Your Connection Point

The Problem We Are In

2008-10-08T10:35:37-04:00

Sometimes it is hard to get a good handle on why we are in the economic trouble we are in. But this article dating back to 1999 talks about the beginning of the problem. It happened when we failed to allow sound economic policy to govern our activities and instead decided to allow people to have loans that could not pay them back. And then we are surprised when they can't pay them back? It seems the bigger government gets and the more involved they get in our lives, the worse things seems to turn out. For years America was the strongest nation in the world because of our free market economy - which we want to export to the world. But then our government insists on gravitating toward more socialistic principles.

This article even predicted what we are going through. Read this:

"In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's."

''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry.''

Love to hear your comments on this.

Image Management

2008-09-27T11:12:07-04:00

Oh...I forgot I had a blog...it has been some time since I last blogged...but then again that may be a good strategy...like seeing a triple play in baseball...it doesn't happen that much, so when it does happen you appreciate it all the more. Maybe my lack of blog content can work that way. Ok, I don't think so.

Last week I spoke on Image Management. It is something we all do. Whether it is on our MySpace page, daily at work, or on Sundays - we project an image that often falls far short of reality. As I said on Sunday, there is not really anything wrong for wanting to be known for something, but what happens when their is a gap between what we want to be known for and what is real. Most of the time we pretend...we cover up. We aren't real.

I showed a video to my home group this past Sunday that showed where image management can take you. Here are the questions we need to ponder as we see this video:

Is image management progressive? Is there a tendency for it to grow over time?
Who does image management hurt? We often want to think it only affects us, but who is ultimately affected?

Watch the video by clicking here.

Random Thoughts

2008-08-26T11:21:04-04:00

Been away from the blog for a few days, so here are some random thoughts:

1) The USS North Carolina battleship in Wilmington, NC is amazing. How those guys lived on that ship for months at a time is unbelievable. I started getting claustrophobic just walking around below deck. My boys had two words about the whole thing - "no privacy".

2) Last night I drafted a championship winning fantasy football team. Last year was my first trip to the Championship game, and this year I am taking it all. My only weakness is QB - that can't be too important, can it?!?

3) I have been trying to upload the video trailer from the Prison Break sermon series for a week, but I haven't been able to figure out how to embed it. I hope to figure it out soon, but it is against my religion to read directions so it may take me a while.

4) Facebook is the coolest. I have been able to catch up with countless old friends. If you haven't checked it out, you need to. We even have a group from the church where we can distribute info, etc.

5) Bill Drees (the Director of Mission for the Kershaw Baptist Association) has started a blog. Check it out and heckle him in his comments. Ha Ha.

Video from last week - Broke!?!

2008-08-17T21:35:54-04:00

Last Sunday I showed a video that I thought some might want to see again. It goes perfect with the message "Broke!?!". Here is is.

My Experience in Our Legal System

2008-08-11T23:46:43-04:00

I appeared in court on Monday. But it was not for anything I had done. I was called to jury duty. It had only happened one time in the past, and that time I was dismissed because I had a moral problem with drinking and driving. (I know. I am such a prude.) But this time they did not dismiss me. They actually picked me. So now I am experienced in how the legal system works.

Some observations (even though I can give no details since I don't want to cause a mistrial):

1. The legal system is tedious. Nothing happens quickly. It is slow and painful.

2. Perry Mason and Denny Crane only exist in the movies or on television.

3. Halfway through the questioning - I found myself with a strong desire to either ask more questions or to explain what was going on to one of the attorney's who didn't seem to get what the witness was saying. Is it really necessary to ask 5 questions that mean essentially the same thing?

4. Those seats aren't as comfortable as they look.

5. It has been a wonderful experience (okay, I am lying here. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be), but I really don't care to do it again for a long time.

Anybody else have any great jury duty stories?

Olympics

2008-08-08T22:21:59-04:00

It is Friday night and I am watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. I love the excitement of the Olympics. My favorite sports are the ones we don't see on a normal basis - swimming, track and field, team handball. What are your favorite things to watch in the Olympics?

Does Your Child Have Nature Deficit Disorder?

2008-08-06T15:39:58-04:00

Check out this book reviewby Al Mohler. Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He reviews the book by Richard Louv called Last Child in the Woods. I believe there may be something to this. What do you think?

Facebook

2008-08-05T23:22:04-04:00

I have really been thinking about ditching the blog, but I am going to give it another shot.� More of just some quick random things that are on my mind.� Right now I am really digging Facebook, the social connection website thing-a-ma-jig.�(For those of you who don't know what that means - that is the technical term for a doo-hickey). I have been able to re-connect with friends from High School, College, Seminary and even some guys on the mission field.� I even had someone come visit the church a couple of weeks ago because I reconnected with them on Facebook.� Give it a try and add me as a friend. It does not have near the seedy side as Myspace (at least I don't think so.� I haven't gone looking for it.) Check our Facebook at www.facebook.com

It

2008-07-29T12:44:01-04:00

One of my favorite pastors to listen to is Craig Groeschel. He pastors Life Church in Oklahoma. Craig has just released his new book called It: How Churches and Leaders can get it and keep it. Here is an excerpt from the book. You can order a copy here. And, no, I am not getting a cut from Craig based on how many books I sell.

Church Pirates

2008-07-22T12:24:14-04:00

This is a great video blog by Ed Young. I would love to hear comments on it. See the blog here.