Is The Emergent Movement Fizzling?

The overall consensus I have on this subject is, my observations have seen a widening gap between the emergent’s and us Good Old Bible Believing Jesus People (GOBBJP).  It is easier now to spot those emergent's than ever, and I imagine will get even easier  in the future.

 
Musicians are notorious for jumping on the bandwagon of anything new, in fact they are new style junkies who in my opinion tend to be shallow in their Biblical knowledge and thinking.  They have to be watched closely for slippage, as we have seen in the past.  They, like some pastors have this "I'm God's favorite" attitude or belief, which if allowed to go unchecked will crash and burn given enough time.  All because they have a gift or calling, that puts them in front of the church, who ironically looks up to them as examples of what it means or looks like to be a Christian.

What I am saying is those who jump on the emergent bandwagon usually do so because of the infatuation with it all, its all new, and ready to be experienced, and they are in front of the line.  I believe we are in a place in time with this, that a lot of those who got involved are sneaking back to the GOBBJP side now.

 
What I have found myself growing in concern about, is those who have taken a staunch position against the emergent movement.  I understand their feeling like there is no one to trust.  Because of their stance they become silent due to those they talk to, who basically don't want to hear it.  Some have stopped going to church, and when you talk to them its like they now pick apart every church they go to as they attempt to find a “emergent free” church.  They have a bad case of paranoia. 

Then the Pastors or even Worship leaders who maybe have got caught up in this before they knew it.  Who got out of it only to find its too late, their name has been associated with them.  Then there is those Pastors such as Greg Laure who being a GOBBJP are trying to bring these people back to the true walk with God.  Maybe he is doing it without apology, but considers it his responsibility to function in this capacity.  And should we apologize for doing the right thing?

 
Overall the point is; the excitement is passing and when you are attempting to have a relationship with God other than the way prescribed to us in the Bible.  You quickly find your self alone and disconnected with God, not to mention all of the questions you have, unanswered about this emergent movements philosophy and credibility.  I must leave you with this verse that sums it up:

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Socialism or Capitalism? Give me Dirt!

As I was listening to Rush today I was looking at my children's ant farm.  Its one of those new ones with gel instead of dirt.  The problem with these is, their food is in the gel, so they have all the food they need.

Looking at the farm, behind it was a picture of one with dirt and in the tunnels all over the place with ants working and moving eggs and just a lot of activity and growth.  This is what I remember as a child with my ant farms.

As I looked back at the gel farm, out of 25 ants in this one, 2 were digging in 2 different tunnels just 2 inches long, and a couple were trying to get out of the farm.  The rest of the ants were laying around on the surface doing nothing.

My conclusion was, watching the dirt farm, they were alive and industrious, while looking at the gel farm my conclusion is they are dying and we will be throwing it away soon.
I don't think anyone wants a gel life, I say give me dirt!

When there is no incentive in life there is no growth.  In our society we have several descriptions for those with no incentive to grow or prosper, but our nation is founded on hard work and prosperity in all facets of our lives.  Again I choose Dirt!

Bill Collier

http:mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Change Obama

There was this flood, and this man who refused to leave his home. As the waters rose the man retreated to higher ground in his home until finally he was on the roof. Then some rescuers came by in a boat and said come on we will save you. The man replied, no God will save me. A while later another boat of rescuers came by and said the waters are still rising and told the man to get in the boat. The man said no way, I am waiting for God to rescue me, I'll trust Him. Finally the flood rose to the point that the mans last stand was on the top of his chimney, and a helicopter hovered over him with a rope and told him to grab the rope and they would carry him to safety. The man replied no I will wait for God to rescue me. Finally the man of course died, and when he stood before God he said Lord why didn't you rescue me? God answered; I sent you two boats and a helicopter what do you expect?

The point is, the longer our President sits around talking the harder it will be to recover, if at all as the Nation we know. I question how many deaths are so far attributed to his procrastination, approaching one hundred days in Afghanistan? What does this make our President, friend or foe? Obviously to even him this health care plan is unattainable, and too expensive. Is he waiting for God to rescue us? I would urge the President to act, and do the right thing, and abandon any agenda's or political goals he has and grab the rope, because God has already sent the answer and the plan to get us out of this mess that our President is creating. His promises are not working, everything he has said seems to be the opposite to his implication. This not the change the American people voted for him for. The hope he promised is vanishing. It is now time for President Obama to change.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Looking to England just might be our future.

What is the solution for the Bible Believing Christian, Emergent Theology?

In today's Christianity we have basically the same problems that have always plagued the Body of Christ.  Sin being the first and the cause of all of the rest of our problems. 

In my opinion, the most powerful verse in the Bible describing the human condition is: 

1John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  (NASB)

I have come to believe that sin is simple to understand when you use the word “Rebellion”,  to rebel against God’s Word is simply sin. 

One element I am concerned about is the shotgun mentality of a lot of people who get caught up in the fear of the emergent theology.  The damage it is causing in their lives and some even forget to worship Jesus.  They attack anyone who has even an appearance of someone with emergent tendencies according to their judgment. 

There are some that I know who have stopped going to church altogether.  That is sad, we need to encourage them to become educated on the Word of God and to consider all of this other stuff for what it is.  Just men and women attempting to gain notoriety, wealth, and maybe even power over people, a lot like the Gnostic's of the first century.

I am reminded of the expression of the 90’s that said WWJD or What Would Jesus Do?  This expression is a perfect qualifier for the actions of us Christians today.  If we would honestly compare our lives and actions to those of Jesus would we be pleasing to the Father in Heaven?     

Philippians 2:12-13  So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Understanding that we are created for God’s good pleasure, would suggest that the greatest satisfaction, the greatest fulfillment in this existence would be to please God.  Everything else in this life would be settling for something inferior. 

The emergent theology is exactly that, inferior to what God is working in each one of us Christians.  The question we have to ask is, how much do I act like Jesus?  Acting in a way that expresses His Life in us, which He laid down so that all of us Christians may live in Him the only Son of God.

There is only one theology of importance, and that is that Jesus came to save us all from the wrath to come and the lake of fire for for those who do not believe:

John 3:16-18  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.   "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Worship Jesus!

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com  

Has Twitter Peaked? - Tech Trader Daily - Barrons.com

Twitter needs to get off of their duff!  Why would they think that just simply twitting 140 characters would be enough for us?  Of course online texting is a good thing, but when you connect with your phone and your net computer and so on, things begin to change and enlarge.

Being a user of Twitter I find myself wishing I could do more things instead of just simply 140 characters.  In fact I find myself hindered because of the limitations, its frustrating.  I believe you could do a lot more with Twitter, I believe you are actually a long ways from peaking.

For example, increase the amount of characters to at least the same as facebook and other social networks.  Incorporate photography into the tweets with a blow up when you hold your curser over the photo like yoono.  And then there is a whole lot more you could do in the area of grouping, for example on the Twitter page.  Give us the ability to group our friends together, and then those we solicit, and maybe those political figures we follow, and so on.

I’m just writing this blog of the top of my head remembering those instances of when I had wished I could do more.  I know you brainiacs at Twitter probably could come up with even better ideas if you would just put out those big fat stuffy cigars and get busy. 

I have faith in you guys, don’t let this great idea fall to the way side because you were afraid Twitter would turn into another social network.  No we don’t need that, but more versatility in communication, we can always use.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com    

Has Twitter Peaked? - Tech Trader Daily - Barrons.com

Week in review: eBay cuts off Skype | Business Tech - CNET News

I feel there is a serious controversy happening here.   As some have noticed, the ability to make unlimited wifi calls on the net with a minimal cost has been possible for some time.  In the last couple of years it has even become possible on PDA's.  If the PDA has access to Skype you have a wifi phone, and for around $10.00 a month you have unlimited calling to the world. 

I noticed the Nokia n810 and the Sony Milo are disappearing, and the price is going up on those if you can find a new one.  Nokia doesn't sell the n810 any more, nor does Sony sell the Milo, and I believe the reason is because they do allow you to call on Skype.  Now Nokia has the n900, which is a cell phone, that does all of what the n810 does. 

Skype does offer a couple wifi phones, but how long will that be an option if the controversy continues.  I wonder which will go first, wifi or cellular?  With wifi growing everywhere, even in grocery stores for example, will they be able to curve the use of wifi phones. 

What about cities who offer a blanket of wifi coverage over the entire city, why use a cell phone?  For me the idea of a prepaid cell phone makes sense when you travel outside of the wifi coverage, instead of paying a monthly fee and signing a one or two year contract for a cell phone you will use occasionally. 

If you are one who uses the wifi phone for business because cell companies charge way too much for extensive calling.  You are on the cutting edge of this controversy.  Yes some companies do offer a flat fee for unlimited calling, but if you have wifi at home why do you even need one? 

It would be great if the cellular companies would just allow wifi calling on their phones.  It would sure free up the over taxed systems like at&t.  With the increasing amount of data being transmitted now days, you would think this would be a consideration.  After all if the city your in doesn’t have a blanket of wifi, you have to use a cell phone,  now it makes since.

I believe this is an issue that needs continued attention, my money is on wifi calling.   If the cellular companies don't adjust, in time they will be loosing a lot of customers to wifi.  Maybe they already are, thus explains the controversy.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Week in review: eBay cuts off Skype | Business Tech - CNET News

White House shifts on public health care option - Health care reform- msnbc.com

In retrospect, looking at what our famous government runs at present like United States Postal Service, Medicare, Social Security, and so on.  I think its safe to say they don’t have a successful track record at running anything with a balanced budget.  In fact the mentality is “spend or our budget will be lowered”.  So they spend and ask for more. 

The best idea then, would be to keep Government out of the business of health care, and anything else that has to do with trying to balance a budget.  The private health care industry has already created one of the best health care systems in the world. 

I believe with a few adjustments and some fundamental changes, we could have one of the most cost effective health care systems in the world also.  Our Government however, has a reputation of continued spending with no restraint. 

For example, malpractice, I've even heard one individual whom I can’t recall his name, state that the lawyers are untouchable, or nobody wants to go up against them.  I believe it is a must in order to control health care costs.  I also do believe when a patient is wronged, they should be taken care of, whether care or remuneration, but fairly for all sides, instead of these huge settlements in the millions, just so the legal council can get a bigger cut.

Another area is when doctors who for the sake of protecting themselves from malpractice, order a great number of procedures and tests that if they were just allowed to do their jobs, healing people, wouldn’t be required.  However I do believe there needs to be accountability on all sides too, this of course is a must. 

Just these two points in my opinion could cut the cost of health care in the US by 30-40%.  What if we looked at the hospitals, or other services connected to the health care system?  How much more savings?

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

White House shifts on public health care option - Health care reform- msnbc.com

What's wrong with a Social Security Bailout? Millions face shrinking Social Security checks - More politics- msnbc.com

Its common knowledge that the Social Security system has basically been pilfered over the years, money's borrowed and not repaid.  We are told of late in the news about the large  amount of bail out money that remains.  Almost like our current administration can't figure out where they should apply it.  What better place is there than the Social Security system for using this bailout money, that would benefit the entire Nation? 
I really don't understand what the problem is with our administration, that would offer three billion dollars to spend on cash for clunkers when I consider (as just a citizen of this country) how far three billion dollars would go in the Social Security system.  Maybe that would be close to the figure that would allow the Social Security Recipients to receive a cost of living increase this next year.  For those who solely depend on Social Security as their income, which is far below the poverty level, any amount would be welcomed.
With Medicare and so forth, again this is where the bail out money would benefit the Nation as a whole.  If this current administration has a tendency towards socialistic programs and functions, well then maybe they should actually do something that has a social benefit.  Rather than for wall street, and places such as the auto industry and the banking industry. 
It makes you wonder if they have, maybe another agenda in mind, when things don't jive.  Plotting the course for a ship requires a plan of transit, or knowing where you are going and where you will end up.  Surely our current administration has a plan, and goals for what they want to accomplish.  I hope they aren't playing it by ear or going with the flow, or like a pinball that only reacts to contact that forces its direction. 

Millions face shrinking Social Security checks - More politics- msnbc.com

Bill Collier
http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

The future of Blogging from a user’s perspective.

If information were food we would all be lining up at the troff. But I believe there is a cut off point in which population will reach enough, if not just stop with the information feed train altogether.

I would be careful to consider into the equation the possibility of this information age to just simply fall back into its proper place of use as people begin to miss their privacy of mind and life. It all will fall into the gauntlet of entertainment once again, because of the laborious consumption and distraction from more important things such as life.

Infatuation is what drives humans on as curiosity motivates us to the conquest of understanding.  This never-ending thirst or maybe even lust for more, once satisfied leads us to purvey what next appeals to our watchful eye.

Popularity is here but a moment and then is gone, and with Blogging it has been a fresh opportunity for so many to get into the playing field once reserved for the few, say the media. As time goes on the newness will wear off and once again only those who have got the money for their run will continue.

What I do hope is that this medium remains open to the population so that the individual when so desired has a voice of their opinion, maintaining our precious freedom of speech.  For this reason I have hope.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

The Iquitarod!: Sarah Palin's Latest Arctic Sport

 

Wow the left has went full on Nazi, even beyond liberal belief!  Why don’t they just hire a hit man to accomplish their missions of assassination! 

Why?  I believe they prefer to not only murder someone, but to defame any kind of reputation that might be left.

My biggest question is why are they so vehement towards Sarah Palin, what are they so afraid of, that motivates this kind of behavior?

I believe that they know that if they give way to respect for another human being who believes in stuff like family or honor or moral rectitude, and finally traditions that have served the American People for centuries might be right.  That truthfully, shows any change to what these liberals might have to offer would be inferior. 

It is obvious now as we have a much better view of what direction our current administration is leading us in, is very dangerous and costly.  Not only financially, but maybe even in the way of life we American People have become accustomed to over the years. 

We the American People will only tolerate this for so long, and I believe that “long” is becoming very short, quickly.  The best indicator of that is the vote for no more taxes in California recently.

I also believe what the left fears about Sara Palin the most, is her amazing likeness to what I would call the “HEARTBEAT OF AMERICA”.  That she is the image and voice of the average American and what they believe. 

When it comes down to the different parties, Americans could care less.  The important thing is that politicians would do the right thing in the interest of the American People and for the American People.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com 

Geoffrey Dunn: The Iquitarod!: Sarah Palin's Latest Arctic Sport

My Response to Sarah Palin’s letter

Way to go Sarah, you are so right about current government being blindly detached from the American People.  Yesterday's 4th celebration for us in Ca. was about American unity and a repeated expression throughout the day of "God Bless America" in statements and song as well.  All Races and Creeds of American People stood in unity at the National Anthem, unlike what we see in our leaders.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Living in Christ makes more since than just saying I'm a Christian.

Just like so many who say Jesus Christ like its His first and last names.  Its not, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the One and only unique Son of God.  No wonder the world uses it like its a curse word.  For me I choose to refer to my Savior as “Jesus The Christ”.  I doubt they will use "the" as His middle name then.

Living in Christ is to say Christ is my Life, and living is to say I walk with Him 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  I talk to him always and He talks with me.  You might say "how come He talks to you and not me?" I say, but He does talk to you.  So much that He wrote you a love letter that even has the words "Presented to" in the beginning of His letter we call the Bible, which probably has your name there also.  So if you ever want God to talk to you, simply begin to read the Love Letter He wrote to you.  It took Him centuries using some 40 men from poor men to kings to write you this Love letter.

So live the lifestyle of a true Human Being and walk and talk with God through the gift Jesus has given to all who believe.

God Bless You
Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Tribute and prayer for our defenders

This is a weekend that most people in California head out of town camping, or bike riding, and such.  I am guilty of the same things, in fact I have already been to the store checking out some of the sales taking place on this holiday.  Here at the beach it represents the beginning of the summer beach season and goes through labor day in the fall.  Barbecue's firing up mass quantities of food being consumed, families and friends coming together to go out doors and hang out together, just an overall relaxing peaceful day.

 
I woke up this morning thinking of course, about our country and the state that I see it in, and the fears and anxieties I have about the future and what it will be like.  Looking at my children and imagining in my mind, will their future be a Mad Max kind of thing or maybe being persecuted for their religious beliefs.  To the point like our forefathers who came to this country in search of religious freedom, would have to journey to another land in search of the same.

This weekend is a time for all of us Americans to remember the fallen.  Those who have given their very lives so that  we here today can enjoy this three day weekend.  Weather at the beach, mountains or deserts, camping or just with friends and family in the park or at home.  Here at present day we have men and women dying in battle, who are fighting for not only our freedom but our safety as well.  They deserve our remembrance of them right now while we enjoy peace, because peace goes hand in hand with the defense of it.

 
The landscape has changed, taking on this additional fear that we Americans aren't accustomed to.  The thought of terrorist attack weather a bomb, chemical, or nuclear are all of concern these days.  In this we need to appreciate even more the sacrifice of those who put their lives in harms way or who lay their lives down for our freedom and safety, as well as peace.

 
As a Christian I know that we and others like us are the only ones who would take the time out of this peaceful day to pray to God for the safety and even the peace of those defending our freedoms that I am guilty of taking for grant it.  That we American Christians embrace the responsibility of continuing to pray to God for our defenders, because the rest of those in our country probably won't.  If you are one of these others, well, except this as a challenge to pray for our solders and defenders of our freedoms too.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Obama to be spectacular success — or failure? - The First 100 Days- msnbc.com

Ah, President Obama, I would love to cheer for his success.  I would love for him to just take a good hard, clear look at his wife and his two daughters.  Just to see them with all of the possible needs  they have and will have throughout their lives.  Being free from all of the regalings and pressures of the political life.  With honesty and sincerity in recognizing what is really important.

Myself, I must confess couldn’t stand in his shoe’s as far as what he experiences, but as my President I do want him to lead the whole country with an attitude of protecting all of us weather on foreign or domestic soil, in the work place or the class room or in our communities. 

Unfortunately, that clear look has blinders on obviously, and the good old expression is used, “you can’t please everyone all the time”.  This seems these days to be a justification to continue on with the all mighty agenda.  This agenda that has landed him in the oval office.  This agenda that isn’t for the people as a whole, but for those groups of people that behind the guise of change promote their causes that are the desire for the few instead of the many, or obviously the majority.

President Obama is only popular for one reason in my opinion, and that reason is the American People’s desire for change. If that change doesn’t benefit the majority, unfortunately the President’s popularity in my opinion will tank.  That causes me to fear greatly, because as we have seen in the last six months with our economy being stalled, I’m concerned that it will not only stall, but stop.

Then what benefit will the personal agendas be, or who is politically correct, or what program gets instituted?  The only program of popularity might very well be the program that takes care of the unemployed, homeless and hungry.

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

    

       

Obama to be spectacular success — or failure? - The First 100 Days- msnbc.com

Bailed-out firms spend millions on lobbying - Washington Post- msnbc.com

Should we be surprised when hypocrisy reigns as king in our government?  That the only trickling down is just this kind of business as usual mentality.  The old adage is proven “Its not wrong until you get caught”, or “Do it until they tell you to stop”.  They, being the American people who are footing this bill also.

Of course,

“several company representatives said yesterday that none of the money borrowed from the government has been used to fund lobbying activities — though there is no mechanism to verify that” 

That’s right if it could be verified they wouldn’t have said that.  Moreover, what monies replaced this money?

My biggest concern about the American People, is that they will grow tired of all of this and give up.  By going back to their lives and just save their complaining for the bar stools kitchen tables, and church pews.  I know in time that the economy will began to pick up and companies will begin to hire again and life goes on.  Taxes will increase and less and less of our income will be ours.  Just what is slavery to you?

My last concern I will share with you is with this question.  How can America prosper unless new monies come in from other countries?  What I mean is if we are just talking about America its like we the People are just feeding on ourselves, which explains the importance of lending and borrowing in our country. 

How can we prosper and compete as the United States of America with our jobs being exported and those products that are produced again sold back to us by another country?  How much longer can we continue to be a consumer nation when we can’t compete on a global level?  How much more money can we the consumer borrow when we don’t have jobs to pay it back?  Better yet why borrow?

Do you think civil service jobs is the answer, or expanding government, and its programs?  To me it is the same problematic hypocrisy under the disguise of the solution that is being given to us for free, or maybe better said, shoved down our throats telling us to swallow.  More government shrinks the freedoms of society, and leads us into slavery.

R. William Collier

http:mindworthy.mypodcast.com 

Bailed-out firms spend millions on lobbying - Washington Post- msnbc.com

Miss USA controversy: Carrie Prejean says gay marriage answer cost crown, but she'd say it again

This is just an example of how things have changed in our country.  Perez Hilton in my opinion Gives Gays a bad name.  If He’s not gay he sure acts like a want a be.

Carrie is an admirable young woman who stood up when it counts for what she believes, even when it hurts, better yet costs her so much.  I commend you Carrie Prejean.

As for Mr. Hilton, profanity is just a demonstration for your lack of vocabulary.  Which proves you don’t even have a clue to what Carrie should have or have not said.  Obviously you couldn’t identify what she should have said, because she said exactly what she meant.  After all you asked the question, which I believe could of very well been planned in hope of this very outcome.

So Go ahead Mr. Hilton capitalize on this and make a name for your self, and watch Mrs. Prejean’s fame soar.

Miss USA controversy: Carrie Prejean says gay marriage answer cost crown, but she'd say it again

In lean times, Americans find merits of DIY - Washington Post- msnbc.com

“In these times”, as everyone is saying, and these news articles that are telling us of how people are cutting back on spending just in case even though the economic crisis hasn’t effected us is wonderful.  There is even a romantic air about it of how courageous the American people are surviving.  Not!

But, where was this romance when all of those companies, just like traitors to the American people, outsourced all of our jobs to foreigners?  Have we forgotten so quickly the entire small towns who’s main source of income was the local factory?   How many news stories aired and articles in print dominated the news as Americans were suffering then, just a couple of years ago?

Is it any wonder why we are here now?  As Allen Greenspan stated in a recent interview “all of this will even happen again, because it is human nature”.  Call it what it is, “Greed”! 

What happened to the American attitude of being united, you know all on the same side?  Why are all of us Americans just rolling over letting these some four or five hundred so called elected leaders of our country take away our future? 

I promise you, if your business is on main street and you are in trouble, just like the guy who got bit in the privates by a rattle snake, your gonna die.  I don’t think anybody's going to offer you money, well unless you need a loan.  Or better said, a new partner.

What is the solution?  I believe just like when Pearl Harbor was bombed, and the enemy general was quoted as saying something similar, “THE GIANT HAS AWOKEN”.  We need to awaken so that our leaders in “FEAR” of us, know they will be held responsible if they don’t represent the ideals of the American People.  THE GIANT MUST AWAKE!

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

In lean times, Americans find merits of DIY - Washington Post- msnbc.com

Psalm Read Aloud on Army Radio - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News

Now this is the way to go into battle with a united military.

(IsraelNN.com) In an unprecedented radio event, a chapter of Tehillim (Psalms) was read aloud during prime-time on IDF Army Radio, on behalf of the war effort.

This is Psalm 20

Psalm Read Aloud on Army Radio - Inside Israel - Israel News - Israel National News

Bill Collier

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com

Stocks Start the Year With A Bang - washingtonpost.com

This article was written by my son and of course I am honored to post it on my blog.  I am proud of what he has to say:

Well a jolly good start, in comes a new year and a new hope. Not looking at the financial aspect, or at what our government has tried to do to jump start the system, simply looking at the hope communicated. Just looking what the media and our leaders are saying and pointing out. The message is simple; a new year changes everything. We all want the problems of 08 to stay in the past, and to start new in 09. Despite the fact that, as anticipated, this Christmas shopping year was the worst in decades the market too is hoping for blue skies ahead.

Happy talk, the concept of bringing good news where it is wanted, whether it is needed or not. We are all hoping that’s not what is happening, that we really have seen the bottom and we are coming out of all of the troubles last year. Still you can see that desire even in this article as Fred Dickson says “here's a psychological lift to starting off the year on solid footing." there is a desire to look at the bright side and for everyone to spend, lend and quote, shift us back up to our potential. One of the most watched statistics is the consumer confidence level, and this is the goal to boost that level in order to get us spending again so that nothing has to change. I guess it is as close to looking into the future as we can get. By glancing at how consumers are feeling they decide on whether they need more products, what orders to place and maybe even if they need to make some hard designs. Yet, it is not the future for no man really knows what tomorrow holds.

About this time, I am most likely sounding as if I not only think the glass is half-empty but that we need to worry because it is almost gone. That is simply not the truth I am glad the market is off to a good start and I would love for the economy to pick back up us to get our jobs back and just hit a restart button on last year. What I am longing to hear is not that we need change, or that it is not that bad. We need to hear a solution to what is happening, and I am not talking about a quick fix, about the short term, about re-inflating a dangerous bubble. No, I am talking about a true solution, for our leaders to start leading the way into the New Year. Not by saying it is all ok, putting on a new suit and trying to look as though it is not happening, but setting the example taking off the jacket rolling up the sleeves and getting to work. For our leaders must be willing to do what needs to be done, not to be afraid to offend some people, if it is what we need! But I am getting off topic, the point is that there is a lot of talk and still no one knows without a doubt what will be done.

I said that no man knows what the futures holds and I meant it. No human knowledge can look into tomorrow and know what to do today. Yet for the Christian we know that there is one whose Vision time cannot cloud out. We recognize that Our Lord knows what is to come, as well as what has passed. Though it looks dark, we know that if we trust in the Lord we cannot go wrong. If we put our trust in the Lord, we will be all right. We can put our trust in the Lord, knowing that in our darkest hour He is with us. We can trust that The Lord rises up leaders. The Lord works in the hearts of kings. The Lord used Babylon to bring Israel back to Him, He used a Roman Emperor to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem where Jesus was to be born.  The Lord can use who He wants to accomplish His will. Trust in The Lord, not in a candidate or some piece of Monetary Policy. We don’t know, maybe 09 will be the year we have been waiting on for 2000 years, the year he brings us all home. What we do know is that the old year is over a new year is here. Although there is nothing magical about January 1 it does have a since of a clean slate ready for what the Lord will do. So as we start a new year don’t put your trust in what people say or do, and whether this is the time we are pulling up or if we have to go farther down before we start to come up, nevertheless trust in the Lord.

By Dubin Marks

http://mindworthy.mypodcast.com  

Stocks Start the Year With A Bang - washingtonpost.com