To me, these extravagances seem silly. They are, however, probably in keeping with what she preaches. And I bet her followers are thrilled she has home(s) like this. They probably see it as being totally consistent with her message.

I have mixed emotions about this. My gut instantly reacts and says that this woman is living an extravagant life, and that it would be good for her not to.

On the other hand, I am very uncomfortable being hyper judgmental about this because it is so subjective. As a friend told me one time, anyone who is driving on the interstate slower than I is dangerous for not driving the speed limit. Anyone who is going faster is wreckless. In other words, our feelings about issues like this are not only subjective, but they are based on our own status usually as some sort of benchmark.

I have heard snide comments about how much “preachers” make. Some think $100,000 is way too much. Well, what is too much? I don’t know.

So, while I still have no affinity whatsoever for this woman and her lifestyle and furniture purchases, I want to be really careful about becoming legalistic.

I feel the same way about Senator Grassley’s effort. I in no way condone fraud in the ministry. But I am careful cheering on the government’s involvement unless there is probable cause that a crime has been committed.

When it comes to Meyer’s family living in neighboring homes, I think that is a clear violation of the law, unless they are paying market rent. They could receive salaries, as Meyer apparently does, and buy their own homes. But the ministry can’t own homes and allow family to live in the homes at no charge (I don’t think).

Still, this woman is not very impressive to me. I don’t know why any right thinking person would give her money.

“A ***** church is helping parents protect their children from sexual abuse after its own brush with a sexual predator.”

BRUSH?!?!! You call what happened and the fact that the aftermath drove several families away from the church, threw a couple of kids basically in front of a speeding bus to fend on their own and you call that a BRUSH?

I’d say head on collision or brick wall that wouldn’t budge would be slightly more appropriate.

Just sayin’.

Okay we can get back to the topic at hand now .

Ok sorry.

Oh and did you hear? Wonderland held a seminar recently on Protecting Children from Sexual Predators. I honestly don’t know what to think about that. Except the irony almost made me spit out my dinner. Luckily my computer screen remains clean…