Journey the Crossroads

Has turning on the news the past few weeks made you a little queasy?  I have certainly  had my moments.  I read a blog from one of our inspirational mentors, Brian Houston of Hillsong Church in Australia the other day that really hits on how we as Christians need to respond to the big mess that our nation is struggling with right now. 

Enjoy!

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The last days?

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September 29, 2008
Can you ever remember a week for international headlines like those we experienced in the past week?
 
Here are just a few attention grabbing examples:
 
• John McCain: halts presidential campaign for economy crisis talks
• U.N. Head: “Global Financial Crisis Threatens Fight Against Poverty”
• Bush: “Our entire economy is in danger”
• Warren Buffett: “bail out economy or face meltdown”
• Iran’s Ahmadinejad Addresses United Nations, Declares ‘American Empire’ Reaching ‘End of Road’
• EU Warns Iran Nearing Ability to Arm Nuclear Warhead
• North Korea Removes Seals From Nuke Plant, Bars Inspectors
• Russia arrived with its Navy in Venezuela for exercises today; AND
• Russian President Medvedev  announces the large scale production of nuclear vessels to begin immediately
 
Add to these headlines:
·  The terrorist bomb and fire in Pakistan’s  Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. 
·  The recent terrible hurricanes that ravaged the Gulf Coast which give us another example of the raw destructive power of storms and natural disasters. It was declared by many news reporters and government officials that the USA’s, Gulf Coast’s infrastructure cannot take much more of this!
 
Of course, in Australia, we are facing many of our own deep spiritual, social and economic problems. Many people are hurting.
It is easy to see that we are truly living in perilous times, and isn’t that what Jesus warned? That in the last days, “perilous times will come?” 

Without attempting to give answers to all this, or attempting to place blame, I believe it is time for Christians to get serious! 
• Serious about our relationship with Jesus and our commitment to put Him first in every aspect of our lives.
• Serious in our prayer for friends and family who do not know the love of Christ.
• Serious in our prayer for our national leaders and for those with influence over world affairs.
• Serious in our commitment to learn from the fallout that ‘the greed of a few’ has produced on Wall Street, and to set our own priorities right.
• Serious in our determination to trust God with our everyday affairs, and in our expectation to see His miraculous power at work in our personal circumstances.
 
Here is a good Psalm to remember:
“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.”
(Psalm 27:13-14, NLV)    
 
I love the faith adventure! But I am also very mindful of the urgency of the hour.
God bless you as you commit to living your life reliant on His great grace and power.
 
The best is yet to come!