Tired of dealing with money pressure? Is money causing stress in your home?

Beginning October 12, we will run a new series called, “Managing Finances God’s Way.”

This 7-week series involves:

1. 7 messages regarding how to manage money and not let it “manage” you.

2. Video curriculum (20 minute lessons) from 5 experts in the field. You can participate in this by joining a small group. There is time in the small group for sharing, questions, and discussion.

3. A workbook that combines the biblical teaching on finances with some great tools, worksheets and charts to help you. Included in the workbook is a CD with all the tools and charts in the workbook!

The workbooks will be available this Sunday. Check in at a table in the foyer. You will only need one workbook/family.

During these economic tough times, our desire is for you to experience:

* Obedience to God in your family

* Financial freedom, especially from debt

* The joy of knowing your finances make a difference that will outlast you

* Replacing stress and pressure with satisfaction and peace at home

Listen to enough people and your hear them pursuing “peace:”

* Inner peace,

* Peace  with themselves,

* Peace as opposed to  being a worry-wart,

* Peace in difficult relationships,  circumstances, or finances,

* Peace with difficult kids.

Without God, people are left to find peace by their (1) circumstances and (2) own efforts. Think about that. How good are we at controlling our circumstances?  That’s like trying to control the weather! And how are you at controlling your efforts to bring you peace? Sometimes:

* NO amount of perfect effort can bring peace.

* My efforts are “spotty,” bringing some peace but not enough. We jump on ourselves to “do better” which instantly brings less internal peace.

Relying on circumstances and my efforts to find peace is like taking a cruise on an iceberg. I may actually get to where I want to go, but is it worth the effort? What’s missing?

Peace with myself STARTS with finding peace with God.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being at peace with God means we can also be at peace with ourselves. Peace with God doesn’t come from my efforts. It comes from God, received with child-like faith.

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were trying to hide from themselves and God. Our Lord took everything sinful on Himself that we might experience freedom and peace.

This is only possible for the genuine Christian. Why? Only Jesus Christ can deliver!!!! “Religion” doesn’t, being “religious” doesn’t, being “sincere” doesn’t.

John 16:33 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Do not be afraid.”

Being at peace with God, receiving peace from Christ means you can be at peace right now. Period.

2 Corinthians 10:12 We do NOT dare to classify or COMPARE ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and COMPARE themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

I swim at Nova Masters during lunch Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Virtually everyone there “seems” to be a Who’s Who of swimming. I have seen some of our Olympians, Iron Man triathletes, folks who competed in the World Championships in Sydney, as well as our own swim meets. (to date, I have not been asked to “compete” at our swim meet).

Friday, a young woman came to my lane, “Lane 1,” to share the lane for an hour. When Coach Mike saw her he shouted out, “Hey, Jet!” (apparently her nickname). She started swimming while I asked Coach Mike who “Jet” was. Read the rest of this entry »

There is something God-placed, deep in the heart of every person: the longing to know and be known. You were made to “know” others and for others to “know” you.

Of course that means more than knowing your name, your family, and your career. It means to know the “real” you, the parts of your lives you tell few people: what you struggle with, what longings are unmet, what you aspire to be but fall short, how you want to be closer to your spouse or kids but can’t seem to “make it happen.” It’s the kind of stuff you can’t talk about in the school parking lot or during a worship service. Read the rest of this entry »

Contentment is one of those things we always seem to be chasing, like attorneys chasing ambulances, except the attorneys apparently catch the ambulances!

Philippians 4:11 “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Contentment doesn’t come “naturally” or “automatically” to the Christian. Even the great apostle Paul had to learn contentment.

What comes “naturally” or “automatically” are things like griping, muttering, complaining, and grumbling, all children of the parents known as “Never Enough” and “I Deserve Better.” Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. It’s better to take your car to Jiffy Lube than change the oil yourself. Here are a few of my “experiences:” oil spill on driveway the size of the Alaskan tanker Valdez, forgot to put “plug” back in oil pan resulting in Valdez oil spill up the street, and realizing the last time I changed the oil was, gulp, THREE years ago!

Jiffy Lube now sends me a post card every three months. I take my car in. Oil changed. Car happy. Customer happy. Read the rest of this entry »

Dave Tippett gives us Five Signs You’ve Gone to a Bad Tax Service
5. They ask if you want fries with that refund.
4. IRS auditors have their own parking spot.
3. Corporate motto: “Never Convicted!”
2. They can replace your muffler at the same time.
1. They have a frequent guest punch card from the folks at “Sixty Minutes.” Read the rest of this entry »

Over the last few weeks I’ve talked to lots of people about their lives. A common thread runs through virtually every conversation–dissatisfaction.

The list is almost endless. Dissatisfied with their spouse, their marriage, their work, our church, having to make an effort to do something, having to make an extra 10 minute trip in the car, not getting provolone cheese on their Togo sandwich, getting a “Grande” (medium) instead of a “Venti” (large) at Starbucks. The attitude that comes through is similar to one you’d expect to hear from 4 year olds that didn’t get a balloon after spending 10 hours at Disneyland.

Some of the conversations have an unstated undercurrent of “What’s wrong with God” theme.

The list sometimes get a little personal. Read the rest of this entry »