Ten Ways to Thrive in a Bad Economy

Today I want to share with you a video about Faith & Finance.  Before doing so, however, the authors have shared a wonderful list of things each and every person can do to not only survive, but actually thrive no matter how poor the economy appears.  I hope you enjoy it.

10 points to help people in bad economy


1) Stress less. The gulls do not store up for themselves fish and shrimp and yet they do not starve. If a bird can find food enough each day so can a man, woman and child.

2) Love more. Love is free. Taxed, but still free. Families and friends remain the true source of significance. A life loved and being loved will outlast any economic downturn so share more, not less.


3) Give it all to God. Nations rise and fall. Economies expand and collapse. Through it all, God remains on His throne. Whatever financial difficulties you face today God foresaw it long ago and will see you through. During tough times you may be tempted to recoil, retreat and redouble your efforts, but God’s economy calls for to a radical departure from our human response. God says, “Give it up.” Not quit, but let go. Work, yes. Budget, yes. But give whatever remains of your wealth give to Him and trust that He’ll make it stretch to provide for your daily needs.


4) Dream big. Dreams do not die, they only go dormant. A nut buried in the ground does not remain a nut. In time it becomes an oak. You may not see your dreams come true but that doesn’t mean they won’t. History is replete with discovers born from the grave. Make a photo album of places you’d like to visit and give it away as a gift. Write a letter of past memories and share it with your spouse and children. Our plans for the future begin with our desires of today.

5) Smile often. You matter less than you think and will be missed more than you know so be careful how you live. Your actions and attitudes matter.

6) Trust others. Trust begins with an open hand. We cannot reach for the future with a closed fist. If you want to move forward you will have to trust again. Be wise, be discerning but trust. This is, after all, the lifeblood of our economy.

7) Let go. You cannot make a sun rise, sparrow sing or rain cloud bloom. You control less than you think so relax, let go and help those you can.

8) Travel more. Memories cannot be reposed or auctioned off and their value does not fluctuate with the market so travel more, not less. Time is the only contraband you have and what you don’t spend on others you should exchange for memories so take trips—even if it’s only around the block to a new park, creek or community center. Moving gets us going. (‘Kay, Yogi Berra didn’t say it but he could’ve.)

9) Spend less, savor more. A small meal eaten slowly can fill a hungry belly. Give thanks for the small things and do not begrudge the tough times. You can endure more than we think. You’re an American.

10) Look up. A bowed head will miss the sunrise, sunset and silver lining. Of all creatures man stands nearest to heaven so lift your chin, open your eyes and gaze toward the stars.


Such simple steps to create a life of richness, do't you think?  I'd love to hear your comments as well as any other things you believe can be added to this list! 

Now for a short video on the book:



We invite you to learn more about Faith and Finances during April and May while they tour cyberspace. To find other tour stops, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/03/02/faith-finances/  For other details about the book or to get more information about Christian Devotions visit http://www.faithandfinances.us/ . The book is for sale at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982206542

Why Faith and Finance?

You may be wondering why the authors in this anthology felt it necessary to write about financial issues.  After all, isn't money and religion supposed to be opposing issues?  Today, I'd like to share the answer to how and why this book came about--from the authors themselves.

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When God speaks, we listen. Much of our ministry planning time takes place on 3-5 mile hikes up the Blue Ridge mountains. Once we reach the Rattlesnake summit, it’s there God seems to whisper His plans. Faith and Finance happened on the mountain, looking down up Black Mountain and west toward Ashville, NC.


God tends to push us ahead by placing us into difficult situations. Weeks before our walk on the mountain, both our families were traveling through a financial droughts. The economy had yet to spiral downward, but we increasingly saw hints that pointed toward fractures in the economy. As we chatted on the phone one evening, I shared a story about a young couple. Each had good paying jobs. They did not have joint checking accounts. Instead, they divided the bills and each paid a portion out of their own paycheck—neither tithing. That story jolted us. Not only was this married couple refusing to share their riches with each other, but they weren’t willing to trust God, either.

When we met on the mountain God whispered “finances.” We’d begun the category Faith and Finances on the website and with the rumors swirling in the media of bubbles bursting it seemed as though God was pointing us to teach Finance 101 – His Way.

The story of the rich young ruler was the perfect example of how God asks us to allow Him control over all we have. Faith and FINANCES: In God We Trust – A Journey of Financial Dependence isn’t your typical wealth-management book. It’s NOT how to build your 401K. Rather it was meant to be an example of trust—of knowing how to trust God with for and with your daily provision. God seemed to saying, “If you won’t trust me with your finances how will you ever trust me with your life?”

This was the seed for Faith and FINANCES: In God We Trust. The book is designed to allow churches to minister to congregations and encourage them to make God their financial advisor.

God instructed us, not to worry and yet when times are tight, we recoil, retreat and hide our wealth from God and each other. Financial dependence on God releases us from the burden of worry.

Little faith is hoping that God will do what He says.

Big faith is believing that God will do what He says.

But great faith, is knowing God has already done what He said He’d do.

We came down from the mountain confident that God had called us to this book. Within the pages of Faith and FINANCES: In God We Trust, the reader will find devotions from others wrapped into the story of a man struggling to let go and let God minister to him. From beginning to end the books speaks to knowing and trusting God on a whole new plane…on a plane that leads not to poverty or worldly wealth, but to the abundance “of life” Christ promised

We invite you to learn more about Faith and Finances during April and May while they tour cyberspace. To find other tour stops, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/03/02/faith-finances/  For other details about the book or to get more information about Christian Devotions visit http://www.faithandfinances.us/ . The book is for sale at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982206542

Faith and Finance -- Exploring the Connection

I learned a long time ago that I could spend my entire life worrying about money.  More than once I've wondered if I'd have food the next day or a place to live at the end of the month.  I found, however, that worrying wasn't necessary for it always seems that something comes through--and I always believe that it is because I allow God to deal with such matters.  It is just this reason that I was thrilled when given the chance to host Faith & Finance.


Jesus spoke about money and material possessions more than he talked about heaven, hell, or prayer. He noted the relationship between a man's heart and his wallet, warning, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be." This contemporary retelling of the Rich Young Ruler brings a fresh look at the relationship between a person's faith and their finances.


Within the pages of Faith & Finances: In God We Trust you'll find spiritual insight and practical advice from Christy award-winning writer Ann Tatlock, plus best-selling authors, Loree Lough, Yvonne Lehman, Virginia Smith, Irene Brand, DiAnn Mills, Miralee Ferrell, Shelby Rawson and many more.

Great faith calls us to trust God, not our wealth. Read how others have cast off the golden handcuffs and learned to live the abundant life Jesus promised in this contemporary retelling of the Rich Young Ruler. Faith & Finances: In God We Trust, A Journey to Financial Dependence - turning the hearts of a nation back toward God one paycheck at a time.


Over the next couple of days, I'll be sharing with you some excerpts from this book.  "Within the pages of Faith & Finances: In God We Trust you'll find spiritual insight and practical advice from Christy award-winning writer Ann Tatlock, plus best-selling authors, Loree Lough, Yvonne Lehman, Virginia Smith, Irene Brand, DiAnn Mills, Miralee Ferrell and Shelby Rawson, plue Jan Loy, Cindy Sproles: co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministry, Joanna Shumaker, Eddie Jones: three-time winner of the Delaware Christian Writers Conference, Sauni Rinehart, motivational speaker Sandy Bradshaw, Beverly Varnado: 2009 finalist for the Kairos Prize, Christian columnist Cindy Rooy, Candy Arrington: contributing writer for Focus on the Family’s Focus on Your Child, Phyllis Qualls Freeman: author of over two hundred fifty published devotionals, Sandra M. Hart, Leah Mix, Andrea Merrell, Danny Woodall: columnest for Christian Online Magazine, Jennifer Landsberger, David Loy, Pat Jeanne Davis, Kelli Regan, Kristi Buttles, Susan Dollyhigh, Tina Givens: marketing manager for the National Religious Broadcasting Network, David Stearman and Pat Davis

In these times of economic turmoil, it is comforting to know that we can spend our time concentrating on things other than money.  Please come back and enjoy the information over the next two days.

We invite you to learn more about Faith and Finances during April and May while they tour cyberspace. To find other tour stops, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/03/02/faith-finances/  For other details about the book or to get more information about Christian Devotions visit http://www.faithandfinances.us/ . The book is for sale at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982206542