Town Hall for Hope

Last evening, in place of our normal class, we watched the nation-wide broadcast of Dave Ramsey's "Town Hall for Hope".

Mr. Ramsey spoke about how the country has worked itself into a tizzy (my translation) and that a spirit of fear has taken over many. He said that fear is not a fruit of the Spirit and that it is the antithesis of hope.

Mr. Ramsey felt some people are trusting the government to turn things around or to bail them out, but it's really up to us individually to do that. We need to take personal responsibility for the debt we have accumulated or the bad business choices we have made. To me, that's a no-brainer. You wouldn't expect your neighbor to bail you out financially because you made poor choices. Also, I know little about how business, economics, or the government operates, but when people elevate the government to a "god status" and place their faith in it, rather than in God and what He tells us to do, I think we're just asking for trouble.

Mr. Ramsey offered what seemed like sound advice. I have never taken any business or economic classes so I was happy to receive the information he shared about how much money you should have saved, as well as what extra money you should have for emergencies. Since I haven't been able to sock that kind of money away yet, I was wondering how realistic that is for a lot of people? Although we put money in savings, it seems sometimes that we no sooner start to get ahead, when we end up having something major happen that requires us to use what we've accumulated. Good thing my trust is in God.

Mr. Ramsey gave several tips and things to do if you are struggling: 1)Get up. Take action. Be proactive. 2)Don't participate in loser talk. 3)Learn to give again in time and/or talents. I liked this last one especially, for two reasons: 1) It was something that was taught to me, by example, by both my parents; and, 2) It reiterates a sermon series that our pastor did not too long ago. When you are busy giving to others your focus is removed from yourself and your own troubles. It is also another opportunity to honor and worship God through your giving. When our eyes are off ourselves and placed on God, hope is restored.

Because I believe some of what takes place in the physical realm speaks to what happens in the spiritual realm, and is thus prophetic in a bigger way back into the physical, I enjoyed hearing about the Jewish ceremony where they pour wine into a glass that is sitting in a saucer. They fill their glass to overflowing so that it pours out into the saucer as a representation of God's abundance. God pours out to them in abundance so they can give out of the overflow to others. Sweet!!!