A penny for your thoughts

Thoughts are real and powerful; even though they can't be seen with the naked eye or measured with your hands they are very real! One of the most important things we can do to create the level of Joy, peace, and passion we want is to learn how to manage our thought life. You will become tomorrow what you're thinking today. 92% of what people worry about never happens or can't be controlled anyway. The apostle Paul gave believers a strong exhortation about managing their thought life: He Wrote, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever thing are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 Now let's hear the conclusion of the matter: what you do habitually you become permanently. Therefore, make it your daily habit of practicing the virtues Paul has given us; they will help you experience God on a totally different level!

The Santa who Stole Christmas

There he go again! I'm talking about Santa. This guy is slick; he can separate you from your money before you can say the words "Red Tag Sale." He only shows up on December 25th, the day after you have spent your tithe, rent money, and utility bill money to buy gifts that won't even last. Why is it that we get suckered each year. Don't we realize that the expense for Christmas was bought and paid for over 2000 years ago; don't we realize that Christmas isn't about what we can buy, but what's already paid for. There is a big difference between Santa and Jesus. With Santa, Christmas is about us and what we want; with Jesus, it about Him and how much He loves us; God so loved the world that he freely gave us the most precious Gift in His son-the chance of Eternal Life! It's okay to express your love and affection for important people in your life with gifts and cards, but it's not okay to feel obligated to spend what you don't have or don't want to spend in order justify yourself during the holidays. If you're buying gifts to justify yourself-that is the spirit of Santa. But if you're buying gifts simply because you want to bless others with no strings attached and won't need to break your piggy bank to do it-that's the Spirit Christmas!

The Spirit of the Holidays

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Seriously! Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. The spirit of Christmas is contagious; people are kinder, gentler, and joyous during the holiday season. Even crepty people can find the opportunity to smile. The spirit of the holidays is a powerful opportunity to reconcile important relationships, say you're sorry about something you did in a moment of foolishness. We are generally more forgiving during the Christmas Season. Why not make the most of every opportunity to strenghten the bonds of fellowship you have with people in your inner circle. You will need them from time to time. Don't allow spiritual darkness to cloud your witness to fact that Jesus is the reason for the season. We don't deny problems on the home front or trouble lurking at the door. Nevertheless, we refuse to lose site on "The Christ", and the wonderful Gift God gave to the world in sending a Savior. Make no mistake, the world needs a Savior and Christ is it! Therefore, be joyous always; this is God's will for you this holiday season.

360 Degree Stewardship-updated!

What's the beef about this principle? Why should anyone practice it? Great questions. It's only a big deal if you're a Christian. Christians will ultimately stand face to face with the living God, and he will judge us on how well we managed all that we have and all that we are. Failure isn't an option and why should it be? Why would we want to stand before our God and say that we have purposefully and willfully squandered all that has been entrusted to us on ourselves? Why should we want to utter words like, we didn't try to grow financially or grow spiritually or add value to lives of others? Can't speak for you, but I don't roll that way! I am only interested in hearing two words: Well done! Remember, you were created for multiplication and it's not as hard as you think. We do it all the time; why not learn to do it intentionally? Why not put to practice a principle that is guaranteed to increase you in every area of your life? Becoming a 360 steward is the ability to effectively multiply. Why should anyone practice it? Whether a person is a Christian or not, successful people have these characteristics. They don't like to waste their time, energy, or money, so why should we? They do it to live on a level far above ordinary people. They do it to feel confident and self controlled. They do it because winning just feels good! Christians do it to be in the best possible position to influence the most people to know God, follow Jesus, and live a normal life. Bottom line-a 360 steward isn't limited to Christians; non Christians also use these principles, but only Christians can do it on a spiritual level.

Happy Thanksgiving

I recently loss my oldest brother from alcoholism. Although I am thankful for my family and many friends, I would love to celebrate this year's Thanksgiving around the dinner table with my oldest brother. So celebrate this year's Thanksgiving with the people God has placed in your life regardless of the differences you might have with them. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us! You might be surprised to know that the differences you might have with the people in your life don't compare on any level with the possibility of never seeing them again.

Happy Thanksgiving

360 Degree Stewardship

What is stewardship, and why should you care? Stewardship is the wise management of someone Else's assets. The reason you should care is because as a Christian you have been given a sacred trust. You have been given the responsibility to wisely and faithfully manage every aspect of your life for the glory of God. 360 Degree stewardship is the sum total of all that you are and all that you have! Everything that we have, every earthy asset-tangible and intangible is a heavenly resource. 360 degree stewardship is a Kingdom principle; the application of this principle is to wisely invest your time, money, health, mind, gift, and talent to add or multiply your life. In short, whatever you have in your hand, God wants you to multiple it. The successful application of this principle will keep you from going broke financially, ruining your health, and wasting you gifts, talents, and time. This is a principle of faith and possibility. Everyone wants to be a winner and not a loser. Unfortunately there are winners and losers in the Kingdom of God. Losers allow doubt, fear, and unbelief to keep them from practicing the 360 principle. Winners have influence and influence is needed to convince a lost world that Jesus is their solution. You will become a real life example for non-believers that following Jesus is the only winning Choice!

Putting God to the test!

Testing God is akin to tempting God and every mature believer know that you do not tempt God! But, there is one place is the bible where you can not only test God, but you are dared to do so! QUESTION: If you could give God a test would you? If you could test the integrity of his words or the certainty of his promises would you? I would! I would jump right on that one-and why not? In fact, I did jump at the opportunity; tithing is the test. It is the only acceptable area where we, his creation, can test the creator. What is tithing? Mathematically, tithing is a tenth part of the whole of something. Scripturally, tithing is a law of God. Economically, tithing is systematic giving of 10% of your annual income to the church where you belong. Spiritually, tithing demonstrates our ability to trust in God's provision. In Malachi 3:7-11, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Malachi to the people of God at that time. God charged them with defrauding him of the opportunity of blessing their crops, live stocks, and spiritual well being. When his people stopped tithing, God stopped the blessing. His command was simple; return the tithe and he would return the blessing. Are you putting God to the test? Don't pass up a golden opportunity to test creator, I didn't!