Money, Money, Money - It's not Funny
"I went into town the other day", the stand up comic begins,
"and all I wanted was a toaster". "When I got to the shop,
however, they had a special on - and they threw in a free bank!" I know
what ABBA said, but if life is funny in a rich man's world, then I
don't think many of us are laughing at the moment. The credit crunch has
really shaken our confidence in all sorts of institutions, and that in turn has
caused us to wonder what the future is likely to hold for our work, for our
pensions and for our families.
Many people are talking about the rights and wrongs in all of this, but for others the highest priority is dealing with the challenges that face them right now. If you fall into that category then perhaps the "Money Secret" is something you would be interested in. Produced initially as a book, written by Rob Parsons, the blurb says it helps you to: face your financial fears, regain control of your finances, and discover the secrets to debt-free living.
Whilst you might like to invest in the book - I've seen it available online second-hand for less than a pound (ISBN 978-0340862773 RRP £6.99) - a recommended way to benefit from the material is to get together with others facing similar challenges. It can be very lonely dealing with financial pressures, but talking with others in the same situation can be a real help. At Lode Chapel we have access to the "Money Secret" in a format specially designed for a small group setting and we would be happy to co-ordinate a local group or two if that would be helpful. Do contact me (details below) if you would like more information, or are interested in working through the material.
Of course, if your financial situation needs urgent expert help, then there are other local services that it would be appropriate for you to contact.
- Cambridge Citizen's Advice Bureau: www.cambridgecab.org.uk Tel: 0844 848 7979
- Cambridge Money Advice Centre: www.mac-cambridge.org.uk Tel: 01223 727 455
One more thing..
Have you ever wondered what goes on in a Baptist church? We've recently posted a video on our website which is a clip from a recent baptismal service. We have special thanksgiving services for babies, but wait until people are old enough to make their own decision about the Christian faith before baptism takes place. Three of our young people made got baptised in October - visit www.lodechapel.org.uk to see them getting very wet!