2008 January Archive at Serving Bread

Monthly Archive for January, 2008

Finance Friday 21: Allowances

Published

on January 25, 2008

. 0 Comments

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When I was young, my parents gave me a weekly allowance I could spend as I wished. There were no conditions attached to the allowance—it wasn’t attached to grades, to chores or even behavior. It was simply money given to me on a weekly basis, allowing me to either spend it immediately or save it for a larger purchase. (I usually saved my allowance for months on end to purchase a computer game)

When I began working and earning my own money, I stopped getting allowances. I had little expenses, which allowed me to spend earned income on pleasures. The foundation of financial independence was:Â spend what I earn. I did not budget, save or consider any expenses.

A few years ago, I reintroduced the concept of an allowance into my budget. Our family tries to live by a strict budget and the allowance has been an important “line-item” in our budget. Rhoda and I each receive an allowance in cash at the beginning of the month. That money can be used for any purpose without the need to account for it. That money is used to eat-out, purchase books, or entertainment. We can save it to increase our purchasing power in future months, or we can spend it all in one day. But once that money is gone, it’s gone. Neither one of us is allowed an increase or an advance on such discretionary spending.

An allowance gives us the freedom to do whatever we want with a limited amount of money. It is both freeing and restricting in a healthy way. For the past seven years, our income has increased, our expenses have increased, but we have been faithful to keep our allowance at the same amount which is $60 for each of us. Sixty dollars may be too little or too much for you, and you may need to figure out how to adjust it to suit your lifestyle. (I know of a couple who live with a $20/month limit)

Whenever I am counseling people in areas of stewardship, I usually begin with having them develop an amount for an allowance. It matters less to me what the amount is (I once had someone set her limit at $500/month) than that they are abiding by the limits of an allowance. Over time, I will work with them to limit or cut their allowance spending.

Give yourself a monthly allowance, but the key is that you have to abide by your limit. Blowing off an allowance will render this system useless.

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Finance Friday 14: Measures of a Strong Economy

Finance Friday 17: First step to get out of debt

Finance Friday 27: Tools to help you

Finance Friday 24: The bad among us

Leadership Insight 25: Expression of Love

Published

Eddy E

on January 23, 2008

in Leadership

. 0 Comments

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to thim, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said tot him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

— John 21.15-19

In John 21, Jesus asks Peter three times whether Peter loved him. And three times Peter answers that he does, and three times Jesus challenges him to tend or feed the sheep (which presumably are the people under Jesus’ leadership/authority). Peter and Jesus needed a moment to reconcile what had happened a few days earlier where Peter denied even knowing Jesus.Â Three times Peter betrayed Jesus and three times Jesus invites Peter to re-affirm his commitment and love toward him.

Jesus may be asking a simple enough question about love, but the implications of loving Jesus impress leadership upon Peter. Peter would soon become the leader of the community that Jesus had formed. Because Peter loves Jesus, he is given authority to lead the people of God toward the purposes of God.

There are probably various ways of reading the text and some may read an ‘if-then’ statement into that interaction. If Peter loves Jesus, then he would feed the sheep. But I don’t see it that way, Peter is obliged to lead because leadership would be an expression of his love to Jesus.

This reading of the passage is shaping me in this season where I am inviting young students to consider leading on campus. Too many people may lead for wrong reasons: Whether it is pride, addiction to power, desire for significance, or to pay God back (He’s done so much for me, this is the least I can do). At it’s core, we lead because we love Jesus.

The moments of deep intimacy with Jesus propel me to lead the people of God toward the purposes of God. The moments where I do not sense any love toward Jesus, leadership is a chore.

Leadership has to come out of a deep sense of love for Jesus. Ministry is demanding and there are far too many needs that challenge how I spend my time. I can lie to myself and believe that my tank is big enough and full enough to survive any season of ministry—that my focus needs to be on others and not on my relationship with Jesus. We love and lead people because we love Jesus.

Jesus asks us, “Do you love me?”

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Leadership Insight 35: Capacity & Responsibility

Leadership Insight 12: Watch and Learn

Leadership Insight 30: It’s Messy

Leadership Insight 3: Character Counts

Finance Friday 20: Not so Biblical of an Economy

Published

Eddy E

on January 18, 2008

in Finance Fridays

. 0 Comments

Pundits tell us that our economy is weak. One headline in my Yahoo News Reader said that the economy needs “rescuing.” Two of the three branches of government are focusing their energy to care for our economy, the Federal Reserve is urging for a federal response to our economic downturn, and every presidential candidate is going back to the adage that worked so well for Bill Clinton, “It’s the economy, stupid!”

The big proposal on the table is a tax refund to middle-class Americans. Here’s what they are talking about in Washington:

Aides to lawmakers involved in the talks said the White House is pressing for tax rebates of $800 for individuals and $1,600 for married couples. Lawmakers were likely to settle on a $500 rebate for individuals, said an aide involved in the talks, with details for couples and people with children still being negotiated.

Fed Chairman Fred Bernanke “endorsed the idea of putting money into the hands of those who would spend it quickly and boost the flagging economy.”

Our economic model depends strongly on consumerism. For example, the lackluster holiday season that just passed has many politicians and economists worried that our economy is in trouble. What does it mean for us that we live within an economic model that encourages or even thrives on buying more things? This model is in contrast to the Bible’s teachings. The Bible is clear on how we should relate with “stuff.” It doesn’t teach accumulation but radical generosity and faithful stewardship. (See Luke 12)

Crisis moments often teach us about ourselves and our values. As we feel an economic downturn that could very well turn into a recession, we will see (if not already apparent) our values exposed. However we may feel about our economic model, it’s important to remember that this is far from what the Bible would preach. I don’t pretend to know how God would intend for us to relate economically, but it’s far from American capitalism.

Having said that, we should remember that there will be plenty of resources and wisdom on what should be done to help our economy and how we should steward our finances. Anything that is not shaped by what Scripture teaches falls short to be our needed solution.

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Finance Friday 24: The bad among us

Finance Friday 26: Our relationship with stuff

Finance Friday 28: Peace comes from God

Finance Friday 17: First step to get out of debt

California Election Guide, Part 1

Published

Eddy E

on January 15, 2008

in Election Season

. 1 Comment

For Californians, the elections are fast approaching. For those of you who are registered with a party, your vote will make a more significant difference in electing a candidate than previous primaries, since California moved the date up four months. For those of us who are not affiliated with any party, we get to participate in the electoral process by voting on state measures.

During the November 2007 election cycle, I posted my summary of each of the ballot measures, trying to keep myself mostly neutral on the issues. This time around, I am chucking neutrality and telling you how I plan on voting.

First, ~~let’s talk~~ let me vent about our state’s financial health.

Last week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave his annual State of the State address, where he outlined his commitment to reduce our budget deficit. With all due respect to our governor and those in the state who are committed to balance our budget, the state of California is incapable of balancing the budget. The legislators in Sacramento are incompetent when it comes to dealing with money. We have a budget crisis, where we are facing draconian cuts in all areas of government services that will affect all of us. For example, we are looking at the closure of several state parks and the early release of prisoners in the name of “balancing the budget.”

Let me tell you what irritates me about our budget. California legislators moved the primary from June to February so that California has a more prominent voice in the primary cycle. I don’t have a problem with that, but what I do have a problem with is why they kept the June election in the books? Why not move the entire election cycle to February?

That’s right, this year, the voters of California have the privilege of going to the polls three times. In February, June and November.

I’m not sure what the cost of hosting an extra election is on the state, but in three Northern California counties alone, it’s costing them over $6 million. Any thoughts on what we can do with an extra $6 million?

In addition to the unnecessary extra election, I am also irritated by the number of “official” mailings I have received for this election alone. I have the “California Presidential Primary Election Official Voter Information Guide”, the “Los Angeles Voter Information Pamphlet” and the “Sample Ballot.” How much money and trees must be spent to communicate the same thing?

Next time, I’ll tackle the propositions!

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Proposition 10 — NO

Proposition 1A

Fantasy Election Game

Proposition 87

Potty Training Tales

Published

Eddy E

on January 15, 2008

in Daughter Love and Family Life

. 4 Comments

Act 1, Scene 1. In the LibraryÂ

Layla (at the top of her voice): “Baba… Layla has to go potty!”
Baba (me): “Ok, let’s go!”

Baba and Layla walk quickly to the nearest restroom.

Act 1, Scene 2. In the bathroom toilet stall.

Baba helps Layla sit on the toilet seat.

Layla: “Baba, go away!”

Baba leaves the stall, giving his daughter the privacy she needs.

Baba: “Layla, are you all done?”
Layla: “No!”
Baba (in a coaching / encouraging tone): “Just push it out Layla”

Noises from the stall. Did she actually do it?

Layla: “Baba… Layla farted”

Act 2. Scene 1

Mommy and Layla at home.

Mommy: “How was your day today Layla?”
Layla: “Layla farted.”

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Related Posts:

Leadership Insight 28: Spring Training

Leadership Insight 12: Watch and Learn

Leadership Insight 35: Capacity & Responsibility

Finance Friday 19: What’s your new year’s resolution?

View from Starbucks

Leadership Insight 24: Offerings

Published

Eddy E

on January 15, 2008

in Leadership

. 1 Comment

My supervisor often reminds me that I have much more to offer others (in terms of spiritual leadership) than I think I do. I can gather some of the reasons why I hesitate in thinking that God’s work in my life and through my life is that easily transferable or good for others. Some of it has to do that I have mixed opinions of the art of self-promoting what I want to offer others. Some of it has to do that I’m not sure how to translate what I’m learning to be of value to others. And I think some of it is that I feel like many areas of my leadership are still in the ‘beginnings’ stages, making me feel a bit unprepared to lead.

Recently, a young couple asked Rhoda and I to serve as their pre-marital counselors. While we were honored to be given such a privileged voice in their lives, we were also anxious to be invited into this role. Can we offer them anything? This couple is making the most important decision of their lives and we have the invitation to shape it for the better. I may know how to disciple someone in prayer or in studying the Bible, but marriage is a whole new ball game for me.

In thinking through the decision to serve in this capacity, I came to two conclusions:

I can offer what has been offered to me. God has taught us a lot about marriage. We have had to learn how to reconcile conflict and serve one another. We have had to work through expectations and assumptions. We are not perfect, but God has done a good work in us.
Leadership will always stretch us into new territory. God leads the Israelites to the edges of the Red Sea and asks whether they would trust him to take them across it when the Egyptian army is in hot pursuit. The Israelites had to struggle whether God would be faithful to save them from the army. In my experience of leadership, it seems that stretching into new contexts is normal. When I am stretched in a particular context, I learn more about myself and more about God.

I love that I get to serve in shaping this couple’s marital foundations. This ministry opportunity has led to me to reflect and be grateful for the ways that God has been good to me, and has stretched me to seek God’s wisdom and insights in a new territory.

Our offerings rest on knowing God’s goodness to us and being diligent to seek God in the new things that he is doing. Take those away, and we are right to conclude that we have little to offer people.

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Leadership Insight 12: Watch and Learn

Leadership Insight 30: It’s Messy

Leadership Insight 31: For better or for worse

Leadership Insight 21: Called

Finance Friday 19: What’s your new year’s resolution?

Published

Eddy E

on January 11, 2008

in Finance Fridays

. 0 Comments

So this is the time of year that people are inspired to make resolutions as well as break them. What are your new year’s resolutions when it comes to your finances?

I find it helpful to spend half a day, once a year to

Review our financial situation
Thank God for the ways he continues (sometimes surprisingly) to provide for our needs
Confess the ways that we have been unfaithful or poor stewards of our resources
Make corrections to our budget
Develop our generosity plan

Our family’s “fiscal year” actually ends in August. So in August, my wife and I review how we are spending our money, figure out how to make appropriate cuts, and believe God in faith for our provisions. We adjust our spending, our tithing and develop a financial plan for the year. But this time of year provides a helpful “mid-year” check-in. Having done that recently, there are a few things I noticed that I plan to correct:

I record too many things as “Miscellaneous” in my budgeting software. I commit to be a lot more diligent to record everything I spend. The better data I have, the better decisions I can make about our finances.
In the next month, we anticipate to have a little bit more disposable income due to paying off a couple of debts. We are going to make sure to save that money. We will pretend that those debts are still in play and so every month, we will put that amount of money away in a savings account.
Next month, we expect our second child. This means that we have to anticipate that some of our costs will increase (usually in diapers in the first few months and perhaps in formula, depending how the feeding plan goes). We hope that our 2 1/2 year old daughter would be completely potty trained, which would then keep the diaper cost the same, but we will inevitably be absorbing new expenses with a new child.
My taxes will continue to be more complicated and I continue to remain committed to do them myself (I will explain this reasoning in another post). Because of that, I will go through all of my records and prepare them for filing my taxes next month (for the past three years, I have been doing them over the Presidents’ Day Weekend in February).

Spend some time in the next month to get acquainted or re-acquainted with your financial situation. Spend the time in prayer, seeking God’s wisdom and stretch yourself in faith to live as one who trusts God —not money—for your provisions.

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Related Posts:

27 not so foolish Americans

Calling a genocide a genocide

Finance Friday 26: Our relationship with stuff

But what’s my question?

Finance Friday 18: Your car is not an investment

Assumptions about God

Published

Eddy E

on January 10, 2008

in Theology

. 1 Comment

I wonder how many assumptions I have about God that are not necessarily Biblical? In taking my first theology course at Fuller Seminary (even though I am nearly done with my program), I am challenged to reflect on my assumptions about God’s nature.

Why do I believe that God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent (among the other omni’s that are classically attributed to God)? How do these omni’s or other beliefs shape how I connect with God and how I teach about God? For example, do I explain prayer in terms of the classic analogy of the child who asks her parent for something and the parent already knows what the child wants but delights in the process of the child asking? Or is prayer an appeal for God to change circumstances that seem hopeless and perhaps the answer to prayer is conditioned on the ask itself?

About 10 years ago, I read John Stott’s The Cross of Christ for the first time. That book deeply shaped my understanding of the cross, but what it also did is give me a deep appreciation for the thinkers and shapers of Christianity for the past 2000 years. They spent energy articulating doctrines we take for granted as being essential and orthodox to the Christian faith.

To solely rely on the work done with these thinkers will eventually test and challenge our faith. When The Da Vinci Code came out in 2003, many Christians found themselves unable to interact with author Dan Brown’s heresy. While some pastors took the time to educate their parishioners about the nature of Christ and the reliability of Scripture, many others shunned the book as heresy, not equipping people to interact with our culture about God who is far superior than what Brown paints in his book.

I am thankful for the ancient shapers of the faith and I pray to enter with them in the dialog rather than to take their conclusions as ‘gospel truth.’

If what I assume about God influences how I teach, lead, and preach, I want to make sure that I am growing on a trajectory to adopt right concepts about God. My hope relies on a growing relationship with God who will surely surprise me by his character. And rather than ignore everything I know about God and start over, I pray that as I grow in my relationship with God and my dedication to study and know the Scriptures, my understanding of God’s character would be more and more clarified.

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Related Posts:

A take on the 9/11 conspiracies

So is this how justice works?

Leadership Insight 34: In Absence

Leadership Insight 24: Offerings

Leadership Insight 30: It’s Messy

Contest Reminder

Published

Eddy E

on January 9, 2008

in Family Life

. 0 Comments

We’re running a contest to guess the correct our baby’s correct date of birth. The pool will be split between the winner and the baby’s college fund. For only $10, you have a chance to both participate in the contest and bless the baby