Unemployment and Faith

In this article from the August issue of the Ensign, A. Brent Hammond writes about how he and his wife got through unemployment. Things eventually worked out for them, and they managed to do a lot of good in the process.

Faith in the Face of Adversity

What Does It Mean to Be Self-Reliant?

This blog focuses most on managing your money wisely, but there is a lot more to being self-reliant than just spending less than you earn.

My friend Molly writes a great summary of self-reliance in the latest post to her blog Naturally Molly.

Read it.

Are They Really Necessities?

In the spirit of John Bytheway (I've never been to one of his firesides, but I have listened to a talk or two, and read one of his books, and Julianne repeats his stories from time to time), I decided to give up electronic entertainment for 30 days. For me, electronic entertainment means:

1. Computer games (not very hard, I play them a couple times a month at most)
2. Television
3. Internet surfing, especially online news

I only watch television with Julianne, who enjoys it more than I do. Thus, I need to find good activities to fill up the time instead with her!

I love reading the news online, and this is the main reason I decided to set the goal. I want to see how different my life is if I cut that out completely. Besides my work, online news is the primary use I make of the computer.

This is basically an experiment to see how it affects my performance at work, my relationship with my family, and my progress with my other goals.

Recreation and relaxation are important, but I want to find out if my level and type of recreation was the best choice! I'll post here about how it turns out.

John Bytheway posted the chapter from his book about this:

Thirty Days, That's All We Ask

PS I am cheating a little bit - I still listen to music on the computer and radio, and I read the comics that my wife has automatically update as her background. I figured those were fair concessions, since I don't think either of them really cuts into my productivity.

Paid Clergy

Is it OK for a Pastor to Earn 600k a Year?
Who Should Know How Much a Pastor Makes?

Interesting articles - it makes one glad to be LDS and not have to worry about that.

I know that their are many salaried pastors who preach for the right reasons, and have the difficult stress of needing to raise enough money to keep their churches healthy (or the blessing of having enough and being able to contribute the remainder to worthy causes). But for those preaching for "filthy lucre", I suppose they "have their reward."

It is very important in our own financial lives that we have the right motivations - supporting our family, preparing for the future, and contributing to those worthy causes. Otherwise, we will have no more real reward for our efforts than those who preach to get gain.

Bad Goals

For we brought anothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.   1 Timothy 6:9

I found this on Get Rich Slowly - I've found enough good stuff on this blog that I figured I'd better put a link to it on the side.

Achieving Fame, Wealth, and Beauty are Psychological Dead Ends, Study Says

Here's an old article from the Liahona that also discusses the dangers of making wealth our goal:

All That Glitters is not Celestial