We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your heart with joy. – Acts 14:15b-17

I need to write this because I’ve been working this morning hammering out e-mails. So, if you got an e-mail from me around 4:30, this explains why…

It’s easy for me to complain about the long hours and seemingly endless stack of requests. It’s easy for me to complain about irresponsible students. I had a conversation with one of my students from class about my job and how I’m paid (not how much, mind you). That conversation has made me more thankful for what I have.

Along these lines, I really liked this Art of Manliness post: The Importance of Paying Your Dues.

Desiring God by John Piper is ChristianAudio’s free audiobook of the month. Go to christianaudio.com and enter the code NOV2009 at checkout to get this wonderful book FREE. The website desiringgod.org totally stems from this classic.

http://www.fitnessspotlight.com/2009/08/18/speed-up-your-metabolism-fatty-liver-disease/

Seems to make sense to me. Definitely sobering news for our generation.

Going back through the RSS and liked this article:
http://artofmanliness.com/2009/08/18/how-to-pick-a-barber/

I use Walnut Street Barbershop because Russ knows how I want my hair. He doesn’t complain about my coming in every two weeks. He’s the man. *and it’s open at 5:30 a.m.*

I wrote the check for my last payment to my to the sole remaining credit card I have with an outstanding balance (I have another card, but I pay that off every month and use it for a routine purchase just to keep my FICO alive – I know Dave Ramsey says not to do that, but I don’t have cash to buy a house…yet).

So…

I’M DEBT FREE (except for my student loans)!

I have so many big plans for where that extra money will go in the short-term (gym membership, contributing to retirement, going to Mom’s for Christmas, doing a large event for Dad’s next birthday [a milestone], giving more to the Kingdom work), but for now, I will celebrate that I have, little by little, chucked away my revolving debt and now can attack the installment debt I have left.

There’s a freedom in paying off debts you’ve had since high school. I can now remember some of the experiences I had without the sting of having the debt load on my back. However, I’ll always remember how long it took me to pay for being “the man” in paying for many meals, trips, etc. on credit cards. That’s a lesson I can pass on to generations to come.

While this freedom is to be enjoyed, ultimately the most important freedom is that of freedom in Christ. No matter how discouraged I may become about my finances, my weight, my life, the Lord’s grace is sufficient for me. He provides all that I need and I hope that this step is further glorifying His name instead of my effort. I need Him more than any financial asset can give me.

A great guide on resourcefulness:
http://manvsdebt.com/the-power-of-resourcefulness-a-guide-to-peeing-in-the-shower/

Brett over at Art of Manliness shares “Money and Career Advice from Benjamin Franklin’s Way to Wealth”

Craig at Money Help for Christians has some provoking thoughts on whether the Church has become exactly the culture. Read “Is the Church Immune to Wealth, Power, and Abundance?” here.

Last night, I had the opportunity to be with my friends Alan and Jeremiah. Alan always shares something provoking with us when we’re over, and last night’s nugget of wisdom was (I’m paraphrasing his quote from a pastor he listened to on the subject), “The reason we don’t see constant revival in our churches (i.e. we don’t leave each Sunday with a renewed, fresh encounter with God) is because sin is persistent in our camp.” We talked about Paul’s continual exhortation to the churches to live a pure, blameless life. I feel personally convicted to strive for a more pure life, to depend on God to make me pure, whole, good.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/20/the-high-cost-of-laziness/

Get Rich Slowly had an article about the ways that we fail to pick low hanging fruit in regards to our money. Easy peasy, lemon squeasy!