Recently, a group of friends and I saw the movie “The Imagination Game.” The movie featured a real-life person, Alan Turing. Alan grew up a very bright, but lonely schoolboy – perhaps because of his inability to understand humour, tact and diplomacy. Even so, he excelled in mathematics and especially loved to solve puzzles.

At one point, when Alan was very discouraged, his friend, Joan Clarke, said to him: “Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.” That reminds me of 1 Corinthians:1:26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: which says: “For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise men according to the flesh are called, not many mighty, not many noble.”

Anyone with investments knows that investments go up and they go down. If you invested in resources, with the fall in oil prices, your investment portfolio will be have made a down-turn. It seems that we can’t win in this. Or, we lose on our investments and find the cost of our daily commute goes down.

Recently, the prime lending rate was reduced. This will result in lower borrowing rates for consumers. The down side is that housing prices will most likely increase due to more people getting into the housing market. Whether this helps or hurts you depends upon whether you may be in the market to buy or sell.

This week many Americans, along with many others outside of the United States, watched President Obama as he gave the state of the union address. Pundits around the world analyzed the speech and gave their take on what to expect in the coming year.

Here in our country, the Bank of Canada just lowered the interest rate. This was done to help stimulate the economy. It seems there is concern everywhere about what the next year may bring. There is no longer an expectation that the future is rosy.

It seems that the evening news goes from one tragic event to another. The whole world was tuned into the tragic events in Paris last week. We are holding our breath realizing that extremists seem bent on becoming terrorists. And, we realize that it can happen in our own back yard!

On top of tragic world events, we hear of local incidents – stabbings, shootings and other violent crimes – that affect the lives of so many on a daily basis. It happens in areas known for crime as well as areas that are considered to be safe. It hasn’t been that long since a portion of a street in my own neighbourhood was cordoned off with yellow police tape. Residents were shocked to learn of a “suspicious death” that occurred there. That death was later determined to have been a homicide.

Over the past few months, we have listened to a barrage of news stories claiming that Bill Cosby drugged and assaulted women over the years. Then a story closer to home broke as, Jian Ghomeshi, the popular host of Q, a syndicated CBC Radio program was accused and eventually charged with sexual assault.

Finally, we have learned that some male students at Dalhousie University were making highly inappropriate remarks about female classmates on Facebook. This has led to allegations that the faculty

was aware of the practice. It has also caused some to feel uneasy about the possibility of someday going to a dentist that graduated from that university.

We see more and more young people going to bars to meet a special someone. At the same time, you can hardly watch television without seeing an ad from an online dating company that promises a means of finding the ideal partner.

During this time of year, liquor stores do a booming business as everyone stocks up for the holidays. Parties will highlight alcohol consumption. Of course, there will also be the usual police check points  to stop people who may be driving while intoxicated.

Does the Bible provide any guidelines for drinking alcoholic beverages? Actually, it gives a very balanced approach. The Apostle Paul advised the young evangelist, Timothy, to drink a little wine for his stomach’s sake (1 Timothy:5:23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.). Notice he said “little.”

Other Scriptures let us know that it is not permissible to drink to excess. Proverbs warns that a drunkard will come to poverty (Proverbs:23:21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.) and the New Testament tells us to not keep company with a drunkard (1 Corinthians:5:11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.).

This week, many in our congregation visited an elderly member who is dying. It was important for us to offer our support by showing that dear friends were there to give comfort. It was also important for each of us as we said our goodbyes to a much-loved individual.

Some people avoid at all costs going to see someone in the hospital. Others refuse to attend a funeral. Perhaps it is that each of these occasions reminds us of our own ultimate fate. As Elbert Hubbard once said, “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.”

It is hard to see the suffering some go through prior to their passing. Of course, nobody wants to suffer or see our loved ones to suffer. Perhaps that is part of the reason for avoiding hospitals. But, perhaps an even greater reason is that none of us want to think of our own end.

This time of year the stores and malls are packed. There are times when it is difficult to even find a parking place. We are pressed for time but find that what we must do will take longer as the checkout lines are as jammed as the parking lot.

Of course, for many this isn’t the only concern this time of year. For those who observe Christmas, there are presents to buy, special food and drink to stock up on and parties to attend. All of this puts extra strain on an already tight budget.

Does the Bible offer any advice about wealth and our attitude toward money? Does it give guidelines of how to handle our finances, where to spend and what our priorities should be? Check out the Managing Your Finances booklet. It might help you prevent making some crucial mistakes.

Anthony Wasilkoff

Last week, I had the opportunity to watch the movie “Monumental.” It was produced and narrated by Kirk Cameron. The documentary focuses on the history of the founding of the United States. Even so, it should have special meaning for each Christian here in Canada as well because it points out the commitment those who came to North America had in God in spite of great personal hardships. It also shows the tremendous value they placed on integrity, principles and family.

From time to time, people wonder how the United Church of God – Canada can afford to send out literature free of charge. There is never a “fund raiser” or a letter pleading for additional funds.

In fact, we follow the instructions found in Matthew:10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.: “Freely you have received, freely give.” God has granted His precious truths at no cost. Thus, we should likewise provide them freely.

But, how is that possible? We do sponsor a television program, Beyond Today , as well as subscriptions to The Good News magazine to thousands of people – free of charge. Also, there are the many booklets we mail to all who ask for them and do so gratis.