Too much for me

Concerning how average Americans can help out economy, I recently heard someone describe it this way: In the past years, under the Bush administration, the word for Americans was spend; but this year if we really want to help America, the word is save.

Much of our economies problems are due to Americans living outside of their financial means, buying houses too big, taking out large loans, living off of credit cards and racking up debt in so doing. No wonder the federal government went a little spending crazy as well. As a country, we need to seek out the oldest members in our families and ask them how to save money, because they most likely grew up pinching every penny. My great-grandmother sure did.

Barack Obama's inauguration is tomorrow, and as we look toward the changing of the presidential guard I think back to some of statements he made concerning cutting government spending. He repeatedly promised to review the federal budget line-by-line in order to cut spending anywhere possible. I think that's a good thing.

However, I am concerned about Obama's ability to carry out a presidential term that spends less than previous administrations. In one month of campaigning, Obama spent more money than had ever before been spent on any candidates entire campaign. And now I find this article concerning the cost of his inauguration.

Clinton's inauguration in 1993 cost approximately 33 million.
In 2005 Bush spent around 42.3 million.
Tomorrow's celebration is expected to cost more than 150 million.

I should first say that I am a supporter of Obama, but that's just way too much money for me. What if the government set the example of saving money by actually...saving money? What an idea?!

I realize more people than ever are planning on attending tomorrow's party and speech, but I cannot condone spending over three times the amount needed just 4 years ago. I can think of (and I'm sure Mr. Obama can too) many better ways that money can be used.

I also realize the Obama is probably not planning the inauguration himself and has little say over the money spent. I just hope that this is not a foreshadowing of how money will be spent during the next 4 years.

I have high hopes for our country's recovery in the next few years, and I hope that our new president leads us well. May we all do our part in the effort.

He Built More

While visiting family in Asheville over the holidays my wife and I were taken to the Biltmore House as a Christmas present. Having grown up in Asheville, the notion of visiting the Biltmore House is nothing new. However, the last time I went was in third grade, and I hardly remember it. So, our trip this Christmas was very exciting.

Some Fun Facts: The Biltmore House was built (paid for) by George Washington Vanderbilt. Construction lasted six years, starting in 1889. George Vanderbilt presented the completed house (a summer home) to his wife and daughter on Christmas Eve, 1895. What a present! At the time, the Biltmore House was and still is America's largest home, containing 250 rooms. It currently sits on a humble 8,000 acre estate; however, when Mr. Vanderbilt purchased the estate in North Carolina it was a mere 125,000 acres, most of which has since been sold off, but the largest portion was given to the state and serves as the epicenter of what is now Pisgah National Forrest.

The house itself is magnificent! In the picture above you can use the tiny specs in front of the house as a scale...they're people. As we took the self-guided tour lasting 2.5 hours (to only see 60 of the rooms) I stood in constant wonder. Simply the grandness of the house is astonishing. Everything is bigger, doors, windows, tables and ceilings. But at the same time the detail with which is was designed is amazing. Everywhere we looked there were carvings, etchings, statues, engravings, designs and prints. From the furniture to the molding, nothing is plain.

It is difficult to describe the Biltmore House with the same words used to describe today's modern homes. It might be better to say it is like entering a castle built and designed by a wealthy and meticulous artist. If the house were a song it would be a grand symphony. If it were a painting it would be the roof of the Sistine Chapel. I'm sure everyone who tours the house has the same thoughts that I did, "I'd love just to live here for a day and have the run of the whole place!" However, I don't think one day is enough time to see the whole house, much less to find your way out again.

While trying to describe the scenes on which we gazed, I was reminded of a biblical author who too had trouble describing what he saw. When writing Revelation John had trouble describing his visions. He was forced to use analogies by saying "I saw something like..." When describing the heavenly throne room in chapters 4-5 he did his best to describe with human language a scene that is simply indescribable. When reading the Greek New Testament, the words and language in Revelation are not always easy to put together. There's bad grammar, words left out and what seems to be mis-spellings. It is almost as if the author was scribbling as fast as he could to put down on paper (or papyrus) the images he had been shown.

The Biltmore House was very impressive indeed. It is an example of what man can accomplish and build even back in the late 1800s. But even the most impressive dinning room or estate can't hold a candle to what I image the New Heaven and New Earth will be like. John spends an entire chapter describing them at the end of Revelation, because they are so great and so astounding. He describes the great vastness of the city of God, but also describes the smallest details such as the gem stones at the gates.

Let us not forget that nothing we create, or do, or accomplish can ever compare to what God has already done. As good and moral as we are, we are still sinful beings. As proud and credentialed as we may become, we are still unwise when compared to God. Isaiah 65:6b says "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." The best aspects about human life cannot compare to the hypothetical weakest aspects in God's character; "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25.