god is dead

The provocative opening line to Kyle's sermon this morning.

After a few minutes, it became clear that he meant god-- or gods, really-- not God.

With the recession and threat of financial meltdown, the extent of idolatry toward material well-being and financial security have become more obvious. Of course, no one likes economic distress or uncertainty, but the response of many has revealed idolatry.

Moreover, the response toward the government-- both the general public and their politicians-- has revealed idolatry toward politics, believing that they can fix what they cannot.

My friend Andy Burdsall runs a financial planning/services business. And in talking with him this morning, it became clear that he (and others like him) are at "ground zero" of our economic troubles. He is seeing all sorts of attitudes and behaviors toward wealth and investments. It must be difficult to handle the wide variety of hearts/characters that are now being revealed by this trial.

The best news in all of this: such character/heart issues are always present, but often invisible. This is an opportunity for those people to take inventory not only of their material wealth but their spiritual well-being.

In whom/what do you put your trust and faith?