January 24, 2011 Filed in:
PersonalGood news ... we have come to a definite conclusion concerning acquiring a new home.
We have a very good friend and man of God, who for many years has also been into real estate, plumbing, construction, etc,etc, ... almost anything to do with land and properties. Well ... he recently made a clear offer to build a new home for us for about the amount of our proceeds from the sale of our condo in Palm City which we sold Dec. 17th last year. We accepted his proposition after prayer and consideration, and concluded this is was God had planned all along.
We had been searching most diligently for well over a month to buy a home in our price range. Trish was spending countless hours on the computer, and we were using two different real estate agents to show me homes as I went out to see what was available. Our friend also helped us in the search, and his advice and counsel has been priceless.
Our friend had actually been thinking of this idea for a while, but only since our offer on a home fell through last week did he sense a strong leading of the Lord to affirm the proposition of building a home for us. It seems like we were all beginning to see that our situation is so unique concerning meeting Trish's needs, that building a home instead of buying one gives us the ability to truly meet our needs for now as well as the future.
Under normal circumstances, such a direction would be impossible for us, because we simply don't have enough money. However, here's the amazing provision --- our friend and others on the board of a local ministry here in Bonita Springs have voted to donate a plot of land to us! Others have already offered to donate all the plumbing and the electrical work, Others have offered to supply of all the lumber and labor involved with the framing while yet another has offered the installation a complete HVAC system. (I'm not sure what else may be in the works of others who may want to help, but Trish and I are already overwhelmed with such outpourings of kindness).
Basically, love and kindness will build a house for us where the amount of money we have cannot. Our money will be transferred to this local ministry and will be used for certain construction expenses, (and perhaps a few thousand more which God will provide if need be). When it's all said and done, we will end up moving into a new home worth much more than what we started with.--- AND... we expect to remain debt-free as we are now at this moment. Amazing.
January 14, 2011 Filed in:
MinistrySome of you may be aware that since Trish and I moved to Bonita Springs almost 3 years ago, we have been trying to sell our condo in Palm City, which is adjacent to Stuart (Florida). The condo was finally sold on Dec.17th, and we had already started investigating on purchasing a new home over in this area of S.W. Florida.
I'll get straight to it, and be honest with you all---searching for a home has been quite stressful and un-enjoyable. We are using 2 separate real estate agents, and the competition remains fierce among buyers. I suppose many people think that because the housing market is so depressed, one could easily find a wonderful deal buying a home for a great price, if only they had a lump-sum of cash. In this area of Florida, such is not the case. Rich investors seem to be swooping down like vultures purchasing homes before people like us can make a reasonable offer. They, as well as the banks, have no emotional ties to properties, and have no intention of living in them.
On the one hand, investors can usually offer more for a house than we are willing to pay, and on the other hand, banks have no problem waiting a long time for increasingly higher bids on foreclosures or short sales (a 'short-sale' is hardly ever a short sale!). What's also making it difficult for us personally, is that Medicaid permits us only 3 months to use the proceeds of the sale of the condo to buy another home (that means, we have until March 17th before they will start taking those funds from us). We must have at least a signed contract before March 17th, and this is what is adding to our pressure and stress.
Isn't it interesting that greed was the basic reason for this economic recession, and yet, the same greed continues? I have heard the statement numerous times by economists that our country is headed in the direction of a society which will have only rich or poor people. I saw a bumper sticker on a car today which said ... "Work harder -- those on welfare are depending on you".
Some prophesy that America is under judgement, and some prophesy a blessed economic turnaround this year. Personally, I see a continuation of the same problems without any 'significant turnaround', and that God is continuing to urge His people to "get out of debt". On the news recently, I heard a very interesting statement concerning Haitians, that they do more with little than the rest of the world. Surely our nation can learn at least something from this. I am personally living on an income less than 75% I used to have just over a decade ago, yet I am out of debt, for which I give God the glory.
I believe that the U.S.A. has sown the Gospel into the world unlike any other nation, and has historically given most generously in countless ways. Therefore, considering the principle of sowing and reaping, we are rather more likely due for significant revivals in our land than only judgement.
Anyone with a reasonable understanding of the Scriptures would agree that the 'stage is being set' for the appearance of the Antichrist in the world. No matter how we fast, pray and prophesy, Jesus already said that such things must come to pass prior to His Return. According to the Bible, the 'wheat and tares' will co-exist in the last Days. Though there will be great darkness due to sin and lawlessness, great light and powerful anointing will be upon God's people. Grace will remain in abundant supply for our persecutions.