There are a lot of commercials lately pushing people to invest their money in gold. Even G. Gordon Liddy has gotten into the act, although I am not sure how masterminding the Watergate break-in would qualify someone to give investment advice, but what do I know. As more and more companies are getting into the act, I can only guess that people are in a gold-buying mood. And call me cynical, but I doubt that it is because they have done extensive market research on the price of gold historically and related to other precious medals or commodities.

The magazine,Christianity Today, ran an article where they asked various authors, theologians and editors this question: What was the most significant change in Christianity over the past decade?. Cathy Lynn Grossman, religion reporter, for USA TODAY, gave this answer:

"A widespread abandonment of Christian doctrinal commitment — even doctrinal knowledge. Forget the rising number of people with no religious identity; the news to me is the vast number of self-identified Christians who have no real knowledge of, or deep commitment to, a specific Christian faith. You could say they were watering down Christianity's teachings, but I question if they even know those core teachings."

I find this very troubling and I agree with her. The number of people that were Christian in name only and are dropping the name is not that troubling. But when the faithful can tell you what their faith is all about, then you have a problem. Christians are letting the core doctrines be completely changed not because they don't care, but because they don't understand what is essential and what is not.

It is ironic that we who live in a literate society and have access to more Christian books than anyone have an inadequate understanding of what the faith is about.

I wonder, what books have you read that have really helped you understand and follow Christ better? If you send me your recommendations, I will share them with others so they know where to turn.

A few weeks ago I was headed into Kohls with our youngest daughter to return a couple of items. I had helped her out of the car and then gathered up the merchandise. As we made our way to the entrance of the store, walked close to the line of parked cars. The challenge came in crossing the last 30 feet where cars passed between the store and us. Normally, I would hold her hand but this time my arms were full. After letting a couple of cars pass, there was a break and I stepped forward, calling for my daughter to come with me.

On August 5, 2009, "the most difficult, heart-wrenching days" were over for two US journalists. Laura Ling and Euna Lee landed in the US, after having been freed by North Korea for illegally entering the country. They had been held captive for 140 days and had been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. It is hard to imagine what it was like for them as they spent each day alone in fear and in hunger, uncertain whether the next person to appear would take them to the labor camp.

Looking off of our front porch, you see the most splendid tree. This maple, unlike the other trees around the house which are mostly trunk with foliage only on the top, has the shape of a vase. It has a beautiful shape and, it gives its shade in the hottest part of the day. It is a treasure!

As I was admiring it yet again, I noticed a number of dead branches on it, parts of the tree that were at one time living and useful but now just hang there, looking dead.

"We need a good wind," I thought to myself.