I thought this was a brilliant video created by Elevation Church to drive home the message on the simplicity of handing money God’s way.  They used Elijah Furtick, the Pastor’s four year old, to explain how simple it really is!

Well…I said today we were going to do something crazy (at least for us ).  Today we gave back to the church an average week’s offering.  We stuffed envelopes full of cash ($5000) worth and asked the church to use the money to do something good (investment in the Kingdom of God) in our community.  The rules were as follows:

1.  This money can’t be spent on you (or your immediate family).

2.  Invest it in our community (e.g., don’t send it to a televangelist).

3.  If you don’t feel comfortable with this, just put it back in the tithes and offering trays when they come by.

We are following the honor code.  But after the message about Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5) I’m sure no one will cheat .  But now we want to hear about what happened with the money.  Where did it go?  How did it bless others?  We invited people to either write their stories on the questionnaire (also in the envelope) or comment on this blog post.  So…what’s the story?!

This is a big deal for us because as a church we live close to week-to-week (like most American families) and budget a full 52 weeks for the year.  And now we just gave away one of those 52!  We don’t have a savings account stockpiled full of cash.  To give back even one week’s offerings for us is a step of faith in which we trust in the middle of an economic recession we are still called to a life of generosity.  So…as we ask this of the Living Stoners…so we ask it of the Living Stones Church.

And really…it was just kind of fun.

So…be creative, strategic, and shrewd.  You could combine your cash with other family and friends and do something bigger!  Use the cash to buy someone groceries, maybe a coat, shoes, etc.  Just bless someone with no strings attached!

On another topic…the kids were back in the building!!  Hallelujah.  The children’s wing still has a long way to go in regards to decor, but at least they were in the new space.  None to soon.  We had over 100 children present this morning (22 in the 3 & 4 year old’s class at our 11:30 service!!!).  That is something for our modest sized-church!!!!

In every survey and poll you find - the top concern or worry going into 2009 is about the economy and personal finances.  You can’t turn on the radio or TV without hearing words like:  bankruptcy, bailout, economic stimulus package, bear market, wall street, stocks are down, CEO salaries, foreclosures, home values, economy, Brittany Spears (I threw that in to see if you were still reading), etc.

So – we aren’t living in a unique time.  Economies throughout the centuries, including in biblical times have been up and down.  And the Bible has quite a bit to say in the midst of it.  So, let us begin 2009 by tackling head-on all of this talk about the economy and seeing what God has to say in regards to his economy, in the midst of our economy.

Beginning this Sunday – a three week message series entitled, GOD’S ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE.

January 4 – Opting Out of the Contagion of Fear

January 11 – Kingdom Investments

January 18 – Character that Transcends Economies

Bring a van full of friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers!!! Unless you don’t have a van, then cram as many of them into your car as possible.  Unless you don’t have a car, then carry as many of them on your back as you can!! 

Property tax bill came in the mail.  That is usually a moment of great sadness and weeping.  Seriously…our property taxes are ridiculous.  Centre township has ridiculous assessments.  BUT – this year…my taxes were cut in HALF!!  HALF!!!!  Happy New Year to me!!!  I guess we really did get property tax relief!  I’m hoping this isn’t some cruel joke.  GMAC mortgage…where is my check for overpaid escrow?

Long live Governor Mitch Daniels!!

Anyone else receive good news?

Read this article by Michael Hyatt and do the same.  It is so true.

The media keeps telling us we are in a recession.  Thank you, but I’m choosing not to participate.

The Dow Jones fell below 9000!

What is up with all of this craziness?!!?!

I’m stocking up on cans of Spam even as we speak preparing for the apocalypse.

Just paid my bills and worked on my budget.  I’ve decided that I need a government bailout.  I’m not greedy though.  I would settle for just 1% of that 700 billion dollars.

Well…after much delay and hesitation, I’m finally doing it!  I’m finally going to read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover.  Not only am I going to read the book, I’m going to get together with a handful of other Living Stoners and we are going to discuss its contents with Melissa Cooper, our financial guru, leading the way.

I have put off reading this book.  But it is time.  I just hope my case of the Rams-ies  isn’t severe.  What is the “Ramsies” you ask?  Here is my definition of the “Rams-ies”

Ramsies- a condition that afflicts an individual’s cerebral cortex and produces three distinct symptoms:  1) finding anathama the spending of any money; 2) quotes Dave Ramsey more than Jesus Christ; and 3) becomes judgmental of others who don’t turn their 2-ply toilet paper into 1-ply and get twice the usage out of it in an effort to save money.  (sorry…I just got to draw the line somewhere)

Now not everyone who reads Dave Ramsey catches this awful disease (at least not all of the symptoms manifest).  Honestly, I could use a little more of symptom #1.  At the very least I’ll be surrounded by others who are keenly aware of such symptoms

Now if you will excuse me…I’m going out to eat!

To Whomever Fraudulently charged $1985.88 to my credit card on:

INT’L BAR ASSOCIATION LONDON GBR                     $1200.00

ALM/SRI/REALSHARE EVEN   NY                                $195.00

HOTEL HOTLINE.COM LLC  UNIONDALE NY               $500.88

I plan on hunting you down and finding you.  And when I do…I’m going to introduce you to Jesus.  And I don’t mean I’m going to share the gospel with you…I mean I’m literally going to introduce you to Jesus…prepare for the afterlife my friend…

Just saw that the Speedway at corner of Ireland and Miami has a regular gallon of gas for $3.45!!!!!  Kroger’s is still at $3.25…fill up quick!  $3.45!!!!  NUTS!