#[Mark 12:28-31]; [Haggai 1:5-6]; [Daniel 1:3-21]
Wayne Smele asserts that genuine Christian living requires more than worldly success; 'enough is not enough.' Drawing from the story of Daniel, a Hebrew prisoner of war, Wayne highlights Daniel's commitment to God amid opportunities for power and influence in Babylon. He emphasizes that Daniel resolved not to defile himself, keeping God at the center of his decisions despite cultural pressures. This decision, Wayne argues, demonstrates that Daniel saw the future as a 'frontier' – a time and attitude to include God in every opportunity. Wayne connects this to the contemporary Canadian experience of 'anomie,' a state of flux between fading old values and emerging new ones. He cautions against spiritual shortcuts, referencing Philip Yancey's anecdote about a neighbor's failed tree pruning attempt. Wayne references Jesus's teachings in Mark 12, where loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself, is paramount. Wayne uses the story of a dog confined to a porch to illustrate how a limited worldview contrasts with the expansive reality of living with God at the center. Wayne concludes by affirming that God is more concerned with our future than our past, offering continuous opportunities for renewal. Brenton Cox shares insights from his time at Mountain View Bible College and encourages parents to consider a year at Rocky Mountain College for their children as a foundational spiritual journey before pursuing secular education.