We are toast....

America's economy is toast. Barney Frank, the head of the House Financial Services Cmte, said this today. "We are considering loaning the automakers the 25 billion but requiring them to give us an updated business plan by March. If they do not have it ready by then they will have to pay the money back."

WHAT???? They are begging for money because they are broke. What do you think they are going to do with the 25 billion? Put it into an interest bearing checking account at SunTrust? Are you a complete idiot, elected official? They are burning through cash at an amazing rate.

The man most directly involved in keeping America's financial policies on course wants to give 25 billion to three failing companies. But, he wants them to pay it back if they cannot play by the rules. King Obama better fix this soon with his magical powers....

Some things have no explanation....

I really hate uncomfortable....

Why do some people have inner faith while some of us struggle with all the details? I have wondered that one for a long time. I have questions, and I have found that there are not always good answers. (My questions range from "why do children suffer" to "how can Jesus return in the eastern sky to a ROUND world" to "why did they make Fonzie jump that shark?")

I just finished (almost read twice because he has lots more smarts than me) Tim Keller's The Reason for God. You have to respect the pastor of a huge church in NYC that starts by agreeing that faith and skepticism are both on the rise. Huh? But, I guess it is true. Atheists are certainly more vocal today than 25 years ago led by Hitchens, Dawkins, etc, and religious activity is on the move as well. Both are true....strange.

It is a really great book and read. You know the author is smart when he can make really tough ideas relatively simple. (Or am I just simple-minded? Either way...) He is able to dissect the arguments against God and faith without being a jerk. It would have been easier to call them Godless sinners. :) He could have also pulled a Don Miller and gained style/cool points by taking pot shots at Christians. (Don Miller is cool by the way. I bet he likes sushi.)

If you recently left law school and have the permanent perception that you should always be busy, go buy the book. Or, download his sermons from www.redeemer.com. He is also a killer teacher.

"We usually begin the journey toward God thinking, "What do I have to do to get this or that from him?" but eventually we have to begin thinking, "What do I have to get him?" If you don't make that transition, you will never actually meet the real God, but will only end up believing in some caricature version of him."

We just filled up the Quest for $30. Thanks, recession....

Sent from my iPhone

Mommy thinks I am sick....

But I am wearing Mia's 'Rella dress, playing with one of Bubba's
Buzzes and have Daddy all to myself.

I love it when a plan comes together....suckers!

Same bus...different dudes

King Obama catches Z's on his Premiere bus

Premiere bus with commoners

Shawn in King Obama's chair

Keep your kids...

If you are like me (and I hope you are not,) you sometimes wonder why you have kids. They are quite expensive and do not always sleep through the night. (I know what you are saying to yourself, "Yeah, Shawn, but when they are learning to speak, you can trick them into saying dirty words." You make a great point, and we completely agree.) Anyway, it is a scientific fact that they need to eat almost every day and frequently ask for stuff for Christmas.

Last night, Ethan reminded the whole family that he saw a TV person get shot while staying up late with Daddy. My recollection of the subject was intentionally vague so as to avoid potential other discussions with my life partner (as she will soon be referred to in the new Obama administration.) It was a fun time for everyone involved minus me. To make matters worse, Mia promptly told everyone that I DID know the show to which Ethan was referring but was only acting like I DID NOT so Mommy would not get angry. She was mostly right and completely grounded.

Ethan had a tough start to the day today. He woke up WAY too early (see argument against children mentioned above) and was grumpy. He did a great job of turning his grumpiness into a happy heart (as Mommy says) but only after we had a long discussion in his room complete with tickling. At one point, he told me, "I know I have to obey you, but I don't want to." Amen, bro...

I am reading a great Tim Keller book called "The Reason for God". Keller is so much smarter and genius-er than the rest of us that I will never really understand what he is writing. But, it is an amazingly simple breakdown of reasons for faith in God. It reminds me that I must constantly force myself to look at the world from God's perspective. It is easy to see everything through the lens of my day, past events, experiences, etc. I believe that God exists and is involved in my day. He has His reasons for everything and they often do not make sense to me. Frankly, if God made complete sense to me then we would all be screwed.... (don't let your kids read that last sentence.)

My children are the best examples in my life of God's view of me. We sustain their lives in every way, fund their existence, provide protection, feed and nurture and guide their growth. Because they have never known a different experience, they expect all of those things as a starting point. It has yet to occur to them that, if all of those things ended right now, the additional Wii game or new markers would be irrelevant.

Does God chuckle when he sustains me in every way, and I complain because I have a long day? (Uhm, well Shawn, I did keep the laws of nature in force for one more full day so you would not fry by cosmic radiation. Sorry that you had to make a tough phone call.) Since God created humor, I am sure he gets it too....