Monday Musings... Be Remembered

There is a popular quote from a Moravian missionary from the 1700's named Count Zinzendorf. (If you don't like your name, at least be thankful your name isn't Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf!)  You will see this quote from Count Z make its rounds on social media from time to time. 

Here's the quote: 

Preach the Gospel, die, and be forgotten.  

I do appreciate this quote from the Count. It reminds me of the words John the Baptist spoke: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) 

We always want the glory to be given to God alone. 

We always let our light shine so that people will glorify our Father in Heaven, not us.  

But the more I think about this quote, the more I want to change it. 

Personally, I want to be remembered. Not because of a desire for fame or glory, or for people to think I'm a great guy... 

I want to be remembered because I serve a great God.  

I don't want my time on earth to end and then go out as someone who essentially never existed. I want something to last beyond my life. 

I want to plant seeds and water those seeds so that others can grow and be fruitful. 

I want to leave a legacy of faith and trust in God.  

Is it wrong to want to be remembered? 

I don't think so, at least, not for the right reasons. 

I think everyone should want the Lord to remember us. 

I think everyone should want to join the great cloud of witnesses who leave an example of a life that pleases God because we lived by faith.  (Hebrews 12:1) 

And then I was reading Psalm 112 last week which says: 

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.  They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:4-7 (NIV) 

Isn't trusting in the Lord what it's all about? 

So, with appreciation to Count Z and his inspiring quote, I would like to change it for my personal reflection today. 

Preach the Gospel. Die. Be remembered. 

BUILDING YOUR EMERGENCY FUND (Because Life Happens!)

Ever had one of those weeks where your car breaks down, your Wi-Fi goes on strike, and your fridge dies? 😱 Yup, life loves to throw curveballs when you least expect it! That’s why an emergency fund is your financial shield. 🛡️

💡 What’s an Emergency Fund? It’s your “I’m not stressed, I’m financially prepared” fund. 💪 Think of it as your money’s equivalent of a superhero cape (no, it won’t fly, but it will save the day). 🦸‍♀️

If you are working to pay off debt, your goal is to have $1,000 set aside in an emergency fund.

If you are debt free - with exception of mortgage - your goal is to save 3 - 6 months of expenses for an emergency fund.

It is always wise to have savings for a rainy day.
Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”

🛠️ How to Build Your Fund:

Start small – You don’t need to save for a yacht. Aim for $25/week and work your way up. 🚤

Set up automatic transfers – Make saving as easy as hitting “next episode” on Netflix. 🍿

Keep it separate – If it’s in your regular account, it might just vanish faster than your leftovers. 🍕

Track your progress – Celebrate the small wins. You’re one step closer to not stressing when the fridge decides to take a nap. 🥳

🔑 The moral of the story: Life will definitely throw some surprises your way. But with an emergency fund, you can face them like a pro. Or at least with a little less panic. 😂

❓What’s the craziest “emergency” you’ve had to deal with? Share your stories in the comments!

AVOIDING BROKE-NESS: A Biblical Guide

Let’s be real—nobody wants to be broke. The good news? The Bible is packed with financial wisdom that can help us avoid empty wallets and stressful bank statements. 

From avoiding debt to saving wisely and giving generously, God’s Word offers timeless principles for handling money the right way. So before you make another impulse purchase (yes, even that “must-have” Amazon deal), let’s dive into some Biblical truths that can keep you financially faithful and financially stable!

💼 Work Diligently – “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
Translation: Get-rich-quick schemes are usually get-broke-quicker schemes.

💳 Live Within Your Means – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)
If you’ve ever felt like your credit card owns you… well, the Bible warned us!

🐿️ Save for the Future – “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” (Proverbs 21:20)
Aka: Don’t spend your entire paycheck on DoorDash. Future-you will thank you!

💝 Give Generously – “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” (Proverbs 3:9)
Even if your "crops" are just your paycheck, giving blesses both the giver and receiver (and no, eating at Chick-fil-A doesn’t count as tithing, even if you say 'My pleasure').

💰 Trust God, Not Money – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” (Hebrews 13:5)
Money can buy coffee, but it can’t buy peace… unless that peace comes from not checking your bank balance every five minutes.

At the end of the day, handling money God’s way isn’t about hoarding riches or stressing over every dollar—it’s about stewarding well, blessing others, and trusting Him to provide. So, whether you’re budgeting like Joseph in Egypt or trying not to be the prodigal spender, Biblical financial wisdom can keep you from the land of broke-ness. 

So, what’s one money habit you’re working on this year? Drop it in the comments—we’re all in this together! 💰🙌 

POST 2024 ELECTION PLANS

The 2024 election is over. How do you feel today? 

Do you feel relief?
Are you depressed?
Maybe you are wondering what to do now? 

Here is what I am determined to do moving forward: 

1. I plan to continue investing. I want to pour my life and my treasure into the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:25-33) 

 2. I plan to keep working for equality. In Christ, there is no Greek or Jew, male or female, slave or free. We are all one in Him. (See Galatians 3:28)

3. I plan to help those who are less fortunate. Pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans. (See James 1:27) 

 4. I plan to fight against the pollution of the world. (See James 1:27 again)

5. I plan to enjoy life! Consider these words from the Apostle Paul found in 1 Timothy 6:17: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 

6. I plan to pray for our leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 we read: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1 – 2)

7. I plan to keep trusting in the Lord. He is the One who is ultimately in control.  

This is my plan for today, and tomorrow, and all of the days after that. 

What are your post-election plans? 

MONDAY MUSINGS...

Random thoughts on a Monday... 

It is good to get away with your family and relax. It is REALLY good when you have 2 bathrooms in your condo. 

Assassination attempts are scary and I pray that our 2024 elections will not be impacted by any violence against the candidates and their families.  

It's not fun to be away from home when there is a big excavation project happening in your backyard. (Our pond is being filled in, but we didn't know they were going to do this on the dates we were out of town.) 

The Cincinnati Bengals looked like the better football team on Sunday playing against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, too many mistakes and a lack of self-discipline were the difference between winning and losing. There's a reason the Chiefs are going for their 3rd Super Bowl win in a row... and it's not because they argued with a ref about not getting the call they wanted. (I'm looking at you Chase...) 

When I was younger I did not enjoy going to water parks, but now that I'm going with Amanda and Lilly, I love them! 

It is always encouraging for me and Amanda to visit with our friends at Kissimmee Christian Church in Florida. I love seeing the impact of the ministry they are doing there. 

It's been fun to go out to eat at restaurants on our vacation... something we rarely do at home. But now I'm looking forward to getting back and eating our normal food again. 

How is September half way over already??? 

Does Green Day still ask people to wake them up when September ends? 

I could totally become a coffee drinker... but I don't want to start the habit. (Or spend the money on it!) lol 

MONDAY FUNDAY: MAYO NEIGHS

 

BABY STEPS

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Those small steps will add up, and you'll be at your goals before you know it. 

NEW DAY, NEW POSSIBILITIES

 

ROOTED JOURNAL (for women)

 Check out the new ROOTED JOURNAL that I designed for my wife Amanda! It makes a great Mother's Day gift. 

The journal is available on Amazon now. Click HERE to purchase. 

MONDAY FUNDAY: COW DILEMMA

MONEY MINDSET #FinanceFriday

Can you believe I looked forward to splitting another Chipotle bowl with Amanda? It's all about your mindset...

JESUS STYLE SUCCESS

For the first time in 44 years, the Purdue Boilermakers Men’s Basketball team will be playing in the Final 4 this weekend. Coach Matt Painter and 7’4” center Zach Edey have led the Boilers to a successful season. 

Success is unfortunately becoming viewed as a bad word by many in our culture. They reason if you are successful then you have hurt others or wronged them in order to get ahead in life. 

If we want to know what success in life truly is, we should look to Jesus’ example because Jesus redefines success. 

Jesus was both loved and hated. That tells us success does not necessarily mean popularity. As followers of Jesus, you will also be both loved and hated. 

In the book of Matthew, Jesus’ ministry is summarized by saying: 
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38 NIV) 

In word and action, Jesus brought the reality of God’s presence and Kingdom into the lives of those around Him. This is what Jesus style success look like and this is what you and I are called to imitate. To achieve success like Jesus, you need to model your life on Jesus and share His vision. 

Why? 

Because the need is urgent. 


Jesus saw that ‘they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd’ (v.36). Today, we see so many people around us who don’t know Jesus and are spiritually lost. In addition to that, we see many who are in need of the basics of life. The need is urgent. We need to pursue Jesus style success. 

Why? 

Because of love. 


Jesus had compassion (v.36). His heart broke when He saw the condition of the people. Jesus loved them all. 

Jesus was not concerned with the people having worldly success or importance, but He knew true success is knowing God and being faithful to Him. This is why Jesus told His disciples to pray that God would raise up more people to follow Jesus’ example of success and bring in a huge harvest of people.  

Will you follow the success model of Jesus in your life?
Will you share in His mission and allow God to multiply yourself?
That’s true success. 

NEW BAPTISTERY SLIDE COMING SOON!

I'm excited to announce today, April 1, 2024, that we will be adding a new waterslide to our baptistery at Grissom!! I must confess that I did not expect our church leadership, Mark Torkelson and Terry Carter, to approve this idea, but these two men are men of faith and vision and they know serving the Lord is a joy and a blessing! 

"We cannot think of a better way to begin your new life with Christ than joyfully sliding into the baptistery." - statement from the Grissom eldership.  

Installation will begin next week. A waiting list for baptisms has already seen several spots filled... mostly by kids in Jr. Church and the ladies Bible study group.  

MONDAY FUNDAY: Umbrella Inventor

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

MARCH MADNESS begins this week! It's the most wonderful time of year for college basketball fans. Fans of all ages are looking forward to see if their team can win the NCAA championship. 

What are you looking forward to in your life? 

Luke chapter 2 tells us about a man named Simeon, who was also looking forward to something in the future. Of course, he wasn't looking forward to a basketball championship, he was looking forward to a Savior. And God had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the promised Messiah. So, when Joseph and Mary bring 8 day old Jesus to the temple, God's promise is kept to Simeon. What Simeon had been looking forward to actually happened. Simeon sees and holds the Savior of the world!

There are a lot of people looking for a Savior in this world. Some are hoping for a political savior in this 2024 election year. Others are looking for a spouse or someone significant in their life to bring them meaning and purpose. They long for their life to have peace and hope.  

I want to encourage you to be like Simeon and look forward to Jesus.  

Look to Jesus for PEACE. 

Simeon takes baby Jesus in his arms and says to the Lord, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace." (Luke 2:29 NIV) 

Seeing Jesus gives Simeon peace. 

Look to Jesus to SEE WHAT GOD IS LIKE. 

In Luke 2:30-32 we read Simeon announce that Jesus is "a light for revelation" which means He is revealing to the world what God is like. 

I pray that you and I will have eyes like Simeon to look to Jesus and see God's salvation in the world today. May we see His grace and truth and wisdom for all of the decisions and encounters with people we will have today. Jesus is the way we can truly have something to look forward to in this life. 

DOING HARD THINGS #FinanceFriday

You can do hard things. Whether it’s creating a budget and sticking to it, or growing in your relationship with God and others, I hope my story inspires you today. #financefriday #moneycoaching

MONDAY FUNDAY: Sweet Carol Line

 

5 MONEY DECISIONS YOU WILL NOT REGRET

If you want to be successful with your money, here are 5 things you can do TODAY that you will not regret: 

1 - Spend less than you earn.
I know this is a “Duh!” moment… but it’s so easy to over spend. I have been guilty of this in my life. I had to stop using credit cards for daily purchases because it was too tempting to go beyond my budget. Using the bank debit card or cash forces me to stay within my means. 

2 - Step up.
Take responsibility for your life and your finances. Do not let a “victim mentality” dominate your thoughts. (I am guilty of this at times.) God has blessed you with your abilities, so make the most of it! Step up and make the necessary changes so you can start winning with your life and your money.  

3 - Invest in yourself.
Learn what you need to learn about managing money. There are many resources available to help you navigate your finances. 

4 - Seek wise counsel.
You do not have to navigate this financial journey on your own! Find a Financial Coach like me or another trusted financial advisor to encourage you on this path.

5 - Seek God first.
I saved the best decision for last! The most important relationship in your life is your relationship with God. Ask God to help you be a wise and faithful manager of His money. After all, everything we have comes from Him! 

TROPHY LIFE

Growing up I had a trophy shelf in my bedroom. It was full of little league and basketball awards, and even my 3rd grade spelling bee champion trophy. I was very proud of these trophies. So proud that I would take time to dust them in order for them to shine brighter.

As I grew up and moved away, I left those trophies behind at my mom and dad’s house. But the idea of trophies never left me. 

My life and my Christian service became about the collection of trophies on my shelf. 

I was very proud of them. 

But God did not create me to be a trophy collector. God did not call me to shine so I would be noticed. God created me to shine His glory, so that people would notice Him. 

If I make being a consistent Christian my goal in order to accumulate more trophies, then I’m missing the point. My trophies do not make me more appealing to God. Anything that shines brighter than God in my life will actually cause me to be separate from God! 

I have to let go of past trophies (and failures) and focus on the true prize that Jesus has called me to win. 

I cannot follow Jesus into the future if I’m holding on to the past. 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God did not create me to be a trophy on His shelf. He created me to be close to Him and reflect His glory so others would notice Him, not me. 

MONDAY FUNDAY: EXPERT STATUS