What is it that you want?
How often do you want something, but you don't go after it? Are you held back by fear?Lack of faith?No direction?Laziness?
“You are the person who has to decide.
Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside;
You are the person who makes up your mind.
Whether you’ll lead or will linger behind.
Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s afar.
Or just be contented to stay where you are.”
Edgar A. Guest
Having dreams or wants or even dreams of needs is great. When you have these feelings do you consider how to receive what you are hoping for? I like to start with prayer, ask and you shall receive. Second I write down what I'm wanting, needing, or dreaming about. Third I create goals to achieve these things. After the before mentioned steps are followed, I keep my goals where I can see them daily, read them, most of all pray for them and do all I can to help make the dreams come true. The most common mistake people make is they don't write down their goals, and when they do write them, they put the goals aside where they can't be seen.
Keep in mind as the New Year approaches the above paragraph. Make your goals count, put them on paper and read them daily until you accomplish what you desire.
I am here if you need help in implementing a goals list.
Merry Christmas,
Sam
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
DISCIPLINE!
Do you have it? Do you want it? What is discipline?
Many people do not know what discipline is, some are scared to be discipline because they associate discipline with punishment. Discipline can be a form of punishment or refinement in many cases; but the discipline I'm talking about, is on a positive level. We all need to discipline ourselves as Christians. We know it is important to God (Hint: Disciples). Jesus loved to disciple and He loved His disciples. I think it is just important to Jesus today that we disciple each other, to come together and discipline our behaviors to align with our beliefs. Discipline is done through commitment, so when you commit to be part of a group, an event, or anything that matters enough to put thought into, you should discipline yourself to the fullest.
Here is my definition of discipline: Something that is consciously chosen on, ardently decided and patiently persistent in.
What is your definition of discipline?
"It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other"P. Henry
Many people do not know what discipline is, some are scared to be discipline because they associate discipline with punishment. Discipline can be a form of punishment or refinement in many cases; but the discipline I'm talking about, is on a positive level. We all need to discipline ourselves as Christians. We know it is important to God (Hint: Disciples). Jesus loved to disciple and He loved His disciples. I think it is just important to Jesus today that we disciple each other, to come together and discipline our behaviors to align with our beliefs. Discipline is done through commitment, so when you commit to be part of a group, an event, or anything that matters enough to put thought into, you should discipline yourself to the fullest.
Here is my definition of discipline: Something that is consciously chosen on, ardently decided and patiently persistent in.
What is your definition of discipline?
"It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other"P. Henry
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
CHRISTMAS
What is the Christmas Holiday all about to you?
With today’s economy in a slump, I see more and more tight fisted anxious shoppers seeking deals. It seems most are looking for what they can get to make this holiday remembered. We all know you hardly remember what was bought last Christmas and yet we seek to make hast to fill the house with material gifts. As Christmas becomes ever busier, ever more commercial, it restores my soul to re-read the story of the first Christmas. I need the reminder that the first celebrants were not in a hurry to get to the mall; they were in a hurry to get to Jesus. And upon seeing Jesus, their thoughts did not turn to fretting over what to buy or bake; their thoughts turned to telling others about him. That's a timeless prescription for a great Christmas.
While Jesus is the true Light of the world (John 8:12), he made the remarkable statement that we, too, are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). So, this Christmas, let's remember that we don't have an obligation to prop up the economy, but we do have an opportunity to spread the word about all that has been told us about "this child." That isn't about adding one more thing to our to-do list. It's simply about being who God made us to be.
This Christmas let your hearts be filled with excitement of telling, sharing and showing everyone you come in contact with, about the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus Christ!!
Have a Merry Christmas,
Sam
With today’s economy in a slump, I see more and more tight fisted anxious shoppers seeking deals. It seems most are looking for what they can get to make this holiday remembered. We all know you hardly remember what was bought last Christmas and yet we seek to make hast to fill the house with material gifts. As Christmas becomes ever busier, ever more commercial, it restores my soul to re-read the story of the first Christmas. I need the reminder that the first celebrants were not in a hurry to get to the mall; they were in a hurry to get to Jesus. And upon seeing Jesus, their thoughts did not turn to fretting over what to buy or bake; their thoughts turned to telling others about him. That's a timeless prescription for a great Christmas.
While Jesus is the true Light of the world (John 8:12), he made the remarkable statement that we, too, are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). So, this Christmas, let's remember that we don't have an obligation to prop up the economy, but we do have an opportunity to spread the word about all that has been told us about "this child." That isn't about adding one more thing to our to-do list. It's simply about being who God made us to be.
This Christmas let your hearts be filled with excitement of telling, sharing and showing everyone you come in contact with, about the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus Christ!!
Have a Merry Christmas,
Sam
Monday, November 24, 2008
ATTITUDE !!!
When you surrender control of your attitude to what appears to be a negative
situation, you will react to that situation. More often than not, reacting is inappropriate.
On the other hand, if you were to remain objective, you would respond to the situation
appropriately, thereby creating a winning situation.
situation, you will react to that situation. More often than not, reacting is inappropriate.
On the other hand, if you were to remain objective, you would respond to the situation
appropriately, thereby creating a winning situation.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Gratitude
Many people who order their lives rightly in all other ways
are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude. Having received
one gift from God, they cut the wires which connect them with
Him by failing to make acknowledgment.
It is easy to understand that the nearer we live to the source
of wealth, the more wealth we shall receive. It is also easy to
understand that a soul that is always grateful lives in closer touch
with God than one who never looks to him in thankful
acknowledgment
are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude. Having received
one gift from God, they cut the wires which connect them with
Him by failing to make acknowledgment.
It is easy to understand that the nearer we live to the source
of wealth, the more wealth we shall receive. It is also easy to
understand that a soul that is always grateful lives in closer touch
with God than one who never looks to him in thankful
acknowledgment
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Victory nor Defeat
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt 1859-1919, 26th President of the United States
Theodore Roosevelt 1859-1919, 26th President of the United States
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Treasures
Cultivating an Environment for Personal Growth
Thesis = “How we define success will be the single greatest determinative factor to our future usefulness to God.”
How Does God Measure Success?
43A deep sense of awe came over them all and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Acts 2:43-47
Characteristics of a Successful Church:
· A high view of God
· Supernatural power manifested
· Deep interpersonal relationships
· Radical steps of faith / selflessness
· Sacrificial giving to meet needs
· A commitment to corporate worship
· A commitment to small group meetings
· Great joy, fun, winsome generosity
· An excellent reputation among nonbelievers
· Continual numerical growth
How Does God Supernaturally Produce A Church
Likes Acts 2?
• It begins with a “supernatural seed.”
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 NIV
• It grows “in and of itself” (Mark 4:28) by the supernatural power of God.
1 Corinthians 3:7
• It requires a special spiritual environment conducive to personal growth.
Acts 2:41-42
41Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church--about three thousand in all. 42They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer. Acts 2:41-42
Thesis = “How we define success will be the single greatest determinative factor to our future usefulness to God.”
How Does God Measure Success?
43A deep sense of awe came over them all and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Acts 2:43-47
Characteristics of a Successful Church:
· A high view of God
· Supernatural power manifested
· Deep interpersonal relationships
· Radical steps of faith / selflessness
· Sacrificial giving to meet needs
· A commitment to corporate worship
· A commitment to small group meetings
· Great joy, fun, winsome generosity
· An excellent reputation among nonbelievers
· Continual numerical growth
How Does God Supernaturally Produce A Church
Likes Acts 2?
• It begins with a “supernatural seed.”
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23 NIV
• It grows “in and of itself” (Mark 4:28) by the supernatural power of God.
1 Corinthians 3:7
• It requires a special spiritual environment conducive to personal growth.
Acts 2:41-42
41Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church--about three thousand in all. 42They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer. Acts 2:41-42
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Budgeting Your Money
These are some tips I liked from a recent book I read
by Rich Dad, Poor Dad
*Budgeting Your Money*
A BUDGET is a plan.
“Budget” is: A plan for the coordination of resources and expenditures.
Types of budgets:
A Budget Deficit. “Excess spending over income for a government, corporation, or individual.”
A Budget Surplus. “Excess of income over spending for a government, corporation, or individual.”
Budget deficit of an Individual: “Individuals who consistently spend more than they can earn will accumulate huge debts, which may ultimately force them to declare bankruptcy if the debt cannot be serviced.”
Budget surplus of an individual: “An individual with a budget surplus may choose to pay down debt or increase spending or investment.”
There are TWO Choices: Budget Deficit or Budget Surplus.
Budget Deficit is obtained by spending more than you can make.
The second choice is to plan for a Budget Surplus. Learning how to budget for a surplus is essential for achieving financial integrity.
Budget Tip # 1: A budget surplus is an expense. “You have to make a surplus an expense.” Example: Tithing, Saving, Investing should be an expense and should be the first things you pay with your income. (Paying yourself first)
Typical poor person’s priorities:
Priority # 1: Get a high-paying job.
Priority # 2: Make the mortgage and car payments.
Priority # 3: Pay bills on time.
Priority # 4: Save, tithe, and invest.
In other words, paying themselves first is their last priority.
Investing Your Money
Savings- Saving money to invest in gold and silver ETF’s (exchange-traded funds).
Saving money in a retail bank long enough to invest in the ETF’s is what’s recommended. This means saving to accumulate the funds to buy the gold and silver stocks or real estate. With the ETF’s you can liquidize your assets quicker when you need cash. The liquid assets are held by your stockbrokers in gold and silver certificates, not in cash at a retail bank, because the dollar continues to drop in value year after year. Holding cash, or savings, in gold and silver also hinders you from spending it.
Tithing- It’s important to give. “God does not need to receive, but humans need to give.” Also a reason for giving is to pay your most important partner-God. God is the best business partner you can ever have. He asks for 10 percent and lets you keep the other 90 percent. You know what happens if you stop paying your partners? They stop working with you. That’s why it’s important to tithe.
Budget tip # 2: The expense column is the crystal ball. “You can tell a person’s future by looking at what they spend their time and money on.” “Time and money are very important assets. Spend them wisely.”
Remember this: your asset column is your column. If you do not pay yourself first, no one else will. Through your everyday expenses you and God determine your financial future.
Budget tip # 3: My assets pay for my liabilities. Never say- “We can’t afford it.” Instead say- “How can we afford it?” In other words, your assets column pays for your liabilities. By paying yourself first (tithing, savings, investing) you acquire assets. With the cash flow from the assets, you can buy your luxury liabilities. If you want big luxuries, buy big assets.
Budget tip # 4: Spend to get rich. When times are tough most people cut back, or stop paying themselves first. This is the time to increase your income and to continue paying yourself first. For example, in the world of business, when a company’s sales begin to drop, one of the first things the accountants do is cut back on spending. And one of the first things they cut back on is spending on advertising and promotion. With less advertising and promotion, sales drop, and the problem gets worse.
Budgeting is a very important process to learn and be smart at. Take the process one day at a time. Positive things do happen, sometimes not over night, but they do happen. If you will sincerely work at creating a budget surplus, your life will become richer. That is what budgeting is all about- using what you have, even if what you have is no money, to make you better, stronger, and richer.
by Rich Dad, Poor Dad
*Budgeting Your Money*
A BUDGET is a plan.
“Budget” is: A plan for the coordination of resources and expenditures.
Types of budgets:
A Budget Deficit. “Excess spending over income for a government, corporation, or individual.”
A Budget Surplus. “Excess of income over spending for a government, corporation, or individual.”
Budget deficit of an Individual: “Individuals who consistently spend more than they can earn will accumulate huge debts, which may ultimately force them to declare bankruptcy if the debt cannot be serviced.”
Budget surplus of an individual: “An individual with a budget surplus may choose to pay down debt or increase spending or investment.”
There are TWO Choices: Budget Deficit or Budget Surplus.
Budget Deficit is obtained by spending more than you can make.
The second choice is to plan for a Budget Surplus. Learning how to budget for a surplus is essential for achieving financial integrity.
Budget Tip # 1: A budget surplus is an expense. “You have to make a surplus an expense.” Example: Tithing, Saving, Investing should be an expense and should be the first things you pay with your income. (Paying yourself first)
Typical poor person’s priorities:
Priority # 1: Get a high-paying job.
Priority # 2: Make the mortgage and car payments.
Priority # 3: Pay bills on time.
Priority # 4: Save, tithe, and invest.
In other words, paying themselves first is their last priority.
Investing Your Money
Savings- Saving money to invest in gold and silver ETF’s (exchange-traded funds).
Saving money in a retail bank long enough to invest in the ETF’s is what’s recommended. This means saving to accumulate the funds to buy the gold and silver stocks or real estate. With the ETF’s you can liquidize your assets quicker when you need cash. The liquid assets are held by your stockbrokers in gold and silver certificates, not in cash at a retail bank, because the dollar continues to drop in value year after year. Holding cash, or savings, in gold and silver also hinders you from spending it.
Tithing- It’s important to give. “God does not need to receive, but humans need to give.” Also a reason for giving is to pay your most important partner-God. God is the best business partner you can ever have. He asks for 10 percent and lets you keep the other 90 percent. You know what happens if you stop paying your partners? They stop working with you. That’s why it’s important to tithe.
Budget tip # 2: The expense column is the crystal ball. “You can tell a person’s future by looking at what they spend their time and money on.” “Time and money are very important assets. Spend them wisely.”
Remember this: your asset column is your column. If you do not pay yourself first, no one else will. Through your everyday expenses you and God determine your financial future.
Budget tip # 3: My assets pay for my liabilities. Never say- “We can’t afford it.” Instead say- “How can we afford it?” In other words, your assets column pays for your liabilities. By paying yourself first (tithing, savings, investing) you acquire assets. With the cash flow from the assets, you can buy your luxury liabilities. If you want big luxuries, buy big assets.
Budget tip # 4: Spend to get rich. When times are tough most people cut back, or stop paying themselves first. This is the time to increase your income and to continue paying yourself first. For example, in the world of business, when a company’s sales begin to drop, one of the first things the accountants do is cut back on spending. And one of the first things they cut back on is spending on advertising and promotion. With less advertising and promotion, sales drop, and the problem gets worse.
Budgeting is a very important process to learn and be smart at. Take the process one day at a time. Positive things do happen, sometimes not over night, but they do happen. If you will sincerely work at creating a budget surplus, your life will become richer. That is what budgeting is all about- using what you have, even if what you have is no money, to make you better, stronger, and richer.
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