Last night, at a beautiful home on the shores of Lake Washington, deeply committed leaders of the ‘faith and family’ community, a few dozen couples, gathered to raise funds and offer encouragement to Senator Rick Santorum (R) Pennsylvania. The senator is facing a difficult challenge for his senate seat. Not only is he a passionate defender of traditional values, but he is passionate about winning the war being waged by part of the culture of the Koran against the twin civilizations of the Bible.
In my speech I pointed out how every miracle recounted in the Torah required a seed. God never delivered until someone had put out effort himself. I found it quite reasonable to ask those of us whose economic efforts had been blessed to support a candidate whose beliefs and policies encourage the very values that ultimately contribute most to a healthy economy. That’s right, children being brought into the world and raised with the self-discipline and persistence common in traditional families do more to assure economic growth than subtle fiddling with interest rates or money supply figures. If you doubt this, just take a look at the stipends and benefits being offered by European and some Asian governments to women as inducements to have children.
It is always heartwarming and uplifting to spend relaxed time with like-minded and good people. Between the fine wine and the glow the setting sun shed on the lakefront, Susan and I found it a beguiling evening.
Well, it is almost time for the sun to set now today which means that Shabbat is about to begin. The Jewish Sabbath runs for about 25 hours starting just before sunset on Friday evening. No phone, no car driving, no fax, no radio or television–it’s a blessed oasis in time for me. No email or blogging either. That is a little bit of a hardship! (Just joking).
Make it a great weekend.
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