When I started this blog about our adventure into retirement, I thought it was going to be about frugal living and practical tips. My father was an ingenious, frugal Yankee who never needed help from the government or insurance (and was self-employed most of his life) yet left my mother well off. However, I don't give credit to his frugality as much as to their faith in God.

I did not write yesterday. I was disappointed with my last post, seeing that now I was putting my hope in a 401K plan instead of a job opportunity. I want to put my hope in Christ alone. I thought: I need balance between self-sufficiency and trusting God and I need to reevaluate my priorities. Last year when the news about the economy concerned me, I started praying about how we should respond. I felt led to get out of debt. Thankfully, we now owe no credit cards & only have 1 year left of car payments & 3 years to pay off our house. So I'm feeling ok again, but on my way to blog I read an email with a link to a You Tube video.

Actually, I got stuck in You Tube for over 2 hours. "Do NOT get a swine flu VACCINE" grabbed my attention. You absolutely have to see for yourself what they are saying about these dangerous vaccinations! It only took 1 video for me to know I will not get one, but then I'm told that they will be mandatory & can be enforced with martial law. It's a miracle I was able to go to sleep last night. I still haven't wrapped my brain around how to respond to this newest crisis (escept to pray, pray, pray) but I thought about a song our choir sang that morning. I can only remember 2 words from the whole song. Behind the soloist the whole choir kept repeating "peace Lord, peace Lord". They also had wonderful scriptures on the screen. I couldn't write them down fast enough, so when I awoke too early this morning & thought of impending crisis, I decided to get up & pray & review those scriptures. I went to www.biblegateway.com & found 108 verses on "do not be afraid" & 247 verses on peace. If you want to hear more of the words of the song you can go to www.firsteuless.com to see yesterdays morning sermon (which was about the Bible having the answer to all our problems).

So, I have a different perspective today about the significance of our financial struggles, but I have the same answer to both problems. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

On my knees,

Judy

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."John 16:32-33

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26-28

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."Deuteronomy 31:5-7

The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."Joshua 10:7-9

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-8

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:13-15