What Could Possibly Happen In Five Debt-Free Years?

Five years ago today, we made our way to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Plaza. It was for the sole purpose of sharing, on Dave’s radio show, the story of our debt-free journey. We were finally able to scream, “We’re DEBT FREE!” on air.

After the call, we signed the wall in Dave’s lobby:

"$95,283.00 in 51 months! We're Debt Free in STL, Wesley & Mindy"

This was before the live video stream and audio headsets of today. We called him from a real phone, which was sitting on a stool in his bookstore. He’s come a long way since then and so have we.

We are now solidly in Baby Steps 4, 5, and 6, but the last five years have been interesting. About 6-9 months after BS3 was complete, I switched jobs and took a significant pay cut. Little did I know at the time how much God was going to bless our family through this move. Being debt-free gave me the peace to make that decision confidently. Two years later, I was promoted twice at work within a 15 month period. I work and interview a lot better without the stress of debt on my shoulders.

Also, during the past five years, we completed a kitchen/dining room renovation. We did a lot of the work ourselves. Because we upgraded some of the finishes, it cost about double what we had originally planned, but we cash flowed it all and are enjoying it now without any loans. More than enjoying it, I’m kind of impressed with it, since I also designed it.

In February 2007, when we started our debt-free journey, we had a five-figure negative net worth. 51 months later, when we became debt-free, our net worth was positive and just over the six-figure mark. Today, we have been able to take that original negative net worth figure to the positive side and multiply it by ten. God is truly good.

The funniest part of the debt-free scream is that it almost didn’t happen. I didn’t think to contact Dave’s office and set it up weeks in advance as he now tells people to do. The day before, we were at my Dad's, about 30 minutes south of Nashville. We had just arrived there from our first ever debt-free, week-long vacation in the Smokey Mountains. We had been debt free since May and planned to do our debt free scream the next day. I was laying down in the afternoon. Suddenly, I jumped up and thought, I should probably call them and let them know we'd be there tomorrow. I called and left a message. Thirty minutes later, I got a call back and it was all set up. We'd be on the air the next day, live from the lobby. It wasn't until I got home and told my friend, Jen, about what happened when I realized how fortunate we were to have done our debt-free scream on such short notice.

I’ll close this with the Five Principles, I learned during Dave Ramsey's "The Legacy Journey" live broadcast:

“While earning an income over an extended period of time, you will develop a level of wealth if you follow these five principles.

1. Live on a written budget.
2. Avoid debt.
3. Foster high-quality relationships.
4. Save and invest.
5. Be incredibly generous.”

I’ll just add, if I can do this, I know you can too. Follow the Baby Steps…..

Follow this car to Financial Peace Plaza....

How do you deal with “Shattered Peace”?

On March 26th, this is the terrible thing that happened….

After spending two hours cleaning up the hundreds of pieces of broken glass from inside my car, an amazing thing happened on the way to work that day. The same thing happened again the next day when I picked the car up from Safelite with new glass filling the hole.

The previous Sunday, Pastor Shawn's message was titled, "Known for Love: Love the City". This was a crucial verse from the message:

"And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace." - Jeremiah 29:7

I wouldn't be human if during the two hours, while I cleaned out my car, I didn't think about what caused us to move here in 2005. If I didn’t think about the violence we faced when we decided it was time to move away from the city. I started to think about what happened then in context of what happened yesterday. Even though it was nowhere near as bad, I thought, what if this leads to us moving away again. Further away.

Both of those times mentioned above, when I turned on the car to go, the same song was playing on Saint Louis' newest radio station, Boost 101.9 FM. It was Chris Tomlin's "God of this City". Only it wasn't. It was Chris' song, but being mixed into a rap song. After Chris finished singing, "Greater things have yet to come, And greater things are still to be done in this City," this "unknown to me" rapper was saying, "YEAH, That's what we praying for..." I'd NEVER heard this song before, I didn't even know who this rapper was the first time I heard it.

So, a couple hours later, I called Boost to find out who this artist was. The DJ told me his name was "Thi'sl", which I repeated as though he was saying a foreign word. Without prompting from me, he told me, "He's from Saint Louis."

I've been looking for the lyrics to the rap, but can't find them written out. Just a few "videos" of the song. And information about "Thi'sl", who apparently in 2011, started a blog about rebuilding Saint Louis: http://www.rebuildstl.blogspot.com/. He recorded "Greater City" in 2011 as part of kicking off his "REbuild: STL" project. Here's the song:

The first time I heard it, as I was driving my car with a broken window, away from my home. It slowly hit me as I realized what was on the radio. It was a moment, God was talking to me.

I prayed for my city. I prayed for the person or persons who intruded into my car.

The second time I heard it, as I was driving my car with a new window, I thought, there is no way this is just coincidence. Just like there is a reason I am living in Saint Louis, there was a reason I was hearing this song again, at just that moment.

Just like those hundreds of pieces of broken glass were replaced with one whole piece of new glass, God can take the thousands of broken souls in our city and replace them, make them whole again, and make them shiny and new....

On March 27th, THAT is the amazing thing that happened....

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:35

Election 2012: How Do I Get Informed?

I live in Missouri, so most of this information will be focused on my state. For my out of state friends though, some of the links might help you with Presidential and Congressional candidates. In this era, there really is no reason to arrive at your polling place uninformed on the candidates, judges, or ballot issues. So, do your research, get informed, and go vote on November 6th.

I have been finding many different websites for information. Some have better information on certain candidates, while some have better information on other candidates. I can't seem to find one site that is the best on all of the candidates, judges and issues. Although, the 97.1 FM Talk (Local STL Radio Station) site has great candidate lists for the Congressional offices in both the Senate and House, they only cover the two main party Presidential candidates. They also don't seem to have anything on judges or the propositions. No worries, though, I have found other websites which will provide you information for those.

A couple of weeks ago my pastor posted a short list of how to approach the process of informed voting. Shockingly, the first item on the list was something I had suggested on my Facebook wall only a few days prior. Stands to reason though, as that one thing is the only reasonable place to start. Here’s the list, with my additions:

Sample Ballot: When you are preparing to vote, it is best to start by finding your sample ballot, so you know on what issues and candidates you will be voting. Then you will not waste your time becoming overly informed on an issue or candidate who is not on your ballot. If you are registered to vote in Missouri, you can locate a "Sample Ballot" for your polling place at this website link. If you are not registered to vote in Missouri, I would suggest checking your state's Secretary of State website or conduct an internet search using your state's name followed by "sample ballot November 2012".

Study: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15 Learn about the candidates, judges and ballot initiatives. Study the person. Find out as much as you can about who they are. Look at their past performance. Find out where they stand on the issues, especially the Constitutional ones if they are a candidate for federal office. This is where the links I have provided below are important. Please use them and share them. Share this blog post.

Pray: Seek God on each candidate, judge and ballot initiative. We are to seek Him continuously in prayer, including on how we vote. Our faith should be center to our lives and guide our votes. God’s Word says in Roman 13:1 - “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Since the candidates WILL BE appointed by God, then it is best to seek Him with regard to the wisdom behind each vote we cast.

If you’re like me, then you may even stay up late on Tuesday night attempting to keep score as the results come in. If so, then you will find an Election Day Scorecard at this link. If you have any questions regarding the links provided below or other election information, please don’t hesitate to ask me. And may the Best Men and Women Win!!!

Helpful Election Information Links:

League of Women Voters: Everyone can use this site, no matter which state you live in. You can build your ballot with their online voters' guide! Type in your address to see the races on your ballot. Candidates' positions can be compared side-by-side, and you may print out a "ballot" indicating your preferences as a reminder and take it with you to the polls on Election Day.

FM Talk 97.1's List of Candidates: President, All US House and Senate, All Missouri State offices and Illinois House and Senate office.

Missouri Secretary of State Candidate List: A comprehensive list of candidates on Missouri ballots, including Presidential Candidates, Congressional Candidates, State Office Candidates and Judges.

Missouri Judicial Elections: For all of you, like me, who never know what to do with the votes on judges - Now there is this website, which is very informative and well designed.

Missouri Secretary of State's State-wide Ballot Issues: A comprehensive list of state-wide only ballot issues, including State Constitutional Amendment 3, Proposition A, Proposition B, and Proposition E. This page includes the "Official Ballot Language" and the "Fair Ballot Language" (which tells you exactly what a "Yes" or "No" vote means) and links to the full text of each measure.

Overall of Missouri State Ballot information: Great Page, Lots of Information provided! Out of state friends can use the home page of this site to locate their state's ballot information.

ALL Missouri Ballot Measures: See the right hand side for a list of counties with measures on their ballot. Out of state friends can use the home page of this site to locate their state and find much of their ballot information.

Saint Louis County Ballot Issues: A list of St. Louis County specific ballot measures. For my friends who live in surrounding counties - You should be able to do a search on this same site for your county to find a list of the ballot measures for your county.

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Where Do You Find Assurance?

The past 1-2 years have been a struggle for most. The economic foundations have been shaken by a world in financial chaos. Nowhere has this been felt more than in the architecture and construction industry. I know because I was an early casualty. Over a year ago, I worked in a small architecture firm. Then suddenly I didn’t. Four months later, I found a new job. It is somewhat related, but requires me to wear the uniform of the U.S. Army. The Saint Louis architectural community is small and I do what I can to stay connected. In the last 14 months, more have been laid-off; some even as recently as the last few weeks. It’s hard to run a difficult race when it seems to last this long – even the strongest among us do not see the finish line.

Saturday morning, I was on my way to work. Rarely do I work Saturdays anymore. I was listening to the radio. It was top of the hour; time for the national and local news. The local news carried a story that immediately caught my attention: Local man, jumped to his death, owner of two well-renowned construction related companies. Due to the economy, his companies had gone through a period of many layoffs. I know some of those people who have been laid-off. I had met him once. This turn of events was a tragedy.

For the remainder of my trip, I thought about how this would resonate around the architectural community. My thoughts were filled with sorrow. No matter the potential loss of jobs and companies, they can always be replaced. Life cannot be replaced. Suicide is an irreversible decision. All of these (jobs, companies, life) are temporary, and the loss of each is always sorrowful and shocking. But an early departure from life is beyond shocking to those who must continue. For those left behind, the repercussions have the potential to be extremely detrimental.

My heart goes out to this man’s family and all the potential that was left unfulfilled. I do hope that they have a secure place to turn during this time. I pray that family and friends will stand with them and comfort them. I pray that they will be able to let go of the pieces and give them to God. Allow Him to help them find peace and move forward.

I do not mean to make light of the circumstances, but we can be so peculiar. We choose to go through life, placing our trust in treasures we know exist temporarily – only to be disappointed at their ruin. Men do this with jobs and position; sometimes allowing anger to enter our lives when it is time to move on. Anger and Disappointment are natural, but taken too far; they can lead to an overwhelming sense of failure that holds us down in a pit of defeat.  The way to overcome anger and disappointment is with peace.  Peace which passes all understanding, and leads to hope.

At our church, we have a saying: “He was reading your mail!” It is said when the message is on point with your life or thoughts. Today, Pastor Shawn was reading my mail. I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing his points on finding Peace in the Midst When Your World is Shaking. First the peace which is found in the world, the temporary circumstances:

• An Absence of Conflict (Tolerance?)
• An Easy-going Feeling (The Eagles: Peaceful, Easy Feeling)
• Quietness and Solitude (Leave me alone)
• Personal Relaxation (Stress-free Life)
• Personal Happiness (Whatever makes you happy)

That is the list of False Peace. So, is that it then? We just go through life, one temporary false peace after another? Are we to just deal with the emotion of loss; until another gain replaces it or we are dealt a loss which appears irreversible? Has repeated loss of the temporary caused us to declare that nothing is eternal anymore? How far will you go to defend that notion? Are you willing to defend it into eternity?

Beyond the temporary, insecure offerings of the world, God offers eternal assurance in Jesus Christ:

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." - 1 John 5:13

Once you have the Son of God, Jesus Christ, He offers you True Peace.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

This is the kind of peace which the world cannot replicate; it can only offer a cheap imitation. Here are the points which Pastor Shawn offered on True Peace:

• It is Supernatural, only comes through Jesus
• The gift is the Holy Spirit, who helps you in times of loss and sorrow
• His peace is not dependent on circumstances
• His peace stays with you when you have an open hand

Jesus instructed us not to store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Instead we are to store our treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19, 20) Jobs, Position, and Status are all treasures we store here on earth. Right now the earth is being shaken. It is unstable and in chaos; treasures are being eaten, destroyed, and stolen. True Peace (Shalom in Hebrew) is strong, secure, stable and complete. Shalom is from the inside out, it is Eternal, and it is stored in Heaven.

Will we have an open hand and let go of the earthly treasures that are stealing our peace?  Are we willing to accept Shalom and find real Hope?