American Child Owes $43, 874 in Debt!

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This is it, folks. The verdict is out. We are in WAY over our heads. According to ehow.com’s Beth Winston, “The Federal Reserve reported in March 2010 that total U.S. household debt, including mortgages and credit cards, was at $13.5 trillion.”

That’s $43,874 for each man, woman, AND child residing in the United States of indebted Americans!

Is there any way out of this?

There is hope! The greatest book of all time happens to contain the best financial wisdom one can find. Yesterday, while listening to a Messianic podcast called Torah Talk, I was encouraged by a story the hosts discussed. It was the story of the widow in debt. Find it in 2 Kings 4:1-7.

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

Here is what the Lord is saying to all of us Americans in debt:

  1. Find a man or woman of God who knows finances. The widow had a problem. Instead of hiding her head in the sand hoping for it to go away, she went after someone who could help her.
  2. Use what you have. You’ve got more assets at your disposal than you think. That nack you have for persuading people is great for sales. That deft way you put cute, little trinkets together could sell a ton on Etsy.com. Computer enthusiast? Plenty of ‘em out there need servicing. Got a way with words? Start a blog and monetize it. Stop whining about what you don’t have and put what you do have to work.
  3. Get others involved. Go borrow some jars. Other people in your life would be happy to help you become a success if you would give them the chance.
  4. Pour it ALL out. Let all of your oil out. Give your 110% to whatever plan you have to get out of debt. Give your all at work. Hold nothing back.

If we learn the lessons in this story well, we’ll be on our way to financial freedom. There is hope because God is looking out for the little guy.

God Speaks Out on Debt

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Debt is never a fun thing to talk about, but I wanted to start this year of blogging on a subject that has the potential to help a lot of people–including myself. So, today I’m bringing you what God has to say about debt and borrowing. Since He’s got a lot to say, I’ve picked a few passages to talk about here.

Prov 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”

This is a no-brainer. We all know that those with money rule the world. But wait! God reveals to us the secret as to why. The rich don’t rule because of their net worth, but because of the debt they own. Even a poor person is free…if they have no debt.

Psalm 37:21 “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.”

The second passage is just a fact of life. We’ve all been stiffed by people who’ve borrowed things and didn’t return them. Choosing not to pay back what one owes is sin; it makes them “wicked.”

But “righteous” people give generously. Are “righteous” people always able to pay? Not necessarily. The difference is their attitude. Wicked people hate giving money to anyone, whether it’s a debt or charity. Righteous people know the world is not all about them, and so they pay with what they have without grumbling. Paying the bills can be a happy time when you are generous.

Check out this sampling of Exodus 22:

Exodus 22:14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.”

 

Exodus 22:25-27 “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. 26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”

God cares about how we treat other people’s property, including their money that we’re borrowing. In Exodus, God spoke about debt in the currency of the day–livestock. Today, he would say that if anyone got a loan for a car, then destroyed the car in a wreck, they still have to pay for the car. It’s just right.

But God is also compassionate. If a needy person must take a loan, God warns the lender to be kind, or else God Himself will avenge the poor borrower.

God requires that men pay their debts. He warns against borrowing money. But He also admonishes us all to value life over money, so that we’ll be compassionate with each other. If you are in debt, as I am, this is the year to cling to the mercy and grace of God. If He watches over borrowers, He is certainly looking after all of us!

In the days to come, I’m going to show you some sure-fire ways to get out of debt from some of the leading financial experts. Don’t miss it!

Why the National Debt and Your Debt Are Linked

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In our current situation in America, we find ourselves in a financial world of hurt. Yesterday, I was speaking to a man in my congregation who is extremely concerned about his families financial stability. He had just landed a dream job at a nearby factory, but shortly thereafter was laid off. He told me, “We were just about to the point where we were out of the hole and able to start saving. Now, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

I don’t think this is late breaking news for you, but we are in a financial recession in the US of A, and my friend isn’t the only one feeling the pain. I’ve heard lots of talk over the past year as to why all of this happened. Most people (especially Occupy Wallstreet types) want to blame greedy, faceless coporate CEO’s and bankers for our country’s fiscal blight. But I think there is a simpler, economic reason.

Don’t get me wrong. I think greed is definitely in the mix, but it’s not the greed of corporate America that’s really killing us. We’ll talk about that in next week’s blog posts. Right now, let’s start with an easy to understand, more objective issue. If you want to know why we are in the place that we are in right now, I can give you one word.

Debt.

And lots of it.

Debt is the killer of good economies. Personal economies, national economies, global economies–they’re all the same to this monster. Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman even called our national debt a “national security problem” in a speech to Darla Moore School of Business students in South Carolina.

When you have 15 trillion in debt, when you have 80, 90 percent debt to GDP as a ratio, that’s not a debt problem that’s a national security problem…

While I don’t know enough about the man to recommend him to you for a vote, I do think he’s on to something here. Debt is a security issue for the nation and for individuals. The two are linked.

A recent report from Reuters.com explains that recessions “occur when firms and households are forced to reduce their excess debt by cutting consumption and investment.” When you’re in debt, you can’t go out and buy the latest, fancy things. Thus, the economy fails.

Debt is the rock hanging over your head waiting to fall while you juggle through life’s demands. All it takes is one medical emergency…one car wreck…one layoff…one termination–and the rock falls! Perhaps that is why Proverbs tells us to get serious about getting out from under this rock (chapter 6:1, 2-5).

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger…So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

This year, my friends, lets make every effort to free ourselves from this killer called debt! To start off, tomorrow I’ll give you a run down of what God has to say about debt.

Never Say Never

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It was Charles Dickens who once wrote, “Never say never.” Boy, was he right.

Last month, I wrote a post saying goodbye to all of you, my dear readers. In it I shared how my writing life is expanding and deepening and how with all of my current responsibilities, I simply couldn’t find the time to hop on the keyboard and bang out a blog post.

Well, I’ve changed my mind.

 Over the holidays, several close friends expressed their disappointment in my decision to cool down my contribution to the blogosphere. This was super encouraging to me. I didn’t even know they were readers! This interaction with the people who read my words and like them (at least some of them) was the shot in the arm I needed to consider writing posts again. My readers are important to me, and I love hearing from you all!

The time excuses I gave in my last post are still valid, and I’ll have to manage my time more now then ever. But after getting through last quarter’s TREMENDOUS work load at college, I think I can do it. This quarter I have a class that is much more relaxed on the requirements, albeit it is no less challenging. To be honest, I hope to bring what I’m learning in class to you so you can get in on all the cool stuff going on in academia.

Don’t worry, though…

Everything I bring to this blog, whether from my classes, personal readings and musings; or other bloggers and thought leaders, will be written with you first in mind. I want to write posts that will inform you, inspire you, and empower you to make a difference in our world!

Please feel free to get in on the conversation at any time by adding a comment below. I love hearing from you!

So–as far as my last post goes–I take it all back! This is going to be a great year, and I’m happy to be a part of your spiritual journey.

To the journey!!

Fare Thee Well, Dear Reader

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With a sad heart I must inform you, dear reader, that this will be the last post of this blog. If you’ve followed my posts for any length, you’ll know that this year I have written less and less. This is mainly due to the other writing projects I’m currently engaged in.

At the moment, I’m working towards my theology degree at The King’s University and Seminary in Van Nuys, CA as an online student. The program I signed up for is a particularly difficult concentration and as such, I’m writing more than ever, but in another field. Each week I’m writing academic papers for my Messianic Jewish Studies program. It is an exciting and challenging perspective on the greatest love of my life–the Bible.

Another thrilling project on my desk is the writing of an epic stage play. To date, I’ve not written a full length drama, and so this is a daunting task involving a good amount of research with a lot of trial and error.

As always, I’m constantly writing sermons. This Advent season, we are teaching on the believers identification with Jesus the Messiah. In other words, because He came to earth and identified with our humanity, we can now identify with His divinity. This is the miracle of the Incarnation!

It has been a wonderful journey and a thoughtful discussion between you and I. Thank you for all the times you’ve encouraged, taught, and shaped my thinking! God bless you, dear reader.

 

Dallas Report 2

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It’s Wednesday, and we’re still here! We are very grateful for God’s faithfulness. We came to Dallas to make connections with leaders who are moving in the miraculous ministry of healings and miracles in order to bring that fire to Tabernacle of Praise (TOP). We received such a warm response that we had to extend our stay in order to meet with all the ones who wish to speak with us. This is the Lord’s favor and timing!

Each time I sit down with a leader here and share what TOP is doing, they get excited and want to be a part. Every one of them encouraged us to continue on because God has great things in store for us just around the corner! The part of it all that I am the most pleased with is that the people we have met and shared with are interested in forming a friendship with us and walking with us in pursuit of our vision to see Crawford County transformed. This is exactly what we came here for.

Here’s a quick list of the some of the one’s we’ve been connecting with:

  • Alta Hatcher – Director at Christ for the Nations Institute
  • Dorothy Peterson – Coordinator for The Healing Place (CFNI)
  • Judith King – Freedom in Christ Ministries
  • Tom Scarborough – Freedom in Christ Ministries
  • Connie McKenzie – Director of Children and Family Ministry Major

Today is our last day of meetings. Tomorrow we will be getting back on the road to come home. The elders and I are going to spend quite a bit of time distilling and praying over the information and encouragement that we received on this trip. God has great plans for us, TOP, and I’m so happy to be a part of it with you all!

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support on this trip. We are confident that the fruit we see from this venture will be more than worth the investment. God bless you!

Report from Dallas

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Hello from Dallas! Ana, the boys, Grandma and I arrived two days ago, and let me tell you, we hit the ground running!

Yesterday, I was in meetings throughout the Christ for the Nations campus and even got in a meeting with a pastor in Irving, Texas. Our purpose here is to network and gain resources for our School of Ministry at Tabernacle of Praise (TOP). We have a vision of classes of disciples being trained, equipped and mobilized to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12) in our church, in outreaches and on their jobs.

We have been hard at work for the past two years implementing First Steps and 24toDouble, our first two levels of discipleship at TOP. The School of Ministry would be a new level designed for those who are ready to experience greater freedom in Christ, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and ministry. The elders and I are extremely excited about this new level, and trust that you will join in the vision when we are closer to implementing it.

We all want to thank everyone who supported and prayed for us! Without you, this vision would never become a reality. Thank you for stepping forward with us into the future of Tabernacle of Praise.