Today is Wednesday, June 24, 2009 and the leading news stories may cause discomfort to say the least....
Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina, missing in action for several days, admits to an extra-marital affair and resigns as chair of the GOP governors' organization. Previously, Sanford was thought to be a front runner for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. It would seem that he is no longer in the running for that position within the GOP party. On top of the extra-marital affair, Sanford's staff lied to cover up for his whereabouts during the last week. At first said to be hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, it turns out that the governor was playing in Argentina.
Then there is the story about new home sales continuing to fall during the month of May 2009 to levels almost 33% below last year's new home sales. There still seems to be a long way to go for any significant recovery of the housing market. Existing home sales did rise 2.4% for the month of May as prices were approximately 17% lower compared to a year ago.
Shock and disbelief follow insanity in a small Iowa town and school district where a nationally recognized high school football coach with over 35 years of service was fatally shot by one of his former players. The shooting took place inside a temporary weight room, because as it turns out this community was nearly devastated a little more than one year ago by a deadly tornado which killed eight people and destroyed the coach's home as well as many others. Several current football players witnessed the shooting and as many as 50 students were inside the high school at the time. Iowa's governor, a former high school football coach himself, stated that the loss will be felt throughout Iowa and the nation.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing news stories I ran across today was a story about the federal government's aid package for individuals and families who are trying to purchase homes in foreclosure. Here is why I find this disturbing. This assistance package will allow those who purchase foreclosed homes or purchase them to restore them prior to resale to receive additional incentives like lower interest rates and down payment assistance. With this program, the government is encouraging new buyers to take advantage of the former owner's misfortune.
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." [James 2:14-17] Time will tell whether the highly debated stimulus package is like those who say, "Be well; keep warm and well fed" without offering real hope or meaningful assistance. I, for one, could use some good news for a change!
~ DB Turnmire
Showing posts with label foreclosure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foreclosure. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Fragile Life
How fragile is this life we lead anyway? The answer to that question will, of course, depend on your personal perspective. Where have you come from and where are you going? What are the foundational principles upon which you pursue your daily life?
During the spring of the year as nature renews itself, reminders of the fragility of life are all around us. Delicate young plants shoot forth from the earth seeking sunlight. Baby animals of both domestic and untamed species make their appearances on the planet. Millions of farmers and gardeners till the soil, plant the seeds and begin the tedious task of nurturing multitudes of flowers and crops toward maturity.
Consider what happens when not enough rain falls to water the soil. Seedling wither and die, grass becomes dried fuel for fires and the earth may become scorched by winds and, on occasion, wildfires - some caused by nature, others caused by mankind. The cycle goes on in nature if plants die and crops fail. When food is not available for animals, those precious babies may starve to death. On the other hand, a different kind of destruction may happen when there is too much rain and flood waters overtake the land. The results may actually be similar in the end.
There should be no doubt that life as we know it is in a fragile state. In our world today, in the midst of economic crisis, financial distress and foreclosure chaos, human life is more fragile than ever. Millions of families and inidviduals have lost their jobs, are unable to meet their mortgage payments and risk becoming homeless. Even renters have found themselves looking for a new place to call home because of a foreclosure on their rental housing. The stress of losing income and homes has taken its toll on many individuals. Recent news headlines relate the pain and sorrow that some have faced.
Countless individuals among us would never have imagined the state of the world today in our lifetimes. It seems as though there once existed an air of immunity - that this could not happen, especially in the United States of America. Yet here we are on April 18, 2009. If we look closely, we may actually see some signs of progress or recovery.
Hope for a better tomorrow and live each day as if it might be your last. Some may think that to be a morbid thought but I remember a story which I have heard more than once over the years. A young mother was asked how she would teach her young child "to live". She replied, "I will teach my child how to die because in preparing him to die, I will also be teaching him how to live each day of his life."
Life is fragile but just imagine how different life would be if every one of us lived each day as if it were our last. How different would we look at the simple things in life? Would we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve? Would we make the most of every opportunity that was presented to us? It is most certainly something to think about.
~ DB Turnmire
During the spring of the year as nature renews itself, reminders of the fragility of life are all around us. Delicate young plants shoot forth from the earth seeking sunlight. Baby animals of both domestic and untamed species make their appearances on the planet. Millions of farmers and gardeners till the soil, plant the seeds and begin the tedious task of nurturing multitudes of flowers and crops toward maturity.
Consider what happens when not enough rain falls to water the soil. Seedling wither and die, grass becomes dried fuel for fires and the earth may become scorched by winds and, on occasion, wildfires - some caused by nature, others caused by mankind. The cycle goes on in nature if plants die and crops fail. When food is not available for animals, those precious babies may starve to death. On the other hand, a different kind of destruction may happen when there is too much rain and flood waters overtake the land. The results may actually be similar in the end.
There should be no doubt that life as we know it is in a fragile state. In our world today, in the midst of economic crisis, financial distress and foreclosure chaos, human life is more fragile than ever. Millions of families and inidviduals have lost their jobs, are unable to meet their mortgage payments and risk becoming homeless. Even renters have found themselves looking for a new place to call home because of a foreclosure on their rental housing. The stress of losing income and homes has taken its toll on many individuals. Recent news headlines relate the pain and sorrow that some have faced.
Countless individuals among us would never have imagined the state of the world today in our lifetimes. It seems as though there once existed an air of immunity - that this could not happen, especially in the United States of America. Yet here we are on April 18, 2009. If we look closely, we may actually see some signs of progress or recovery.
Hope for a better tomorrow and live each day as if it might be your last. Some may think that to be a morbid thought but I remember a story which I have heard more than once over the years. A young mother was asked how she would teach her young child "to live". She replied, "I will teach my child how to die because in preparing him to die, I will also be teaching him how to live each day of his life."
Life is fragile but just imagine how different life would be if every one of us lived each day as if it were our last. How different would we look at the simple things in life? Would we treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve? Would we make the most of every opportunity that was presented to us? It is most certainly something to think about.
~ DB Turnmire
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Modern Day "Job"
Some of you are undoubtedly familiar with the Old Testament Biblical character, Job. This man had been blessed by God with family, land and possessions. God presented Job as an example of faithfulness and steadfastness to the Evil One. So confident in His servant, God allowed Satan to tempt this man of God in several feeble attempts to bring Job to the point of cursing his Maker.
As a result of "this deal", Job lost his entire family (except for his wife), his land, his possessions and his reputation among his so-called friends. Afflicted with sores which covered him from head to toe, his friends tried to convince Job that he had committed some horrrendous sin against God and was suffering the wrath of God in return. Even his wife could not understand why he refused to accept his fate and curse The Almighty.
In the face of our current economic times, many individuals find themselves facing circumstances which could set them up as "modern day Jobs". Jobs have been lost, homes have been foreclosed, and in some instances families have disintegrated under the stress of economic downturn. When facing difficult times, it would be easy to "curse God and die".
However, in the midst of my own economic downturn, I have been reminded that this is exactly when I should be considering my blessings. My life has been blessed and I continue to be amazed at how God provides. I have a loving life partner, Bill, who has supported me through these tough times even as he faces his own struggles with medical disability. For the most part, my children are supportive as they can be in the midst of their own life issues and challenges.
It has been more than five months since my previous employer terminated my employment due to the economic crisis. During the following weeks and months following my layoff, I have been unable to secure another position. Six monthly mortgage payments have been met during that time by the grace of God. To date, no monthly bill payments have been missed. Do I know how we will make next month's mortgage payment? Not at this time. I am always reminded of God's words to His servant, Joshua. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1:9]
Millions of individuals have lost gainful employment over the past two years in the United States alone. Depression and despair have led some to inflict pain and death on loved ones or strangers before surrendering to suicide. Thousands of individuals and families now find themselves homeless as a result of the home financing debacle. In modern times, the reaction of friends is often abandonment rather than pointing fingers of blame. Perhaps the result is even more devastating today than in Job's day.
Living in 2009, all of us find ourselves faced with challenges and questions basic to life in these uncertain times. We simply cannot take jobs, homes, friends and family for granted. By the end of the biblical account of Job, this man of God was blessed even more than he had been earlier in his life. On this side of this time of trial, it may be hard to envision the blessings on the other side.
Be encouraged, keep the faith, pray for endurance and trust that "the best is yet to come"!
~ DB Turnmire
As a result of "this deal", Job lost his entire family (except for his wife), his land, his possessions and his reputation among his so-called friends. Afflicted with sores which covered him from head to toe, his friends tried to convince Job that he had committed some horrrendous sin against God and was suffering the wrath of God in return. Even his wife could not understand why he refused to accept his fate and curse The Almighty.
In the face of our current economic times, many individuals find themselves facing circumstances which could set them up as "modern day Jobs". Jobs have been lost, homes have been foreclosed, and in some instances families have disintegrated under the stress of economic downturn. When facing difficult times, it would be easy to "curse God and die".
However, in the midst of my own economic downturn, I have been reminded that this is exactly when I should be considering my blessings. My life has been blessed and I continue to be amazed at how God provides. I have a loving life partner, Bill, who has supported me through these tough times even as he faces his own struggles with medical disability. For the most part, my children are supportive as they can be in the midst of their own life issues and challenges.
It has been more than five months since my previous employer terminated my employment due to the economic crisis. During the following weeks and months following my layoff, I have been unable to secure another position. Six monthly mortgage payments have been met during that time by the grace of God. To date, no monthly bill payments have been missed. Do I know how we will make next month's mortgage payment? Not at this time. I am always reminded of God's words to His servant, Joshua. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1:9]
Millions of individuals have lost gainful employment over the past two years in the United States alone. Depression and despair have led some to inflict pain and death on loved ones or strangers before surrendering to suicide. Thousands of individuals and families now find themselves homeless as a result of the home financing debacle. In modern times, the reaction of friends is often abandonment rather than pointing fingers of blame. Perhaps the result is even more devastating today than in Job's day.
Living in 2009, all of us find ourselves faced with challenges and questions basic to life in these uncertain times. We simply cannot take jobs, homes, friends and family for granted. By the end of the biblical account of Job, this man of God was blessed even more than he had been earlier in his life. On this side of this time of trial, it may be hard to envision the blessings on the other side.
Be encouraged, keep the faith, pray for endurance and trust that "the best is yet to come"!
~ DB Turnmire
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