Daily Reflections on Prov. 27:23-27 (Managing Finances in Tough Economic Times)

It's been called the worst economic times since the depression. Since I didn't live in the depression I'd have say that it's the worst economic times that I've experienced since the Jimmy Carter days. Back then we faced double digit inflation, interest rates reached as high as 21%, gas prices had quadrupled through the decade. Things were spiraling out of control. It was an uneasy time for America.

But today's financial crisis is something that I've never experienced before. The idea of a total economic meltdown has many really worried. Poor fiscal practices at all levels have no doubt led us to where we are today nationally and internationally. Even if you had saved diligently and thought you invested wisely for your future, you are still not safe. Many 401k's or retirement accounts are taking huge hits. I like the cartoon that recently appeared in the New Yorker magazine of stock broker on the phone telling his client he needed to diversify mattress.

Solomon gives some wise advice in Proverbs 27 regarding financial security. He talks about knowing the conditions of your flocks and herds. Now most of us don't measure our wealth by our livestock these days. But there is something to be said about keeping a close eye on our assets and investments and being aware of the condition of our overall finances.

As I read these words I was just reflecting on the condition of my own finances and got out a pen and paper. To be honest, it was a little depressing. My wife and I had used up all of our reserves to invest in the church plant we are currently serving. So this last year has been especially hard. Our youngest daughter was suspected of having lymphoma. Our part of the bill was over $5,000. Our oldest daughter totaled one of our cars. The payoff on the loan was over $1,500. Within the span of six weeks I lost engines in 2 vehicles and along with other repairs and car rentals the cost was over $13,000. We made an investment to start a new business to cover some these costs of over $6,000. In just the last twelve months we have had unexpected expenses totalling over $27,000. Ouch! And that doesn't include my wife's 401k that has lost nearly 40% of it's value over the same time period.

Depressing? Absolutely. Defeated? Absolutely not. Now more than ever Solomon's sound words make sense. By considering the condition of our finances we can make wise financial and budgeting decisions about our present and our future. Despite $4 a gallon gas and crashing stock markets, through careful financial planning we've been able to increase our offerings to our church by 20% and still knock off over $5,000 of our unexpected debt.

God, Solomon was right when he said that riches don't endure forever. It's really important in the stewardship of life and resources to pay attention. I don't need a lot of luxuries. I just need the basics. Even in a tanking economy living by your wise advice both personally and financially makes a lot of sense. I know that the only way we've been able to make it is by trusting you to supply and giving us the wisdom to manage our finances. Thanks, Lord.

Daily Reflections on Judges 7:19-25 (Trumpets)

It'd been a long day and longer evening. The meeting that night had been arduous. The cool, gray, misty conditions only added to the craving for some restful slumber. As my exhausted Sr. Pastor arrived home that evening he draped his top coat over the corner of his bedroom door, slipped into his pj's and crawled into bed. Later the night he was awakened by a loud noise. As he peered around the darkened room without the aid of his glasses, he saw the back of an intruder leaving his bedroom in a top coat. He leaped from his bed to attack the intruder. BANG! The cut, so prominently displayed on his forehead the next day, was from hitting the corner of his bedroom door. He had attempted to tackle his own coat hanging right where he'd left it. The loud noise? Turned out to be a clasp of thunder.

Ever awakened from a deep sleep startled or not known where you were? Takes a minute to get oriented. That's the scene in the valley of Jezreel as Gideon and his 300 men broke their clay jars that concealed their lit torches, blew their trumpets and began shouting their victory cheer. Awakened by the sounds of battle echoing across the hills, 120,000 enemy troops slew each other while the remaining 15,000 fled in fear. The interesting thing, Gideon and his measley 300 men never had to raise a sword. All they did was to shine their lights, blow their intruments and shout praise and glory to God.

God isn't without humor in all this. When the Angel of the Lord came to find Gideon, Gideon was cowering in a wine press terrified of his enemies. The Angel of the Lord addressed Gideon at that moment as "mighty warrior." Now that's funny! The rest of us would have called him what he was, "chicken." But that's the point of the story. God takes inept men and puts them up against insurmountable odds and then hands them the victory.

Gideon's victory came not from his abilities, ingenuity, resources, determination or anything else. It came from the hand of God that was unleashed when Gideon and his friends obeyed God and praised God. Wouldn't it be great if all you had to do when you faced an overwhelming, impossible problem was follow God's lead and sing praise in shouts of adoration. Makes me want to break out my guitar right now.

God, I know my obedience to you is the key to personal victory. I don't understand why I don't surrender more of my earthly battles to you. Trusting you and giving you praise in the heat of battle isn't easy. Keep a song of praise on my lips as I go through this day. I give you my life and praise you for the victory.

Daily Reflections on Phil. 4:10-14 (Friends in Need)

Having true friends in times of crisis is really a blessing. As the saga with my father continues I've really been encouraged by my church family who have called and emailed me daily. It means a lot to have people stand with you in difficult days. Somehow just knowing that others care, are praying for you brings a sense of peace and comfort.

As Paul sat in prison he couldn't pick up his cell phone and call his buds or log onto Messenger or check his email or MySpace site. He sat all alone, possibly chained to a few guards. Life for him wasn't optimistic at that point. Yet every time a scroll arrives or visitor showed up at the door, Paul was warmed. He knows he is loved and that God is caring for his needs. Knowing Paul, he's no doubt was telling stories to his guards about his friends in Philippi and Ephesus and Corinth and Galatia and Antioch.

Paul had learned to be content in any and all circumstance, even though not every circumstance was pleasant. Some were hard like the one he was in at the time of this writing. But Paul had his contentment not in things or surroundings or circumstances. He had his contentment in God through Christ. His strength and endurance and determination and ability to adapt came in Christ. Paul knew he was never alone.

Even though Paul's relationship with Christ was deep, he felt encouragement from his brothers and sisters in Christ who demonstrated genuine concern by ministering to his physical, emotional and personal needs. Going through the difficult life challenge was made easier or bearable through the caring and presence and involvement of the Philippian church family.

God, I thank you for your presence in my life. I'm trying to find my contentment solely in you. But I also thank you for my friends and family in Christ who have extended themselves to me. I'm learning more and more how important it is to have believers around me with whom I can do life. Help me be an encouragement to others and sensitive to the needs of those around me.