“Tom, do you believe in God?” “Yes and no. I believe there is a God, but I choose to believe in my higher power.” According to different religious surveys, more Americans believe in a higher power then ever before. In 2008, one survey found that 92% of American’s believed in God or a higher power. In another religious survey rolled out last month it found that atheism has doubled in America, and another pollster found that even 21% of atheists are open to belief in a higher power.
Alcoholics Anonymous coined the phrase “higher power” or HP in the 1930s through their 12-step program. The modern consensus of a higher power is something that is greater then yourself, which is some type of god or supernatural force. One website asked people to talk about their higher power. One person said they wanted a higher power that was “on my side and non-judgmental”. Another said, “Mine has a sense of humor and helps me”. One more said, “I sat down and wrote out a list of qualities I wanted in mine.”
Many people find comfort believing in a higher power because it gives them an alternative to how they were raised, brings flexibility to their beliefs and allows them to live how they choose. Yet, their higher power generally does not have a name and there is no reliable source to find a clear description of who their high power is or what it does.
Through my personal experience and study, I believe there is a Being who meets and exceeds what millions are looking for in their higher power. This Being is not just a wandering supernatural force among countless others. He is a person. He has a name. He is above all. And there is a reliable source where people can learn about Him.
This month millions around the world through Easter celebrations are remembering His life. His name is Jesus and you can learn about Him through the Holy Bible. Through reading the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you will discover Jesus. One writer describes Him as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (The Bible, Isaiah 9:6, ESV). I believe He is what you and many others are searching for. May Jesus be your hope for today.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A Lesson from Lincoln
On October 4, 2008, former President Bush signed a $700 billion bailout bill and last month, on February 17, President Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus package. The combined pieces of legislation represent $1.487 trillion, the most expensive government actions in the history of our nation and as one commentator said, “Maybe even the history of the world.”
The two bills were responding to a series of crises – the mortgage crisis, the banking crisis, the market crisis and the unemployment crisis. Depending on what party you are from you may see the solution differently. One party sees the answer in government spending more to simulate the economy, while the other feels it is better to cut taxes and allow the citizens to spend more. In the end, both look to money as the savior of our economy.
Former President Abraham Lincoln has been getting much attention recently. We can learn a lesson through observing how Lincoln and Congress responded to their national crisis. During the civil war, when our nation was literally divided and on the brink of collapse, U.S. Senator James Harlan of Iowa introduced a resolution for a time of national prayer. The resolution stated,
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!”
President Lincoln and both chambers of Congress agreed with Senator Harlan. The resolution was approved and signed on March 30, 1863, with an urgent call to a national day of prayer scheduled just 30 days later on April 30.
There are many other times in American history when our nation was facing difficult times. Our national leaders and its citizens formally humbled themselves and called upon God for His help – God responded!
May we realize that the future hope of our nation will not come from the wealth of our own wisdom or prosperity. It comes from God. May we not forget Him in this hour of need. In this fragile world, may He be our hope for today.
The two bills were responding to a series of crises – the mortgage crisis, the banking crisis, the market crisis and the unemployment crisis. Depending on what party you are from you may see the solution differently. One party sees the answer in government spending more to simulate the economy, while the other feels it is better to cut taxes and allow the citizens to spend more. In the end, both look to money as the savior of our economy.
Former President Abraham Lincoln has been getting much attention recently. We can learn a lesson through observing how Lincoln and Congress responded to their national crisis. During the civil war, when our nation was literally divided and on the brink of collapse, U.S. Senator James Harlan of Iowa introduced a resolution for a time of national prayer. The resolution stated,
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!”
President Lincoln and both chambers of Congress agreed with Senator Harlan. The resolution was approved and signed on March 30, 1863, with an urgent call to a national day of prayer scheduled just 30 days later on April 30.
There are many other times in American history when our nation was facing difficult times. Our national leaders and its citizens formally humbled themselves and called upon God for His help – God responded!
May we realize that the future hope of our nation will not come from the wealth of our own wisdom or prosperity. It comes from God. May we not forget Him in this hour of need. In this fragile world, may He be our hope for today.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Humanity of a President
Barrack Obama has ascended to the greatest seat of power in the world – the President of the United States of America. The ascension came with the sacred rituals given all presidents wrapped in an atmosphere of splendor with the praise of millions.
The public grandeur of the Presidential Inauguration was awe striking. Then following his oath of office, the private moments of President Obama walking into the Oval Office, assuming his new duties in the world’s most renowned political office, was breath taking.
As we see our new President carry out his role before a watching world, we might forget his humanity. We might think that with the pomp and circumstance of his rise, he is no longer human, but has been transformed into a tireless machine of power and influence.
Beyond the pageantry, President Obama is just like you and me. Throughout his future presidency, there will be public and private moments that display his humanity. Although he is President, he is also a husband, father, and son. In these roles, he will experience times of happiness and sadness, attention and isolation, success and failure.
Across the landscape of history, there was only one great world leader who never had to ascend to power, but always had it and still governs today. He is history’s only leader who was fully human and fully God. In His humanity, He grieved the death of a friend, was misunderstood by the public and betrayed by His friends. In His deity, He forgave sins, raised the dead and healed the sick. Who is this? Jesus. He is the Great King. He is the King of all Kings and President of all Presidents.
There is one person who is above all world leaders - Jesus. There is one person that can be looked to for wisdom and understanding by us all, including President Barrack Obama - Jesus. Jesus said about Himself, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (The Bible, John 14:1).
May we exalt Jesus above all and put our trust in Him alone, the Great King. May He be our hope for today.
The public grandeur of the Presidential Inauguration was awe striking. Then following his oath of office, the private moments of President Obama walking into the Oval Office, assuming his new duties in the world’s most renowned political office, was breath taking.
As we see our new President carry out his role before a watching world, we might forget his humanity. We might think that with the pomp and circumstance of his rise, he is no longer human, but has been transformed into a tireless machine of power and influence.
Beyond the pageantry, President Obama is just like you and me. Throughout his future presidency, there will be public and private moments that display his humanity. Although he is President, he is also a husband, father, and son. In these roles, he will experience times of happiness and sadness, attention and isolation, success and failure.
Across the landscape of history, there was only one great world leader who never had to ascend to power, but always had it and still governs today. He is history’s only leader who was fully human and fully God. In His humanity, He grieved the death of a friend, was misunderstood by the public and betrayed by His friends. In His deity, He forgave sins, raised the dead and healed the sick. Who is this? Jesus. He is the Great King. He is the King of all Kings and President of all Presidents.
There is one person who is above all world leaders - Jesus. There is one person that can be looked to for wisdom and understanding by us all, including President Barrack Obama - Jesus. Jesus said about Himself, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (The Bible, John 14:1).
May we exalt Jesus above all and put our trust in Him alone, the Great King. May He be our hope for today.
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