Something About The Joy

Dear President Obama, I read with interest the thoughtful, loving letter you wrote to your daughters when you were first elected. You wanted to introduce them to life in the White House.   I appreciate your desire to care for all children as you would your own.   You want “ every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you(r) girls have.”   You say this is why you became president. These are lofty goals and I’m glad you want to create a world in which all children can dream and grow and thrive.   But I’m puzzled about one thing.   I’m wondering why, in spite of your good intentions, some children do not appear to come under the nurturing, protective umbrella of your government.   Do all children count?   Or are you leaving some children behind? What about children in the womb?   Do you want them to be able to dream and grow and thrive?   Do you want for them “every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment” and the advantages

Jesus calls us.   And He calls us gently.   Jesus Calling , is a gentle book.   It reflects Jesus' tender heart, especially to broken people, and it ministers in a particularly effective way to people who are hurting and need strong reassurance of God's love. However, as I use this book in my personal time with the Lord, I feel called to read with caution.  Sarah's journey toward a deeper intimacy with God, as described in her testimony at the beginning of the book, has obviously prepared her for a special ministry to hurting people.   The lessons she has learned in her faith walk are ones that we, in the North American church, could learn much from.   Our tendency to distrust the more charismatic elements of the faith has hindered our ability to minister effectively to the people around us.   We have too long been in denial about how broken our own society is, and a broken society needs the tender touch of Jesus for healing. In fact, we are all broken