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The Little Red Hen's Silver Nest-egg, Pt 3 of 3

I am not giving investment advice, just answering SG's question by letting you look over my shoulder. To protect myself against "rising prices," I have replaced some Federal Reserve Notes (a currency of diminishing value) with hard assets of silver and gold. The previous post recounted how I have created an "emergency fund" using silver Canadian Maples and American Eagles.

There are two other key measures I have taken. The first involves creating a silver "savings account." I have set up a "holding" with GoldMoney for this purpose. It is of critical importance to use a service that stores real metal in a real vault on my behalf. This is why I have avoided a "silver certificate" program, of which there are many. Here are some of the features of a GoldMoney account that I like.

• It is easy to transfer funds between my local checking and GoldMoney accounts. (Although it used to be a lot easier before some government regulations muddied the water.)
• The holdings in my GoldMoney account can be easily and quickly converted into gold, silver, or one of several major currencies. This means that if I need to make a major purchase, I can simply convert some gold or silver to cash, and transfer that money to my checking account.
• I don't like paying metal storage fees - but those fees are one of the characteristics of an account in which real metal is being held on my behalf.
• You can look at independent audits listing weights and serial numbers for actual metal. Reassuring!

You can click on the GoldMoney link above to get more information. Americans are not good at saving money. That's not good! We need to grow in our ability to live below our means and set aside a surplus. As we do, holding a portion of that surplus in the form of gold or silver just makes good sense. So a GoldMoney holding has become my instrument of choice for such a savings plan.

The last practical measure I have taken concerns retirement funding. It is possible to hold precious metals in an IRA. I have set up a ROTH IRA using the services of GoldStar Trust Company. It might seem a little complicated at first, because it involves me and three other entities. But these complications are necessary to preserve compliance with government regulations. Here's what I did: I set up an account with American Church Trust (which has since become GoldStar Trust). Then I began funding that account by transferring some money from another IRA and by making annual contributions. As this account was funded, I contacted my metals dealer to make purchases. These purchases were delivered to storage facilities of HSBC in New York and are held for my account with GoldStar Trust. By this means, I have apportioned a percentage of my retirement account to precious metals.

There is a common theme to all three measures I have outlined. They all involve holding actual metal. Anything other is essentially someone's promise to provide metal. This promise represents another layer of risk, something that I am trying to avoid.

That being said, I want to add one caveat. Government confiscation, economic meltdown, political turmoil, anarchy - any one of these could make all my preparations moot. My attempts to be wise and avoid risk must be balanced. My ultimate security is not in silver but God. I refuse to fix my "hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17). In this matter, I would counsel you do to do same! Fix your hope on God who is our hope, no matter what.

The Little Red Hen's Silver Nest-egg, Pt 2 of 3

Yesterday, I explained that I have converted some Federal Reserve Notes into gold and silver as protection from the rising price of stuff. Before answering the practical question of how I did this, let me issue two important qualifications. First, although gold and silver are useful as money, their usefulness is quite limited. Both are described as "perishable" and inadequate as a resource for redemption (1 Pet. 1:18). Regardless of the form of one's money, including silver, it cannot be used for the purchase of God's gifts (Acts 8:20). So let's keep this in proper perspective, it really won't matter whether your money consists of pieces of paper or pure gold in the day of redemption. Both will be worthless.

However, here is my second qualification: Just as it is possible to convert Federal Reserve Notes into gold, so it is possible to convert either into eternal assets. Here's how Paul describes this form of "currency conversion:"

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

When rich men use their resources to do good, they transfer "wealth" to a heavenly bank account, "storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future." It is precisely to this point that retaining money in the form of gold and silver can be useful. It preserves the power of those assets to be used for the accomplishment of good. Holding money in a depreciating currency means that the assets available for doing good are being steadily eroded. This is worse stewardship that that of the servant who buried his master's money (Matt. 25:24-25). My interest in gold and silver is about wisely using what God has given me to accomplish the most good.

Okay, let's get practical. How have I done this? This is NOT investment advice - I am simply telling you what I have done. There are three different steps I have taken.  The first step involves purchasing and holding in my possession a "cash reserve" of silver coins. I have concentrated on 1 ounce silver (not gold) bullion coins and rounds because they represent a "small denomination" coin. In the event of a currency collapse, these can be used to make small purchases without the need for "change."

• I have not purchased any "numismatic" coins - these are coins that have added value to collectors because they are rare.
• I have purchased "bullion" coins which only have value for their metal content (measured by weight).
• One of my favorites is pictured at right, a silver American Eagle produced by the US Mint and available from coin shops and dealers.
• The one that is pictured is encapsulated in an NGC holder. I normally wouldn't bother with this, but I found some that were being sold at the spot price.
• I included this picture of an encapsulated coin, however, because it gives you some extra info.
• Because this coin is produced by the US Mint, it is easily recognized and trusted as genuine.
• There is usually a premium (they are priced above the spot price) for American Eagles.

I also like the silver Canadian Maple. It has one advantage over the American Eagle, the engraved value of $5 represents its minimum value. Most coin shops and dealers who sell Eagles also sell Maples for the same price..

If you want the lowest premium in a small denomination, you can purchase "silver rounds." These are privately minted coins, generally one troy ounce in weight. Although the price is less, I have shied away from these because they lack the "recognition and trust" factor that Maples and Eagles have. In the event of a currency collapse, silver rounds might not be readily accepted for fear that they are counterfeit.

There are many dealers with websites that display prices and policies. I did web-searches to find several I like. I made small purchases from several before settling on one that I have relied on. The coins for this "emergency fund" are stored in a safe place that is readily accessible to me should we experience a currency collapse. There are two additional steps I have taken, but for other reasons. I will tell you about them in the next post.

The Little Red Hen's Silver Nest-egg, Pt 1 of 3

SG wants to know how to prepare for the rising price of stuff. Let me answer this question on two levels. First, we'll talk theory. Then, we'll get practical. If you need some background, here are a series of links to previous posts (in logical order) that can help get you up to speed:

Inflation and Federal Reserve Notes
Fort Knox Gold and Federal Reserve Notes
The Federal Government and Inflation
Why the Federal Government Sponsors Inflation
The Price of the Basics is Rising Dramatically

Let me issue a word of caution. I am not giving you "investment advice" in these three posts. Do not construe what I say as an appeal for you to take similar action. I am simply letting you look over my shoulder to examine how I have answered SG's question to my own satisfaction. If you do something similar, do it because you are personally convinced by your own research that it is the right thing to do.

Okay, let's talk theory. It may take you a little time to wrap your mind around this statement, but here goes: A loaf of bread is worth a loaf of bread. (Wow - deep!) What we call "rising prices" are not the product of things becoming more expensive. "Rising prices" are a commentary on the diminishing value of a currency. When the price of gas doubles, it is not because the "expensive gas" is twice as good as the "old gas." Rather, the dollars used to purchase gas have become worth half of their former selves.

What we call "inflation" is simply another word for "devaluation." Discipline yourself to replace phrases like "the rate of inflation" with "the rate of devaluation" and it can help you see what is moving and what is not. Seated in a passenger car on a fast moving train, everything close to you seems stationary. Look through the window and everything else seems to be in motion. But from behind the wheel of a car stopped at the railroad crossing, the train is a blur of motion, while all else is stationary. The word, "inflation," describes how things appear from within a fast moving train of currency devaluation. But all the stuff in the world isn't going anywhere. Step off the train and you see that the only thing in motion is the value of the currency.

This makes answering SG's question quite simple. In a world of steady "inflation:" Hold as little currency as possible (it is going down in value) and convert as much as possible into stuff that holds its value. By the way, don't miss that last phrase, "that holds its value." Not all stuff is created equal. Trading dollars for apples might seem a good idea when the fruit is fresh, but if you are using those apples as a store of value, it's a rotten plan.

Even among assets that hold their value, not all stuff is created equal. Diamonds and gold come to mind. They are both considered a store of value, but the value of a diamond is largely determined by the expert opinion of a gemologist. Diamonds (and other valuables like real estate and works of art) are not considered "fungible" because two apparently equivalent items can have dramatic differences in value, based upon the evaluation of an expert.

If you are looking for something as a "store of value" that can be easily used to purchase goods and services, both gold and silver have filled this role for thousands of years. In Genesis 13:2, we are told that Abraham was "very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold." Here is the first biblical reference to the monetary use of gold and silver, circa. 2,000 BC.I don't know much about livestock, but Abraham's other stores of value seem, to me, to be right on the money. I think gold and silver should figure into a strategy to cope with "the rising price of stuff." (Translation: "the diminishing value of our currency.") As a result, I have taken a percentage of savings / retirement money and converted it into silver and gold. How? In what form? Check out the next two posts.

From Nottingham to Saddleback

Something caught pastor Rick Warren's eye on a trip to Nottingham. While touring the famed castle, he came upon a diorama of a "typical medieval village." (See an example at left.) An information plaque on the side described the centrality of the local church to such a community: It helped men to love God, but was also the driving force behind local health-care, education, and compassion to the poor.

This description well captures what the PEACE plan is all about, a restoration of the church to a role she has abdicated to government and para-church agencies. The centerpiece of the "2008 Purpose Driven Community Gathering" this week was the launch of the next phase of this PEACE plan. Saddleback Church and a few select congregations have been field testing the plan for the past five years - they are ready to ask others to help them take the effort to the next level.

Here's the executive briefing on PEACE. There are five "global giants" facing the world - spiritual emptiness, selfish leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic diseases, and illiteracy. Jesus has the answer to each of these five problems - reconciliation (with God and men), servant leadership, assistance for the poor, care for the sick, and training for the next generation. Here is where his proposal has rattled some. He dares to believe that "ordinary people, empowered by God's Spirit, doing what Jesus did, together, wherever they are" hold the key to outpacing these fast moving giants. Some para-church leaders, understandably, have flatly pronounced that relying on amateurs will never work. 

Rick Warren is proposing that the church, the people of God, are the untapped powerhouse. He is not advocating some form of Dominion Theology which suggests we can usher in the kingdom of God through transformation of society. He is not declaring that evangelism and disciple-making must be superseded by a "social gospel." He is simply saying that the church has for too long been AWOL from the front lines of battles that Jesus would have us fighting. I agree, count me in!

An Ordinary Pastor Among Extraordinary Leaders

Today marked the close of the "2008 Purpose Driven Community Gathering." You know how I love my "to do lists," so I am processing my notes to compile a handy summary of insights and action items. Good stuff!

My time here was both proftably depressing and encouraging at the same time. One of the more poignant conference features to provoke these polar responses is pictured above. The moderator on the left, Saddleback Pastor Tom Holladay, led five pastors in a discussion of their involvment in global missions. All five regaled us with jaw-dropping stories of how God worked through them and their congregations. It was exciting to see God's goodness in accomplishing things that could only be explained by His hand.

There were eight of these panels, each focused on a different topic, all populated with nothing but gifted, dramatically successful leaders. With a steady stream of almost 30 such extraordinary men on stage, it made being extraordinary seem the norm. And that's where my self-doubt tugged at me. Being an ordinary pastor in what, by comparison, would seem an unremarkable church could make a guy feel a tad sub-par. So I was grateful when one of the last panelists, Jim Lane, described the challenge of ministering to business leaders. He observed, "Businessmen define themselves by what they do, not by who they are. This is what we have to undo."

I think his observation is relevant to us all, pastors included. We want to be defined by great exploits when Jesus is looking for a great likeness to Himself. What a slap-in-the-face reminder to keep things in perspective. I must never lose focus on what matters - a simple and pure devotion to Jesus. Such a heart may propel me to embrace great risks for God. And praise God when He chooses to work through me  (and you) in ways that are obvious and impressive. But, more than great exploits, maintaining the white hot fire of passion for Jesus must be my aspiration. This is what defines me; not what I do but who I am!

Rick Warren's Orchard

This week I have been attending the "2008 Purpose Driven Community Gathering" at Saddleback Church. In case you recently arrived on the planet, that's the California megachurch where Rick Warren is the founding pastor. You know I subscribe to Proverbs 18:13, so I'll reserve my conference relections for AFTER it's over. For now, what about the Nazareth effect? (Can anything good come from Saddleback?)

The reactions to the "Purpose Driven" model have been all over the map. I'm not getting it - I probably don't agree with Warren about some things he says, thinks, or does. (Nothing comes to mind at the moment, but I am sure I could come up with something if I did some nit-picking.) There is an incredible amount of what he teaches that has been instructive and convicting. I appreciate his labor of capturing biblical truth in simple, memorable language. Listening to him has encouraged me to be faithful and purposeful in the ministry God has entrusted to me. If "you will know them by their fruits," his cherry orchard looks pretty good.

Doesn't the criticism mask a conceit: "Unless Rick Warren thinks, does, and says exactly what I think do, and say, he is unworthy to be your teacher." Isn't this just another way of saying, "Bring in the clones - I alone can teach you, except when you find an exact duplicate of me." Serious measures are called for by factionalism and heresy. I am not hearing that here at Saddleback. So, I am taking my cue from the Bereans, searching the Sciptures and gobbling up all the truth I can find. It's kind of like eating bing cherries off the tree - You savor the fruit and spit out the pits. Sweet!

What any dumb bunny can do!

In a previous post, I proposed solving a Hillary-Obama-McCain dilemna by distinguishing between voting for and endorsing a candidate. God uses all men, even those of whom He disapproves, to accomplish His purposes - "God can draw a straight line with a crooked pencil." The fact that God can do this and still be holy demonstrates that it is possible for us to vote for a candidate about whom we have reservations and to do so with integrity.

Because God uses all men to accomplish His purposes, someone could easily assume that character and "doing the right thing" are of little value. But doing right matters, not because of "usability" but “supportability.” The man who loves God will find that the alignment of heart between he and God unlocks God’s willingness to bless his efforts: “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chron. 16:9).

All men are used of God. But not all men’s plans are blessed. God is looking for those whose character shouts “Here is someone with a heart for God.” When God sees such a one, He has no problem saying, “I want to make what this guy (or gal) is attempting part of what I accomplish. We are on the same page. Why wouldn't I?”

So what is the more worthy goal? Any dumb bunny can be "used of God." But being "blessed by God" is reserved for a select few - those whose hearts belong to Him. Make the things of God the longing of your heart and watch how God's "strong support" kicks in. Don't waste today worrying about being used by God. Find a way, today, to give God more of your heart and know that THAT is precisely the defining characteristic God is looking for. A heart that is God's is what makes a man special.

Are aiding evil and feeling guilty the only options?

SW has raised a question - would it be okay to “stay home” on election day? She wants to know how she can she be a good steward of her right (and responsibility) to vote in the absence of a biblically worthy candidate? Is it appropriate to vote for the “lesser of two evils” when that candidate’s position (or track-record) betrays what is right?

I feel your pain, SW! It definitely feel likes a lose-lose situation. By staying home, you risk aiding the victory of a candidate who represents the “greater of two evils.” By voting, you oppose that outcome at the cost of your clear conscience. Aiding evil or feeling guilty - some choice!

Is it possible we are struggling with a problem that is the product of our own misperception? Here is a rather remarkable and poignant declaration: “Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,” declares the Lord, “and I will send to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land and against its inhabitants and against all these nations round about; and I will utterly destroy them and make them a horror and a hissing, and an everlasting desolation” (Jer. 25:9). God’s choice is not the same as His endorsement! God's choice of Neb to be His instrument of judgment upon Israel and her neighbors should not be construed as God’ endorsement of his character and excesses. Indeed, Daniel 4 makes it very clear how decidedly lacking God found this arrogant monarch. (On balance, there did come a point in Nebuchadnezzar’s life when he seems to have improved - cf. Dan. 4:34-37.)

Implication: God is no less perfect in His holiness for choosing someone He DOES NOT also endorse. If God is not compromised by such a choice, then there is a valid and helpful distinction to be made between choosing and endorsing. Can I not also choose someone fit for an assignment without endorsing his character? (Caution: This principle can be pressed too far - more on that tomorrow.)

Show me ANY candidate who is worthy of our unqualified endorsement. Our struggle with the current crop of candidates is a window into a deep hunger. We long for a leader who is the perfect manifestation of God’s holiness. We seek to elect a President of whom God would approve. That is a worthy goal and is the spirit which animates the Lord’s prayer. But I have a newsflash for you: Not gonna happen until Jesus returns. Until then, we must choose candidates who seem best capable of serving God’s interests despite the fact that there is much about them we find wanting. Don’t stay home. Make your best choice, even though it is not the perfect choice.

Moody Achievement

We are headed to Chicago this week for our youngest's graduation from Moody Bible Institute. Arian has worked hard and is finishing strong - and will be very ready for some summer recharge time. Austin and Alex will be joining us as we travel by minivan to the Windy City. There won't be any new posts at L-W this week, but I expect to be back next week on May 19. See you then!

Catan and Life

Christmas '06, I received a very fun gift, The Settlers of Catan. (Thanks, Ari!) This exercise in building and trading gets my vote for best board game ever. We have enjoyed it with friends and family for over a year and we are still not tired of it. One of the secrets to its longevity lies in its variable game board - Catan utilizes a series of hexagonal tiles which can be placed in a new layout for each round. Another key to our continued enjoyment of Catan lies in the expansion packs, especially Cities and Knights. There's nothing quite like the thrill of having a lock on a metropolis standing proud in a field of amber grain (Click on the picture to get the full effect - doesn't it just give you goose bumps?)

If you have kids who are 10 or older, why not introduce them to Catan? Fun family time together is a rare commodity, but the prospect of a round of Catan will make it a more common occurrence. One word of caution: Especially with the Cities and Knights Expansion Pack, it is difficult to keep things in perspective. This variation is emotionally captivating; There is great joy in the good times when settlements are productive, robbers and barbarians little seen, and trade relationships favorable. But when things are not going well for my group of settlers, I struggle to remember "it's only a game."  Others have recounted a similar challenge of maintaining a positive attitude in hard times. This game will open the door to moments of depression. Sounds bad but this can actually do some good! Let me explain.

Our children need to understand, "Life is not fair - get over it." One of the things I like about Catan is how it helps us do just that. In Catan, things may not be going your way. But winning the game is often achieved, not by having everything go your way (although that helps), but by making the most of what you are given. Pining for a big break and wishing for a windfall could be nothing but a pathway to depression. The path of hope lies in bucking up, getting in the game, and finding a way to chip away at progress. I have watched someone with many disadvantages prevail by persevering. That kind of dogged determination is a valuable commodity, worthy of export from Catan to real life.

The Price of Stuff

James Turk recently wrote A Four Month Review comparing the gains and losses in various markets. I was struck by the clarity of his simple chart as an explanation of what is happening to the price of stuff. The CRB Index (third column) is used to track the price of basic commodities, including cattle, copper, cotton, crude oil, soybeans, sugar, and wheat. These are the basics we use to live. (Click to see a complete list of the markets and comodities used for the CRB Index.) The chart shows that in the last month, the price of the CRB has risen 3.8%. In the first four months of 2008, the price has gone up 12.6%. Since May 1, 2007, the price has increased 32.9%.

Someone might say that the price of these basics is going up because the value of the dollar is going down. True, the dollar has lost value, 11% since May, 2007. But that 11% loss of purchasing power doesn't come close to matching the 33% increase in the cost of commodities. My point? This chart shows what we all know when we go to the grocery store or the gas pump. The cost of living is going up. Significantly! And it is going up regardless of what currency you use. (Even for those using euros, the differential between the CRB and the increased purchasing power of the euro is 18.9%. This means that the price of stuff has gone up almost 20% in Europe.)

How come these numbers are so disconnected from what the government reports on the rate of inflation? According to a recent article, Numbers Racket, by Kevin Phillips, the numbers being reported are for a "make believe economy," not the real world in which we live. Here is a key excerpt that is definitely worth reading. If your wallet seems to be emptying much faster than it did last year, it is not your imagination. Both Democratic and Republican administrations are reporting fiction.

I watch this unfolding and I appreciate God all the more. God is not trying to make us think things are fine when they're not. He is not interested in make believe. He deals with us straight up, giving us the unvarnished and sober truth about ourselves. He offers us hope that is in touch with reality. You can trust what He says all the way to the bank.

Self-Image Crack-up

One of Charles Sykes' 50 Rules Kids Won't Learn in Schools states, "The real world won't care as much as your school does about your self-esteem..." I watched this principle in action over the weekend. I took a few days of vacation to attend Motorcycle Safety School, an intensive 21 hour program involving both classroom and driving range instruction. There were twelve of us at 6:00 on Friday night, there were six who received certificates on Sunday afternoon.

What happened to the other six? Two dropped out as they discovered that riding a motorcycle was more challenging than they had anticipated. One was late - the instructors had clearly stated, "If you are late to any session, you will be dropped from the course." Frieda (not her real name) took too long for lunch and forfeited her $195. Expensive lunch!! As I watched the Frieda scenario, I couldn't help but think, "These guys take it seriously!" When it came to the driving test, the instructors read the rules which included this one: You will receive an automatic and immediate failure of the riding skills test if you lose control of your motorcycle." Waldo (Is there a real person named Waldo?) dropped his motorcycle to the pavement when attempting to make a quick stop. All Done! Two others didn't dump their bikes, but were dismissed from continuing when their scores on the driving test were less than required. No certificate!

At first glance, this treatment seems harsh and pointless. I disagree! Frieda, Waldo, and the others paid $195 to learn something profoundly valuable, something potentially life-saving; "you are not ready to do this." What a contrast to the self-esteem pandering world our children are being raised in. What a fresh breeze to the "entitlement mentality" that fills the air in our midst. What a slap in the face to the "I-should-be-able-to-do-whatever-I-want" mindset that is rampant in our midst?

The Price is Right

In the late '50's / early '60's, I enjoyed collecting silver dollars. They were still in circulation but uncommon. When Dad's travels took him to Law Vegas, he might bring me a few. I enjoyed stacking and counting them. My Mom saw in these exercises a scrooge-like trend and told me I would have to get rid of them because I was "becoming miserly!" My now-grown children say they see the same flaw reflected in my countenance when I play games like monopoly. I don't know what they all see, but it doesn't sound good.

So maybe my "miserly bent" makes me a sucker for a silver dollar story. But, there is a movement I have been following for years that is VERY SIGNIFICANT. It centers on the efforts of a man named Hugo Salina Price. He is a Mexican citizen, retired businessman, and follower of the Austrian School of Economics. His organization, the Mexican Civic Association Pro Silver, is actively lobbying the Mexican Congress for legislation allowing the pure silver “Libertad” to function as money.

Why am I telling you about this now? The prevailing sentiment seems to be that the Federal Reserve has exhausted their resort to lowering interest rates as an economic stimulus. If this tool is being shelved, the Fed will become more reliant than ever on the power of the printing press. If you want some background, here are links to a couple of previous posts:

1. Concept of Money
2. Inflation 101
3. Inflation 102   

I realize that opinions are divided on this, but I see a dramatic expansion of the money supply in our immediate future. Even Alan Greenspan gets it - that a currency backed by hard assets is the only sure means to avoid currency devaluation. Here is a FASCINATING account that gives you some background on Mr. Greenspan's thoughts.

Mexico has been prepared for Mr. Price's proposal by its history - An economic crisis in the 1990's and a citizenry that appreciates and is familiar with using silver coins. On this foundation, Hugo Price is making headway. Here is a link to an article written in 2003 which outlines his proposal. He tackles a critical problem: A silver coin can only endure indefinitely in circulation if it has no nominal value. Here's the problem: Those silver dollars I enjoyed counting have far greater "melt value" than the nominal value of "one dollar" engraved on their face. Who would spend such a coin for a dollar's worth of trinkets (nominal value) when you could get $15-20 dollars worth of stuff using its melt value. A coin with greater melt value than nominal value will quickly disappear from circulation. It cannot work as money.

Mr. Price recently appeared via video at the GATA conference  - here is the second clip (of three) which outlines his approach. He has a viable solution to the problem!

Here are links to parts one and three. What I find especially intriguing is that Mr. Price's proposal has been endorsed by every regional governor in Mexico. People see the value of holding money whose value cannot be eroded by inflation. The libertad is currently legal tender but with some restrictions. Once these restrictions are removed and it is able to function unimpeded as money, Mexico will have become the first country to oppose the power of the printing press to fuel inflation. At least somebody understands! Mr. Price is right!

Dangerous Christians

This picture (taken this morning) may look innocent enough - but don't be fooled. According to opinions expressed in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, this could be evidence of a hijacking in progress.

So what's the story behind the picture? About eight years ago, several churches in Collierville came up with the idea of participating in the National Day of Prayer by sponsoring a "Prayer Station" in the Walmart parking lot. It was enough of a success to warrant doing it again, and every year since. This year, the Hobby Lobby parking lot became the place (from 10 AM till 8 PM) where intercessors pray for an hour with members of other area churches.

So, where's the controversy? It seems to be a kerfuffle over the same old issues. Some don't like it that the National Day of Prayer Task Force led by Shirley Dobson has "hijacked" the event by promoting prayer events led by Christians. Others don't like it when government officials issue proclamations calling for prayer. Sheesh! To me, it all seems pretty reasonable. Government leaders, including the Mayor of Collierville, have announced, "We could really use some prayer."  And Christians have obliged, "We would be happy to pray."

Prayer doesn't just happen - It takes effort. You would think even curmudgeons would be grateful that somebody is willing to do some serious praying. Not so! If you dare to think that prayer makes a difference when it's directed to someone who can MAKE A DIFFERENCE, then your prayer is considered "explicit religious discrimination." Put whatever label on it you want, I still plan to keep praying "in Jesus name." It is good when those who share this allegiance assemble in a parking lot to ask for God's blessing. That they would do so is cause for celebration even when some think hand-wringing is in order.