The yellow and white flags of the
And as a colleague of mine observed in his blog-letter to his readers, what was also noteworthy was the papal absence in this itinerary. In a gala celebration thrown by the White House on the evening of the pope’s birthday, noticeably missing at that party hosted by arguably the most powerful political leader in the world was the guest of honor. He was attending a prayer service with his bishops. Though unintentional perhaps, the contrast was inescapable.
The point? Moral leadership is what the world hungers for in this hour of history. The protracted election campaigns of both parties in this nation have been a reminder that moral leadership does not naturally ensue from the pursuit of the highest office in the land. Nor does winning that office ipso facto bequeath the mantle of moral strength to the occupant.
So in the face of a crisis, where is the world to turn for moral authority?
It would be simple to simply answer, to God. But whose God? The God of the majority? The God of the most powerful? The God of the most persuasive? While privately, citizens of the world naturally turn to their own God, history has taught that in a crisis nations turn to leaders—the world would do the same.
Which being interpreted means that those who worship the Creator God have a window of opportunity that may not be long this open. Now more than ever it is destiny’s calling to be about our Father’s business, declaring far and wide: “Fear God and give glory to him . . . . and worship him who made heaven and earth” (Revelation 14:7).
That’s the invitation of “The Sabbath” and “God’s Party” that end today. Download the podcasts, ponder the teaching, and spread the good news. For in a time of moral crisis and global need, it is the Creator alone who must move front and center.
Are we at war with nature? E. O. Wilson thinks so. In his newest book, The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth, he offers this intriguing definition of nature: “Nature is that part of the original environment and its life forms that remains after the human impact. Nature is all on planet Earth that has no need of us and can stand alone” (15). I.e., nature is what has survived the global encroachment of the human race. Is he right?
Want to know why God doesn’t wear a watch? Probably because it would drive him to the same distraction it drives us! Ever find yourself racing across a parking lot or down a hallway or into a building or up a sidewalk . . . and constantly cocking your arm to check your watch? Someone once asked Mark Buchanan what his biggest regret in life was. He replied, “Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I’ve ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all that rushing.” (Spirit of Revival vol 39 no 1 p 10) Who has time to rest when we’re in such an insane hurry?
Want to know what one of the most contagious human activities is? Don’t be surprised. It’s yawning. That’s right—opening your mouth so wide it feels like your jaw might drop off as you breathe in all the air around you—that six second (on the average) act of yours will lead 55% of the people who watched you yawn do it themselves within five minutes! In fact, you don’t even have to see someone do it. The blind will yawn simply from hearing an audio tape of someone else yawning. In fact, you don’t even need to hear a yawn. Just reading the word can cause you to yawn (as I happen to be doing right now—are you?).
Is there a soul that doesn’t love a party? How about that surprise your mother threw for you long ago—remember? God bless her—how she pulled it off with holding down a job and keeping you and your siblings clothed and fed we’ll never know. But when you came bursting through the door after school that day, to your wide-eyed wonder the walls and ceiling above your family table were draped with brightly colored crepe paper streamers and festive skinny and fat balloons as far as the eye could see. The table was set with the accoutrements of children, and wafting in the air was the unmistakable mouth-watering hint that your very favorite cake was hiding somewhere, with a frosting decoration that was so totally you! And remember, no sooner were you home than the doorbell began to ring—all your little friends who’d been able (don’t ask me how) to keep the secret and show up on time for that grand and glorious event. It’s party time!
I watched a resurrection last Tuesday night. One of our viewers is a Pentecostal pastor with whom I’ve had the privilege of studying the Bible the last few months. It was my turn to visit his church this week, and no sooner had we sat down in his small sanctuary than he picked up a video and played it, “You need to see this.”
What is there about a rumor that gives it a life of its own? In this hyper season of politics and elections the talking heads of television thrive on rumors, innuendos and unsubstantiated stories. Why? Because rumors are the staple of our very human curiosity, the stuff of our fascination. And we often cling to them as hopeful corroboration for our personal convictions or strongly held opinions. “That’s what I believe—don’t confuse me with the facts!” The world loves a rumor.
There is an old Swahili proverb: “Travel with open eyes and you will become a scholar.” Our recent journey to the Horn of Africa was certainly an eye-opening experience for me. For two weeks we were able to slip behind the headlines of conflict and violence (of which we encountered none), and quietly observe the fingerprints of God upon two very diverse spiritual movements.