tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post7060492150765511570..comments2023-03-31T05:46:40.000-04:00Comments on Jennwith2ns: Beyond SettlingJennwith2nshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07798541847458334716noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post-66124254978170987392009-11-02T09:46:22.479-05:002009-11-02T09:46:22.479-05:00Jenn... I'm dying of suspense! Did you end up ...Jenn... I'm dying of suspense! Did you end up getting the new car!? :-)Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908273745899230162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post-53267370861447478032009-11-01T09:50:22.480-05:002009-11-01T09:50:22.480-05:00Since you asked. Here are a few of my collected o...Since you asked. Here are a few of my collected opinions.<br /><br />First, just as practical point, $202 is the same as $200...it really is. Don't say it's not, because it is. ($198 is also the same as $200, isn't it? Of course it is.) <br /><br />More to the point, you NEED a good car, do you not? Not just want, but NEED. And there would be nothing wrong with wanting one, for that matter, if your want is well-founded and reasonable. It is clear that you work hard at being fiscally responsible with the resources the Lord has provided you. <br /><br />As odious as the prosperity gospel is, I believe it is also wrong to foster what our pentecostal brethren call "a spirit of poverty," which, among other things, reduces God into a mizerly skinflint...not the generous, caring Father who takes joy in giving blessing and <i>in equipping His children to do His work</i>. <br /><br />God is not our sugardaddy, but He is by no means a penny-pinching killjoy, either. The parable of the talents is highly instructive in this whole area, I think. Could it be that you've been faithful with the two talents and so the Lord is now giving you more? To not carefully consider that possibility, that likelihood in this context, is to underestimate God's faithfulness and generosity.<br /><br />As faithful as the Corolla has been, I can hear the death-rattle wheeze from here, several states away. Not only that, it's obviously not been cheap to keep it limping along the last couple of years. It's on life-support now. Give it up and let it die in peace.<br /><br />The Nissan is an investment in your safety and your future. It is an opportunity to enjoy a few years of reliable, comfortable, and enjoyable transportation. (It pleases the Lord when we ENJOY the blessings He gives us.) It is certainly a good enough car that it may allow the Lord to open up for you new opportunities for service and personal growth for which you have simply not been eligible with Old Faithful.<br /><br />Buy the car. My advice is to be grateful and don't look back, except to wave goodbye to the Corolla in the rearview mirror one last time.Barry Pikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00417162275834989021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post-33724377976126060542009-10-31T16:03:49.043-04:002009-10-31T16:03:49.043-04:00OK, I'll chime in from out in left field. (Mr....OK, I'll chime in from out in left field. (Mr. Practicality here.) The only thing better than a Nissan Altima is a Honda Civic or Accord. Those Nissan's go forever! Yer Corolla was a good choice, but nothing beats a Honda! So from a stewardship angle, you are 9 on a 10 scale imho.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10566026887728234816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post-67440197675186627982009-10-31T10:40:05.276-04:002009-10-31T10:40:05.276-04:00Have you checked with your auto insurance company?...Have you checked with your auto insurance company? We were shocked to find out that State Farm had a bank that gave us a MUCH better deal than the car dealership could do. Also, this is just my opinion, but if it really is just a difference $2 a month, I would go for it! Finding a car is hard, and cutting your grocery budget by $2 a month wouldn't be too hard. Good luck and keep us posted! =)Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908273745899230162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post-51712317628268093672009-10-31T09:59:52.958-04:002009-10-31T09:59:52.958-04:00Good point. And yes, I kind of have looked at it t...Good point. And yes, I kind of have looked at it that way. But it's a good reminder. ;) Still not sure what to do about financing . . .Jennwith2nshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07798541847458334716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33549841.post-29833048139032581812009-10-31T09:50:44.020-04:002009-10-31T09:50:44.020-04:00I don't know if this makes it easier... in fac...I don't know if this makes it easier... in fact, you've probably looked at it this way already.<br /><br />But as I was reading your attempts to avoid the prosperity gospel's knuckleheadedness, it occured to me:<br /><br />My kids could say "I want candy for dinner." They could ask about it all day and all night. If I presented them with a well balanced meal at dinner time, they could take away the lesson "Dad doesn't care about me." or "Dad is not powerful enough to give me what I want." Of course both of these things are dead wrong. <br /><br />I guess my point is "Yes, God could deliver a car for the amount you've asked." But if God doesn't, it's not a reflection of his love or power.Jeffhttp://jeffsdeepthoughts.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com