Okay....
I've been trying to blog in the early hours of the morning, now that I've caught up on all 10 contemperaneous Creative Memory Albums, but this morning I was catching up with other things...so I'll try this this afternoon.
This past Sunday at church we had 2 speakers. One, our Sr. Pastor, whom I love dearly, although I do get frustrated with him sometimes (sounds like family...eh?) ;-) and a man from Uganda. Last time Uganda Pastor was here he castigated Americans for not having enough children. Love the guy. This Sunday he castigated the American church for going to too many conferences. Amen.
Then he goes on to talk about how every community the devil wants to destroy. Amen. He talks about how Jesus is the answer. Amen. I agree. BUT, and here is the big BUT.....there is a whole lot more that we can do than pray. I felt like screaming. How often do we have to dance around the (literally) stinking elephant in the room while continuing to say, "Jesus is the answer."
There are answers. They are not magical. They are not supernatural. They involve:
1) Getting out of debt. Each congregation member needs to live below their means. Whatever that means in your own personal situation. And, btw, don't declare bankruptcy...it's not nice and certainly isn't in keeping with loving your neighbor as yourself.
But, to preach that might bring attention to the fact that our church makes NO effort to pay off its $4.2 (maybe it's $4.1 now) million dollar mortgage other than the minimum monthly payment. Great example to our children. NOT.
2) Keep out of the bed until you're married. Stop producing illegitimate children and expecting the state to be their *dad* and the church to raise them while you keep sleeping around and praying for forgiveness. Thanks to one woman in our church who has 2 girls with 2 different fathers (that would be at least 2 women in our church...actually....not to be confused with a 3rd who has 5 children by at least 3 different men or the other woman with 3 children by 2 different men and whose daughter, surprise is a new illegitimate mother herself)....who used to sit in front of us. Andrew asked me once, "What's up with the woman with the brown children. Why don't they ever sit with their parents?" Well, let me explain it to you.....
3) Remove your children from public schools. Privately educate them in whatever manner you and your husband (note the operative word here...husband) decide. Don't be a burden on society...don't take taxpayer dollars to send them to an institution that both by its very existence as well as the world view of the NEA is antithetical to everything you *claim* to hold near and dear.
4) Eat well. Exercise. Be as healthy as it is possible for you to be.
5) Stay married. Don't seek out ushers in the church for extramarital affairs, abandon your children to public school after homeschooling them for a decade and then call homeschool Moms your heroes while working at Target instead of teaching your children as per Deuteronomy 6, in the meantime devestating your husband by breaking your marriage vows. Sounds pretty simple to me. Interesting tidbit: With the exception of 1 family, all the divorces in our church since 1995 have been initiated by the wife. Hmmm.....fodder for another post sometime.
So...any great mysteries here? As a smart person do you not think that perhaps if these points were issued and actually implemented that perhaps we would have stronger communities? Not sure why we *can't* talk about these things from the pulpit.
Onto another topic. Here is a link to a public forum (this is why you should watch what you post on a public forum...people like me might link to it:http://www.fiarhq.com/~gbprnhrz/forum/showthread.php?t=42955
Since this is Steve and Jane Lambert's living room, and I feel a gratitude towards them for introducing me to the concept of quality children's literature, I did not post. But, since this is my *living room*, this is what I would like to say:
Anonymous, do not kill yourself. Suicide is not the answer. Growing up is. You and your husband, by your own admission have spent over $2000/month than your income for several months. Now the bills have come due. What will you teach your children? Will you teach them that when you spend beyond your means you stick it to your creditors? Will you teach them that you are entitled to what you want regardless of your ability to pay? Are you entitled because you're American? Are you entitled because you're covetous? You need to repent. You need to ask God to forgive you for your covetous actions. Then...God will forgive you. Then...you need to make it right with your creditors. They gave you the bills and services in good faith (I'm certainly hoping cable TV, Starbucks, haircuts, manicures and pedicures, vacations, computer games and restaurants (especially drinks at restaurants) are NOT part of these overexpenditures. Because you did not mention extenuating medical conditions (which, in theory, I still believe you need to repay, but that is for another day), I'm guessing these are all selfish expenditures. ) You OWE them the money, no matter what the *cost* to you is. Perhaps you'll have to move.
Anonymous, I cannot imagine anyone whose character was ever improved by filing for bankruptcy. Tell me how your character will be improved. Perhaps you'll feel less stress. But, trust me, you will be less a person in terms of self-respect and the respect of others. You'll have less self-respect and you will have instilled some incredibly poor lessons in your children. You will make it that much more difficult for them to grow up with the strong character that you are hoping to see. But...hey...I hope that extra $12,000+ of *stuff* was worth it. I'm guessing not. PM me with your budget. I'll make it work. You probably won't *like* it. But, you'd be a better, stronger person for doing it.
Bankruptcy is NEVER the answer. Paying your creditors is. Bankruptcy is the ultimate form of arrogance.
Also, I'm sorry your marriage sucks. Remember, though, (and I say this gently, yet sometimes the truth is painful) that this is the man you couldn't wait to pledge your undying devotion to. Sadly, sometimes we get what we ask for. I'm guessing that you were warned by some not to marry him.
Playing the victim here is doing no one (including me, who is stuck paying on average $400 more per year that retailers charge to make up for people like you who decide to declare bankruptcy rather than pay your debts) any good. I'm sure you're not much fun to be around. Grow up. Put on your big girl panties. There are no quick fixes here. Like weight, it's easier to gain it than lose it. It's easier to get into debt than to get out. But do it. You will never regret it. Really.
Just don't stick it to me. Declaring bankruptcy is not the jubilee. It is legalized theft and will never be rewarded. You will be bankrupt of character.
I remember in high school. Heidi Budniewski. Snotty girl who played the flute who graduated in 1983 from Iroquois High School (in case she's googling herself via her maiden name). Always dressed very nicely. I remember reading in the paper that her family declared bankruptcy. I was always under the impression (until I was 15) that declaring bankruptcy meant you sold everything you owned to pay your debts. (After all, wouldn't that be the right thing to do????) Well, I learned it means you get to stick it to your creditors and walk away, while continuing to buy nice clothes. She continued to dress nicely.
As for me; I have always paid my debts. I couldn't live with myself otherwise, and apparently neither can you.
And to you other ladies on the FIAR board supporting her: SHAME ON YOU! Bankruptcy should never be condoned. I have always been struck by Howard Ruff in the book: Safely Prosperous or Really Rich: Choosing Your Financial Haven. He declared bankruptcy in 1968. His Mormon bishops told him he had an obligation to pay his creditors back. (Can you imagine if our Christian leaders had the moral gumption to do that???????). It took him 12 years to do so, but he did (and it was over $500,000 in debt). I so respect him for that. So, anonymous, although my words seem harsh, it is because you need to know that there is hope. There is hope, just no easy answers. There are no short cuts, but there is hope. You can do this. It will not be easy. It will at times be discouraging. But, ultimately, it will be soul-satisfying. Building something with your children (a material legacy) will be more of a blessing to your marriage and children than declaring bankruptcy could ever hope to be. That's because one is built on Godly principles (do not steal, love your neighbor as yourself) and the other is not (do not covet).
A note to Steve (in case he googles himself). Thanks to you and Jane for all you do for so many ladies. That said, I think sometimes you tolerate too much *cultural Christianese* (bankruptcy is the same as Jubilee? how screwed up is that) and I wish you would take a stronger stands with some of these ladies, who in the end, I find really annoying. I'm glad they don't send their kids to public school. Really. But I'm a bit sick of most of them agreeing that it's okay to stop having children. (After all if everyone agrees on something it must be right...NO!) Oh, well.
Vent over. Everyone...do not covet. Be thankful for what you have. Live below your means. Live simply.
This past Sunday at church we had 2 speakers. One, our Sr. Pastor, whom I love dearly, although I do get frustrated with him sometimes (sounds like family...eh?) ;-) and a man from Uganda. Last time Uganda Pastor was here he castigated Americans for not having enough children. Love the guy. This Sunday he castigated the American church for going to too many conferences. Amen.
Then he goes on to talk about how every community the devil wants to destroy. Amen. He talks about how Jesus is the answer. Amen. I agree. BUT, and here is the big BUT.....there is a whole lot more that we can do than pray. I felt like screaming. How often do we have to dance around the (literally) stinking elephant in the room while continuing to say, "Jesus is the answer."
There are answers. They are not magical. They are not supernatural. They involve:
1) Getting out of debt. Each congregation member needs to live below their means. Whatever that means in your own personal situation. And, btw, don't declare bankruptcy...it's not nice and certainly isn't in keeping with loving your neighbor as yourself.
But, to preach that might bring attention to the fact that our church makes NO effort to pay off its $4.2 (maybe it's $4.1 now) million dollar mortgage other than the minimum monthly payment. Great example to our children. NOT.
2) Keep out of the bed until you're married. Stop producing illegitimate children and expecting the state to be their *dad* and the church to raise them while you keep sleeping around and praying for forgiveness. Thanks to one woman in our church who has 2 girls with 2 different fathers (that would be at least 2 women in our church...actually....not to be confused with a 3rd who has 5 children by at least 3 different men or the other woman with 3 children by 2 different men and whose daughter, surprise is a new illegitimate mother herself)....who used to sit in front of us. Andrew asked me once, "What's up with the woman with the brown children. Why don't they ever sit with their parents?" Well, let me explain it to you.....
3) Remove your children from public schools. Privately educate them in whatever manner you and your husband (note the operative word here...husband) decide. Don't be a burden on society...don't take taxpayer dollars to send them to an institution that both by its very existence as well as the world view of the NEA is antithetical to everything you *claim* to hold near and dear.
4) Eat well. Exercise. Be as healthy as it is possible for you to be.
5) Stay married. Don't seek out ushers in the church for extramarital affairs, abandon your children to public school after homeschooling them for a decade and then call homeschool Moms your heroes while working at Target instead of teaching your children as per Deuteronomy 6, in the meantime devestating your husband by breaking your marriage vows. Sounds pretty simple to me. Interesting tidbit: With the exception of 1 family, all the divorces in our church since 1995 have been initiated by the wife. Hmmm.....fodder for another post sometime.
So...any great mysteries here? As a smart person do you not think that perhaps if these points were issued and actually implemented that perhaps we would have stronger communities? Not sure why we *can't* talk about these things from the pulpit.
Onto another topic. Here is a link to a public forum (this is why you should watch what you post on a public forum...people like me might link to it:http://www.fiarhq.com/~gbprnhrz/forum/showthread.php?t=42955
Since this is Steve and Jane Lambert's living room, and I feel a gratitude towards them for introducing me to the concept of quality children's literature, I did not post. But, since this is my *living room*, this is what I would like to say:
Anonymous, do not kill yourself. Suicide is not the answer. Growing up is. You and your husband, by your own admission have spent over $2000/month than your income for several months. Now the bills have come due. What will you teach your children? Will you teach them that when you spend beyond your means you stick it to your creditors? Will you teach them that you are entitled to what you want regardless of your ability to pay? Are you entitled because you're American? Are you entitled because you're covetous? You need to repent. You need to ask God to forgive you for your covetous actions. Then...God will forgive you. Then...you need to make it right with your creditors. They gave you the bills and services in good faith (I'm certainly hoping cable TV, Starbucks, haircuts, manicures and pedicures, vacations, computer games and restaurants (especially drinks at restaurants) are NOT part of these overexpenditures. Because you did not mention extenuating medical conditions (which, in theory, I still believe you need to repay, but that is for another day), I'm guessing these are all selfish expenditures. ) You OWE them the money, no matter what the *cost* to you is. Perhaps you'll have to move.
Anonymous, I cannot imagine anyone whose character was ever improved by filing for bankruptcy. Tell me how your character will be improved. Perhaps you'll feel less stress. But, trust me, you will be less a person in terms of self-respect and the respect of others. You'll have less self-respect and you will have instilled some incredibly poor lessons in your children. You will make it that much more difficult for them to grow up with the strong character that you are hoping to see. But...hey...I hope that extra $12,000+ of *stuff* was worth it. I'm guessing not. PM me with your budget. I'll make it work. You probably won't *like* it. But, you'd be a better, stronger person for doing it.
Bankruptcy is NEVER the answer. Paying your creditors is. Bankruptcy is the ultimate form of arrogance.
Also, I'm sorry your marriage sucks. Remember, though, (and I say this gently, yet sometimes the truth is painful) that this is the man you couldn't wait to pledge your undying devotion to. Sadly, sometimes we get what we ask for. I'm guessing that you were warned by some not to marry him.
Playing the victim here is doing no one (including me, who is stuck paying on average $400 more per year that retailers charge to make up for people like you who decide to declare bankruptcy rather than pay your debts) any good. I'm sure you're not much fun to be around. Grow up. Put on your big girl panties. There are no quick fixes here. Like weight, it's easier to gain it than lose it. It's easier to get into debt than to get out. But do it. You will never regret it. Really.
Just don't stick it to me. Declaring bankruptcy is not the jubilee. It is legalized theft and will never be rewarded. You will be bankrupt of character.
I remember in high school. Heidi Budniewski. Snotty girl who played the flute who graduated in 1983 from Iroquois High School (in case she's googling herself via her maiden name). Always dressed very nicely. I remember reading in the paper that her family declared bankruptcy. I was always under the impression (until I was 15) that declaring bankruptcy meant you sold everything you owned to pay your debts. (After all, wouldn't that be the right thing to do????) Well, I learned it means you get to stick it to your creditors and walk away, while continuing to buy nice clothes. She continued to dress nicely.
As for me; I have always paid my debts. I couldn't live with myself otherwise, and apparently neither can you.
And to you other ladies on the FIAR board supporting her: SHAME ON YOU! Bankruptcy should never be condoned. I have always been struck by Howard Ruff in the book: Safely Prosperous or Really Rich: Choosing Your Financial Haven. He declared bankruptcy in 1968. His Mormon bishops told him he had an obligation to pay his creditors back. (Can you imagine if our Christian leaders had the moral gumption to do that???????). It took him 12 years to do so, but he did (and it was over $500,000 in debt). I so respect him for that. So, anonymous, although my words seem harsh, it is because you need to know that there is hope. There is hope, just no easy answers. There are no short cuts, but there is hope. You can do this. It will not be easy. It will at times be discouraging. But, ultimately, it will be soul-satisfying. Building something with your children (a material legacy) will be more of a blessing to your marriage and children than declaring bankruptcy could ever hope to be. That's because one is built on Godly principles (do not steal, love your neighbor as yourself) and the other is not (do not covet).
A note to Steve (in case he googles himself). Thanks to you and Jane for all you do for so many ladies. That said, I think sometimes you tolerate too much *cultural Christianese* (bankruptcy is the same as Jubilee? how screwed up is that) and I wish you would take a stronger stands with some of these ladies, who in the end, I find really annoying. I'm glad they don't send their kids to public school. Really. But I'm a bit sick of most of them agreeing that it's okay to stop having children. (After all if everyone agrees on something it must be right...NO!) Oh, well.
Vent over. Everyone...do not covet. Be thankful for what you have. Live below your means. Live simply.
Labels: anonymous, FIAR, Five in a Row, Steve Lambert
posted by Lisa aka Mombley | 2:49 PM
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