State of the Economy

If you watched any of the 2nd Presidential Debate last night you know it was on the failing (and ailing) economy. Did either candidate change the other's view? Did many undecided voters make up their minds? Both are a resounding no. Each one said wrong things about the other one and even when a candidate says he's not going to raise taxes - chances are something will happen in his tenure as President and he will have to raise taxes. Taxes is not something I vote on because of this. So far, living in 3 states under 2 Presidents - I've seen taxes go up in each state - so no one can tell me any differently.
But, the economy I think is the worst that I've seen it since I've really known to look at it. Am I glad I don't have enough money to put in the stock market - yes. Am I glad I already have my college paid for - and yes, have the debt from that - yes. (I could do without the debt though). Am I glad I have a secure job - yes. I don't know what it would have been like to live on Black Friday and know the panic and dread and fear in people's hearts. I don't know what it would be like to live in Iceland right now who just declared the whole country bankrupt. I can't imaging being a business woman in Russia with no stock market open or trading till Friday.
But, one thing I do know. My God is in charge of all the world's monies and even Wall Street and the king's decisions (Ps 2). He knows what is going to happen and has complete authority over it all (Eph 1.19-23). And you know, that helps me sleep better at night, that helps me still go to the grocery store (even though I make a list and stick to it now), helps me not fear the gas prices (even though they have gone down here in KY), and I only had a slight panic this morning on my way to work wondering what would happen if I couldn't get my money out of the bank (but then remembered the above verses and knew that life would go on because my God is overall completely gracious and merciful).
I got in to work this morning and read this from John Piper:
I can smell it. It's like toast or steak or brownies. It doesn't just draw our desire, it creates desire. Deep drops in the stock market make many people salivate. They know it will rebound. They are sitting on cash. By year's end their pile could ride the recovery to riches. For such people I have a word from God. The word is: Don't desire to be rich. It will kill you. And in a world like ours many will probably perish with you. Paul's language is more graphic than mine:
There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1Timothy 6:6-10)

Thoughts During Obama/McCain/Warren Forum

Prelim statements:
1. I don't know if Rick Warren actually thought he was going to get "truthful" answers - but speaking in a church for either of these candidates is going to slant their answers.
2. I am not endorsing either candidate...neither do I agree with wholeheartedly. Almost a lose-lose situation - but we gotta have A president. And it is my Christian duty - a person who tries with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God - to pray for my President - and that is what I'll do...

Obama:
1. Didn't he start every answer (maybe slightly exaggerating) with "well..."
2. He answered the "are you a Christian and what does that mean" and said "hopefully my sins will be forgiven" at the end. But...is being a Christian being tolerant and ok (meaning, they are right too) in beliefs that are anti-only Christ?
3. He failed to answer the "when life begins" question. No matter what he believes - he wouldn't answer it. Something is wrong with that - don't dodge it. I know he may not make a lot of money as President - but that decision is not "above his pay grade".
4. Even though he believes in man/woman marriage with "God in the mix" he will not take a governmental stand against same-sex marriage. Thinking through it with him. He was right - our constitution has not defined marriage in the past - so to define it now would be discriminating. Are we going to apply Christian principles in politics in some areas and not in others? We aren't consistent. That is where politics and faith are incompatible.
5. I agree with the fact about faith-based orgs - they shouldn't be +/- based on that sole factor.
6. Merit-based pay for teachers. YES. I agree. Don't we do that in almost every other profession? Yes. We reward excellence - like he said.
7. No one likes taxes - he is right. But, he is also right - they must be. And I agree also, I don't like loopholes. I hate doing my taxes - but that's why we have accountants - right? Is there a choice to not have taxes? Someone provide me a workable solution w/o taxes and I'll sign on! :) But, I don't have ever see that happening? Even during the Revolution - wasn't there something about taxing tea that was behind the Boston Tea Party? As the saying goes, nothing is as sure as death and taxes.
8. Orphans/adoption. Southern is really big on adoption. But why is adoption so expensive? I think it should include extensive (maybe even more so than now) interviews, etc - but why does it have to cost so much?
9. Why does he want to be President: Basically...he empathizes with the little people - that's why he wants to be president. Not good enough for me. I didn't think that was the greatest answer to give for that question.
10. There are going to be sacrifices. But, while he limited his answer - I would say he doesn't want Americans to have to make sacrifices in other areas - like the war in Iraq, the mental health of a mother in the 8th month, etc. So, why does he want us to make sacrifices in some areas and other not others...again - the duplicity of politics.

Alright...clapping, politeness, hugs, commercials...

McCain:
1. Wisdom - I don't think wisdom is based on Ebay - wisdom is not that. Go read Proverbs. Thanks Dustin for preaching on it right now.
2. Greatest American failure - we don't think outside ourselves. I think that is very true and very broad. It covers many areas...
3. I do like the whole "offshore drilling" thing - that we are sending billions of dollars to countries who don't like us very much...why? We have Texas don't we - and yes, I know that is very simplistic and unreasonable.
4. To be a Christian: "saved and forgiven" - ok, that's vague - not mentioning Jesus at all - even Obama did that. Didn't even answer the everyday question.
5. Abortion - at least he answered undoubtedly the life begins at conception question. Pro-life policies commitment.
6. We should preserve marriage. Great - than let's make that constitutional. But do we get in to exclusions.
7. McCain is very simple in his answers. More so than I have seen him before. He is very "emphatic" - defeat it (evil question). But, to my knowledge, evil will exist until Jesus returns - but we can fight against it.
8. Faith-based orgs can not have it both ways. They can not have be out from under the Constitution on hiring policies but also want government funding.
9. Find bad teachers another line of work - praise Jesus! :) Choice in competition. But, are we giving training and help to those bad teachers - meaning...is it because of outside influences that they are bad - or are they just bad teachers?
10. He didn't really answer the rich question... It wasn't taxes, it was spending. Studying bears in Montana - haha! (He is more funny than Obama, at least tonight).
11. You can't have complete privacy and complete security. Which one is more important? It should go back to one of his first answers - we must think outside ourselves. I don't know what the answer is - but I'm not running for president.
12. Why do you want to be President: Serve outside yourself. Inspiration. Unity. Definitely a Republican answer. Much better answer than Obama (stand up for the little people).

More venues...more conversations...
Now...if I were to have to vote right now - of course I would vote for McCain. One of my girls said "Bush is pro-life too and abortions haven't gone down, so I'm going to vote for Obama". But I didn't see enough compelling evidence in his discussion tonight to vote for him - even though I didn't disagree with him on everything. And he is the only one that mentioned Jesus and God and had more of that discussion. But, as commentary said before, it isn't "McCain's way to do that". Do I agree with that no - you should take a strong stand for Christ wherever!

Now for Phelps and commentary!

Michael Vick

Well, all this in the news about Michael Vick is concerning. Yes, he should be found guilty and spend time in jail for killing those dogs. That was cruel and we need to take care of animals.
But...I read this statement and then asked my Dad a question today. Here is the statement:
The most damning evidence made public against Vick came Friday when co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips also pleaded guilty. In their plea, Peace and Phillips admitted to killing eight dogs in April at Vick's property in Virginia and said that Vick participated in the death of the animals. The animals were destroyed because they failed to perform well enough in testing to see if they were "game" enough to be good fighters.
"Every time you read about this story, it makes you want to take a shower," another unnamed general manager said.

My question was "If Michael Vick had made his girlfriend/wife go out and have an abortion - no one would know it and no one would care - right?"

That is truly the demise of our society when dogs matter more than babies.