billions and a way to have your debt paid

One billion seconds ago. . .I was 18. I was just graduating from high school and we were planning our wedding . . .that young buck and I.

With all the discussions of the billions of dollars being spent north and south of the Canadian and American border. . and not trusting my own math skills. . .I found the information in the calculations below. . . its amazing what you can find. . .

1 min = 60 seconds 1 hour = 60 min = 60 x 60 seconds = 3,600 seconds 1 day = 24 hours = 24 x 3,600 seconds = 86,400 seconds 1 year = 365 days = 365 x 86,400 seconds = 31,536,000 seconds To get the number of years for 1,000,000,000 seconds, we just divide 1,000,000,000 by 31,536,000 It should give us : 1,000,000,000 / 31,536,000 = 31.71 years

One billion seconds ago. . .we were one and a half years away from purchasing our first home for $47,000. We carefully budgeted for those mortgage payments and calculated that it would take us the first 25 years of our marriage to pay off that 1050 square foot basement entry home with an unfinished basement.

Since that time we've taken on more debt and our original mortgage seems a dream. Though we may have tacked on a few more zeros to our debt. . .we still intend to pay it off before we retire. . .or get tired.

If a billion seconds ago .. .I was engaged to be married. . .What was happening a billion minutes ago? . . .A billion minutes ago was about 108 AD. .. . not that long after Jesus walked this earth. A billion hours ago. . .was 114,000 years ago. Let us not even bother with a billion hours ago. . .I am beginning to grasp that a "billion". . . . is much more than a million.

Now. ..far be it from me to consider myself an economist or a good "budgeter" for that matter. . .but how long .. .will it take Canada to pay off the $ 4o billion. .. or the new American government to pay off their $900 billion that they hope will stimulate our economies. The lamentable conclusion is seemingly insurmountable. . .

And this. . .my dear ones. . is why I will stick to the simple things that bring me joy. . .for if I think too hard. . . .it hurts my head.

Simply speaking. . .I trust in God. . .and it would bode you well to follow suit. . . Trusting on things of this earth. . .seems precarious at best. Even if the economy and the wise men of the day. . . realize they are in deep doo doo troubles. . . they seem to have no wise answers.

I believe that the Bible (that predicted terrible troubles on this earth would happen) . . . .is true .. . and I believe that even though many people have chosen to believe that one elected man. . .has the ability to bring hope . . . . I will continue to believe in my heart that the only hope that we have is Jesus Christ. . .who loves me. . .and you. . . and has already paid all your debts.

Celebrating my year of Jubilee. . . .I calculate that I have about 30 coherent years left on this earth. . .and that is likely being generous. . considering how I often forget my pin numbers. . .

Things of this earth will continue to grow strangely dim. . .but eternity will become brighter and brighter. . and I will have life after death. . . . . . . oh that you could would have that kind of hope. (side note here. . .when our youngest was in kindergarten. . .his teacher asked if I would please quickly scribe a note to send home with the children asking the mothers to send treats for a party. . .I wrote. . ."Could you please send treats?".. . .she corrected me saying that of course they "could". . .all bring treats. . .but "would" they?

A verse that in the the Bible. . .written not that much more than a billion minutes ago. .still has the hope now that it had back then. . .

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. . .that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. . .John 3:16

Will you please consider what I have said and take stock of what you believe. . .and the hope that your belief provides?

All for now. . .with love,

Comments

  1. Wow...all that thinking and figuring made my head hurt just a bit, as do the huge numbers of our nation's debt.

    I think it's interesting to see the word "hope" associated with the election of our newest president...and I can't help but wonder what it would be like for people to realize they should only place their hope in our Savior Jesus...and do so. Too many people are investing in the wrong things...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Math was not my speciality so I'm just taking your word for it on all those numbers!!

    It's a strange thing but PEI is one of the few places in the world where the economy actually grew last year. Curious eh?

    Speaking of dire times. Have you ever read about the business men prayer meetings that started in New York around 1857? Thousands of them came out for a noon prayer meeting. Do you know what got them out to pray? The collapse of the banking system. Those prayer meetings sparked the Great Awakening.

    Dark times are the best backdrop for His bright light. That's my hope and prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh amen and amen. It hurts my head when I think too hard too! Beautiful photos Lovella.
    I'm glad that our future is in His hands and we have Hope in Him! Blessings on your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Whoa...scary, isn't it? I read yesterday that it will be my great-great-great grandchildren who will still be saddled with this debt. That reminds me, I'm supposed to be calling my senators today...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh Lovella, If I were to look at what is in the bank account, and compare it to what is now "due" or "past due", I would not be able to sleep at night. Thank God that HE is more than enough, and we have put our trust in Him, and HIM alone.
    Blessings to you this bitterly cold morning!
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's all mind-boggling...but not hopeless! Thanks for encouraging us all to focus on 'what matters most'...even in desperate times!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Math hurts my brain too, but that was so interesting...makes you sound so old! As for the economic situation of our times...YICKS! My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. I know we both believe this. Enjoy the day. Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  8. I loved that photo of the tulips in the snow the first time you posted it, and really enjoyed seeing it again today. Thanks for sharing it! It's a great composition!

    Lori T

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh girl, you have deep thoughts here first thing in the morning . . . but so wise... how does that song go? . ..the wise man built his house upon the rock . . . Jesus is our Rock... can't trust in anything else.

    ReplyDelete
  10. all those numbers, made me dizzy!
    thankyou for reminding us all we have a God in whom we can place our HOPE!
    love the tulips and the snow...beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't read the paper much but the past couple of days I've read some articles and I asked The Professor this morning, "Are the newspapers and telecast news reporting all the worst news? And it is really that bad?" His answer was "Yes, and almost." I can't fathom it all. I just want to quietly go about my business, teaching (if I continue to have a teaching job) and caring for my family. My trust isn't in this world anyway and this world is pretty messed up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're on the right track, Lovella; don't even think of debt! At least not the government's debt. Thank you for this beautiful post. Where would we be without Christ? I'm glad our hope is in Him!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Lovella...you make me laugh. And then I read down through all the comments and I was nearly roaring with laughter. NOT that the subject matter was any laughing matter....but it is just you..grin. You are such a deep thinker sometimes that you get us all riddled...math of all things...you are nuts! Only you could bring something like that into a post and make it meaningful on such a deeper level.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love your blog and visit it regularly. It is refreshing and inspiring to read your posts, view your beautiful pictures and ponder your words of wisdom. My heart is encouraged to hear others say what I believe also...my hope lies in my savior, Jesus Christ. Many blessings to you Lovella and your family.
    Carmen from Michigan

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh Lovella I started to read those numbers and my head ached with yours! And math was never my strong point in school.
    How wonderful that we have our hope in Jesus Christ..John 3:16 says it all..

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great post! thank you for speaking the truth. Putting our hope in anything other than God is idol worship.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a great post. One of only a few I have read in the past few months that put the economic castastrope of the bailouts in clear focus. I feel so alone...it's like NO one I know in my circle will acknowledge how grim it is. In my 50 some years I have never seen anything like this...the psychology of this. So many are just burying their heads in the sand. All my family has is Christ to look to. Jesus Christ is our HOPE. I weep thinking my great great grandchildren will inherit the stupidity of this. What numerical digit comes after 999 trillion?

    ReplyDelete
  18. AMEN Lovella! On CHRIST the solid rock we stand. JESUS is our Hope.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, MY....all those numbers can be so intimidating! But I also remember that He Who created me thinks about me that many times a day and has even counted the hairs on my head!
    Thank you for the reminder of Who really is our Hope!
    Blessings~ Carolyne

    ReplyDelete
  20. I LOVED this post, Lovella !! One of your best ! and I say a big hearty AMEN !!
    As you mentioned the billion seconds ago that you were 18..the first thought that hit me was that is was impossible for countries to pay off their national debt!

    But of course you conclusions are exactly right! God owns ALL the silver and the gold and one day soon He'll recall it all back into His possession and He will make all things new and beautiful! May we all be ready!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I add my AMEN to all the others! Thanks for doing the mathematical research for us...it is mind boggling for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  22. That was extremely well put. I am dumbfounded by what is going on in my country...I can't quite believe what I am seeing. Or like you cannot imagine what or all the mess will really mean.

    And like you my real hope is in our King of Kings.

    Folks will be looking to people like you who have the Truth and the Light shining through you. What a beacon you are.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a beautiful and simply encouraging post! Thank you, Lovella.

    ReplyDelete
  24. As your American neighbor ...I agree wholeheartedly with you....thank you for your post! I too only trust in God. He is our hope.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you!