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This week I want to talk about our Longing for Joy, something that isn’t selfish in the bad sense, but something God made us for. In fact, some great theologians said in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, written nearly 400 years ago, “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” There is biblical support for that bold declaration.  

Scripture often describes our longing for God as a deep hunger or thirst. Hunger and thirst are basic drives in our bodies, and there is also a hunger and thirst of the soul.  

I'm interrupting my new series of blogs on longing. Why? Partly because today, January 22, is the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the most tragic judicial decision in American history. It’s also the annual March for Life, which I’ve participated in, and where my heart has been today.  

Most days, by God’s grace, I am happy and content, even joyful. But not today. And no, it’s not because of the playoffs this weekend. (Not that they helped, but the groaning and crying out of Romans 8 is a lot bigger than the NFL.)

This was our first Christmas with family numbered in double digits. Nanci and I are deeply grateful for our wonderful daughters, our awesome sons-in-law and our four priceless grandsons. Including Jack, little Santa.  

Last night we were with a group of folks here in Oregon, at Heidi's restaurant in Gresham, watching the election coverage. The gathering was hosted by nineteen year old brothers Alex and Brett Harris, who run therebelution.com website, which is in my opinion the best place your teenagers can go online.  

The principle of authority is that we are in the kingdom of Christ. Jesus is Lord and head of all power and author­ity. Satan has absolutely no legitimate authority over the believer. 

Sacrificing the Unborn on a Political Altar? by Randy Alcorn A Godly Worldview   You can download the PDF to print and share.

Next week, after New Year’s day, I hope to post some 2007 pictures. Meanwhile, people have been remarking to me offline that the comments on my blogs have become a battle zone. It seems I’ve offended people, for reasons sometimes apparent, sometimes not.  

Now, the man in the picture is not a Christmas shepherd, but Joel Stein, a prominent columnist for The Los Angeles Times. He’s written features for Time magazine, and has impressive journalistic credentials. He says this of himself on the front page of his website: “I’m the guy who loves porn and hates America.” He’s known for his column where he said he not only opposes the war in Iraq, he opposes U.S. troops. Clearly he’s a man who says what he thinks.  

Before we get to Bonhoeffer, I want to make some observations. If you want to shorten your read and move to the Bonhoeffer part, skip these first nine paragraphs.  

This photo is of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Tegel prison, prior to his move to the notorious concentration camp of Buchenwald. Though visits weren’t frequent or long, at Tegel his parents and his fiancé Maria were sometimes allowed to bring him books, such as the one in his hand.

When I mentioned Dietrich Bonhoeffer last week, five people told me they’d like to hear about him. I’m glad to oblige, in this blog and the next.

Paul also says, "We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21). Here are two important safeguards for preserving financial integrity and accountability.