A Picture of The Father's Love

Her father’s look is one of stunned surprise, and then he chooses to give her the “embrace of grace” that will cover up all the questions of “Why did you do that?” He loves her and delights in her.

Source IM

Economic Opinion in Brief

"A reasonable economic prediction must be based upon understanding the social, and corresponding moral viewpoint." The question may be, "Whose veiwpoint"? If this is true where does this leave Wall Street and higher education?

NOAHS MUGS!

I have had many conversations with men and women wondering when and if they will be able to make a difference with their lives. Should they quit their jobs? Will they have to go from "success to significance" later due to financial commitments?

Now is the time. One example...Noah at www.noahsmugs.com
It's never too late OR too early!

Lord Save Us From Your Followers the Movie

If you were to meet ten average Americans on the street, nine of them would say they believe in God. So why is the Gospel of Love dividing America? It certainly shouldn't be.

Dan Merchant put on his bumper-sticker-clad jumpsuit and decided to find out why the Gospel of Love is dividing America. After talking with scores of men and women on streets all across the nation, and also interviewing many well-known active participants in today’s “Culture Wars,” Dan realized that the public discussion of faith doesn’t have to be contentious.

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers is a fast-paced, highly engaging documentary that explores the collision of faith and culture in America. See clips here

There is a screening in Franklin September 10 and Charlotte September 14. Let me know what you think about the movie. I think it is going to be instructive.

What's the US Real Financial Position?

For a couple of years now people have asked me why I am so deeply concerned about the economy (though it has become self-evident in the past year why I was in an economic funk). I have normally answered that with our leaderships out of control spending and lack of restraint even an entrepreneurial revolution in the US would be choked by the massive debt we call the US Federal Deficit. I have been told I am "crying wolf" and our deficit as a percentage of GDP isn't so high historically, but for some context from someone who should know read the following quotes from David Walker, former head of the Government Accountability Office, the nation's auditor-in-chief.

"Our off balance sheet obligations associated with Social Security and Medicare put us in a $56 trillion financial hole—and that's before the recession was officially declared last year. America now owes more than Americans are worth—and the gap is growing!" Walker follows with further context:

"Our $56 trillion in unfunded obligations amount to $483,000 per household. That's 10 times the median household income—so it's as if everyone had a second or third mortgage on a house equal to 10 times their income but no house they can lay claim to." As for this year's likely deficit of $1.8 trillion, Mr. Walker suggests its size be conveyed thusly: "A deficit that large is $3.4 million a minute, $200 million an hour, $5 billion a day," he says. That does indeed put things into perspective. When asked if there was hope on the horizon for reform he said the following:

"We have four deficits: a budget deficit, a savings deficit, a value-of-the-dollar deficit and a leadership deficit," he tells one group. "We are treating the symptoms of those deficits, but not the disease."

Mr. Walker identifies the disease as having a basic cause: "Washington is totally out of touch and out of control," he sighs. "There is political courage there, but there is far more political careerism and people dodging real solutions." He identifies entrenched incumbency as a real obstacle to change. "Members of Congress ensure they have gerrymandered seats where they pick the voters rather than the voters picking them and then they pass out money to special interests who then make sure they have so much money that no one can easily challenge them," he laments. He believes gerrymandering should be curbed and term limits imposed if for no other reason than to inject some new blood into the system. On campaign finance, he supports a narrow constitutional amendment that would bar congressional candidates from accepting contributions from people who can't vote for them: "If people can't vote in a district not their own, should we allow them to spend unlimited money on behalf of someone across the country?"

These remarks and those from others I respect are the reason for my pessimism. I hope and pray for men and women of courage and integrity. I see no reason for optimism short of a reformation in the hearts and minds of our leaders who choose to serve and submit to the love of others over self.

Quotes taken from John Fund article at WSJ.com

The Face of Atheism Today

I love it when people tell their story in a clear and articulate manner. I'm saddened when the perception is one that leads to the conclusion Ricky Gervais arrives but this is real life for the majority, not the minority. If Ricky were a new acquaintance or your child's friend from school what would you say to him? He could have a place at our families table but it would be frightening with my four young kids. Would we have a grand conversation or be more like his mom shushing him to change the subject? Our kids will share meals with the Ricky's of this world. Are they ready?

Health Care for All

Before you lose your mind and begin to think I am becoming political in my writing I want to assure you I am not. That being said I am amazed by the amount of energy and TV air-time being spent on the issue of President Obama and the Congress' health care solutions. Obviously this is something citizens feel very strongly about and debate is good. Yet as I listen I am wondering where the thought of loving your neighbor has gone? Not supplying healthcare to everyone 'just because' it is too expensive is not the reason not to do it. However, working together as a country to truly address the broken nature of insurance, government and health delivery is something worth shouting and organizing around. It appears most wealthy and well insured want to keep what they have at their employer and many self-employed or under-employed would like to have coverage or greater access for their families but just cannot afford it. Is there a comprehensive answer to this delimna?

On my last trip to Africa our group came away with the conclusion that most of the good health and community care was being accomplished by the church and faith based community. Men and women who chose to serve others and give freely of their resources were changing lives and communities. Usually this happened on a community by community basis and those who were served were generally grateful. Yet all of this was voluntary and the men and women giving of their lives and living well below their financial aptitude were filled with purpose and joy - though their lives were not easy.

Where is that drive in our health care debate showing a concern of others first? Not by forcing collection of taxation and redistributing wealth, but men and women of good faith giving of themselves and the church organizing around this issue. Not advocating for more or less government but working through the problem. I have served on the board of Mercy Health Services in Franklin, Tennessee (mercytn.org) where a model for child health care is being created and lived out every day. No government money is spent. No taxes necessary. Yet getting the community to voluntarily give their wealth to care for children is difficult. Perhaps because current taxes and compulsary fees leave little to give?

We can care for one another without a government program, but in a fallen world where sin abounds God has given us civil government to check those who would line their pockets at the expense of the poor. Perhaps that is why so many have gotten behind Obama and his system of care? Maybe in a post-Christian culture the needs of the least have gotten lost in the pursuit of 'more' and now laws must be created to stay the covetous hand of man? I have heard it said cutures reap what they sow. Just thinking!