The Teacher tells us in chapter 8 how to deal with those in authority. He first tells us to obey just laws as a way of organizing our shared life. Then as a counter-move he tells us to obstruct unjust laws as a way protecting the marginalized and vulnerable in society.

Many people sleep walk through life not wanting to wake up to the way the world operates. The writer of Ecclesiastes serves us a cup of strong coffee and dismantles how we think the world works. He offers a better vision called wisdom.

Qoheleth understands the pull of prosperity. However the power of Hevel does not make the playing field level. The problem of life is not prosperity but the pining for prosperity at the expense of the things that can lead to peace.

We all carry a concealed weapon everyday The mouth is the holster and the tongue is the weapon. The Teacher like other writers in Scripture urges his readers to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

No one stays the same in life. We are either progressing in our understanding of life's critical issues or we remain stuck in a box of simplicity that does not require us to think. In Ecclesiastes chapter 4 the writer has his eyes opened to the oppression of mankind. He concludes the toil of life is made easier in the context of a community.

Faith is the ability to enjoy our place in the story God is writing in the seasons of life.

The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us to enjoy the pleasures of life but to always remember they will be elusive and in the end will eventually pop like an air bubble.

On the carousel of life one of the most important things is the realization that we have each other.

Chasing pavements is the pursuit to find meaning in life. How do we find out identity and purpose?

We spent Labor Day weekend looking at the beauty of our world and the cross as we participated in communion and a new baptism