From My Perspective - - -

What is the greatest need in the world today? Where should nations place their focus? What should be the center of attention regarding current trends and realities? The answers depend on whether or not one is secular or spiritual centered and focused. When William Jefferson Clinton was the Democratic nominee for President, the campaign slogan and talking point quickly became, “It’s the economy, stupid.” The idea and thrust was to keep and stay focused on the primary issue of the day. If that same strategy was employed today, what should the major focus and thrust be? What should receive the most attention and represent the greatest urgency for the world today?

Some would argue that it is the long-term wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; others would suggest a general and expanding unrest with Middle Eastern countries and their leadership; and some would be focused on a shift from capitalism to socialism that is being championed as the answer for social and domestic needs world-wide. Is that the correct summary and approach? The Wall Street Journal for May 20, 2011 contains an article that states: “Senate Democratic leaders said Thursday they weren't yet ready to move ahead with a 2012 budget proposal, amid continuing differences within the party over the right balance between spending cuts and tax increases. The delay exposed Democrats to Republican charges that, even as the United States faced economically challenging times, they failed to draw up a blueprint for how the country should manage its finances. I think they are paralyzed, said Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee. A budget is fundamentally your vision for the financial future of America."

Newsmax contained an article in reference to Senator Tom Coburn resigning from the “Gang Of Six” – the “gang” was attempting to reach a bi-partisan resolve to the growing financial and economic crisis in the United States today. The headline on Thursday, 19 May 2011 was, “Oklahoma Senator Was Debt-deal Linchpin.” The body of the article states: “Maybe it was all a pipe dream — the idea that a Gang of Six from across the Senate's ideological spectrum could solve the nation's deficit despite enormous obstacles placed in their way…The remaining five are opting to plug ahead, but they may just be marking time after the departure of conservative Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, the crucial cog if the gang was ever going to be able to sell a deal. Meanwhile, the Group of Six Minus One was meeting again Thursday. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said the group's goal remains to get a long-term deficit reduction plan that would work and that could be sold to 60 members of the Senate, period…Conservative activist Erick Erickson wrote in a blog post. Together, their bipartisan plan will raise Americans taxes massively over the next few years and do nothing to solve the very real crisis of Social Security and Medicare. Every once in a while the stupid party and evil party get together and do something both stupid and evil. They call it bipartisanship…”

Is there an answer for the times in which we live? Would it be wise to detach the secular/social from the spiritual? Psalm 106:43-47 gives an insight in terms of the plight and remedy for our nation and world: “Many times He delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity. Nevertheless, He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry. For their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love. He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive. Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” The remedy is close at hand but we need to come to our senses and cry out to the Lord for His mercy, forgiveness and deliverance. If we do, He will remember His Covenant and His Steadfast Love will prove to be more than sufficient for all of our need. Maybe we need to recognize that before the Lord we have allowed ourselves to be sucked into what is obviously stupid and evil. The words of Psalm 107:4-9, “Some wandered in desert wastes…hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress…Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love…For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.” Consider these things with me!