Tom and I have been working hard on our finances lately.  We’ll we’ve been pretty intentional for about 5 years, but recently we’ve stepped it up as I’ve been learning about Biblical Finance – what God says about money and how that works today in our culture.

It’s been quite an adventure!

As I’ve moved forward with my fitness/walking/nutrition explorations, I’ve realized it’s MUCH more expensive to be healthy than sick.  The gov’t pays for health care (“sick care”) but not preventative care.  Good, organic food is out of the reach of most people I know except as an occasional treat.  Nutritional supplements are affordable only if you replace regular food with them.  Walking – the cheapest form of fitness – is still expensive if you want to do it well – shoes, clothes that cope with Calgary winters, something to listen to music with so you don’t get bored out of your mind on long walks, something to track  your steps/mileage with as an added incentive on days when you just don’t feel like walking…

Over the past few months Tom and I have also discussed all kinds of lifestyle changes we want to make – careers we want to try, places we want to go,  things we want to experience, and ministries we’d like to support with our time and talents as well as our finances.

Money seems to go only so far, and in our household – probably like yours – it barely meets the day-to-day.  It doesn’t seem to matter how much you have, it’s never enough.

My new friends in the house church I’m a part of believe that we, as Christians, should see life much differently when it comes to a lot of things, and finances in particular.  If you don’t have enough money, even regular day-to-day evangelism gets tough – you can’t afford a Bible for a friend, or a cup of coffee over which you can share the gospel.

Now, please understand, I am NOT of the “name it and claim it” kind  of faith.  God is not Santa Claus.  He’s not a vending machine.  However I believe God does not intend for us to struggle financially to the point that all of our thoughts are on our pocket book instead of on Him.  He does not want us hindered from living out the call He has on our lives because we cannot afford it.  That doesn’t even make sense, when you look at it carefully.

As I’m working through this issue, I am realizing I need to re-sort my priorities, and look for creative ways to increase my bottom line, and lower my monthly expenses so I’m not bound by debt, possessions, or financial worries.  I also need to learn about how God provides, and what He provides as promised in His word.  I am inspired by people like George Mueller, who was able to feed hundreds of orphans on faith alone (his biography is WELL worth a read).  He was never rich, but he always had everything he needed to fulfill the call of God on his life, without worrying about it.  I want to live like that.

I learn by teaching, and I also love to write, so I thought I’d blog about this journey on a new blog I set up called “Secrets of True Prosperity“.  This is not “Law of Attraction” stuff, though the title might imply that.  It’s not “woowoo” stuff, and it’s not about taking verses out of context to create a new doctrine.  I want it to be about my regular journey as I apply what I’ve learned in my faith walk regarding finances.  Maybe the title will also attract some unbelievers who could use the blog to explore faith ideas as well.

If your finances are tight, why not take the journey with me, and act as a “devil’s Advocate”, keeping me on track?  I’d love for this to inspire new discussions and deeper community.

Let’s journey together!

Darlene

“A change is as good as a break”

Sometimes we need to make a big change in order to get a fresh start.  Such has been the case for me!

Last week I finally came off a 40 day computer fast. That was a challenge, I assure you.  It’s hard to imagine how much of a fixed place the computer has taken in my life.  It’s a good thing to let go of from time to time, though!  Amazing how much free time I had each day!  I got lots of deep cleaning done both in the house and in my soul.  New revelation, amazing experiences, and a fresh start.  I feel like a new woman.

So what’s come out of this (besides a clean house)?

1. I was able to practice the art of consistency and discipline in those detail type things that have been a consistent burden – only to find that consistency and discipline make them much easier!  We did more school, cleaning, hanging out, and connecting than ever!
2. I had time to explore some great teaching on Biblical health and prosperity – stuff I’ve never heard even though I’ve been in the church for almost 50 years.  I’ve met some very committed Christians who are living the most amazing lives.  No boring dogmatic faith here!  They are also folks who know their bibles better than anyone I’ve ever met, and they’re taking it at face value (what a concept) and living lives that amaze and excite me!  They have been taking me by the hand and walking me through the process – and I’m seeing HUGE changes in my life, my circumstances, and my relationship with God.  Very exciting!
3. I read dozens of books on health, nutrition, prosperity, finances, spiritual growth, and the like.  I’ve also listened to hours and hours of recorded teaching in these areas.
4. I explored  – and took up the challenge – of going back to school.  Online.  I have a VERY messy university education – 5 years, 4 universities, no degree.  I found an accredited online university that will create order from my chaos and move me into those things that God is opening up for me in the area of healing/health/finances.   They are letting my kids sign up as well, and so we’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree in ministry,  altogether – how cool is that!
5. I’m also training as a Biblical Health Coach and doing a Leadership Certificate in Ministry which will enable me to jump start some areas while I’m working on my degree.  It will give me some practical hands-on training so I can begin practicing some of what I’m learning, while I earn my degree.
6. I am also learning some deep and practical truths on finances that are going to help me both deal with my own finances in a more God-honouring way, but help others to do the same.  Some VERY cool and practical teaching here
7. I have received some very cool revelation about how to proceed with PraiseWalker and other areas of my life, probably by creating an umbrella organization under which these other areas of ministry will fall.  PraiseWalker will be one of those areas, though as I’ve been researching fitness and nutrition these past few weeks, I can see a number of areas where I will be re-vamping that program.
8. I have potentially found a new business partner (she’s checking things out right now and will get back to me) which means I have someone to bounce ideas off, gain instruction from, and create some mutual encouragement and growth.  This is the coolest bit of all!

So, there you have it!  Keep watching this blog for the results of all this amazing learning.  I have something very cool in the works right now, and hope to have something to show for it in about a month’s time.  In the meantime, I’ll be “unpacking” some of what I’m learning and have learned here on the blog.  I hope you’ll join in the conversation!

Darlene