It's a Wonderful World (Feb 14, 2014)

3 Good Things That Happened This Week Around the World

I am continuing my quest to highlight the good happen in the world. That is not to say I think the world is all good. In fact there are some really troubling things happening around the world this week. I don't look at the world with rose colored glasses.

But we don't hear enough about the good things happening in the world. And there is good. Because God is good and God is active in the world. And in spite of all the bad, it really is a wonderful world. Take a moment to enjoy the wonder.

1. Korean Family Reunions. North and South Korea have agreed to hold off their bitter disputes to allow families separated by the Korean war of sixty years ago to reunite next week. There was also talk of ending the incessant cross border name calling and insults. I think it's too early to call it a step toward peace or unification, but people working together, uniting families and speaking with civility to one another is always a good thing.

2. Israeli Doctors Treat Syrians. Israel and Syria have been in a virtual state of war for decades. The border is highly fortified and hostilities are not uncommon. But during this time of civil war in Syria, Israel has quietly accepted over 700 patients from Syria to receive medical care at medical centers and a field hospital near the border. There are a lot of negative things that can and have been said about Israel, but you have to give them some credit. Love your enemies. It is even possible in the volatile Middle East.

3. The Sun Now Powers 140,000 homes in Nevada.  The largest solar energy generator in the world went online yesterday. It uses thousands of mirrors to focus a beam of sunlight which heats water to generate power. It is just a drop in the bucket compared to the number of homes powered by fossil fuels in the U.S., but it is a great stride forward in sustainable living. Regardless of what you think about the environment and climate change, we know we are not living in a way that can be sustained. We are using more than our share of the earth's resources. They will not last forever. But there is hope we can learn to live in a more sustainable way in the future.