Economy - How has it effected you?

[ManOfWord]

Hasn't really affected us much. Offerings have held steady and maybe even increased. Our lifestyle is fairly frugal as well. We don't have a lot of debt so we're pretty much OK.

[Raven]

Not at all. My Father is very rich!

2 Cor 8:9
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich .

Eph 1:18-23
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Phil 4:19-20
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

[A_PoMo]

My income is down 90% as our core business is directly tied to consumer spending/confidence and my expenses are up 30% due to higher energy and food costs. I couldn't afford to continue paying my health insurance premiums cuz they went way up too. All my savings is gone. I'm not accountant or math major but I can do that math and know it's not good. Can anybody say Chap 7? Viva Bush, Greenspan, and Paulson, the blasted trinity!

Our church is suffering as well. Many people losing jobs, over 20 famiilies have lost their homes, others have had their businesses collapse, the churche's income down about 30% so far this year. They've cut expenses drastically and not replaced two paid staff who have left and a pay cut is on the table for '09 for remaining staff.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

My income is down 90% as our core business is directly tied to consumer spending/confidence and my expenses are up 30% due to higher energy and food costs. I couldn't afford to continue paying my health insurance premiums cuz they went way up too. All my savings is gone. I'm not accountant or math major but I can do that math and know it's not good. Can anybody say Chap 7? Viva Bush, Greenspan, and Paulson, the blasted trinity!

Our church is suffering as well. Many people losing jobs, over 20 famiilies have lost their homes, others have had their businesses collapse, the churche's income down about 30% so far this year. They've cut expenses drastically and not replaced two paid staff who have left and a pay cut is on the table for '09 for remaining staff.

Ouch!! Sorry to hear all of that!! What part of the country are you in?

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

My income is down 90% as our core business is directly tied to consumer spending/confidence and my expenses are up 30% due to higher energy and food costs. I couldn't afford to continue paying my health insurance premiums cuz they went way up too. All my savings is gone. I'm not accountant or math major but I can do that math and know it's not good. Can anybody say Chap 7? Viva Bush, Greenspan, and Paulson, the blasted trinity!

Our church is suffering as well. Many people losing jobs, over 20 famiilies have lost their homes, others have had their businesses collapse, the churche's income down about 30% so far this year. They've cut expenses drastically and not replaced two paid staff who have left and a pay cut is on the table for '09 for remaining staff.

That's about the worst economic story I've heard so far. Praying for you and your church.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

My income is down 90% as our core business is directly tied to consumer spending/confidence and my expenses are up 30% due to higher energy and food costs. I couldn't afford to continue paying my health insurance premiums cuz they went way up too. All my savings is gone. I'm not accountant or math major but I can do that math and know it's not good. Can anybody say Chap 7? Viva Bush, Greenspan, and Paulson, the blasted trinity!

Our church is suffering as well. Many people losing jobs, over 20 famiilies have lost their homes, others have had their businesses collapse, the churche's income down about 30% so far this year. They've cut expenses drastically and not replaced two paid staff who have left and a pay cut is on the table for '09 for remaining staff.

Sorry to hear this. Praying for you and your church right now! Will continue to lift you up in prayer. Sadly there are probably many churches getting hit hard. Pray that God will move in a mighty way, and restore you.

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by ILG

Ouch!! Sorry to hear all of that!! What part of the country are you in?

Northern California.

Thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers.

All of this is one of the reasons I've been so grouchy and not so enamored with GWB and the Republicans on this board. I don't know what kind of change Obama will bring but what we've had sucks so bad that I'm ready for some change I can believe in. What happens in trickle down economics when the trickle stops?

Incidentally, there are several large, established churches in our town (1500-2000) people who are in grave danger of losing their buildings because they cannot make the mortgage payment and pay the light bill (the electric rates in our town DOUBLED over the summer).

[Sweet Pea]

A POMO - WOW - Had no idea you were having it so rough. May Jehovah Jireh supply all your needs!

[freeatlast]

My 401K is the worst, loosing over 25k just the last two months. Hopefully it will all come back.

I think things will become more bleak before it turns around, hope I am wrong on that.

I deliver and service elec power chairs. That has held steady, but my building maintenance business has slowed down some.

I feel fortunate to be debt free except for a small bit left on a very affordable mortgage.

Giving in our church has been doing OK too.

[Hoovie]

POMO, I am sorry about your hardships. I think your anger of the "trinity" is misdirected - but nevermind that - your struggles are real and our sympathy goes out to you.