Software Review - Budget

My number one software choice that I would recommend to anyone is Budget from Snowmint Creative Solutions. Not something I’m proud to admit, but before I found this software my financials were a mess. I used Quicken as a computer checkbook program, but it never helped us have enough money for our various bills. It had budget capabilities, but I never could wrap my head around how to set it up. I look back now and I am eternally grateful to God that He kept us afloat. I honestly have no clue how we made it. Thankfully, we found this software. It is a budget program that I can understand.

The concept is simple and has been around forever. They even promote it as the way your grandparents handled budgets. When a paycheck is cashed, the money is broken out and placed in envelopes that represent the various bills that you will have. Poor explanation, but a little money every week is placed in the envelope so that there will be enough when the next bill comes. Budget just takes this envelope concept and places it on the computer. When I record a pay, it automatically disperses my paycheck into the various bill envelopes that we have.

I put it this way, we went living from paycheck to paycheck to actually building some extra money over the course of the year. It really has been incredible. Okay, I think you get the idea.

Out of all the programs I love, this one has made the greatest impact in my life. Now to be fair, I use it on my Mac. However, they do make a version fro Windows too. So, if you are still trapped on that platform you can use it.

The link is following. The software has a trial period so that you can play around with and get a feel for it. It’s a great time of the year to start getting your finances in order.

www.snowmintcs.com

The Focused Journey

This blog of mine is a lot of things. I call it Focused Journey because it is a blog about the journey we are all on towards eternity. It's focused because I believe in only one way to the Father, that is through Christ Jesus. However, it's also about the journey itself. Life isn't about simply making it to eternity, it's about realizing eternity is already at work in us. It's about life and the things that are a part of it. That's why I'm going to start adding things that seem to have nothing to do with faith, but are a part of the journey. Anyone that knows me knows that I love Apple computers. So I decided to start adding some entries concerning Apple. Be on the lookout for not only thoughts on faith, but reviews of Apple products and software that I think make the journey more enjoyable. That and anything else that I can think of.

Are We Listening

Today is Saturday and my day off. I like my day off. I have time with my family, a nap isn't something to be ashamed of or avoided, and I can relax. One way we relax is to throw on some old television shoes (season DVD's are a great thing). I had on an Andy Griffith show and there was a line were Andy comments on the only way he can get his son's attention his to take out a commercial on the radio. This is in response to Opie walking down the sidewalk listening to a baseball game on his radio. I laughed at the fact that things haven't changed. From radios to Walkmans and from CD's to iPods we have a thousand things to keep our ears occupied.

With so much noise it's hard to listen to God. The most important thing we need to hear is drowned out by a multitude of other noises. The thing is, we choose to allow those other noises to crowd God out. No one every has ever forcibly made me listen to my iPod. It's my choice. As Jesus took time away from the crowds, maybe we need to take time away from our crowds. I like the thought. I need a look at my calendar, but I think some days of chosen quiet are in order.

Simple Church

After attending a small discussion led by Konan Stephens and Gary Fowler concerning the book Simple Church, I have actually started the book. It is a challenging read. It confronts us with the realization that maybe we're not making disciples like Christ has told us. Even as an associate pastor mainly focusing on youth, I have to ask myself if what we are doing is really making disciples of Christ. I know well the heartbreak of watching youth head out into the world and abandoning their faith. Don't want to see that. Yeah, I can't control them, but I want to make it hard for them to walk away. Anyway, I'm about half way through the book and getting spiritually hit in the gut again and again. Hopefully, I'll have more thoughts later.

PS Yeah, changing the look of the site again. Eventually I'll hit on just what I want.

Resisting God

I experienced the sadness of the Spirit moving in our services yesterday. Yes, it's sad to me when the Spirit wants to move and minister to people and they simply refuse. During a great altar time the Spirit directed pastor to ask for some young people to come forward. God wanted to minister to them. Pastor never called anyone by name, he simply stated that he knew God wanted to minister to several of them. Eventually one came up which is great. But there were were several more that needed to come up. The Spirit was making it very clear. Yet, whoever they were they refused.

Why is it that some would prefer the darkness of the pit instead of walking into the healing power of the living Lord? It saddens my heart to think of the incredible victories that could have taken place in their lives if they would have humbled themselves and came. Think about it. The God of everything was taking a moment to specifically call them out so he could minister to them and he was refused. How long can we refuse God's love before He allows us to have our way?

We need a breakthrough and we continue to pray for it. Thankfully, God remains patient and loving.

Almost Over

Just about over the flu. Spent Friday, Saturday, and Monday on my couch. Made Sunday services but probably just spread the flu on. Took it slow yesterday and today hoping to finally conquer it. Still have the cough and congestion. The lightheadedness thankfully seems to be gone. Just a little update.

Sickness

I have a cold. Monday and Tuesday were light nausea while Wednesday and today are the full sinus and chest cold. I feel rotten. Miserable. The kind of day just to stay home and rest on the couch. Unfortunately, my nephew is sick too. This means my sister needs a substitute at school and it's a chance to make a little extra cash. So here I am. Sitting behind a desk with a room full of students dreaming of the moment when I can head home and lay down for a few minutes.

The Day After

The day after Sunday usually is a hard day for ministers. It's the day where you review your success and failures of the day before. It's also the day that the enemy loves sneak up to your ear and whisper sweet lies. Lies about how worthless you are and how you're not making a difference. For me that day is Wednesday since my youth meet on Tuesday night.

As I write this, I could write a long list of the problems and struggles my students are going through. Deep painful problems. Problems with no simple solutions. It weighs heavy on my heart. I know the enemy delights in using pain to pull people down into the pit. There's always someone in our lives going through a trial, but right now the number in my little youth group exceeds what I can count on both hands.

For those that actually read this, please take a moment to pray. I know it's the same for students everywhere, but these are my students. These are the ones that I pray for and agonize over. They are my burden and I humbly ask you to share it with me even if for a moment.

There are some lions that need to die and I want to see some students rise up in Christ and slay the lion of their pit. (Yeah, a small reference to the book).