I know that money is not everything but it sure helps.On Oprah's farewell show - today=Part 1, it highlighted all the good that Oprah has done with her money - schools, wells, books and the list goes on.

In an interview, she said because she has no children, in her will she has stipulated that all her wealth will be left to charity,

I commend her.

What do you think?

 I've never given thought to this because I've never owed taxes, but as someone who is less than impressed with the governments stance on Militarism, I thought that this was both funny and powerful. What do people think?

MY LETTER TO THE IRS BY SHANE CLAIBORNE

Well, I have to say, that this bugs me. Hospitals have lotteries, libraries have lotteries, buying residential lots have lotteries. Catholic Churches have Bingo and raffles. Other churches have raffles and other foms of chance.

But the United Church of Canada is against gambling and the proceeds of gambling,lotteries and raffles.

But I have seen , in the paper, when the names of  winners are posted for the Hospital or for the Library, I see the names of many UCCAN people. At the Casino, I have seen UCCAN people and at bingo I have seen the same.

Tomorrow I will receive (gulp!) fifty milion dollars!

After satidfying my offspring...I figure I will have about 45 million. Maybe 35 after taxes...

Giving it in one lump, to the Salvation Army or some such occurs to me... joining Bill Gates or the like I have also pondered...

Any Advice?

Just read this article thie morning. You have to admire people who realize that they have enough and don't need anymore, so they give the excess away.  It was a good story to start the day with!

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/885532--couple-gives-away-11-2m-in-lottery-winnings?bn=1

Churches Versus Synagogues: Voluntary Donations Versus Dues: Which model raises more? http://nyti.ms/dbno1k

Just sharing from Twitter, but I do enjoy the Freakonomics Blog.

Well the Government has announced plans to possibly purchase 65 brand new F-35 Jet Fighters when they come out in 2016.  This would put them just in the range of our old C-18s which were just recently retrofitted to last until 2017, which would give a good year of cross-fighter training.

Besides the 9 Billion up front there are other costs which could potentially bring up the total cost to about 16 billion to include maintanance and upgrades for 20 years from the date of purchase.

As the day winds down, I reflect that the sun set just an hour or so ago on my birthday. The mail has come - hours ago - and suprisingly there were no gifts from subscribers to wondercafe (or anybody else.) It is, I suppose an indication of how secular and self seeking this world has become that followers of wondercafe could have been so neglectful.

In a recent church news letter I saw this in the financial report."Our finances have been deeply affected by the recent downfall in the markets"

Do you think that congregations should be investing church money in the markets?

Is this a faithful use of offering and fundraising dollars?

 Is this not gambling with the congregant's money?

How much money is too much money to be invested or  could this money be put to better use in doing ministry and outreach in the church?

All I'm saying is............