The Greatest Social Need

The latest edition of Christianity Today magazine had an interesting article that stated something I have believed for a long time. Here's an excerpt from the article:

The most profound social problem facing humankind is alienation from God. It is in fact the first social problem. After Adam and Eve eat of the tree in the midst of the garden, the Lord God - with whom they have had warm fellowship - seeks them out. But they hide in fear and shame. From this, the bibilical story unfolds to reveal murder, lust, greed, loneliness, pride, oppression, and a host of other evils that plague humankind.

The biblical picture is clear. The breakdown of society is rooted in the breakdown of our relationship with our Creator. And the biblical response is equally clear: The way out of social chaos begins with people being restored to God. This won't solve all social problems immediately. But transformed individuals go hand in hand with transforming social networks.

I truly believe that one of the reasons why the church has lost some of its influence in society is because so many of us Christians fail to intentionally live out our stated beliefs. In 2009 my preaching will center around this theme of restoring people to God and giving people tools that will help them live more consistently and transparentally with God.

Merry Christmas, Son

Eight Christmases ago, Mitzi and I were buying each other baby gifts and nursery furniture as we prepared for the arrival of our son Cooper. However, we never got to bring home from the hospital - as he died five days after his birth. And a little over a year passed before I stepped foot again in the beautiful nursery we had prepared for him.

Every Christmas our family replaces the flowers at Cooper's grave with a Christmas tree complete with baseball ornaments. We also put a stocking with his name on it right beside ours and Hope's...but I still miss him.

Merry Christmas, Son.