Salem

Well, I've been hiding is Salem for a few days with Megan. Cindy has been in Nashville TN for a couple of days and is due in late tonight (Feb 20). We'll head home tomorrow- then a busy week which will end with Cindy and I in Vancouver WA next Fri and Sat...
Yesterday, Feb 19th I had the privilege of opening the Oregon House of Representatives in prayer. Here is a text of my prayer (for occasions such as these I generally write out a prayer...I am veery nervous in situations like that):

Great and Awesome God-
You have granted us the privilege of living in 'intersting times.' You have granted that we might have an unprecedented opportunity to choose our future.
The challenges we face are many, but Your resources are more than sufficient.
As this group deliberates the issues before them, may Your Holy Spirit clarify what is true, illuminate what is right, and apply what is just.
As these gifted men and women meet may You refine our collective hopes for the future by Your wisdom.
As these people meet representing us, may Your truth guide and direct their paths.
O God-
You who have established the heavens and the earth and laid the foundations of the earth, may Your unparalleled power be our strength, and may Your storehouse of wisdom be our treasure.
As the challenges of our day arise, may You grant your guidance to enat laws, Your authority to enforce them, and Your wisdom to obey them, and may they be reflections of Your nature.
We bring these requests to You in the name of Your greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

I am right now listening to the revenue forecast for the remaining months of this biennium and next- almost $900 million for the next four months, and $1.7 billion for the 2009-2011 biennium.
Pay cuts and furlough days have already been announced for senior government staff, including the Gov- he is taking a 5% pay cut. The legilsature meets all next week to balance the budget for 2007-2009- which will require hard and difficult choices. Schools are going to be hard hit, as well as social services. There probably will be no area of government spending unaffected.

Indeed, interesting times.

More later....