Saturday, January 29, 2011
Parental Involvement: What Every Parent Should Know.: Get the best out of your child
Parental Involvement: What Every Parent Should Know.: Get the best out of your child: "One of the biggest complaints from teachers and parents about children is challenging behaviors (Landers, Alter, & Servilio, 2008). Chal..."
Reflections/ Having Fun : Two Poems by Jacques Cormier
HAVING FUN
" Always on the run, don't have no time for fun, then it's gone
Forgot the things you love to do, got caught up in life, but not living.
You use to dance all the time, in your living room, the kitchen, in the car.
But now life is but a constant array of routines, none of which you enjoy.
Time passes, as does your dreams and aspirations.
Mad at me because I enjoy life, having fun.
You could to, but you choose what you will, the path already traveled.
REFLECTIONS
Here I stand at the feet of life, amazed, frustrated.
I am beyond where I expected to be, but have yet to reach my potential.
Many have fallen so that I could rise, above the limitations I placed on myself.
Tears fill my eyes as I begin to realize that so many are gone, friends, family, team mates.
So here I stand, tall and proud, but most of all humble.
was it not for grace, there would be no reflections only experiences.
Friday, January 28, 2011
IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR A CHRISTIAN TO SEEK COUNSELING?
QUESTION:
Is it appropriate for Christians to receive counseling? Many of you are thinking,"why is he even asking that question." Is seeking counseling a sign of your lack of faith? Does your church encourage or discourage seeking counseling?
WHAT IS COUNSELING?
The counseling process is not that complex of an endeavor. It is a process in which a person, who experiencing some type of emotional, spiritual discomfort, seeks help to alleviate the discomfort. Counseling can be provided to an individual, family, or a group. There are counselors who specialize in marriage, children, geriatrics, Christians, finances, law, etc.
When the client enters the counseling process , with a counselor, they are entering into an agreement with each other. The counselor agrees to be ethical, honest, confidential and having the clients best interest at heart. The client is committing to being a open, honest active participant in the counseling process. The counselor can only respond to information given by the client, so if the client holds back valuable, helpful information the process is doomed.
The counseling process entails the counselor being a active listener, intense observer watching for any contradictions in verbal and non verbal communications. I like to use the analogy of alphabet soup when describing the emotional condition of many clients at the start of counseling. They have all these letters, in their heads but can't make heads or tales out of them. As they begin to talk, receive feedback, and reflect, these letters become words, ideas, concepts and no longer soup of random letters.
COUNSELING VERSUS PSYCHOTHERAPY:
Many time these two terms are used interchangeably among some writers. I see counseling as addressing the challenges of everyday life. I see it dealing with stress, anger, anxiety, worry, grief, relationships, crisis, motivation, as well as spiritual issues. The goal of counseling is personal, emotional and spiritual growth and the alleviation of discomfort. I see psychotherapy as dealing with things such as schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression, suicidal ideation, and other things related the brain chemistry. In counseling we deal with the "worried well" those just having difficulties with the day to day challenges of life.
PASTORAL COUNSELING/LAY COUNSELING:
Pastoral counseling is counseling that is provided by the pastoral staff of the local church. I view Pastoral Counseling as one of he pilliars of pastoral care. It is just as imprtant as vising the sick and other pastoral care duties. It is important that Pastors receive formal training in Christian Counseling in order to provide competent counseling to the membership. There is a disconnect when a Pastor preaches and teaches that the solution for all one's problems are found in the scriptures and in prayer. Then one day a member goes to the Pastor with problems and says," Pastor I am having these problems, show me how the scriptures can help me". The Pastor tell the member that he wants to refer them for counseling. The Pastor is indirectly saying, I don't know how to apply scriptures to your problems. Why do they have to go else where? Many Pastors who attempt to counsel, without training, often make situations worst. All individuals who are called should be trained! I once offered a Christian Counseling Class and only one minister attended.
Lay counseling is done every day in some capacity in every congregation through the country. Lay counseling is when a sister sits and listen to another sister talk about her family, her marriage, or her children. Lay counseling is the art of using common sense when communicating with another person. I had 9 ladies from various churches attend my Christian Counseling class and receive their certification
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING:
Christian counseling like lay and pastoral counseling has its roots in the scriptures. It is a philosophy, a special way of looking at life. Christian Counseling is patiently correcting, rebuking,encouraging an teaching the people.(2 Timmothy 4:2 ) The scriptures show us what is true and make us realize what is wrong, it straighten us out and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timmothy 3:14-15 ) This should be the core belief of Pastoral and Christian Counselors. A Christian Counselor has a personal relationship with Christ and a secular counselor may not. A Christian Counselor believes that sin, in one's life can cause stress, depression, unhappiness, and emotional instability. The Christian Counselor will use scripture explanations, problem specific prayers, spiritual discernment, homework, art, journaling, relaxation exercise, support groups, and music as counseling tools.
For many years I was a counselor who happen to be a Christian. In 2005 I was transformed and became a Christian Counselor. I realized that I had this vast knowledge of psychological theory and a basic Sunday school knowledge of scriptures. How could I call myself a Christian Counselor? I decide to enroll in a doctorate program in Christian Counseling so that I knew as much about theology as I knew about psychology. In 2006 I was certified by the ,American Association of Christian Counselors, as a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor.
HISTORY OF ACCEPTANCE OF COUNSELING BY LOCAL BLACK CHURCH'S:
The local Black Church has a history of not been very accepting of the idea of their members seeking counseling. The more progressive churches preferred to send their members to Caucasian counselors rather than local Black Counselors. Many churches had their members believing that seeking counseling showed a lack of faith and displeasing to God. These same churches were teaching that one was not saved if they didn't speak in tongues, and that Christians could loose their salvation. I sat in services where the pastor preached against seeking counseling, telling the membership that all they needed was faith. Did you know that the term counsel is mentioned 182 times in the Bible?
I feel the attitudes, in the local churches, are much better today than the 70's-90's the periods I mentioned above. However, I am not sure if there has been any increase in pastoral counselor training. A recent survey showed that most people rather receive counseling from their church than any other place because of their comfort level with the church. What do we do with this information, all of us retired social workers, school counselors, therapist, sitting quietly in the church?
WHO SHOULD SEEK COUNSELING/COACHING:
I have entered a new term "Coaching" here. To me Counseling and Coaching are the same thing. For many the term coaching is more acceptable than counseling. Coaches help emotionally health people strive to reach their goals in life. The Coach is like a cheer leader, motivator, who help individuals develop and pursue goals. They are there to give you that gentle nudge when you get stuck. They are always telling you that you can do it. That through Christ all things are possible.
Anyone who feels stuck, feeling that they are just spinning their wheels, and is feeling that God wants them to do better than they are doing, should seek counseling/coaching. If you find yourself feeling depressed, anxious, unmotivated, enjoying life less and less then you should see someone.If you are having problems in your marriage, your spiritual life, your children or other relationships you should talk to someone.
QUALIFICATIONS OF A CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR:
The qualifications for Pastoral Counseling,in the Black Church, depends upon the specific requirements of that specific denomination. Counseling within the framework of the church is not constrained by state licensing laws. Most experts believe that to be competent, to counsel, one should have several classes in counseling and some hours of internship under an experience counselor. The majority run churches require graduate degrees in Christian Counseling before you are allowed to counsel. I personally don't feel that a graduate degree is necessary, but mentor ship by an experienced counselor is a must.
Those counselors who counsel outside the church are required to have a minimum of a masters degree, 3000 hours of internship, then pass a written state examination.
WHERE SHOULD I SEEK COUNSELING?
If you feel comfortable with your Pastor I would start with them. They may feel that they can handle the situation or they may know a referral source. Most of your insurance companies have a list of counselors who have identified themselves as Christian Counselors. However most of them are counselors who happen to be Christians.
I don't want to forget the wonderful informal lay counseling done by women in the church with each other. This has bee a valuable uncelebrated, and unrecognized gift to the church all through out Black Church history, The church needs more support groups such as grief, single parents, divorce, widows, and geriatric, celebrating serenity, and health and exercise groups.
Is it appropriate for Christians to receive counseling? Many of you are thinking,"why is he even asking that question." Is seeking counseling a sign of your lack of faith? Does your church encourage or discourage seeking counseling?
WHAT IS COUNSELING?
The counseling process is not that complex of an endeavor. It is a process in which a person, who experiencing some type of emotional, spiritual discomfort, seeks help to alleviate the discomfort. Counseling can be provided to an individual, family, or a group. There are counselors who specialize in marriage, children, geriatrics, Christians, finances, law, etc.
When the client enters the counseling process , with a counselor, they are entering into an agreement with each other. The counselor agrees to be ethical, honest, confidential and having the clients best interest at heart. The client is committing to being a open, honest active participant in the counseling process. The counselor can only respond to information given by the client, so if the client holds back valuable, helpful information the process is doomed.
The counseling process entails the counselor being a active listener, intense observer watching for any contradictions in verbal and non verbal communications. I like to use the analogy of alphabet soup when describing the emotional condition of many clients at the start of counseling. They have all these letters, in their heads but can't make heads or tales out of them. As they begin to talk, receive feedback, and reflect, these letters become words, ideas, concepts and no longer soup of random letters.
COUNSELING VERSUS PSYCHOTHERAPY:
Many time these two terms are used interchangeably among some writers. I see counseling as addressing the challenges of everyday life. I see it dealing with stress, anger, anxiety, worry, grief, relationships, crisis, motivation, as well as spiritual issues. The goal of counseling is personal, emotional and spiritual growth and the alleviation of discomfort. I see psychotherapy as dealing with things such as schizophrenia, bipolar, severe depression, suicidal ideation, and other things related the brain chemistry. In counseling we deal with the "worried well" those just having difficulties with the day to day challenges of life.
PASTORAL COUNSELING/LAY COUNSELING:
Pastoral counseling is counseling that is provided by the pastoral staff of the local church. I view Pastoral Counseling as one of he pilliars of pastoral care. It is just as imprtant as vising the sick and other pastoral care duties. It is important that Pastors receive formal training in Christian Counseling in order to provide competent counseling to the membership. There is a disconnect when a Pastor preaches and teaches that the solution for all one's problems are found in the scriptures and in prayer. Then one day a member goes to the Pastor with problems and says," Pastor I am having these problems, show me how the scriptures can help me". The Pastor tell the member that he wants to refer them for counseling. The Pastor is indirectly saying, I don't know how to apply scriptures to your problems. Why do they have to go else where? Many Pastors who attempt to counsel, without training, often make situations worst. All individuals who are called should be trained! I once offered a Christian Counseling Class and only one minister attended.
Lay counseling is done every day in some capacity in every congregation through the country. Lay counseling is when a sister sits and listen to another sister talk about her family, her marriage, or her children. Lay counseling is the art of using common sense when communicating with another person. I had 9 ladies from various churches attend my Christian Counseling class and receive their certification
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING:
Christian counseling like lay and pastoral counseling has its roots in the scriptures. It is a philosophy, a special way of looking at life. Christian Counseling is patiently correcting, rebuking,encouraging an teaching the people.(2 Timmothy 4:2 ) The scriptures show us what is true and make us realize what is wrong, it straighten us out and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timmothy 3:14-15 ) This should be the core belief of Pastoral and Christian Counselors. A Christian Counselor has a personal relationship with Christ and a secular counselor may not. A Christian Counselor believes that sin, in one's life can cause stress, depression, unhappiness, and emotional instability. The Christian Counselor will use scripture explanations, problem specific prayers, spiritual discernment, homework, art, journaling, relaxation exercise, support groups, and music as counseling tools.
For many years I was a counselor who happen to be a Christian. In 2005 I was transformed and became a Christian Counselor. I realized that I had this vast knowledge of psychological theory and a basic Sunday school knowledge of scriptures. How could I call myself a Christian Counselor? I decide to enroll in a doctorate program in Christian Counseling so that I knew as much about theology as I knew about psychology. In 2006 I was certified by the ,American Association of Christian Counselors, as a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor.
HISTORY OF ACCEPTANCE OF COUNSELING BY LOCAL BLACK CHURCH'S:
The local Black Church has a history of not been very accepting of the idea of their members seeking counseling. The more progressive churches preferred to send their members to Caucasian counselors rather than local Black Counselors. Many churches had their members believing that seeking counseling showed a lack of faith and displeasing to God. These same churches were teaching that one was not saved if they didn't speak in tongues, and that Christians could loose their salvation. I sat in services where the pastor preached against seeking counseling, telling the membership that all they needed was faith. Did you know that the term counsel is mentioned 182 times in the Bible?
I feel the attitudes, in the local churches, are much better today than the 70's-90's the periods I mentioned above. However, I am not sure if there has been any increase in pastoral counselor training. A recent survey showed that most people rather receive counseling from their church than any other place because of their comfort level with the church. What do we do with this information, all of us retired social workers, school counselors, therapist, sitting quietly in the church?
WHO SHOULD SEEK COUNSELING/COACHING:
I have entered a new term "Coaching" here. To me Counseling and Coaching are the same thing. For many the term coaching is more acceptable than counseling. Coaches help emotionally health people strive to reach their goals in life. The Coach is like a cheer leader, motivator, who help individuals develop and pursue goals. They are there to give you that gentle nudge when you get stuck. They are always telling you that you can do it. That through Christ all things are possible.
Anyone who feels stuck, feeling that they are just spinning their wheels, and is feeling that God wants them to do better than they are doing, should seek counseling/coaching. If you find yourself feeling depressed, anxious, unmotivated, enjoying life less and less then you should see someone.If you are having problems in your marriage, your spiritual life, your children or other relationships you should talk to someone.
QUALIFICATIONS OF A CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR:
The qualifications for Pastoral Counseling,in the Black Church, depends upon the specific requirements of that specific denomination. Counseling within the framework of the church is not constrained by state licensing laws. Most experts believe that to be competent, to counsel, one should have several classes in counseling and some hours of internship under an experience counselor. The majority run churches require graduate degrees in Christian Counseling before you are allowed to counsel. I personally don't feel that a graduate degree is necessary, but mentor ship by an experienced counselor is a must.
Those counselors who counsel outside the church are required to have a minimum of a masters degree, 3000 hours of internship, then pass a written state examination.
WHERE SHOULD I SEEK COUNSELING?
If you feel comfortable with your Pastor I would start with them. They may feel that they can handle the situation or they may know a referral source. Most of your insurance companies have a list of counselors who have identified themselves as Christian Counselors. However most of them are counselors who happen to be Christians.
I don't want to forget the wonderful informal lay counseling done by women in the church with each other. This has bee a valuable uncelebrated, and unrecognized gift to the church all through out Black Church history, The church needs more support groups such as grief, single parents, divorce, widows, and geriatric, celebrating serenity, and health and exercise groups.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
WHAT'S GOD WILL FOR MY LIFE? THIS IS THE QUESTION!
Many Christians, me included, have struggle to find God's "will "for our lives. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we became very excited and felt a new lease on life. After our conversion we often feel a great burden lifted off our hearts and shoulders because we realized we are no longer hell bound. If we are in a good bible church we learn that this conversion is the beginning of our relationship with the Lord, and more than a get out of hell free card! We are encouraged to become involved in such classes as "Essentials of New Life", and other bible study opportunities.
In some churches new converts are quickly recruited for different offices, and committees within the congregation. They are often overloaded with advice and request to do things for the church. This is not a bad thing, but sometimes it may retard the spiritual growth of the individual. Sometimes a new convert should not be so quickly exposed to some of the more negative elements of the church such a church politics and discord.
As we mature and develop a stable spiritual base, we may begin to wonder about God's plan for our lives. We should not to get the Church's plan for our life, and what's God's plan for our life confused. There are those unique circumstances when God's will and man's will for you are the same.
How do we know God's Will for our lives? We are in essence asking God what do you want me to do, or sometimes asking you want me to do what Lord? The first step in your quest to answer this question can be found in Romans 12:1-4 which tells us that we should give our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice the kind he will accept. We should not copy what the world does, but allow God to transform us into a new person, by changing the way we think and behave. If we do this we will know what God wants us to do. In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, " If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Hebrew 13:21 tells us that Jesus will equip you with every thing good for doing His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever Amen." These scriptures tell that we have to be spiritually ready and receptive to receive information from God.
"The Bible speaks of the "the will of God" in several different ways, and its important to understand the difference.
1. The decreed will of God. This would include God's eternal, foreordained plan and purpose, which will not change and cannot be thwarted. It includes our salvation, ad His choice and calling of Israel. This is God's covenant purposes and promises.
2. The "perceptive will". This is God's will, expressed in the form of principles or percepts given to men. His written word expresses His will. I once had, a church woman, tell me that someone had prophesied that she was going to have a married brother as her husband! She was excited about this revelation. I had to remind her what the scriptures said about adultery.
3. God's "preferential will." This has to do with what gives God pleasure, and what does not. When we face those things which are not clearly defined as sin, or things that are commanded, we should desire to please the Lord. (Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:10)
4. God's "Permissive will" is that which God allows, even though its sin. God allowed Joseph's brothers to betray him, and to deceive their father, so that He might bring the Israelites to Egypt. God is always in control. We see this in the book of Revelation.
5. God's "Directive Will" is God's personal guidance in our lives. These are the times that God wants us in certain place, and doing a certain thing. We see this played out in Acts 16: 6-10 with the man of Macedonia had a vision ,from the Lord, to preach. In 1 Timothy 4:14 tells us to take into consideration your spiritual gifts. Do you know your spiritual gift/s?
How do we receive directives from God? 1. When we pray! (Luke 11:9-10 " And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will open. for everyone who asks, receives....2. Meditation is listening to God's gentle whisper as given to Elijah in 1Kings 19: 13. Sometimes we need to sit quietly and listen for the voice of God to direct us. We often are so busy asking God for things that he can't get a word in to answer us. 3. Circumstance is another way God speaks to us. In this process God will open some doors and close others. So if you have prayed for a certain thing an have not received it, maybe God has other plans for you.We, however, can not depend totally on circumstances to know God's will. Many times God' will allows us to over come our circumstances. 4. Our Hearts: Feeling God guides us as in john 6:13; Nehemiah 2 :12; 2 Corinthians: 2:12; Acts 20:22-23. Many times God's will tell us the same thing through each of these four ways. George Muller an English evangelist in 1800's wrote, " I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given master. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenth of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be when one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is...Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word ,and reflections, I come to deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.
My own experience in seeking God's will has entailed the use of prayer, meditation, circumstances, and the soft whisper in my heart. In some instances God has placed people in my path, created certain situations that made it very obvious that this was the path to follow. I suggest that each of you read about spiritual gifts to determine which gift you were blessed with. Then ask the Lord to place you in a situation to use that gift. These gifts are given to build up the body so that it can maximize its effort to do the Lords work. Amen!
In some churches new converts are quickly recruited for different offices, and committees within the congregation. They are often overloaded with advice and request to do things for the church. This is not a bad thing, but sometimes it may retard the spiritual growth of the individual. Sometimes a new convert should not be so quickly exposed to some of the more negative elements of the church such a church politics and discord.
As we mature and develop a stable spiritual base, we may begin to wonder about God's plan for our lives. We should not to get the Church's plan for our life, and what's God's plan for our life confused. There are those unique circumstances when God's will and man's will for you are the same.
How do we know God's Will for our lives? We are in essence asking God what do you want me to do, or sometimes asking you want me to do what Lord? The first step in your quest to answer this question can be found in Romans 12:1-4 which tells us that we should give our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice the kind he will accept. We should not copy what the world does, but allow God to transform us into a new person, by changing the way we think and behave. If we do this we will know what God wants us to do. In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, " If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Hebrew 13:21 tells us that Jesus will equip you with every thing good for doing His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever Amen." These scriptures tell that we have to be spiritually ready and receptive to receive information from God.
"The Bible speaks of the "the will of God" in several different ways, and its important to understand the difference.
1. The decreed will of God. This would include God's eternal, foreordained plan and purpose, which will not change and cannot be thwarted. It includes our salvation, ad His choice and calling of Israel. This is God's covenant purposes and promises.
2. The "perceptive will". This is God's will, expressed in the form of principles or percepts given to men. His written word expresses His will. I once had, a church woman, tell me that someone had prophesied that she was going to have a married brother as her husband! She was excited about this revelation. I had to remind her what the scriptures said about adultery.
3. God's "preferential will." This has to do with what gives God pleasure, and what does not. When we face those things which are not clearly defined as sin, or things that are commanded, we should desire to please the Lord. (Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:10)
4. God's "Permissive will" is that which God allows, even though its sin. God allowed Joseph's brothers to betray him, and to deceive their father, so that He might bring the Israelites to Egypt. God is always in control. We see this in the book of Revelation.
5. God's "Directive Will" is God's personal guidance in our lives. These are the times that God wants us in certain place, and doing a certain thing. We see this played out in Acts 16: 6-10 with the man of Macedonia had a vision ,from the Lord, to preach. In 1 Timothy 4:14 tells us to take into consideration your spiritual gifts. Do you know your spiritual gift/s?
How do we receive directives from God? 1. When we pray! (Luke 11:9-10 " And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will open. for everyone who asks, receives....2. Meditation is listening to God's gentle whisper as given to Elijah in 1Kings 19: 13. Sometimes we need to sit quietly and listen for the voice of God to direct us. We often are so busy asking God for things that he can't get a word in to answer us. 3. Circumstance is another way God speaks to us. In this process God will open some doors and close others. So if you have prayed for a certain thing an have not received it, maybe God has other plans for you.We, however, can not depend totally on circumstances to know God's will. Many times God' will allows us to over come our circumstances. 4. Our Hearts: Feeling God guides us as in john 6:13; Nehemiah 2 :12; 2 Corinthians: 2:12; Acts 20:22-23. Many times God's will tell us the same thing through each of these four ways. George Muller an English evangelist in 1800's wrote, " I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given master. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenth of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be when one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is...Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word ,and reflections, I come to deliberate judgement according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.
My own experience in seeking God's will has entailed the use of prayer, meditation, circumstances, and the soft whisper in my heart. In some instances God has placed people in my path, created certain situations that made it very obvious that this was the path to follow. I suggest that each of you read about spiritual gifts to determine which gift you were blessed with. Then ask the Lord to place you in a situation to use that gift. These gifts are given to build up the body so that it can maximize its effort to do the Lords work. Amen!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
What's Your Financial IQ?
When I talk about financial IQ I am talking about one's knowledge about all the variables that drive the financial world. Rober Kiyosaki defines, "Financial Intelligences," as information, knowledge, wisdom, and know how. I have always wondered why the Jewish people have been so successful, throughout history in the field of finances and banking. After some research I found that the core of their success is rooted in the Torah, The Old Testament of the bible. I suggest you read my blog about the Jewish system of finances.
What cultural and social factors have kept our culture from having a well rounded knowledge of finances? When I was young the only thing I knew about investing was to start a bank account. My parents had invested in modest life insurance policy with a modest cash value. They were lucky to have that since many insurance companies would not sell policies to Blacks. The only thing my parents knew about the stock market was that is was a dangerous place to have your money. They remembered the "Stock Market Crash " of 1920.
We are a new generation, we are better educated, make more disposables income, yet we know no more about $$$ and finances than our parents and grandparents. We spend most of lives trying to better ourselves so that we can make more money and live a comfortable life. About 15 years ago a doctor friend of mine said Larry you make $70 a hour, I make $100 a hour, and if we are lucky we can work a 12 hours a day. Larry, he said, the method of gaining wealth is the ability to make money while you are sleep! In the new version of the movie, Wall Street, Michael Douglas character makes the comment that,"Money Never Sleeps." So a big part of financial intelligence is knowing how to make money while you sleep.
When we discuss Financial Intelligence we have to take a look at how we spend our money, our debt, credit cards, taxes, investments and so on. There are two concepts that I feel that one should know if they are serious about getting out of debt and building wealth. The first concept is the rule of 72! The rule of 72 allows you to calculate, based on interest rate, how long it would take your money to double.
The rule of 72 can be viewed in both a positively and negatively. Lets say you were given $6,000 dollars and you invested it in a mutual fund that paid 20% interest. You would divide 20 into 72 which would tell you that in 3.6 years your would have$12,000. On the other hand if you had a credit card with a $6,000 balance and were paying 20% interest, your amount would double in 3.6 years. Did you know this? The credit card company does!
The second concept is the power of "Compound Interest". Compound interest is a system based on allowing you money to sit and gain interest over a long period of time. The earlier you invest the more powerful the system works. Here is an example of two people Mary and Sue who both had $2000 to invest until age 67. Mary, who is 26, deposited $2000 annually for next 11 years she will have $993,306 at age 67 without any further deposites.. Now Sue, who is 36, will have to deposit $2000 annually for 31 year to earn the same $993,306. So you see the earlier you can start the better, but more important is that you start! I used 20% as an example, but the last two years the market has paid between 18-25% per year.
If you are blessed to have, lets say, $30,000 in your 401(k) and you earned 15% last year and continue to do so, it will only take 4.8 years for that to double to $60,000. Wow, that's making money while you sleep.
The bible teaches us that we need to be good stewards of our money. Scriptures tell us not to be in debt, not to spend impulsively and to invest. Read Matthew 25:14-30, and Luke 19:12-28 the parables of the "Talents". Now after learning about the rule of 72 think about the following: You owe $1,500 on your 25% interest bearing card, and you have $2,500 in savings earning 0.50% interest. What should you do?
I want to make sure the readers know that I am not a professional financial planner,but only a novice
who has enjoyed some success with the information I am sharing with you. If you have a small business you should start yourself a "Self Employment Ira". This is a great way to save on taxes by deferring your income. I suggest that you get as much life insurance as you can as early as you can, especially if you are an African American male. There are so many that have diabetes , high blood pressure, obesity and can't get insurance. Life Insurance is the main reason that the majority culture is able to enjoy generational wealth. Life insurance can be past on to the next generation free of income tax, so if you want to pass on wealth get a nice big term life insurance policy. Yes I said term and not whole life, because you can purchase $200,000 of term for what you will pay for $75,000 of whole life.
The next advice is never borrow money to purchase something that depreciates. Yes that means don't borrow to purchase that BMW or Mercedes, because it will depreciate. If you wait 2 years you can get it for 35% of original price and it will just be broken in.
Do not be afraid of the market! I suggest you invest in mutual funds because they have a variety of stocks in their funds. The best was to invest is called, "dollar cost averaging", which means investing automatically every month. When the market is down your $$$ purchase more funds, and when its up you get less, but in the long run you come out ahead.
You must never forget that God blesses us so we can bless other. You cannot beat God giving. A large reason for my financial success is that I give freely to those in need. I don't give expecting anything in return, but out of compassion. However, every time I give God blesses me ten fold or more!
If you want to increase your financial intelligence you should subscribe to money magazine, attend seminars, or find a mentor. The only way you can keep up with inflation is to be in the market. Have you ever wondered why every one is saying how the economy sucks, but the guys on Wall Street are making a killing? They are paying cash for condos, apartments, homes, luxury automobiles, and Rolex watches.
I hope this information is helpful, it worked for me! God Bless... Amen!
What cultural and social factors have kept our culture from having a well rounded knowledge of finances? When I was young the only thing I knew about investing was to start a bank account. My parents had invested in modest life insurance policy with a modest cash value. They were lucky to have that since many insurance companies would not sell policies to Blacks. The only thing my parents knew about the stock market was that is was a dangerous place to have your money. They remembered the "Stock Market Crash " of 1920.
We are a new generation, we are better educated, make more disposables income, yet we know no more about $$$ and finances than our parents and grandparents. We spend most of lives trying to better ourselves so that we can make more money and live a comfortable life. About 15 years ago a doctor friend of mine said Larry you make $70 a hour, I make $100 a hour, and if we are lucky we can work a 12 hours a day. Larry, he said, the method of gaining wealth is the ability to make money while you are sleep! In the new version of the movie, Wall Street, Michael Douglas character makes the comment that,"Money Never Sleeps." So a big part of financial intelligence is knowing how to make money while you sleep.
When we discuss Financial Intelligence we have to take a look at how we spend our money, our debt, credit cards, taxes, investments and so on. There are two concepts that I feel that one should know if they are serious about getting out of debt and building wealth. The first concept is the rule of 72! The rule of 72 allows you to calculate, based on interest rate, how long it would take your money to double.
The rule of 72 can be viewed in both a positively and negatively. Lets say you were given $6,000 dollars and you invested it in a mutual fund that paid 20% interest. You would divide 20 into 72 which would tell you that in 3.6 years your would have$12,000. On the other hand if you had a credit card with a $6,000 balance and were paying 20% interest, your amount would double in 3.6 years. Did you know this? The credit card company does!
The second concept is the power of "Compound Interest". Compound interest is a system based on allowing you money to sit and gain interest over a long period of time. The earlier you invest the more powerful the system works. Here is an example of two people Mary and Sue who both had $2000 to invest until age 67. Mary, who is 26, deposited $2000 annually for next 11 years she will have $993,306 at age 67 without any further deposites.. Now Sue, who is 36, will have to deposit $2000 annually for 31 year to earn the same $993,306. So you see the earlier you can start the better, but more important is that you start! I used 20% as an example, but the last two years the market has paid between 18-25% per year.
If you are blessed to have, lets say, $30,000 in your 401(k) and you earned 15% last year and continue to do so, it will only take 4.8 years for that to double to $60,000. Wow, that's making money while you sleep.
The bible teaches us that we need to be good stewards of our money. Scriptures tell us not to be in debt, not to spend impulsively and to invest. Read Matthew 25:14-30, and Luke 19:12-28 the parables of the "Talents". Now after learning about the rule of 72 think about the following: You owe $1,500 on your 25% interest bearing card, and you have $2,500 in savings earning 0.50% interest. What should you do?
I want to make sure the readers know that I am not a professional financial planner,but only a novice
who has enjoyed some success with the information I am sharing with you. If you have a small business you should start yourself a "Self Employment Ira". This is a great way to save on taxes by deferring your income. I suggest that you get as much life insurance as you can as early as you can, especially if you are an African American male. There are so many that have diabetes , high blood pressure, obesity and can't get insurance. Life Insurance is the main reason that the majority culture is able to enjoy generational wealth. Life insurance can be past on to the next generation free of income tax, so if you want to pass on wealth get a nice big term life insurance policy. Yes I said term and not whole life, because you can purchase $200,000 of term for what you will pay for $75,000 of whole life.
The next advice is never borrow money to purchase something that depreciates. Yes that means don't borrow to purchase that BMW or Mercedes, because it will depreciate. If you wait 2 years you can get it for 35% of original price and it will just be broken in.
Do not be afraid of the market! I suggest you invest in mutual funds because they have a variety of stocks in their funds. The best was to invest is called, "dollar cost averaging", which means investing automatically every month. When the market is down your $$$ purchase more funds, and when its up you get less, but in the long run you come out ahead.
You must never forget that God blesses us so we can bless other. You cannot beat God giving. A large reason for my financial success is that I give freely to those in need. I don't give expecting anything in return, but out of compassion. However, every time I give God blesses me ten fold or more!
If you want to increase your financial intelligence you should subscribe to money magazine, attend seminars, or find a mentor. The only way you can keep up with inflation is to be in the market. Have you ever wondered why every one is saying how the economy sucks, but the guys on Wall Street are making a killing? They are paying cash for condos, apartments, homes, luxury automobiles, and Rolex watches.
I hope this information is helpful, it worked for me! God Bless... Amen!
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