore, when we encounter hardships and trials, we should emulate Job, have true faith in God and come before God to pray and seek His will.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Trouble is part of life. The question is not if you will have difficulties. The question is how you will respond to them.

The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the son of God.

A heart surgeon, also known as a cardiothoracic surgeon, is a physician specializing in surgery of the heart and chest organs. They perform procedures to treat conditions like coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, and congenital heart defects, as well, as lung and esophageal issues.

The 10 Best Heart Surgeons in the world-updated 2025, come from around the world. All listed have 25 years or more in practice. They hail from the USA (2), UK (2), India (3), Spain (2), Canada, and South Africa. Dr. Naresh Trehan-India has performed over 40,00 surgeries and two prestigious Padma awards.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the worlds leading cause of death, claiming nearly 18 million lives each year, according to the world health organization. Heart attacks and strokes under-score the vital need for specialized cardiac care.

In a spiritual sense, I want to remind you that an evil heart takes its tolls also. Listen to the news each day and you will see. An evil heart is deceitful. According to this verse in Jeremiah, the default condition of our heart is not love, but deceit. The tools used by the surgeons above are not capable of helping you.

According to Max Lucado, Grace is God as heart surgeon, cracking open your chest, removing your heart—poisoned as it is with pride and pain—and replacing it with His own. Rather than tell you to change, He creates the change.

You do not have to clean up so He can accept you. No, He accepts you and begins cleaning you up. Grace is everything Jesus. Grace lives because He does, works because He works, and matters because He matters.

To be saved by grace is to be saved by Him—not by an idea, doctrine, creed, or church membership, but by Jesus himself. So, stop taking any credit for what you have done and give all the credit to Him.

God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romas 5:8).

Condescending remarks are statements or actions that imply the speaker is superior to the listener and are intended to put them down or make them feel inferior. It can manifest as “talking down,” insults, belittling comments, or even backhanded compliments.

Condescension can damage relationships and impact mental health. Her’s what it can look like:  Making statements that directly criticize or put someone down. Sarcasm or “jokes” disguised as humor. Using sarcasm or humor to subtly criticize or demean. Backhanded compliments. Giving compliments that are intended to be insulting or make someone feel bad.

Interrupting or mansplaining. Interrupting someone or explaining something to them as if they don’t know anything (especially when directed towards a female). “Over-helping” or lecturing. Offering unsolicited advice or overstepping boundaries by acting like an authority figure.

Condescension can strain relationships by creating a power dynamic and making people feel unheard or invalid. Being subjected to condescending remarks can lower self-esteem and negatively affect one’s mental well-being. If it is in the work environment, it can create a work environment where people are not treated with respect. It usually trickles down.

Sometimes we do not think that we are being condescending.  We think that we are doing the other person a favor. Constantly correcting the listener, even if it’s about minor details, can be perceived as condescending and disrespectful. So are non-verbal cues, such as eye-rolling or a condescending smile, can also contribute to the overall impression of condescension.

The experts will tell you to establish clear boundaries and assert yourself by stating that you do not appreciate being spoken to in that manner. However, we know that many times this comes from people who have authority over us and we have only two choices. Try to avoid them or grin and bear it.

When we encounter people who know nothing about our faith we might respond with ridicule or even judgement. Such as praying before a meal. But the Apostle Peter challenged us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” 1 Peter 3:15.

Then he warned, “Do this with gentleness and respect”.  In Colossians 4:6, Paul explained the power of such a response, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Just as salt on our food enhances flavor, salty answers invite others to come closer to faith.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To begin with, it helps to understand what Micah 6:8 means. One thing is clear and true about this verse is the language. God is literally saying I have shown you what it is to do. You have no excuses.

The Lord desires that you act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him, as stated in Micah 6:8. This verse is often called the “Micah Mandate,” it emphasizes that God is not primarily concerned with outward rituals or sacrifices, but with inner character and righteous living.

Act Justly: simply means being fair and honest in all your dealings, treating everyone equally, and upholding moral principles even when it is not popular. That can easily be interpreted as treating everyone poorly, or treating the poor terribly. Which is what we are seeing today.

Love Mercy: involves showing compassion and kindness, especially towards those who are less fortunately or in need, and responding with understanding and empathy.

Walk Humbly with God: signifies recognizing that your position and blessings are a gift from God, not a result of your own merit, and living in a way that acknowledges His authority and grace.

Although God was speaking to Israel, it applies to us also. Before I attended seminary, I saw no real reason to read the Old Testament. I figured I could learn everything I needed to know from the Apostle Paul. I soon learned that I was wrong. What led up to Paul making the changes that he made?

Little did I know, without understanding what happened before has a lot to do with what is happening now. Clearly there was a problem or it would not be a need to address now. History as many would agree repeats itself. If you are not aware of the past and make no changes, it will continue to repeat itself.

Every accident I have been involved in has occurred when I got angry about something that was simple and avoidable. The first one was caused by getting angry because I did not know the location where I was going and the person that I was taking did not either.

I expected the person that I was taking to the doctor to know all of the ins and outs of where we were going. I missed a convenient turn. I knew ahead of time that I was taking them. I should have pressed them for the address and given myself more time for errors. Afterall, the person was ill. That is why I was driving them.

Most human conflict such as shattered marriages, and ruined friendships are likely rooted in some form of unmanaged anger. Selfishness and power plays, unresolved misunderstandings, slights and counter-aggression are sometimes the culprit.

Yet Ecclesiastes offers wisdom, “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (7:9). It is foolish to have a short fuse and be easily provoked to anger, especially when God offers a better way—perhaps through “the rebuke of a wise person” (v.5).

Pursuing wisdom, we can “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts” (Colossians 3:5). We can live in wisdom and forgiveness as He helps us. So instead of getting angry when the driver crosses four lanes on I-285 to make their exit, I thank God that I was not hit. Prayer works.

When I was being taught how to drive, I remember the words I was taught over fifty years ago. “When you get behind the wheel of a car, you have to drive for yourself and every one around you.”

Expect others to do the worse, after all, you are the best driver.  Before you left home, in that prayer you should have prayed for travelling mercies and for everyone you encountered.

Do not let the person behind you dictate a risky move. If you get hit or hit someone else, you do not get a free “get out of jail” ticket by telling the judge the person behind you were blowing their horn.”