Did you see the good news about the economy buried in all the bad news?  Here’s a sampling: 

US Economy: Confidence Unexpectedly Rose This Month

(Of course; we always expect the worst.)

 Sovereign Bancorp replaces CEO, shares soar

(At least someone’s soaring!) 

U.S. stocks bounce back after Monday’s plunge

(Chalking up its third-biggest point gain)

Microsoft To Open Search R&D Center In Norway

(Meaning they are still looking forward.)

Dollar rallies on economic woes in Europe

(Sorry for them; good for us) 

I keep saying, the economy is largely based on public perception.  If we live in fear we will be ruled by fear.  We can always take the Psalmist’s approach:

For troubles without number surround me; (Psalms 40:12)

Or

The troubles of my heart have multiplied; (Psalms 25:17)

 I’m glad the Bible never sugar-coats our pain.  I choose, however, to remember also the Psalmist who said:

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. (Psalms 139:17-18)

Or

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. (Psalms 71:20-21)   (All Scriptures New International Version)

Sometimes life really is about perspective. What’s yours going to be today?   

Have you seen the youngest preacher in America?  Maybe I could learn from this guy! 

http://www.apostoliclive.com/play.php?vid=492

I have solved the mystery residents, tourists and even food channels have been unable to solve for years. Forget the other problems you think you have, because I’ve solved one that will make the others much easier to solve. The brain power exhibited here will be useful to tackle other issues. (Stay tuned for all that.)

I’ve solved the battle of the Philly cheese steak sandwich wars between Pat’s and Geno’s. Through a sophisticated, complex research process, I have independently found the answer the world has been desperate to discover. It was a difficult journey, but someone needed to do it.

Here’s how I conducted my research. I began my journey on a cloudy, humid Sunday afternoon; walking 15 blocks and through the Italian Market until I saw the neon lights of Geno’s. Since I had last eaten Geno’s I decided to start with them first. I ordered one with onions and provolone. The place was crowded so I ate standing up. I didn’t order a drink or fries, so that nothing would interfere with my palate. It was delicious.

Immediately after I finished the sandwich and wiped my mouth, which was delightfully dripping with grease, I made my way across the busy, unorganized street to Pat’s Steaks. The line was longer; somewhat more confused. People were doing their best to be prepared to place their order. My son called, but I told him I couldn’t talk. (No cell phones in line.) I ordered the same; one with onions and provolone. I ate it again standing up.

Here are my findings: (I know the suspense is killing you and so I almost want to capitalize on that momentum and hold you until tomorrow….I won’t.)

1. Both places were “Soup Nazi” trained.

2. Pat’s is historic.

3. There seemed to be more first-timers at Pat’s.

4. Geno’s has more meat.

5. Being separate from other businesses Pat’s has more atmosphere.

6. Geno’s is greasier.

7. Pat’s bread is a little chewier.

But which one is the best?

Upon my professional and humble experience, the number 1 cheese steak in Philly goes to Geno’s.

I hope we don’t don’t allow panic over our economy to alter our vision of being a free, independent nation.  I hope we stay true to the basis of our founding.  According to a recent report, the International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said in an interview published Sunday that the world body needed to tighten its control over financial markets.  He went onto say, “We can have national or regional authorities, such as the European Union for example, but we need a global guarantor, an institution which monitors standards,” 

Let’s be careful before we hand over our oversight to other nations and the global economic powers.  I’m not sure the people in France know what is best for us in Kansas or Tennessee (or even Wall Street).  Oversight, such as the European Union provides, is more encompassing than just over monetary policies. We talked with people this year in the country of Malta who, after recently joining the EU, are no longer able to hunt birds, which was a national sport of patriotism to some.   

We have problems.  Let’s strategically figure them out and solve them.  Surely after 200 years of experience as a nation we can do that on our own. 

Today some 800 people at Grace Community Church celebrated God’s love by sharing it with the community of Clarksville.  It’s wonderful to see people get the vision of Operation Serve each year.  It really is about sharing God’s love with others.  Nothing less.  Nothing more.  Lots of people will be sharing their stories over the next few weeks.  Here’s a few links to help you understand what God is up to.  

The Leaf Chronicle did an article. Read it HERE.

Buddy Bartels took some great pictures as usual.  See them HERE.

Nate, our 17 year old, did a great job of capturing the day.  Read his thoughts HERE.

Hope to hear your stories too! 

I love big cities. Cheryl and I have traveled to many and we like the variety of activities, the people watching, and, on a spiritual note, the opportunities to reach people (because there are so many).  Here’s a list of some of my favorite big cities and some of the reasons why. If I’m missing one you think I should consider please leave me a comment. 

New York:

*Central Park

*Upper West Side

*Lower Broadway

Chicago:

*Running in Lincoln Park

*Deep dish pizza

*Hot Dogs

Washington, DC:

*People watching on the Mall

*National Zoo

*Smithsonian

Philadelphia:

*Pat and Geno’s (and Jim’s) Philly cheese steaks

*University City

*Amtrak

Seattle:

*Fish Market

*Space Needle

*Coffee Shops

Nashville:

*Country Music Heritage

*Centennial Park

*Friendly Southern People (and food)

Cincinnati:

*Graeter’s Ice Cream

*Cincinnati Reds

*Chili

Yesterday both presidential candidates Obama and McCain were at the White House working “together” (sort of) to discover a solution for the national economy.  This is historic, isn’t it?  I don’t recall two candidates from major parties coming together or even communicating with each other as much as these two have.  They have made joint appearances several times.  They have periodically called for a cease in campaigning to support or honor something they saw as bigger than the election.  (September 11^th, Hurricane fears, etc.) 

As I sit here listening to the debates I like some of each candidate. It makes me wonder….could this be the year we introduce the Co-Presidency to the United States of America?  McCain can handle foreign policy and Obama can handle domestic policy.  Those are the only two areas people seem to care about and polls show each leading in those two areas. 

Maybe the “Co” deal is the way to go this year.  It works for Grace Community Church. 

Do you remember the scene in “It’s A Wonderful Life” where George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) was forced to forgo his honeymoon because there was a run on the bank?  The people were afraid their money wouldn’t be available, so they wanted to take it out of the Bailey Building and Loan Association in cash. George tried to explain that their money was invested in each other’s homes.  It wasn’t enough to appease most of them and George was forced to try to make it through the day by trying to hold on to at least one remaining dollar.  That was fiction, but unfortunately it is based on a principle of fact.  If people panic, it impacts all of us and can eventually cause a collapse of corporations and even our economy.

The fact is that the American people have lived well for a couple of decades.  We have mostly lived on borrowed money.  The “excitement” of wealth has driven stocks higher; often higher than their real value and inflated real estate values beyond reasonable appraisals.  It was only natural that a correction would one day come to our economy.  I am not sure a government bailout of companies who lived beyond their means is appropriate, but it appears one is on the way. 

I’m certain though that now is not a time to allow uncertainty to send us into frenzy.  Even the government won’t be able to “bail” us out of a mass panic.  Someone asked recently when I would think it was time to panic about the state of our economy. I guess that would be when Americans are trying to illegally cross the border into Mexico. Our economy still has life in it.  It will recover.  The fact is that corporations that are healthy will be even healthier when these current economic struggles are gone. 

Now should be a time to make wiser choices with our finances, but really, shouldn’t we always be doing that, as individuals, corporations, and governments?  Let’s follow the advice of George Bailey and “Calm Down”.  Or, better yet, let’s follow the advice of Jesus and “not be afraid.” 

Someone shared an article with me by Raymond P. Rood entitled “How Then Should Organizations Live”. (http://www.humantechnologies.com) In the article Rood makes the point that every organization has three basic needs. They are growth, maintenance, and development.  For an organization to thrive it must do all three well.  Yesterday at our all day staff retreat we expanded our thoughts on these three needs as they relate to the life of our church and each individual area in which we serve.

Growth: Rood says “growth needs focus on productivity and expansion.”  The growth of any organization is vibrant and fast-paced and requires lots of energy and attention. It’s a world of numbers and percentages of increases.  Without growth, the organization will eventually die, but if an organization only grows and never matures, that growth will not sustain itself for long. 

Maintenance: According to Rood, “maintenance needs focus on order and the reduction of problems.”  The more an organization grows, the more it needs a structure in place to manage the growth; that’s maintenance.  Some people love the maintenance world.  It’s my least favorite, but it is extremely necessary for the organization to remain healthy.  Still, if all an organization does is maintenance it will become dull, boring, legalistic, and uninspiring.  (Did I paint that well enough?)  Some organizations, and even churches, die because they live in the maintenance world.  They become one large bureaucracy of rules and regulations designed with good intentions to sustain the organization’s growth.   That leads to the third basic need of organizations:

Development: Rood writes that “development needs focus on organizational quality.”  The development needs of an organization are designed to take it to the “next level” of success.  This is where an organization really matures, develops lasting principles and values, and prepares itself for years of growth and success.  Without developing an organization it will eventually wither and die. 

My experience leads me to believe that every person in an organization prefers to live in one of these basic needs.  Some prefer to always focus on growth, some on maintenance and others on development.  I’m a development guy.  If that’s all I had to do, I’d be happy.  To be an effective leader of Grace Community Church, however, I must discipline my time to focus on all three needs.  I can specialize in one, but I must be committed to playing a part in each area. 

Considering these three basic needs, consider your own organization or area of responsibility.  Which of these are missing in your equation?  Which do you prefer doing?  Should you discipline yourself in the other areas so you can be a healthier organization? 

Okay, the title says it all.  I’m way too busy for this.  I don’t even like running with a bunch of people.  But, for whatever reason, I’m in!  At least I’m trying to be in.