In the middle of the turbulent sixties Hal David and Burt Bacharach teamed up to write the syrupy hit, "What the World Needs Now is Love," originally sung by Jackie DeShannon on Imperial Records. Since then, the song has been performed by over 100 artists. Notable among them: Dionne Warwick, The Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Luther Vandross and Bacharach himself.
It is unclear if the writers meant it to be a spiritual song (it does mention Lord) or not. But it does suggest a sacred message that is sorely needed today. We live in a world long on information, deception, distraction and recreation, yet woefully short on pure, unadulterated love.
When asked to name the greatest commandment Jesus said, "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).
Paul penned, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1Corinthians 13:13).
With these truths in mind, Gaddis dissects a variety of Biblical texts (some obvious, some obscure), expounding on God's love for us, the love we should have for Him, and the love He desires that we have for one another. Delve inside, Journey to the Center of Love, and experience what really matters in a society saturated with the superficial, artificial and inconsequential.
About the author: Todd Gaddis has been a pastor since 1990 and currently serves at First Baptist Church in LaFayette, Georgia. He has written for Focus on the Family, Leadership, Pray, War Cry and numerous LifeWay publications.
Before entering the pastorate, he worked in public relations and fundraising for a Christian college and also as a corporate sales representative. His books are: Prophecy 3.0 (2012), Upon This Rock (2011), The Spiritual "It" Factor (2010), Journey to the Center of Love (2009), Reclaim Your Body, Restore Your Soul (2008), Money and More (2007), The Great Curse Reversal (2006), Escape from Wits' End (2005), and The Compliments of Christ (2004).
