July 17, 2008

Dear World News and Prophecy Subscriber,

It has been two years since I started this biweekly newsletter to our subscribers. My purpose has always been to make a connection with you, the reader, and to give you something of value as an aid to your life.

Sometimes that value comes from an analysis of a world news item. Two years ago when we started, there was a flare-up between Israel and Hezbollah forces in the Middle East. Depending on what major event is occurring, I will try to make a comment in line with the mission of World News and Prophecy. After all, that is the bread and butter of our work.

But from time to time I like to take a diversion from the heavy stuff and talk about something different, yet still vital to living a godly life and keeping in touch with the world. My occasional reading lists are an example.

Recently I traveled to the Grand Canyon in Arizona and accomplished something I have wanted to do for more than 11 years. Along with a group of friends I entered the canyon from the North Rim and traversed the whole expanse, more than 24 miles, and came out on the South Rim two days later. My "rim to rim" experience was the fulfillment of a "dream," a long-held desire to do something big and important to me. It was a moment of satisfaction when I crossed this item off my "dream list"—mission accomplished!

Years ago I constructed a list of things I wanted to do and places I wanted to see in my life. I have been working on the list ever since. There are several big projects on the list, and having done this latest hike has motivated me to examine the list again with renewed energy.

What's next? There are a few big trips to places that hold an attraction to me on the list. God willing, I will see them in the coming years. But I have added some other dreams to my list that are not solely centered on my ambitions. Time and events, perhaps a bit of maturity, have tempered my dreams. I now want to do something big and good for other people. I want to leave something behind that is more than a list of things with just a line drawn through them. Putting in place some large foundation stones that serve others for a long time is now at the top of my list.

A movie came out this year called The Bucket List. It's about two men facing terminal illness who create a list of things they want to see and do before they "kick the bucket." They spend several months together traveling the world and marking the items off their list. The movie tells more than a grand travelogue. Along the journey the partners learn some deep, spiritual things about themselves. They come through life-changing moments. In the end the movie's message is simple—move in the direction of your dreams and you will live a big and fulfilling life with no regrets.

God has given us a very large "dream" of His coming Kingdom to replace the failed kingdoms and dreams of man. It is a dream of a world at peace, with everyone learning of His ways that lead to cooperation and stability. No more broken systems that lead to the cycles of human suffering and pain. It is a dream, a vision, that will come to pass. It is what frames a worthy life of seeking the right goal.

My life has been framed by this dream of the Kingdom of God. It has guided every major decision of my life. It is the one dream that I pursue each day. It is likely yours as well. Christ told His disciples to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). This is the one dream to put at the top of your personal "bucket list." Framing your life with the hope of the Kingdom of God will shape your life toward the one great purpose God has planned for you.

I am hard at work pursuing the dreams on my list. If you haven't taken the time to start your list, I encourage you to do it this weekend. Take some time for yourself and create a list of things you want to see or do to create a broad and meaningful life. I guarantee it will be a life-changing exercise for you.

Keep watching,

Darris McNeely