The Congress of the United States of America never ceases to amaze me. I only heard snippets of the grilling of oil company executives, but it seems to me it is a classic example of the "pot calling the kettle black."
Do I wish I had invested in oil rather than airlines? Yes! But oil company executives don't set the price of oil --speculators do. Isn't our whole economy based on the premise that one charges what the market will bear? That's Capitalism. It's better than Socialism, right! And these people in Congress who do NOTHING but talk (there have been 45 such excursions into "gas" pricing without so much as one change in law or any attempt to allow for the increase in production of domestic oil and refinery capabilities) are the same folks who keep raising their own salary and benefits, spending your money on barrels of pork that benefit the few, using your grand-children's income to pay entitlements today, and showing up for work a couple of days a week between endless vacations and junkets abroad, or of course, not at all (except to pick up a paycheck) if running for some other office.
If God ran His personal business in this fashion, He would be all talk and no blessing. Instead He keeps lavishing His grace on our Nation while we seemingly try to shut Him out at every turn.
Is it hot in here?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
In Good Faith
I understand that Israel and Syria are conducting "talks" through an intermediary, Turkey. Associated Press reported, In statements issued minutes apart, the two governments said they "have declared their intent to conduct these talks in good faith and with an open mind," with a goal of reaching "a comprehensive peace."
Isn't that God's plan for people? Each individual is "at war" with God, and the only resolution is through the intermediary Jesus Christ who through His sacrificial death provides for "peace with God."
I don't know if Israel and her enemies will every reach a comprehensive peace, but I do know that no one has to continue to be separated from God. Jesus Christ has provided and open door through which one may, by faith, be reconciled to God. If you have not made that step of faith, today would be a good time.
Isn't that God's plan for people? Each individual is "at war" with God, and the only resolution is through the intermediary Jesus Christ who through His sacrificial death provides for "peace with God."
I don't know if Israel and her enemies will every reach a comprehensive peace, but I do know that no one has to continue to be separated from God. Jesus Christ has provided and open door through which one may, by faith, be reconciled to God. If you have not made that step of faith, today would be a good time.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Increase? Decrease?
Here a paragraph from an Associated Press story:
Energy prices fell by 0.2 percent in April after a 2.9 percent surge in March. The PPI report showed that gasoline costs fell by 4.6 percent. However, that decline reflected the government's seasonal adjustment methods. Since gasoline prices rose less than they usually do in April, that translated into a decline in the government's figures.
While I am confident every Economist understands this thinking, I admit I am a little fuzzy. Does it say that because the prices rose less than they normally do, that means they actually went down?
Now the reason that is important to me is because my Preacher asked me to study the trends in Worship attendance at our Church. So I have been trying to be creative in my approach. I'm thinking. . .that if attendance went down less in May than it normally does, that would mean we actually had an increase in Worship attendance. So this Summer, when attendance goes down due to vacations, or company coming, or it being too hot to pray, even if our attendance drops below what we normally have from a numbers perspective, we will actually be able to report an increase in attendance for this Summer because it is more than what was less than last time we reported more.
Yep, I think the preacher is going to like this thinking!
Energy prices fell by 0.2 percent in April after a 2.9 percent surge in March. The PPI report showed that gasoline costs fell by 4.6 percent. However, that decline reflected the government's seasonal adjustment methods. Since gasoline prices rose less than they usually do in April, that translated into a decline in the government's figures.
While I am confident every Economist understands this thinking, I admit I am a little fuzzy. Does it say that because the prices rose less than they normally do, that means they actually went down?
Now the reason that is important to me is because my Preacher asked me to study the trends in Worship attendance at our Church. So I have been trying to be creative in my approach. I'm thinking. . .that if attendance went down less in May than it normally does, that would mean we actually had an increase in Worship attendance. So this Summer, when attendance goes down due to vacations, or company coming, or it being too hot to pray, even if our attendance drops below what we normally have from a numbers perspective, we will actually be able to report an increase in attendance for this Summer because it is more than what was less than last time we reported more.
Yep, I think the preacher is going to like this thinking!
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Million Dollar Bill
I've got a one million dollar bill on my desk. It has a picture of Ronald Reagan on it. Of course it is an advertising piece. It it a Gospel tract (of sorts) that someone handed to me on the street.
Don't you wish we had another Ronald Reagan in the wings ready to lead our country? Maybe you were not a Reagan fan, or maybe you think he was not a great President. That's OK. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.
One thing that is true, however, is that he had a handle on the problems that faced our nation, and during his tenure, some wonderful results were seen and received by the people of the United States.
I don't personally see that kind of leadership on the current political scene. Perhaps I am blind, or at least in need of glasses, but one thing I know for sure; if we ever needed to pray for our nation and its leadership, it is now. Pray for those in office. Pray for those who will be in office with the next election. Pray like you have never prayed before from a political perspective. I am confident that God is going to allow one of the current candidates to win the Presidency (even thought I keep praying otherwise).
Don't you wish we had another Ronald Reagan in the wings ready to lead our country? Maybe you were not a Reagan fan, or maybe you think he was not a great President. That's OK. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.
One thing that is true, however, is that he had a handle on the problems that faced our nation, and during his tenure, some wonderful results were seen and received by the people of the United States.
I don't personally see that kind of leadership on the current political scene. Perhaps I am blind, or at least in need of glasses, but one thing I know for sure; if we ever needed to pray for our nation and its leadership, it is now. Pray for those in office. Pray for those who will be in office with the next election. Pray like you have never prayed before from a political perspective. I am confident that God is going to allow one of the current candidates to win the Presidency (even thought I keep praying otherwise).
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Fundamental Change
LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer, reported: SAN FRANCISCO - In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot.
It's a sad day in the neighborhood. Here's why. Our forefathers, the framers of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were careful to establish a democratic republic and not an oligarchy. Yet, every year (or less) we move toward the polar opposite of what they envisioned and what we have celebrated all these years since the founding of our great nation.
Now, those who are in positions of authority - the California Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of the United States, and other Courts in other places, have decided that it is their job to "legislate from the bench" and override the will of the public and the electorate. Who knows if this ruling, and others in many places around our country, and, of course, in Washington, D. C., will stand up. But the drift is on and moving ever forward. When we become an oligarchy, you might want to make sure you are in the right "class."
If you're concerned about my take on the issue of "gay marriage" here is that tidbit: God must be running his patience in hyper-drive to keep from destroying this nation, given that "Sodom and Gomorrha" thing.
It's a sad day in the neighborhood. Here's why. Our forefathers, the framers of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were careful to establish a democratic republic and not an oligarchy. Yet, every year (or less) we move toward the polar opposite of what they envisioned and what we have celebrated all these years since the founding of our great nation.
Now, those who are in positions of authority - the California Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of the United States, and other Courts in other places, have decided that it is their job to "legislate from the bench" and override the will of the public and the electorate. Who knows if this ruling, and others in many places around our country, and, of course, in Washington, D. C., will stand up. But the drift is on and moving ever forward. When we become an oligarchy, you might want to make sure you are in the right "class."
If you're concerned about my take on the issue of "gay marriage" here is that tidbit: God must be running his patience in hyper-drive to keep from destroying this nation, given that "Sodom and Gomorrha" thing.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The End Is Near
I've been thinking about getting one of those "sandwich board" signs that says, "The End Is Near," and standing on the corner, or walking up and down in front of the mall.
I've been hearing about the bad economy, taking a look at our national debt, recognizing that entitlement programs (Social Security is my focus) are funded out of the imagination, hearing all the Presidential candidates promising to raise taxes, cut services, ignore illegal immigration, and those in power encouraging everyone to produce more oil except us (which I think will get the price of gasoline up to around $8.47 per gallon), and recognizing that the only thing growing faster than immorality in the United States is the birthrate in China and India (they should have enough people to take over the World in about twenty minutes).
Today, I got this quote in my e-mail: “Well, the conference met today and appointed a commission to meet tomorrow and appoint a delegation which will eventually appoint a subcommittee to draw up ways and means of finding out what to start with first.” —Will Rogers
I'm beginning to believe that if things don't improve fast, our only resort will be to turn back to God.
I've been hearing about the bad economy, taking a look at our national debt, recognizing that entitlement programs (Social Security is my focus) are funded out of the imagination, hearing all the Presidential candidates promising to raise taxes, cut services, ignore illegal immigration, and those in power encouraging everyone to produce more oil except us (which I think will get the price of gasoline up to around $8.47 per gallon), and recognizing that the only thing growing faster than immorality in the United States is the birthrate in China and India (they should have enough people to take over the World in about twenty minutes).
Today, I got this quote in my e-mail: “Well, the conference met today and appointed a commission to meet tomorrow and appoint a delegation which will eventually appoint a subcommittee to draw up ways and means of finding out what to start with first.” —Will Rogers
I'm beginning to believe that if things don't improve fast, our only resort will be to turn back to God.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Force Them To Take It!
"You have to think it through — do you want to secure an area of the country by military force? What kinds of potential security risks would that create?" says Jan Egeland, the former U.N. emergency relief coordinator. "I can't imagine any humanitarian organization wanting to shoot their way in with food."
This quote from a CNN news source points up a real sticky problem. Here's the gist:
The disaster in Burma presents the world with perhaps its most serious humanitarian crisis since the 2004 Asian tsunami. By most reliable estimates, close to 100,000 people are dead. Delays in delivering relief to the victims, the inaccessibility of the stricken areas and the poor state of Burma's infrastructure and health systems mean that number is sure to rise. With as many as 1 million people still at risk, it is conceivable that the death toll will, within days, approach that of the entire number of civilians killed in the genocide in Darfur.
This quote from a CNN news source points up a real sticky problem. Here's the gist:
The disaster in Burma presents the world with perhaps its most serious humanitarian crisis since the 2004 Asian tsunami. By most reliable estimates, close to 100,000 people are dead. Delays in delivering relief to the victims, the inaccessibility of the stricken areas and the poor state of Burma's infrastructure and health systems mean that number is sure to rise. With as many as 1 million people still at risk, it is conceivable that the death toll will, within days, approach that of the entire number of civilians killed in the genocide in Darfur.
The military regime that runs Burma has imposed so many conditions on those who would actually deliver it that barely a trickle has made it through. That's why it's time to consider a more serious option: invading Burma. Some observers, including former USAID director Andrew Natsios, have called on the U.S. to unilaterally begin air drops to the Burmese people regardless of what the junta says.
That means we are going to force them to take our aid, whether they want it or not. After all it would save lives and every life is precious. Isn't that the same position the Church of Jesus Christ is in today. We have the "life-saving" goods and the "World" does not want it. Barely a trickle of the Good News is getting through. It's easy to just ignore the dying when they are not on your doorstep. But just as we have a mandate to provide aid to those who have physical need, so the Church has the commission to meet the spiritual need of all by sharing the Good News far and wide. We can't force anyone to take it, but we can find those holes (for the trickle) and get it done when and where we can.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Who's In Charge?
As I write this note, in the Spring in North Texas, another storm is blowing in and "severe" weather is forecast for later today. As always, there have been several storms already and the season has a while to run.
I believe in being careful, taking precautions, getting prepared for the worst eventualities. What I don't believe in is being afraid. Being afraid means I do not know who is in charge of the weather. Being afraid means I am not sure God will always do what is best and right for me. I hope it is never best for me to suffer the loss of my home or possessions, or to be injured in some manner, but I trust that God is absolute in His sovereign power to bring events to pass or passover me.
Again, I listen for the storm warning, the emergency siren, and keep the radio handy. But, I am not afraid. Even though "I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger for He is with me." (Psalm 23:4a HCSB)
I believe in being careful, taking precautions, getting prepared for the worst eventualities. What I don't believe in is being afraid. Being afraid means I do not know who is in charge of the weather. Being afraid means I am not sure God will always do what is best and right for me. I hope it is never best for me to suffer the loss of my home or possessions, or to be injured in some manner, but I trust that God is absolute in His sovereign power to bring events to pass or passover me.
Again, I listen for the storm warning, the emergency siren, and keep the radio handy. But, I am not afraid. Even though "I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger for He is with me." (Psalm 23:4a HCSB)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Home! At Last.
What does someone with $50 Billion do when they need new digs?
Build a billion dollar home of course! Below, thanks to Mumbai Mirror are some of the specs:
According to the plan, the house will rise to a height of 173.12 meters, equivalent to that of a regular 60-story residential building. However, (Mukesh Ambani, owner) will have only 27 stories in all, which means each floor will have a ceiling considerably higher than the current average of nearly three meters.
Six floors for parking including space for a total of 168 ‘imported’ cars. A floor for car maintenance is included. An entertainment floor will have an entertainment centre comprising a mini-theatre with a seating capacity of 50. The rooftop of the mini-theatre will serve as a garden, and immediately above that, three more balconies with terrace gardens.
The ‘health’ floor will provide a ‘refuge’ floor - meant to be used for rescue in emergencies. One of these will have facilities for athletics and a swimming pool, while the other will have a health club complete with the latest gym equipment.
For guests there will be a two-story glass-fronted apartment for the Ambani family’s guests above the health floors. One more refuge floor and one floor for mechanical works will be built on top of these apartments.
The four floors at the top, that will provide a view of the Arabian Sea and a superb view of the city’s skyline, will be for Mukesh, his wife Neeta, their three children and Mukesh’s mother Kokilaben.
The plan states that three helipads are to be built on the top floor terrace.
The place will require 600 full time staff to keep it running on a day to day basis!
I know we’ve all seen Trump’s gold encrusted New York apartment, but this guy is in another league entirely.
And I thought my plans for a 1800 sq. ft. log cabin were extravagant! But it's all nothing when compared to the home that awaits those who will be joining the Lord God of Heaven and Earth for eternity. I'll wager Mr. Ambami hasn't prepared for that at all.
Have you?
Build a billion dollar home of course! Below, thanks to Mumbai Mirror are some of the specs:
According to the plan, the house will rise to a height of 173.12 meters, equivalent to that of a regular 60-story residential building. However, (Mukesh Ambani, owner) will have only 27 stories in all, which means each floor will have a ceiling considerably higher than the current average of nearly three meters.
Six floors for parking including space for a total of 168 ‘imported’ cars. A floor for car maintenance is included. An entertainment floor will have an entertainment centre comprising a mini-theatre with a seating capacity of 50. The rooftop of the mini-theatre will serve as a garden, and immediately above that, three more balconies with terrace gardens.
The ‘health’ floor will provide a ‘refuge’ floor - meant to be used for rescue in emergencies. One of these will have facilities for athletics and a swimming pool, while the other will have a health club complete with the latest gym equipment.
For guests there will be a two-story glass-fronted apartment for the Ambani family’s guests above the health floors. One more refuge floor and one floor for mechanical works will be built on top of these apartments.
The four floors at the top, that will provide a view of the Arabian Sea and a superb view of the city’s skyline, will be for Mukesh, his wife Neeta, their three children and Mukesh’s mother Kokilaben.
The plan states that three helipads are to be built on the top floor terrace.
The place will require 600 full time staff to keep it running on a day to day basis!
I know we’ve all seen Trump’s gold encrusted New York apartment, but this guy is in another league entirely.
And I thought my plans for a 1800 sq. ft. log cabin were extravagant! But it's all nothing when compared to the home that awaits those who will be joining the Lord God of Heaven and Earth for eternity. I'll wager Mr. Ambami hasn't prepared for that at all.
Have you?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Engineered To Perform
After yesterday's message with the Preacher using his Harley-Davidson motorcycle as the prop for making a comparison between the engineering which make a Harley do what a Harley does, and that which God does to make His Church do what it is supposed to (accomplish its task), I am thinking I need to get my part RIGHT. If I am really vital to the operation, then perhaps I need to be regular in my attendance, studied in God's Word, and "prayed-up" as if everything depended on me.
It is vital to know what the Church is designed to accomplish. We may have lost sight of that in the attempt to market the Church as if it were a commodity. Just because it looks pretty or even sounds good, it is not necessarily true that it is succeeding in being the Body of Christ in the World.
Lots of Churches need a "tune-up." Don't freelance! Use the manual. Get it right. A correctly engineered Body of believers is an awesome force in a dying world.
It is vital to know what the Church is designed to accomplish. We may have lost sight of that in the attempt to market the Church as if it were a commodity. Just because it looks pretty or even sounds good, it is not necessarily true that it is succeeding in being the Body of Christ in the World.
Lots of Churches need a "tune-up." Don't freelance! Use the manual. Get it right. A correctly engineered Body of believers is an awesome force in a dying world.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Solomon In His Splendor
I had the opportunity to drive Hwy 80 East of Dallas on my way to work today. I was reminded of Jesus' words from Matthew 6 regarding the flowers of the field. You'll recall He said we should not worry because the wild flowers don't labor or make clothes; yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
I saw yellow flowers beside that ribbon of highway that went on for miles, brighter than the sunlight it seemed. I saw pink flowers, literally hundreds of thousands in the median between Forney and Dallas and they reminded me of my exquisite bride long ago dressed in pink as soft as angel hair. I saw blue and purple, red and orange, a multitude of colors and hues, and they were ablaze with life and health.
I am reminded of how we ought to live; for He will do much more for us than He does for the flowers of the field. We need only "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." (Matthew 6:33)
Don't worry about tomorrow, just see the beauty today.
I saw yellow flowers beside that ribbon of highway that went on for miles, brighter than the sunlight it seemed. I saw pink flowers, literally hundreds of thousands in the median between Forney and Dallas and they reminded me of my exquisite bride long ago dressed in pink as soft as angel hair. I saw blue and purple, red and orange, a multitude of colors and hues, and they were ablaze with life and health.
I am reminded of how we ought to live; for He will do much more for us than He does for the flowers of the field. We need only "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." (Matthew 6:33)
Don't worry about tomorrow, just see the beauty today.
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