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Today we spend much time and money gaining knowledge. The cost of a college education is extremely high but very important to have. In this day and age it is often expected to go on with your education and get a Master's degree and even a Doctorate. Even after finishing school and getting a job we are required to take continuing education classes so we can keep current in our field and expertise. Over the years I have learned to enjoy gaining more and more information. There is never an end to what you can learn.

The topic of conversation at church the past few weeks has been the persecution throughout the world for believers who stand firm for Jesus Christ. There are many faithful men and women who have persevered through difficult trials, even to the point of imprisonment and death, without backing down on what they know to be true. What gives these brothers and sisters the strength to carry on in the face of terrible suffering? What would I do in a similar situation?

I can still see the little girl with the blonde pixie haircut sitting in the front row on a small wooden chair. All of the children had taken their seats in order by age as the Sunday School superintendent called all to order. She straightens her pink flowered dress and takes one last glance at her new, shiny, patent leather Mary Janes before the music begins to play. A big smile brightens her face and she sings out lustily the words to one of her favorite songs.

I grabbed my 5-gallon bucket and joined a group of workers headed out into the field. Scanning the horizon I saw a hundred or more laborers carrying buckets, driving John Deere Gators, and pulling trailers. Each had the same purpose in mind - to support our friends and neighbors after a violent tornado had taken a path of destruction through their homes. For miles remnants of the houses and barns along with the contents were strewn across the newly planted fields. When I arrived much of the large items had been picked up and thrown into piles where backhoes were pushing them into huge pits and burning them. Yet there was still a good deal of smaller pieces of sharp metal, glass, and other construction materials to be gathered from the fields.

How many times have you ignored a warning? I've done it. Just a couple of days ago despite the tornado warnings that were all over the news I headed out the door to go to the school for Abigail's band concert. Upon arriving at Cedarville High School I parked the car and ran to the door to escape the impending rain clouds that threatened a severe storm. We were all immediately sent to the enclosed instrument practice rooms to wait for the all clear signal. Even then I toyed with the idea of just going home, but thought better of it when the principal suggested I wait in the school office.

Have you ever prayed long and hard for something and not seen what you consider an answer? Maybe you are praying about a decision that you need to make, a loved one who needs to come to Jesus, or a relationship that has gone bad. When praying for difficult things we look and look for God's answer. When it seems that nothing tangible has changed in our situation it is easy to start thinking that God hasn't heard us, doesn't care, or maybe we are just asking for the wrong thing. It is tempting to give up and only pray for "easy" things. This is not what God wants from us.