Finding Financial Freedom

Economic empowerment is an equalizer.

Let that sink in.

Soak it in for a moment.

Empowering people can change their perspective.  Empowering people can change their prospects in life.  Like I said earlier, economic empowerment is an equalizer.

I plan on sharing some realistic economic options for people here.  I say that's my plan because I had started on a similar journey not so long ago with a blog series starter on Money Makeovers.  Much like John Lennon stated: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

My mother passed away during the Christmas holidays.  She had fought cancer for a few years but the disease spread and required a different level of care that chemo could not address.  A few months after that my stepmother passed away, and then my close cousin died as well,  

My cousin's passing hit me hard since we were the same age and spoke of plans to travel and conduct some business together in the near future.  His passing jarred me a little bit.  I took it bad.  

Living with these recent losses and having to step in to take care of my mother's affairs in her latter days helped put some things in perspective.  I had to adjust my viewpoints on how I prepared for the present and the future.  I needed to organize some things for my family so that they do not have to search and find what was what when I have my time to go to the Lord.

I strive to place an emphasis on empowering others to find financial freedom here and via my other work online.  Please join me for a journey to engage in a discourse that we rarely tackle in low-income, minority and faith-based settings.  In all honestly, it helps with the healing and my prayer is that it helps others as well.

Let's get started.

Money Makeover Mindset

2018 might just be the year when you get started with a money makeover mindset.

"The most important decision about your goals is not what you are willing to do to achieve them, but what you are willing to give up." - Dave Ramsey

Reflect on 2017 Thoughtfully and Thoroughly

Think about where you were in 2017.  You made it through the year to get here today.

Now think about the highs and lows of 2017.  Reflect on the progress and pitfalls of the past year.

What do you want to relive in 2017? 

What do you want to change in 2018?

If you are anything like most of us, your personal finances are up in there somewhere.  

Remain thoughtful about what you need to eliminate or add, even what you could improve upon in 2018.  Keep that at the forefront of your entry into 2018.  Commit to doing better in 2018.

Total Money Makeover in 2018

Dave Ramsey is one of many voices in the realm of personal finance that says it straight and makes it plain.  The Total Money Makeover was a gift to me some years ago and I have read it again and again.  It has helped me through job transitions and escaping the pressure of an auto loan.  I consider it more of a reference tool than a read nowadays.  I refer to it when I get beside myself with what Dave calls "stinkin' thinkin'" about my personal finances.

I suggest checking out what Dave has to offer in 2018:

• His books are simple, straightforward reads about complex matters.
• His classes like Financial Peace University are available at local churches and other sites.
• The Dave Ramsey Show comes in a variety of formats. I listen on iHeart  myself.
• There is plenty more tools and other items to explore on his site and at his online store

Why Endorse Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover

In all honesty, Dave Ramsey is an extraordinary resource for staying on top of your personal finances.  Like I said,  he incorporates plain talk for plain folks.  He is frank and candid about his own financial journey.  In essence, Dave wants us all to learn from his mistakes and not repeat them.

Get started with the Baby Steps or simply check out the show.  Visit the New to Dave section of his site.  My hope is that you discover that financial peace is attainable.  My desire is that you would use this or any other resource to reclaim control over your financial life, career and livelihood, even your lifestyle.

It is more than money.  It is a mindset.

Money Monday Messages and More 

Look for more on financial freedom and economic empowerment with Life Path Multimedia Ministries as we start off 2018.  We want to post biblical and practical information and resources to strengthen your stewardship.  Our Inbox Inspirations e-newsletter is a great place to start, too.  

Meanwhile, get plenty of stewardship support via our upcoming blog posts on the following themes:

• Money Monday Messages
• Wealth & Wisdom On Wednesday
• Friday's Financial Freedom 

More is bound to come as we move forward in faith, but I trust that this start will help us to help others discover what God has to offer them in 2018 and beyond.

Poetic Politics of Profit

What poet can be “politically correct”
Without speaking out
Against tyranny, hypocrisy
Or even the failures of democracy?
It would seem criminal to not share a common voice
With the countless whose urban plight
It seems to have sparked suburban flight,
Flight from ghetto sanctuaries to metro mini malls.
What sort of poet pens poetic verse
That does not curse and condemn
The very system that presses down
On many with no relief
And offers little or no hope?
I would say such a poet
Would be a bond-servant of the tyrants
And tycoons who make
Their greenbacks
From those they call wetbacks
And so-called Blacks
Seeking every break from every tax.

-Bruce Jackson (2009)

Be sure to visit: http://revbruce.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/truth/
************************************************************
Consider creating a partnership for volunteer development with a complimentary agency or entity. Many nonprofits, LEAs, charter and private schools should consider "partnering" with other agencies and entities that support education, community service, and making a contribution. Be sure that you have alignment between your mission and the other agency or you at least share beliefs and not just service populations.
Get more ideas on biz tactics & strategies for marketing and ministry @: http://www.twitter.com/lifepath01/
***********************************************************
Check me out on RYZE: http://www.ryze.com/go/RevBruce

Stewardship 101

I am convinced that much of how we taught people in previous years transcended beyond the simple, especially in the church. Whatever happened between the old school and new school did a lot to get us away fom the basics of what the Bible teaches us about how we are to live in Christ. We soon discover all of these new terms like atonement, propitiation and reconciliation amid the countless treasures of biblical knowledge available to us. We need to learn about stewardship and that's real. Churches and pastors should teach from the broad spectrum of stewardship rather than Christian giving. Why? Well, let's identify the benefits that outweigh simply teaching about giving. Stewardship is a lifestyle, not a mere act. As stewards, our actions are driven based upon how God has positioned us in this life. We can become better parents, spouses, employees and even employers as we learn more about stewardship. Stewardship teaches us about accountability as well as responsibility. As we share more about wise stewardship, we will reveal more and more about our actions as a response to our relationship with God. Start with Stewardship 101 and we should see a change in the people and their actions. I believe that we can do this. Learn about giving and you can give an offering Sunday by Sunday; learn about stewardship and you can learn to take care of the kingdom business just as you would take care of your own.

Wisdom for Today

Wisdom is the principal thing. . . - Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

These days we can see where lack of wisdom can get someone into a little bit of trouble. From Chris Brown to T.I., we find young brothers facing charges for everything from assault and battery to weapons violations. Would I rather have wealth or wisdom? It appears that wealth does not guarantee wisdom. With wisdom, I can at least manage my wealth. I say so because we see how the Bernie Madoff scandal and other economic turmoils have caused a major stress and strain among baby boomers and others. To exercise wisdom in such times, we have to be careful enough to use discretion and discernment beyond dollars and cents. Pray to the Lord for wisdom, much like Solomon did before he even made an executive decision.

BEYOND BELIEF:
I can''t believe how some folks can be in church so long but have so little faith. My soul grows weary of people who have been in the building but don't feel a part of the Body. I recently read Chuck Colson's The Body and still feel excited about what the Lord has to say about ministry. Let us not lose hope. Our work is not in vain.