Transitions - Week 4 - Doug and Kathy Porter

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: | Posted On Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 12:30 AM

No matter where you come from, everyone in this world has to deal with Money.  (Think about it... it costs money to come into this world. Yikes!)

However, we need to remember that this whole "Money" thing is an opportunity to be a good steward of his blessings. A chance to put to work what God has entrusted us with... no matter how much or how little that may be. That's why it was great to talk to Doug and Kathy Porter for the evening.

Doug's professional career is his ministry. He helps people live out their finances in a Godly way. For the evening we had the great pleasure of going through some passages in Proverbs that help us identify what it means to have a "Godly perspective" at our finances. With the help of God's word, Doug is trying to teach us to fish... not just throw us a fish... (I believe that is in proverbs someplace.... Proverbs 9:9.)

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REMEMBER::
It's important to remember that Solomon is the author of Proverbs.  This is stated in the first verses of the book.
Proverbs 1:1-3
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding; 3 To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity;
... and in case your wondering... Do you know where Solomon got his wisdom?
1 Kings 4:29-30
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea- shore. 30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 
Thus it is critical that we open our hearts to listen to Proverbs, as it is God's wisdom in the written word.

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Doug outlined 10 principals that we should all review and remember in our daily financial walk. I'm not going to go though each one, but I hope you will have an open mind as you read through the list of topics.

1) Seek God's Instruction (Wisdom)
          (Prov 2:6; 3:1-2; 4:20-23)

2) Obtain Godly Counsel of Others
          (Prov 15:22; 19:20)

3) Work diligently (avoid laziness)
          (Prov 10:4; 14:23; 24:33-34)

4) Giving (sharing)
          (Prov 3:9-10; 11:24; 22:9)

5) Plan (budget)
          (Prov 21:5; 16:3)

6) Avoid debt
          (Prov 22:7; 26-27)

7) Be honest
          (Prov 11:1, 28:6)

8) Take care of what you have
          (Prov 27:23)

9) Save (avoid greed)
          (Prov 21:20; 11:28)

10) Be Content
          (Prov 30:8-9)

Transitions - Week 3 - Bryan Spala

Posted by Nic Colgrove | Labels: | Posted On at 12:03 AM

For the 3rd week of the study, we had Bryan Spala come talk to us.  Bryan is a leader in the church and has been for several years.  His heart to take care of his "Neighbors" is apparent in his personal actions of ministry.  He has taken a strong lead in the Church's Back-Pack program.

The wisdom and challenges that Bryan gave us seemed to be directly related to his testimony.  The lesson to "Take Care of Your Neighbors" was something that was very clear to him growing up.  As well, the different groups and organizations helped lead Bryan to a deeper connection and walk of faith.  It is no surprise that Bryan's words would reflect these milestones in his life.


I think we can all learn a little bit from Bryan's example of caring.. and loving for those around us.  His heart definitely is the "Heart of Jesus."


For further reading, Bryan gave us a reference to the book "I am 3rd" by Gale Sayers.  It's built off the premise "God is first, others are second, I am third."  I haven't read the book but it does sound interesting.

Through the evening, Bryan gave us a very specific set of challenges.  Each of these I would like to share:

  • Challenge:  Get Involved in Church Groups
    • Get involved, and take advantage of the classes and groups that are offered in the church.  Promise Keepers/Beth Moore Studies/Financial Peace/etc.  Just become involved.  During the process you will learn about the primary subject, but there is a good chance that you will learn a lot more about the people around you.  Maybe it will spark an interest.  Either way, it will help you grow.
  • Challenge:  Get Into People's Lives
    • Show compassion and treat people how you want to be treated.  To even offer to pray for people is a common show of love and respect.  Even among people we would generally consider "non-christian" it is accepting.  People are more accepting of it than we would think.  Show people respect.  Ask how they are doing.

      The Holy Spirit will provide you with the opportunities to share.  God will do the work, you just have to be ready to invite people to church.
  • Challenge:  Trust in God
    • Bryan gave us the verse in Luke 1:37 "For no word from God shall be void of power" as one of our closing statements.  It speaks volumes to me as a constant reminder to trust that when God's plan is spoken, you know it cannot be void of his everlasting power.