In Genesis 1:26, God speaks, "...Have dominion over all the earth..." While there can be a considerable debate over the exact meaning, most interpreters agree that His words mean to take control as representative or stewards and certainly not as executives or military officers. I personally refer to – as the best example – the story of the talents in Matthew 25:14. When God gives us not just money but perhaps an ability, He expects a good return on His investment. So, I can say that we are to take care of His world and make it better than we got it.

I think about Eden and our ancestors and what a great beginning they had living in paradise! All the food they needed for starters, and the best news, nothing was out there to hurt them, except some okra and black-eyed peas. They slept under a blanket of stars and awoke to a day of extraordinary exploration. Let's not argue over their temptation, failure to make the right choice and who's to blame. What's done is done and here we are today making the same dumb mistakes.

Since this is not a research paper in Anthropology, let's agree that we've come a long way from Eden to our present-day century, sort of. We are extremely well-educated – if we chose truth over politics – technologically sophisticated and reasonably sociable, again, if we exclude politics. We are also very capable of destroying ourselves at the touch of a button if the weather doesn't do it first.

We now live in a world that seems to have dwindling resources, over-population, constant fear of terrorism and global warming. In the past years – and more frequently – bad news is normal.

"Here's the rub," says our old friend Shakespeare. God doesn't need an apologist or Mother Nature to blame when bad things happen in our neighborhoods. Anyone of us can be in the wrong place at the wrong time facing some lone gunman or raving lunatic.

Before everyone falls into a complete funk, let's stand up and shout, "Thank God for today! I have today to make a difference. I have this moment to turn the world around. I may be unable to change what is out of my control, but I sure have the ability to accept the fact that I am alive and how I live today is completely up to me!"

Let's all agree with this. We must all have courage, a willingness to work for the good, a belief in the hope for humanity and total trust in God who loved us enough to make the perfect sacrifice so we can continue to exist and care for the world He has given to us. We cannot change the past or control the future. But, folks, we do have the now! God will take care of the rest.

Thanks, God!