A Travel Guide for Life, Faith, and Relationships!

Recent tragedies have sent many into an emotional tailspin. Millions of people are suffering from trauma overload, and depression is growing over the state of affairs in our country.

Consequently, I wonder . . .

How many more innocent people need to senselessly die at the hand of a terrorist before we get desperate enough to deal with the root of violence and evil in our world?

How many more teenagers must commit suicide (the number two killer of teens in our country) before we realize something is terribly wrong?

How many more marriages need to be blown up by pornography or infidelity before we see what’s happening to the family unit in our country?

How many more children in our world must die from starvation or unclean drinking water before we are fed up about those not being fed?

I’m shocked. Baffled really.

How can the condition of things on planet earth continue as is without millions, billions perhaps, coming to realize that something is fundamentally wrong with humankind? What will it take for us to do whatever it takes to change?

Notice, in the title of this post I said I’m mad at hell which is far more effective than being mad as hell. Being mad isn’t bad, but just being mad, even flaming mad, doesn’t typically produce much change or result in much good.

James understood this when he wrote, “Human anger is a futile exercise that will never produce God’s kind of justice in this world.”  James 1:20 (VOICE)

So, here’s my question: What will produce God’s kind of justice in this world?

Is money the answer?

How about technology?

Okay, maybe we just need the right person in the right political office?

Oh, I know, the answer is found within us. We simply need to unlock our inner peace and light, and then we’ll all play nice together.

Nope. The answer is not buried deep inside us or found in technology or politics. (Sorry.)

If I know anything after 60+ years on terra firma, it’s this: we humans are fractured, broken, self-centered and deeply flawed. We’ve all failed. Miserably. And no amount of human effort in self-improvement will get us where we need to be.

Despite what you might be thinking, that’s not pessimism; it’s a realistic assessment of thousands of years of human existence. Left to our own devices, our own means and methods, we still miss the mark every time.

Yes, I know that in many ways we are better off than our ancestors were, but we haven’t figured out how to overcome or eradicate hate or prejudice or fear or selfishness. Not on our own.

That’s the bad news. Here’s some good news: God knows us, and He hasn’t left us to figure this life out without Him.

What is the answer to terrorism, suicide, broken relationships, and the plight of the poor? What brings transformation to individuals, families, and communities? What overcomes hate and prejudice?

Better put, who is the answer?

Jesus.

I refuse to pull any punches here or mince words anymore.

We need another great outpouring of faith in our country and our world. In the truest sense of the word, we need revival. We need another Jesus-people movement that touches hearts and changes lives. Nothing else, and no one else can fix us.

I’m mad at hell because the enemy continues to blind too many to this one simple and powerful truth: Jesus came to save us; to rescue us; to redeem, restore, and renew us.

He is the answer.

As Christ-followers, we need to get mad at hell and pray earnestly for one thing above all—a Jesus revolution.

It’s time.

³ There was a time when we, too, were foolish, rebellious, and deceived—

we were slaves to sensual cravings and pleasures;

and we spent our lives being spiteful, envious,

hated by many, and hating one another.

⁴ But then something happened:

God our Savior and His overpowering love

and kindness for humankind entered our world;

⁵ He came to save us.

Titus 3:3-5 (VOICE)