A recent article in the Financial Post estimates a four year degree at Carlton will cost $64000 with no frills. Living at home only cuts the cost in half.
Author: Craig
the end of free money
How many times have heard people in the last year insist that they are different? They are responsible users of credit cards! This money is free to them because they pay their bill every month. Plus they get points. Well according to the New York Times, the free ride is almost over for about 50 million responsible credit card users.
before you depart from you plan…
As leaders we face the push and pull of pressures and distractions on sticking with our values and our plans. For many years I have internalized the axiom that “a plan is a good place from which to depart.” However, I have also realized that before parting ways with my plans I should sort out some very good reasons for doing so. In the face of a crisis it is very tempting to abandon the plans and even the purposes before us, because we believe that if others think we are doing nothing then they will think badly of us. Sangeeth Varghese wonderfully illustrates this leadership trap in his recent article in Forbes. In a crisis or a difficulty whether the leader chooses to maintain the course or to change course one of the essential choices is to be clear. Keep talking. Talk clearly. Explain the why. Reinforce the values. And talk about the plan in regard to the current conditions.
the gospel coalition 2009 talks on-line
The Gospel Coalition has made audio and video of the talks and some of the workshops from last week’s conference available on-line. You can scroll down the schedule and pick the one you would like to listen to. I heartily recommend Timothy Keller on idolatry and John Piper on courage.
LOST: Financial stress reveals my heart & my plan
When you are lost, you have become disoriented and are not where you want to be. But what if you have even lost perspective on where you need to be? It is easy to get lost financially. A few wrong turns, and few too hopeful decisions, a few emergencies and we are financially lost. We are not sure which way to turn and what to do. We can all get financially lost.
Here is the Big Idea from this week’s message: Financial stress reveals my heart and my plan.
Financial stress reveals where my heart is with God. It reveals the strength or weakness of my financial plan and skills.
The prophet Haggai was one of the first to speak up for God to the exiles that returned to Jerusalem. They had returned with high hopes. But had had mostly struggles. Things were a mess in the city. The surrounding inhabitants were not happy to see them. And then the weather was not cooperating. Haggai shows up and wants to help them see what God wants them to see about their “financial stress.” They needed to see that their hearts were not in on God’s plan to turn Jerusalem and them into a spiritual powerhouse from which He would bless the nations. In fact they were not even interested. So God had let their efforts at securing their own lives and interests be not so fruitful. You can listen to the message and use the questions below as a guide.
1. What evidence is there that I am lost financially or in danger of getting into a financial mess?
“Give careful thought to your ways…” Haggai 1:5
2. What do my finances reveal about my relationship with God? Do my finances reveal a devoted life to Jesus Christ?
“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you
brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty.
“Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.” Haggai 1:9
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:34
“For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21
3. Am I willing to respond to God in repentance? Am I willing to learn new skills?
“Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.” “I am with you,” declares the LORD. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of …the people. They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God…” Haggai 1:12, 13, 14
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