March 08, 2009
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Why the Sky Is Not Falling Economies around the world are suffering. In the US, stocks representing the value of companies have fallen to less than half their value at the peak to reach the lowest level in 12 years. What's going on? Sue and I ate breakfast with a couple in their late 80's. Faye had just had a stroke affected her ability to remember certain words. It also set off her arthritis. Her husband, Vern (82), is a retired painter. They shared how they had a vacation home that won't sell because the market had fallen so badly. Faye shared that she knew how to use a chain saw and how they had cleared the land to build the house. You could tell this was a couple that started out with no particular advantage beyond their work ethic. What struck me most from out chat with Faye and Vern, who lived through the depression and World War II, was a simple phrase, "when the economy recovers." They know it will. Not all believers do understand that. Eschatology - I've also been pleasantly surprised that we haven't heard the normal chorus of predictions that the end is near and Jesus will soon rapture the church as the culture descends into chaos. Sure there are still a few, but it doesn't feel like believers are storing up canned goods and heading for the mountains - thankfully. If you're still suffering from the drum beat of theological doomsayers please read Harold's book Victorious Eschatology. God is not judging the world's materialism and greed through shakeups. He obviously could, that's just not what's behind this turmoil. Economic pullbacks are are part of a natural "rest cycle" that is actually good for the economy and good for people. It feels like they happen about every seven years. It does recalibrate greed and materialism but it's not coming from an angry God. He loves this nation. Our job, as Christians, is to figure out how to get the train back on the track with new ideas and innovative solutions. We have the answer - or at least we know the one who does! Leading - Christians in business and in government have an opportunity to lead with a real solution. Yearning for that level of spiritual leadership is exactly the sentiment behind President Obama's popularity. Whether he or another will deliver remains to be seen. So far the markets have voted "no" on a subtle drift toward socialism because the policies hinder the entrepreneurial spirit that fueled the blessing of God on America. Socialism tends to regard all people as equally motivated and productive and deserving the same degree of blessing. In fact, civilization and the Kingdom of God have always been a combination of outstanding leadership and accomplishment next to poverty caused by those without motivation or a dream. I like this bumper sticker. "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher Giving money apart from work fuels a sense of entitlement, erodes self esteem, and cements a poverty mentality. Welfare has nearly destroyed poor segments of American society because it eliminates the need for a bread winner and removes fathers from families. Whether it's politically popular or not, God really does favor those who work hard and take responsibility for whatever opportunities they do have. We want people to be successful and wealthy in all areas. They are examples that convince us we can do it too. The Tipping Point - What's the answer? We will turn the corner in faith when we take responsibility and grapple with the issues. "Faith" understands that there is a solution waiting to be found. I don't think we've heard it yet. Although we should help those who are struggling, it's simply not within the power of any government to make poverty disappear. Poverty is a mindset that is only broken by a dream and the hard work of implementing it. The tipping point is really within the people of God. So far, we are still in a process of giving ourselves permission to dream and find the full expression of God's will within our own heart's desires. The tipping point occurs when we realize that an entrepreneurial nature that results in prosperity is the product of the spiritual and Biblical foundation that has been laid in our lives. We're on the eve of a contagious manifestation of Kings that will set an example of creativity, innovation, prosperity and generosity. Gordon Brown recently challenged the US congress to "lead the world out of this crisis." There is a prophetic quality to his statement. I believe the US is called by God to do exactly that. Kings in government and business have an opportunity to display the glorious intervention of God... through men and women in the marketplace! We're the ones called to bless the nations (Gen 12:2-3).
We're Dancing,
John and Sue www.Releasing-kings.com
PS: I want to recommend some follow-up reading.
You're invited into the vision to release Kings; communicate the message, make the money, and do the mission.
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