when stock markets crash, when oil spills into the ocean, when wars spin out of control, and yes, when marriage vows are broken, we do well to remember that God's love is our rock.

The only thing over which we have control is what's inside us, what we cultivate in our souls, what we are really seeking in our lives. What life choices, what attitudes, what values, what goals, what priorities will we choose this time around?

The house I hope to be a part of building each day is the one built on righteousness. To be builders of this righteous house means that we move beyond the afflictions, perplexities, persecutions, and violence of today.

If you act on Jesus's words, you'll be like the fellow who builds on rock. Your life will be steady, unshaken, permanent. But notice that Jesus does not say that you won't encounter any storms in your life.

Scripture endures because billions of people from different religious traditions have looked to it and found comfort in times of hardship, wisdom in times of confusion, ethics in times of selfishness, beauty among shadows, and faith in times of doubt.