The Crash, the Dream, and Destiny

Dave’s incredible journey from losing all to gaining everything that matters. When Dave was 11, his father died from cancer. His dad had worked hard all his life, leaving school in the sixth grade to get a job and help his parents support the family. Before his dad passed away, he asked Dave’s mom to make sure Dave and his siblings went to college so they wouldn’t have to struggle financially as…

Dave Says: Make a Budget Line for Fun Money

Dear Dave, I finally paid off all my debt except for my house, and I have an emergency fund of six months of expenses saved. It feels great to be in control of my money, but I am afraid I might lose control again and end up back where I started before I began following your plan. How can you make sure your leisure spending doesn’t get out of hand? — Lavell Dear Lavell, I get what you’re…

Choose to Be Blessed!

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword." Isaiah 1:19-20 If I asked you today whether you would rather be blessed by God … or cursed … what would your answer be? Of course, anyone in their right mind would choose for God to bless them, not curse them. So perhaps you’re surprised to learn God…

Steven’s Second Chance

After 40 years as an alcoholic, Steven was convinced his destiny was to drink his life away. In the early morning hours of June 6, 2013, Steven had hit rock bottom in a run-down motel room in Olney, Illinois. For decades, he had indulged in countless drunken nights and binge weekends when he emptied two liter bottles of Vodka and 30 cans of beer in a two-day span. “I would drink until I…

Serving the Lord

"Make every effort to come to me soon, for Demas has deserted me … Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry." —2 Timothy 4:9–11 HCSB The voices over the phone could not hide the emotions. Interviewers from an independent marketing firm were stunned by the honest comments made by pastors in a series of…

The Truth About the Words You Speak

Words are wonderful when they are used in a good way. They can encourage, edify and give confidence to the hearer. A right word spoken at the right time can actually be life-changing (Proverbs 15:23). But words can also keep us from experiencing God’s plans for our lives. Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” Words are containers for power and we need…

Dave Says: Let’s Shift the Focus

Dear Dave, I graduated from college six years ago with a business degree. Currently, I’m in data analytics making about $40,000 a year and have $155,000 in student loan debt. Do you have any recommendations as far as refinancing my student loans and getting the interest rates and monthly payments down? — Austin Dear Austin, I’m not trying to be mean here, but what in the world are you…

To Heaven and Back

Often it seems impossible to understand God’s plan in the midst of tragedy. Julie knows that struggle all too well, as her life was shattered in the blink of an eye. October 19, 1997, was a Sunday just like any other for this North Carolina family. Julie, her husband Andy, and their eight-year-old son Landon were all smiles in their black Pontiac as they rode home after church. But in an…

From Terror to Testimony

In Istanbul, Turkey, a young Muslim girl named Isik Abla had endured years of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Devoted to pleasing Allah, at age 12 she vowed at a Quran training camp to someday perform jihad – eliminating enemies of the faith in exchange for acceptance into paradise. As an adult, Isik earned an advanced business degree and had great success working in high-ranking executive…

Empathy vs Sympathy

Empathy and sympathy are both ways we respond to the suffering of people around us. But there’s a crucial difference: Sympathy is acknowledging someone else’s pain, but empathy is choosing to feel the pain with them. Sympathy says, “I care about you,” while empathy says, “I’m hurting with you.” Sympathy is being aware of and sensitive to the needs and suffering of others. It’s recognizing — or…