BY RAY HODGES

Every day, between 6,000 and 7,000 people die in the US. Over 110 die in fatal car accidents per day. No one ever thinks it’s going to be their turn, but when it happens unexpectedly, the emotional damage is usually compounded by financial damage.

Sympathetic for 30 seconds after you share that your spouse died, the mortgagee still wants the payment. The funeral director patiently waits until you wipe your tears to find out how he is going to get paid. No time to mourn. Everything is due. I have lived this scenario and far too many will experience this outcome. As a mortgage/retirement protection specialist, I recommend the following options:

Fair option – Final Expense Policy – pays for burial and incidentals; your family won’t have to “pass the hat” to bury you

Good option – Term Insurance Policy – use this policy to pay off the mortgage, most people’s largest expense

Best option - Universal Life Insurance Policy – permanent policy large enough to bury you and pay off your mortgage; it covers you at least until 120 years of age; provides cash accumulation.

Call or email me to discuss how to best protect your family.

Love them? Protect them. 214-675-2952 • ray@rayhodges.biz

In our study of inspiring bible characters, we examine The Wife of Noble Character. Because of the difficult state of many marriages today, it is necessary that we say something that might inspire both husband and wife. While this particular passage of scripture we will study focuses on the role of the wife, we shall also look briefly at instructions the Bible offers for the husband.

Click here for Flash version or here for PDF of this week’s lesson.

The Wife of Noble Character
•Proverbs 31: 10-12
–The Bible is telling us that it is difficult to find a wife of noble character and that if found, she is worth far more than rubies.
–Her husband has full confidence in her. He knows she has dedicated herself to him and no other man. He believes in her and he lacks nothing of value because she makes sure he is taken care of.
– She brings him good, not harm. The noble wife is good for her husband. She is of help to him and he benefits from her presence in his life.

She is respected and praised…
•Proverbs 31: 28-31
–Her children and husband respect and praise her because of her character and work ethic.
–She fears the Lord. She is a Godly woman.
– She is to be honored and rewarded for the type of woman she is.

The Husband
•Ephesians 5: 25-33
–The Husband must love the wife as he loves himself. He must take care of her in the way he should take care of himself and his own body.
–He must love his wife so much that he is willing to give himself up (die) for her as Christ gave himself up for the Church.

How God intended it to be…

•The Husband loves his wife as he loves himself. He provides for her in a way that he should provide and care for himself. He loves her so much that he would die for her.
•In return, the wife feels loved and appreciated by her husband. She, then, reciprocates by being the best wife she can be to this man who adores her. She works hard to fulfill the role of The Wife of Noble Character.
•Because of her dedication to the family and to the Lord, she is respected and praised.

Click here to read the entire lesson

Philip was one of seven men chosen by the (Jewish People) to handle certain leadership duties while the twelve disciples focused on spreading the Gospel (Acts 6: 3-4). Philip and his counterparts were full of the Spirit and had great wisdom (Acts 6: 5).
In this lesson of inspiring bible characters, we will see how one man can have a great impact on the lives of others. Hopefully, through Philip, we will see how we, too, can do something powerful in the name of God.

Philip spreads the Gospel
•Acts 8: 4-8
–The Bible says that Philip proclaimed Christ. Philip’s dedication to Christ and His Word is an example for us to follow. Do you proclaim Christ to others? What are some ways that you can personally spread the news of Jesus Christ to those you come in contact with?
–Philip ministered to the needs of the people and they were healed. We all know people who are hurting and in need. We have frequent opportunities to assist those who need our help. You can be a listening ear to someone who is dealing with a life crisis, give Godly advice to a loved one, or pray for someone in need. There are a number of ways that you can help another person, relieve their pain and help them find joy once again.

Philip and the Eunuch Cross Paths…
•Acts 8: 26-29
–From scripture, it appears that the angel of the Lord arranged this meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
–Question for Thought: Who has the Lord “arranged” for you to cross paths with? What is the Spirit of God telling you to do about them?
•Acts 8: 30-35
–The Ethiopian eunuch is seeking knowledge about the Lord. He’s been to worship, he’s reading God’s Word, but he needs help to understand it.
–Philip is obedient to the Spirit of God and shares with the eunuch the good news about Jesus.
Philip baptizes the Eunuch

Steps Leading to Baptism

•Hear the Word
–Romans 10: 14

•Believe that Christ is the Son of God
-Hebrews 11: 6

•Repent of Your Sins
–Acts 3: 19

•Confess before men that you believe
–Matthew 10: 32

•Be Baptized for the forgiveness of your sins
–Acts 2: 38

Thanks to BibleLessonConnection.com for being a Dallas South Community Supporter.

Keeping your stuff is probably important to you. Faced with financial obligations that you are unable to pay, understanding the exemptions available in bankruptcy can help you take steps to preserve as many of your belongings as possible in a chapter 7 bankruptcy case.

In the State of Texas, both federal and state bankruptcy exemptions are available for those filing bankruptcy. There are some limits on certain exemptions such as equity that you have in a home or in a vehicle.

The law office of Robert A. Higgins and Associates, with convenient locations in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex has offered assistance to hundreds of clients looking for a way out of debt. Below is a brief summary of the exemptions available to those who file bankruptcy in Texas.

Homestead: Unlimited, although, property cannot exceed 10 acres in town, village, city, or 100 acres elsewhere (200 per family). Sale proceeds exempt for 6 months after sale.

Pensions: Tax-exempt retirement accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs to $1,095,000 per person, and virtually all pension and survivor’s benefits.

Insurance: Most life, health, accident or annuity benefits, monies, policy proceeds and cash value, due or paid to beneficiary or insured.

Miscellaneous: Property of business partnership; alimony and child support; higher education savings plan trust account; liquor licenses and permits

Personal Property: Includes items up to $60,000 in value for family, or $30,000 for single adult.

Public Benefits: Unemployment compensation; Workers’ compensation; Crime victims’ compensation; Medical assistance; and Public assistance

Tools of Trade: Tools, books, equipment and boat or motor vehicle used in trade, farming or ranching vehicles and implements

Wages: Earned but unpaid wages and unpaid commissions not to exceed 25% of total personal property exemptions

In a chapter 7 bankruptcy case the debtor is required to turn over to the trustee only the nonexempt money or property that he or she possessed at the time the case was filed. Since many nonexempt assets are liquid in nature and tend to vary in size or amount from day to day, it is wise for the debtor to engage in some negative estate planning. With the help of a qualified Texas bankruptcy lawyer, a debtor can legally minimize the value or amount of these liquid assets on the day and hour that the chapter 7 bankruptcy case is filed.

Contact us at Higgins and Associates for help and information regarding your Dallas or Fort Worth bankruptcy options.

About the Guest Blogger:
Rob Beard is a staff writer for Higgins and Associates. He specializes in legal and financial topics such as Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Law.

Listen to the interview with Carl Carey below.

BY BIBLECONNECTION.COM

Seeking a Breakthrough…

Welcome to our new bible series entitled, Inspiring Bible Characters. Our goal for the next eight weeks is to gain inspiration from several men and women who we meet in scripture. To set up this series of lessons, I want us to first examine our own lives.

While we have much to be thankful for, most of us are still grappling with things that cause us unrest. For our first lesson, I want to study what it means to arrive at a place of being at peace about whatever has been distressing you. Overcoming that personal distress is commonly referred to as having a breakthrough.

I truly hope that as you identify the changes you want to make in your life that you will then be inspired by our bible characters; and ultimately have a breakthrough of your own this year.

Have you been dealing with a particular situation that has caused you unrest for a long period of time?

• What are some of the issues that we deal with on a long-term basis?

Some of the Things that Cause You Unrest…
•Financial problems
•Marital problems
•Lack of progress in one’s life (stuck in a rut)
•Family issues
•Stress on the job
•Issues with Self
•Relationship issues
•Past Hurts
•Grieving
•Physical health
•Emotional health
•Living in Sin
•An unmet desire or need

Did you know that sometimes the answer to our problem exists, but like in science, we just haven’t discovered it yet…
Some of our problems are complex and difficult for us to solve, but in Christ, we have the answer…

To view this lesson in its entirety, click here.

1360 AM Rational Radio gave away President Obama door prizes as well. Here are some pictures from the event held in the South Side on Lamar Blue Room.

These are tough economic times that we find ourselves in, and many of us are weighing all of our options. Those who find themselves mired in a Dallas Bankruptcy may want to turn to Robert A. Higgins & Associates. Robert A. Higgins & Associates is a full service bankruptcy law firm that can help you navigate the bankruptcy process.

Folks looking for a Dallas Bankruptcy Attorney should look no further than Robert A. Higgins & Associates. If you you are considering Chapter 13 Bankruptcy or Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Contact Them today.

They offer free consultations for all new clients, and their law offices are conveniently located in Hurst (Northeast Tarrant County) and Benbrook (Southwest Fort Worth).

Folks outside of North Texas going through a Texas Bankruptcy can also call on Robert A. Higgins & Associates. They will help you by referring you to a quality Bankruptcy Attorney in your area.

Robert A Higgins & Associates is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Call right now! 1-800-876-0495

I would like to thank Robert A. Higgins & Associates for being a Dallas South community supporter.