conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

meetings and expectations and assorted mess

I have a meeting with the Executive Minister (akin to a bishop but without the big hat) this afternoon. We are to talk about all sorts of things, Reconciler, other ministry opportunities here in the metro region...it should be interesting. I hope we can get the ball rolling with Reconciler's affiliation. We need those formal connections.

One of the Girls has a gig this Thursday. Huzzah! I think it should be a good time. Y'all come! See the extended link for the set list.

And, finally, I received the Barna Update today. It is about what drives Americans...you know, "what purpose drives us." The purpose-driven stuff is contagious. Here is the link to the complete article. This is something I found interesting, however, and I want to share.

More than four out of every ten adults – 44% – said their top priority in life is having a satisfying family life. This was nearly three times as popular as the second-most common response and more than four times as prolific as the third-most popular reply.

Women were much more likely than men to list family as their top priority (48% versus 39%, respectively) even though family was the top ranked priority among men by a three-to-one margin. The presence of children in the home was also a big differentiator: 58% of the adults with a child under 18 in the home listed family, compared to only 35% of those without children in their household. There was also a regional distinction, as a majority of adults in the Midwest listed family (52%), while about four out of ten adults elsewhere did so. Economics were related to people’s views, too: 55% of adults with a college degree and annual earnings exceeding $60,000 put family in first place, compared to 44% of those in the middle socioeconomic ranges and only 36% of those in the downscale bracket (i.e., no college degree and a household income below $20,000).

Religious leanings were a factor in people’s choice. While a majority of Catholics (58%) and mainline Protestants (51%) placed family at the top of their list, only 19% of evangelicals did so.

Yes, a huge percentage placed this as first. It is still less than half of those surveyed. This does not mean it was not a priority for others, but it is curious that it was not the majority given some of the current political happenings. And that economics plays a part is also very significant. Maybe we could help the poor out a little bit more? It would be a way to help families. Who knew? (end polemic)

It is an interesting report and worth a read. Take a gander and let me know what you think. I had fun with it.

(D)- THE Medley (Tell Me Mountain Durkin)
(G)- Spanish Lady
(Dm)- Maids in Waiting
(Dm)- As I Roved Out
(G)- Seven Drunken Nights
(C)- Finnegan's Wake
(D)- She Moved Through the Fair
(Am)- Foggy Dew
(A)- Britches Full of Stitches
(A)- Reilly's Daughter
(G)- Monto
(D)- Hills of Connemara
(D)- Whistling Gypsy Rover
(G)- Long Black Veil

--BREAK--

(C)- "Sea" Medley (Bound for Liverpool Home, Boys)
(G)- Molly Malone
(G-capo 3rd)- Big Strong Man
(A)- Irish Rover
acap.- Little Beggarman
(Dm)- Johnny Jump Up
(G)- John O'Dreams
(A)- The Cobbler
(E)- Jug of Punch
(Dm)- Armageddon
(E)- Man of Constant Sorrow
(G)- Blister in the Sun
(G)- You Shook Me All Night Long
(G)- You Are My Sunshine
(C)- The Gambler
(G)- Wild Rover
(E)- The Meddle "E" (Black Velvet Sam Is Dead)

Posted by tripp at May 17, 2005 09:02 AM