“The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings” (Proverbs 18:21, ERV).

            A disturbing trend has been observed near the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina. During the early months of the year, right whales leave the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean to mate and raise their calves in the warmer temperatures of South America. Marine biologist, Maria Piotto, has observed sea gulls attacking young southern right whales. The gulls persistently swoop down and peck at the calf’s flesh as the baby whale breaches the surface for air.

^“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”   (2 Chronicles 15:7, NIV).

          Steve was a professional baseball player. Steve was also my high school classmate and friend. Following a successful amateur career at Notre Dame, Steve was drafted in the sixth round of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Guardians).

“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up” (2 Corinthians 4:8, ERV).

          Last Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Lombardi Trophy by beating the Kansas City Chiefs in convincing fashion by a score of 40-22. Since that time, many have taken to social media to decry the Chiefs season as an epic failure. One Kansas City headline read: “Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes fail in quest for 3-peat.”

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, ‘How can I help?’” (Romans 15:1-2, MSG).