By KAREN SIMMONS

The recent economic crisis has sent people running to the banks to recover any money which may be potentially lost. With the Dow falling at record rates almost daily and the recent news of the $700 billion bailout plan not passing in Congress, we are reminded that things aren’t getting better.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/29/news/economy/bailout/index.htm?cnn=yes

More important than the historic events which are taking place, as disciples of Jesus, we seek to consider the heart. The primary issue through all these events has been the overriding theme of greed which continues to be expressed in today’s economic crisis. Whether we choose to point our finger at the people on Wall Street or the politicians in D.C., the truth remains no one goes untouched- even commoners like you and me.

We have asked a few friends to write on the topic of greed, the heart issue which has been unveiled by this historic economic crisis. Please read and give us your thoughts…

By BRAD OLSEN

Many of you have heard of Rob Bell before. He’s the dynamic pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan.

Rob reminds us that we are a “fusion of two realms.” So how we handle money, sexuality, forgiveness, reconciliation, business, school, work, play, recreation or any other human activity is innately spiritual. Rob develops this thought into a simply enthralling talk on the spiritual human makeup. This new video falls into the “must watch” category.

You can sample a few pieces of it on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poi3imQkQsQ or you can order a DVD at http://shop.everythingisspiritual.com/?adwords. Check it out.

By BRAD OLSEN

A Baylor University survey found some interesting results, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If the opinions of today’s Americans are any indication, people from more cultural groups will gain access to Heaven than 40 years ago. In the study, the percentage of people who thought “half or more” of the following will get into heaven:

• Average Americans: 54 percent.
• Christians: 72 percent.
• Jews: 46 percent.
• Buddhists: 37 percent.
• Muslims: 34 percent.
• Nonreligious people: 29 percent.

Compared to the same study done in the 1960s, Americans are much more inclusive about who will walk through the “Pearly Gates”, one Baylor researcher said.

What has caused this drastic change in numbers? Are Americans becoming morally confused or spiritually enlightened? Some may cite increased globalization as reason for the more encompassing religious understanding than what our parents held.

Regardless of the reason, the religious dialogue is changing. For example, another part of the study gives the percentage of people who said they had these experiences:

“I was protected from harm by a guardian angel”: 55 percent.
“I felt called by God to do something”: 44 percent.
“I witnessed a miraculous physical healing”: 23 percent.
“I heard the voice of God speaking to me”: 20 percent.
“I prayed or spoke in tongues”: 8 percent.

The average American seems to be more awake to or at least more articulate about the spiritual world they are experiencing. Again, I wonder why and how this change came about…

The study has had substantial media coverage, which can be found at http://www.baylor.edu/pr/bitn/index.php?id=40906. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Frederick Buechner once wrote, “The magic of words is that they have power to do more than convey meaning; not only do they have the power to make things clear, they make things happen.”

One way words “make things happen” is by the somewhat magical potential they hold to connect people and foster relationships. Words come equipped to do such things by having the capacity to evoke a certain image, tone or emotion. Words are in fact the basic building blocks of communication.

“Oh, that’s just semantics,” people say as they write off someone’s thought. Well truthfully, everything is semantics. Words make a difference. And when you speak (or write) a word that is a second cousin to the intended one, you risk misunderstanding.

Enough of the sermon. You’ll have to pardon me. I’m a recovering newspaper editor.

The story told of the beginning of things reveal the importance of words to God. He spoke creation into existence (see Genesis, chapter 1). And God showed through his allowing Adam to name the creatures (Genesis 2:18-24), to create his own language for the things around him, that these words we use hold great significance to God.

As we (once again) kick off the revolworks.com blog, we are reminded of the importance of words. Here are a few things to remember:
- Not everything you read is true, especially on the internet, and including our website. I learned this very clearly in the newspaper and radio industry. Even with the full integrity of the writer, people sometimes get things wrong. So don’t believe everything you read or hear, even on our website.
- Some words mean different things to different people. The word “Christian” stands at the top of this list. So we’ll try to explain everything we can. If you still don’t understand, don’t hesitate to send your question to the writer.
- As important as doctrine is, we don’t advocate any particular one here. Some of our writers may discuss their particular views. We encourage this, as well as any healthy disagreements that may result. But we adopt no particular religious, political or social affiliation. Our goal remains to seek to follow Jesus.

Keeping these things in mind, we ask our writers, as well as those of you who will respond, to write using inclusive words and to avoid defining. We invite you to describe your experiences with Jesus, and hope that in the midst of each of us knowing him separately, we may all come to know him more completely.

Let the conversation begin…