August 26, 2026

This past Sunday evening, I sat on a panel of pastors for the youth group of Community of Hope. What wonderful questions the youth asked! Many questions were theological—What is God? Who is Christ? Whence evil? Some had to do with the job of being a pastor—What’s the worst thing about your job? And some were just plain fun—Which superhero would you be?

In answer to the question, What is your greatest fear? I answered with three numbers: 40, 430, and 2. I then went on to explain that the 40 represents the $40 trillion of our nation’s debt. The 430 represents the 430 ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere… which is far greater than the 280 ppm prior to the industrial age. The number 2 represents humanity’s still prevalent need to “other” other people, when we should all be one.

I noted that my generation and the older generation are leaving the youngest generation some difficult problems. I apologized to the youth for doing so, recognizing that an apology is not enough. And there is hope. For as the Psalmist writes, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (24:1 KJV).”

Rev. Eric