Rest

I'm in Florida for a few days of R and R with my good friend Allen. The weather is perfect...sunshine, mid to upper 70's. Once again I ask...just why do we live in Northern Indiana? Love it during the summer and can easily do without in the winter. But, that's where we are and occasional time off from the snow, helps. Enjoyed breakfast with Adin Miller, a pastor friend from Sarasota, Bethel Mennonite Church this morning. I enjoy connecting with people, asking questions, probing their minds...about life and the twists and turns it presents. Adin is a friend that kindly affords me the privilege to do that.

C'mon

The following editorial was in the Elkhart Truth the other day and I found myself concurring with Mr. Tuttle's opinion. We have and are relying too much on our government to rescue our economy. Granted there are things the government can do to assist us in the stimulation of our current economic condition but ultimately it's just us, so let's get on with it.

BY SCOTT TUTTLE

In a Jan. 2 editorial The Elkhart Truth asked, "Where has Governor Daniels been while the local economy faltered?" -- chiding him for not predicting that Elkhart County's economy would be negatively affected by the poor economy. Since when is that his job and not ours? This slanted editorial went on to try to diminish the governor's announcement of securing more than $10 million dollars to help retrain RV workers by throwing in another jab, stating: "Unfortunately, the news followed by just a few hours the announcement of another plant closing in Elkhart County." As if the governor was just some incompetent loser who couldn't do anything right. Is that what you meant?

Listen, every community in the country could use more jobs right now. To imply that it is basically the governor's fault is very short-sighted. Indiana has a governor who has received national recognition for the good job he has done, despite extremely difficult economic conditions. We, the people of this state, rewarded him for doing a good job by overwhelmingly voting him to a second term. To me, your editorial is just the kind of journalism we don't need right now. I feel that someone needs to explain to The Truth that the governor is not the only one responsible for what goes on in our state. We have an Indiana General Assembly made up of 100 representatives and 50 senators who write bills and vote on the issues that govern our state. I, for one, think they are doing an admirable job, especially in light of the current economic situation. If the money is not there, it's not there. It doesn't do any good to complain that we need more.

If anything, trying economic times like these should remind us all of how over-dependent we have become on the government and tax monies to supplement our lives. I honestly don't believe that this is what our founding fathers had in mind when they fled the long arm of the king of England and revolted against his over-taxation and involvement in individuals' lives.

I would suggest that wisdom and logic dictate that we point the finger first at us for not diversifying our own industrial base and not sit here and whine about how we want more jobs and diversification. Come on -- do we really blame the governor (or others) for not doing it for us? Since when did Elkhart County become some helpless entity, standing in line and waiting for our government handout? I say we are better than that. And in terms of marketing our county, isn't that what organizations like the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County are all about?

Whining that other counties are winning contracts for new factories and jobs instead of doing everything we can as a county is not a winning solution or defensible argument. I say that it's "our" job to diversify the local industrial base, not anyone else's.

I think we should take responsibility for our situation and quit whining about what the government should be doing for us. That is just the kind of mindset that has led to generational dependence on government assistance and I really don't think it is becoming of the Elkhart County that I know and love.

Elkhart County has always been the home of entrepreneurialism and creative thinkers, not whiners who just want to get our piece of the handout pie. So here's an opposing view: If we don't like where we are in terms of economic development and diversification in Elkhart County, let's get out there and do something about it and quit waiting for the governor, the government or any other "big brother" to do it for us!

Scott Tuttle is president and owner of Livin' Lite Recreational Vehicles, Wakarusa, In

Inaugural Prayer

Inauguration 09 is behind us and even though President Obama didn't get my vote. I am going to support him until he proves that I should do otherwise. I hope that this great country that God has placed me in will come together, pick ourselves up and pledge to move forward. With the grace of God, we can each affect positive change beginning with our personal relationships and with our community. Join me in lifting our government to the Father and particularly the Obama family.

I wasn't able to see much of the inauguration, but when I went looking for pictures of the event, these in addition to Rick Warrens prayer (see below) were incredibly powerful. The cordial transfer of power from one man to another was completed without violence or national catastrophe! What a great example to the rest of the world.

Rick Warren's Prayer

Almighty God, our Father:

Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.

It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.

History is your story.

The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.

We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.

Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.

When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.

May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.

And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.

We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Holiday in Seattle

This past week we spent New Years Eve through Sunday morning with Brenda's brother Jason's family and her parent's at Fort Worden National Park in Port Townsend, WA. Jason and Melana live in Everett, WA and after a wonderful New Years Eve party at Romeo and Sylvia's (Melana's parents) we made our way to Port Townsend via Deception Pass to spend the rest of the week at Fort Worden. We rented a 6 bedroom house, formerly the home of a military colonel and had a great time of reconnecting and relaxing. The week before we got there they had the worst snowstorm in 39 years but all was gone by the time we arrived except for some in the higher elevations. Enjoy the pics.

WHATEVER, indeed...

This morning during the welcome/opening, I shared the following thoughts regarding the New Year. Unfortunately the video clip that accompanied this is not uploadable. In essence the message it relayed was that despite our attempts to follow through with resolutions to do this or that better or finally start, most of us fail in our attempt...so the challenge from the clip was to look outward and focus on the needs of others this next year instead of on my wants and needs. Monday morning correction...I was able to link it after all... It was entitled Whatever (click on link to view). i.e. whatever you (God) want to do, however you want to do it, I want to follow your lead. The very last guy said "whatever" as his last words in the clip and so as it concluded I had several people give dramatic examples of how we use the word with various nuances and how our understanding of the word and the attitude behind it changes depending on how it is said.

opening thoughts from this morning, Sunday, Dec. 28.

As we approach 2009, consider the opportunities that are before us; the opportunities that have presented themselves in 2008, the connections we’ve made, the souls that are kingdom-ready because of the work of Christ in them and look around you, in 2009 the material and spiritual needs of our community appear bigger than life…so lets assume some responsibility for re-presenting this christ that we claim as savior.

What is the attitude that we reflect toward others; toward using the gifts god has given us; toward jesus?

Whatever, indeed.

Matthew 25:40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:45
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

God is far less concerned with what you can do and far more concerned with what he can do through you

Troyer Christmas

We spent Christmas Day at Mom and Dad Troyer's eating pan after pan of Mom's cinnamon rolls (other great food too, but nothing beats the rolls). Cody set a record in 07 with eating 12 but only made it to 9 this year...we had a great time of playing games, opening presents and playing "dirty bingo." See the pictures here.

Elfs?

One of our gifted MCCh techies with apparently too much time on his hands, created this video. Brace yourself; and Merry Christmas!