Finances, Debt and God

One of our debts! 

In September of this past year, my husband and I felt God leading us to believe Him to be out of debt except for our home and van within one year.  At that point in time, in addition to our mortgage and van loan, we also owed on a 0% credit card, a zero turn lawnmower, a new desktop computer, and a credit line used to improve our home.  (Whew!  Looking back it seems worse than I realized!)  We were both in agreement and started believing that it was possible with God and praying for wisdom on what we needed to do in addition to believing.

In a short time, we started seeing money come in from various sources.  Knowing that God and not my husband's employer was our provider, we were believing for income in addition to what Dale received on his job.  This is what God did:
1) We received a large monetary gift.
2) Dale was able to work multiple overtime shifts.
3) Using Dave Ramsey's advice, we cashed in our whole life insurance policy and purchased a term policy.  We used the cash we received from cancelling the whole life policy to pay down debt.
4) We were contacted by the company whose pipeline runs through our property about a tree that needed to be removed.  We were compensated for the tree that they cut down.
5) Dale was provided with multiple side jobs.
6) We were able to use our tax refund to also pay off debt.

About six months after we began to believe God for the impossible, we have paid off the credit card, the lawnmower and the computer.  In the midst of that, we did once again use the 0% financing and purchase a new mattress.  After much prayer, Dale said that God told him it was fine, but he would have to work harder to pay off what we were believing to do in the year.

For years, I avoided reading anything by Dave Ramsey.  I had heard him a few times on the radio and it seemed so hard to live that way.  After purchasing our first home five years ago and going through many financial changes, we finally were ready to do things differently.

Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law.  Romans 13:8 (NLT)

There was a time when I wouldn't dwell on this scripture.  I love the way God takes us from understanding to deeper understanding.  It often amazes me how at one point in your life you can't imagine doing something and then a few years later, you are doing what you couldn't even begin to think about years before. 

I pray that by sharing our story (more to come), you will be encouraged to let God be your provider.  Ask Him how to manage your finances and seek Him with an open mind.  He has many blessings that pour out on your life as you seek His face. 

My Favorite Message from Love Life 2012

Love Life Joyce Meyer Conference 2012

I wanted to share my favorite message from this year's annual Joyce Meyer Women's Conference.  I loved all of the sessions that I was able to attend.  (I missed the Thursday evening session.)  However, I did have a favorite.

The message that touched me the most was Friday night when Joyce Meyer brought out a box filled with journals that she had been keeping for many years.  The journals included entries about what she was going through in her life and things she was believing God to bring forth. 

One entry that she read to us stated that she was believing God for 12 washcloths.  That was many, many years ago.  I was very encouraged as I listened to her read from the journals.  It was amazing to see where she is now and to hear details about where she used to be.  I can't quite imagine having to believe God for 12 washcloths.  But I was very delighted to hear that God had cared so much for her that He had someone take the washcloths to her house.  This person was unaware that Joyce was believing God for the washcloths.

As I was uplifted by the testimony contained in those journals, I was reminded that God uses each one our testimonies to bring glory to Him and to cause others to come to God or to increase their faith.  Don't be afraid to give God the glory and share what He has done or is doing in your life.

Weighed Down!

Image Credit

Last night I was thinking about my children's well checkups that were today and was excited to find out how much they weigh.  I held a sleeping Dylan for quite a while at church and boy is he heavy!  Anyway, my mind wandered and I remembered Dale mentioning that he would like to know every so often how much his children weigh, but we don't have a bathroom scale.

Why don't we have a scale?  Well, actually, we do, but the battery went dead and we did not replace it because it was just too much of a temptation for me.  But for many years before that, we went without one.  Why, because I simply could not deal with it.  At some point in high school, I discovered the scale, calories, fat, measuring tapes, dieting and the stress that comes along with all of that.  This battle continued throughout college and into my early married years.  In college I was on the cheerleading team and powerlifting team.  Both of these activities just contributed to the torment I dealt with concerning my weight.  I remember one day after Dale and I had married that my dad knocked on my door.  Mom had sent him to get my scale and my measuring tape (one of those soft ones used for sewing).  I needed those items gone to help me be free.

Praise God that he kept me from being anorexic or bulimic, but I definitely suffered with a "disease" that controlled much of my thought life.  I was constantly on a diet of some kind, always thinking about what I ate, how much I weighed, how many inches my waist measured, and comparing myself to everyone around me.  (Well, not everyone, just those that I felt looked better than I did.  This is a terrible thing to do.)

In the midst of this battle, God spoke to me and said that if I would give this to Him, He would take care of my weight.  And, praise Him, He did!  It wasn't as simple as me simply admitting I had a problem and asking God to deliver me.  God gave me some instructions.  I had to....

1) Get rid of my bathroom scale and measuring tape.
2) Not go on any diets.
3) Not look at the nutrition labels on the food.

As I did these things, my weight stayed very consistent and that's even after two babies.  However, these guidelines (except number 3) are still things that I feel God wants me to continue in my life.  It has been several years since God set me free, but this is a weak area of mine.  I dieted for so many years and was so tormented.  There are days that I "feel fat", but it's nothing compared to how I used to be.  I have a particular pair of dress pants that God lets me use to "measure" myself.  If these pants seem a little tighter than they should be, then I stop snacking at night and maybe reduce my food intake a little to slowly lose the extra weight. 

God cares so much for each one of us.  Many probably struggle in this area as I did.  I know that He would love for you to be free too!  Don't be afraid to ask God for help!  He even cares about how much you weigh and doesn't want it to be a burden to you. 

But, when you give a burden to God, make sure that you listen to hear what He would have you do.  I strongly believe that the only reason that I was set free was that I did what He asked me to do.  It was a strong conviction to do the three things I listed above. 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  James 1:22

I'll Be Happy When....Part 1

I'll be happy when......Have you ever said those words?  I have.  I remember many years ago being in high school saying those words.  It went something like this.  I'll be happy when I lose 5 pounds and I have a boyfriend.  At one point, I lost the pounds I desired and had a boyfriend.  And guess what?  I was NOT happy.  At the time, I realized that what I thought I wanted did not bring happiness, but I did not know what did.  A few more years went by and still I had the same thoughts.  I'll be happy when I get a car, get married, have children, etc.

Is it possible for possessions to make you happy?  For a time, you may be caught up in the excitement of your new purchase.  But it will not bring lasting joy.  The same is true for a spouse and children.  They will not bring you true happiness.  They may bring lots of excitement and fun to your life, but they will not provide the joy for which you are longing.  They cannot provide it.  God did not create husbands, wives and children for that purpose.

Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  John 8:32

God alone can bring the joy and peace that you need.  Since He desires to be the source of your joy, He will not allow you to be completely happy without Him.  There will be an emptiness inside of you that can only be filled with a true relationship with your heavenly Savior.   We loved him because he first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Happiness does not depend upon other people or circumstances.  If it did, who would seek God?

The Vision for Our Family

 Five years ago, my husband and I were introduced to Victory Christian Center, a church in a nearby town.  We were looking for a church home and soon began attending there.  That's where we were when God called Dale to pastor South County Line Christian Church, which is where we are now.

While attending Victory Christian Center, we had a chance to observe some special families.  That's where I saw what I wanted!  The pastor was a father to 10 children.  I watched each Sunday as those children served God.  I listened to those young adults pray during the service.  I watched those children jump up and down and worship the Lord.  And I stood in amazement.....this was my first experience to really see a family in love with God that it couldn't be denied.  These children weren't just attending church because their parents said they had to go, they had relationships with God themselves!  And I knew that I wanted that too!  At the time, we did not yet have any children.  I remember walking to our car after service one day and the pastor ran out to catch us and asked if he could pray that God would bless us with children.  Well, God did!  And He gave us so much more, something to "see", how a family could follow God together.  

And so, here is our vision for our family........

                    That God will use our family to point others to Jesus.

                    Children who have their own "walks with God" so that when it becomes time for us 

                    to let them go, they will go the only way they know.  Following hard after God!

                    To live the life that God has called us to wherever that may lead.

Don't Let Satan Steal From You

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.   John 10:10

On April 12, 2003, Dale and I were married (see above).  I knew that it was God's plan for Dale and I to be husband and wife.  We had prayed about marriage and had watched God provide signs for us that we were on the right path.  However, knowing this, I still allowed Satan to steal from me on our wedding day.  I walked down the aisle and stood there beside my soon to be husband thinking that he might say no.  Can you believe that?  Don't let Satan take your joy and peace!  Stand firm on God's Word and truth He has spoken to you.  Choose to live the abundant life!  It is so much better!  Today, I know that my husband would say Yes! 

Hearing God

 Image Credit

I started what I would call really walking with God when I was 22.  I struggled with hearing God talk to me, but I definitely could hear Satan.  Almost every time that I was in the car, Satan would talk to me.  I would hear in my head, "just run off the road and then it will be over, no more troubles".  As I studied the Word by reading the Bible, reading Christian Living books and listening to teaching tapes, God's voice became stronger than Satan's.  Eventually, Satan stopped telling me to run off the road.  After listening to Satan put me down for all those years, I was surprised when I had a "good thought".  I remember being in my kitchen one morning and I thought "something good is going to happen to me".  It was strange since I had lived with bad thoughts for so long, but I was excited.  God was changing me by changing my thinking.  He would love to help you too!