This week in the office is INSANE. I am preaching on Sunday, we are trying to get ready for this awesome event, and we are doing our 2009 1st quarter budgeting. The most insane part is the budgeting. I’ve been taking lots of tylenol, eating a lot of bananas and drinking way too much sweet tea.
Budgeting for 2009 is especially tough. With the economy being so bad, the announcement of a recession, and people just freaking out, most Churches I know are feeling the $$$ crunch.
There have been 16 recessions in our country since 1919. Historically the average length of recessions in the U.S. has been 13 months, although the recent recessions have been shorter. That means that if the 2008 recession is an average one, the downturn in the stock market should have bottomed out around November of 2008. However some economists fear that this recession may last longer.
Its not just the economists that are worried…a lot of people are fearful and freaking out.
I’m confident because of what I know.
I know the church is resilient. It know it has survived persecution, terrorism, war, poverty, and more. A recession isn’t going to stop God. I know that these uncertain times will help people turn to Christ because in our country people haven’t had to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread…” in a long time because our refrigerators have been plenty ful.
Its nice to not have to freak out. Thanks to God using Dave Ramsey in my life, I am going to keep doing what I’ve been doing with my personal finances. Giving to God first, saving second, and living on the rest last is still my plan. No credit. Period. You can listen to more on that here. I’m going to keep trying my best to keep my eyes on the needs of others. As I do that, God will keep His eyes on my needs.
