Happy New Year! We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas.
How would you like to start the new year with a life-changing event?
Looking back on 37 years of marriage, if we could change one thing, we would have started a spending plan (budget) in the very beginning of our marriage. The spending plan that we began over 20 years ago has done more for our marriage than any one step we have taken, besides our commitment to the Lord. Even though we didn’t disagree on how we spent our money and we weren’t in a lot of debt, we didn’t know where our money was going. The lack of a plan caused an underlying tension and financial insecurity.
The guru of our day was Larry Burkett. We read his books, listened to him speak, and followed the Biblical principles that he showed us. Our life has been different ever since.
Shortly after that time, Ed became a certified financial counselor through Christian Financial Concepts. He wanted to teach others what we had learned. We both studied and began teaching others about managing money according to God’s design.
We begin a new Managing Money class on Tuesday, January 4th, from 6:30-8:30. The class is four weeks total. We teach the Biblical principles and practical tools. A person or a couple’s life could you be changed forever in this class! Pray and ask God whether He is leading you to come or to sponsor someone else to come. [see details here]
We tell people that managing money isn’t rocket science; it really isn’t hard at all. A few major obstacles exist for most people: 1) a conviction of the heart—making a commitment to follow God’s direction, believing that what He wants is the best for our lives; and 2) a lack of skills in knowing how to formulate and execute the plan; and 3) a belief that someone is going to tell them how to spend your money.
What we do in reference to these obstacles: 1) we clearly present God’s heart on the issues, leaving the opportunity for people to respond; 2) we walk everyone through the steps, one at a time, and are available outside of class for additional help; and 3) we do not set the amount of money people spend on anything, that amount is between them and God and their family (if they have one)., we do not ask anyone to reveal any personal financial information in class.
It is not too late to make end of the year gifts! If the donation is mailed, the envelope must be post-marked by December 31st for us to give a tax-receipt for 2010. You may also donate online up to midnight on the last day of the year. These year-end donations fund a significant amount of ministry in the coming year.
We challenge you to consider what the Lord wants you to do during the coming year to grow closer to Him and to grow in your closest relationships.
We love and appreciate you and your support of the work God is doing through Living Well! We are excited to see what He is going to do in the year to come! May the Lord bless you in the coming year.
Our love in Christ,
Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for the ministry through year-end giving.
Showing posts with label fiances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiances. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
LIVING WELL, December 2010
He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces.
(Isaiah 25:6)
The reality of this verse is a great comfort as I (Donna) go through the passing of my mother from this life to the reality of eternity with our Lord. My mother departed on November 15th. I was fortunate to spend those moments with her as she breathed her last breath. For now, the loss of her physical presence brings great grief in my life. But I believe His Promise even when I don’t feel it.
My mother had a great influence on my spiritual life. I am thankful for the many ways she taught me about Jesus and the way she demonstrated His life through hers. I think of the verse in which Paul wrote to Timothy about his legacy of faith from his mother and grandmother. The same verse could be written of my inheritance. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother and in your mother and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 paraphrased) The faith of a Christian mother and grandmother is of great value in our lives.
I know that many of our friends, family, and supporters have prayed for us during this time of loss. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers as we go through this season of life.
As we celebrate the coming of our Lord to earth, we remember why He came.
The Bible recounts many reasons that Jesus left heaven to become a human and walk the earth. Here are a few.
Jesus came:
To reveal or make known the Father:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18
To save the world:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
To preach the good news of the kingdom of God:
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43
To serve and sacrifice:
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
To do the will of the Father:
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
To destroy the work of Satan:
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8
To become a high priest and atone for sin:
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
To proclaim freedom for believers:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18
To give abundant life:
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b
In December each year, many of us either make special donations to ministries or perhaps catch up on donations before year’s end. Without you and others standing with us, it is not possible for us to continue the mission the Lord has given us to strengthen marriages and families through the services of our ministry including personal guidance and classes. Would you please prayerfully consider including Living Well in your end-of-year contributions? Your prayers and financial investment enables us to move forward in 2011. (Click here to donate)
Know anyone who needs to get a better handle on their finances? We have a class starting January 4th on Tuesday nights in January. (Click here for details) Our love in Christ,
Merry Christmas! We pray that you have an opportunity to spend time with your families. May the enclosed book mark aid you in celebrating and worshipping the fullness of who Jesus is.
Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for the ministry through year-end giving.
(Isaiah 25:6)
The reality of this verse is a great comfort as I (Donna) go through the passing of my mother from this life to the reality of eternity with our Lord. My mother departed on November 15th. I was fortunate to spend those moments with her as she breathed her last breath. For now, the loss of her physical presence brings great grief in my life. But I believe His Promise even when I don’t feel it.
My mother had a great influence on my spiritual life. I am thankful for the many ways she taught me about Jesus and the way she demonstrated His life through hers. I think of the verse in which Paul wrote to Timothy about his legacy of faith from his mother and grandmother. The same verse could be written of my inheritance. "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother and in your mother and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 paraphrased) The faith of a Christian mother and grandmother is of great value in our lives.
I know that many of our friends, family, and supporters have prayed for us during this time of loss. We greatly appreciate your continued prayers as we go through this season of life.
As we celebrate the coming of our Lord to earth, we remember why He came.
The Bible recounts many reasons that Jesus left heaven to become a human and walk the earth. Here are a few.
Jesus came:
To reveal or make known the Father:
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1:18
To save the world:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
To preach the good news of the kingdom of God:
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:43
To serve and sacrifice:
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
To do the will of the Father:
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
To destroy the work of Satan:
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8
To become a high priest and atone for sin:
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
To proclaim freedom for believers:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18
To give abundant life:
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b
In December each year, many of us either make special donations to ministries or perhaps catch up on donations before year’s end. Without you and others standing with us, it is not possible for us to continue the mission the Lord has given us to strengthen marriages and families through the services of our ministry including personal guidance and classes. Would you please prayerfully consider including Living Well in your end-of-year contributions? Your prayers and financial investment enables us to move forward in 2011. (Click here to donate)
Know anyone who needs to get a better handle on their finances? We have a class starting January 4th on Tuesday nights in January. (Click here for details) Our love in Christ,
Merry Christmas! We pray that you have an opportunity to spend time with your families. May the enclosed book mark aid you in celebrating and worshipping the fullness of who Jesus is.
Donna and Ed Edwards
P.S. Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for the ministry through year-end giving.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
What do I do with all this information?
A few basic principles that guide us in the Christian life will also serve us well in this area.
First - pray for those who are in authority. Pray for their wisdom but also their sense of morality and ethics.
Second - take responsibility for any part you have in accumulating debt or being unwise in your spending.
Third - and most important, seek God’s heart and guidance on finances.
Fourth - Be involved in the culture. Share your perspective with your government representatives. Find out who might need help in your sphere of influence. Share what you have learned about finances in a way that honors God but gives grace to the listener.
Fifth - Don’t panic. Your reaction to the economic climate today is a barometer of your trust in God. Is your security in money or in the government or the political system or in Wall Street or is in God, our Father, our Creator, and our Sustainer?
Managing money is not rocket science.
Three practices will take care of most decisions in regards to money:
1. God owns it all. Seek Him about what to do with His money. Use His plan.
2, Spend less than you earn. Do not go into debt. If you are in debt, make it a priority to get out.
3, Save first, before spending for your wants of the day. A dollar spent today precludes how it can be spent in the future.
The Bible and Money
"Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid" Hebrews 13:5-6
“The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" 1 Timothy 5:8
"The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets" Proverbs 21:20, LB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)