Rethinking Retirement Resources

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Psalm 71:18   I stumbled upon a few resources that I thought I would pass along. Pastor John Piper has a free PDF of a book [...]

What the Recession is For

I recently listened to John Piper’s sermon on What the recession is for. I thought it was excellent and worth passing along. He delivers a message about God’s purposes in the Recession.  Pastor John  gives 5 purposes of the Recession. 1. To Expose Sin and Bring Repentance 2. To Awaken us to World Poverty 3. To Relocate the Roots [...]

SJ Weekly Devotional – Debt

Debt The Great Spiritual Inhibitor Last week we looked at Giving and what the Bible says about how to give.   This week we will look at Debt and what the Bible says about it. I have titled this post Debt – The Great Spiritual Inhibitor. I believe debt is often what often keeps us from [...]

How to Give

How to Give If you think for a moment, you can probably name a few books that deal with how to pray, how to lead your family, how to teach, how to serve, how to study scripture, but how many books can you think of that teach you how to give?  I can only think [...]

Understanding the Tithe and the First Fruits

Understanding the Tithe and the First Fruits What is a Tithe and is it important? A tithe is defined as a “one-tenth” part of something or 10%. The importance of understanding the Tithe is seen in Malachi 3:8-10 as the Israelites are warned to not “rob God” by not giving 10% of the first fruits [...]

SJ Weekly Devotional – Sending it On Ahead – Your Net Worth in Heaven

Sending it on ahead Your Net Worth in Heaven The term “net worth” is a part of our everyday language. Simply your net worth is the sum of things that you “own” or your assets minus your things that you “owe” or liabilities. In our society and culture, net worth is often related to our [...]

Measuring Your Success is the Real Measure of Success

I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t set goals for him or herself at some point.  We’ve all done it, whether it is a weight loss goal, financial goal, work or personal goal.  Why is it that they are so hard to keep?  Why do they so often fade to that place of “out of sight; [...]

Goal Setting Tools

Once you have figured out exactly what goals you’re aiming for, you are probably much like myself and go at it hard for a few weeks before trailing off until they become simply good intentions.  I’ve heard it said that it takes 30 days to form a habit, but I think it should be stated [...]

The Goal Planning Weekend

Well, we’ve been on the topic of goal planning this week, and this is an easy place to get stuck.  Just about all of the clients I work with want to set great goals for themselves, but aren’t really sure how.  I’m sure you’re familiar with all the popular New Year’s Resolutions (in case you [...]

SJ Weekly Devotion – Goal Setting

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” Proverbs 16:9 As a financial planner, the first place I always start with new clients is goal setting.  You’ve heard the cliches – If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.  Failing to plan is planning to [...]