Coveting prayer for discernment

[Doc Nock]

As we age, things in life change-- like priorities.

I"m not inclined to give a flip about what I drive at this juncture, but I have a delemma and seek your prayers for insight.

I have a 03' F150 4x4 with a 150K on it that is now requiring more frequent and sometimes costly repairs.

I have an 06' Small SUV with 102K on it. At this point in retirement nearing age 70, I wish to not hassle with repairs and such.  Finding good repair persons is more problematic in an area where you moved recently.

I am sitting waiting on a call from a tranny shop regarding repairs to get the truck running again...

I have to fix it to keep or sell, so not sure what to do longer term... Trade both, buy new or inherit someone else's problems in another newer used vehicle?

Small matter to most perhaps but without a pension and just S/S monthly, I'm a bit apprehensive.  I don't really need a truck, but tried to keep it on the road in CASE I found a place to hunt or such here in my adoptive state..A race between aging body parts and learning access to hunting.

I suppose a good SUV with one of those receiver hitch baskets on it would haul dead critter should that ever arise without having bugs and ticks and stuff crawl off a dead carcass into the cockpit of the SUV...

Anyway, Lord doesn't care what we drive I'm sure, but I don't want to end up in something I don't need or use well, but reducing my potential for heart ache, repairs, maintaining decent gas mileage and keeping payments modest is a major issue.

Thanks for your prayers!

[BenBow]

Praying for wisdom discernment and God's provision for you brother

[Doc Nock]

Thank you, Galen... it means a lot as this moves forward...

[BenBow]

Remember He said in the Lord's prayer to pray that His will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. There's no sin, sickness, lack, death, or depression in Heaven so you know what His will is for you now. He wants the best for and to bless you. He has opened the windows of Heaven to pour out His blessings on you. Keep your faith positive.

[Doc Nock]

That's an encouraging thought, Galen...Never quite heard it put that way before.

I'll think and ruminate on that one!    

[Keefer]

Doc,
 God knows your concern and need and keep your Faith that He has already put His plan in action on what you need to do.
 I have seen God put folks in one's path that can  
repair the problem and has already set the stage so to speak on what direction one must take to solve something that concerns us.
 He knows you have to handle your money "Wisely" and when S.S is all one has to live on that person has to watch their budget wisely and not foolishly waste it .
 Now here is a little "God Wink" as I call it that tell's me God works in ways we can't quite see till the deed has been done.
 About 3 months ago my wife's Transmission sprung a serious leak in a transmission line after having one those fast service company's change her oil. I said funny this just happened as they changed your oil.
 They gave her a quote it will be well over $500.00 to replace and repair the leak.
 I said to her let's see what Richard can do it for!
 Richard is a tranny guy and a senior Deacon in our Church.
 Richard said bring it over and take my Yukon till I'm done.
 About three days later He said I got it fixed for you.
 So we went over he showed me a crack in the old line and he ordered new ones and put them in.
 I said Richard let me know the cost and we will pay you this week when I get my check.
 I had to ask him 5 times Please let me know what we owe you and he said this.
 You guys don't worry about it I'm o.k. and I know what it's like raising children living week by week on a paycheck.
 He just smiled and said he's good.
 Later I found out He has done this for many folks in our Church and I call that a "God Wink"!
 I have seen God do so much for His children We can't out do God when we submit our all to Him.
 Doc He know's your need and I'm praying a "God Wink" comes your way brother.
 I will ask Him to put one in your path!

[Doc Nock]

What a Great Story of God's fortune coming your way...

I've had some folks, some even here, tell me that if those things don't come my way regularly, then I'm not living close enough to the Lord.

it's too easy to judge other's results from/in life, as a measure of God's benevolence, but He's been there in big ways in big troubles.... just not always on the pesky ones.

That is one blessed man who did that for you at your church... "God Wink" I like that!  

Thanks for your witness and your encouragement and prayers!

[BenBow]

AMEN Keefer  

[Keefer]

Richard and his wife "Brenda" are pure examples of God's children and how we should all treat each other .
 I'm sure they have earned many "Crowns" in heaven and I know they will lay those "Crowns" back at Jesus feet.
 He is the kind of person who doesn't tell his left hand what his right hand has done for folks.
 Another example is about 4 weeks ago his son picked up this black man who hitched hiked to work each day and Richard's son said "Dad" he is trying to make enough money to buy a vehicle so he doesn't have to keep walking in the rain or heat of day.
 Richard said I want you to take this explorer 4x4 that I have and it is well cared for and go give it to him and I'll sign the title over .
 If that ain't a "God Wink" I don't know how to convince you that they show up when you least expect it.
 I saw a picture of the man standing by that explorer and it made me almost cry and I had tears I was holding back knowing that God is showing us His Holy Spirit is definitely  with us as Jesus said He would do.
 Seeing these "God Winks" let's me know He is with us If we just look and take notice .
 Now I knew Richard since I was a kid and he used to race cars but went to school with my sister. In 1974 Richard worked for a service station and was on recker duty to pick up any accident or totaled vehicles.
 On November 18th 1974 I was just 11 years old and Richard was on call to pick up a vehicle.
 That vehicle was my oldest brother named Mike.
 Mike was racing a fella named Dickie Harman and Mike lost control hit a ditch then a tree at a high rate of speed.
 Mike ,his friends, Ricky and Phil all were killed that Nov. night and was my brothers fault.
 Richard had to go and clear the scene and take my brothers car to the service center and lock what was left of the car in their lot behind a chain Link fence.
 I went with my grandmother while we looked at the car and I sat inside the car and picked up a few pieces of the windshield and could see blood and my brothers dark black hair in some of it.
 I loved my oldest brother even when he tormented the crap out of me lol.
 My tail end still remembers the pellet from the Crossman air rifle and the Barlow knife he gave me to keep my mouth shut.
 Anyway Richard remembers that fatal night and that was 43 years ago.
 God put's folks in our paths Doc and and I would of never knew I would be going to the same Church Richard attends but God surely knew.  

[Doc Nock]

PEople like Richard it doesn't matter where they go to church... Going to church doesn't make you a believer anymore then standing in your garage makes you the family auto!

People like him are too few.  Great uplifting stories there Keith, thanks for sharing them...

My situation promises to be a bit gnarly... I spoke to the Tranny dude and there is many convoluted possibilities in this mess of mine...

Only time will tell.  May have to junk the ride and loose it all... We will see!

Again, thanks for sharin that uplifting tale of the goodness of Richard the Lion-hearted!  Sorry to read about that tragedy in your life at such a young age, but risks have costs at times and we can too easily think we're invincible when we're young...Lord sho' nuff protected me a lot during those formative years...    

[amicus]

prayers sent.

The SUV is probably better on gas and a comfortable drive. Im a Ford fan but my wife drove a Chevy suv for the longest time and she loved it. A cargo basket will work but also a game/body bag will keep the SUV clean.

I had a Friend of mine that drove an older f150 and had the dealer install a new motor and tranny with a 3 year warranty and it was pretty reasonable. Just another option.

Take care

Gilbert

[Doc Nock]

There have been just too many things going South on this 2003 F150 all of a quick sudden. I've lost confidence.

One friend suggests new (Ayeeeee!) but with a mandatory extended warranty..they can be a pill to get pay off from tales 've heard!

My thinking runs toward the SUV and Cargo basket but the game bag would work... but then again, I don't want dead critters turning loose a bunch of bugs in my cockpit area!

I guess some of those bags are full zippered and water/blood proof?

[Keefer]

   Bicycle (3 wheeler)  and sled to pull carcass!
 Total about $275.99 +/- a few $$$!
 At your age exercise will do ya good and some come with the basket attachment.    :rolleyes:    

P.S. Ain't I a Stinker ?  

[Doc Nock]

quote:Originally posted by Keefer:
    :rolleyes:    

P.S. Ain't I a Stinker ?        

[BenBow]

Yeah Doc you could mount a solar panel on the back and add an electric motor. But you'd always have to ride with the sun at your back  

[Doc Nock]

Sun?  Sometimes plenty, sometimes little here abouts, not like Sunny Rio Rancho, NM.  

News isn't plentiful right yet on the truck... Only thing I'm getting a clear handle on is if the tranny stuff gets it road worthy, it needs to keep on going on down the road...

Now to discern what to replace it with and if it isn't fixable, within it's value window, then what?

[BenBow]

Sorry about the levity. May God's peace,wisdom, and love guide you

[Doc Nock]

I love levity... if we didn't smile, we'd cry!

I think it's a point of fact we're to rejoice even in our trials, yes?

EZ to say, harder to do!  :(

[BenBow]

Amen. It is written laughter is medicine to the bones

[Doc Nock]

Wasn't laughing when the guy at the tranny shop called today to say he'd changed out all the computer boards, installed fresh selenoids in the tranny and it still won't run!

Now what? They're lost and I'm up a tree...Woof-woof!  :(