The Egotistical Self Centered American

Funny how when people around the world think of Americans, they think of massive wealth, and a society where people are self centered.   The thing is, they are right.   Americans do have wealth, incrementally more than most nations.   But the self centered issue kind of hits a sore spot.    I think it's probably more of a generational thing, but I'm seeing it from several different generations.
I started watching a TV Show called 'Selfie', about a girl -Eliza Doolittle who has a huge problem, she can't see beyond herself.   She is attached to her phone telling her 'friends' about herself, but can't form any meaningful or real relationships with people.    She's constantly competing against "friends" we can't see, and turning away any kind of friendship with people in her office.   My point is Eliza is our society today, people in love with themselves, but they can't see beyond the mirror they hold.   Is it easy to unconditionally love yourself?
When I was a kid, I learned the 'Golden Rule', do unto others as you would have them do unto you.   When Jesus spoke those words, I'm sure the people who heard them said...  "What?"  The nation of Israel was invaded by the Romans, it was every man for himself.   Did this include the Romans, or just other Jews?  Jesus answered "Love your Enemy as yourself".   You see there is a paradox here,  If you love other people deeply, without condition, you are demonstrating and expressing the love that God shows to us. 
Americans are self centered, but on general, some of the most generous people in the world live in America.  Though the media jabs and makes fun of us, let's put down our phones and computers and start sitting down and talking instead of texting. 

Is God Sovereign over Ebola?

I'm sure unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you've heard about Ebola in the news.  People are scared, I mean really scared.   If a person sneezes or coughs I worry about riots.   Even though there are only 3 cases of Ebola in the United States, the fear of death seems real.  Death is real, and it's an unavoidable statistic: 10 out of 10 people will die.   But if someone sneezes on you, what are your chances of getting Ebola?   Honestly, it's astronomical, literally impossible.

So why all the fear?   Maybe because we've come the realization that the Government isn't perfect.   They made some big mistakes.    Today we find that the CDC's precautions to hospitals weren't exactly perfect, and two nurses have Ebola now.  People have place a lot of faith in the United State Government to know what to do, and when they don't do it right, our faith is often shattered.    The problem is, the US Government isn't perfect, they can only do what they think is right, and until it's proven, it's a lucky guess at best.

So should we fear Ebola?   My answer is no!   Check this out - Luke 7:4-7

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Fear nothing except for God, because even death isn't to be feared.  It's what happens after death, and the One to who has the authority to throw us into Hell.   Who is that?  God.   Not only does He know who we are, He's numbered the hairs on our head.   God is in control, total control.   We don't need to fear death, we need to fear the creator of all things.   Jesus who spoke these words continued:

⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ⁹ But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. ¹⁰ And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

The Gospel is profound, we all deserve to die and be separated from God.   We currently live in a state of grace, but one day we will die and will be judged.   Either we are judged on our merits, which are wicked, or we are judged on Christs finished work, which was perfect.   By publicly acknowledging Christ, we are admitting we are wrong, that we need to be forgiven, that we need to turn from our wicked ways, and we need to trust in the whole work for Jesus for our salvation.  Ebola can only kill the body, it's not evil, and it doesn't need to be feared.   

God alone needs to be feared, and we must learn to love and honor Him above all other things.