Communication Has Really Changed

In my job as a Minister of Music, I communicate with a lot of people. Right now, for instance, I'm completing a music schedule for the next two months. With almost 100 people involved in our Choir, Orchestra, ensembles, soloists and instrumentalists, I have a lot of communicating to do before the final schedule comes out. In this particular schedule I am trying to schedule some of our students who will be participating in a national Fine Arts Festival in August. 

Here are all the communication methods I have used: for some Choir members, I need to send a postcard. For everyone else in the Choir and Orchestra, I can send an email. If I need a quick answer, I can make a voice call, or send a text message. For students, most of them do not check their emails anymore, so I use their Facebook account. I just set up a Twitter account, because many of the people I need to communicate with use Twitter. I'm still trying to figure out how to send Xbox 360 messages. It has been an interesting process to observe the difference that people from each age group adapt to new technology. While it is rare, anymore, to hear derogatory comments about computers, we still have a few seniors who will never adapt to this technology. On the young end of the spectrum, computers are too clunky, too large, too slow, etc. Once phone technology embraces everything a computer can do, that will be the end of the computer for most students who use a computer as a communication device. While I have just started my sixth decade, I notice that I am sending far more texts than using my cell phone for voice calls. I have even mastered the technique of using both hands on my Smart phone keyboard. I can "flat fly" for an old geezer.

I love new technology, even though sometimes it is hard to keep up. Students have such an advantage because they start working with computers, as normal tools, from the beginning of their school careers. I was already established in my career, and burning up my IBM Selectric typewriter, when personal computers were first introduced. I've been catching up ever since. Well, I have a few more people to connect with, I'm off to send a Tweet.

First Time To Mow This Season

Last week I mowed our lawn for the first time. A few weeks ago a did a lot of cleanup in our yard, and prepared it for the new growing season. Last week I finally broke down and started my mower and started the process that won't end until sometime in late October. My routine is the same every time I do our yard. I rake all the twigs and leaves, and unfortunately my neighbor's sweet gum balls; then I mow; followed by edging; sweeping the sidewalk; and then I sweep the street. I learned how to take care of a yard from my father. I helped him do it many times, and then he supervised me while I did it by myself, and finally I started taking care of our yard without the need for supervision. Now, I've settled into my own routine, and I don't remember if I still do the steps in the same order, except for sweeping the street. That was always the final touch. One thing I learned from my father was that if a job was worth doing, do it well and finish it. I watched him do this with everything that he did. So, while some of our neighbors blew their lawn clippings into the street and hoped that the street sweeper would come along, I dutifully swept the street to complete the job.

I've taught both my oldest sons how to care for their yards. And yes, when they tell me they were working in their yards, I ask, "did you sweep the street?" I have two younger sons at home who are helping me with our yard. They'll learn how to sweep the street, and in the process they'll learn how to finish the job well.

Hearing From People Who Were Unchurched

I am reading a very eye-opening book titled Surprising Insights From the Unchurched and Proven Ways To Reach Them, by Thom Rainer. The author and his research group conducted in depth surveys with 350 people who had come to know Christ and began attending a church. The surveys took place within the first two years of these people coming to faith and beginning to attend a church, and actually most had been a Christian less than one year. 90% of the respondents said that the pastor and his preaching were the primary reason they returned to church. 49% said they came back a second time because of he friendliness of the people, 41% came because someone from the church invited them or told them about Christ, 37% came back because they sensed the presence of God in the church services. Surprisingly, only 11% came back because of the worship/music style. 25% came back because of children's or youth programs, and only 7% cared about the location of the church.

This research project is eye-opening for church leaders who are trying to figure out how to reach out to the vast unchurched population of our country. In most cases, we think like people who already attend our churches. We think that if our worship style is the most contemporary, if our kids and youth programs are top notch and that our publicity is sharp and eye catching, these things will bring people in. And yet, apparently this is not the case, and the failure of most American churches to grow is evidence of that. Wow... more later after I read further in the book.

The Torn Curtain

Another one of those "sub-stories" surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ that I enjoy thinking about is the main temple curtain that is torn from top to bottom at the moment that Christ dies on the cross. As you might recall, from the time that the mobile tabernacle was used in the desert trek of the Israelites to the magnificent temple in Jerusalem, the Holy Place was separated by the Holy of Holies. No one, except the high priest, entered the Holy of Holies, and he only did that once a year after extensive preparations. My imagination takes over here, but I think that since the crucifixion of Christ was such a big event in Jerusalem, everyone in the religious community probably wanted to be there. I imagine that the priest who was lowest on the "totem pole" probably drew temple duty and all the other priests went to the crucifixion. This priest may have even been a rookie, anxious because he was the only one there, and frustrated because he can't be at the big event. I imagine him standing on the porch of the temple watching the clouds roll in and the light beginning to dim. He probably wondered, like everyone else, what was happening. Then suddenly the earth begins to move, it might have thundered, and lightning may have shot across the sky. While fear from these events begins to invade his mind, he hears a horrible tearing noise coming from inside the temple. Fearfully, he runs into the Holy Place and horror of horrors, the huge 4" thick veil has been torn from top to bottom, the two pieces have been pushed back toward the side walls and the Holy of Holies is exposed. Never in his wildest imagination did he ever believe he would see the Ark of the Covenant. But there it is...terror grips his heart as he gazes on the Ark, because he knows that instant death is the penalty for being in the wrong place in the temple. He expects at any moment to fall to the floor, dead. But nothing happens. He takes a few steps toward the Holy of Holies, then a few more. He gets to the place where the veil is now separated. I can imagine that he quickly pokes his hand across the "line" and then pulls it back, nothing... He does it again, this time his whole arm, nothing... then he jumps in, and quickly jumps out, nothing... Finally he walks into the room and into God's presence. I can imagine this rookie priest experiencing the presence of God like never before. He laughs, he cries, he dances...

I can imagine that at some point, the spirit of God draws this priest to Himself and he is born again. Oh God, on this Easter day, help us to rekindle am infectious love for You that helps us tell the people around us about your wonderful Presence.

Getting Your Ear Cut Off Must Really Hurt

One of the "sub-plots" of the Easter story that has always intrigued me is the High Priest's servant and his encounter with Christ. Since it wasn't politically expedient for the High Priest to go with the arresting party to bring Jesus in, he sent his administrative assistant. I'm sure the High Priest expected a full and detailed report just as soon as the dirty deed was done. Can you imagine the scene when the servant got back? Instead of reporting on the arrest of Jesus, I can't help but think that he would be consumed with the miracle that had taken place. As you recall, Peter took out a sword to defend Jesus when the arresting party walked up. He swung the sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, the High Priest's servant. In John 18:11 it says, "So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” Then Jesus proceeds to restore the man's ear. However, the Bible doesn't say anything about Jesus cleaning Malchus up. If you've ever had a head wound, you know that it bleeds terribly. I can imagine a lot of blood on Malchus' clothes, plus, if he fell to the ground, he may have rolled around in the dirt and leaves and some of it stuck to his clothes, and he probably wiped his hands off on his tunic. By the time he gets back to the High Priest, he is a mess.

After he finishes telling the HP what had happened, I can see the HP examining Malchus' head. He runs his finger around his ear and says, "I can't see anything here, it's as if it never happened". Sadly, even though these two had witnessed an unbelievable miracle, it didn't seem to change their minds. Or did it... I wonder if Malchus was a distant observer at the crucifixion. And as he stood and watched Christ die, I wonder if he ran his finger around the severed and restored ear every few minutes. In his heart he knew, this was the Son of God. Tomorrow we celebrate our new life in this same Son of God. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Reading Through the Bible In A Year

I am thoroughly enjoying reading through the Bible in a year using Eugene Peterson's The Daily Message. There are readings from the Old Testament, then it switches to the New Testament, from Psalms to Proverbs. I must admit, however, that some of the more difficult portions to read are some of the early books. There are a lot of instructions, laws, sacrifice directions and details about the Israelites journey through the desert. Yesterday, in the midst of a long litany of instructions there were some very interesting instructions regarding generosity. In Deuteronomy 24 it says, "When you harvest your grain and forget a sheaf back in the field, don't go back and get it; leave it for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow so that God, your God, will bless you in all your work. When you shake the olives off your trees, don't go back over the branches and strip them bare-what's left is for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. And when you cut the grapes in your vineyard, don't take every last grape-leave a few for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. Don't ever forget that you were a slave in Egypt. I command you: Do what I'm telling you." Earlier, in chapter 23, the Israelites are admonished not to charge interest to each for any loan.

Wow, how different would our society be if we lived by these directives? All of this got me thinking, how would this play out today? Instead of leaving olives on a tree for a widow, maybe I should "borrow" a widow's car, or a single mother's car, fill it full of gas, make sure the oil is changed and do a quick inspection to make sure everything is working properly. Instead of leaving grapes on a vine, perhaps I should be helping my senior aged neighbors power wash their house, or helping to clean up their yard for the beginning of the growing season. I wonder if today's foster care network is our opportunity to care for orphans? It almost seems like God's instructions to the Israelites were His directives for them to do random acts of kindness. If they could do this, shouldn't I be able to do this as well? Now, where can I find a banker that won't charge me interest...

Moon and Stars Hung In Place

Here's one more science blog and then I'll be on another topic. The guest I've written about in previous blogs talked about the recent discovery of "dark matter". He said that it seems to be a framework that the entire universe is built on. In other words, it's as if the stars, planets, galaxies, etc., are all hung on this dark matter. It reminds me of David's writing in Psalm 8, When I consider your heavens,the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars,which you have set in place, (from New International Version). I have this picture in my mind of God putting together His creation like a puzzle, hanging each piece on a framework that is invisible to the observer. The illustration to the right is from a PowerPoint slide that our guest showed during his presentation. It is an artist's rendering of what dark matter might look like if we could see it. Fascinating stuff... One more thing, could the Big Bang theory of the beginning of the universe be the way that God chose to start the process. Did He speak the universe(s) into existence? When He spoke, was matter created from one spot and then begin to explode into what we now know is an expanding universe that perhaps started from one cataclysmic event? Again, our guest didn't know the answers to any of these questions, but as a scientist, he could easily see the work of an Intelligent Designer. David ends Psalm 8 with LORD, our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth! (and throughout the entire universe - my words)

How Much Do We Really Know?

In my last post I talked about a guest we had recently been at our church. During his presentation, he made two very interesting observations about man and knowledge. First, in the late 1800s, scientists, philosophers and others had determined that the progression of mankind through the ages had produced a nearly perfect scenario for the future. In other words, science and philosophy were producing the desired effect of a civilization progressing to its highest forms. Evolution at it's best... and then came the 20th century, the bloodiest and most violent century ever. Oops, maybe we didn't have it all together.

Second, our guest mentioned that in the late 1990s, scientists were ready to write what he called the TOE (the Theory of Everything). Science felt like it had solved nearly all the mysteries of the universe and the intricacies of the smallest particles and it was ready to document it all. Done, finished, we know it all! And then came the discovery of Dark Energy and Dark Matter. Suddenly we didn't know it all. Another interesting discovery is that the galaxies are being "pulled by something" outside of the visible universe and that there is a huge mysterious hole in the universe billions of light years across. No one can explain any of this. As our guest summed it all up, he used the pie chart at the top of this blog. He said now, it appears like all we really know is the 4% represented by the orange sliver, and that percentage might be shrinking. Again, throughout his presentation, even though a lot of it went right over my head, I was convinced over and over again that it is impossible to ponder these things and not be convinced that God, the Creator, is the source of all.

Science and Intelligent Design

On Saturday evening we had a guest speaker at our church. He is an engineer at Fermilab, near Chicago. Fermilab's official name is the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. It is the home of the Tevatron, four miles in circumference and originally named the Energy Doubler when it began operation in 1983. It is the world's highest-energy particle accelerator. Some of the questions that are hopefully going to be answered in the near future by research at the lab include:

What is the universe made of?
How does the universe work?
Why do particles have mass?
Does neutrino mass come from a different source?
What is the true nature of quarks and leptons? Why are there three generations of elementary particles?
What are the truly fundamental forces?
How do we incorporate quantum gravity into particle physics?
What are the differences between matter and antimatter?
What are the dark particles that bind the universe together?
What is the dark energy that drives the universe apart?
Are there hidden dimensions beyond the ones we know?
Are we part of a multidimensional megaverse?

Our guest spoke on many of these topics and I must admit that many of his explanations zoomed right over my head. However, in the midst of his presentation, he mentioned more than once that as scientists discover how little we really know about the world we live in, it is undeniable that the creative source has to be from an intelligent designer. From the farthest reaches of the universe to the smallest particle that can be identified, the design, function and form is too complex to even consider that the development was evolutionary in nature. Even though I didn't understand a lot of what I was hearing, what I did hear was that some of the smartest people on earth know that our Intelligent Designer created it all.

Safely and Humbly

I've seen a television commercial several times during the NCAA basketball tournament. A young girl, 8 or 9, is asking her dad if she can use the family car to go the the movies. The next shot goes to the dad as he asks her who is going. She tells tells him several girl's names and a boy's name. When he repeats the boy's name, the shot goes back to the young girl and now she is a teenager, with a "yes Daddy it's a boy" smile on her face". When the dad gives his permission the last shot is her thanking him and bounding down the steps of their house to the car.

About 18 months ago I replaced my old, tired van with one of those wonderful "finds". I found a 1994 Lexus ES300 in nearly pristine shape, with only 71,500 miles on it for a very reasonable price. After fixing a couple of things, this car is in nearly perfect shape for a 15 year old car. It looks nearly new and drives wonderfully well. Nicole turned 17 in January and I really relate with the commercial I described above. For some reason, Nicole always wants to drive my car instead of her mother's van. We have a little "father-daughter" routine we go through. She asks permission to use my car. After we discuss the details, I ask her "how are you going to drive"? She tells me "safely... and humbly". In my dry humor sort-of-way I've talked with her about not being "uppity" while driving this car. "It's a blessing we need to be thankful for". One of our driving rules is that we ask Nicole to call us when she gets to where she is driving. If I answer, I usually ask her, "Nicole, how did you drive"? When she tells me "safely and humbly" I can imagine the same kind of cute smile that the girl in the commercial has as she bounces down the steps to the family car. What Nicole doesn't know is that every time we have this little fun interaction, it is a prayer point for me. "Oh Lord, keep Nicole safe, and humble, right in the center of Your will."

Spring Is A Wonderful Season

I love spring. We have a lot of different trees, shrubs and flowers in our yard and I enjoy watching the "green" begin to appear. This year we have had some warm days on the weekends and I have been able to spend more time getting my yard ready than normal. Two weekends ago I filled 17 large yard bags with leaves, clippings from pruning trees and shrubs and dried vegetation from last year. In several cases, as I lifted up the dried and dead left over vegetation from last year, under the pile was a blaze of green. Last year's plants had dropped seeds or bulbs had come alive and now I could see this year's beauty beginning to grow. Yesterday I noticed that our big shade tree had the first little bursts of green that signaled new leaves. And this morning our Bradford Pear tree in the front yard had burst into white blossoms overnight. Before long our dogwoods will bloom, the daffodils and tulips will be in full bloom and spring will be here in all her glory. Yesterday I cleaned up Kathy's fountain, filled it full of clean water and started the pump. Within an hour or so, several birds had found the fresh water and were taking baths.

I am so glad that we celebrate Easter in the spring, the season of new life and hope. In the midst of the uncertainty of the current events that surround us, spring reminds me that God brings renewing life and hope. He is so faithful...

We Are So Blessed

In these times of such uncertainty and fear, we can easily retreat into the idea that "bad things are going to happen to me." You can almost envision the worst case scenario, even though our experience tells us that most of worries never come to pass. When you step back, and look at how blessed we are to have been born in the United States, you gain a whole new perspective. The great danger is that we will fall into the trap that the whole world is like the street we live on. Of course, it is not. How do you see the world? Six billion people are on the planet. If we reduce that population to 100 people, proportionately:
• 57 of those people come from Asia
• 21 from Europe
• 14 from North and South America
• 8 from Africa
• 49 would be women
• 51 would be men
• 68 would still not be able to read and write
• 6 of those people would own 50% of the world’s wealth and all of those would be U.S. citizens
• 1 of those people would have just been born
• 1 of those people is about to die
• Only 1 of those people have been to college

When I look at this list, and reflect on my own life, I have got to thank God for His tremendous blessings to me. And, it compels me, even in these uncertain times, to find ways to give back.

Are You Still Praying For the President?

In an Inauguration Day blog, I wrote that I would be praying for our new President, even though I could not agree with all of his views and beliefs. A lot has happened since Inauguration Day. (boy, is that an understatement) I realize now, more than ever, that I do not have very much in common with our new President. In fact, just when I think things are going to stabilize a bit, something else pops up that tells me just how much I wish this President wasn't the President. However, none of what has occurred releases me from the obligation to pray for President Obama. In fact, it should cause me to pray all the more for him and his advisers. I truly believe that there isn't a single politician, from either party, that knows what to do in these trying times. Without concentrated prayer, our leaders will not turn to God. They will rely on their own flawed wisdom and continue to make big mistakes.

I am reminded about the account in 1st Samuel where the nation of Israel cried out for a king. Even though God knew this is not what they needed, he granted their request because of their consistent asking for a king. Towards the end of Saul's reign, the people wished they had never asked for a king. They probably got what they deserved, but it sure wasn't what they expected. In spite of the situation, the people were still admonished to obey, serve and pray for the king. As a Christian, I'm in a tough spot. I don't agree with a lot that the government is doing right now. I don't agree with many of the leadership appointments and I don't like what we're hearing about plans that are coming in the future. But God has asked me to pray for my leaders, and I will continue to do that. This morning I was reading my "through-the-Bible-in-a-year" reading and Hebrews 1:14 in The Message says, "Isn't it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?" What if we prayed earnestly that our leaders would be "lined up to receive salvation". I'm praying that our leaders will come in contact with people who can influence them towards God, towards righteousness and salvation. You can choose to be afraid, to complain, bad mouth, etc., or you can be part of a spiritual move in prayer. After Saul, came David...

Birthday Musings

Today is the day. 60 years old. Boy, does time fly. Fortunately, I think the saying is correct, "you're only as old as you let yourself think you are." I really believe some great days are ahead. I suppose that when you boil it all down, the biggest blessing of reflecting on a major birthday is all the relationships you have, and cherish. I am married to a wonderful lady and we're more in love now then we ever have been before. I was with 5 of my 6 children for my birthday celebration and I am so blessed to be related to each one of them. Each one of our children brings special joy and great experiences. I am blessed with some wonderful friends, and Facebook, amazingly, brought a ton of birthday greetings starting on Friday from relationships from my entire adult life.

So today, I feel blessed. Blessed by so many people who took a little time to wish me well. And thank you as well for the boxes of bran cereal, over-the-hill stuff, black balloons, all the funny cards, etc. Yes, I really am so old that I can remember when the Dead Sea was just sick. :) Thank you everyone.

Pre-Birthday Musings

In a couple of days I will have one of th0se "benchmark" birthdays. This birthday has a zero in it, but does not have a 3,4 or 5. I must admit that for the first time, instead of thinking about all the things that need to be accomplished in the next few years, I have been much more reflective about what has already taken place, and what I could have done better. Don't get me wrong, this is not retirement time, I know I have some great years in front of me and I have plenty of energy. But I know I also want to factor in the time and energy to make sure that all of the positive influence I can exert, gets to the people I love and care about.

We have a plaque with the saying, "A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child". Looking back, I hope this has been true in my life. A weeks ago I re-connected with a young man from one of the youth groups that we pastored. He wrote this on my Facebook wall: "I just wanted you to know that, at a time when I was in your college group, grinding away at college and feeling overwhelmed, you told me you were proud of me because I wasn't just killing time like a lot of the others but was actually trying to get an education. It was exactly the time I needed to hear that and...it gave me such encouragement to keep going even though I felt like I was missing out of a lot of the "fun" by having to go to school. So, YOU have a big part in my accomplishment and I wish you could have been here for my swearing-in." Today Tony is a Superior Court judge in California.

More musings later...

Landing On Your Feet

God really helps us "land on our feet". Let me explain. Our oldest daughter and son-in-law have been working at a church in Northern California for the past couple of years. They were brought on the pastoral staff by a senior pastor who told them he would be there "until I retire". Greener grass on the other side of fence lured him away to another church so our kids were asked to be the interim pastors. Unfortunately, the church had not been left in real good shape, so Jason & Aimee rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Sadly, partly because they are young and do not have a "ton" of experience, and partly because some Christians insist on their way no matter what, they had some great experiences and some not so great experiences. All in all, they feel good about their time of leadership in this church. However, as the decision to hire a new pastor came closer, it was painfully obvious that church finances were not going to allow a pastor and an associate pastor. Plus, our kids were living in the parsonage that would have to be vacated when a new pastor came on board. So here they are; the pastor that hired them left, they can't stay in spite of all they have done, some people would love to have them become the new pastors and some would like to see them gone "as soon as possible".

So what do they do...they trust God. He opens a door and as they explore the open door they realize that God is really in this. So as it turns out, today they are packing their home up in Northern California and tomorrow they'll drive north 4 hours to Medford, OR. Our daughter will join the staff there as their new Children's Pastor and our son-in-law will be a Pastor on the staff, serving the Senior Pastor, plus working on his ministerial credentials and furthering his education. Today, Kathy (my wife), called the church to arrange for some flowers for Aimee's office when she arrives at the church on Friday. The secretary she talked with went on and on about how excited they are about our kids joining their staff. This church can't wait for them to get there and start working along side them. So, from one difficult situation to a wonderful new opportunity. God really does help us "land on our feet".

Change Brings Change

Last Sunday night was the end of a wonderful, weekly event for me. Our Sunday evening service always ends with a time of prayer. The congregation is invited to come to the altars, walk the aisles, or pray in whatever manner is comfortable for them. During this prayer time we play music that is appropriate for this quiet time. In fact, the inspiration for the CD that I recorded in 2005, Gentle Worship, Quiet Praise, came from these 30-45 minute sessions in which we played from one song to the next without much of a break. While we have had different musicians join us from time to time, basically Jonathan Gathman and myself have been the primary musicians. Over the years that I have been on the staff of WCAG, this evening service has diminished in attendance and beginning March 1st, our Sunday evening and Wednesday evening schedules are changing. One of the changes is the elimination of the Sunday evening service.

Jonathan is one of the greatest musicians I have ever had the pleasure of performing with. He moves effortlessly between the cello and recorder. His mastery of the cello is phenomenal. There have been times during our playing that I was so distracted from my own contribution because I was so taken with what I was hearing Jonathan play. There were other times when we both wished the session had been recorded because we knew that something special had taken place. For us, this became a worship time, our playing to God, that benefited us far more than anyone else who might be praying, and listening. I know people enjoyed our playing. They told us every week. When you play with someone week after week, you begin to "feel" how the other player will interpret the song you are playing. In our case, we would exchange the lead or melody without having to signal each other or say "you take the lead". In most cases I would change songs and Jonathan would follow, changing keys with me so easily that most people would think that we had written down all the songs, keys and arrangements. I think that when musicians truly worship God in their playing, you almost play beyond your ability. I think there were many times that Jonathan and both felt like that is exactly what was happening.

Last Sunday night we played as usual. As people began to leave, we finished up the last song. My emotions got the best of me as we played the last phrase and brought the song to a conclusion. When I stood up from the piano and turned around to thank Jonathan, it was obvious the same thing had happened to him. We embraced, and almost simultaneously we each said "I'm really going to miss this", and that was that. I'm really going to miss those times...

Good Reads

I try to read a couple of books a month. I vary my selections to include books that help me in my professional life, my personal life and then I read for fun. I have 3 suggestions for you, if you are a reader, that touch each area I outlined above.

The first book enhanced my professional life. The title is Who Stole My Church by Gordon McDonald. McDonald is a well-known pastor and prolific author. In this book, Gordon tells a story in novel form that outlines the changes that a traditional church makes as it tries to connect with present day culture. If your church is "changing", and you are having difficulty with some of the changes, this is a good read for you. The publisher is Thomas Nelson.

The second book helped me personally and is titled Meltdown (A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse) by Thomas E. Woods Jr. Woods is a senior fellow at the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama. In 2006 Woods won a first prize in literature from the Templeton Enterprise Awards. He is a prolific author on economic subjects. In this book he gives a good history of economics in America, details the Great Depression, compares it to the financial collapse in Japan, and compares Great Depression thinking to our present economic crises. As you can tell by the sub-title, he does not agree with the present governmental course of action. This is a good book for people who want to understand what is going on, but do not want a lot of technical information. The publisher is Regnery Publishing, Inc. I bought my copy at Borders.

The final book I just finished was for fun. I've been a John Grishman fan since his first book, A Time To Kill. This brand new book is titled The Associate. It has a captivating story line that grabs you from the very first chapter. I read it in a couple of days and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many of Grisham's books are about lawyers and legal matters. This one explores the world of huge New York City law firms and brand new Ivy League lawyers. The publisher is Doubleday and I saved a ton by buying my copy at Sam's Club.

Here's a tip to save some money at Borders. Join their free reward program. Every week you get emailed coupons that can save 20%-40%. If you wait for a book to go on their normal 40% off pricing, with the coupon you can a lot off the price.

Trusting God In Difficult Times

As you know, a huge spending bill has been passed by our Congress and will be signed by the President in the next couple of days. While this is being touted as the "solve-all" for our country's financial woes, history and a study of sound economic strategy, tells me different. I believe that all of us in the middle class are in for some difficult and trying times.

Here are a few promises from God's Word to meditate on:
God will be with us - Isaiah 43:2-3
God cares for us - Matthew 6:28-30
God will provide for us - Matthew 6:31-33
God will give us peace - Philippians 4:6-7
God will give us strength to endure hard times - Philippians 4:12-13
God will bless us as we bless others - Proverbs 11:25

Spend a few minutes looking at these scriptures. Allow the Spirit of God to point out key elements of His truth as you read His Word. We know and love a great God. And He knows us far better than we know ourselves. We can trust Him...

Heaven

A few months ago I purchased a book by Randy Alcorn titled Heaven. It is a near exhaustive book about Heaven, written in question and answer form. I worked through a lot of the book and then put it down, meaning to get back to it, but never did. A few weeks ago a member of our congregation gave me a small version titled Touchpoints Heaven. It is a much smaller version of the book I already mentioned, with 3 major divisions. First, the Present Heaven; second, the Eternal Heaven; and Life on the New Earth. This last section was fascinating. It included topics like age, alien life, angels, animals, books and reading, culture, free will, homes, marriage, sex, sports, technology and much more. I must admit that while the author uses scriptures for all of his answers, some of the scriptural applications seem to me to be a "stretch". However, this does not take away from this wonderful subject and the great treatment that Randy Alcorn gives it. Even if you are not much of a reader, this little $5 book reads very quickly and is packed with a lot of information. You will be amazed and inspired by what God has in store for those who know him!