Have you ever had thoughts that were completely depriving you of any forward momentum in your life?
Have you ever sat with your spouse or a loved one to write down a budget that will work THIS TIME?
How many budgets or spending plans have you written that failed miserably within a week?
What about your credit cards? Have you ever said things like, "I'm done with these things?" "I'll never use these cards again!" "I'll pay it off when I get paid."
So why do you think you're in the boat you're in? Could it be perhaps the Wrong ACTIONs in your life creating Results you're not happy with?
It's like this. You can't call yourself a person of inAction because you don't have what you want. The very ACTION you took got you where you are. Now, some of those ACTIONs may have included sitting on the couch watching reruns of Happy Days or Doogie Houser while reaching for the remote to see what's coming up next.
Here's the point, if you Avoid your financial situation, of course the results are not going to change. Follow me on this...
Let's look at Bill & Susan for a moment and look at his thought process...
1. Bill comes home from work, head hangin low, he drops his things at the front door, walks to the couch to RELAX from a long day.
2. Susan, comes and welcomes Bill home and asks if they can go out to eat tonight because she has had an exhausting day and doesn't FEEL like cooking.
3. Bill THINKS to himself, "We really can't afford this, but I promised her when we got married I would provide for her. Besides, it's just this one meal out." So, what do you think he does? Yes, he justifies the right to eat out and off they go for a nice $30 meal with empty calories and a heavy feeling at the end of it. This sort of action happens at least once per week sometimes more.
4. Month end rolls around and they are short $115 dollars to pay the cable bill. BILL is stressed out and takes it out on Susan who is stressed out and takes it out on the kids.
5. Bill is angry and says things like, "We just never seem to get ahead no matter what I do." "Why is life always such a struggle?"
Read this passage with me. JAS 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by ACTION, is dead."
Our innocent THOUGHTS lead to FEELINGS which lead to ACTION which equal the RESULTS in our lives.
If you want different Results, you have to change the way you think to begin with. You've got to take control of your thoughts and work Against your Feelings to create Different Action if you want different Results.
It is Simple. It is not necessarily Easy. However, It is something everyone can do! You've got the spirit of the LORD In you and giving you strength to do any and all things.
PHP 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Who Stole Your Thunder?
Have you ever wondered why you're having a difficult time in life? Pay check to pay check? Relationships? Never Enough to "get ahead"?
Would you like to know how to break free from what is holding you back?
Would you like to have better relationships?
Would you like to enjoy financial freedom?
Is it all right if I share a story about myself first?
Now I know we all have a story of sorts to tell. My story may or may not mean much to you, but I'd like to share it with you to give some perspective if that's ok. I am not going to go into specifics to protect the innocent here.
In my youth, as I was developing my own ideas about making money and growing into a 'self sufficient' and 'responsible' man, I had a couple of experiences with authority figures in my life. Yes, not one, but a couple. I'm sure you've heard things like "you think you're too good" or "you're not good enough" or "stop daydreaming" or "you're full of pie in the sky, come back to earth". Well, I heard things like that quite frequently.
I recall a time as a teen wanting to get a job as a grocery store cashier. Someone whom I trusted told me to go down to McDonald's and get a job. When I told him I didn't want to work at McDonald's he told me I was stuck up and too good for a "real" job. I wanted so badly to earn his respect, but at every turn I was put down.
Here's my point. I've carried those same ideas into my adult life until recently. The sad thing is that I didn't realize I was doing it. I've carried this idea of not being "worthy" to achieve into my working life. At every sign of success and break through, I sabotage myself and shrink back to mediocrity.
Let's look at Eve. Genesis 3 describes a time when Eve was approached by Satan in the Garden. Verse 1 says, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Well, the rest is history. We know that Eve agreed with Satan and started to question God's command.
What agreements are you making with the enemy and don't even realize it? I shared about the agreements I made as a young man not being worthy. It held me back until recently. What about you? What lies have you bought into and made your own reality?
See, you create your own reality. It's your story that you keep playing over and over again in your mind. It isn't real.
Do you want to be free? Change your story. Dig deep. Go back in time (in your mind) and Thank the person for sharing and kindly write a new story that supports your dreams and goals. Your mind only does what you tell it to do. So tell it a new story and start to see the new and exciting ways you can live.
Do you realize, you don't have to live a life a mediocrity? Did you know that you don't have to live pay check to pay check?
Today I even saw a friend write, money comes and money goes. Do you know it doesn't have to? Do you know how to make it and keep it and actually see it grow and increase? If you believe you'll receive it only to see it leave again, it will.
Don't let Satan steal your thunder! In today's Wall post, we saw that God created us to Rule over all things, that they are good, and we are to multiply them. We are by design created for Abundance! Let's start living the God given design and be abundant!
It is ok to strive for more. It is ok to grow and the thrive. I heard it said that if 100 Ft Oak Trees had the attitude of humans they would only grow 10 FT tall!
We have an enemy among us trying to rob us of our God Given joy.
Jn 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
You don't have to listen any more! You are God's created and dearly loved child that he wants to have an abundant life! You have permission to live your life's dreams to the fullest! Go for it!
Would you like to know how to break free from what is holding you back?
Would you like to have better relationships?
Would you like to enjoy financial freedom?
Is it all right if I share a story about myself first?
Now I know we all have a story of sorts to tell. My story may or may not mean much to you, but I'd like to share it with you to give some perspective if that's ok. I am not going to go into specifics to protect the innocent here.
In my youth, as I was developing my own ideas about making money and growing into a 'self sufficient' and 'responsible' man, I had a couple of experiences with authority figures in my life. Yes, not one, but a couple. I'm sure you've heard things like "you think you're too good" or "you're not good enough" or "stop daydreaming" or "you're full of pie in the sky, come back to earth". Well, I heard things like that quite frequently.
I recall a time as a teen wanting to get a job as a grocery store cashier. Someone whom I trusted told me to go down to McDonald's and get a job. When I told him I didn't want to work at McDonald's he told me I was stuck up and too good for a "real" job. I wanted so badly to earn his respect, but at every turn I was put down.
Here's my point. I've carried those same ideas into my adult life until recently. The sad thing is that I didn't realize I was doing it. I've carried this idea of not being "worthy" to achieve into my working life. At every sign of success and break through, I sabotage myself and shrink back to mediocrity.
Let's look at Eve. Genesis 3 describes a time when Eve was approached by Satan in the Garden. Verse 1 says, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Well, the rest is history. We know that Eve agreed with Satan and started to question God's command.
What agreements are you making with the enemy and don't even realize it? I shared about the agreements I made as a young man not being worthy. It held me back until recently. What about you? What lies have you bought into and made your own reality?
See, you create your own reality. It's your story that you keep playing over and over again in your mind. It isn't real.
Do you want to be free? Change your story. Dig deep. Go back in time (in your mind) and Thank the person for sharing and kindly write a new story that supports your dreams and goals. Your mind only does what you tell it to do. So tell it a new story and start to see the new and exciting ways you can live.
Do you realize, you don't have to live a life a mediocrity? Did you know that you don't have to live pay check to pay check?
Today I even saw a friend write, money comes and money goes. Do you know it doesn't have to? Do you know how to make it and keep it and actually see it grow and increase? If you believe you'll receive it only to see it leave again, it will.
Don't let Satan steal your thunder! In today's Wall post, we saw that God created us to Rule over all things, that they are good, and we are to multiply them. We are by design created for Abundance! Let's start living the God given design and be abundant!
It is ok to strive for more. It is ok to grow and the thrive. I heard it said that if 100 Ft Oak Trees had the attitude of humans they would only grow 10 FT tall!
We have an enemy among us trying to rob us of our God Given joy.
Jn 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
You don't have to listen any more! You are God's created and dearly loved child that he wants to have an abundant life! You have permission to live your life's dreams to the fullest! Go for it!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Instant Gratification
In the most recent few years, we've faced some challenging financial challenges as most people have in America. Shoot, tell me who hasn't, right?
Let's take a minute and get very real with each other. One of the problems we face in America is the idea that we can't live our lives another day without buying _____________ (fill in the blank). It doesn't matter what it is, but our media and marketing outlets have done an amazing job of "hooking" us to buy now even when we don't have the cash to do it.
What are some examples? "NO Payments/NO Interest til 2014", "0% Financing This weekend ONLY!", "We accept Installment Payments", and the list goes on and on...
The idea is to buy today on tomorrow's dime, right! WRONG! It's not Tomorrow's dime, It's next year and the next year and the next year's dimes TOO! Are you following me?
I told you I'm going to get very real with you here. The truth hurts, but according to Jesus, when we apply his teaching to our lives, we will know the truth and it will set us free (JN 8:31-32) KEY! When we APPLY his teachings.
See, at first, the Truth will absolutely Tick you off. I'm not talking about the Truth about others. NO! I'm talking about the Reality you live in.
Well, I told you I would blow your mind. Ready? Instant Gratification ruled my life. It absolutely ruled my life! If it was a deal, I couldn't say no! I had credit cards with 0% for 12 month offers on them. You'd better believe I used them all! I won't tell you how much debt we racked up, but your head would spin if I told you. UGLY!
In a workshop this weekend, I had the opportunity to "save" thousands of dollars on some continuing Ed courses offered in the future if I sign up today. If you've ever gone to a seminar, you know what I'm talking about. Well, my wife and I want to take these classes.
We made a vow to God and to ourselves to only pay cash as we go. If something is important to us, we will save the money over time and make only 1 payment for it. It killed me to pass on these deals today. In fact, it ticked me off a bit. Now, I am absolutely grateful we passed!
See, our money habits are not easy to change. In fact, they are some of the deepest ingrained habits we have. Changing them takes courage and integrity. When everything around us says gratify your desire NOW, it takes a lot of integrity to stand there eyeball to eyeball and say Not Now.
After all, who is in charge? You or Money? Who do you bow to? God or Money?
If you want to know just how intense your feelings are about money and who controls your life, take a $100 Bill today and burn it. Hold it out in front of you and light it up. When I did this, I got nausea in my belly. I found out quickly that MONEY was my master.
I declared it to be done! I master the tool money, and I serve God. Not the other way around!
Do you want FREEDOM? It does come at a cost. It will not be easy to attain, but it is completely attainable.
Set aside your immediate desires for longer term desires and you will master the Way of the ANT!
God Bless You!
Let's take a minute and get very real with each other. One of the problems we face in America is the idea that we can't live our lives another day without buying _____________ (fill in the blank). It doesn't matter what it is, but our media and marketing outlets have done an amazing job of "hooking" us to buy now even when we don't have the cash to do it.
What are some examples? "NO Payments/NO Interest til 2014", "0% Financing This weekend ONLY!", "We accept Installment Payments", and the list goes on and on...
The idea is to buy today on tomorrow's dime, right! WRONG! It's not Tomorrow's dime, It's next year and the next year and the next year's dimes TOO! Are you following me?
I told you I'm going to get very real with you here. The truth hurts, but according to Jesus, when we apply his teaching to our lives, we will know the truth and it will set us free (JN 8:31-32) KEY! When we APPLY his teachings.
See, at first, the Truth will absolutely Tick you off. I'm not talking about the Truth about others. NO! I'm talking about the Reality you live in.
Well, I told you I would blow your mind. Ready? Instant Gratification ruled my life. It absolutely ruled my life! If it was a deal, I couldn't say no! I had credit cards with 0% for 12 month offers on them. You'd better believe I used them all! I won't tell you how much debt we racked up, but your head would spin if I told you. UGLY!
In a workshop this weekend, I had the opportunity to "save" thousands of dollars on some continuing Ed courses offered in the future if I sign up today. If you've ever gone to a seminar, you know what I'm talking about. Well, my wife and I want to take these classes.
We made a vow to God and to ourselves to only pay cash as we go. If something is important to us, we will save the money over time and make only 1 payment for it. It killed me to pass on these deals today. In fact, it ticked me off a bit. Now, I am absolutely grateful we passed!
See, our money habits are not easy to change. In fact, they are some of the deepest ingrained habits we have. Changing them takes courage and integrity. When everything around us says gratify your desire NOW, it takes a lot of integrity to stand there eyeball to eyeball and say Not Now.
After all, who is in charge? You or Money? Who do you bow to? God or Money?
If you want to know just how intense your feelings are about money and who controls your life, take a $100 Bill today and burn it. Hold it out in front of you and light it up. When I did this, I got nausea in my belly. I found out quickly that MONEY was my master.
I declared it to be done! I master the tool money, and I serve God. Not the other way around!
Do you want FREEDOM? It does come at a cost. It will not be easy to attain, but it is completely attainable.
Set aside your immediate desires for longer term desires and you will master the Way of the ANT!
God Bless You!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Money - Root of All Evil?
Great article!
Money being the Root of All Evil is probably one of the most mis-quoted verses in the Bible. The actual verse reads "For the LOVE of money is A root of all kinds of evil." 1 Tim 6:10
Hmmm...So if parents don't want to teach children about Biblical management of the money they have based on this passage, then they are condemning their children to a False Teaching.
Money in and of itself is not evil. The misuse of money is a root or a begining of all kinds of evil. What types of evil might misuse of money bring about?
1. use for personal pleasure and folly - alcoholism, drugs, self-indulgence
2. "Shop til you drop" - Consumerism and Worldly lust
3. Selfish Gain - gotta have it now
4. "Look out for number one" - Status
5. Honor and Glory to self rather than God
We are facing one of the biggest financial and economic crisis in America's history. The National Savings rate is at all time lows (negitive) due to over use and abuse of credit. Bankruptcy rates are at all time highs. Foreclosures are at some of the highest levels we've seen since the early 80's.
Jesus told us we can't serve both God and money. Well, by not educating your children about the importance of money in our lives, they will become slaves to the dollar and not even know how or why they got there.
How many Christians do you know who "serve the Lord" with all their heart, mind, soul and strenth, yet barely make it paycheck to paycheck. Little food on the table, 2-3 months out from Bankruptcy because there is no reserve system and over extended credit. Well, my friend that Christian is a slave to money and is serving money more than they are God!
It's time to wake up and learn how to honor God first with what he has blessed us with. Start with your kids. You have a great and awesome responsibility to change the next generation!
For more information on how you can help train your kids, please visit Moola Monsters website or follow their BLOG.
Joshua Christensen
Author, Consider the Ant
CEO, Consider the Ant Ministries
http://companies.to/considertheant
Money being the Root of All Evil is probably one of the most mis-quoted verses in the Bible. The actual verse reads "For the LOVE of money is A root of all kinds of evil." 1 Tim 6:10
Hmmm...So if parents don't want to teach children about Biblical management of the money they have based on this passage, then they are condemning their children to a False Teaching.
Money in and of itself is not evil. The misuse of money is a root or a begining of all kinds of evil. What types of evil might misuse of money bring about?
1. use for personal pleasure and folly - alcoholism, drugs, self-indulgence
2. "Shop til you drop" - Consumerism and Worldly lust
3. Selfish Gain - gotta have it now
4. "Look out for number one" - Status
5. Honor and Glory to self rather than God
We are facing one of the biggest financial and economic crisis in America's history. The National Savings rate is at all time lows (negitive) due to over use and abuse of credit. Bankruptcy rates are at all time highs. Foreclosures are at some of the highest levels we've seen since the early 80's.
Jesus told us we can't serve both God and money. Well, by not educating your children about the importance of money in our lives, they will become slaves to the dollar and not even know how or why they got there.
How many Christians do you know who "serve the Lord" with all their heart, mind, soul and strenth, yet barely make it paycheck to paycheck. Little food on the table, 2-3 months out from Bankruptcy because there is no reserve system and over extended credit. Well, my friend that Christian is a slave to money and is serving money more than they are God!
It's time to wake up and learn how to honor God first with what he has blessed us with. Start with your kids. You have a great and awesome responsibility to change the next generation!
For more information on how you can help train your kids, please visit Moola Monsters website or follow their BLOG.
Joshua Christensen
Author, Consider the Ant
CEO, Consider the Ant Ministries
http://companies.to/considertheant
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Forward Momentum
I was thinking this morning about our little ant friend. Have you ever tried to stop an ant from moving towards it's goal of taking it's food back to the colony? Try and see what happens.
I've done this, and those little ants will continue to find a way to overcome any and all obstacles in their way. They climb. They go around. Whatever it takes to see their objective come to fruition.
What about you? Do you quit at the first sign of adversity? Are obstacles too insurmountable in your eyes?
Well, let me tell you my friend. Amazing things happen with a can do attitude. As a fan of Consider the Ant, please take some time to review your thoughts and attitudes when things get tough.
Maybe you're going through a difficult time right now. I can tell you this last 18 months have been some of the toughest I've faced. Many of the obstacles before my family and I have felt very insurmountable. The cool thing is that they are not. In fact, we are overcoming many of them as we speak.
3 things to help you keep your forward momentum...
1. Have a Written Vision and Plan
2. Stay Focused on the Vision and Plan
3. Take Action, even when you don't quite feel like it.
This simple formula will help you, like the ant, get back to the colony to reach your goals!
God Bless you!
Joshua
Visit our page on Facebook...
Consider The Ant
I've done this, and those little ants will continue to find a way to overcome any and all obstacles in their way. They climb. They go around. Whatever it takes to see their objective come to fruition.
What about you? Do you quit at the first sign of adversity? Are obstacles too insurmountable in your eyes?
Well, let me tell you my friend. Amazing things happen with a can do attitude. As a fan of Consider the Ant, please take some time to review your thoughts and attitudes when things get tough.
Maybe you're going through a difficult time right now. I can tell you this last 18 months have been some of the toughest I've faced. Many of the obstacles before my family and I have felt very insurmountable. The cool thing is that they are not. In fact, we are overcoming many of them as we speak.
3 things to help you keep your forward momentum...
1. Have a Written Vision and Plan
2. Stay Focused on the Vision and Plan
3. Take Action, even when you don't quite feel like it.
This simple formula will help you, like the ant, get back to the colony to reach your goals!
God Bless you!
Joshua
Visit our page on Facebook...
Consider The Ant
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