Stimulus Plan

It seems to be the topic everyone is talking about; the topic that everyone has an opinion on. Over these last couple of weeks, our nation has debated over whether to do a stimulus plan for the economy or not. They’ve debated how much we should do and what should be included. Should it include increased spending or decreased taxation? They’ve debated on the effect of the outcome and the consequences of such a plan. They’ve debated on what has caused this crisis and who’s at fault. They’ve considered who should be helped and who shouldn’t be based on who they think caused this crisis.

It’s tiring listening to the conversations going on; the opinions that are broadcast to the masses. So, here’s my opinion, my two cents. Get to the root of the problem and focus only on that!
Here’s the thing I don’t hear much about. Our economy is much like a see-saw kids play on. There’s a balance to it and if the kids weigh the same you could actually have the see-saw stay level. But what happens when one is heavier? They drop to the ground and would have to give a push off the ground to be able to keep moving. If they get off and just let go as they do, the other end drops to the ground and the child on that end can get seriously hurt.

The same can be said of our economy. An 800 pound guerilla got off the see-saw. Home values dropped dramatically; in Arizona some places have dropped more than 50%, most of that is in debt (aka someone else’s money). I’m not an economist and I may be oversimplifying the situation. In my opinion, when that much money has been pulled out of the economy in a relatively short period of time, people will get hurt and they won’t jump back in very quickly; it will take time to rebalance and trust who’s on the other end of the see-saw. In the mean time, there is substantially less money circulating in the economy causing fewer jobs and lower pay.

There are a few ways to off set that cycle whether it’s families, businesses, or government; currently we’re focusing on the government doing it. The entity that can produce more money (i.e. the government) can either spend their way out (increase government debt putting money into the economy now to be paid back later), increase the money flow (print more money which lowers the value of that currency which leads to inflation) or they can reduce taxes (leave more money in the economy and reduce government spending to match). Keep in mind, there still is a balance and each one has a consequence. And with each one of these, we’re trying to fix our money problems with money.

I personally don’t think our government should be fixing the problem in our economy by spending money or printing money. In doing so, they are simply getting on the see-saw. They shouldn’t be on it but govern the way it’s played on to maintain some sort of balance and fairness and to maintain the core values of the founding fathers of our nation. Had it been governed properly before, I don’t believe they would need to get on now.

But we still haven’t got to the root of the problem that we should be focusing on. You can’t buy your way out of a problem, whether it’s our economy, our relationships with others, marriages, etc. Only submitting to God’s plan will fix the problem. God has given us His Word to solve this crisis.

He tells us in Deuteronomy 8:17-20 -
You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

It is God that gives us the ability to produce wealth when we seek Him. When our nation starts to seek God and His ways, then our nation will be healed and revived; we’ll have new inventions and discoveries develop wealth in our nation that will benefit others first. In the process of discovery and development of new inventions, we’ll increase our national production and cure our financial problems. When we return to our roots and be a nation under God called to be lenders not borrowers, we’ll reduce our personal and national debts and increase our influence in the world.

Foundational Focus

With 2008 now past and 2009 upon us, it’s a natural time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. Last year was a year of turmoil for many and a year of abundance for a few. Believe it or not, some people actually had their best year ever financially! Not that finances represents the full measure of abundance but it is one of many pieces. I can’t say I’m in that boat but somehow it gives hope that there is a better tomorrow and that all things are possible for those who believe. But all these ups and downs where we somehow feel victorious or are reconciling with defeat, I believe are truly out of focus. Somehow, we’ve come to accept how we feel about our daily lives as the barometer of our closeness with God.


Isn’t it strange that when we feel things are going well, our prayer life, our selfless giving, our cheerful attitude tends to fade? (What I mean by selfless is the difference between giving out of your need or sacrificially vs. giving out of your excess.) And when things aren’t so well, we seek some sort of relief from God when what God wants all along is a steady and consistent relationship with us? He wants you to know that He will work it out (Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28). Times may be rough for a season, but keep your eyes fixed on Him and you’ll do well (Eccl 3:1-8, Prov 4:25, Psalm 119:133, Jer 29:11).


It reminds me of some friends that went deep sea fishing. They say one of the first things the captain would tell you is to look out at the horizon. By fixing your eyes out in the distance at the horizon, it will help you avoid getting seasick. The same applies to driving. When you look further out ahead, everything seems to slow down around you and you’re more in control of the vehicle.


God’s Word tells us to fix our eyes on Him and to build on the rock, on a solid foundation rather than the sand of the seashore (Luke 6:48). By no means do I feel like I’ve mastered this; it’s just a lesson that God’s been challenging me with for some time. And every time I think I’m getting closer, it seems a bigger wave comes to try and take me out. Nevertheless, I’ve committed my focus to remain on Him for 2009 and beyond.


Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

Proverbs 4:25 – Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Psalm 119:133 – Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

The Old Has Gone, The New Has Come

The thing I love about New Years Day every year is the opportunity it offers us to have a fresh start, a new beginning, a do-over. I’m not really into resolutions, because let’s face it, they rarely last. But I am into reflection, and I try to take the opportunity to reflect on the past year, and my own role in it, and ruminate on the next year. It’s also a great time to review my foundation.


It’s good to take time to focus in on what I’ve done, for good or for bad, and make a determination to try to grow as a person, to ensure that by this time next year I’m further along in my journey. What goals do I want to accomplish (maybe the first is to actually set goals!) and what will I do to accomplish them? What relationships do I want to invest more into? How can I prioritize my time and my money, to ensure that I maximize both of them and minimalize the needless waste of either of them?


With the current state of the world, I think a lot of people were happy to say goodbye to 2008. And there is hope yet for 2009. Many people are placing their hope on January 20th, inauguration day for President-Elect Obama. And I’m not talking about American’s only. I’ve heard on the news recently that many nations are looking to him to solve their problems and save their country. Obviously, there are many problems with this.


There is only one Man who can be a Savior to the world – and it’s not Barack Obama! Jesus is the One who gives us a fresh start, a new beginning, a do-over. When we come to Him with a repentant heart, He forgives us and takes us lovingly into his family. He offers us love when we are unlovable, peace in turbulent times, comfort when we are hurting, and rest when we are weary.


It is impossible to predict what will unfold in 2009. Indicators, economists and even common sense, tell us that there are no quick fixes to the economic storm that is raging right now. And while it is good to be aware of the times and what ‘professionals’ think about it, I don’t put my faith in them. I put my faith in Jesus. After all, He has calmed a storm before, and He can certainly do it again!


The beginning of a new year really is an opportune time to review and the foundation that my life is built upon. Is it strong, firm and unshakeable? Or is it weak, cracked and sinking? If my foundation is firm, if Jesus is within me, then I need not fear the storm. After all, greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4) and through Him we are more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37)!


So this year, I resolve to ensure that my foundation grows stronger, not weaker. I resolve to not take my eyes off my Lord and focus on the waves. I resolve to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10). Would you join me?


“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” ~ Matt. 7:24-27

The Times They Are A Changin'

The word change has been swirling around like desert dust devil. It has been spoken, expanded on, and has caused near hysteria. Change is coming, that’s for sure. But not all change is a good thing. And not all change is a bad thing. This month, we the people of the United States of America, voted into our highest public office, the presidency, our first African American man. This is a change that is good – very good. But I’m not so sure about the change he said he’d bring. When speaking to Planned Parenthood, he assured those in attendance, “The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do.” (Senator Barack Obama, speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, July 17, 2007) This is a change that is not good, it’s horrifying actually.

I have said that I will pray for and support to the best of my ability, our new President. And I will, I am compelled to do so. After the election, I was crushed at the outcome, because of what it looked like for a couple of issues I am passionate about. But then God gave me peace and comforted me. He showed me that He is still God and He is still on the Throne. The changes in our country and specifically in our politics do not change Him, because throughout all eternity, He changes not. When I got this revelation, it felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off of me.

It wasn’t that I became a Pollyanna about the situation, but rather, I realized that while I was surprised by the results, God was not. And it occurred to me, that I do not have the mind of God. I don’t know what God intends to do through this. Obama claims to be a Christian, and he may be. I don’t know his heart and I am not his judge. But I do know this. God is not conventional and He doesn’t fit into all the neat little boxes that we try to put Him in.

So I started thinking more like this. What if? What if there was a radical conversion? Or what if there was a change of character? Or what if Barack Obama was actually a conservative in a liberal’s clothing? What if every penny spent, ounce of energy given, and hate-spewing word spoken by the radical liberals, actually went into electing a man who was not what they thought? Now that would be change I could believe in! I don’t know that any of that is true, but it wouldn’t surprise me too much, because God is not conventional. What if God…?

The point of all this though, is not about who our new President is. The point is actually about who our God is. Our country has always been built up on change. It has always grown and developed through change. Change happens all the time. Economies change, jobs change, people change, fads change, Presidents change, seasons change, and thank goodness, hair styles change! But God does not change. His character and His word are for always.

God is eternal. God is the foundation of our Nation. He always has been, and I believe He always will be. The roots of Christianity run deep and wide in the United States of America. It is like a Palm tree that sways in fiercest of winds, but which very rarely gets uprooted. I believe that God has not and will not turn His back on America, because He cares about America and He knows there is a remnant who are passionate for Him. Do not despair of the times ahead. We may not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future, and God is good, always.

Yes we are facing some challenging times ahead of us as a Nation. We have the opportunity to choose of overcome the challenges we face, by relying on God instead of a lame-duck President and Congress, or a President-Elect and new Congress. As Christians, out foundation should be built on Him, and He should be our Source – not the government. As Christians, we should worship Him, spend time with Him in prayer, and continue to point others to Him. As Christians we should stand for righteousness, and be sanctified – actually set apart from the rest of society, so that they see Him through us. As Christians, we should choose to do and say what is right, and fight to prevent our great Nation from being taken over by the enemy. With God, we can do all of this and more.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” ~ Isaiah 40:28