Posts by rickcreasy

After the fanfare and good tidings which created that tingling sensation that ran up and down our spines when Barack Obama and team redistributed more of our federal tax dollars through the TARP scheme for “shovel ready” jobs (remember Jobs, Jobs, Jobs) it’s time to see exactly what the consequences are.  First of all, no one can really document the success or inherent failure of the bailout because much of the statistics reported on the government web site are fictitious, listing districts and towns that don’t exist as having received dollars from nanny.  We do know that most of the money has never been spent even though we were told that we must act immediately.  Today on the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer, our liberal governor, “slick...

Christmas 2009 [display_podcast] Transcript (not verbatim) below: What are you telling yourself on Christmas Eve? An evening with Rick Creasy 12/24/2009 Rick: Are there any questions for me tonight? Clint: I have a question. I like Fox News but I’m trying to figure out how can I get more Fox news. I know it comes in on the TV, but is there any other place I can get Fox News? Rick: Yeah, I think Bill O’Reilly has a book out….Fresh…something. You can get it on the internet, do you have internet? Cause you know Al Gore discovered the internet and it’s really begun to take over. So if you have the internet you should check it out Grandma Howard: And what about getting it on the iPOD? Rick: That’s a great question, Grandma! And this is...

If you are reading this entry, you’re probably well informed about the meaning of Christmas.  In all likelihood you could recite most of the New Testament Scriptures that reveal the mystery and divinity surrounding the birth of Christ.  As Christians, we’re all aware of the of the significance of Savior, Prince of Peace, Reigning King, coming to earth and beginning life in such a lowly place as a stable for animals.  Through the years, it has become increasingly more difficult to remain focused and intent on keeping Christ at the center of this celebration.  We’re all easily torn away from the core of the birth celebration, by the commercialization that seems to be hoisted upon us each Christmas season. The attack by retailers usually begins now in early...

In  Henri Nouwen’s book The Return of the Prodigal Son, he says that the way to spiritual fatherhood is forgiveness.  It is through constant forgiveness that we become like the Father. I have often said I forgive you but even as I said these words, my heart remained angry or resentful. I still wanted to hear the story that tells me that I was right after all; I still wanted to hear apologies and excuses.  I still wanted the satisfaction of receiving some praise in return. But God’s forgiveness is unconditional; it comes from a heart that does not demand anything for itself, a heart that is completely empty of sell-seeking. It is this divine forgiveness that I have to practice in my daily life.  It demands that I step over the wounded part of...

In 2000 Kathy and I sponsored about 20 youth from our church on a  mission team to Puebla  Mexico which is approximately 40 miles east of Mexico City.  We conducted “vacation bible school” for about 200 or so kids. The “VBS” included a music band, parties, arts, crafts, games, and of course a Bible story.   The team engaged in a service project at the local orphanage school which involved  fun activities for the children in the orphanage  and some grooming and clean up of the property.   The out buildings were somewhat “run- down” and there was a lot of clutter on the play ground.  We mowed, chopped, removed weeds, stumps, bushes, and old sheds from the property.  We repaired swing sets, basketball courts,...