Tag Archives: accumulating debt

Throwing in the Towel or Giving A Broken Dream Another Shot?

Every now and then, something on television will speak to me.  Such was the case during Friday Night’s Season finale of Gold Rush Season 5.  During a behind the scenes interview, Todd Hoffman, founder of 316 Mining, decided to quit after an epic failure in 2013.  Seeping further into depression brought on by accumulating debt, his wife reached out to Todd’s father and local church pastor.  Resigned to seek another profession in life, Todd began volunteering to build a new church.  As this project began to take shape,  Jack Hoffman and Pastor Mike challenged Todd, “are you going to throw in the towel or give your dream of mining another shot?”

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.- Romans 5:3-5

Unfortunately, most ambitious entrepreneurs usually give up after a couple of failed attempts.  The thought of another rejection is too much for a fragile heart to handle.  Yet, if great inventors of the past possessed this same mentality, several of the modern luxuries society enjoys today would not exist.  Perseverance is a difficult trait to hang on to when your present situation doesn’t show any signs of progress.  Thus, when the urge to bow out enters your mind, remember the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:6, God will finish the work that He began in you.

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:4-6

As an inspiring writer, I know I have the talent, but I’m not sure if I have the faith to overcome any more disappointment.  With the rough draft of second movie now complete, the editing process makes me feel like Todd Hoffman, not sure if the countless hours I have invested is worth continuing.  Yet, deep down, I hear a voice telling me to weather the storm, fight through temptation and carry this project to the finish line.  Although I’m not sure what the outcome will be, I’d rather give my broken dream another shot rather than wondering what might have been.  Join me in this journey!

by Jay Mankus

 

Forgotten Prosperity

At church last Sunday, I heard a verse from the Bible that struck a nerve.  When reality hits home, its hard to ignore, especially when a verse sums up the last 15 years of your life.  Lamentations 3:17 references Jeremiah, who is speaking a message to Israel given to him by the Lord.  In essence, God’s chosen people had forgotten what is was like to experience prosperity during their years of exile.

As for me, I moved to Delaware a wealthy man, at least in my own eyes.  Wise investments after getting married resulted in enough money to pay for our first house in cash.  However, being told to rely on first time home buyer tax breaks, my wife and I decided to save most of this for the future.  Unfortunately, when many of the .com companies went belly up in 2000, I lost nearly $65,000 dollars in the stock market.  With this slush fund basically gone, the hits kept coming as my teaching salary wasn’t enough to support a family, losing on average of $2000 a year.  Thus, our savings account quickly became an accumulating debt which has taken a toll on both of us, sending my family into our own sort of financial exile.

However, if you’ve never had a bad day in life, you won’t be able to appreciate the good ones.  Thus, the James 1:2-4 principle applies to forgotten prosperity.  When your money is gone, God is a last resort, a crutch to help you stand back up.  I wish the last 15 years had a different ending, but for now what’s done is done.  The hard part is moving on, swallowing your pride and trusting God for daily bread, Matthew 6:11.  I’m not sure what God has planned, yet it’s never too late to pray for a Job like conclusion, Job 42:12-15.  Go with God and God will go with you!

by Jay Mankus