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Decade of Destiny is a 3-year plan (2011-2013) to make the next 10 years the best years of your life. It will prepare you for success… spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically, and relationally… for the glory of God!
The Kickoff Campaign is a 2-month (Oct-Nov) weekend & a small group emphasis to explain the biblical basis for succeeding in the key areas of your life. Nov 21-22 is the weekend we will each make our 3-year faith commitments to participate in a spiritual growth process.
October 29, 2010
Decade of Destiny Update #11
Dear Saddleback Family,
FIRST THE NEWS
1. THE NEXT 4 WEEKENDS are vital to your success over the next 10 years!
I’m going to teach you from God’s Word the biblical principles and practical steps for…
Oct. 30-31: Your Financial Health: God’s Plan for getting out of debt & succeeding financially.
- You will hear the most amazing and encouraging testimony this weekend.
- Enjoy the article below about advice from Warren Buffet and me!
- Our BLOCKTOBER PARTY for family fun is this Sunday, Halloween evening.
Nov. 6-7: Your Physical Health: God’s Plan for being a steward of your body & energy.
- I’ve interviewed 3 internationally respected doctors: Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman, & Dr. Mehmet Oz, and you’ll hear their expert advice.
- Our HEALTH EXPOis on this weekend after the service – with over 60 services to help you get healthy!
Nov. 13-14: Your Spiritual Health: God’s Plan for becoming like Christ.
- Our “TO EVERY NATION” Peace Documentary will premiere on this weekend!
- A beautiful PEACE AMBASSADOR MEDAL OF SERVICE will be presented on this weekend to everyone who has served on a PEACE project (locally or internationally) or financially supported a person to go, or prayed for those who serve. BUT YOU MUST MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS LISTED ON LIST of PEACE Ambassadors. Click here to make sure your name is on the list.
Nov. 20-21: Your Mental Health: The skills you must have for a successful family & career.
- Our CAREER & VOCATIONAL SKILL EXPO is on this weekend after the service!
- On this weekend we will sign our FAITH COMMITMENT CARDS to join together in supporting each other in growth over the next 3 years.
2. You can help us feed thousands of needy families at Thanksgiving and Christmas through our HOPE for the HOLIDAYS partnership with 32 Albertson stores! Sign up this weekend or at saddleback.com/serve.
3. For all your questions, visit our Decade of Destiny website.
NOW THE VIEWS:
I thought you’d enjoy seeing this article that someone emailed to me since I’m speaking on it this weekend.
Wisdom from the “Warrens”
Rick Warren and Warren Buffet can help us in the global recession
Recently, I read some gems of wisdom on dealing with the recession from two disparate sources: Rick Warren, the famed pastor and author of the all-time bestselling book in American history and Warren Buffett, the richest man in the world.
Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, first pointed out how life works. He noted that life is not really a series of hills and valleys , ups and downs, or highs and lows, as is often portrayed. Instead, he explained, “Life is actually more like two rails of a railroad track, with one rail representing the bad things that happen in your life, and other rail representing the good things. We always have both at the same time- never just one or the other. Life is never all good or all bad. Both come at you simultaneously. No matter how good things are, there’s always something you need to be working on, and no matter how bad things are, there is always something good you can thank God for."
Warren’s wife, Kay, battled cancer in ’03-’04 right in the middle of the international triumph of The Purpose Driven Life phenomena. With both success and suffering occurring at the same time, the couple kept their perspective by focusing on their unchanging purpose, and chose to not allow either success or suffering to alter their faith or values. Warren urged business leaders to focus on opportunities, rather than the obstacles, and on God’s resources rather than the recession.
In spite of financial success, the Warrens still live in the same house they’ve lived in for 17 years and the thrifty pastor still drives a 10 year old Ford. Years ago, he stopped taking a salary from his congregation, paid them back 25 years of salary, began tithing 91% of their income and started 2 charities to give away the millions to those in need. They also initiated a humanitarian effort called “The P.E.A.C.E. Plan” to attack the five global problems by Planting churches that promote reconciliation, Equipping ethical leaders, Assisting the poor, Caring for the sick, and Educating the next generation.
Pastor Warren said, “You’ll never be secure, whether during this recession or after it ends, as long as you put your security in things that can be taken from you like salary, savings, status, success, or even your family. You must find your security in that which can never be taken from you, and the only thing that fits that bill is a personal relationship with the God who created you.” Some of Warren’s financial wisdom:
Value: Never confuse your valuables with your value. Your net-worth is not your self-worth.
Budgeting is telling your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went.
Contentment: Use it up, wear it out; make it do, or do without.
Giving: Do your giving while you’re living, then you’ll be knowin’ where it’s goin’.
Saving: The reason we don’t save is envy. We buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like!
Financial freedom isn’t determined by how much you make but by how you spend it!
Priority: God uses money to test your spiritual maturity & how much he can trust you.
The other wise Warren - Mr. Buffett - is just as thrifty and also still lives in the same house he bought before his financial success. He paid $31,500 for the home he has lived in since 1958. Mr. Buffett offered the same down-to-earth advice for managing your finances during the current recession:
Accounting: Beware of little expenses; a small leak can sink a large ship
Earning: Never depend on a single source of income.
Saving: Never save what is left after spending; Spend what is left after saving.
Giving: I’m giving 99% away. Enjoy the process far more than the proceeds.
Spending: If you buy things you don’t need, you’ll soon sell things you need.
Investing: Be interested in stocks only when no one else is. You can’t buy what’s popular and do well.
Legacy: Leave your kids only enough to do something but not enough to do nothing.
I doubt these two “Warrens” are related, but they are definitely of the same mind when it comes to financial management. END
Bring a friend who is struggling financially this weekend. It will change their life!
I loved being with my Saddleback men this week on Thursday. |