Let us run with endurance the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Kick the Job Market Blues
Similar to the universal call of the real estate profession of location, location, location… the battle cry of Americans today is Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!! Where are they? The current ruckus in Washington may have centered on the debt ceiling debate and those Tea Party scoundrels having the nerve to force our Government to curb their drunken sailor type spending habits. Our clueless President continues to call for higher taxes on the so-called wealthy – from small business owners to corporate jet owners (really?) who won’t pay their fair share. The stock market is tanking faster than Tiger Woods comeback. And the White House continues to act like eleven year old girls pointing fingers at the GOP, the Tea Party faithful, Standard & Poor and even George W. Bush for getting us into this mess.
As a conservative, I never thought I would be longing for the presidency of Bill Clinton who lingered over an economy that was close to full employment. It was also helpful that the Monica Lewinsky saga so engulfed Clinton in legal proceedings, rendering him neutered in setting policy, thereby allowing the invisible hand of the market to work its magic without interference from the White House.
The overriding issue in our country can be summed up in three words -- Americans Need Jobs – and now. Instead of raising taxes on an already struggling working class, which includes those upwardly mobile and much maligned affluent professionals, wouldn’t it be better to raise “revenue” from a few million more workers who will make up the government shortfall by contributing their fair share of federal income tax and payroll taxes (Social Security), instead of being a huge drain on spending by collecting an ever extending 99 weeks of unemployment insurance?
At this point, all we have received are those “shovel-ready” road fixing government “chain gang” jobs to upgrade our national infrastructure. But where are the private sector knowledge based opportunities that were so indicative of the 90’s high tech boom and an emerging college educated work force?
It is no secret that many successful companies are reporting excellent financial returns … and they are doing it with fewer workers, thereby driving American productivity to record highs. How nice... but why aren’t American companies hiring. The unemployment rate dipped ever so slightly last week one tenth of a point to 9.1% due to a better than expected jobs report of 117,000 new jobs created. It was a modest report that did little to quell the free falling stock market and the high level of uncertainty that is handcuffing American business. It is a climate caused by this President’s continual threats to raise taxes and increase Employers health care costs through the oncoming national Obama care program. It is a formula that falls altogether short of what is needed to reverse the trend of our “jobless” recovery.
We have waited eagerly for some semblance of leadership from our President and/or anyone from the administration with experience in job-related economic matters. Unfortunately we can’t hold our collective breath while Rome continues to burn and the current administration “fiddles” around without viable ideas or proposals that could work.
We can probably all cite the ghastly numbers relating to the job market… 13.9 million people unemployed; when the underemployed and the discouraged are added to the numbers, the unemployment rate rises to 16.6% (from the actual reported 9.1%). Teens looking for jobs this summer faced one of the toughest job markets in 60 years. Their rate is close to 25%.
But I want to offer some simple advice to the political class along with solid business axioms that have actually worked in the past:
1. Tell the truth and stop playing the class warfare card with the American people!
Government doesn’t create the type of jobs that are needed in a free market system, but the private sector does. Public and private companies need to be engaged in producing goods and services that are of a marketable nature. Many of these companies are very entrepreneurial in nature and operate small businesses, a key engine of job growth in our economy... These are the very people Obama continues to pick on as wealthy millionaires driving corporate jets and walking away without paying their fair share of taxes. Never mind that the top 1 percent of income earners paid 38 percent of all federal income taxes in 2008, while the bottom 50 percent paid only 3 percent; .Forty-nine percent of U.S. households paid no federal income tax at all and the top 10% of wage earners pay 71% of federal income taxes. Those are the hard cold facts and the dirty little secret that our politicians fail to point out. It kind of changes the notion of “fair share”
2. Relieve businesses of the enormous burden of costly Government regulations that stifle job growth.
As part of an ongoing debate, small business owners have spoken of the devastating impact the tsunami of Obama Administration regulations is having on their ability to grow and create jobs. They are far too numerous to mention here but just turn to the EPA to get the picture. It really defies all common sense that the EPA would move forward with instituting some 30 new costly regulations and not take into account any job losses that will be a direct result.
3. Create incentives for businesses to loosen up that cash they are sitting on and begin hiring workers.
Institute immediate tax credits for any Company hiring workers over the next year. This would help defray the costs and allow government to participate in the private sector job engine.
4. Allow companies to bring in workers who are being paid unemployment insurance at no cost to them.
This would tie in to the very successful welfare- to-work program initiated during the Clinton Administration (Democrats do have it in them to expect some return for entitlements). I can speak from personal experience that being unemployed creates not only financial hardship but a psychological barrier. Work is intrinsic to our human need to contribute to our families and society. A pattern of unemployment is destructive to this very fabric of life. The longer someone is unemployed, the harder it is to return to the work force. Can you imagine how many businesses could use the extra help if it is being subsidized by Uncle Sam? Those workers could even end up gaining full employment by virtue of their visible work ethic. It is a “try before you buy” scenario that currently works today in the temporary employment business. We have that ominous sign of 13.9 million people collecting money for up to 99 weeks with more talk from our political leaders to extend it. These “99ers” need an incentive to lead productive lives until jobs become available.
Those are some ideas, Mr. President! Please stop blaming the Bush tax cuts, the Tea Party, S&P, etc. and come up with a plan. Try not to speak in platitudes like a college professor. You don’t have to walk on water, just get out of the boat and get wet. That’s what true leadership is about.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Baseball, Heaven and The Big Man
Two favorite leisure activities of mine are watching Baseball games and listening to music. It shouldn’t be done in unison because both require a certain level of attentiveness. This past week I was subjected to a spiritual encounter with both diversions as they related to my faith and our time remaining in life. Provocative stuff!
The first involves Baseball.
In the midst of living in LA, a bright spot emerges in not only the viewing, but the listening of Baseball games on TV, because we have maybe the greatest announcer and commentator the sports world has known in Vin Scully. He has spent the last 60 years of his life as the voice of the Dodgers, speaking over the airwaves in his familiar melodic way as the "voice of summer" for legions of baseball fans over the years. Vin has a knack for spinning folksy yarns about men who play and manage in the arena of America's national pastime.
So of course I was listening more attentively than watching because I love how Vin fills the dead time between pitches with stories of people's lives. He was relating a story about the Detroit Tigers Manager, Jim Leyland, a very accomplished baseball man in his own right. As only Vin can tell it, Jim has a brother who is a Catholic priest. Some reporter, surprised to learn that fact about the colorful manager, asked Leyland what one question he would ask God if given the opportunity.
Supposedly Mr. Leyland responded with "Can I get in?” Vin Scully, who on occasion will subtlety reveal his love of God and country, thought that was a most pertinent and thoughtful question… Leyland really hit it out of the park, so to speak. It seemed obvious to Vin that Mr. Leyland was more concerned with eternity than winning baseball games... a noble concern indeed -- considering the "life and death" aspect of our win at all cost culture. While it pains me to say it, in the context of Heaven, it really is "only" a game.
As a Christian, my first thought was that yes, you can humbly ask God to let you in to Heaven but what if He also asks you Why He should let you in. What will you say? Would you know the right answer? You can know. You can be fully assured of entry (eternal salvation in Christian parlance) while you are still living and serving Him on Planet Earth.
God has provided a clear path through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ almost 2000 years ago. That is no secret! Skipper Jim needs to speak with his brother, the priest, who should be able to explain this. Of course I didn’t get it either after attending twelve years of Catholic school and serving as an altar boy during Mass. It only took me 42 years to finally get it.
The New Testament book of Romans states:
"If you confess with your mouth--Jesus is Lord--and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". (Romans 10-9)
That is the wonderful message of the Gospel. We don't need to guess and worry while standing or kneeling at Heaven’s Gate.
Sure, there is always some doubt involved because of our mortal minds and fear of the unknown. That is where faith comes in. Be assured that our only hope in this world is accepting Christ as our Savior... the Bible is very clear in that there is only one way.
John 14:6 makes it plain -- "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me."
This is not a suggestion but a fundamental tenet of the Christian Faith, a clear command to followers of Christ. Rejection of this fact will not just bear the burden of a wrong choice -- but the dire consequences of, dare I say, eternal condemnation.
In another pointed example of life, death and Heaven, I turn to the world of Entertainment and the passing of a rock & roll icon, Clarence Clemons, "The Big Man" and saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band.
I was not quite twenty years old when they arrived on the rock scene straight out of New Jersey, my neighbor state and a suspension bridge away from my hometown of Philadelphia.
The Springsteen- led band tapped in to the east coast urban experience like no other, with their brand of high energy roots- oriented rock coupled with rhythmical lyrics that captured our working class existence, young-adult angst and quest for life’s purpose… themes that were covered in the Bible – if I had bothered to look (I didn’t own one). But Rock Music and its lifestyle seemed to be my generation’s religion.
This time, it wasn't Vin Scully's soothing voice that resonated in my ear but the outpouring of devotion and comments on Facebook, our social networking tool of communication lacking the eloquence of a world class human voice, like Scully’s.
Most of the posts were claims that the Big Man was now in a better place -- assuming Heaven. He just had to be, right? Why, he brought such joy to the legions of E-Street fans everywhere around the world with his masterful saxophone-playing talent, booming voice and larger-than-life demeanor (after all he was 6'6'' and weighed maybe 275).
I obviously didn't know Clarence Clemons personally or much about his spiritual life. Only God knows his heart and whether he accepted Jesus Christ... although he was the son of a minister so he was without excuse. But I do know that the same standard applies for The Big Man as it does for all of us in regards to eternal life with God in the masterpiece that is Heaven. That standard is not whether you brought joy to many lives using the talent God gave you; a noble cause indeed, but one that falls short of God’s glory. Christ didn’t shed his blood to make us happy, but holy. Our gift of salvation may be free but it didn’t come cheap.
There were countless well wishers who posted the phrase 'RIP Big Man'. My hope is that he and all of our loved ones are resting in peace because that is what God has promised to all who turn to Him.
Again one only needs to look not at rock lyrics but to God's word in the Bible;
1 Corinthians 2:9, it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him".
Let’s all decide today to take the steps to assurance of knowing where we will spend eternity. We don't have to sheepishly ask God "Can I get in" as Manager Jim Leyland alluded to. He has already revealed that to us by offering His Son. There are no works or activities that we can perform that are worthy enough to bring us salvation and entry into Heaven.
Playing baseball and making the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown won’t do it; Playing the saxophone for an iconic Rock band and making the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland won’t do it either. Both are lofty achievements but comes with no cigar--no championship in the spiritual realm.
It is really up to each of us to accept or reject this free gift of grace and salvation and eternity in Heaven with God. Renowned missionary Jim Elliot may have explained our predicament best prior to his death on a mission trip to Central America "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
No day is promised! We can be sure of that... but let's also be sure of what God has promised. And yes, He continues to speak to us (at least to me) through many secular avenues in life, Baseball and popular music among them... and maybe more importantly through the life and death of those we admire.
The first involves Baseball.
In the midst of living in LA, a bright spot emerges in not only the viewing, but the listening of Baseball games on TV, because we have maybe the greatest announcer and commentator the sports world has known in Vin Scully. He has spent the last 60 years of his life as the voice of the Dodgers, speaking over the airwaves in his familiar melodic way as the "voice of summer" for legions of baseball fans over the years. Vin has a knack for spinning folksy yarns about men who play and manage in the arena of America's national pastime.
So of course I was listening more attentively than watching because I love how Vin fills the dead time between pitches with stories of people's lives. He was relating a story about the Detroit Tigers Manager, Jim Leyland, a very accomplished baseball man in his own right. As only Vin can tell it, Jim has a brother who is a Catholic priest. Some reporter, surprised to learn that fact about the colorful manager, asked Leyland what one question he would ask God if given the opportunity.
Supposedly Mr. Leyland responded with "Can I get in?” Vin Scully, who on occasion will subtlety reveal his love of God and country, thought that was a most pertinent and thoughtful question… Leyland really hit it out of the park, so to speak. It seemed obvious to Vin that Mr. Leyland was more concerned with eternity than winning baseball games... a noble concern indeed -- considering the "life and death" aspect of our win at all cost culture. While it pains me to say it, in the context of Heaven, it really is "only" a game.
As a Christian, my first thought was that yes, you can humbly ask God to let you in to Heaven but what if He also asks you Why He should let you in. What will you say? Would you know the right answer? You can know. You can be fully assured of entry (eternal salvation in Christian parlance) while you are still living and serving Him on Planet Earth.
God has provided a clear path through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ almost 2000 years ago. That is no secret! Skipper Jim needs to speak with his brother, the priest, who should be able to explain this. Of course I didn’t get it either after attending twelve years of Catholic school and serving as an altar boy during Mass. It only took me 42 years to finally get it.
The New Testament book of Romans states:
"If you confess with your mouth--Jesus is Lord--and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". (Romans 10-9)
That is the wonderful message of the Gospel. We don't need to guess and worry while standing or kneeling at Heaven’s Gate.
Sure, there is always some doubt involved because of our mortal minds and fear of the unknown. That is where faith comes in. Be assured that our only hope in this world is accepting Christ as our Savior... the Bible is very clear in that there is only one way.
John 14:6 makes it plain -- "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me."
This is not a suggestion but a fundamental tenet of the Christian Faith, a clear command to followers of Christ. Rejection of this fact will not just bear the burden of a wrong choice -- but the dire consequences of, dare I say, eternal condemnation.
In another pointed example of life, death and Heaven, I turn to the world of Entertainment and the passing of a rock & roll icon, Clarence Clemons, "The Big Man" and saxophone player for Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band.
I was not quite twenty years old when they arrived on the rock scene straight out of New Jersey, my neighbor state and a suspension bridge away from my hometown of Philadelphia.
The Springsteen- led band tapped in to the east coast urban experience like no other, with their brand of high energy roots- oriented rock coupled with rhythmical lyrics that captured our working class existence, young-adult angst and quest for life’s purpose… themes that were covered in the Bible – if I had bothered to look (I didn’t own one). But Rock Music and its lifestyle seemed to be my generation’s religion.
This time, it wasn't Vin Scully's soothing voice that resonated in my ear but the outpouring of devotion and comments on Facebook, our social networking tool of communication lacking the eloquence of a world class human voice, like Scully’s.
Most of the posts were claims that the Big Man was now in a better place -- assuming Heaven. He just had to be, right? Why, he brought such joy to the legions of E-Street fans everywhere around the world with his masterful saxophone-playing talent, booming voice and larger-than-life demeanor (after all he was 6'6'' and weighed maybe 275).
I obviously didn't know Clarence Clemons personally or much about his spiritual life. Only God knows his heart and whether he accepted Jesus Christ... although he was the son of a minister so he was without excuse. But I do know that the same standard applies for The Big Man as it does for all of us in regards to eternal life with God in the masterpiece that is Heaven. That standard is not whether you brought joy to many lives using the talent God gave you; a noble cause indeed, but one that falls short of God’s glory. Christ didn’t shed his blood to make us happy, but holy. Our gift of salvation may be free but it didn’t come cheap.
There were countless well wishers who posted the phrase 'RIP Big Man'. My hope is that he and all of our loved ones are resting in peace because that is what God has promised to all who turn to Him.
Again one only needs to look not at rock lyrics but to God's word in the Bible;
1 Corinthians 2:9, it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him".
Let’s all decide today to take the steps to assurance of knowing where we will spend eternity. We don't have to sheepishly ask God "Can I get in" as Manager Jim Leyland alluded to. He has already revealed that to us by offering His Son. There are no works or activities that we can perform that are worthy enough to bring us salvation and entry into Heaven.
Playing baseball and making the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown won’t do it; Playing the saxophone for an iconic Rock band and making the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland won’t do it either. Both are lofty achievements but comes with no cigar--no championship in the spiritual realm.
It is really up to each of us to accept or reject this free gift of grace and salvation and eternity in Heaven with God. Renowned missionary Jim Elliot may have explained our predicament best prior to his death on a mission trip to Central America "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
No day is promised! We can be sure of that... but let's also be sure of what God has promised. And yes, He continues to speak to us (at least to me) through many secular avenues in life, Baseball and popular music among them... and maybe more importantly through the life and death of those we admire.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Weinergate Go Away
Weinergate Go Away
There is nothing else we would rather do with Wienergate than get over it! Maybe by the time this reaches print, Anthony Wiener will have resigned and we can all move on. Until then, it raises too many legal, moral, ethical and political questions, which need to be dealt with.
Anthony Wiener is one more name to be added to a growing list of political contemporaries (Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Edwards among the recently anointed) who have paid a huge price for believing their actions wouldn’t get noticed. Some people (writers, bloggers etc) even go so far as to ask “whether we should even care”. After all it’s only sex… the same battle cry we heard about President Clinton’s now famous tryst with an intern named Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office. I’m afraid too many Americans share the same sentiment when responding to sexual misconduct – ‘Whatever’... Sex is somehow a no accountability zone.
Why some in the media cannot bring themselves to admit the immoral, unethical and (in some cases) illegal actions are simply reckless and irresponsible behavior is baffling. Isn't habitual lying and abuse of power a big deal? That goes for the countless other members of a rogues gallery of leading men conducting themselves inappropriately. People seem to justify bad behavior by referring to previous bad behavior, even if it involves our much admired Founding Fathers or our beloved JFK. In their argument, the ends justify the means.
Do President Kennedy’s extra marital affairs deserve a pass because he successfully handled the Cuban Missile crisis? Does President Clinton have a license to cheat and lie, since after all, the economy was the most robust in modern times? (I tend to think our strong economy was the result of the media attention, and lawyers keeping Clinton focused on his personal struggles lest he interfere with the hi-tech boom of the 90’s … but let’s not digress).
So do Congressman Weiner’s juvenile actions with multiple women somehow slip by because a majority of his constituents and apologists give him a passing grade? It was with disbelief that I read a local writer express in print an immensely hyped up notion of Mr. Weiner turning out to be the “political savior of the 21st Century” by “being instrumental in rescuing the economy and bringing peace to the Middle East”. Mr. Weiner is merely a liberal US Congressman with a liberal district in Queens, New York, and by most accounts an unrestrained mouthpiece for the liberal Democrats. In his best day he may fit the modest description of the Mouse (or Mouth) that Roared.
These scandals, including the celebrated nature of Clinton’s lascivious legacy, indeed tell us-- in a way few events can-- where we are in our public philosophy. They reveal insights into how we view politics and power; virtue and vice; public trust; respect for the law; sexual morality and standards of personal conduct.
Many Americans (myself included) have an intuitive understanding that something is deeply troubling about this conduct and the defenses offered by certain supporters. Do we really want this caliber of elected official? Do we want our sons and daughters to equate “sexting” his private parts to unfamiliar women a pardonable offense for a US Congressman? Even the President and Democratic leaders in the House, like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are calling for him to step down, their concerns perhaps more political than moral.
If Mr. Weiner were a high ranking employee of most any company, public or private operating today, he would be fired for this conduct (many employees have been terminated for far less). It is noteworthy that our business leaders with all their ethical shortcomings may have a higher moral code than our elected government officials. Congressman Weiner needs to quit being a selfish distraction on our political discourse. There are serious and challenging issues facing our country and its citizens. Weinergate needs proper closure, not excuses.
Posted by Michael Parente at 7:29 AM Email This
BlogThis!
There is nothing else we would rather do with Wienergate than get over it! Maybe by the time this reaches print, Anthony Wiener will have resigned and we can all move on. Until then, it raises too many legal, moral, ethical and political questions, which need to be dealt with.
Anthony Wiener is one more name to be added to a growing list of political contemporaries (Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Edwards among the recently anointed) who have paid a huge price for believing their actions wouldn’t get noticed. Some people (writers, bloggers etc) even go so far as to ask “whether we should even care”. After all it’s only sex… the same battle cry we heard about President Clinton’s now famous tryst with an intern named Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office. I’m afraid too many Americans share the same sentiment when responding to sexual misconduct – ‘Whatever’... Sex is somehow a no accountability zone.
Why some in the media cannot bring themselves to admit the immoral, unethical and (in some cases) illegal actions are simply reckless and irresponsible behavior is baffling. Isn't habitual lying and abuse of power a big deal? That goes for the countless other members of a rogues gallery of leading men conducting themselves inappropriately. People seem to justify bad behavior by referring to previous bad behavior, even if it involves our much admired Founding Fathers or our beloved JFK. In their argument, the ends justify the means.
Do President Kennedy’s extra marital affairs deserve a pass because he successfully handled the Cuban Missile crisis? Does President Clinton have a license to cheat and lie, since after all, the economy was the most robust in modern times? (I tend to think our strong economy was the result of the media attention, and lawyers keeping Clinton focused on his personal struggles lest he interfere with the hi-tech boom of the 90’s … but let’s not digress).
So do Congressman Weiner’s juvenile actions with multiple women somehow slip by because a majority of his constituents and apologists give him a passing grade? It was with disbelief that I read a local writer express in print an immensely hyped up notion of Mr. Weiner turning out to be the “political savior of the 21st Century” by “being instrumental in rescuing the economy and bringing peace to the Middle East”. Mr. Weiner is merely a liberal US Congressman with a liberal district in Queens, New York, and by most accounts an unrestrained mouthpiece for the liberal Democrats. In his best day he may fit the modest description of the Mouse (or Mouth) that Roared.
These scandals, including the celebrated nature of Clinton’s lascivious legacy, indeed tell us-- in a way few events can-- where we are in our public philosophy. They reveal insights into how we view politics and power; virtue and vice; public trust; respect for the law; sexual morality and standards of personal conduct.
Many Americans (myself included) have an intuitive understanding that something is deeply troubling about this conduct and the defenses offered by certain supporters. Do we really want this caliber of elected official? Do we want our sons and daughters to equate “sexting” his private parts to unfamiliar women a pardonable offense for a US Congressman? Even the President and Democratic leaders in the House, like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are calling for him to step down, their concerns perhaps more political than moral.
If Mr. Weiner were a high ranking employee of most any company, public or private operating today, he would be fired for this conduct (many employees have been terminated for far less). It is noteworthy that our business leaders with all their ethical shortcomings may have a higher moral code than our elected government officials. Congressman Weiner needs to quit being a selfish distraction on our political discourse. There are serious and challenging issues facing our country and its citizens. Weinergate needs proper closure, not excuses.
Posted by Michael Parente at 7:29 AM Email This
BlogThis!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Death By Shopping
My heart is heavy. The day after a wonderful and truly American holiday of Thanksgiving comes what has been commonly referred to as Black Friday. That term was coined somewhat cynically to mark what is known in retail circles as the “busiest shopping day of the year” and the ensuing madness that ushered in the Christmas shopping season.
Now we really have a reason to call the day “black” for what happened at a suburban New York City Walmart when a “throng of shoppers… physically broke down the doors just after 5 AM and trampled to death a 34 year old temporary employee prior to the official store opening. I wish I were making this up. It’s one thing to face parking lot gridlock and shopping fatigue… but taking someone’s life just to buy “stuff” in a free-for-all frenzy”?
Instead of asking how something like this could happen, I propose that “it had to happen” in our materially based culture and it’s penchant for acquiring “things”. Especially around Christmas, a time of heightened interest that could be dubbed “shopping on steroids”. Should we be surprised when for a number of years, many retail sores and outlets have been advertising opening their doors as early as 4 AM on the day after Thanksgiving and wait until the final days leading up to Christmas when they will remain open until 2 AM or later. Imagine working in this environment. I have nostalgia for and can remember a time when Department stores were closed on Sundays- even in December.
Not to be outdone by the unruly, murderous mob at Walmart, another icon of the retail world, Toys R Us, had a violent episode in their Palm Desert, California store. Two men, armed with pistols killed each other in a gunfight witnessed by horrified onlookers who were ducking for cover. This encounter began when the two women they were with began pummeling each other. Reports are not certain of the reasons for the brawling women but were attributed to a personal dispute and not one related with Black Friday. Now I feel better… at least it wasn’t over who would get last “Guitar Hero” video game.
Christmas is not about getting huge discounts on Flat screen TV’s, Garmin GPS systems, IPods and cashmere sweaters (some of the “must have” items this year) . Or making sure our corporations are able to make 50%of their annual profit forecasts in a little over a month. When I googled “retail sales and Christmas season” I received 592,000 results mostly dispensing information related to how much of our hard earned money we could spend on ourselves and gifts that most of us don’t need. Something is a little out of kilter here.
How have we, as a civilized society, arrived at this Retail Hell? The true version of Christmas is about God entering the world as a baby (like all of us) born in the town of Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago? This was the ultimate Christmas present, the real “reason for the season”. The day that our God, in the name of Jesus, became flesh, grew up, walked among us, showed us how to live and then took our sins to the cross—and gave us the even greater gift of salvation. He was called Immanuel- or “God with us”. There is no better gift.
Christmas is about rejoicing over “… our dear Saviors birth”, “…Glory to the new born King” and “Joy to the world, the Lord has come… “to quote a few of the lyrics of our most well known and cherished Christmas carols. (To paraphrase Pastor John’s sermon this week) Jesus became a man to satisfy the more than 300 specific prophecies of the Old Testament, to show us the Father, to save us from our sins, to sympathize with our weakness and to secure our hope of Heaven.
For the sake of humanity, let us pay no mind to those “retail sales reports” and 24 hour shopping sprees for “stuff” that will lose its luster by the spring thaw. As Pastor John has said many times, he has performed many funerals and never once has he seen a hearse towing a U-Haul truck behind it. So take advantage of these days leading up to the greatest event in human history… because the coming of the Lord is to be celebrated.
But lest you think I’m a modern day Scrooge, I’m on record to say it’s OK to revel in the joy and comfort in everything that Christmas brings. Enjoy opening your presents, do a little shopping (online if you’re smart), eat those sweets, have a toast (careful), attend a show, listen to the beautiful music, spend time with your loved ones and leave the cookies and milk for Santa.
Go for it all but know that God is with us, not only in this season but every day all year long. That is a tradition we can all come home to this Christmas.
Now we really have a reason to call the day “black” for what happened at a suburban New York City Walmart when a “throng of shoppers… physically broke down the doors just after 5 AM and trampled to death a 34 year old temporary employee prior to the official store opening. I wish I were making this up. It’s one thing to face parking lot gridlock and shopping fatigue… but taking someone’s life just to buy “stuff” in a free-for-all frenzy”?
Instead of asking how something like this could happen, I propose that “it had to happen” in our materially based culture and it’s penchant for acquiring “things”. Especially around Christmas, a time of heightened interest that could be dubbed “shopping on steroids”. Should we be surprised when for a number of years, many retail sores and outlets have been advertising opening their doors as early as 4 AM on the day after Thanksgiving and wait until the final days leading up to Christmas when they will remain open until 2 AM or later. Imagine working in this environment. I have nostalgia for and can remember a time when Department stores were closed on Sundays- even in December.
Not to be outdone by the unruly, murderous mob at Walmart, another icon of the retail world, Toys R Us, had a violent episode in their Palm Desert, California store. Two men, armed with pistols killed each other in a gunfight witnessed by horrified onlookers who were ducking for cover. This encounter began when the two women they were with began pummeling each other. Reports are not certain of the reasons for the brawling women but were attributed to a personal dispute and not one related with Black Friday. Now I feel better… at least it wasn’t over who would get last “Guitar Hero” video game.
Christmas is not about getting huge discounts on Flat screen TV’s, Garmin GPS systems, IPods and cashmere sweaters (some of the “must have” items this year) . Or making sure our corporations are able to make 50%of their annual profit forecasts in a little over a month. When I googled “retail sales and Christmas season” I received 592,000 results mostly dispensing information related to how much of our hard earned money we could spend on ourselves and gifts that most of us don’t need. Something is a little out of kilter here.
How have we, as a civilized society, arrived at this Retail Hell? The true version of Christmas is about God entering the world as a baby (like all of us) born in the town of Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago? This was the ultimate Christmas present, the real “reason for the season”. The day that our God, in the name of Jesus, became flesh, grew up, walked among us, showed us how to live and then took our sins to the cross—and gave us the even greater gift of salvation. He was called Immanuel- or “God with us”. There is no better gift.
Christmas is about rejoicing over “… our dear Saviors birth”, “…Glory to the new born King” and “Joy to the world, the Lord has come… “to quote a few of the lyrics of our most well known and cherished Christmas carols. (To paraphrase Pastor John’s sermon this week) Jesus became a man to satisfy the more than 300 specific prophecies of the Old Testament, to show us the Father, to save us from our sins, to sympathize with our weakness and to secure our hope of Heaven.
For the sake of humanity, let us pay no mind to those “retail sales reports” and 24 hour shopping sprees for “stuff” that will lose its luster by the spring thaw. As Pastor John has said many times, he has performed many funerals and never once has he seen a hearse towing a U-Haul truck behind it. So take advantage of these days leading up to the greatest event in human history… because the coming of the Lord is to be celebrated.
But lest you think I’m a modern day Scrooge, I’m on record to say it’s OK to revel in the joy and comfort in everything that Christmas brings. Enjoy opening your presents, do a little shopping (online if you’re smart), eat those sweets, have a toast (careful), attend a show, listen to the beautiful music, spend time with your loved ones and leave the cookies and milk for Santa.
Go for it all but know that God is with us, not only in this season but every day all year long. That is a tradition we can all come home to this Christmas.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Home for Christmas
"I'm dreaming tonight of a place that I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you...
I'll be Home for Christmas
You can count on me"
It is said "You can't go home again". What does this really mean. You can’t recover the past? This saying is the title of a novel by the twentieth-century American author Thomas Wolfe. What did he know?
The Christmas season is upon us yet again. and every year I try and grasp that magical feeling I had as a child and youth. That is my idea of going home and trying to recover the past. It's hard to explain but I guess one's description of the "Christmas spirit" comes close. Every day in December leading up to the 25th was special. In fact Christmas Day tended to be anti-climatic. You couldn't wait for it to come but when it came you wished you could go back to a date "before". it was the build-up and anticipation. There was "something in the air" that is just not prevalent today and hasn't been for a long time. people seemed nicer, school was even cool (say what), your family was wonderful, even your enemies became your friends. There truly seemed to be "peace on Earth, goodwill toward men". It was not just a Bible verse or slogan... it was real. i wonder if children still experience this nirvana. If they do maybe it just means that we grew up and out of it when the pressure of the real world turned us into cynics.
Or maybe today is different. I don't remember stores being open at 4 AM the day after Thanksgiving, which is commonly known as "Black Friday". The most well known reference to that "black day" label was when the stock market crashed in 1929 (Black Tuesday) which set off the Great Depression... not a time to celebrate. On this final weekend before Christmas it looks like the retailers are outdoing themselves by again opening their doors well before the sun comes up and staying open until 2 AM. Some stores in New York are pulling all-nighters and staying open round the clock for 83 hours straight. I have nostalgia for Department stores being "closed" on Sunday (I kid you not)year round and yes even in December. Is anyone else weary about reading reports of retail sales during this most "glorious" season, as if nothing else mattered. anyone going near a mall does so at their own risk. Fighting parking lot gridlock to find a parking spot is probably akin to what Hell may be like.
In my version of Christmas, I can still smell the Christmas tree (yes, a real one) in our home... and it didn't go up until 2 days before the big day. and it certainly wasn't trimmed until Christmas Eve (in the day sometimes). Johnny Mathis always seemed to create the backdrop with any number of songs. I remember "Silver Bells" because of the vivid pictures of "city sidewalks dressed in holiday style, in the air there's a feeling of Christmas" where "on every street corner you hear Silver Bells because It's Christmas time "in the city". That I can relate to, not so much the rural sounding "Winter Wonderland" with it's picture print of "Currier & Ives" although I still like the song. i also love the Budweiser commercial with the Clydesdale's but I can't relate to that either. Give me the urban cityscape and dress it up with lights, music, and pageantry. If you have ever visited New York over this season, you can get close.
Many of my friends had train sets set up in their living rooms. I had racing cars on a figure 8 track. How that ritual got started, I'll never know. Of course there is the obligatory eggnog that surfaces and never makes an appearance at any other time. There were cookies.. oh my were there! Butter cookies hot off the grill, home made pizzelles (Italian wafer cookie with an anisette taste). and my families favorite delicacy - stuffed olives. They were the big hit. My father would literally count them. He would freeze them and crack them out when company would arrive... and plenty of company did eventually arrive over the Christmas season. Louie (my DAD) would always offer a shot of Canadian club whiskey - to go along with the cookies. If he really liked you he would break out the olives. But you could only have your ration.
There are so many traditions, rituals and memories but let's not forget the "true reason for the season"... the birth of Jesus Christ. Just maybe it is His spirit that was launched into the world. Jesus said one must have the Faith of a child to come to Him. We 'adults' try but fail to get it many times. Believe!!! without seeing... like a child. He is the ultimate gift, the reason we should be celebrating. As I look back today, just maybe it was my belief in Him that made it all special. Just knowing "God was with us" (the meaning of the name Emmanuel) every day but especially prevalent in this season. when else throughout the year can you hear the beautiful hymns and carols playing everywhere in a mostly "secular" culture.
Think of the words about "....our dear Savior's birth", O night Divine, the night that Christ was born", "Glory to the new born King", "Go tell it on the mountain... that Jesus Christ is born". Indeed, a virtual rejoicing every year at this time. Try singing or reciting these words in the public square during the year and you might get arrested. So take advantage of these days and revel in the joy and comfort that Christmas brings because the greatest event in the history of mankind, the coming of the Lord, is to be celebrated... even with too many presents, too much food (careful on too much drink), too many sweets, even too much Santa. Go for it all but know that God is with us, not only in this season but every day all year. That is a tradition we can all come home to this Christmas. Count on it... even without snow and mistle toe.
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you...
I'll be Home for Christmas
You can count on me"
It is said "You can't go home again". What does this really mean. You can’t recover the past? This saying is the title of a novel by the twentieth-century American author Thomas Wolfe. What did he know?
The Christmas season is upon us yet again. and every year I try and grasp that magical feeling I had as a child and youth. That is my idea of going home and trying to recover the past. It's hard to explain but I guess one's description of the "Christmas spirit" comes close. Every day in December leading up to the 25th was special. In fact Christmas Day tended to be anti-climatic. You couldn't wait for it to come but when it came you wished you could go back to a date "before". it was the build-up and anticipation. There was "something in the air" that is just not prevalent today and hasn't been for a long time. people seemed nicer, school was even cool (say what), your family was wonderful, even your enemies became your friends. There truly seemed to be "peace on Earth, goodwill toward men". It was not just a Bible verse or slogan... it was real. i wonder if children still experience this nirvana. If they do maybe it just means that we grew up and out of it when the pressure of the real world turned us into cynics.
Or maybe today is different. I don't remember stores being open at 4 AM the day after Thanksgiving, which is commonly known as "Black Friday". The most well known reference to that "black day" label was when the stock market crashed in 1929 (Black Tuesday) which set off the Great Depression... not a time to celebrate. On this final weekend before Christmas it looks like the retailers are outdoing themselves by again opening their doors well before the sun comes up and staying open until 2 AM. Some stores in New York are pulling all-nighters and staying open round the clock for 83 hours straight. I have nostalgia for Department stores being "closed" on Sunday (I kid you not)year round and yes even in December. Is anyone else weary about reading reports of retail sales during this most "glorious" season, as if nothing else mattered. anyone going near a mall does so at their own risk. Fighting parking lot gridlock to find a parking spot is probably akin to what Hell may be like.
In my version of Christmas, I can still smell the Christmas tree (yes, a real one) in our home... and it didn't go up until 2 days before the big day. and it certainly wasn't trimmed until Christmas Eve (in the day sometimes). Johnny Mathis always seemed to create the backdrop with any number of songs. I remember "Silver Bells" because of the vivid pictures of "city sidewalks dressed in holiday style, in the air there's a feeling of Christmas" where "on every street corner you hear Silver Bells because It's Christmas time "in the city". That I can relate to, not so much the rural sounding "Winter Wonderland" with it's picture print of "Currier & Ives" although I still like the song. i also love the Budweiser commercial with the Clydesdale's but I can't relate to that either. Give me the urban cityscape and dress it up with lights, music, and pageantry. If you have ever visited New York over this season, you can get close.
Many of my friends had train sets set up in their living rooms. I had racing cars on a figure 8 track. How that ritual got started, I'll never know. Of course there is the obligatory eggnog that surfaces and never makes an appearance at any other time. There were cookies.. oh my were there! Butter cookies hot off the grill, home made pizzelles (Italian wafer cookie with an anisette taste). and my families favorite delicacy - stuffed olives. They were the big hit. My father would literally count them. He would freeze them and crack them out when company would arrive... and plenty of company did eventually arrive over the Christmas season. Louie (my DAD) would always offer a shot of Canadian club whiskey - to go along with the cookies. If he really liked you he would break out the olives. But you could only have your ration.
There are so many traditions, rituals and memories but let's not forget the "true reason for the season"... the birth of Jesus Christ. Just maybe it is His spirit that was launched into the world. Jesus said one must have the Faith of a child to come to Him. We 'adults' try but fail to get it many times. Believe!!! without seeing... like a child. He is the ultimate gift, the reason we should be celebrating. As I look back today, just maybe it was my belief in Him that made it all special. Just knowing "God was with us" (the meaning of the name Emmanuel) every day but especially prevalent in this season. when else throughout the year can you hear the beautiful hymns and carols playing everywhere in a mostly "secular" culture.
Think of the words about "....our dear Savior's birth", O night Divine, the night that Christ was born", "Glory to the new born King", "Go tell it on the mountain... that Jesus Christ is born". Indeed, a virtual rejoicing every year at this time. Try singing or reciting these words in the public square during the year and you might get arrested. So take advantage of these days and revel in the joy and comfort that Christmas brings because the greatest event in the history of mankind, the coming of the Lord, is to be celebrated... even with too many presents, too much food (careful on too much drink), too many sweets, even too much Santa. Go for it all but know that God is with us, not only in this season but every day all year. That is a tradition we can all come home to this Christmas. Count on it... even without snow and mistle toe.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Truth Runner Commencement
At long last I have realized an outlet for the expression of my "rantings"... a term I like but must give credit to Dennis Miller. Dennis is well known for his work on Saturday night Live, stand-up comedy, a short stint on Monday Night Football (a little too cerebral for Joe six-pack) and most recently a conservative radio talk show. That is a courageous stance in and of itself for someone in the "Entertainment" business. The Hollywood crowd does not care for those of us "on" the right and "in" the right, especially people of their ilk, like Dennis. he may not make too many "A" lists but I'm sure his rant would be "who cares". You go Dennis!
Enough about Mr. Miller... I will have my own rants which will cover topics such as politics and religion (two subjects that may get one silenced in polite company), sports and entertainment (especially baseball which has sadly ended until spring of '08... and movies), the state of family, marriage, faith, work/career and the future of America (a very ambitious undertaking, I know). What is your passion? I hope to trigger something in your psyche to want to participate in expressing you comments. Yes, I am a closet columnist or radio talk show host in my own mind but I will defer to this blog to lay out my rules and rants to live by.
My blog is named Truth Runner because the truth may be the most difficult concept to grasp - on many levels. At our most primitive level, we as humans can't agree on where we come from, why we are here (our purpose) or where we are going when we die ( death is a concept most, if not all, do agree on). These three questions could begin quite a bit of dialog. I challenge you to ask someone you love.
Were we created by a supreme being and intelligent designer or did we involve from a tub of goo? Oops I guess I gave away my belief in that. Well, lets keep going then, shall we? Can we understand that if the Earth were the size of a golf ball, 996,000 of Earth golf balls would fit into that bright star we know as the Sun. Can you imagine that picture... and the Sun would be a speck compared to a few other stars and planets that make up the Universe. How far should I take this? There are so many facts that I would love to recite here but it can wait for another post. Stay tuned.
To get an idea of why we are here, look to Pastor Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" which sold over 20 million copies. The opening line in the book is "It's not about you"... Does that statement capture a generation or two? I'm thinking "The Greatest Generation"got it for the most part; the Baby Boomers didn't. Generation X... No. And last but not least, there is that little matter of physical death, salvation, heaven and hell. If you get the idea that there may be a Christian worldview prevalent , you would be correct. John 3:16 states "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life". Christian author Max Lucado recently wrote and released an entire book around that verse simply titled 3:16. Who wants that promise?
We will explore this worldview in many subsequent writings and in many subjects and topics that our culture presents. Time to get on the bus... the truth-runner tour is beginning.
Enough about Mr. Miller... I will have my own rants which will cover topics such as politics and religion (two subjects that may get one silenced in polite company), sports and entertainment (especially baseball which has sadly ended until spring of '08... and movies), the state of family, marriage, faith, work/career and the future of America (a very ambitious undertaking, I know). What is your passion? I hope to trigger something in your psyche to want to participate in expressing you comments. Yes, I am a closet columnist or radio talk show host in my own mind but I will defer to this blog to lay out my rules and rants to live by.
My blog is named Truth Runner because the truth may be the most difficult concept to grasp - on many levels. At our most primitive level, we as humans can't agree on where we come from, why we are here (our purpose) or where we are going when we die ( death is a concept most, if not all, do agree on). These three questions could begin quite a bit of dialog. I challenge you to ask someone you love.
Were we created by a supreme being and intelligent designer or did we involve from a tub of goo? Oops I guess I gave away my belief in that. Well, lets keep going then, shall we? Can we understand that if the Earth were the size of a golf ball, 996,000 of Earth golf balls would fit into that bright star we know as the Sun. Can you imagine that picture... and the Sun would be a speck compared to a few other stars and planets that make up the Universe. How far should I take this? There are so many facts that I would love to recite here but it can wait for another post. Stay tuned.
To get an idea of why we are here, look to Pastor Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" which sold over 20 million copies. The opening line in the book is "It's not about you"... Does that statement capture a generation or two? I'm thinking "The Greatest Generation"got it for the most part; the Baby Boomers didn't. Generation X... No. And last but not least, there is that little matter of physical death, salvation, heaven and hell. If you get the idea that there may be a Christian worldview prevalent , you would be correct. John 3:16 states "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life". Christian author Max Lucado recently wrote and released an entire book around that verse simply titled 3:16. Who wants that promise?
We will explore this worldview in many subsequent writings and in many subjects and topics that our culture presents. Time to get on the bus... the truth-runner tour is beginning.
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