NPB and NPC …

This week I had the privilege of being part of the National Prayer Breakfast in DC. In addition to many valuable conversations with new and old friends, I was so impressed with speeches given by Tony Blair and President Obama. As I listened to them, I kept thinking about that special clarity that comes after a storm. I wondered if, after the storms of “culture wars” in which religion has so often been used as a weapon, we might be able to enter a time where faith motivates us to “justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,” as the Apostle Paul described the kingdom of God in Romans 14.
I believe it was Tony Blair who quoted a Muslim Hadith that said, “None of you truly believes until he wishes for others what he wishes for himself.” Obviously, these words resonate with Paul’s, when he said that knowledge puffs up but love builds up, or John’s when he spoke about our inability to love the invisible God when we don’t love visible people, or James when he talked about faith without works being dead … and most of all, with Jesus’ life and teaching at every turn.
Last night I flew to San Diego, where I’ll be speaking for a number of groups (see my schedule for details) including the National Pastors Conference. This is always a great gathering of people … Maybe I’ll see some of you in the next few days.