tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post4819680666654565893..comments2023-09-22T11:19:12.904-05:00Comments on James and Holly Faske: CrossroadsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-39937612028162627752010-07-05T20:40:51.244-05:002010-07-05T20:40:51.244-05:00The endless collection of Hardy clothing hats, h...The endless collection of <b><a href="http://www.hardys-ed.com/" rel="nofollow">Hardy clothing</a></b> hats, hoodies, jeans and tees and long sleeved shirts is truly a sight to behold and a possession to boast about. While some clothing lines deliver style and fashion, <b><a href="http://www.hardys-ed.com/ed-hardy-womens/t-shirt" rel="nofollow">hardy shirt</a></b> Clothing goes beyond what its contemporaries can afford. 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This <b><a href="http://www.hogan-scarpe.it/hogan-scarpe-uomo.html" rel="nofollow">Hogan uomo</a></b> in the collar provides crucial protection and support to assist in avoiding injury.shoppingugghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04541343780686926562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-10374226337784640242010-03-14T15:29:58.890-05:002010-03-14T15:29:58.890-05:00Like we told you guys - it sounds like you're ...Like we told you guys - it sounds like you're thinking through the right elements with this decision. It is definitely tough to balance (1) paying off debt; (2) family planning; (3) proximity to family; (4) pursuing the type of mission you believe God has you on; (5) receiving proper training and/or engaging in specific kinds of mission before your life situation makes it harder for you to do so; etc...<br /><br />With that, I have a few thoughts on this after reading this post and the above comments. <br /><br />First, it sounds like you'll be chipping away at debt no matter what you do. The question is more of how long you are comfortable with it taking you to pay it off at this point. <br /><br />Second, though there is wisdom in buying a home as an investment, it may not ALWAYS be the wisest thing to do. It might make you a lot of money... or it might be a money pit. This is especially true over a short period of time (3 years, for instance); not to mention a short period of time when you'd be busy with classes in a discipleship program, engaging in ministry, possible mission trips (?), and working as much as possible to pay bills, pay off debt, etc. In this situation, there's not a lot of time and/or money to make many repairs, renovate, etc. So, you'd either end up cheating time out of your training program and ministry to work on your house (thereby not getting the full effect), or you won't have time to do anything at all with your house. This is all not to mention the hassle of dealing with realtors, showings, closing costs, maintenance costs, etc. Three years would be borderline for me to want to buy a house somewhere while trying to do a discipleship training program - unless I had a good deal of time/money to pour into it. I'm not saying it would be a bad decision, but just that I personally wouldn't always be comfortable with it.<br /><br />Third, you guys are in a unique situation with unique circumstances and a unique calling and unique goals as a couple. It is certainly wise to get counsel from friends, family, etc... but you'll obviously have to weigh all of this by what God is leading you to do and what seems to be most wise given your discussions as a couple. Sometimes God calls us to the unordinary or unpopular (see Wurmbrand, Elliot, Brainerd, et. al.) and sometimes He doesn't. Both are fine (unless, of course, you go the opposite way from where He's leading!). <br /><br />Finally, Proverbs 16:9 comes to mind: "A man makes his plans but the Lord directs his steps." It is good to come up with a game plan (as you guys are doing), but realizing that God will direct and lead you. Maybe the housing market will get better, maybe it won't. Maybe interest rates will go up, maybe they won't. Maybe you'd make money off buying a house and maybe you wouldn't. Maybe the government will extend the $8K house credit where you could get it later, maybe they won't. Maybe you'll be able to plan out when you start a family and maybe it will take you a while. And so on...<br /><br />Going off that thought - have you considered calling the folks at DL, MTI, BTCP, etc and asking them what your time with them would look like given your life/financial situation? Who knows - maybe one of them (or all of them) would say they'd rather you get out of debt first... or they might have some folks in mind who were in a similar situation with whom you could speak to get insight on what it might look like? I know DL won't accept you if it would mean you going further into debt... So, it might be good to run these thoughts by them. God may close doors or open opportunities you didn't even think of. <br /><br />Just my fallible, inexperienced, often-biased 2 cents. :)Jason Sevillehttp://www.jasonandkimseville.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-7662648685781824042010-03-08T07:19:04.525-06:002010-03-08T07:19:04.525-06:00One other thing Jame, I would like to tell you tha...One other thing Jame, I would like to tell you that I praise God for you and could not be happier that my son-in-law is at a crossroads deciding WHERE to serve God! I am so happy you are not a sil that is trying to decide which job will pay you more.... which will give you stock options.... which job you can climb the ladder the quickest! I pray the Lord will show you where HE wants you soon!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-13306160689527064432010-03-06T14:01:43.403-06:002010-03-06T14:01:43.403-06:00I am sure y'all are praying about this.... do...I am sure y'all are praying about this.... do you not feel like you are being led in any particular direction? Buying a home is an investment/debt... you are definitely NOT "paying" yourself each month.... sounds good but you are still "slave" to the bank. And even tho people say "this is going to happen or that is going to happen" with interest rates.... who knows for sure? No one. Your 22K you THINK you might get MIGHT NOT work out that way.... also don't forget, you'll be "buying" a lawn mower, weed eater, furniture to fill the house, decorations, frig, etc, etc..... oh don't forget the "window coverings"...... All that to say, I would love it if you stayed here.... BUT let God's wisdom lead you... not Obama's 8K incentive.<br />Have you sat down and put to paper how long it would take to pay off your debt if you stayed in an apt and put every penny to it? <br />Going to Memphis could be very good for y'all. Kim and Jason would be there and that could be nothing but good..... I get the impression you think being in the mission field makes you a "better" Christian because you HAVE to rely on GOD MORE.... I think you may be surprised if you get a house and do what you call "the american dream". This is a quote from Rise and Shine by Chuck Swindoll, "Generally speaking, there are 2 kinds of tests in life: adversity and prosperity. Of the two, the latter is the more dificult."<br />We love y'all and will continue to pray about your lives. Y'all just keep praying too!!!! Listen to Him. <br />By the way, where are you going to see Dave Ramsey?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-16300137661675790682010-03-05T15:44:18.471-06:002010-03-05T15:44:18.471-06:00As much as I would love to move to ATX, our jobs a...As much as I would love to move to ATX, our jobs are up here. Maybe one day.James Faskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09255265849804502350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-61760024315602990782010-03-05T14:55:26.054-06:002010-03-05T14:55:26.054-06:00Dave Ramsey considers a mortgage a wise investment...Dave Ramsey considers a mortgage a wise investment, not a debt (as in car loan, pool loan, credit cards.s.s.s.s.) With the help of Dave Ramsey and the blessings of the good Lord, my wife and I became debt free 18 months after the class (Financial Peace University-FPU) and have paid cash for everything since. We use a credit card for company expenses and pay it off monthly. <br />On another note, I want to be selfish and ask ya'll to move closer to Austin verses further away.... Buying a house now is a great investment...1. interest will go into double digits in the next 12-18 months-happens after every recession, 2. you have a good tax write of, 3. Texas will grow by 10 million people in the next 10 years, 4. houses are still below value in Texas, 5. the sense of ownership and utilizing good stewardship, one house at a time.<br /><br />Take it from your father, buy a house and enjoy it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-68082019542160397172010-03-05T08:24:23.062-06:002010-03-05T08:24:23.062-06:00I don't look at house buying as debt but an in...I don't look at house buying as debt but an investment. We will have to pay "rent" to someone whether it is to our landlord or to ourselves (if we buy). If we buy now, we get the $8000 to help pay off our school loans. If we choose to sell the house in 3 years (assuming we sell for the same price we bought) we will have made roughly $22000 in the process. Thoughts?<br /><br />BTW - we are seeing Dave Ramsey on the 13th!James Faskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09255265849804502350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3860407202123100383.post-77980668525967154632010-03-04T16:34:40.721-06:002010-03-04T16:34:40.721-06:00Depending on how much debt you have, live cheaply ...Depending on how much debt you have, live cheaply and pay it off. Graham and I had 25k in student loans when we got married. We paid it off in a year by just working and never spending money. Buying a house will put you more in debt (you will wind up wanting to pay off part of the mortgage with that 8k) - you don't want to have a house payment on top of having other debt to get rid of. <br /><br />And I can't believe I am saying this, I think Graham is finally rubbing off on me with this Dave Ramsey stuff.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12608961716877055927noreply@blogger.com