So I got this tweet the other day from Dave Ramsey – “The story of the Good Samaritan wouldn’t have existed if he didn’t have any money.”
Coming from a financial guy like Dave, I thought this was interesting so I began to look into it a little further. So I read the story of the Good Samaritan. I noticed a few things that struck me about the Good Samaritan. He was prepared. He was ready to take action for the opportunity that was before Him. He was ready to love.
I went back to the story where the Levite and the priest both saw the man who was beaten and walked on the other side of the road. Were they not prepared? Why weren’t they ready to love the man who was left for half dead?
I look at the Good Samaritan and see that he was prepared in these ways:
Socially – The half beaten man was probably not of the same social status of himself which was taboo
Physically – He was able to pick the man up and put him on his donkey
Mentally/Intellectually – He had the knowhow of what to do with the man’s wounds by pouring oil on them and bandaging them
Financially – He was able to pay for the man’s stay at the inn in order for him to get well. He even came back to pay the inn for any extra charges that were needed for the man.
Spiritually – His heart was prepared to love. Because he understood what love meant, he was able to display to the man.
I believe God has called us all to great things. The question is, are we preparing ourselves for the opportunities that God may have or are we going to have to take a pass on the other side because we didn’t take the time to prepare for what He not wants us to do but has called us to do.
Most of you that guessed Lauren and I are pregnant, were wrong. Sorry.
We have actually paid off ALL of our school loan debt. We began focusing on this in January 2007 and finished at the end of January 2008. So, in 13 months we have paid off a total in $58,090.39 in school loans. Talk about a huge monkey off our back. We are now planning to save for a house and even have the freedom to give more which we love doing.
I’ll post more on how we did it if anyone is interested in knowing.
Many times we all feel like we’re on a journey of some sort. Whether it’s the journey to know why we’re here on earth, becoming a man, becoming a husband, or whatever it may be. The journey always seems to have it tough points and yet those glorious ones as well.
Lauren and I have been on a financial journey for the past year. We made a committment to pay off our school loan debt. Even though the journey is not complete, we have had many opportunties to see God’s blessings. Our marriage has become stronger becuase we have dedicated ourselves to following after the same goal. We strengthen each other by each of us participating in the journey. We have learned what it means to not get what we want all the time, but have celebrated along the way. Our journey together made me think about a canyon and mountain analogy. Here it goes:
I feel our journey this past year has been climbing out of huge canyon and this year will be a climbing up the mountain. When you’re in the canyon you can only see what is around you and only up as high as the canyon goes. Your view is limited and you can easily become distracted by the little things around you. Once you get out of the canyon and at the base of the mountain, you begin to see the journey you have taken to get where you are. The vastness of the canyon makes you feel a sense of accomplishment. You’ve done something you’re proud to be a part of. Then you turn around and see the glorious mountain that you couldn’t see from the canyon. You know instantly that the journey is not over, but it looks to get even better. Even though there may be rocky ridges and slippery slopes along the way, the beauty of the mountain is astonishing. You see a bigger picture then what you could before.
May God continue to bestow His blessings amongst us all and may we not lose sight or hope of His Glory.
Today I begin the new year back at Pizza Hut. I’ve been off since right before Christmas. It seems like it’s been ages. Life there has been great and no so great at times.
The not so great times include trying to handle 50+ orders coming in at once. Thankfully I don’t have to do it alone. Everything is setup as a team. All of the employees working together as one to make the business flow and operate. Seems like God said something about the Church being like that (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12).
The great part includes getting to meet a lot more people, especially ones that aren’t Christ followers. It’s given me the opportunity to get out of the church bubble and be with people that need to know Christ. I’ve shared with many people what I do at Compass Christian Church, so I’ve become known as the “Christian” or “the guy who goes to church.” I’ll take either of those so long as I am making some sort of impact.
Right before Christmas, one of the guys who washes dishes has been asking me what we’ve been learning in church. We had just begun the Portraits of Christmas series and so I told him about the angel and the manger and how those represented God’s Providence and Humility. He thought it was interesting and went on working. A few days later he asked my Jesus would die on a cross. He said, “It seems as if Jesus was on a suicide mission or something.” I laughed and then thought the same thing. I explained that God sent His Son Jesus for us. Because He loved us. He was set back by that and contemplated it for the rest of the evening.
Now as I head back there this evening, I look forward to what God has in store for me next.
I hope to make a few more posts over the Holiday Season as I have some time off. Please keep me accountable to doing this. I have some great stories/thoughts that I want to share with you.
I began working at the new Pizza Hut/Wing Street in Roanoke in order to make some extra cash. After being there a few weeks, I’m beginning to feel the urgency of sharing my faith more with those I work with. I’ve talked about church with a few people and about God with even fewer, but I want more to know. I see this as a divine opportunity for me to grow more in my faith and trust in God. I ask that you pray for me in this and that my ministry there will bear fruit. I’m very much an introvert and don’t want that to become an excuse. I need to be brave and courageous.
6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9
On a side note
I begin delivery driving this next week (HOPEFULLY)! Pray that all goes well and that I will be able to start delivering this week. Lauren and I are praying that the tips I will make will help make our school loan balance start to diminish a little quicker.
CitiBank frustrates me many of times. We have one of our school loans through them and have been paying the loan through their online payment system on their website. It is easy to make payments, however, what’s frustrating is the fact that it takes 5 or more days to post to our account allowing the interest still accrue. How convenient. Anyways, I’ll be happy when we are finished with CitiBank school loan.
Last month, I celebrated my anniversary of working at the church. I’ve been there 6 years and many things have seemed to change overtime. Here are few things that have changed in my life since I began working there:
Moved from Administrative Assistant for the Student Ministry to Student Ministry Director
Graduated from DeVry University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems
Lived at parent’s house à moved to duplex with three friends àmoved to townhome with three friends (not all the same as previous) à moved to apartment with a friend à moved back home with my parents
Bought a 1999 Mazda 626 à turned in my 2003 Ford Mustang (it was leased)
These are only a few of the things I could think of, but it seems like a lot. Change is one of those things we can either complain about it, or we can learn to adapt and grow and see how we can better the situation, our self or whatever else it may be.
I look forward to the things God has for me in my life. I pray that what I do will bring a smile to God and ultimately give Him the Glory He deserves.
I’m not sure how many people may read this, but I want to get some ideas.
If you had $25 to spend on a total stranger, how would you spend it to simply show you love and care about them? I’m interested in seeing some creative thoughts & ideas.
Here’s the May update. We have reached 37% of our total school loans. We are so excited and anxious to get these things paid off and to stop paying Citibank an outrageous amount in interest. Our interest rate has dropped significantly thanks to the Federal Reserve rate being cut. I believe it was a blessing from God to help us not pay as much interest on the loan. Stay tuned for more updates. We’re ready to get “over the hill” and be on the downward slope.
