ONE WORLD CURRENCY?
Are we in the days of a quickly developing one world currency? Is the stage finally being set for anti-Christ to come forth? Well the events with the world markets and financial crisis seems to be pointing that way as never before. At some point the various world economies are going to have to level the playing field so the currency in and of itself is not causing so many problems. The on-going battle between the Dollar and the Euro and the Pound and the Yen is not making things better - but much worse… this will have to be remedied to bring about any kind of solution to this crisis… “one currency” might be the answer. And all this time China is just watching and waiting to pounce on even more control of the world’s economies. Sadly most of this is greed related, and will continue to be so as long as we live with an “I deserve this and that” mentality.
In the mean time - our government is now buying up American Banks - through bailouts. So the question is when do they put in place “spending controls for individuals?” Let me suggest everyone gets a small “Bank of America” chip under your skin to stop credit card fraud and for the government to “control” individuals buying and selling - since the government where the ones who had to step in and bail out these naughty old banks and out of control American consumers.
And did you read about the meeting with Asian and European leaders last Friday and the agreement on economics they have devised? (See MSN web). Or yesterday our speaker at church talked about the French President coming the to the US a week or so ago representing the 10 nation confederation in Europe! So is the stage being set? Perhaps.
These are days to pray and not panic - but no wonder Jesus warned us in the end days to stay alert! (Matthew 24).
Just a thought… again.
Favorite “Past-time”; New York relief; etc.
OK here’s some comments from my Monday morning quarterback seat after a weekend of sports. FIRST, what is up with the TV networks and their obsession with these late games here on the east coast. Give me a break - whatever happened to playing the World Series in the afternoon? Or have you ever heard of delayed telecast - these are the days of the internet, dudes… if the people in the West want to see it live - just let them watch via the web… dah!
When someone said baseball was America’s favorite past time - the TV coverage is making this a reality… I mean past everyone’s time… past 11PM and 12AM and even past 1AM - come on… this has become crazy. Everyone is inconvenienced so Miller can talk about lite-beer… or Chevy can sell more pick-up trucks… I mean how many pickups do see driving around NYC or Boston or Washington DC… give me and every youngster who is a baseball fan a break!
On a lighter note… today we get a smiley face because Eli and the Giants came back and won a big one against the Steelers (sorry Gordon M) and how about Brett’s - Jet’s - nice come back for you guys as well.
Best of all is the Broncos had the day off… God knows they needed it.
This was a bad week for my sports teams… well the Giants did win - BUT…
Jets - lost to the Raiders… had to be “jet-lag”
Broncos- blasted and the jury’s out…
Yankees? … just plain out!
The power of influence
In 1768 a Christian minister named John Witherspoon became president of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton. While there he taught biblical principles of government to his students.
Of the 478 young men who were graduated during his tenure, writes author John Eidsmoe, “114 became ministers; 13 were state governors; 3 were U. S. Supreme Court judges; 20 were U.S. Senators; 33 were U. S. Congressmen; Aaron Burr, Jr. became Vice-President; and James Madison became President.” As a Christian, Witherspoon exerted an enormous influence on the direction of American government.
Something to think about?
OK - here’s the deal with the election at hand let’s unlock the door of our closed minds and consider the following…
Let’s get this out of the way up front: I’m not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation.
Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It’s an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It’s a continual power struggle and—from my humble vantage point—seems a bit flawed.
I’m someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I’ve realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.
I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.
Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.
The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that’s largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us?
If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward of the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that—whether or not the President shares your same values.
The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can’t foresee any situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?
Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?
I’ve heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I’ve read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.
There’s more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that’s where our focus should be.
Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don’t hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.
I’m not saying don’t vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard—that’s one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don’t let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.
If you have a passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn’t share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.
We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It’s not up to Washington, it’s up to us—and I say it’s time we step up and lead the charge.
But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just Nov. 4.
Can we give Relevant magazine writer Cameron Strang a big hand for his thoughts above and at least making us think? Come on… now… clap, clap, clap.
Bridal Song
This morning I did something I’ve never done before. I read the entire book of Song of Solomon in one setting. Now, not that it’s an amazing accomplishment - after all it’s only eight chapters - but I was amazed at how when you read it all the way through how it flows and how you get such a great slant on the message and the drama being played out throug Solomon’s writing.
Of course this is a love book about two love-sick people - in reality - King Solomon and probably the daughter of a Bedouin or Palestinian prince. Allegorically it’s a love story of the God of Heaven and his people.
What the Lord showed me this morning (I think anyway) was the whole bride concept. Now I’m not trying to start some great theological controversy or debate - but I think I gained an insight or two that you may want to ponder with me.
First make no mistake about it - this is a book about passion in our relationship with God. But second I think the Lord was showing me the bride concept has three connections - all are confusing to us - but not to God in his Triune character.
This book reveals through the Shunamite - a bridal relationship with a king. So think about it… Israel is the bride of the Father… The church is the Bride of Christ his Son… and the New Jersusalem (Revelation 21/22) is the bride of the Spirit.
Now if that doesn’t work for you - it’s cool. But I do encourage you to see yourself as the beloved of God… and get passionate toward him in return.
Ecclesiastes - good advise…
My personal devotion time in this book has been rich as I have worked my way through the brain-twisters of each passage. Of course often Solomon was speaking from a worldly point of view (he calls vanity; or things under the sun) so you have to be careful to discern whether his statements are of the world or of God which he also brings out at certain points throughout the book.
But this morning as I was reading in the 9th chapter it’s pretty clear the advise given is from God’s perspective and not the world’s. Now what he says in these verses make for a good way to go about your life every day… try this on:
Verse 7 - Choose to live with an attitude of joy! - “Go eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart for God has already accepted your works.
Don’s interpretation… favor in life comes much more from God’s grace than it does from our striving, so relax, enjoy each day and be thankful to the Lord.
Verse 8a - Choose to live a holy life! - “Let your garments always be white”
Don’s interpretation… Holiness will always serve you better than sin!
Verse 8b - Choose to live passionate toward God! - “And let your head lack no oil”
Don’s interpretation… oil is always representative of the Holy Spirit and his anointed presence - so it’s simple - strive to keep the Spirit’s oil flowing over your life.
Verse 9 - Choose to love your wife more each and every day (or husband; or if single - Jesus) - “live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life…
Don’s interpretation… relationships are key to happiness and your marriage partner must say at the top of the list in caring for relationships.
Verse 10 - Choose to live a productive and not lazy life! - “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
Don’s interpretation… Personal esteem is crucial to our well-being and being intentional about working hard and not being slothful will serve us well.
So, I hope these little pointers help you make it through your day with a little more hop in your step!
