Family Finances 1

One poll listed the five major causes of marriage breakup as these: money, poor communication, lack of commitment, change in priorities, and infidelity. Most marriage polls list money as a top cause of problems. This is not surprising. About 43% of American families, like the government itself, spend more than they earn each year. This continues to be true, in spite of financially tough times. An average household carries $8,000 in credit card debt. As a result, personal bankruptcies have doubled in the past decade. In 2003, the total debt for American consumers was $2 trillion, an average of $18,654 per household, not including mortgage debt (another $10 trillion). This was a 41% increase in five years but has doubled since then. 
Debt starts in college and never ends. In the 2008-09 academic year student loans grew about 25% over the previous year, to $75.1 billion. Today, two-thirds of college students borrow to pay for college, and their average debt load is $23,186 by the time they graduate, according to an analysis of the government’s National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. The loans were based on the expectation that an education would provide a good paying job and the loan could be paid back. With unemployment at 10% or more, increasingly this is not happening.
In contrast to the ‘norm’, God’s Word warns, “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7) Paul writes, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.” (Rom. 13:8) Our family has lived debt-free for 29 years now and can testify this brings with it great peace. First, we don’t have to worry that we can’t make payments and something will be repossessed. Second, the absence of interest payments has allowed us to invest more into the Lord’s work. Laying up treasures in heaven is the greatest investment. Third, this conviction has brought us to prayer more than anything else. If God didn’t provide the money for something we wanted and were praying about, we were confident it wasn’t His will.  Our lives are marked with many specific ways God has provided as we determined not to go into debt to meet a need.
So how do you get started living debt-free? I am confident that the first and most important step in living debt-free is to fight covetousness and learn contentment. Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) The pizzazz of the world is appealing, and the need to show others we are successful will inevitably drive one to debt. God has promised to supply all our needs so erase that one from your worry list. God also often gives us ‘extras’ when we wait patiently. But He warns us not to set our heart on any of these things. Instead, “Set your affection on things above.” (Col. 3:2) After all, things cannot satisfy, and will soon pass away.

TV

TV

A recent study by the University of Michigan revealed startling increases in the influence of television on children. Consider these statistics: TV viewing among kids is at an eight-year high. On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week in front of a TV watching television, DVDs, DVR and videos, and using a game console. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of the TV. The vast majority of this viewing (97%) is of live TV. 68% of 8 to 18-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom; 54% have a DVD/VCR player, 37% have cable/satellite TV, and 20% have premium channels. In 63% of households, the TV is “usually” on during meals. In 53% of households of 7th- to 12th-graders, there are no rules about TV watching. In 51% of households, the TV is on “most” of the time. Kids with a TV in their bedroom spend an average of almost 1.5 hours more per day watching TV than kids without a TV in the bedroom. Many parents encourage their toddlers to watch television. It is their major source of free babysitting. ref.
Many other studies have been made. TV is directly related to sleep problems, behavioral problems, and childhood obesity. Some relate it to the rapid rise in ADHD and ADD. It takes away from family time, playing with friends, physical activity and muscle development, mastering skills like music or art, and reading, to name a few. During formative years, the lighted box becomes their best friend and greatest influence. Children are so entertained that some school districts say they cannot keep children’s attention without videos and elaborate, expensive computer equipment.
But the greatest concern for Christian parents must be the content of what is being presented on TV. An average American child will see 2,000 beer commercials a year, and 200,000 violent acts and 16,000 murders on TV by age 18. They are taught that revenge is normal and satisfying. They are taught pride, lust, and covetousness by word and example. Most of the heroes are not heroic to God. Yet parents let their children watch, thinking it is benign. It is not. Even history and documentary programs can and will twist the facts to present an agenda. Programs only get worse as the line of what is acceptable is pushed. Perhaps the most dangerous and subtle lesson on TV is that life without God is fun, satisfying, and successful.
How should a Christian parent handle the influence of the TV? (These are in order from least to most radical.) 1) Limit TV watching, both in time and what is allowed. Children need to be outside, physically active every day. 2) Never let children watch TV unless a parent is there to monitor, censure, or at least interpret what is being presented. 3) Get rid of it as an enemy too strong to control. Do what is necessary so that wickedness is not welcome in your home.

Flying Blind

It was a sunny day in the fall of 2007, a beautiful day to fly. Jim O’Neill, aged 65 who had 18 years of flying experience, had guided the two-seater Cessna aircraft to about 5,500 feet when he noticed that the instruments in the cockpit seemed to be unusually bright, to the point that he really couldn’t see what they read.  Then suddenly things got darker.  As he considered this, he reasoned that it was because of the sun shining through the window.  But the trouble continued. In fact, a few minutes later he declared an emergency.  Soon all those involved knew that there were bigger problems than looking into the sun or the sun shining off instruments.  Jim O’Neill was unable to see anything.  At 5,500 feet he was literally flying blind! (Later he learned that he had a stroke while flying that day.  The part of his brain most affected dealt with sight; he was truly blind.) Those who have done some flying say it’s hard to combat the feeling that you should ignore your instruments and just fly by feeling.  Instructors drill into you to trust your instruments!  But what do you do when you can’t even see your instruments?

Christians enter marriage and parenting without training. In a sense we start out flying blind. Yet, God said His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105) Do you filter all of your marriage and parenting decisions through the grid of God’s Word? God does not intend us to face family relationships and responsibilities flying blind.

The first course of action was to talk Mr. O’Neill down.  The air traffic controllers tried to tell him what to do next, but it didn’t seem to be working.  Jim O’Neill was simply too scared to try to land that way. That’s when Wing Cdr Paul Gerrard joined the story.  He was a chief flying instructor at a local RAF base. Risking his own life, he flew another plane up to where Jim O’Neill was flying.  Talking to him and staying close, he told him point by point what to do.  After three aborted attempts at landing, Jim O’Neill successfully landed his plane at the Air Force Base.  At last report he was recovering well, while admittedly a bit shocked at the whole ordeal.

Some of us have had lots of experience in both marriage and parenting. Our duty is to pass on what we have learned to the next generation. (Psalm 78:4) To help others 1) we must be willing to be available and to get involved in others’ lives. Americans are taught to live for retirement. God says to live for Him and never give up investing in others. 2) The younger must be willing to ask and receive instruction. If Mr. O’Neill hadn’t followed Gerrard’s instructions, it would have been fatal. Much wisdom and experience is all around you. Take advantage of it!