Planning to Fail or Failing to Plan

Debbie Hardy - “Budget is a 
four-letter word, as far as I’m 

concerned,' I said to my husband.

I hated being limited in what I spent,

how I spent it, and how much I’d 

have  left at the end of the month. 

Instead, when I sat down with my monthly bills, I would buy all those 'little things' that I wanted and then divide up what was left to cover the minimum due on my credit cards and utilities. It worked – sort of.

A budget would have limited my spending. At least that’s what I thought.

Then I married Bryan, a man who faithfully opened his 'budget notebook' every month and filled in the blanks. 

He wrote down what our take-home pay would be, what dates we were paid, and when each bill was due. Then, he would calculate how much to tithe, what to put in savings, and what was left to buy the extras.

When he first showed me his process, I just smiled like a good little wife and decided to let him think he was in control of our money. I knew I would still spend what I wanted when I wanted, so I had no intention of being on a budget.

King Solomon was the wisest and richest man who ever lived. Although he inherited the kingdom and wealth, he also managed to increase his net worth enormously. 

Solomon knew that a budget is merely knowing and controlling where your money goes. Many of his proverbs include tidbits explaining how to improve our financial situation.

When Bryan explained the real definition of the word budget, I was more than willing to get on board. 

I finally realized the freedom of knowing how much money would be left each month for all the extras we wanted instead of wondering if there would be enough.

For someone who plans parties, schedules, and vacations down to the minute, it’s kind of weird that I didn’t want to plan my finances as well. 

I was afraid I wouldn't have any spending money, when in fact, the opposite is true. Now, I can relax and not worry about end-of-month shortages.

I heard once that if you fail to plan, you’re really planning to fail. Don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go there. 

Let Christ be a part of your financial success and trust His budget for you."

Planning to Fail or Failing to plan - Debbie Hardy

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 21:5 NIV

(Emphasis added)

Photo courtesy morguefile.com &  cohdra

Debbie Hardy is the author of Stepping Through Cancer, A Guide for the Journey, and the upcoming Free to Be Fabulous from 40, 50, and Beyond: 100 Ways to Look, Act, and Feel Younger. 

A Colorado resident, widow, mother, grandmother, and accomplished pianist, Debbie is a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, National Speakers Association of Colorado, and several writers groups, where she mentors aspiring authors. 

Her positive outlook and joy in Christ have helped her transition from corporate America to writing, speaking, and encouraging others. Check out her website at www.DebbieHardy.com and sign up for her blog.

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Information worth checking out is David Ramsey. He has much wisdom to share, as well as helpful books on the subject of finances. I've taken his classes, offered through videos, and with an instructor. He offers this through churches, as our church offers it every year.

Let’s pray:

   Father, we need this message today!

   May we read it with understanding, 
and a desire to change our present 
habits, which may actually be 
destructive!

   We want the best for ourselves and loved ones, so ask that You impress us with what Debbie has shared with us today, that we'll become better stewards of all You provide for us.

  In the precious Name of Jesus, we ask this. Amen.

You may want to check out my post on 8/9/13: Me? Follow a Budget?

Another interesting post:  Need Money? Don’t Worry  Hope Flinchbaugh 

Today’s Bible verse: 2 Kings 15:3a "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD."

Today’s quote:  Mary Southerland- "I have come to believe that failure is a necessary part of our growth and maturity as a follower of Jesus Christ. Failure can interpret the unconditional love and forgiveness of God like nothing else can - if we let it.

Desperation can be our friend if it makes us crave God and long to see His power unleashed in our lives. Failure is not final but God’s grace is." 

Some thoughts today: Don't focus on your weakness or failures, but focus on God and His provision through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.

- God wants to bless you. Are you ready?

- God wants to use the strength of the young and the wisdom of the wise. Make yourself available to God.

15th- Sunday’s post:  Even When  Cindy Sproles

15th- evening's post:  Part 1- How CAN we hear from God? (7 of 21 ways)  Jean Oathout

17th- Tuesday's post:  #93  Open Communication  C. Peter Wagner

19th- Thursday's post:  #94  Confidentiality  C. Peter Wagner 

A popular post:  Protective Boundaries  Dutch Sheets -  “Many Christians believe that protection from accidents, destruction, satanic traps and assaults, etc., is automatic for the Christian—that we do nothing to cause it—that it is based on the sovereignty of God alone."

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
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#92 The Pastor Has a High Priority

  C. Peter Wagner tells us that, "For personal intercessors, as over against other kinds of intercessors, the pastor or other leader they have been called to pray for is usually elevated to a high priority in the local prayer schedule.

It does not happen every day, but it is not unusual for Doris and me to get reports that one of our intercessors has prayed for us one hour or even several hours on a particular day.

We only hear about those occasions when the prayer partner has been released by God to tell us, which I am sure is only a fraction of the times it happens.

Sometimes we will know exactly why they prayed, sometimes we never know.

One of the times of special intercession, among many I did know, was on a Sunday evening when Cathy Schaller was ironing in her kitchen. 

At 6:30 the Holy spirit came on her for intercession and she prayed for me until she was released at 7:00 P.M. Then she went back to her ironing and called me the next morning to see why she had prayed.

That Sunday evening Doris and I had gone to Anaheim Vineyard, and before the service, we dropped in at Pastor John Wimber's office to have a Coke with John and his wife, Carol.

As we chatted, I told him of a case the preceding week where I had been privileged to pray for a six-year-old boy who had been born with no ears.

Miraculously, the ears started to grow a half hour after the prayer session.

When John heard the story, he spontaneously asked me to share the testimony with the congregation.

To say the least, I was not prepared to speak to 3,000 people about an incident so dramatic that I myself had not had time to process it, while focusing attention on the power of God, not myself, and drawing out an application for the congregation.

But the sharing went well, the congregation was blessed, and I believe God was glorified. Thanks to Cathy's priorities. I spoke that evening, of course, between 6:30 and 7:00.

Because of these priorities, it is imperative that the potential intercessor by totally honest when considering a request to become a prayer partner. 
Assigning high priority does not imply exclusivity.

I have mentioned that several of our prayer partners have been assigned more than one leader for intercession, and that the intensity of prayer for each can very over time.

Mary Lance Sisk, for instance , also 
prays for Leighton Ford and Joni 
Eareckson Tada. For others it does 
mean they are to pray for only one 
at a time.

This is why I was pleased that Lil Walker was honest in turning down my first invitation to become a prayer partner because she had been assigned Paul Cedar.

At the same time, Mary Wernle did agree to pray for me and for years, although she prays for many people, the bulk of her personal prayer times has been focused on Doris and me."

#92 The Pastor Has a High Priority,

in the series taken from C. Peter 

Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, 

How to intercede for pastors, Christian

leaders and others on the spiritual

frontlines. (pgs. 170-171) 

By Regal Books

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any day you may wish: Jean's blog 

Let’s pray:

   Father, may our efforts of supporting our leaders be effective, regular, and heart felt.
   I'm asking for boldness in praying for my pastor and those who have leadership positions in my church.
   Reveal to me what they have need of as I'm praying, and may I trust each petition to be what Your is heart for them.
   I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Matt. 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Today’s quote: A. W. Tozer – “Were there no guilt in the world, no pain and no tears, God would yet be infinitely merciful; but His mercy might well remain hidden in His heart, unknown to the created universe. No voice would be raised to celebrate the mercy of which none felt the need. It is human misery and sin that call forth the divine mercy.”

Some thoughts today: Jesus became acquainted with our physical pain, betrayal, whippings (abuse), our sin, guilt, and shame. 

He prayed for another possible way 
to provide salvation for us, but He 
knew that Calvary, and everything 
connected with it, was His Father's 
only way for our redemption, so He 
agreed to do it.

14th- Saturday’s post:  Planning to Fail or Failing to Plan  Debbie Hardy

15th- Sunday's post:  Even When  
Cindy Sproles

15th- evening's post:  Part 1- How CAN we hear from God?
(7 of 21 ways) Jean Oathout

17th- Tuesday's post:  #93  Open Communication  C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:  Practicing Gratitude  Sharon Jaynes shares with us, "Gratitude is the most effective way to deepen your consciousness to the fact that you are the object of God’s affection and love."

Some children are more apt to
worship the Lord than
some of us ...

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#91 Quiet People

C. Peter Wagner helps us to better
understand the intercessors among us:

"Although there are several notable exceptions to this, the great majority of intercessors are quiet people.

They do not like to be up front. They do not desire their names to be widely known.

Even some who have written books on intercession would prefer their names be left off the book, but they somewhat reluctantly bow to the wisdom of editors and publishers who know the book will be more widely distributed with the name than without it.

Colleen Townsend Evens says that 'aloneness' is one of the prices intercessors regularly pay.

'As an intercessor,' she says, 'be prepared to spend some very quiet alone hours.'

Other people will not always know or even understand what an intercessor is praying about.

Evans says intercessors 'will be put in quiet corners where no one will know what we are doing, and God will seal our lips so that we are not to boast or talk about what we are doing.'

The apostle Paul might have had intercessors in mind when he said, 'Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor' 1 Cor. 12:22,23.

Although we may not see them much, the Body of Christ needs intercessors for a healthy life just as much as our physical body needs a pituitary gland, which we see even less."

#91  The Quiet People,

in the series taken from C. Peter 

Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, 

How to intercede for pastors, Christian

leaders and others on the spiritual

frontlines. (pgs. 169-170)
By Regal Books

PRAYER SHIELD  ChristianBooks - Scroll down to Wagner's book - offered for $9.69

Type in the title of the book you want. You can email it to a friend, or order it.

Let’s pray:

   Father, when it comes to our praying, we're grateful for guidance in ways to be successful, and in how to support those who do a lot of praying for our leaders.

   Cause my own heart to be open to pray for my pastor and leaders, as I know You look for those in congregations to effectively support them in prayer.

   Bring their names before me each day, so I will offer my share of petitions for their physical and spiritual health.

   I ask this today in the Name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen

   Prayer for your pastor: Ask God to protect your pastor's marriage and keep it strong as a model of Christ's relationship with the Church. Pray that your pastor will tenderly cherish and lead his wife, and that she will respect and encourage her husband, submitting to his leadership. Eph. 5:23-33 (If your pastor is not married, pray for his relationships with loved ones and those who are close to him.) www.lifeaction.org  prayer card.

Today’s Bible verse:  Malachi 4:6 "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." 

Today’s quote: Stormie Omartian- “The past should not be a place where we live, but something from which we learn.”

Some thoughts today: You may not be the best at something, but there's a significant place for you to play. Give it your best!

- Can we be willing to fade out of the picture, and let others take the preeminence? 

- Ask God for you to see others in His sight, to understand His calling on their lives, to see their potential. Even though you may not feel you've a place in God's church, step out in faith and accomplish what is God's will and plan for you. Pray that He will use you to encourage others.

12th- Thursday’s post:  #92  The Pastor Has a High Priority  C. Peter Wagner

14th- Saturday's post:  Planning to Fail or Failing to Plan  Debbie Hardy

15th- Sunday's post:  Even When  Cindy Sproles

15th- evening's post:  Part 1- How CAN we hear from God? (7 of 21 ways)  Jean Oathout

A popular post: How to Get a New Heart  Dave Branon shares with us, “A friend who is a heart transplant cardiologist has an appreciation of Ezekiel 36:26 that not many of us can understand."

Will you pray for your leaders?
God depends on us to hold
them up in prayer.

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
Kindle $2.99 a review would be
appreciated.

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

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Wisdom for Brides (Christian
Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

Old Person Pride

I'm passing this on as I did 
not want to be the only old 
person receiving it.  Actually, 
it's not a bad thing to be
called, as you will see.

• Old People are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the National Anthem. 
• Old People remove their caps and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.
• Old People remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing. 
• They remember the 50 plus peace-keeping missions from 1945 to 2005, not to mention Vietnam. 
• If you bump into an Old Person on the sidewalk he will apologize. If you pass an Old Person on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady.  Old People trust strangers and are courteous to women.

• Old People hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for her protection. 

• Old People get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children, and they don't like any filth or dirty Language on TV, or in movies. 
• Old People have moral courage and personal integrity.They seldom brag unless it's about their children or grandchildren.

• It's the Old People who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.

This country needs Old People with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride In their country and decent values.

We need them now more than ever.

Thank God for Old People.

Old Person Pride  Author unknown

(Google images added)

STAYING YOUNG

by Charlotte Pease

The spirit never ages.

The essence of the soul

Is sure and strong forever

And keeps us young and whole!

The body shows that time has passed

When lines enrich the face,

When sight and hearing weaken,

When movement lacks in grace;

And yet we know that deep within

We're winsome, bright and fair,

Just as we were when we were young

And life was ours to dare!

Let’s pray:

   Father, may we realize that the older generation really does have wisdom to share.

   Give opportunities to hear their views of things of importance to me, so I can be sure to better understand where they're coming from.

   Help me value the older folks I know so I can speak to them about how much they are appreciated.

   I ask for Your guidance through the older folks around me, to listen with respect. 

   In Jesus' Name. Amen

Jean's blog Save this link for future referencing.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 25:21 "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me: for I wait on thee."

Today’s quote: Penny, a.k.a - “The person with a teachable spirit is confident in who they are while being aware of their limitations, level of knowledge, and abilities. People with a teachable spirit are those who happily say, 

   'Wow, I didn’t know that. You learn something new every day, don’t you?'

They can laugh at themselves when they make a mistake and are willing to give it another try when they fail. A teachable spirited person will seek help, instruction, and guidance before tackling a problem and not blame others for some disastrous results.”

Some thoughts today: Show your children why Jesus is to be praised. Tell them of your faith walk with Him from day to day. They need to know some of the battles and victories you're having. Give the children a vision of God's glory, and how He answers your prayers.

- Are there "grandparents" who can speak of their faith to your child? Invite them over for a meal or game night, and pray they'll talk of their experiences of walking with God.

10th- Tuesday’s post:  #91 Quiet People  C. Peter Wagner

12th- Thursday's post:  #92  The Pastor Has a High Priority  C. Peter Wagner

14th- Saturday's post:  Planning to Fail or Failing to Plan  Debbie Hardy

15th- Sunday's post:  Even When  Cindy Sproles

A popular post:  Unconditional Love: what is it?  Jean Oathout – "We have opportunities to show love daily. Some folks who are hard to love, challenge our ability to show them love. I suppose at times others find us hard to love, as well."

Even animals have friends.

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AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  

Kindle $2.99 a review would be

appreciated.

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

My book in paperback $7.95

(Check out the Reviews on the

Kindle page of my book)

Wisdom for Brides (Christian

Marriage, Counseling, & Help) (Volume 1)

Cancer

Cancer  by  James H. Cagle  

Sickness came suddenly into my life:

As I was introduced to cancer.

I waltzed away from the familiar,

A forced and unwilling dancer.

It swiftly carried me far away

Into the fearful and unknown.

Into the darkness, out of control,

Where my life seemed no longer my own.

So discouraged and overwhelmed;

My soul fell wounded in the dirt.

I got very angry, and shed many tears

I felt unfairly, beaten and hurt.

Then I saw I was losing this war,

That my response was wrong from the start.

I could live I knew with physical scars,

But not with the fear that gripped my heart.

So I fixed my gaze upon Calvary,

And trusted in Christ Who died for me.

Knowing even the bad was part of His plan,

And that nothing but good was in store for me.

My dancing partner immediately changed,

And the song of defeat abruptly stopped;

I regained my courage and spiritual composure

And I stand tall on the mountain top.

I’m no longer despondent or worry over
Any hair loss, tiredness, or pain; 

For I’ve given those things to my Savior, 
And my release has been my gain.

My faith has grown and is getting stronger,

And in spite of my cancer my spirit flies;

I’m soaring high on wings of victory,

By the wind God’s grace does supply.

For this storm must blow till it blows out

On this vessel that bends and sways,

But God’s the Master of life’s storms

And the word He speaks they must obey.

Cancer  by  James H. Cagle  

(Used by permission)

About Radiation Treatments By Jill Savage on May 19, 2014 05:51 pm

I’m now on Day 18 of my 33 radiation treatments. Radiation has been a much better experience for me than chemo was. 

Today I thought I’d share 5 things I didn’t know about radiation treatments until I started them.

1) Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells. Sometimes women just have surgery and radiation. Sometimes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all three used. Some women just have surgery..."

Be sure to check out Jill's message on her experiences... 

Here's a quote from her post Cancer Humor the 27th, 

"Then on one of my first trips to the mall after I lost my hair, I went into a dressing room to try on some clothes. I took off my wig to try the clothes on, but needed a different size shirt. My mom was with me but not close enough for me to ask her to get a different size so I threw my clothes on–and forgot to put my wig back on—and headed out to get the right size. I got several funny looks and then realized that I’d gone into the fitting room with hair and came out without hair.  I wish I had thought fast enough to say, “You don’t want to go into that dressing room! You’ll lose your hair!”

One day I snapped this picture.  You know, not everyone can carry their hair around in their purse."

Let’s pray:

   Father, may we not judge the folks 
who have to live this difficult part of
their lives, but show them Your love
by our being ready to accept them as they are. We just don't know when, or if, we'll need to also walk that path ourselves, or to walk it with a loved one.

   
Please help me be more discrete in how I react to what others have to go through! In Jesus' Name, Amen.



Prayer from ODB devotional: "Dear God, please give me the faith to believe that You can bring good out of any situation. Help me to see what You want to show me during adversity."

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 46:10a "Be still and know that I am God."

Today’s quote: Gwen Smith – “So many times we feel like failures because we don’t have a consistent quiet time with God. If this is you, don’t be discouraged. Romans 8:1, reminds us that there is no condemnation in Christ. Yes, God wants your attention…but not to scold you...He wants to hold you. You can trust Him.

Some thoughts today: At the end of your life, what will be said? Did you effect your world, or did Jesus?

- We carry in us the foundations of our ancestors. We're to 
deal with  any curses, and to stop them, in Jesus' Name! 
It's up to us to leave something of value for our children, 
and with others "in our world."

- Be more concerned about what God wants you to do.

8th- Sunday evening’s post:  Old Person Pride  
Unknown
10th- Tuesday's post:  #91  Quiet People  
C. Peter Wagner
12th- Thursday's post:  #92  The Pastor Has a High Priority  
C. Peter Wagner
14th- Saturday's post:  Planning to Fail or Failing to Plan  
Debbie Hardy

There's life in the Word for you!

A popular post: Until Fears Subside Sandra Dron shares with us her experience: "The marble felt smooth and cold in my mouth. I held it there as I played, until it slipped down my throat and over my windpipe.

   

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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  
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A Devotional with wisdom for women 
contemplating marriage, and a great gift 

for someone who needs help in their
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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse 

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