davethepastor's blog

So, the credit crisis met the Wilsons when we had to buy a new vehicle. Credit was good, not great, but getting a loan proved to be more of a hassle than ever before. That was in October, before all the news broke about the "credit crunch."

We managed to secure pretty good financing though and continued on our merry way, reducing balances with an eye to getting completely free from debt.

Now twice in two week's time  we have received notice from credit card companies - Chase and Home Depot, that they were increasing their annual percentage rates dramatically. Chase at least came right out and said it was to increase their profitability.

So this stimulus plan is really working well. NOT.

Not a chance in this world that I'm going to do anything but tell both Chase and Home Depot to pound sand. Whereas I might have been willing to buy new appliances to lower my energy costs - no way. And I had considered using Chase as a vacation card each year - not going to happen.

When government gets involved in economics the result never is what the politicians tell you.

/rant off

It is my mother's birthday today. She would have been 88. Of all the losses I have ever experienced in this life, the loss of my Mother in 1991 has been the greatest. She was an amazing grandmother to our boys, and eventually a good mother in law to my wife. We all miss her, but we will see her again.

If I were hanged on the highest hill,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
I know whose love would follow me still,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

If I were drowned in the deepest sea,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!
I know whose tears would come down to me,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

If I were damned of body and soul,
I know whose prayers would make me whole,
Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

Rudyard Kipling

It's been a while since I did one of these.

Engaging Worship: 20 Blueprints for Experiential Church Services

Your God Is Too Safe

Mark Buchanan

Alternative Worship: Resources from and for the Emerging Church

Baker Publishing Group

611960_sk_md

So is he saying I spend a lot of time here at the computer? :)

Love you too Sean.

Q: Can you think of one moment from your experience with James that really stands out?

LG: Hmm. Well, during my first tour with the band, when I was still feeling a little insecure about whether I was "cutting it" or not, we were onstage playing....I don't

Larry and James in Nashville

remember the song...But it was something that had an instrumental section where the band was just grooving on a few chords. I'm playing the organ, and I look up and there's James, playing guitar, and staring at me - a really kind of glazed, lost look. I panicked a bit, thinking I must have been playing something terribly wrong. Not knowing how to react, I gave him a nervous smile, and immediately, his blank stare melted into a huge, almost blissful grin. I realized then that the STARE had been that of a musician completely lost in the joy of making music with others. You know, there's James Taylor, the songwriter, the singer, the entertainer; but ever since that incident, I realize what pulls him on stage year after year, is that he just LOVES making music. He thrives on the give and take that exists between musicians, he loves to groove....he gets lost in it. This quality of James comes through so deeply when he performs....that genuine love of making music.

Oh yeah, gotta go.

From the I Has A Hot Dog blog

Funny-dog-pictures-fold-dog-couch-directions

"I continue to maintain the serious theological view that dogs give the closest thing to God's unconditional grace that we will receive this side of the veil. Those of us who properly love our dogs in return hurt ever so badly when they hurt. Saying goodbye to them is ridiculously difficult." Todd-Paul Taulbee

HT - UMC Reporter Blog - Amy's Theology of Dog