Other than my home, it will be the most expensive thing I ever bought for myself.

I had to do things in the correct order though, first up was the church mortgage then the new car.

Back to my faith...

I've had so many miracles given me throughout my life, I had do the church mortgage. It was my calling. it's hard to explain but am doing my best to do so.

As I have posted in the past, my cancer and now my heart battles were given to me by the Lord to bring me back into the fold.

Once I went to college at the age of 18, I got swallowed up by the world as most of us do. That meant me me me. Not unusual I suppose.

I was raised episcopal but after leaving home to go to college, I put my faith on the back burner. And though I have always believed, I was wondering in the wilderness so to speak.

It wasn't until I was diagnosed terminally ill that I returned to the church. Then the miracles started happening where they have continued ever since.

I'm now a pentecostal and it was apparent to me that the church with their new property and building that I attend was struggling financially.
Oh they could make the mortgage payment alright, but other areas such as outreach and things that churches do were taking a hit.

So given the miracles of a restored longer life that I have been receiving, plus the gift of my finances for most of my life, it seemed necessary for me to give back. And that meant paying off the church mortgage.

While works will not buy one's way into Heaven, faith without works is dead. What is the point of faith if it's dead? I am positive I was called to make sure the church I attend could flourish. Everything that's ever happened to me led me here where I live to this moment in time to do this. I am sure of it.

Therefore I just did what I was called to do, nothing more , nothing less.
And while it was expensive to do what I did, no food was taken off my table. So did I really suffer or anything? No I didn't, nor my family either. So it isn't a huge deal to pay off that mortgage.

Other people that tithe give way smaller amounts to their church and some of them they are the better givers than me because food is taken off their table.

I never revealed what I did publicly nor to the congregation until this work was completed. I have done so now because it might encourage others with the ability to do what I did to step up and do something for their churches too.

And that is that.

lbj, I've not had much interaction with you but I do read parts of this thread when it comes up from time to time.

I look at the date of your first post on this thread until today and it's getting close to 10 years. That's a pretty long time by any measure and, even, given your chronological years.

I've never paid off any church mortgage myself but I understand the idea. To me, it's just similar to having a financial portfolio of investments. You give what you think is due and that's only what's expected. But you see opportunities and needs that you can invest in.

To me, my money is a proxy for my life because I spent a portion of my life doing something to earn that money. I have tried to put money away for my retirement which I'm enjoying now, but like you, I've also put my money into helping move the kingdom of God because without doing so, makes everything else difficult if not impossible.

I spread my spiritual investments a little here, a little there for diversification. It's like the parable of the shrewd steward in Luke 16:1-9, making friends with unrighteous wealth so that you can be received into an everlasting home. I've been a part of major building projects in the last two churches I attend and my current one has a current building project as well. I've only been a member of 4 churches my whole life. When I pass by those previous churches, I say to myself and my wife that the ministries that are happening inside those church buildings then and continuing even now, we have a part of that.

I like to tell people I'm in the phase of my life now that I call being in God's Waiting Room. I'm just sitting here, reading an old copy of National Geographic or may be Golf. I may chat from time to time with the person next to me or across from me. I'm just waiting to hear a voice finally say, "Rey? God will see you now."

This has been a song that's kept me through some dark times in my life.

The lyrics speak to me.

"But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
There will be a place with no more suffering...
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears..."

I held on desperately to that promise through the days of tears, pain, and fears and now that I'm past those days, I continue to hold on to that promise with joyful anticipation.

Sometimes when the spirit moves, you have to do what you have to do.

When I look back at the almost last 10 years and given what occured to me in that time, I just had to give back.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I just had to give back.

This is awesome, lbj.

I’ve never known someone so generous as that. I do know that the owner of the land behind our church donated a couple of acres to the church — even though he’s not a member there — so we could expand. He even provided the grading and such, as he began to develop the rest of the area.

The generosity of some people simply amazes me sometimes.

Build your own G Wagon:

https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehic...ld/g-class/suv/g63w4

I received word that my G63 G Wagen will be completed and leave the factory in Graz Austria on Nov 6.

I might get it before Christmas.

It's going to be:
sea blue metalic
21in 5 spoke wheels
performance package with the new hydraulic active ride suspension
Manufauktur seat package black napa leather
spare tire cover entirely all around painted in sea blue
LED projectors for night lighting the ground for entry
dash cam

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lbj,

Apparently, it’s really nice.

Base is 195K didn't take much in the way of options to inflate the price.
Should come with race start and top speed just shy of 150 with the performance package.

I wanted the 22 inch wheels but there is a supply shortage and to get them would delay the build according the dealer.

I can always add them at a later date.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I received word that my G63 G Wagen will be completed and leave the factory in Graz Austria on Nov 6.

I might get it before Christmas.

Finally got the 2026 pricing and it tops out at 219K MSRP.
Ugh.

It's going to be:
sea blue metalic
21in 5 spoke wheels
performance package with the new hydraulic active ride suspension
Manufauktur seat package black napa leather
spare tire cover entirely all around painted in sea blue
LED projectors for night lighting the ground for entry
dash cam

The last couple months of waiting are the hardest. I ordered my G550 in late March or early April 2017 I believe and picked it up in September 2017. I was quoted 6 months and that was pretty darn close to spot on. I was actually in Europe, teaching in Budapest while my G-wagen was being built. The dealership tried to get the factory to let me have a tour and potentially see my vehicle being built, since it was mere coincidence that I was only 2 hours or so by train away, but they would not allow it. Anyhow, when it finally arrived and I got to bring it home I was grinning from ear to ear and I have no doubt that you will be the same. It’s crazy how much they have increased in price over the last 5 years, but they really are unlike anything else on the road. I hope you get a long time to enjoy your G-wagen lbj, and do so in good health. You’re a good egg sir!

So you know then when I say if you want a G Wagen, you want a G Wagen.

And the 4.0L Bitturbo with 587hp will be amazing.
Except for the 14mpg.

But I'm not buying it for the fuel economy. No one does.

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
So you know then when I say if you want a G Wagen, you want a G Wagen.

And the 4.0L Bitturbo with 587hp will be amazing.
Except for the 14mpg.

But I'm not buying it for the fuel economy. No one does.

The sound! Oh my gosh the sound! I literally think that the sounds of the G-wagen are what I miss the most. From that heavenly V8 growl emanating from the side pipes to the bank vault closure sound every time you close a door. My 2017 put me back in the seat with authority, yours will absolutely pin you in the seat… with a BIG smile on your face. I hope it’s home in time for Christmas and that you get to pick it up with a big bow on it!

I found a picture of what mine should look like except the chrome on the spare tire carrier will be painted sea blue metallic like the rest of the car and the brake calipers will be black not red.

For the 2025 and 2026 models, the red calipers reveal it has the performance package, a dead give away. I prefer mine to be a sleeper.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/w...20513fe565d277fb.jpg

lbj, I've been following this journey since day 1. I am VERY happy so see your recovery, many new toys and now this one. BZ lbj.

Thanks.
It's been quite a journey for sure.

I don't know anything about that rig but sounds like it should be quite nice. Congrats. Looking forward to hearing how you like it.

Glad you and your family are doing well lbj. Keep rock'in it brother and God Bless you and yours.

Grandkids are now 8 and 4. Kids are in their mid 30s.

I'm really excited for you, quite a journey getting here!. I've followed this through, from the Mustang to this. The G Wagon has always been a favorite of mine, too rich for my blood but I'm going to enjoy your Christmas present right here on the forum. Wishing you continued good health and a great outlook!

Love the color, it should be one awesome machine to tool around the grandkids for Ice Cream!

Be sure to post a video with the engine running so we can hear that exhaust.

Thanks all.

The G Wagens look big in pictures.
However, they are only 4 inches wider and 12 inches longer than my 2019 Ford Escape.

They are tall though and weigh 5800lbs.

The G63s are still built by hand and are on the assembly line for something like 40 hours each.

That it a great color. Looks amazing.