I ran across a couple of old posts in another blog that I wanted to pass on today. These are excellent in many respects and I wanted you to read them and apply them to your life.
http://www.leadingsmart.com/leadingsmart/2006/08/it_just_makes_c.html
http://www.leadingsmart.com/leadingsmart/2007/03/lets_give_1_mil.html
By the way - thanks for reading. I should post more often or in a predictable pattern...maybe I'll set that as a goal in the next few months...maybe! I appreciate your involvement in this blog by reading, considering, applying, and occasionally even commenting. I just wanted to say, THANKS!
Showing posts with label widsom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label widsom. Show all posts
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
I don't watch the news too much. I stay abreast of what is going on generally, but in case you haven't noticed, the media industry has gone nuts! It is less news and more hype. I don't have the stamina to take their emotional roller coaster ride. And my life is far less dramatic than their paradigm of the world, so I don't relate. To me, breath is a gift, and it just gets better from there! To navigate this life properly, I need to keep my faith strong. I need to keep my spirit in the right Kingdom.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
I know a number of families facing hardships. Some have small businesses suffering from a weakened economy. Some have lost jobs needed to support their family. Some have financial issues or personal issues they are facing in their marriage, family, or health. It is the stuff of life on earth. They need to keep their faith strong. They need to keep their spirits in the right Kingdom.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Although unemployment is higher than last few years - and I know people in this category - it is still but a fraction of the employment rate, which is never directly reported. Through Financial Peace University and financial counseling, I connect with a lot of people who are struggling but have watched their financial life turn around, even in this economy. Most people I know are actually doing about the same or better than they have been in recent years. They are doing well. They need to keep their faith strong. They need to keep their spirits in the right Kingdom.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Let's look into 1 Samuel 30:1 - 6:
The order of this account could easily have been different. It could read, "David encouraged himself in the Lord, but David and his men heard some really bad news. All these terrible things happened and David's own men spoke of stoning him. So David was greatly distressed." Do you see how the parts of the story are the same, but the outcome is very different? That is the order in which we often go about digesting the "news" in our lives. A friend recently told me that a book he was reading noted that what comes after the "but" is where we really live our lives.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
"I know God is my Provider, but this job market..." "I know God gives me peace, but did you hear..." "I know God heals, but the doctor said..." "I know God grants favor and success, but I'm the one who..." "I know that God appoints leaders and that the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, but this President..." Ouch! These sound all too familiar - and they are backwards!
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Read through Psalms, or Paul's writings - all throughout the Bible for that matter - and you will see this order over and over. The blessing is never disconnected from God. The problem is stated, BUT God... Be careful not to get this reversed in your life, your beliefs, or even your speech. Your hope is in the Lord. Your faith comes by hearing His Word. "Provider" is not only a description of what He does, but who He is. And He is the giver of all good gifts. It's your choice how to respond.
...but [your name here] encouraged him/herself in the Lord.
Oh yes - and if you watch the news, make sure that you, like David, balance the news your hear with a healthy encouragement in the Lord!
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
I know a number of families facing hardships. Some have small businesses suffering from a weakened economy. Some have lost jobs needed to support their family. Some have financial issues or personal issues they are facing in their marriage, family, or health. It is the stuff of life on earth. They need to keep their faith strong. They need to keep their spirits in the right Kingdom.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Although unemployment is higher than last few years - and I know people in this category - it is still but a fraction of the employment rate, which is never directly reported. Through Financial Peace University and financial counseling, I connect with a lot of people who are struggling but have watched their financial life turn around, even in this economy. Most people I know are actually doing about the same or better than they have been in recent years. They are doing well. They need to keep their faith strong. They need to keep their spirits in the right Kingdom.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Let's look into 1 Samuel 30:1 - 6:
The order of this account could easily have been different. It could read, "David encouraged himself in the Lord, but David and his men heard some really bad news. All these terrible things happened and David's own men spoke of stoning him. So David was greatly distressed." Do you see how the parts of the story are the same, but the outcome is very different? That is the order in which we often go about digesting the "news" in our lives. A friend recently told me that a book he was reading noted that what comes after the "but" is where we really live our lives.
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
"I know God is my Provider, but this job market..." "I know God gives me peace, but did you hear..." "I know God heals, but the doctor said..." "I know God grants favor and success, but I'm the one who..." "I know that God appoints leaders and that the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, but this President..." Ouch! These sound all too familiar - and they are backwards!
...but David encouraged himself in the Lord.
Read through Psalms, or Paul's writings - all throughout the Bible for that matter - and you will see this order over and over. The blessing is never disconnected from God. The problem is stated, BUT God... Be careful not to get this reversed in your life, your beliefs, or even your speech. Your hope is in the Lord. Your faith comes by hearing His Word. "Provider" is not only a description of what He does, but who He is. And He is the giver of all good gifts. It's your choice how to respond.
...but [your name here] encouraged him/herself in the Lord.
Oh yes - and if you watch the news, make sure that you, like David, balance the news your hear with a healthy encouragement in the Lord!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
How do you deal with disappointment and setbacks?
I recently got a phone call that dealt me an unexpected setback - to the tune of about $3,000. It affected my debt repayment schedule primarily, which has been a big focus of mine this year. Do I need to write that I was disappointed? I think we each face disappointment and setbacks on an occasional, if not regular basis. What to do? How to respond?
These are but a few thoughts on how to move through and move ahead anyway:
1) Guard your focus.
Don't spend inordinate amounts of time rehearsing the disappointment. It will kill your creativity and hope for life beyond. When you keep hope alive and look beyond the immediate obstacle, you rise above the obstacle that disappointed you and be able to see and chart a course to move ahead. My Pastor says, "You can't lay back in a setback." Well, you shouldn't anyway.
2) Adjust your plan.
This is why a plan is so important. If you have a plan there is action you can take against your disappointment. I am coordinating my third Financial Peace University class. We are working through Week 3 - Cash Flow Planning. It is foundational to the class, just like a plan is foundational to life. We are better able to navigate the waters of disappointment and setbacks if there is a plan. The setback can be addressed - adjust the plan to compensate. Now work the new plan. It makes it much smoother. With no plan, the setback causes chaos and debilitating disappointment. So if you don't have one, make one now!
3) Don't fret what you cannot change.
If we can get this one planted deep inside, our worry will diminish, peace will increase, and the disappointment will loose its power. Disappointment is tied to expectation and can be a powerful weapon against your future, your peace, and your success. It is why so much of our economy is tied to "consumer confidence." Especially at the start of difficult economic times, very little has fundamentally changed in people's lives. But as confidence wanes, people pull back, thus creating the very problem they fear. It's an interesting cycle. Don't let things out of your control rob you of peace, joy, and right-thinking.
4) Be thankful!
Motivational speaker, Bob Harrison, tells a story that has been a huge help to me when I am facing disappointment - and it relates back to #1. Years ago his marriage was in trouble and he was praying about his wife and complaining to God about the many ways she was falling short. God encouraged him to make a list of her good traits - the things he was thankful for - and pray through that list every morning instead of rehashing his disappointments. As he did that, over time, she changed...or maybe she didn't. Maybe the problem was in his focus on the disappointments and his lack of thankfulness. In reality, she did change in response to the change in his attitude toward and treatment of her. And it all grew out of his choice to be thankful for the good things. There marriage was saved and grew into the beautiful thing God wanted it to be.
Something is going well. If nothing else, you are still breathing. If nothing else, God is still God, whether you feel like He is or not. Find these things, write them down, and be thankful for them.
5) Pray.
Another thing my Pastor says is, "You can do much more than pray, but you can do no more until you have prayed." Remember that God has not promised only good things in your life, but He HAS promised to work ALL things - good and bad - together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That is YOU - or it can be if you choose.
I'd love to read comments on things that help you overcome disappointment and setbacks.
These are but a few thoughts on how to move through and move ahead anyway:
1) Guard your focus.
Don't spend inordinate amounts of time rehearsing the disappointment. It will kill your creativity and hope for life beyond. When you keep hope alive and look beyond the immediate obstacle, you rise above the obstacle that disappointed you and be able to see and chart a course to move ahead. My Pastor says, "You can't lay back in a setback." Well, you shouldn't anyway.
2) Adjust your plan.
This is why a plan is so important. If you have a plan there is action you can take against your disappointment. I am coordinating my third Financial Peace University class. We are working through Week 3 - Cash Flow Planning. It is foundational to the class, just like a plan is foundational to life. We are better able to navigate the waters of disappointment and setbacks if there is a plan. The setback can be addressed - adjust the plan to compensate. Now work the new plan. It makes it much smoother. With no plan, the setback causes chaos and debilitating disappointment. So if you don't have one, make one now!
3) Don't fret what you cannot change.
If we can get this one planted deep inside, our worry will diminish, peace will increase, and the disappointment will loose its power. Disappointment is tied to expectation and can be a powerful weapon against your future, your peace, and your success. It is why so much of our economy is tied to "consumer confidence." Especially at the start of difficult economic times, very little has fundamentally changed in people's lives. But as confidence wanes, people pull back, thus creating the very problem they fear. It's an interesting cycle. Don't let things out of your control rob you of peace, joy, and right-thinking.
4) Be thankful!
Motivational speaker, Bob Harrison, tells a story that has been a huge help to me when I am facing disappointment - and it relates back to #1. Years ago his marriage was in trouble and he was praying about his wife and complaining to God about the many ways she was falling short. God encouraged him to make a list of her good traits - the things he was thankful for - and pray through that list every morning instead of rehashing his disappointments. As he did that, over time, she changed...or maybe she didn't. Maybe the problem was in his focus on the disappointments and his lack of thankfulness. In reality, she did change in response to the change in his attitude toward and treatment of her. And it all grew out of his choice to be thankful for the good things. There marriage was saved and grew into the beautiful thing God wanted it to be.
Something is going well. If nothing else, you are still breathing. If nothing else, God is still God, whether you feel like He is or not. Find these things, write them down, and be thankful for them.
5) Pray.
Another thing my Pastor says is, "You can do much more than pray, but you can do no more until you have prayed." Remember that God has not promised only good things in your life, but He HAS promised to work ALL things - good and bad - together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That is YOU - or it can be if you choose.
I'd love to read comments on things that help you overcome disappointment and setbacks.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Seek Wisdom in Troubled Times
These days, it is easy to get lazy in our thinking. No longer do we watch the news for news, we now watch for analysis. In fact, many entire shows are devoted to analysis of and commentary on the "news." Yes, the analysts abound and we hardly know how to think for ourselves.
If you are careful in your choice of analysts, you will arrive at good conclusions most of the time. But if not...
Now I firmly believe in evaluating writers, analysts, bloggers, etc., and finding a choice few that you really feel represent your approach, viewpoint, and ethic, but don't leave the thinking to them. Don't allow your inquiry to stop there. Don't get lazy. Do your own research. Consider your "advisors." Reach your own conclusions.
Keep learning. Keep reading. Keep thinking! And don't forget to inquire of the Lord as your Chief Advisor. The Bible says He gives wisdom freely to those who ask.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5 (NIV)
It takes wisdom to navigate this world with it's abundance of information so readily available.
As you hear about all the turmoil, remember, the news media is owned almost exclusively by corporate giants interested primarily in profits, not news. They report what sells in the way it sells ("If it bleeds, it leads."). Don't let them tell you what you "need" to know.
One of the results of living in God's Kingdom and seeking His wisdom should be peace (Romans 14:17). And you'll not likely find that in the media, in the analysts' reports, or in the commentary. But if you'll learn, read, think, and seek God's Kingdom first, you might catch a different view of world and financial events. You might find wisdom.
"For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold." - Proverbs 3:14
Click here http://www.aier.org/research/commentaries/158-the-money-mirage-an-introduction for original article.
If you are careful in your choice of analysts, you will arrive at good conclusions most of the time. But if not...
Now I firmly believe in evaluating writers, analysts, bloggers, etc., and finding a choice few that you really feel represent your approach, viewpoint, and ethic, but don't leave the thinking to them. Don't allow your inquiry to stop there. Don't get lazy. Do your own research. Consider your "advisors." Reach your own conclusions.
Keep learning. Keep reading. Keep thinking! And don't forget to inquire of the Lord as your Chief Advisor. The Bible says He gives wisdom freely to those who ask.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - James 1:5 (NIV)
It takes wisdom to navigate this world with it's abundance of information so readily available.
As you hear about all the turmoil, remember, the news media is owned almost exclusively by corporate giants interested primarily in profits, not news. They report what sells in the way it sells ("If it bleeds, it leads."). Don't let them tell you what you "need" to know.
One of the results of living in God's Kingdom and seeking His wisdom should be peace (Romans 14:17). And you'll not likely find that in the media, in the analysts' reports, or in the commentary. But if you'll learn, read, think, and seek God's Kingdom first, you might catch a different view of world and financial events. You might find wisdom.
"For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold." - Proverbs 3:14
The article link below is not from a Christian viewpoint necessarily, but is one I found interesting and wanted to pass along for your review as you read, learn, and think for yourself - and perhaps wonder whether civilization as we know it is about to come to an end. Note the date it was originally published. The world didn't end then either.
Economic Chronicles: The Money MirageClick here http://www.aier.org/research/commentaries/158-the-money-mirage-an-introduction for original article.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
