Just thought I’d provide a quick update since I haven’t posted anything new in a while. First of all, we are having terrible gas problems (as I know others in the Southeast are). We were able to fill the van up while at Wake this weekend for family weekend. But, I am running low in my car and there is none to be found along my 40-mile one-way route to work each day. I am going to have to start working from home Wednesday, if I can’t find any by then. (I have a big two-day offsite on Thurs and Fri which I can’t miss). I’d like to improve the supply chain process, by they probably wouldn’t let me.
We had a great time visiting James over family weekend. We saw a great male accapella concert Friday night. Chi Rho, a Wake all male christian accapella group opened for Chapter 6, an all male accapella group from the midwest (former students from Milliken University in ILL). They are going to be in Chattanooga this weekend (don’t know where). I recommend them. We all loved them.
Wake lost their first game of the season to an unranked team. That’s quite a surprise from the #16 team in the nation. Fun experience though (although we wore ponchos part of the time). Great stadium. For those who get ESPN, next Thursday night’s game against Clemson should be pretty good.
Went to Redeemer Pres on Sunday in Winston-Salem. Liked it. More contemporary than Living Faith. Then we voted in the 1689 London Baptist Confession on Sunday night at Living Faith, which replaced the 1644 in our church Bi-Laws. The 1689 more explicitly recognizes relationship between the O.T. Covenant and the N.T Covenant.
I have really had desire to move closer to work. We have (not seriously) looked at some houses up in that area. I am so tired of my commute, but fear the time is not right to try to sell (although a good time to buy). Wachovia (Charlotte-based) was just bought today by CitiGroup. At least 10% of their 50,000 or so Charlotte workforce will be laid off. More competition for homew sales. Combined with all the other bank debaucles, the Charlotte economy does not have a strong outlook.
Ingersoll Rand is not doing so well either. Lay offs are coming. My job seems safe for now. My new person starts on 10/6. Yeah!! But, the future is definitely unstable. My budget just got cut from $3.8 million to $1.7 million. I still have 92 leadership program deliveries and 8 brand new program designs in 2009 (assuming the budget doesn’t get cut any further).
Not getting any traction on the dissertation. Hoping I can get moving again, once my new person comes up to speed.
God continues to be faithful to the Churchill family. I would appreciate prayers for how God would have me serve in our church. I joined the Chior last week. I continue to be amazed at how many doctrinally sound, biblically-trained lay leaders we have in such a tiny church. I feel like God is preparing to do great things at Living Faith.
BTW, if anyone is ever interested in discussing the political scene (election, etc.) via the blog (or otherwise) let me know. As you all know, I like to engage in political debate. Can’t discuss religion and politics at work, of course. For example, I continue to struggle with the Christian’s role in elections like these. I am reminded of how so many people thought that Henry Ford was a socialist because he said that people could “have any color car they want, as long as it’s black”. Is our political system all that different? We hold up America as this place where people are free to think and beleive what they want. When, in fact, while we don’t put limits on the diversity of one’s thoughts, we say “you can express any political viewpoint you want, as long as it fits on one of two ends of the same continuum (Democtrat or Republican). Why do we need to align ourselves to only two dots on a continuum? Why do we have to even be confined to that one continuum? What if we wanted to introduce a different plane altogether? As a Christian, I want a choice that represents a biblical worldview. While it may be obvious to many Christians that Obama doesn’t represent a Christian worldview, can we honestly say that McCain does? I could submit many examples of what I mean. But, just to generate discussion, the fact that he has (more than once made the following statement should give us pause. “Some people have faith in God, I have faith in my country”. Hmm!! Discernemnet is the ability to distinguish right from wrong, it is the ability to distinguish between right and ‘almost right’. The first century church had to learn this the hard way. Guess some things never change. Better stop before I offend anyone (if I haven’t already).
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
🙂 We did have a nice visit with James, nice concert and fun football game. Politics…I’m not a very good debater. I always lose.
I downloaded the 9/26 Presidential Debate from iTunes and watched it last night. It seemed like both candidates were fairly aligned on many issues: they seemed to agree on what needed to be fixed, though not on how to fix it. I have a hard time knowing what I believe on certain issues, but for the most part, it seemed that McCain’s plan tended to be better than Obama’s, though McCain’s wasn’t necessarily the right plan. Again, right vs. almost right… I’m befuddled.
Thanks for the update. We miss our meeting in the middle times.
Nothing you said offended me. I often feel the same way about politics. I can not totally identify with either party and I don’t know enough about the third parties. We are praying for the country and our leaders every day.
I was wondering if you could elaborate a little on what you mean by “I’d like to improve the supply chain process, by they probably wouldn’t let me.”
Thanks for the update! I feel similarly about politics. I wish that the media would talk more about the third party candidates and that there would be presidential debates between more than two candidates.
Gary,the “supply chain” comment had to do with my desire to help the Gas Pipeline companies improve their supply chain process. Kind of like how you sometimes feel when you come across a broken process.
Andrea, Teddy Roosevelt was the 3rd party candidate who came closest to winning a presidential election (with the Bull Moose Party). But only after he had served at least one (or two) terms as a Republican President. Ross Perot came the next closest in 1992 when he took votes away from Bush Sr. to give Slick Willy the first of his two terms. But, as with many things in life, he was only able to do this by buying lots of airtime on TV with his money (he’s a billionaire). Money may not be able to buy ypu love, but enough of it just may be able to buy the Presidency. Two 3rd party candidates petitioned to get into the debate the other night at Ole Miss, but were denied. I do think this is a drwaback of our system.
We miss the Manchester (TN that is) meetings too. Really wished we lived closer.
I agree with the political views expressed in this post, I do indeed. When I was younger I wondered if I could put my dad on the ballot or anyone else I wanted to (which, i think you can, but it would not help much!) 😉
It is nice to hear what you are all up to these days. Thanks for the update. I have been praying for you all!
I received this from a college today. Made me think. I paraphrased the original.
Instead of giving Wall Street a $85,000,000,000 bailout, let’s try giving it to main street. To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide U.S. citizens, aged 18 .
Our population is about 301 million counting every man, woman and child. So, 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up divide 200 million, 18 adults into $85 billion – that equals $425,000.00 each! Yes, give that $425,000 to every adult.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So, let’s assume a tax rate of 30%. Everyone would pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25.5 billion right back to Uncle Sam! It also means that every adult 18 has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife would have $595,000.00!
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00?
a.Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.
b.Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads.
c.Put away money for college – it’ll really be there.
d. Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
e.Buy a new car – create jobs .
f. Invest in the market – capital drives growth.
g. Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves.
h. Tithe at least 10% – churches can reach more people and minister to their communities.
Remember this is for every adult U.S. citizen, 18 and older(including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehmann Brothers and every other company that is cutting back) and of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it! Instead of trickling out a puny $1,000.00 “economic incentive”.
If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult in the U.S.
As for AIG – liquidate it.
a. Sell off its parts.
b. Let American General go back to being American General.
c. Sell off the real estate.
d. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean up.
Great post and comments. I have heard many political conversations these past weeks. I try to abstain as you can never really make progress in those conversations in a work environment. As to the bailout, I think folks could likely greatly improve their positions for 10% of that.