Nebraska,
This is totally non-political. If “churchy” emails don’t appeal to you, you might want to hit the Delete key now.
We keep looking for solutions to the mess we’re in as a nation. Most of us accept that DC is not the answer. Watching our conservatives in the Unicameral shredded at the first sign of unpopularity last week (aka The E affair) has to make you believe Lincoln is little better. So excuse my bad attitude but I don’t see any hope on the horizon, short of stirring up the people and bringing them back to an awareness of their core and where they came from. Interestingly, that may be happening, though not like we would think or plan it.
You’ve probably heard of the TV shows “Survivor” and “Shark Tank”? Know who’s behind them? Mark Burnett, whose wife is Roma Downey (from the Touched By An Angel series). I mostly assume Hollywood is a lost cause but Burnett & Downey are devout Christians and determined to make a difference by what they do.
So they produced “The Bible” last year – the hit series that overshadowed all its prime-time competition. On normally-hostile network TV, they captured 100 MILLION viewers, with another 100 Million DVD sets sold. That was enough to convince them that America was interested in (if not hungry for) the message of Christianity.
So they produced a follow-up “AD – The Story Continues” – that will run for 3 months, starting Easter Sunday evening. NBC will air it and estimates for this series are 130 Million+ viewers. At this link http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/default.aspx you can find 3 things: the original interview with Burnett & Downey (50,000 views in the first 3 days posted); a book written by David Jeremiah to go along with and explain each portion of the series; links to his sermon series each Sunday, that coincides with the series. This last week we had the chance to meet and speak with Jeremiah, listen with him to the interview, etc. He has a real burden for this nation and this is part of his effort.
The point is: this is a very well done, widely received & applauded series. This new installment will reach 30% more people. And right behind it will be another. There is even a re-make of Ben Hur in the works that should be a true spectacle.
I respect the fact that there are many non-Christians on this list but don’t forget one thing: no matter your beliefs, there is no escaping that the founding of America was on Judeo-Christian values. “AD” is an essential link in that story.
We’re still trying to right the wrongs by using the system. But that’s only a surface victory if we can’t win America back to its foundations. This series is an indirect way of reconnecting America to her origins – and the hunger seems to be there.
I have no idea as to what, if any, difference it will make. But it’s another way – another point of connection.
Regardless, it won’t be wasted.
