A Note For Lent

by Father David Kirk

A preface about Lent:
People “give up” things during lent:
Pizza, beer, lobster, whatever.
But does it move us closer to God,
Closer to one another, to ourselves?
Maybe what we should work on at Lent
Is CHANGING ATTITUDES.
Leaving behind frustrations, fears,
Cultural attitudes
Which box in others.
TO GIVE UP NEGATIVE, DEFEATIST ATTITUDES
To see temporary setbacks as permanent
To escalate disappointment into catastrophe
To experience problems as insurmountable.
To try to see other possibilities
When things don’t go as we had hoped or planned.
Sometimes I set myself up to feel like a failure
Or to feel badly
About things I cannot control;
And I get out of this only by deciding
That if things can’t be one way,
Well, maybe they can be another.
Its possible, I think, even for me,
To still make inner changes,
To move old emotional garbage out
Permanently
To see the world in a whole new way,
To come closer to God.
So I’m not sure what I’m giving up this Lent
But I think its
HOPELESSNESS.
I think I learned this attitude
At an early age,
As a lonely adolescent,
As a young man whose people die young,
Whose sister died of alcoholism.
But God keeps seeking me, the lost lamb,
And in intervening in my life
Converting all these things into HOPE.
So I put all hopelessness on the altar
As a sacrifice to faith and joy.

As God Lives in me, I determine who I am.
[Mark 9:14-29]

*Reposted from Ash Wednesday 2009

http://fatherdavidkirk.com/

The Drumbeat of Triumphalism

The Tiger Woods saga took a new twist this past week when religion was thrown "into the mix". I found this article insightful:

'My God is bigger, badder than your God'
"'My God beats yours.' That's the essential message of triumphalism.
You can hear its marching band tooting along as various commentators parade across the airways and Internet debating which is the one true faith that can rescue Tiger Woods' reputation. The current drum major is Brit Hume, appearing at microphones daily to repeat his call to Tiger to turn to Jesus and Hume's own religion. It's one thing, however to testify to the peace, wisdom, joy and comfort your particular faith has given you. It's another to trash talk others' path to spiritual truth and a life of goodness beyond the so-called good life. No religion or atheist philosophy offers cover for serial adultery. There might be many paths to moral and social restoration for the wayward golfer -- and spiritual restoration as well, if Tiger hungers for that."

The entire article:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/01/evangelical-convert-tiger-woods-christianity-buddhism/1

"As this cycle continues downward, it will be important to know what you believe in. You will be challenged to stand up for what you believe in whatever that is."
Random Roving - November 6, 2009

"Keep an eye out for increased religious conflict though."
Random Roving - January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!! 2010 is Here.

It's my favorite time of the year to make predictions. I'm still sticking with all of my prior predictions. I'm interested in the "20-something" year cycles, so one year doesn't really make much of a difference.

"I’m betting on Puplava’s forecast of massive inflation. Buy some Krugerrands and interest in an oil well." Random Roving 10-1-08
This one was a winner and I believe it will be for many years to come.

All four outcomes still seem to be possibilities. I'm still convinced that massive inflation is coming. Massive deflation could be right behind.

I'm going to comment on my January 1, 2008 predictions one by one:

· Oil: $150/barrel before $50/barrel - WRONG. Oil bottomed at $38/barrel. I'll repredict the same for 2010, but the price will likely not see either.

· Gold: $1500/ou before $500/ou - I believe that $1500 is looking good.

· Dow Jones Ind. Avg.: 5000 before 15000 - We're currently in the middle. It still could be time to take the money and run.

· Next ten years will be the toughest we’ve ever experienced in our lifetime - Sticking to my guns on this one. Read the "The Fourth Turning" for the details.

· Next twenty much tougher than last twenty - Sticking to my guns on this one. Read the "The Fourth Turning" for the details.

· Next fifty much tougher than last fifty - Sticking to my guns on this one. Read the "The Fourth Turning" for the details.

· Military draft: within ten years, probably 5 - Sticking to my guns on this one. Read the "The Fourth Turning" for the details.

· Brett Favre won’t be playing for the Jets next season - CORRECT! But I never would have predicted a great season at the helm of the Vikings.

· Paris Hilton’s career tanks - Who really cares. It was a joke anyway.

· Saints win the Superbowl in 2010!!! - This was originally predicted on 10/1/08. This one is looking good despite two recent losses. I'll be considered a genius if this one plays out. Go Saints!!

"I believe that 2009 will be a very challenging year. I don't agree with the gurus that forecast a recession end by the third quarter of next year. Remember that those gurus just informed you that we've been in a recession for the past year. So much for proactive forecasting and timely notification. I think that we're in for a very long haul. A 26 year party requires a long hangover." Random Roving - 12/31/08

I chronicled the 26 year party in a little more detail.

I believe that the "sheeple" were awoken over the past fifteen months. It has become apparent to many that all of the pastures are not guaranteed to be "green" forever. Linear thinking might be giving way to cyclical or chaotic thinking.

My additional predictions for 2010 are:

-The continued printing of money by the Federal Reserve will wreak more havoc across the worldwide markets. Volatility is the new "norm".

-Commodities gone wild: Things will rise rapidly in price....food, fuel, gold, oil, grains, uranium, copper......

-I don't know if it will happen in 2010, but I believe that one of the next "too big to fails" will be JPM Chase. They hold more derivatives than any other company in the world. We've just seen the beginning of the derivative implosion. Remember, Warren called them "weapons of mass destruction".

-Protests and riots will continue to increase across the world. The mob is getting angrier and angrier. College campuses will continue to "heat up". The younger generation is awaking to the fact that their parents squandered their future. "Mom and dad, thanks for the debt burden!"

-Politics will get even uglier. The foundation for the new 3rd party is forming. The Peter Schiff Senate race will be interesting to watch.

-The mob will get even more angry. Beware of the angry white American man carrying the Bible.

-Politicians ratings will continue to fall aligning with a continued decline in mass social mood. Incumbents beware.

-The Heartland Theory will continue to play out for many years to come. The two "R's", religion and resources, will keep the Middle East on the front headlines. The "R's" will expand well beyond the Middle East before this is over.

-The President will continue to "take a beating". Read the "The Fourth Turning" for the details. He's been called a non-US citizen, a Communist, a Fascist, and a Socialist. What is left?

"I don’t think it matters who the next president is. I know that 99% of you will disagree with this statement. I believe that he will be doomed by the economic cycle. The cycle is much greater than a president or a political party. The next president will time it horribly like Carter did, but much worse. He will be the fall guy. He will be worn down by the Middle East like LBJ was with Vietnam. Hopefully he won’t receive the fate of JFK. Yes, that sounds pessimistic, but history is very repetitive." Random Roving - 11/4/08 Election Day

"Was Jimmy Carter really that bad of a president or did he time his economic cycle poorly? Was Bill Clinton really that good of a president or did he time his presidency extremely well? I believe that one was cursed and the other blessed from the “get go”. The next president, whoever he is, is doomed and will likely parallel Carter, JFK, or LBJ. Hopefully for him it will only be as bad as Carter." 6-30-08

-Xenophobia will continue to increase. Muslims and Mexicans will continue to be the easy targets. Which group or culture is next? Will the U.S. fragment and all will say "California, that's your problem!".

-The "patriotic" drums will beat even louder. The love for "our troops" will increase. Nationalism will continue its rise. You will be questioned by the "so called patriots" whether you really love your country.

-The "outer layer of the onions" will continue to struggle. Keep an eye on Iceland, Dubai, California, Honduras, Columbia, Argentina, Mexico, Iran, Pakistan, Detroit, Hungary, and Greece.

-Things built on "sand" will continue to struggle: California, Dubai, Arizona, Florida, and Las Vegas. Golf courses and cities are not naturally aligned with the habitat of a desert.

-The downward trend in social mood will present some very positive developments (yeah! finally!):

---families will move geographically and emotionally closer

---materialism will begin to fade toward more important things: family, God, friends, and true happiness.

---gluttony and obesity will evolve back to more natural levels.

---religion will become smaller, "deeper", and more traditional. The megachurch and megamillionaire ministers might have seen "the peak". Hopefully they saved all of those millions from the book deals. The trend toward more "traditional" might spark some old flames. Keep an eye out for increased religious conflict though. The most hypocritical will be Christian vs Christian. Northern Ireland will be one to watch.

I'm sticking with my same recommendations from last year. They still are valid and wise.
My recommendations for the new year:
-Take care of what is important first
-Prepare for all scenarios
-Think for yourself
-Read a lot from diverse sources
-Be aware of who's Kool-Aid you're drinking
-Turn off the TV
-Enjoy life
-Pray a lot!

"As we move into a new year, the stock market's technically weak rally and the repercussions of the burst real estate will follow along. So stay flexible with your investment strategy because we could be in for another hard fall." Claus Vogt - Weiss Research Inc.

I continue to get feedback that this blog focuses too much on negative topics. I'm not sure if I feel more like Paul Revere or the weatherman. No one calls the weatherman a pessimist when he predicts that a hurricane will hit land in five days. They take his/her advice, prepare, and head to higher ground. Don't shoot the optimistic messenger! He's only trying to "fire a warning shot".

Father David Kirk On Hope

Being Holy Week, I'll take a breather from the crazy events in the world and present some writings from Father David Kirk.

"And they look at me and say: 'How can you sit there so peaceful when everything seems so bad?' Because I can see beyond the reality. Yes there are debts, yes we are getting sued, yes we don't know how to get out of this financial mess. But my perception leads me to hope. And when you can have a positive perception it unlocks and releases hidden possibilities and you look for love. And when love comes, it comes through God. When there is a lot of love in this world, there is a lot of God in the world. So choose to believe in the God of love...Get on board the train!"
Father David Kirk (written in the 80's)

For more on Father David Kirk:
http://www.fatherdavidkirk.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_David_Kirk

http://emmaushouse-harlem.org/

Father David Kirk On The Compass

Being Holy Week, I'll take a breather from the crazy events in the world and present some writings from Father David Kirk.

"The Gospel tells us in a thousand ways that the important thing is not to "win". But to arrive at the discovery of the Other in God and in our brothers and sisters. It is not a choice between living a "ruined" life and an infantile life; it is a matter of, day in and out, maturing through the options that we must choose, and through the love which brings security to others."

"In the context of the Gospel, God does not appear like the father who locks the door so that the children cannot go out at night. Rather, God is like a light on our way, like a compass guiding us in our options, someone who does not abandon us in the risky exercise of freedom, and helps us refashion events that seem headed toward disaster. This, at least, has been my experience of freedom on the road to Emmaus."

For more on Father David Kirk:

http://www.fatherdavidkirk.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_David_Kirk

http://emmaushouse-harlem.org/

God, Faith, and Boudreaux

A good friend sent me a timely email speaking about how important faith in God is during trying times. We often focus on the challenges of the day and sometimes lose sight of the big picture. Despite the balance in our 401k's, everyone I know has their health, happiness, a job, and a great family. So all is good!

When I think of faith and the challenge of knowing when to "listen" and when to "act", I often think of my friend Boudreaux during Hurricane Katrina. Boudreaux lived down on the bayou in south Louisiana. As Katrina was approaching, his neighbors drove by and offered him a ride in their car to head north to higher ground. Boudreaux responded, "I don't need a ride. God will take care of me." The next day the flood waters rose quickly and Boudreaux had to climb to the roof to stay dry. A rescue boat came up to his house to rescue him but Boudreaux declined and said "I don't need a boat. God will take care of me." The water continued to rise and Boudreaux was sitting on the top of his chimney. A coast guard helicopter flew above and lowered a man down to save Boudreaux. Boudreaux told him "I go to church ever Sunday and pray to God every day. I don't need your help. God will save me". The helicopter reluctantly left and hours later Boudreaux drowned as the water rose above his chimney. As he awaited processing in Heaven, an angry Boudreaux asked to immediately speak to God. Moments later God appeared and asked Boudreaux what was so important. Boudreaux said "God, I went to church every Sunday and prayed to you every night. I told everyone that you would save me, but you did not." God looked at him and said "Boudreaux, what do you mean that I didn't try to save you. I sent a car, a boat, and a helicopter!"

One of life's great challenges is attempting to sort the balance of faith and action. When do you sit quietly, listen, and wait, and when do you take action?

I Liked IKE

After being caged up in a “non-electric” world for five days after IKE, I had too much time to think. The result…….another rambling rant. Two weeks ago Wednesday at our 15th backyard, no-electricity BBQ, one neighbor said “have you heard what happen in the markets this week?”. I said “no”. He said “Lehman Brothers failed, Merrill Lynch was acquired, AIG may fail, and the market dropped 400 points!”. I responded “this is the week my mentors have been warning about and I missed it!”. Well, it appears that many more fireworks will be going off for all to watch in the near future.

It’s not all bad news! During the down cycle we’ll turn away from materialism and return to God. We’ll focus more on family and friends versus buying new toys. My IKE experience was that no electricity is a good thing. It was amazing to see how “community” emerges when the power is turned off. It was amazing to see kids playing in the street and building forts with tree limbs. It was amazing to see people working together with chain saws clearing out trees. It was amazing to see everyone getting along. I can’t tell you how many multi-family meals we had in our backyard. Challenging times will bring out the best in most. The human spirit is strong and good.

To close, an excerpt from Kuntler’s “The Long Emergency”:
"And in a way, I have my own thoughts about that because I’m basically a cheerful person, and in my own way I’m also an optimistic person. I’m not really a doomy-gloomy guy. And I would leave you with this thought: that the American people have historically been a generous, brave, forward looking, resourceful group, and we’ve shown great courage in the face of adversity before. I think we’ve become kind of a somewhat sloppy and complacent people in the last 25 years or so, but it doesn’t mean we can’t recover a lot of those virtues that are really part of the fiber of our national character. It’s still there and can still be recovered, and I think we’re going to be able to do that. It’s not going to be true for every place and everyone, but I think that’s going to help us a lot. So I have a lot of faith just in our national character, and the better angels of our nature, as Abraham Lincoln said.“