Keep talking, it can get worse, or...

OK.  I rarely use this blog to vent but, this time, I must.  I listened last night (02.09.2009) to our President's press conference and came away with more bad news.  Before bedtime I told Belinda, "the Dow's dropping today" to which she asked me, 'how do you know that?' "Because it watches TV," I replied, then went on to bed with a sour stomach (by the way, the Dow, at 3:00 PM eastern time on 02.10.2009, is down 370 points).  

Then, today, in a phone call to one of our largest banks holding one of our Credit Cards, they tried hard to convince me I needed a new 'fee' attached to my card because, "Mr Dennis, don't you realize that this is one of the worst times in our history?"  To which I replied, "Now, that's enough!"  December 7, 1941?  "Yes."  September 11, 2001, "Yes!"  "But today?  No Ma'am!"   Then asked for the name of her CEO and his address, for, today, I am sending  him a personal check for $20, to invite him, when he gets off his jet, to have a hot dog on me.  But don't tell me, anymore, that this is the worst of times in our history.  I have had ENOUGH. 

So now you know how I feel.  Like you I care for people, and am more than willing to help those in need.  Like you I am feeling the pinch of volatile markets.  Like you I am concerned over dying industry, and whether or not we really need to shore them up once more or just let them go on and die.  Like you, I want the government to do what they can, and should, but... I do not want them telling me what's good for me.  Not now and not ever.    If you want to stimulate my economy, mail me a check, but, don't take it from Peter if he doesn't have it. I know his friend, Paul, and he surely does not need any more midnight robberies from his bank.  

Yes, scripture tells us a lot about the things we should do.  We are to honor our parents, do good to all, preach the gospel, help the poor, and... guard our tongue.  Yes, the tongue is a powerful thing.  It is like a rudder on a ship. (James 3:1-18)  For with one word a whole ship can be turned.  That's why we must aim to be careful with what we say, and to whom. 

If you are wondering about this economy, or, really, about anything in your life, don't look to what might be if things get worse.  Look to what is and could be as you take steps and speak words to make things better.  

In short, choose your words carefully.  After all, "a fools voice is known by much speaking." (Eccl. 5:3)  And, with that, I beg your leave.

Yours for better - 

Pastor Sam