GOD’S WARNING IN 2009
I got up this morning and continued to hear God warn about the economy in 2009. The words from Sunday’s sermon – God will appear in a dream and show you the way out reverberate in my heart. God showed the Wise Men that they needed to avoid Herod and go home by another way. With that in my heart and mind, I saw that the banks that got the government bailout refused to disclose how they spent the money. I thought they were supplied taxpayer money and it seems to me that taxpayers are owed an explanation. The news seems to get worse and worse. We need to listen to God and go home another way. I see Herod as the world economic system. I see Herod as the conglomerate of advertisers, marketers, stores, corporations, banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, etc. that attempt to entice us to spend our money on things that we do not really need. We have been told that we need to spend to keep the economy afloat, but I am spending as little as possible. I am going home another way. I am going to retire debt and move my life toward debt free living. I see debt as Herod. It is the debt that shackles us and the debt that makes us slaves. I am going home another way. I am reminded again of Proverbs 22:7 – “the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is a slave to the lender.” And please do not forget the Advent Conspiracy Christmas:
“Worship Fully – Spend Less – Give more – Love All”
Let’s take Christmas back -- I am taking my life back – retiring debt in 2009 – I do not want to be a slave to anybody but God.
Pastor Frank
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A few days ago, I tried to post a response to this thread and got the reply that it would be reviewed by the site administrator for appropriateness before being posted. Inasmuch as I do not see my question posted, I assume that it must have been deemed inappropriate. Since I see that there are several other posts "anonymously submitted" that have been posted on the site, I have to assume that anonymity is not the issue here. So, what exactly deems a post appropriate? If a response challenges one to think a point through further (from another perspective) and/or provokes "real" thought for other readers, does this make it inappropriate? I thought that this was finally a refreshing opportunity to enter into intelligent discussion about issues that we are facing everyday, but it now appears to me that censorship may be the order of the day! Pastor Frank, this is not intended to be a challenge to your integrity or sincerity, but if parishioners are going to be encouraged to participate in THEBLVDBLOG, shouldn't there be a willingness to be transparent enough to post challenging responses also? This said, please post any "rules" for posting on "THEBLVDBLOG.ORG." Though you may not agree or believe it, I remain respectfully yours in The BLVD's PARTNERSHIP of SERVICE! CB
Pastor Thomas...Satan, I mean Santa & his imps have got to be real upset with you! Like the outgoing President, increase your duckin' and shoe-dodging power. Your messages grow more and more profound, informative, crystal-clear, and the warnings with a hypothetical "Call To Readiness," are just what we need and must heed. I "beheld the star" like never before after the economic breakdown. It stank/stinks to high heaven! The downright GREEDiness and bold secrecy re accountability to the use of the MONEY is to say the least, a slap of contempt in every taxpayers face. The route I choose to take causes me to continuously separate my needs from my wants, pay off debts in a hurry, and to build up piles of cash. This is the new "Symbol of Prestige." Thank you for illuminating What's Up"...I/we are listening and moving in the direction of real Freedom...from mortgages, carnotes, CC's and entering into the realm of Saving, Saving, and Saving... "The borrower is indeed slave to the lender." I encourage everyone to avoid debt like the plague, practice 10/10/80 and "behold the economic star." Watchman, I can hardly wait to hear of what else you see."
Dear Jean:
Thanks for the word of encouragement. Thank you for listening. It encourages me that you are listening. The preacher can speak and if there are not listeners, then the message is in vain. Thank you for being a hearer and doer of the word. Thank you. The Bible says it this way: "Let everyone that hath ears hear what the Spirit is saying to the church." Thank you for having ears.
I believe in 10-10-80 -- Give 10% to God, keep 10% to pay cash and build your net worth, and live off of the 80% that you make. It is the path to freedom.
Serve Is What I DO!
As I sit here with my husband debating on whether it is really possible to live a cash-based life, I am reminded of how many times I have attempted to be debt-free. I vowed to be debt-free in 2007, it worked for a while. Then in 2008, I started a new job and fell into debt again. I felt pressured to dress a certain way, and to eat out to socialize with my cohorts and superiors, so that they would know that I am sociable. I feel that God has really blessed me in all areas of my life. However, I know that he is calling me to be a good stewart over my finances. I feel that it is difficult to not use credit when most big ticket items such as homes, cars etc..calls for large sums of cash. My husband is a better stewart over his finances and has had to bail me out of credit card debt several times. It is not fair to him or to myself. I want to have a healthy relationship with money. I find that I research and study everything else in my life that I want to master..except when it comes to money. I want to turn that around in 2009. Elnora D-Wharwood
Ms. Elnora:
I believe that God wants to be Lord over all aspects of our lives our spirits, our bodies, and our finances. Traditionally in church we have just focused on the spirit. God now wants us to eat healthy, exercise, and take care of our bodies. God also wants to be Lord over our finances. When God is Lord over my finances, I am able to give and be generous to the things that I really fell are important. I can tithe, I can give extra for building projects at church. I can help family members who legitmately need help. I can do a myriad of things that debt will not allow me to do. I find when I discipline myself, I am free to do what I really want to do, like travel. I find fincial restraint often leads to financial freedom. I decided that I do not want to be a slave to anybody, I want to be a slave to God. Keep thinking and struggling with it -- God will make it clear and plain. Remember Prov 22:7 -- the borrower is a slave to the lender.
Pastor Thomas,I am a member of MBCC and I have learned a WHOLE lot in the past couple of years from all of your preachings and teachings. I tell myself all the time and my co workers that it is amazing how much I realize I am still learning and still growing the older I get. I have a 12 year and a 9 year that attend also(Eboni and Ronnie) and I try to make sure they understand the things I am learning under your leadership so they will be strong youths and adults and will understand life to the fullest and in a quicker way than I. I am understanding more about tithing and giving and 10/10/80. I am starting to take baby steps and building. The concert was awesome and Donnie was Great! His speaking hit home to also because there are some things in my life I am fighting with but if I will just listen and obey my God life will be simple. These are plans and to continue to listen and use the great advice you are giving in your sermons each Sunday. Obeying God can be a fun experience and I look forward to continuing my growth each and every day. At home, church and on the job. Thanks to all you do and I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer and MBCC family also...thanks for your guidance..
Dear Growing Up at 38:
Thanks for your message and we all are growing up. I am growing up at 53. I am more convinced than ever than 10/10/80 is the way to go. I know God will bless you. God is blessing me. I had a fabulous Christmas and I did not overspend. I did not spend much at all. It was a real blessing -- the Advent Conspiracy was awesome.
Thanks for listening. It makes the task so much easeir when I know that people are listening and making application. Serve Is What I DO!