2009 Economic Predictions

I read other blogs from time to time but here is one that aligns fairly close to my own.

Give it a read...and Happy New Year!

Calafia Beach Pundit

PLW

In Memoriam, 2008

Sorry to my close friends, Ben and Bobby Kennedy...May 2009 bring both teams closer to obtaining the glory years of Walter Payton and Danny White...



PLW

Leap Second!

Amusing...
I guess if we can print money that doesn't exist, why not create more time? ;)

Leap Second!

Christmas Insanity

Here is a recap of the week (for those of you interested):

• Christmas Eve - Traditional Christmas Eve service at Oak Grove Church. Colin and Wes Woelfle did a fantastic job playing saxaphone as well as singers and intrumentalists. Although stressful for me, I really enjoy playing and singing to my savior

• Christmas Eve - post church: Santa (?) showed up at the house when we came home and gave each of the kids a gift. Needless to say they were a little bright-eyed about how Santa knew so much about their day's events...I know, I know...but it's still cute

• Christmas Day in Hutchinson with my brother Mark and his family. My boys got the Wii game Mario Kart and now I'm addicted...

• Christmas at Heidi's folks on Saturday - WAY TOO MUCH food but enjoyable to be with brother and sister's in-law. I find a lot of comfort and encouragement being with Heidi's side of the family (and mine as well). I am very blessed to have a loving and caring family

• New Years Eve - playing keyboards for a overnight youth event in New Hope - we'll see...

Grace & Peace

PLW

WSOTW

Being that it is Christmas, I thought I would add a little bit of 'jazz' to spice up the Christmas Season (not sure if this qualifies as 'worship' but I'm taking a little liberty since this is my blog)...

Enjoy

Minnesota Vikings

I have to admit. Going to Green Bay and Lambeau Field this past fall reminded me how much I hate the Green and Gold. However, on a rare occasion and in an act of total desperation, I found myself rooting for the Green and Gold once again to enable the Vikings a playoff spot Monday night.


The ending of said event was nothing short of a tale scripted out of a Viking's playbook. If you haven't seen the highlights or footage from ESPN, where Chicago won in overtime due mostly to a blocked field goal with 20 seconds left in regulation, and if you are a Viking's fan, spare yourself the agony.


It really is setting itself up for a typical get-your-hopes-up Vikings season and then having them CRUSH the slightest glimmer of playoff hope (i.e. Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons - pretty much name the team).


I am resigned to not watching in hopes of the best outcome, but in fear for the worst.

Christmas, etc.

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.- Sir Winston Churchill

History will show that the greed and consumer borrowing of America in the late 90's and early 2000's along with an insatiable spending appetite has lead to the current economic crisis that we now are all paying for and will continue to pay for.

But, like in other times of crisis, Christians in America show their true 'stripes' and declare with boldness Christ's love through charity, prayer, and support for friends, neighbors and loved ones who are hurting or in need.

A casual acquaintance through basketball announced this weekend that his son, Marcellus (14), just had surgery for cancer and is recovering. It is one thing to simply pray and ask for healing (which I have done), but surely another to go visit the hospital, drop off a note for the family, and relate in a more personal way (which I have not YET done).

To me, that is the message of Christmas. It's not the intention, it's not the act of simply praying or giving ( although those are important), but the heart condition where Christians are so deeply concerned for others that we are willing to sacrifice our time, talents and treasures in order that others may see Christ through our lives and ultimately give Him the praise for it.

Because of Christ's sacrifice for my life, its now my turn to sacrifice my life for the needs of others following in His footsteps.

Let the records hopefully reflect that Patrick Wight's 'history' gave others a true glimpse of who Christ really is.

Merry Christmas!

PLW

WSOTW - Revelation Song

(HT to Kevin McGuire)

Laminin!

This blew me away (HT to dillusional Vol's fan)...





Grace & Peace...
PLW

Big 12 Champions!!!

Big 12 Champions...again...by 6 touchdowns...If I am Florida, I am a little scared at that offensive force that is the Boomer Sooners!!!

Hats off to Missouri for at least trying (only a 3 touchdown lead by OU at halftime). I do find it amusing that Texas has continued to champion their cause by running a banner after OU destroyed Missouri stating "Enjoy the BeatByTexas.com Bowl." I guess the only way they could be satisfied is if OU doesn't beat Florida, in which case they will of course insist that they would have been able to..

My guess is that Texas loses to Ohio State - Go Buckeyes!!!
(please note that I have the utmost respect to the dillusional Longhorn fans ;))

And, btw, sorry Phineas...

Report Cards

My boys received their first half report cards yesterday. It seems as though academics are on track but there are always places for improvement.

Boys basketball started today for Hunter & Jalen and Heidi is running Olivia to her company Christmas party. Seems like weekends are busier than the weekdays...

I went to a MN Wild game last night against the hated Canucks and we lost 2-1. But, it was a well played game (minus a pretty cheap goal for Vancouver in the 2nd).

GO SOONERS!!!

Oklahoma!!!

Ho-hum, Sooners play tomorrow for yet another Big 12 Championship (I know what you're thinking - Missouri Tigers - gee I hope its not as 'riveting' as that Texas Tech game)...
But, a couple of things to be worried about if you are OU:

• Sam Bradford tore some ligaments in his non-throwing hand. This resulted in bad snaps against Oklahoma State and almost cost them a key touchdown at the end of the game (ok maybe 'almost' is a bit of an exaggeration). We have yet to see how this may affect a full game


• Special Teams can indeed be called 'special' for OU. They HAVE to get better in this area, especially agianst Big 12 teams and in a bid for a national championship. Remember the hook and ladder...I will say no more


• Austin Box is out for the game and may be out for the rest of the year (not sure on his status). This leaves a weak but getting-better defense more vulnerable. I just hope they don't play like the OU basketball team did last night...my goodness

I hope OU isn't looking past these guys 'cause I am certainly not.

Boomer Sooner!!! Good luck to the Crimson & Cream!!!

December to Remember

I am curious about this whole governmental bailout of Detroit. What do my readers think of this? Certainly, you could argue that the Big 3 have had troubles long ago and, as a friend of mine pointed out, what is different this time?
Common sense screams 'No'! The unfortunate outcome is that unemployment spikes by approximately 1%, more people are on the unemployement line (which equals tax dollars to support them). Yet, I really feel for the individuals that will be effected by this. Certainly demand in the US doesn't stop for cars (rental agencies, taxi companies, bus companies, police and governmental vehicles, etc.). So, I would imagine that even if the companies did declare bankruptcy, some if not many of the jobs would be absorbed by the new entity formed.
Its economically ugly out there but I have found when things are bad, thats when God really does his greatest work within each of us.
Grace & Peace