"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the
cost, whether he has enough to finish it--lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is
not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying 'This man began to build
and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going to make war against another king,
does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him
who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great
way off, he sends a delegation and asks for conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever
of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:28-33)

We must all make difficult choices and difficult decisions when it comes to utilizing our
limited resources. We might want to live in a luxurious country estate but we settle for a
modest family home in the suburbs or rent a small apartment in town because it is all that we
can afford. We might like to drive a Rolls Royce but we purchase a small economy car so
we can pay for the gas to drive it at the local gas station. We might like to wear the latest
designer gown with matching jewels and accessories for that special evening out but we drag
out that same ole same ole hanging in our closet and opt for an evening at the local pizza
parlor with friends or family instead of attending that gala high society ball because there is
not much left in our checking account after the monthly bills have been paid. We might like
to become part of the jet-set group traveling abroad to view the world's wonders but we take
a day trip to a near-by state park to pick wildflowers, hike a nature trail, or collect pine
cones that have fallen from spruce trees so we can live within our means. We might like to
visit every well-known health-care specialist and try every cutting edge treatment but we
visit our regular physician once a year for a check-up so we can afford to renew our regular
prescriptions at our local pharmacy. We might like to have crowns and root canals on all of
our teeth so we can eat all the candy and junk that we please but our sensibility dawns and
we realize that good dental health requires good nutrition, regular brushing and flossing, and
yearly check ups so we can repair cavities while they are still small. We settle for getting a
bad tooth extracted and think about saving for a replacement tooth someday so we can meet
our many other pressing needs. We learn the hard lesson time and again of an "ounce of
prevention is worth a pond of cure."

As difficult as it is to make choices and decisions about our own individual lives, it is
especially difficult to make choices and decisions about how to best help others. Especially
when it comes to helping those we love and care about. Parents must weigh whether it is best
to pay for dancing lessons for Chloe or football fees for Taylor. Should Ashley get singing
lessons or should Matt get that senior trip to Paris?  Even more difficult, should Jean get
braces for her teeth or should Danny get a new power wheelchair so he can keep up with his
friends? Should relatives pay for mom to get surgery or should they spring for dad to get
weekly counseling so he can resolve anger issues that stem from childhood trauma that
threaten job stability and disrupt family harmony? Should elderly grandma be cared for at
home or in assisted living and who is going to pay?

Employers too must make difficult choices and decisions about how to best help their
employees and still maintain a viable business. Employers must set fair wage scales, pay for
employee health insurance and other benefits, distribute bonuses, provide trainings, and
motivate employees so they can excel.

Local, state, and federal governments must also make difficult decisions about how to help
citizens. Our elected officials must decide whether they will help the rich, the poor, or the
middle class. Should money be spent on warfare or social welfare? Our leaders must decide
who is most needy and who is most worthy of help. Should food surplus be sent overseas or
used to stock local food pantries?

Churches too must make difficult choices and decisions about how to best help the body of
Christ. Does charity begin at home or in foreign lands?  Does the congregation build houses
in Mexico or for Habitat for Humanity in the good old US of A?

It staggers the mind and intellect to think of the many ways we could use our limited
resources. How do we best affect the greatest good for the greatest many? What is the best
way to put Christian principles into action? As disciples, how do we each forsake all that we
have to follow Jesus when we live in a modern complex society? Surely, our best answers to
such difficult questions can only be found in daily prayer, meditation, and communion with
God. That does not mean that we should not use our intellect to gather the facts and needed
information regarding our concerns but it does mean that we should always turn to God
when facing difficult choices and when making difficult decisions.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during your trials as well as during your celebrations.
May God Bless You Always with good health and abundance, Sharen

Hi bro & God bless ! Hope all is well with you today in the Lord ! Saw your profile and want to add you as a friend. Pray for us as we pray for you, k ? Peace ! JIMMY

happy new year too! God bless!

Welcome to Faithlight Michael. Have a good time here & God Bless!