We sold our house!

This past weekend brought a momentous occasion for our family. On Friday, our home in Missouri finally sold. If you are one of the many people who prayed for this to happen - THANK YOU! We had basically tried to sell it for the past two years with little or no interest. About a year and a half ago we were blessed to find a wonderful family to rent our home. This was a huge help although the rent paid still didn’t cover all of our house payment and expenses.

This was the fifth home Julie and I have sold and it was the first one in 20 years that we had to pay money to sell. I have to admit part of this was my fault (stupid tax as Dave Ramsey would call it) and part of it we can chalk up to the terrible economy.

As I reflect on this experience I wanted to point out a few things I have learned.

*The power of persistent prayer is huge.
*When buying a home, stick with a 15 year mortgage.
*Never, never, never get a 2nd mortgage.
*Don’t take your home for granted.
*Unfortunately, our situation is not unique - matter of fact our story has ended so much better than a lot of people we are hearing about.
*A well built, beautiful structure is great but it doesn’t make a home.

Home ownership is a wonderful blessing and we take so much for granted here in the USA when it comes to our material things. I recently read one statistic that stated five to six hundred thousand people in America are homeless at any given time.

So, when it comes to buying or owning a home - be smart - be cautious - be humble - be thankful.

Don’t let opportunity pass you by!

Here’s inspiring video about the Goff family of SanDiego, California and their annual New Years Day Parade that they started 16 years ago. I came across this on Donald Miller’s blog - you can read his post here.

To me this is a great reminder to not let opportunity pass you by. We all have fear, we all face doubts, we all get down from time to time - and yet the truth is that God has put each of us on this planet to love Him and to love others. He has a purpose and a plan for each of us. But it requires us to get up off the couch and do something - to get involved in passionately pursuing a relationship with Christ and then to live that out by impacting others around us and around the world.

So, don’t hold back - maybe today is the day you start your own parade and change the lives of your community and family.

Depraved Indifference

Almost Isn’t Good Enough

During Christmas break I took the time to read Wayne Elsey’s new book “Almost Isn’t Good Enough.” Wayne is the Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls a highly successful non-profit organization that exists to distribute shoes to people in need all around the world.

I have to say that I have had the privilege of meeting Wayne and was just as impressed with him as I was his new book. He’s the kind of person that inspires and challenges you to go further and dream bigger. If you are comfortable with the status quo of life in general then you probably don’t want to meet Wayne or read this book because he has a way of stretching you.

Wayne is what I like to call the “real deal.” He lives what he believes and with great passion. His new book is straight forward, challenging, and practical. I believe it’s a must read for those in the non-profit world as well as leaders in general. Wayne is a proven leader and gives refreshing insight into the success he has found in the non-profit world.

“Anyone and everyone has the opportunity to do something in life that matters and makes a difference in the lives of others” states Elsey.

One hundred percent of all book proceeds will benefit Soles4Souls. With the purchase of each book at least 10 pairs of shoes will be delivered to someone in need and you can even pick where your shoes go - very cool! You can visit the following site to learn more; GiveShoes.org/kicks

I love learning from people like Wayne Elsey and am thankful for the hope he continues to bring into the lives of those in need through a pair of shoes. I hope you will read his book and I hope you will join him on his crusade to put shoes on the 300 million people around the world that live without them. I for one believe he can do it.