Take action: Have you received bad news lately? Are you going through painful experiences? Take one of our Dealing with Hurts and Emotions interactive life lessons.

First Aid for Bruised Hearts: Talk to a Mentor. If you have a question about love, relationships, or marriage you’re not alone. Love, even when it’s wonderful, is complicated. We’d love to hear from you. Online mentoring is a private email conversation between you and a mentor. The conversation is free, confidential and non-judgmental. Contact an online mentor if you’d like to talk.

Article: Gas vs. Electric Heating
How will rising energy prices affect my budget and what can I do to limit the damage? This article could save you a lot of money on your heating bill this winter! Read more

Online study: Living with Significance
Many of us are passionately engaged on the road towards success, but if we were to be questioned as to whether or not we are living a life of significance, we may not have an immediate answer to that question. Read more

Coming up next week: One of the topics of our upcoming online chats is “What Does It Mean to Have Faith?” Join us in the chat room October 26th 2009 @ 9:00pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar for other upcoming topics.

Take action: Want to grow in your relationship with our great and glorious God? Explore our online interactive studies about “Learning About God“.

You said it: This week Kaddee shared on the Is God Still Talking? women’s devotional, saying “I love how God confirms what I am believing in my heart! So many times I want to make decisions about life’s situations and am not sure which way to go then seeking Gods direction makes me wait to hear from Him …” Read the rest of the comments on Pray God’s Word into Your Darkness, and join the conversation on Devotional for Men and Devotional for Women, each updated daily!

Blog: Tithing in Tough Economic Times
Should Christians reduce tithes in a tough economy? When money is tight, doesn’t the church also need funds just as desperately? Read more

Devotional: The Danger of Strength
Success and strength can become dangerous when uncoupled from reliance upon our Creator God, when we assume autonomy instead of recognition that all we are and all we accomplish are from the hand of a gracious God. Read more

Coming up next week: One of the topics of our upcoming online chats is “What Does It Mean to Have Faith?” Join us in the chat room October 25th 2009 @ 9:00pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar for other upcoming topics.

Learn to manage your time better with our free online interactive life lesson “Time Management“!

Are you ready to “simplify your life”? If so, what is one thing that you wouldn’t be willing to give up?

Should Christians reduce their tithes in tough economic times? On one hand, it makes sense to save a little more, and plan to give a little more in the future once the economy picks up again.  No one could blame a family for reducing their donation if they’re having trouble making ends meet.

But on the other, shouldn’t tithing be sacrificial in the first place? And doesn’t the church need our full tithe during a difficult economy even more than in a booming one?

Perhaps in difficult financial times, instead of being the first thing to be cut, our tithe should only be cut as a last resort? After trimming the budget as much as possible, only then should we reduce our tithe? If we believe supporting our local faith community and their work in God’s kingdom is critically important, we should be very hesitant to reduce our support for it.

Have you chosen to reduce your tithe during times of financial difficulty? Do you think it’s something that should be encouraged, tolerated, or actively avoided?

Related reading:
Money Management for the Christian Family – Did you know that Jesus spoke more about money than He did about any other topic?
From Success to Significance – How one man started to question how “shallow” pure success-oriented living was.

Georges Laraque: What Gives Me Energy
Though one of the most feared players in the NHL, off the ice Georges Laraque is one of the most pleasant guys to be around. Always joking and smiling, the 6’3” former Edmonton Oiler (he is now playing with the Montreal Canadiens) not only brings energy to his team, but also to the people he meets everyday. In a TruthMedia Internet Group interview, “The Rock” talks about how to stay supercharged for life. Read more

Take action: Have you been feeling less than “supercharged” lately? Try our Struggling with Contentment online interactive life lesson?

You said it: This week, Edward commented on our article The Effects of Internet Pornography, saying “I need help with my porn addiction. It is hurting my wife and really hurting my marriage. My wife says she will leave me if i don’t get help for it but i don’t see it being a problem for me. Can someone contact me to discuss some options that xan help me and my marriage?” Read the article and add your own thoughts: Read more

Blog: Eating Down the Fridge
Save money & expand your culinary expertise! A practical technique to spend less on food during tough economic times. Read more

Feature: The Paybacks of Energy Efficiency
Nearly half of the average family’s energy consumption is used heating and cooling their home. Here is how you can save some money on your heating bill this winter. Read more

Coming up next week: One of the topics of our upcoming online chats is “Heartfelt Longings” Join us in the chat room October 18th 2009 @ 12:15pm EST for this chat or see also our full chat calendar for other upcoming topics.

We ate salmon skewers (frozen salmon), grilled baby bok choy, and a cream cheese and cherry pie filling puffed pastry (two out of the three ingredients for this have been with us for awhile).

All this to say, my sister-in-law told me that I was not the first to feel the need to clean out the pantry. Apparently the financial crisis has sparked an interest in what is being called Eating Down The Fridge.

So I decided this was worth looking into and was, at the same time, sure to satisfy my need to clear clutter, cook creatively and pursue a more balanced lifestyle. Googling the topic brought up many blogs and forums that were taking groups through this exercise and allowing them to share recipes, menus and experiences. A Mighty Appetite, a blog on washingtonpost.com, was where I started and found my way to eG Forums where I got some great ideas to eat down my own fridge. And freezer. And cupboards.

Fat Guy from eG Forums says,

If you spend $100 a week on groceries, this experiment will put $100 back in your pocket quicker than you can say stimulus. If you’re home 50 weeks of the year and you perform this experiment once per quarter, you’ll reduce your grocery bill by 8%.

That sounded good to me so I started by taking inventory of a random selection of what our kitchen held:

• unsweetened coconut flakes
• canned bamboo shoots
• dried chickpeas
• 3 packages of vanilla pudding
• toasted carob powder
• 1 can of chunky light tuna
• 1 bag of frozen peas
• dijon mustard
• 1 package of star anise
• 1 bag large marshmallows

This is about 1/10th of what was filling our kitchen. Kind of sad. So I tried the experiment for a week, building in some rules of my own to be sure we didn’t end up with scurvy.

The Rules

1. We could buy meat and veggies as long as the majority of the meal is made of current kitchen items.
2. We could buy ingredients for recipes as long as no more than 2 new ones are needs to complete the recipe.
3. We could buy staple perishables that we regularly use up including: coffee cream, soy milk, bran cereal and coffee beans.

Over the next seven days, with the help of the internet, I created recipes for the first time, ate food I had been avoiding, and learned that we never have “nothing in the house to eat”. I spent a total of $12.43 CAD on groceries and estimate that I saved $40-$50. I was amazed to see how much variety I still had in my diet, far beyond what most of the world can afford. Saving money was a perk (probably more enjoyed by my thrifty husband) but learning to think outside the box and gain an appreciation for what I already have was truly satisfying.

I feel challenged to think about how I can up the impact next time we try this. Maybe we’ll trying growing some of our own food to cut down on purchasing them permanently, or donate the money we save to the Food Bank. Has anyone else made lifestyle changes to save money or positively affect society?

Related reading: From Making Money to Giving it Away – Bobby received news that his adopted daughter had been killed in a car accident. Bobby finally broke. “I was a wreck,” he says.

Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matthew 24:4-14)

Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, “See to it that you are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means “to wail, to cry aloud,” as if Jesus counseled the disciples, “Don’t freak out when bad stuff happens.”

“See to it…” Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. “See to it that you fill out the reports.” Or “Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work.” The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn’t this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge’-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.

But Christ says to us, “See to it that you are not alarmed” (NIV)
“Keep your head and don’t panic” (MSG)
“See that you are not troubled” (NKJV)

And remember: “All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8), and birth pangs aren’t all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The doctor assures the mom-to-be, “It’s going to hurt for a time, but it’s going to get better.” Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity’s clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!

Question: Some news reports say the economy has started to turn around … have you experienced economic “relief”, or are you still waiting?

About this Author: Max Lucado

While countless books, videos, and seminars offer a flood of advice, financial success is really about mastering three fundamental principles.

1. Live Within Your Means

As someone quipped, “Why do we spend money we don’t have, to buy things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t like?”

Sound financial management starts with being realistic about what you can afford.

• First, tally up the money coming in. List all your income and don’t forget sources like overtime, a part-time job or an interest-bearing account.
• Next, deduct your fixed expenses, such as rent or loan payments.
• Then look at how you spend what’s left over. Try keeping a diary of every penny you spend for a month. It will help pinpoint exactly where your money goes.
• Now, you’re ready to develop a personalized spending plan based on your values and goals. What do you value the most? Time with your friends? Living debt-free?
• From these values, determine specific financial goals, like a vacation, next semester’s tuition, or a car.
• Once you’ve determined your goals, list specific steps for reaching each goal. This spending plan will be a road map for planning major expenses and meeting financial goals.

2. Pay Yourself First

It’s almost certain you won’t meet your financial goals unless you learn to pay yourself first.

• So, save a part of each pay cheque before you spend any of it. There’s rarely money left at the end of the month if you wait.
• Then, check your spending diary and pick three small things you could do to save money. Saving loose change, packing a lunch or drinking home-made coffee instead of designer lattes, for instance.

As you watch your savings grow and your goals coming within reach, you will feel excited and empowered.

3. Use Credit Wisely

Buying things on credit is, simply, spending tomorrow’s money today. Borrowing too much, buying on impulse or skipping the fine print usually lands you in trouble.

Credit isn’t extra money – you still have to pay. The later you do so, the more it costs. If you carry a balance from month to month, that $750 stereo could end up costing $2,000.

Did you know if you have a credit card with a $2,000 balance and a 19.8 per cent annual interest rate, and you make a payment of $40 each month without fail, it will take you almost nine years to pay the card off in full!

So, pay off as much as you can as soon as possible.

And don’t depend on credit to supplement your income or to buy something you can’t afford. And most importantly, read any credit agreement thoroughly and make sure you understand its terms before signing it.

Managing your personal finances doesn’t have to be painful. Ask yourself:

• What do I want?
• Where is my money going?
• Where can I save?

The answers, coupled with a greater understanding of financial products and services will lead you to financial success.

Carey Albers is a marketing and education specialist for a credit counselling agency.

The raw power of a storm is magnificent – the towering ominous clouds, the announcement of rumbling thunder, the unrestrained force of the gusting wind.  A storm is one of those unique opportunities in life where a person can watch the dynamic strength of nature – the same sort of unfettered energy found in an unstoppable hurricane, a supercharged bolt of lightning, or in the gentle caress of the sun.

As a human spectator, I am in awe of such power.  It reminds me of my place in the world, and that there is greater power beyond that which my own two hands can accomplish.

Matthew 19:26 reads, “With man this is impossible, with God all things are possible.”

With God everything is possible.  This is a phrase that can not be applied to something even as powerful as the sunshine or an earthquake.  The difficulty I have is that I view God’s power in much the same way I view human power.  When given power, I tend to abuse it after a time and I’m not alone in this.

Wealth, status, and power tend to distort one’s way of thinking in our culture.  Dictators with unchecked power have destroyed millions of lives in an attempt to retain power.  The wealthy in our world continue to prey on the less fortunate.  Nations go to war over self-interest in their pursuit of furthering their own territory. One of the beliefs of the Christian faith is that God has absolute power to do as He sees fit.

When God looks over creation, how exactly does He use His absolute power?  Is God the friendly hotel manager, who welcomes me in and makes sure my room is clean (forgives our sin), but in the end just wants my money (life)?  Or does He abuse His power like the crazed scientist, and create cruel circumstances to see how I’ll react?

I get a glimpse of the power of God in Amos 1:2, where it reads, “The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds dry up and the top of Carmel withers.”

In the Bible, God takes on different names to convey the attribute that best describes His character in that particular moment.  “The Lord is my shepherd” is one example, where God is shown to be a gentle and wise leader.

In this scenario, The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem.

I recently experienced this sort of unbridled power while hiking in the mountains.  I’m not savvy on wildlife behavior, and the dominant thought during my hike involved how to avoid being eaten by animals who jump out of trees.  As I hiked further from my vehicle and the trees closed in, one thought pressed in on my mind:

“Could I kill a bear with my bare hands?”

The thought of a bear, with power coursing through every muscle fiber, charging at me while I patiently waited for the moment to lock my hands around its neck and squeeze for dear life didn’t make me feel more brave.  It was an experience much like telling ghost stories around the campfire.  It just made everything that much scarier.

Terrifying, to say the least.

Amos 1:2 constructs an image of God as a roaring lion ferociously attacking, ripping apart its prey with both efficiency and brute strength.  Is this an example of God using His sheer power to terrify a group of people because He’s bored and He wants to see some excitement?  Or is this an example of something else?

In Amos’ day, exploitation, wealth, and profit were the societal hallmarks.  The rich owned several houses and could afford to do whatever they pleased.  Moral standards, authority and rule of law were afterthoughts.  Society had lost its awe of God and who He was.

North American culture is in much the same rut as the Israelite culture of Amos’ day.  As a resident of that culture, I comfortably live in that same mindset, where possessions are collected, wealth is pursued, and morality becomes increasingly gray.  And yet God is powerful enough, concerned enough, loving enough to roar like an untamed lion because He sees that it is not the fullness of life that He has intended.  He is roaring not out of a bloodlust for destruction, but because He is a God who is intent on saving His people from their bondage to materialism and greed.

I am in awe of such power.  The God of the universe is roaring.

Questions: How does your life compare to that of Amos’ day? What steps do you need to take in order to make a change more pleasing to God?

About the Author Shaun Smith

Every year, millions of people around the world, are victims of “identity theft”.

When you think about it, it’s kind of sad how “identity” here is essentially equated with “financial security”. Our true identities are so much more than that. Ironically, we’re often much more protective of our personal identities -who we really are as people- than we are of our financial details!

People often wear metaphorical masks to hide their true identities. In her article Unmasking Our True Selves, Barbara Erochina asks the question: Does anyone know the real you? Read the article to explore this issue, and consider the masks you might be wearing yourself.

Identity theft is a serious concern, but I think knowing your own identity is an even more serious one. As a wise man once rhetorically asked, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” If you feel like you need someone to talk to about these issues, feel free to contact us privately, anytime.