Right now, almost everyone is looking to save money or create new streams of income. When looking for ideas, one of my favorite blogs is Christian PF. Chocked full of helpful articles, I am sure you will find it helpful too! Here are some of my favorites:
http://christianpf.com/16-ways-to-save-money-by-not-being-normal/
http://christianpf.com/personal-financial-checklist/
http://christianpf.com/getting-out-of-debt-part-1-its-not-about-you/
Hope these are helpful!
Phillip
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thoughts From 35 Years of Life Experience
This is a reprint of something I wrote on my 35th birthday. Re-reading it today helped me out. Hope it helps you too!
"Thirty-five years, where have they gone? I've see many snares and traps on this road I've been on. Too many years wasted, thinking it's all up to me. Too many years blind, but now I can see."
Wow! Thirty five years have gone by. As I reflect on the time, I am have conflicting feelings. I am saddened by the time wasted on pointless things. I am saddened by the mistakes I have made and continue to make. Yes, I know everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect. I know that decisions I have made, both good and bad have shaped me into the man I am today. I am also joyful! I am joyful for all the things God has brought me through, and all of the things He will bring me through. I am joyful and grateful for a loving family that loves me through all of my struggles. I am joyful for a beautiful wife and three beautiful children.
Things I have learned: *That He loves me unconditionally. *A debt was paid for me that I could have never paid no matter how many good deeds I have done or could have ever done. *The gifts of the Spirit are very much alive and well today. *He forgives me, even though I can't always forgive myself. *That even though I am 35 and feel like I should have it all figured out and be financially stable (often feeling like a failure for not being so), I indeed do not, but look forward to all He reveals each new day. I may not have monetary riches on this earth, but I am richly blessed in the spirit. I have been blessed far more than I ever deserved or could have hoped for. * My eyes have seen the miraculous, even though some don't believe it. *That there are many who claim "spiritual enlightenment" who have no relationship with God-the Father, God-the Son, or God-the Holy Spirit. *There are many false teachers out there who will teach that true happiness is found within yourself. They spout half-truths that sound appealing, but when held up to the light don't pass the test. There are many who will spout False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR) and claim it as truth. *Hold everything up to the light. If it goes against His word, leave it behind. If it tells you only part of the story, but says it's okay to leave out the rest, it is false.
We can do nothing apart from Him! Earthly treasures are just that...earthly! You can't take them with you when you leave this earth, so don't go around worrying about how you can get this or that. God will supply all you need. (If I have learned anything during the last year, it is that He provides.) Put your trust in Him. Seek a deeper relationship with Him. It is not what we can do. There is nothing that can be done to earn your way into heaven. Good news! That price has been paid! He desires a deeper relationship with you. It is through that relationship, that He reveals His will for your life. He reveals everything that you need for life and godliness. It is through that deeper relationship that change and growth occurs in your life. Keep Him first, all else follows!
Hope you have been sharpened. I look forward to your thoughts and comments.
In Him,
Phillip
"Thirty-five years, where have they gone? I've see many snares and traps on this road I've been on. Too many years wasted, thinking it's all up to me. Too many years blind, but now I can see."
Wow! Thirty five years have gone by. As I reflect on the time, I am have conflicting feelings. I am saddened by the time wasted on pointless things. I am saddened by the mistakes I have made and continue to make. Yes, I know everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect. I know that decisions I have made, both good and bad have shaped me into the man I am today. I am also joyful! I am joyful for all the things God has brought me through, and all of the things He will bring me through. I am joyful and grateful for a loving family that loves me through all of my struggles. I am joyful for a beautiful wife and three beautiful children.
Things I have learned: *That He loves me unconditionally. *A debt was paid for me that I could have never paid no matter how many good deeds I have done or could have ever done. *The gifts of the Spirit are very much alive and well today. *He forgives me, even though I can't always forgive myself. *That even though I am 35 and feel like I should have it all figured out and be financially stable (often feeling like a failure for not being so), I indeed do not, but look forward to all He reveals each new day. I may not have monetary riches on this earth, but I am richly blessed in the spirit. I have been blessed far more than I ever deserved or could have hoped for. * My eyes have seen the miraculous, even though some don't believe it. *That there are many who claim "spiritual enlightenment" who have no relationship with God-the Father, God-the Son, or God-the Holy Spirit. *There are many false teachers out there who will teach that true happiness is found within yourself. They spout half-truths that sound appealing, but when held up to the light don't pass the test. There are many who will spout False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR) and claim it as truth. *Hold everything up to the light. If it goes against His word, leave it behind. If it tells you only part of the story, but says it's okay to leave out the rest, it is false.
We can do nothing apart from Him! Earthly treasures are just that...earthly! You can't take them with you when you leave this earth, so don't go around worrying about how you can get this or that. God will supply all you need. (If I have learned anything during the last year, it is that He provides.) Put your trust in Him. Seek a deeper relationship with Him. It is not what we can do. There is nothing that can be done to earn your way into heaven. Good news! That price has been paid! He desires a deeper relationship with you. It is through that relationship, that He reveals His will for your life. He reveals everything that you need for life and godliness. It is through that deeper relationship that change and growth occurs in your life. Keep Him first, all else follows!
Hope you have been sharpened. I look forward to your thoughts and comments.
In Him,
Phillip
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I'm Sorry. Did I Offend You?
Being a father to 3 wonderful children, I am pretty sure my view on life in general now reflects the interrelationships that I see take place on a daily basis. I am finding that God provides me with lessons in life through them. Take for example, my topic today...Offense. Here is one lesson God has taught me through my children...Be quick to forgive.
I cannot tell you how many times I have seen my kids get into an argument or altercation and then minutes later be playing together as if nothing happened. In my opinion, kids are often the quickest to forgive. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) Children have such kind hearts and we would do well to follow their example in this case. As we continue our walk with God, we are called to mature in our relationship with Him. Part of that maturing is changing our hearts toward each other, and changing how we treat each other. In other words, learning how to love each other. Love each other as He has loved us.
I mentioned in my last post about complaining and how often complaint comes from an offense (real or perceived) that we have kept bottled up inside. Satan will do whatever he can to drive a wedge into our relationship with God. If we are easily offended, then Satan will put someone in front of us to do exactly that! If Satan can drive that wedge into our relationship with God, thereby separating us from Him, we lose our effectiveness for God's kingdom. That effectiveness is one of my biggest goals. I want to be effective for God's kingdom, but I cannot do if I am not walking in love towards others. That means I have to work on being unoffendable. I am not saying this is an easy task, but "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13 NLT)
Part of learning how to love each other, is learning to control you own tongue. Part of overcoming offense is not only being trying to be unoffendable but also trying not to be the offender (I know that Gospel is offensive to some, but that is not what I am talking about here.). Yesterday, I found myself in such a position. Someone made a statement, which offended me, and I decided to lash out with my own rebuttal. Thanfully, the Spirit quickly brought to mind Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out." (NLT) and Proverbs 20:3 "Avoid a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling." (NLT) I bowed out of the conversation and decided to hold my tongue as opposed to letting them have it with both barrels as my flesh wanted to do. Each day we have to make a conscious effort walk in love. If that means swallowing your pride when someone makes a political argument you don't agree with, so be it. Ask yourself, "Am I being effective for God's kingdom, if I say what I want to say?"
Here are some more verses to chew on: (all from the NASB)
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions."
Proverbs 19:11 "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."
I Peter 3:8-9 "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit, not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
Hopefully this post is as helpful to you, as it was for me to get the thoughts written down. I pray that you have been sharpened by this discussion and look forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic.
In Him,
Phillip
I cannot tell you how many times I have seen my kids get into an argument or altercation and then minutes later be playing together as if nothing happened. In my opinion, kids are often the quickest to forgive. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) Children have such kind hearts and we would do well to follow their example in this case. As we continue our walk with God, we are called to mature in our relationship with Him. Part of that maturing is changing our hearts toward each other, and changing how we treat each other. In other words, learning how to love each other. Love each other as He has loved us.
I mentioned in my last post about complaining and how often complaint comes from an offense (real or perceived) that we have kept bottled up inside. Satan will do whatever he can to drive a wedge into our relationship with God. If we are easily offended, then Satan will put someone in front of us to do exactly that! If Satan can drive that wedge into our relationship with God, thereby separating us from Him, we lose our effectiveness for God's kingdom. That effectiveness is one of my biggest goals. I want to be effective for God's kingdom, but I cannot do if I am not walking in love towards others. That means I have to work on being unoffendable. I am not saying this is an easy task, but "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13 NLT)
Part of learning how to love each other, is learning to control you own tongue. Part of overcoming offense is not only being trying to be unoffendable but also trying not to be the offender (I know that Gospel is offensive to some, but that is not what I am talking about here.). Yesterday, I found myself in such a position. Someone made a statement, which offended me, and I decided to lash out with my own rebuttal. Thanfully, the Spirit quickly brought to mind Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out." (NLT) and Proverbs 20:3 "Avoid a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling." (NLT) I bowed out of the conversation and decided to hold my tongue as opposed to letting them have it with both barrels as my flesh wanted to do. Each day we have to make a conscious effort walk in love. If that means swallowing your pride when someone makes a political argument you don't agree with, so be it. Ask yourself, "Am I being effective for God's kingdom, if I say what I want to say?"
Here are some more verses to chew on: (all from the NASB)
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions."
Proverbs 19:11 "A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."
I Peter 3:8-9 "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit, not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
Hopefully this post is as helpful to you, as it was for me to get the thoughts written down. I pray that you have been sharpened by this discussion and look forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic.
In Him,
Phillip
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Do everything without complaining!
Have you ever noticed that advice is often like a boomerang? You give the advice to someone else and eventually that same advice comes right back to you. Case in point: Recently, my children were complaining about the expectations my wife and I had laid out for them, and I offered this bit of advice from Philippians 2:14, "Do everything without complaining and arguing." (NLT) Not too long after giving that gem of advice, I found myself complaining about a circumstance in my life. The words of complaint had no more than left my lips, before God brought that scripture back into remembrance. Ouch! Those words stung, but quickly turned my attitude around. I immediately sent an apologetic message back to the person who had listen to me complain.
So why do everything without complaining? Continuing with verse 15, "so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." We are to be shining lights in the world. How can you be an effective witness to the world when what they hear leaving your mouth is complaining and arguing? That is what the world does. We may live in the world but we are not to be like the world.
This week and the coming weeks commit yourself to the words in Philippians 2:14-15 (although if you wanted to commit 1-18 you would do well). May the peace that passes understanding envelope your life.
TEASER ALERT: Often our complaining, comes from offense (real or perceived) that has been kept bottled up inside. Look inside and see if there is an offense that you are holding on to, and let it go. That is as far as I am going to go on the topic of offense, as I am saving it for another post.
I hope you have been sharpened. I look forward to your thoughts on this post.
In Him,
Phillip
So why do everything without complaining? Continuing with verse 15, "so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." We are to be shining lights in the world. How can you be an effective witness to the world when what they hear leaving your mouth is complaining and arguing? That is what the world does. We may live in the world but we are not to be like the world.
This week and the coming weeks commit yourself to the words in Philippians 2:14-15 (although if you wanted to commit 1-18 you would do well). May the peace that passes understanding envelope your life.
TEASER ALERT: Often our complaining, comes from offense (real or perceived) that has been kept bottled up inside. Look inside and see if there is an offense that you are holding on to, and let it go. That is as far as I am going to go on the topic of offense, as I am saving it for another post.
I hope you have been sharpened. I look forward to your thoughts on this post.
In Him,
Phillip
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thoughts on Faith, God's prompting, and being available
When anyone talks about examples of faith in the Bible, the first person who comes to mind for most people would be Abraham. With good reason. Read Genesis chapters 12-25 and you will see his life on his display. Was he perfect? No. Did he make himself available to God? Yes. Romans 4:3- "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Abraham was obedient. He was willing to follow God's prompting. I hate to say there have been times in my life when I did not make myself available to God. I ignored promptings I felt to say or do what God would have me do. Why? No reasons, just excuses. Didn't think I would be a good "tool" in God's "tool belt." Afraid that I would stumble over words, not know the right thing to say, or say the wrong thing. Discouragement is a lie of the enemy! Your perceived circumstance can seem insurmountable, but God is bigger than your circumstance.
In Hebrews 11:6 we read, "And with out faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard see, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."- Matthew 17:20
Continue studying His word. Within it you will see good and bad examples of faith in action or inaction, as the case may be. Meditate on His word. Write His words on your heart. Learn to hear His voice, and when (yes, I said "when") He calls you, obey. Take that step, like Peter, out on the water. I look forward to reading your thoughts. I look forward to being sharpened.
In Him,
Phillip
Abraham was obedient. He was willing to follow God's prompting. I hate to say there have been times in my life when I did not make myself available to God. I ignored promptings I felt to say or do what God would have me do. Why? No reasons, just excuses. Didn't think I would be a good "tool" in God's "tool belt." Afraid that I would stumble over words, not know the right thing to say, or say the wrong thing. Discouragement is a lie of the enemy! Your perceived circumstance can seem insurmountable, but God is bigger than your circumstance.
In Hebrews 11:6 we read, "And with out faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Jesus told his disciples, "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard see, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."- Matthew 17:20
Continue studying His word. Within it you will see good and bad examples of faith in action or inaction, as the case may be. Meditate on His word. Write His words on your heart. Learn to hear His voice, and when (yes, I said "when") He calls you, obey. Take that step, like Peter, out on the water. I look forward to reading your thoughts. I look forward to being sharpened.
In Him,
Phillip
In the beginning...
So this is my first foray into the world of blogging. My intention is to make at least one post a week, and I hope that the discussions here sharpen your spirit, soul, and mind. My inspiration for this blog come from Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Each week I will bring what God places on my heart. I look forward to good sharpening conversation.
In Him,
Phillip
In Him,
Phillip
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)