Posts
Ligonier Ministries (R. C. Sproul) is giving away genuine leather Reformation Study Bibles to people who make donations of any amount. Details here:
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/2008/10/get-a-reformation-study-bible.html
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Open your mouth
First of all, Happy Birthday to my dear sister, Erin! May God bring many blessings to you as you reflect on the good years He has given you thus far, and may He grant you many, many more!
As part of a 30 day e-mail devotional, I have been listening to some messages by Nancy Leigh DeMoss on Proverbs 31. As part of those messages, she challenged her listeners to read Proverbs 31 every day for 31 days. I have not been listening to her every day and have not read Proverbs 31 every day, so I'm not quite meeting the challenge, but I have been trying to include Proverbs 31 with my regular reading and have found it to be very edifying.
I know that I'm supposed to really focus on the part about the "worthy woman" (as the heading says in one Bible), but there are other verses that come before it, discussing how a king should behave. I find myself filtering a lot of politics as I read my Bible these days, and I know it is because there is an election coming up. Issues are thrown in our faces and we often can't avoid them, even if we wished to (and I confess I wish I could ignore most of them). I have done a bit of pondering about how King Lemuel's mother's words should have an impact on how I vote, as I do have a voice, albeit small, in politics.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
I'm not going to say much, as I am still thinking about what this means. Mute, unfortunate, afflicted and needy - these are the ones we should be defending. The only cause I'm going to apply to this now is abortion. The unborn are mute, yet they also have the right to live. Those in power should be protecting them because they are vulnerable.
Last week Tim Challies wrote a very interesting response to someone's question about Christians imposing their values and morals on society, and abortion was the central issue. It's a worthwhile read: Moral High Ground. Take a look at the comments, as well!
The verse from Proverbs 31 that I am focusing on most in my life right now is verse 26: "She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Interestingly, the king should open his mouth to defend and the godly woman should open her mouth in wisdom and kind instruction. The verse stands out because it is one area that I know I need to work on. James 3:2 says, "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well." Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." Taming the tongue is critical, because it requires taming our hearts. If our heart is pure, our words and actions will be as well.
What are you opening your mouth to say?
As part of a 30 day e-mail devotional, I have been listening to some messages by Nancy Leigh DeMoss on Proverbs 31. As part of those messages, she challenged her listeners to read Proverbs 31 every day for 31 days. I have not been listening to her every day and have not read Proverbs 31 every day, so I'm not quite meeting the challenge, but I have been trying to include Proverbs 31 with my regular reading and have found it to be very edifying.
I know that I'm supposed to really focus on the part about the "worthy woman" (as the heading says in one Bible), but there are other verses that come before it, discussing how a king should behave. I find myself filtering a lot of politics as I read my Bible these days, and I know it is because there is an election coming up. Issues are thrown in our faces and we often can't avoid them, even if we wished to (and I confess I wish I could ignore most of them). I have done a bit of pondering about how King Lemuel's mother's words should have an impact on how I vote, as I do have a voice, albeit small, in politics.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all the unfortunate.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
I'm not going to say much, as I am still thinking about what this means. Mute, unfortunate, afflicted and needy - these are the ones we should be defending. The only cause I'm going to apply to this now is abortion. The unborn are mute, yet they also have the right to live. Those in power should be protecting them because they are vulnerable.
Last week Tim Challies wrote a very interesting response to someone's question about Christians imposing their values and morals on society, and abortion was the central issue. It's a worthwhile read: Moral High Ground. Take a look at the comments, as well!
The verse from Proverbs 31 that I am focusing on most in my life right now is verse 26: "She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Interestingly, the king should open his mouth to defend and the godly woman should open her mouth in wisdom and kind instruction. The verse stands out because it is one area that I know I need to work on. James 3:2 says, "For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well." Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." Taming the tongue is critical, because it requires taming our hearts. If our heart is pure, our words and actions will be as well.
What are you opening your mouth to say?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Child of the King
Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
I am child of God, and if God is the King, I must be a princess. I know that word tends to conjure images like this in our minds:
That really is not the kind of princess I am, however. I will wear a crown and will live in a mansion belonging to my Father, but not yet. For now I am called to be a different kind of princess, something more like this:
While I don't intend to start toting around a large gun, Princess Leia is an interesting little analogy for the kind of princess that I am called to be.
Leia is a princess by adoption.
Romans 8:15
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Her adoption saved her from the Dark Side.
Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
She carries information that can save lives.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
She is imprisoned and tortured as a result of her life-saving mission.
2 Timothy 1:8
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
She sees her entire planet blown up because she stands firm.
Mark 10:29-30
Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life."
She risks her life to bring the information that can save so many lives.
Mark 8:35
"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."
She serves as a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
She is on the winning side.
Revelation 17:14
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
And on a lighter note, she kissed her brother.
1 Thessalonians 5:26
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
During all of the battles and torture and adventures in her life, Leia always remained feminine. She has her share of traits that may not be what godly women should display in their own lives, but let us not forget that she was accepted and welcomed by the Ewoks because she was kind and gentle, while the men almost became dinner because of their rough manner.
I will admit that this post is very light-hearted. The heart of the topic is not, however. Am I living like a princess who expects to be pampered or like a princess who will risk her life to bring the words of life to others?
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
I am child of God, and if God is the King, I must be a princess. I know that word tends to conjure images like this in our minds:
That really is not the kind of princess I am, however. I will wear a crown and will live in a mansion belonging to my Father, but not yet. For now I am called to be a different kind of princess, something more like this:While I don't intend to start toting around a large gun, Princess Leia is an interesting little analogy for the kind of princess that I am called to be.
Leia is a princess by adoption.
Romans 8:15
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Her adoption saved her from the Dark Side.
Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
She carries information that can save lives.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
She is imprisoned and tortured as a result of her life-saving mission.
2 Timothy 1:8
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
She sees her entire planet blown up because she stands firm.
Mark 10:29-30
Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life."
She risks her life to bring the information that can save so many lives.
Mark 8:35
"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."
She serves as a soldier.
2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
She is on the winning side.
Revelation 17:14
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
And on a lighter note, she kissed her brother.
1 Thessalonians 5:26
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
During all of the battles and torture and adventures in her life, Leia always remained feminine. She has her share of traits that may not be what godly women should display in their own lives, but let us not forget that she was accepted and welcomed by the Ewoks because she was kind and gentle, while the men almost became dinner because of their rough manner.
I will admit that this post is very light-hearted. The heart of the topic is not, however. Am I living like a princess who expects to be pampered or like a princess who will risk her life to bring the words of life to others?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Lucy's long weekend
This weekend Lucy met her Grandma and Grandpa.
They took Lucy and Lucy's Mommy with them to Gettysburg. Here is Lucy in the car.
Lucy got to see battlefields...
She also saw cannons...
Lucy and General Longstreet...
Grandpa helped Lucy get a closer sniff
Lucy appearing as a mere speck from the top of Devil's Den, with Little Round Top in the background
She was tuckered out and slept most of the way home!
It was a very nice trip. More pictures can be found here.
They took Lucy and Lucy's Mommy with them to Gettysburg. Here is Lucy in the car.
Lucy got to see battlefields...
She also saw cannons...
Lucy and General Longstreet...
Grandpa helped Lucy get a closer sniff
Lucy appearing as a mere speck from the top of Devil's Den, with Little Round Top in the background
She was tuckered out and slept most of the way home!
It was a very nice trip. More pictures can be found here.
Monday, October 13, 2008
After
Mom did a before and after with Beau's grooming on Saturday, and I really intended to do the same with Lucy today, but I forgot to take a before picture. I decided that the best thing to do in this case would be to do an after video.
This is classic Lucy - can't stand still, in your face, adorable. Enjoy!
This is classic Lucy - can't stand still, in your face, adorable. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Laughing at God
Genesis 17:17, 18:12-14, 21:1-2
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"
And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?'
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised.
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.
Mark 5: 38-42
They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing.
And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep."
They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was.
Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!").
Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.
Laughing at God is a sure sign that they didn't believe that He would do miraculous things. He said that something great was about to happen and they treated it like a joke. "Ha ha, God, that's a good one!" I think we fall into the same trap sometimes. We allow God to do good things, so long as they are within the bounds of what we consider possible. Old people don't have kids, and dead people stay dead. Is anything too difficult for the LORD? "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27). With small faith, we ask for small things. With faith in a God that finds nothing too difficult, we ask for great things. God hears our prayers, so what are we praying for? Are they little things or are they great things? Do we believe His promises or do we pick and choose from them depending on what seems more plausible?
May I have faith in my God such that I will never laugh at Him, no matter how impossible the miracle may seem.
Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?"
Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"
And the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?'
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised.
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.
Mark 5: 38-42
They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing.
And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep."
They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was.
Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!").
Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.
Laughing at God is a sure sign that they didn't believe that He would do miraculous things. He said that something great was about to happen and they treated it like a joke. "Ha ha, God, that's a good one!" I think we fall into the same trap sometimes. We allow God to do good things, so long as they are within the bounds of what we consider possible. Old people don't have kids, and dead people stay dead. Is anything too difficult for the LORD? "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27). With small faith, we ask for small things. With faith in a God that finds nothing too difficult, we ask for great things. God hears our prayers, so what are we praying for? Are they little things or are they great things? Do we believe His promises or do we pick and choose from them depending on what seems more plausible?
May I have faith in my God such that I will never laugh at Him, no matter how impossible the miracle may seem.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
All Things
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
~ Philippians 2:14-15
I hate to hear coworkers griping all day long about stuff. It really gets to me. Yet I know that I also complain and sometimes show a really rotten attitude. There is more than my reputation as an employee or coworker at stake. My reputation as a child of God is questionable when I indulge in a vocally negative attitude toward work, other people, etc. This passage is now up at my desk to serve as a much needed reminder. Attitude matters.
~ Philippians 2:14-15
I hate to hear coworkers griping all day long about stuff. It really gets to me. Yet I know that I also complain and sometimes show a really rotten attitude. There is more than my reputation as an employee or coworker at stake. My reputation as a child of God is questionable when I indulge in a vocally negative attitude toward work, other people, etc. This passage is now up at my desk to serve as a much needed reminder. Attitude matters.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
How to of the Day
The Google home page can be personalized to include several "Gadgets". One of them that I find amusing is the How to of the Day. Here is one of the two that is showing for me now.
How to of the Day
8 Clues That You're Dating a Gold Digger
Have you ever been suspicious that the person you're dating is more interested in your money than in you? If you are concerned about this and want to find out, here are some ideas to accomplish this and protect yourself before it is too late.
How about simply protecting yourself from this kind of situation in the first place like I do by not having any money? Guaranteed to keep gold diggers at bay! I'm really just amused by the fact that this showed up as a how to. Usually the how to articles tell you how to make something like a yarn octopus or do something like open a geode. Identifying a gold digger? Shouldn't that go in a dating section?
How to of the Day
8 Clues That You're Dating a Gold Digger
Have you ever been suspicious that the person you're dating is more interested in your money than in you? If you are concerned about this and want to find out, here are some ideas to accomplish this and protect yourself before it is too late.
How about simply protecting yourself from this kind of situation in the first place like I do by not having any money? Guaranteed to keep gold diggers at bay! I'm really just amused by the fact that this showed up as a how to. Usually the how to articles tell you how to make something like a yarn octopus or do something like open a geode. Identifying a gold digger? Shouldn't that go in a dating section?
Monday, October 6, 2008
Gianna Jessen
Sarah posted an absolutely heartwrenching video about Obama's voting record on Infant Right to Life bills a couple of weeks ago. This is a clip of Gianna Jessen, a saline abortion survivor, talking about those bills. It's actually pretty disgusting that some people are willing to ignore facts in the name of politics. Is this what we are coming to?
Gianna gets my support. She has courage! Visit YouTube and search for Gianna Jessen and you can see other videos of her. There are a few of her speaking in Australia that are quite good.
Gianna gets my support. She has courage! Visit YouTube and search for Gianna Jessen and you can see other videos of her. There are a few of her speaking in Australia that are quite good.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Narrow Gate
Matthew 7:13-15
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.
"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
I think it is no mistake that Jesus goes from talking about the wide and narrow gates to false prophets. There are many who preach a false, wide gate gospel, appearing to do the work of God but succeeding in leading many astray.
In order to recognize the false, we must first know what is true. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. THE truth, not just something that is true for you. THE truth is absolute, and few will believe it. While the love and grace of God are expansive, His criteria for redemption are exclusive. There is no place for relativism in the church, and if there is no place for relativism in the church, there is no place for relativism in our lives. Do not be ashamed of the truth, for it is that which is is able to save your soul.
~~~~~~~~
This wasn't what I was originally going to share this week, but I saw something in the news yesterday that reminded me of how much influence false teachers have. It's news that is more than two weeks old, so I didn't see it right away, but it is so very sad. There is a push for the Anglican and Catholic church leaders to apologize to Charles Darwin for not receiving his work well in his day. Wide is the gate and broad is the way when those who should be leading the people in truth place the theory of a man above the Word of God. These churches have had their problems for a long time now, and this comes in following so many other worldly compromises, particularly by the church started so a king could get a divorce. I suppose the Vatican has traded some of its unbiblical practices for others over the years, but while I think they have major issues, they don't manage to disgust me quite as much as the Anglican church does.
This is the way far too many individual churches and whole denominations are going. The narrow path that the Church should be walking on has been widened to include more and more lanes that will lead instead to the wide gate. Society doesn't agree with what God says, so we conveniently sweep those controversial issues under a rug. Come to Jesus, but feel free to maintain your lifestyle. Sin doesn't matter if you believe. Look to the cross, and ignore the rest of the Bible. False prophets have come and they are tickling ears every chance they get. We can see it so clearly in some instances, but there is a lot of danger in the more subtle teachings that gradually feed more and more lies. Denominations, churches and individuals don't fall away from the truth all at once. It's a little bit here and a little bit there. What little bits are we buying into? I know I've seen things in my own life that are definitely the influence of the world. I'm not exempt, and I don't think you are, either.
Know the truth. It's the only way we will ever recognize a lie. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.
"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
I think it is no mistake that Jesus goes from talking about the wide and narrow gates to false prophets. There are many who preach a false, wide gate gospel, appearing to do the work of God but succeeding in leading many astray.
In order to recognize the false, we must first know what is true. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. THE truth, not just something that is true for you. THE truth is absolute, and few will believe it. While the love and grace of God are expansive, His criteria for redemption are exclusive. There is no place for relativism in the church, and if there is no place for relativism in the church, there is no place for relativism in our lives. Do not be ashamed of the truth, for it is that which is is able to save your soul.
~~~~~~~~
This wasn't what I was originally going to share this week, but I saw something in the news yesterday that reminded me of how much influence false teachers have. It's news that is more than two weeks old, so I didn't see it right away, but it is so very sad. There is a push for the Anglican and Catholic church leaders to apologize to Charles Darwin for not receiving his work well in his day. Wide is the gate and broad is the way when those who should be leading the people in truth place the theory of a man above the Word of God. These churches have had their problems for a long time now, and this comes in following so many other worldly compromises, particularly by the church started so a king could get a divorce. I suppose the Vatican has traded some of its unbiblical practices for others over the years, but while I think they have major issues, they don't manage to disgust me quite as much as the Anglican church does.
This is the way far too many individual churches and whole denominations are going. The narrow path that the Church should be walking on has been widened to include more and more lanes that will lead instead to the wide gate. Society doesn't agree with what God says, so we conveniently sweep those controversial issues under a rug. Come to Jesus, but feel free to maintain your lifestyle. Sin doesn't matter if you believe. Look to the cross, and ignore the rest of the Bible. False prophets have come and they are tickling ears every chance they get. We can see it so clearly in some instances, but there is a lot of danger in the more subtle teachings that gradually feed more and more lies. Denominations, churches and individuals don't fall away from the truth all at once. It's a little bit here and a little bit there. What little bits are we buying into? I know I've seen things in my own life that are definitely the influence of the world. I'm not exempt, and I don't think you are, either.
Know the truth. It's the only way we will ever recognize a lie. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Boldly go!
This week I boldly went where many, many people have gone before! I entered the world of RSS feeds, choosing Google Reader to do my hunting and gathering for me. I broke down and customized google.com to include the reader so I just go to the Google webpage and can see if there are any new blog posts. I have several blogs and two devotionals (both of the daily devotionals from www.gty.org, so never straying too far from my college roots) all delivered to a single webpage. Google Reader allows you to share with your friends who also use it, so I get to read the weird, interesting, funny and sometimes worthwhile things that Tim shares, for example, and he might see the devotional that I share ;). There is only one downside to this...people don't update their blogs often enough.
Oh, look, Erin updated her blog! Better go check that out...
Oh, look, Erin updated her blog! Better go check that out...
Armchair Economist
Everyone knows that their ideas for how the government should do things are the best ideas, so with that in mind and knowing full well that the bailout bill has already been passed, I think it's time that I shared my opinions! I'm going to take a slightly different approach, however, and share with you my bailout plan and why it is not a particularly good idea.
I think the government should give money to lenders, not by purchasing bad loans, but by paying off parts of loans in repayment. That's right, put a little bit toward your mortgage and a little bit toward my student loans. The financial institutions of America still get the money and you and I get a little bit of debt relief.
Why is this my plan? I'm in debt. Plain and simple. My debt isn't going to be considered a "bad asset" because I make payments on what I owe. I'm in deep enough that it's going to take a long time for me to get out, but not so deep that I'm a major default risk. If the government is giving away money, I'd like a little bit, thank you.
Why is this not a good idea? It isn't practical. It's idealistic. Above all, there's no way to make it fair. There is no way to pull this off without rewarding debtors. The government bailing anybody out is inherently unfair, I understand, but it is really easier to provide relief from the top and establish stability again in America's financial sector. Consider the logistics of debt relief. Would it be a set dollar amount? A percentage? What kind of debt is eligible?
A set dollar amount would benefit most those with the least debt. It would, in a sense, be a reward for having less debt, but it would not help keep the highest risk loans out of danger, and bad assets are what the bailout is focused on to begin with. Besides, how much relief would an individual get in this scenario? The amount of money set aside for immediate relief is less than half of the total bill budget, so I think it would turn out to be a rather short term cushion for the consumer and satisfy no more than this year's tax rebates (and how quickly did we all spent that?).
A percentage-type debt relief would benefit those with larger amounts of debt. It would reward bigger spenders and give more relief to people with more collateral. Yeah, this would look like helping the rich more than the poor. In one sense it might be the most fair, however, because the relief on an individual budget would be much more "equal" than the relief from an equal dollar amount for everyone.
What kind of debt might be paid down? Mortgages? Credit card debt? Student loans? Business loans? Car loans? Americans are so good at getting things that we can't afford to buy outright that we have loans for everything. Mortgages are the biggest reason that financial institutions are in trouble now. But I don't have one of those. I don't have a car loan, either, nor do I own a business. I have three creditors - Citi, Sallie Mae and Uncle Sam. They aren't the ones that seem to be in trouble (well, maybe the last one). Would my debt even be considered because of who I am lending from?
Honestly, to make a scheme like mine work, I think they'd have to write a code akin to the tax code. That would take far too long and be far too messy. Emergency relief requires something faster than that. No, it probably won't seem fair, and it may not be fair. I'm glad it's not my decision to make. I don't know if I would do any better than the next armchair economist.
I think the government should give money to lenders, not by purchasing bad loans, but by paying off parts of loans in repayment. That's right, put a little bit toward your mortgage and a little bit toward my student loans. The financial institutions of America still get the money and you and I get a little bit of debt relief.
Why is this my plan? I'm in debt. Plain and simple. My debt isn't going to be considered a "bad asset" because I make payments on what I owe. I'm in deep enough that it's going to take a long time for me to get out, but not so deep that I'm a major default risk. If the government is giving away money, I'd like a little bit, thank you.
Why is this not a good idea? It isn't practical. It's idealistic. Above all, there's no way to make it fair. There is no way to pull this off without rewarding debtors. The government bailing anybody out is inherently unfair, I understand, but it is really easier to provide relief from the top and establish stability again in America's financial sector. Consider the logistics of debt relief. Would it be a set dollar amount? A percentage? What kind of debt is eligible?
A set dollar amount would benefit most those with the least debt. It would, in a sense, be a reward for having less debt, but it would not help keep the highest risk loans out of danger, and bad assets are what the bailout is focused on to begin with. Besides, how much relief would an individual get in this scenario? The amount of money set aside for immediate relief is less than half of the total bill budget, so I think it would turn out to be a rather short term cushion for the consumer and satisfy no more than this year's tax rebates (and how quickly did we all spent that?).
A percentage-type debt relief would benefit those with larger amounts of debt. It would reward bigger spenders and give more relief to people with more collateral. Yeah, this would look like helping the rich more than the poor. In one sense it might be the most fair, however, because the relief on an individual budget would be much more "equal" than the relief from an equal dollar amount for everyone.
What kind of debt might be paid down? Mortgages? Credit card debt? Student loans? Business loans? Car loans? Americans are so good at getting things that we can't afford to buy outright that we have loans for everything. Mortgages are the biggest reason that financial institutions are in trouble now. But I don't have one of those. I don't have a car loan, either, nor do I own a business. I have three creditors - Citi, Sallie Mae and Uncle Sam. They aren't the ones that seem to be in trouble (well, maybe the last one). Would my debt even be considered because of who I am lending from?
Honestly, to make a scheme like mine work, I think they'd have to write a code akin to the tax code. That would take far too long and be far too messy. Emergency relief requires something faster than that. No, it probably won't seem fair, and it may not be fair. I'm glad it's not my decision to make. I don't know if I would do any better than the next armchair economist.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Discernment
When I was a kid, I remember listening to my mom pray every day that my oldest sister would have discernment. It was a concept I really didn't understand at the time, but I have come to appreciate that prayer. I understand what a Christian student in a public school is up against. There are so many influences that can slowly and subtly fill their minds with worldliness and flat out lies.
Discernment isn't just something that students need, however. We all need it. We need it whenever we watch television or movies, listen to the radio and even when we go to church. John MacArthur wrote an article entitled "Discernment: Spiritual Survival for a Church in Crisis". It's not necessarily a quick read and I don't think that it's something that we don't know, but it's something that we probably can't be reminded about enough. I encourage you to take a look at it, then pray for discernment and seek to know the truth of God's Word!
Discernment isn't just something that students need, however. We all need it. We need it whenever we watch television or movies, listen to the radio and even when we go to church. John MacArthur wrote an article entitled "Discernment: Spiritual Survival for a Church in Crisis". It's not necessarily a quick read and I don't think that it's something that we don't know, but it's something that we probably can't be reminded about enough. I encourage you to take a look at it, then pray for discernment and seek to know the truth of God's Word!
Open Bible
Here's a very cool Bible study tool that I discovered today (on the Grace to You website)
http://www.openbible.info/
It uses Google maps to show where all identifiable Bible locations are, organized by book and chapter. Pretty spiffy if you ask me!
http://www.openbible.info/
It uses Google maps to show where all identifiable Bible locations are, organized by book and chapter. Pretty spiffy if you ask me!
Small Paws in Second Place!
If you haven't voted in the Care2 Animal Shelter Contest yet, take a moment and vote!
The grand prize is a $10,000 grant to an animal shelter. Small Paws is in second place, only 122 votes out of first place, so they have a shot at winning!
Vote to give much needed money to the rescue that saved Lucy's life!
http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/74167/?refer=32668.10.1222450291.3399
The grand prize is a $10,000 grant to an animal shelter. Small Paws is in second place, only 122 votes out of first place, so they have a shot at winning!
Vote to give much needed money to the rescue that saved Lucy's life!
http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/74167/?refer=32668.10.1222450291.3399
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Meat and cobbler!
I am staring at a large container of food. Hamburger patty, BBQ pulled pork, bratwurst with sauerkraut, macaroni salad, french fries, a roll and some peach cobbler. This may take me all day to finish, but I'm going to do it!
Today is the annual "Bro Breakfast" at work, named for one of the chief chefs. It began with a grand breakfast (that I didn't have time or stomach for this morning) and morphed into lunch. I passed by the cornbread, chili, Italian sausage, peppers and onions and clams, so my plate is only a sampling of what was available.
Hurray for lunch!
Today is the annual "Bro Breakfast" at work, named for one of the chief chefs. It began with a grand breakfast (that I didn't have time or stomach for this morning) and morphed into lunch. I passed by the cornbread, chili, Italian sausage, peppers and onions and clams, so my plate is only a sampling of what was available.
Hurray for lunch!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
