A couple of months ago I had encouraged members to stop incurring debt and to begin reducing such obligations. I just wanted to expand a little on that given the current economic conditions. The US stock markets took a hit on Friday which will deepen over the next two months as the mortgage crisis impacts other segments of the economy besides the real estate sector. Why is this crucial? We all may speculate as to when the supernatural events preceding the Chastisement may occur, but the popping of the debt bubble will affect everyone's pocketbook. In MHO, it is in this area of one's life, where the temptation to compromise values is strongest. The turmoil caused by this crisis will strengthen the hand of those seeking to centralize government power and ultimately persecute the Church. What will I be willing to walk away from in order to put food on the table for my family? It will be this pressure that will separate the chaff from the wheat within my soul and reveal in whom I have placed my trust. I pray that each of us will be given the grace of perseverance and that our love of Christ will never play second fiddle! Sir 2: 3-5 Cleave to him and do not depart, that you may be honored at the end of your life. Accept whatever is brought upon you, and in changes which humble you, be patient. For gold is tested in fire and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. You are gold in the hand of the Lord, my friends, and precious to him! I kinda like you all, too! :wink: In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
I suspect Terry that an economic melt down will be just a prelude to civil and international unrest. I suspect many Governments will fall. I think God will be trying to wean us of the self satisfaction of sufficiency, to stop making ourselves our own Gods.
I remember in at least one of the messages from Our Lady (La Salette?) that it predicts people will live more as in peasant times. This would fit in with Ron's timeline by the end of the minor tribulation/the beginning of the era of peace. God's will be done. Darrell
I think a lot of this trouble is caused by the greed of the big banks and financial institutions. I notice China's economy looks really unstable too. But you know economic melt down is terrible, but I suspect this will be very far from the worst thing coming. I don't mean to be worrisome in this, its very sad, but it would be a lot worse if God left us like we are!!
Economic update. Oh-oh! I came across a global analysis of the overall world, economic conditions and it was anything but favorable. The data was a bit technical; however, it appeared to be comprehensive and well thought out. To summarize, this think tank is predicting six more jolts to the world economy (the recent credit crunch was the first), culminating with a major depression in the Spring of 2009. Key factors were the overvaluation of securities in the various stock markets, the worsening housing scenario, the falling dollar, and a drop in consumer spending. htpp://www.leap2020.eu/ ...See Bulletin GEAB N18. I found it fascinating that the crisis is predicted to reach a climax around the time of Ron's date for the Day of Repentance. As Ron has often encouraged: it is time to be spiritually prepared! Praise God we have access to the peace that passes all understanding! (see Phil 4:4-7) In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Here comes the pop! More bad news from the debt mongerer! I will not link to any one article; as the bed magnet pulls me, I have finished perusing numerous articles highlighting the debacle about to hit our economy sooner and more violently than I thought. The financial markets are beginning to unravel and will do so before year-end, I believe. What to do? Eliminate what debt you can ASAP, keep a higher amount of cash-on-hand rather than in the bank, and pray, pray, pray! God points out the path His children must take simply because He is good. Let us listen carefully as to what he wills for us. Christmas may find us poor as shepherds, but then again, that's not so bad, right? Love to all! I'm tired so re-reading my opening post on this thread will help fill in a couple of gaps. In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Terry, I was reading this on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/7062653.stm I suppose in many ways this seems terrible, but if it forces people back to God, it is a real blessing. Its funny in work I can't help in my conversation mentioning how passing life is. Its amazing how it drives them all mad , even the good , Christian ones!! They have taken to calling me the undertaker!! :lol: :lol: I think you can build up a whole kind of Spirituality round the Signs of the Times, maybe this is what Our Lady wants, or one of the things, feeling like a traveller or a nomad, just passing through. I can't help this as having a good idea of whats coming, most things seem just nonsense and unimportant. I suppose anyway life should be like that for the Catholic anyway. I feel a real sympathy for folks with money troubles for it can be like a constant drain wearing you down. But I was down visiting two friends last week who are both quite wealthy now, the wife has a top CEO job. You know I think there has been a real draining away of their spirituality over the years because of this. I also had a feeling that they no longer fully accept me of the things I say because of this. Money truly changes people and can insulate them from the divine. On the other hand stripping it away a little maybe can open us up a little.
Hey! The undertaker--you doom and gloom you :lol: "But I was down visiting two friends last week who are both quite wealthy now, the wife has a top CEO job. You know I think there has been a real draining away of their spirituality over the years because of this. I also had a feeling that they no longer fully accept me of the things I say because of this. Money truly changes people and can insulate them from the divine. On the other hand stripping it away a little maybe can open us up a little." Isn't that interesting--that's the exact same thing I said in the thread on the meanings of dates: "There seems to be an inverse relationship between affluence and faith (Blessed are the poor…For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God)." Darrell
I get kind of stressed when I hear this. If I had money in the bank and that is a big IF should I be taking it out. Terry are you thinking we are all going to be broke by Christmas? I dont care about money for myself but my children are trying to get married and put homes together and I really do feel stressed for them. Padraig, I think you have the best deal when things go wrong, just yourself to feed. Mary
maryrose, What is occurring now is the collapse of the derivative markets within the financial sector. This is linked to the downward slide in the housing market, the credit crunch in the banking sector, and also the rapid devaluation of the dollar as an international currency. In other words, the scope of the problem is broad and we've yet to see the bottom of the hole. It will hit our pocketbook hard in 2008, whether early or later, I'm unsure. It will have global consequences, for as America goes, so goes the world. Ps 33:18-19 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine. I have harped on the economic situation because I believe it is the springboard for the Chastisement and will make quite the impact, even before the Warning and Miracle. We must prepare ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and also physically. The sad reality is that no one escapes the Chastisement; we will all be affected to some degree. The fact that it is no longer "out there", but "here" is very unnerving. As the verses above exhort, let us trust the Lord; take refuge in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Be attentive in prayer for the Lord's direction. Surely, He will do no less for us than He did for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. God is a fortress for His children! In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Mario, This subject is stressful for me as all my family are involved in a small family business. In the past months its getting more and more difficult to collect money due and the bills are mounting and its taking strict management of payments to keep ahead. Every week is a headache. I prayed at mass yesterday for help and I found peace about it for now. I dont know what else I can really do. Mary
maryrose, Birds of a feather flock together. I, too, have my own business focused on nutritional products. There will always be a few diehards who will keep health in the top tier of priorities, however, if the situation implodes as I believe, then survival mode kicks in and my business will quickly fold. The signs are already visible. There is already noticeable chatter on the Web about into what industries to shift investments. The current thought is to move into energy, food, and munitions. For a little peon such as myself, it matters little. Geralyn's 2 da/wk job is currently keeping us above water (blub, blub! :? )! LOL! I will hold your family in my prayer! In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Padraig, great verse! Trusting in the Lord is the most important. I am reminded of a time back in the 1980s, when a missionary team from Juarez, Mexico came up to Syracuse, NY. Their prayer community started at the dump in their city after a visit by Catholics from El Paso. A Fr. Rick Thomas had led the Catholics who brought food to feed 100 of the scavengers: the food was miraculously multiplied and they feed 3x that number. There are published books detailing the marvelous work done by God to build up the Faith there! And I was privileged to meet and pray with some of them. The key point is that Jesus provided an extraordinary way to care for the needs of his little ones. I am fully convinced He will do so for us in the coming times of need. We must be prudent, but without making too much of ourselves. The Lord will fill in the gaps! In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
Fortunately, my husband and I have not incurred a lot of debt. We're not rich, by any means and should have far more saved than we do . . . but, we live rather frugally. Still, I can't say that I'm not worried about the impact of a severely depressed economy. Although, I'm no longer working outside the home, I've maintained my old 401k with my employer. Teh bulk of our savings is there. This summer I took 80% of that amount out of stocks and placed it in a fixed account, because it doesn't fluctuate with the stock market. Seeing the recent downturn, at this point, that was a wise move. But, have a taken it far enough? Do I leave my money in the 401K are take it out all together? There's that nasty 10% penalty attached to cashing it in before age 59 1/2? I could roll into an IRA, there's no penalty, but really-- it will be no more secure than the retirement account where it sits. It's hard to predict what financial institutions will survive and which won't. I guess, I'm biding my time--hoping that nothing will happen by keeping my money where it is, but investing ultra-conservatively, so that in the event something does happen, I won't lose my principle. I could cash in all my investments . . . but then I'll feel like shlump if the markets recover. Even with cash in my hot hands, if the dollar declines, it won't help a lot. I'm saying this, not asking for financial advice, but just pointing out . . . I'm doing what I think is prudent, but I feel like I'm bracing for something that no amount of planning can really prepare for and prevent. It seems like God is urging us to strip ourselves of material things and turn to Him instead. This is hard for me--really, really hard. Because, I really am attached to material things, too much so. I'm so wishy-washy--I should get into the carwash business.
At dinner tonight, Dusty asked his mother what the Great Depresion was. Liane was explaining the conditions leading up to the crash--the inflation, overspending, people living extravagantly, as well as the drought... Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Darrell
I suspect the good Lord wants to lead us away from a high technological ultra materialistic, complex very fast paced existence. After the Triumph of Mary our lives will be very much slower and relaxed, like the lives of the Holy Family at Nazareth. Science hes been used a lot by Satan though it is a good thing if used tight. Only by ending the old can the new come about. We need a sense of religious community more, to encourage us, Medugorje is an example. Though I hear the devil is really trying hard at MEdugorje, there are a couple of places of evil there too.
