This week a National Intelligence Estimate was released by the U.S. government stating that Iran had "halted" its nuclear weapons program in 2003. Did you hear that? I did a double take! It went on to say this decision shows Iran is "less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005." According to this estimate by America's intelligence agencies, Iran, heretofore the Middle East's biggest threat, was being downgraded in status. The world was once again safe. Or is it?

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued an alternative view. Israel, the country directly in the sights of Iran and the Arab world, has a different intelligence estimate. They sense Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. It is widely believed that Israel's Sept. 6 attack on a Syrian facility short-circuited efforts to assemble nuclear weapons. Israelis live in a dangerous neighborhood and have a much different viewpoint from the rest of the world.

But sometimes our neighborhoods are dangerous too.

Yesterday at a shopping mall in Omaha, Nebraska, people were going about the business of the country, shopping, when a deranged gunman opened fire from the third floor of a department store killing eight innocent people and then turning the gun on himself. What was a pleasant afternoon in the mall turned into another unspeakable tragedy.

Time and chance can happen to any of us. When asked about the death of innocent people in His day, Jesus Christ said that tragedy can unexpectedly visit a life. He added, "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Life is precious, but it can be all too brief when it intersects with people and events beyond our control. Isn't it time that you stop and ask whether you truly understand the reason for your life?

Christ wants you to understand the purpose for your life and begin to fully live with that vision. Only then can you feel safe and secure—in this world and the world to come.

Our December issue of World News and Prophecy is now on the Web. We lead with an article by Melvin Rhodes on the state of the dollar on world financial markets. Economics is not always presented in an interesting manner, and when we tackle the subject, we don't have the space to go into the detail the subject deserves. But Melvin's approach puts the matter into the context of a longer history. Changes are in store for the American dollar on world markets, and this article gives you an insight you won't find elsewhere.

I have received several comments on my earlier article, "Are We Living in a '9/10' Economy?" One person told me this week that it gave her a whole new perspective on the financial landscape. There is a lot to understand in today's fast-changing world. Stay with us and we'll help navigate you through.

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