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?

[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).

[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.

[tamor]

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.

A-PoMo, I can truly say that I feel your pain. My numbers are similiar to yours. Not quite as bad yet, but if God doesn't intervene quickly, it is actually in the works to be a higher percentage than what you have experienced.

I am praying for you!

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by tamor

A-PoMo, I can truly say that I feel your pain. My numbers are similiar to yours. Not quite as bad yet, but if God doesn't intervene quickly, it is actually in the works to be a higher percentage than what you have experienced.

I am praying for you!

Thanks Tamor, and to all who have expressed concern. I do appreciate it.

Tamor, I will be praying for you too. It's not fun, that's for sure.

At this point my only real option is to do the Chap 7 (I can't afford the payment required for Chap 13) pack up my stuff and move back East and start over, and wiser for it. It's something I've been wanting to do for quite awhile; most of the last 20 years. So, this is an opportunity of sorts in that regard cuz it seemed that something always prevented us from moving before.

On one level though, I am happy this his happening. Like D4T, over the last couple of years I have been feeling a real leading toward living more simply and this is forcing us to do that, which is a good thing. If I am my spirit and my wife is my flesh then in terms of this idea the spirit has been willing but the flesh has been weak. In some respects it's been tougher on her than me. Toward the goal of moving next summer I have been selling stuff on craigslist and getting rid of stuff, which is good.

Anybody want to buy a '74 Jag XJ6 w/the Chevy conversion already done? I'll make you a great deal! I have a Little Tikes Choo Choo bed too if you want!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

Thanks Tamor, and to all who have expressed concern. I do appreciate it.

Tamor, I will be praying for you too. It's not fun, that's for sure.

At this point my only real option is to do the Chap 7 (I can't afford the payment required for Chap 13) pack up my stuff and move back East and start over, and wiser for it. It's something I've been wanting to do for quite awhile; most of the last 20 years. So, this is an opportunity of sorts in that regard cuz it seemed that something always prevented us from moving before.

On one level though, I am happy this his happening. Like D4T, over the last couple of years I have been feeling a real leading toward living more simply and this is forcing us to do that, which is a good thing. If I am my spirit and my wife is my flesh then in terms of this idea the spirit has been willing but the flesh has been weak. In some respects it's been tougher on her than me. Toward the goal of moving next summer I have been selling stuff on craigslist and getting rid of stuff, which is good.

Anybody want to buy a '74 Jag XJ6 w/the Chevy conversion already done? I'll make you a great deal! I have a Little Tikes Choo Choo bed too if you want!

My Brother A Po Mo... my human tendency is to pray that your business would recover and do well... and if that is in the Lords wisdom and will it is certainly my prayer.

But sometimes the least comfortable route leads to the most blessed place.

It is my prayer that whatever path the wisdom of our Lord leads you down that you will find his comfort and peace when the steps are unsure and that you find much joy when you realize the fullness of the plan he had for you all along.

The path that is ahead is more than I have the wisdom to name... the waymaker of choice... now I am wise enough to appoint him and we all know who He is.

Peace and the peace maker be with you in this journey my friend... wherever it may lead.