Vol.1 No. 16 |  July 20 , 2006  

    

This week

“The Bible teaches that Christians are totally different from anyone else.” -  
Peter Jeffery, Evangelicals Then and Now (Buy Now)


 

Finance

Read This Scripture Verse Backward and Save 20% (or More) on Your Bills

Did you know you can learn some pretty interesting finance tips if you read Scripture backward? No, I don’t mean starting in Revelation and reading toward Genesis.

What I mean is that you can take some Scripture verses about money, look at the opposite implication, and find some interesting truths. (My editor insists this is really looking at the corollary truths in a Scripture verse rather than reading Scripture backward. He’s right, of course, but try to turn that into a catchy headline.)

Take Exodus 22:25, for example. It says, “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.”

In this verse, God is speaking to the person who lends money to the poor. The obvious interpretation is that God doesn’t want His people getting rich at the expense of the poor (especially those who are His children). And gaining interest on your money is a powerful way to get rich over time. There’s no secret in that.

But let’s look at this verse backward. Instead of focusing on the moneylender, let’s look at the poor person. While God isn’t speaking directly to the “financially challenged” here, we can reverse the focus and gain considerable wisdom. The implication is that if you want to become wealthier than you are right now, don’t borrow money where you have to pay interest charges.

If you borrow money, it essentially transfers your wealth to the person who lends you the money (not to mention control over your life – Prov. 22:7). God warns the moneylender here because it’s easy to charge a lot of interest to the poor. They’re often poor because they have bad money-handling habits and they may become desperate for money. Many will do almost anything to get it.

In our culture, the most accessible loans to the poor are the ones with the highest interest rates. The worst are car title loans and credit cards. Car title loans often charge interest rates as high as 25% per month – 300% per year – and take your car if you don’t pay up.

Credit cards, which are a far more common problem, now charge over 20% interest on unpaid balances.

By simply avoiding these easy-to-get loans (or paying them off quickly if you already have them), you can effectively save up to 20% or more of your money right out of the gate.

And, better yet, you still have your money to grow for future wealth.

– Steve Kroening
     
 

 

Health

Lower Your Blood Pressure by Avoiding This One Beverage

If you think caffeine is the reason behind your high blood pressure, think again. The Nurses’ Health Study, a 12-year ongoing study, looked at the link between coffee and high blood pressure – and didn’t find a connection. But they did find a strong connection with another popular beverage – and it had nothing to do with caffeine.

The researchers questioned 155,500 participants regularly about various health topics and their eating/drinking habits. They were shocked to discover that coffee, regardless of whether it was caffeinated or not, had no effect on blood pressure. This was even true in women who drank up to six cups every day!

Then the researchers looked at tea. Decaffeinated tea didn’t affect blood pressure at all. And caffeinated tea raised the blood pressure of a few younger women. But, in general, it didn’t have much affect.

But the researchers did find a beverage that made blood pressure skyrocket. The big jump in blood pressure came when the women drank … soft drinks. Those participants who drank caffeinated diet or regular soft drinks had a “highly significant increase in hypertension.”

Some smaller studies have indicated a connection between caffeine and hypertension. But this large study couldn’t confirm it. In fact, it suggested something other than caffeine is the problem in soft drinks. Perhaps one day we’ll find out what it is.

Until then, avoid soft drinks as much as possible, especially if you have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is normal, one or two sodas every once in a while isn’t going to cause much damage. But coffee and tea are a lot better for you, so why not drink them instead?

– Steve Kroening
     
 
   

Family & Relationships

Respect Your Husband’s Work and Still Get His Attention

Communicating with other people is fun.  But it can also be one of the most frustrating activities that a person can undertake.

Imagine the scene.  He’s sitting there in front of the computer completely absorbed in what he is doing.  Or perhaps he’s reading a book, the latest on business management that promises him untold wealth if he will just apply the principles he is reading.

She comes along with some comment about the amount of leaves building up out front and isn’t it time they were dealt with.  Or it might be a more important question (to her) about the way the children have been behaving recently.  And his response is to ignore her.

Well, it seems as if he’s ignoring her. He probably hears every word she says, but his mind is so preoccupied that, while he hears what has been said, his mind does not permit him to respond.

This is at home.  Imagine a similar scenario at the office when one person is grossly absorbed in the task at hand and a colleague wants their attention?  It’s no wonder that people quit their jobs because management seems to take little interest in them and fails to respond to their needs.

The solution to this kind of conflict is usually to make sure there is a time when communication with others is the highest priority.  In the office environment, regular times can be put aside for people to communicate.  People are often skeptical about meetings, but, properly handled, they can be a rewarding way to make sure communication among the team members is good.

You would think such a simple solution would be in place in the home.  But often it is not.  So if a spouse, or child, or parent, seems to be ignoring you, perhaps you need to set a time at home when communication with others is the top priority.

– Ian Hodge
     
 

 

Parenting & Education

How a Child’s Weakness Can Be a Blessing

There are few things that spur negative emotions in parents more than our children’s weaknesses. They embarrass us, frustrate us, anger us, and even sadden us. But few of us ever really consider those weaknesses a blessing. And that’s exactly how Scripture wants us to view them.

God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, the weaknesses of our children (and our own weaknesses) are the conduit God uses to show His power, His grace, and His sufficiency.

In fact, it is through those weaknesses that are children are most likely to see their need for Christ. Paul tells us in this same section of Scripture that he will boast in his weakness. Why would he want to boast about his weakness? “So that the power of Christ will rest upon me.”

But Paul doesn’t leave it at boasting. He takes it one step further and says he is content with his weakness – for the sake of Christ. This contentment is a tricky thing. We certainly don’t want our children to languish in their weaknesses, especially when they are sinful. So we have to instruct our children to grow and overcome their weaknesses.

At the same time, we have to teach them that the only way to overcome weakness is through the power of Christ. We have to teach them dependence on Christ. That is where Paul finds his contentment – in the ability of Christ to work through his frailties.

All of our weaknesses are a result of the curse of sin. But God offers us redemption. And he’s given us the ability to see blessing even in weakness.

– Steve Kroening
     
 

 

Success

10 Questions You Must Answer Before You Start a Business

Founding a new business is a challenging endeavor that will demand a commitment of time, energy, and focus; and the full support of your family…. Genuine “buy-in” and support from your family is essential for business success. The entire family will be involved with a new business venture, either by working or supporting you. If you are married, your most loyal support will often come from your spouse.

Counting the cost as a family is a key step in the evaluation process. As your plans unfold, keep your family members up to date and let them know what you are thinking. Above all, avoid surprises.

If you are married, take this marriage health inventory test. On a scale of 1-to-10, measure yourself and then honestly evaluate your score.

(1) How well do I communicate with my spouse? – Do I spend time with my spouse, catching her/him up to date with my day, plans, spending, dreams, etc? (Though one of you might run the business exclusively, the other needs to know what is going on to a certain degree.)

(2) How often do we pray together? – Is praying together important to my spouse, our marriage relationship, our family, and me? Are we open to praying aloud together? Do we pray together as much as I would like?

(3) Are we on the same page? – Does my spouse know what I am doing or wanting to do? Are we aware of what is required to successfully launch this business, financially, emotionally, and mentally? Are we both on the same page in areas that matter most?

(4) Do we share the same financial values and limitations? – Are we in agreement on spending habits, spending limits, and borrowing money? Have we communicated how much financial risk we are willing to take to reach our dreams? Is one of us willing to take greater risks than the other — and is the non-risk-taker at peace with the decision?

(5) Are our boundaries in place? – Have we discussed what is required, especially from the time and money side of things? How much time are we willing to spend each week? How much money are we willing or able to spend overall? Are our safeguards in place?

(6) Are we spending enough time together? – Do I wait for my spouse to suggest time away on a date? Do we spend regularly scheduled time together without distractions? (This counts time away with your children, if you have children. Family time is separate and also important.)

(7) Am I an open book? – Am I defensive when my spouse asks about my business dealings? Does my spouse even have the freedom to ask me things? (Running a business involves transparency, which is to your direct benefit!)

(8) Do we believe in each other? – Does my spouse believe in me and do I believe in my spouse? Regardless of what I do and regardless of who brings home more money, it is vitally important that we believe (verbally express it!) in each other. Do I express my belief in my spouse?

(9) How quick am I to forgive? – Issues will arise. That is natural, but am I quick to seek forgiveness and to extend forgiveness? Do I sleep regularly on the couch because of arguments? If so, am I willing to right the wrongs before going to bed?

(10) Am I a good listener? – How well do I listen to my spouse’s ideas, thoughts, corrections, and recommendations? (Do you “connect” with what is being said, implied, and meant? Listen as you would like to be listened to!)

What was your average score? If your score is low, it might indicate your marriage needs work. So focus your time and energy on strengthening your marriage before starting a new business.

Many people believe that the excitement and challenge of a new undertaking will ease their marriage problems, but the strain of starting a new business will only increase the pressure on your personal life, often past the breaking point.

– Steve Marr

(Excerpted by permission from Roadmap to Success by Steve Marr. If starting a business is in your future, don’t move forward until you read this book. It’s a must read for prospective business owners.)
     
 

 
 

Wisdom From History

The Real Reason This Retail Giant Succeeded

If James Cash Penney wasn't tending to a customer, you'd find him facing the door – always ready to offer a full and proper welcome.

The friendly smile, the word of greeting, are certainly something fleeting and seemingly insubstantial, Penney (1875-1971) once said. But they work for good beyond your power to measure their influence.

Treating his customers as he would have wanted to be treated was at the heart of J.C. Penney's success.

The retailer, who opened and oversaw some 1,600 stores, got his start at the turn of the century in the frontier towns of Colorado and Wyoming. The West was still wild, and the only rule in retailing was caveat emptor – buyer beware.

But two merchants whom he first hooked up with had the right idea. Their small chain of stores was called Golden Rule. And Penney, the son of a Missouri farmer who was also a lay Baptist minister, would champion their business philosophy throughout his career.

“In business and in all living, conscience and Christian principles are indivisible,” he once wrote. “We need only determine how far we are willing to apply them in order to find success.”

– Laura M. Litvan

(Quoted from “Retailer J.C. Penney,” Investor’s Business Daily, February 3, 1998.)
     
     
 

 

Word for the Wise

How You Can Become a Valiant Warrior

“The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior”  Judges 6:12

Valiant Warrior – If Jesus should find you working in the field or in the market, would he call you a valiant warrior?  Would he call you someone of great valor?  You might say, "No, I'm just an ordinary person.  I'm not a Gideon.  I'm not a special leader or a general or a soldier."  But you would be wrong.  And once you know a little about these two Hebrew words, you'll see why.

The two root words here are gibbor (mighty) and hayil (to be firm, strong).  The combination might have described a kind of elite class of men in the Old Testament.  But notice that each of the words is separately associated with power and strength.  It's like saying, "the mighty mighty" or the "powerfully powerful."  And where does this double dose of strength come from?  Well, says the Angel of the Lord, it comes from the fact that God is with you.  It has nothing to do with you.  It's all about whom you're with.

When Jesus says, "without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5), do you suppose that he was thinking about that conversation with Gideon, centuries before His incarnation?  Unless God is with you, you can never be a mighty warrior.  But when He is with you, you operate in a completely different realm.  You and Gideon stand on the same ground.  It's not your strength or power than matters any more.  It is the might of the Lord of hosts that flows through you.

The life of a warrior is not limited to Achilles, Ajax, Napoleon, Patton, or Schwarzopf.  The life of the warrior is found wherever God is present in a person.  Gideon was simply the forerunner.  His story is the story of God's incredible strength in the least likely of human efforts.  The Angel of the Lord knew something incredibly important:  the life of the warrior is a life of spiritual proximity, not human potential.  Drawing close to God is the only way of the true warrior.  God and me:  a double dose of mighty strength.

– Skip Moen

(Ed. Note: Skip Moen, PhD, is the president of At God’s Table and the author of Words to Lead By.)
     
 

 
 

   

 Resources

Roadmap to Success by Steve Marr (BUY NOW)

Evangelicals Then and Now, Peter Jeffery, Evangelical Press (Buy Now)

 

   

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