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A Christian Perspective on Wallace D. Wattles 1910 classic The Science of Getting Rich. This is Wattles' 1910 classic
with a forward written by Marnie L. Pehrson and her commentary throughout. A fresh look at this classic from which many self-help
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 The Power of Gratitude & Giving
by Marnie
Pehrson
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Transcript coming soon
18:31:31 [marniep] We're talking about "Gratitude and Giving" - have you both had a chance to listen to the call?
18:31:36 [LoriS] Hello to both of you! I can't make the day chats, so am glad these evening chats are
18:31:43 [LoriS] available.
18:31:49 [Amy] No not yet !!
18:31:50 [LoriS] Yes, I listened to it
18:34:02 [marniep] Any questions?
18:34:59 [LoriS] I'm looking at my notes...:0
18:36:07 [marniep] Lori, did today's call clear up what we were talking about the other night?
18:36:16 [LoriS] My dh doesn't want to tithe, which bothered me to no end for about the first 10 years of our marriage. We've been married 12 yeers now.
18:36:49 [LoriS] About 2 years ago, I felt the Lord leading me to "tithe" of what I could,
18:37:17 [marniep] Right... you don't have to tithe on what he makes... just on what you make if he doesn't want to
18:37:23 [LoriS] which was the things we had around the house. Dh wouldn't object to me decluttering! So, I gave away our baby clothes that I had been saving for future "maybes", and
18:37:35 [LoriS] my maternity clothes.
18:37:49 [LoriS] Not long after that, I found myself pregant . For a moment, I panicked,
18:38:07 [LoriS] but God was true to his promises, and I was blessed beyond what I had given away. I received
18:38:20 [marniep] great!
18:38:29 [LoriS] so many maternity clothes - nicer than I had before - and a fancier baby swing, etc. Many, many things.
18:39:04 [marniep] perfect example of the principles at work
18:39:40 [marniep] so did the call clear up your question about gratitude that you had the other night... about whether it was being "manipulative?"
18:39:48 [LoriS] Now I don't do garage sales, I just give it all away.
18:40:02 [marniep] it's easier!
18:40:06 [LoriS] I hadn't thought of giving as gratittude.
18:41:45 [marniep] Lori did you get started on some of the stuff we talked about the other night?
18:41:51 [LoriS] I really liked your example of Jesus saying thank you to God for hearing his prayer before He raised Lazarus from the dead.
18:42:12 [marniep] that is a really great example, isn't it!
18:42:27 [marniep] I just learned that within the last year or so.
18:42:33 [marniep] had never noticed it before.
18:43:05 [LoriS] I didn't get my ---what did you call it, the statement -- started yet. I really think Satan puts obstacles in my way. I need to figure out how to get him to move on because just as I'm beginning to start on this direction that I KNOW that I should go in, something happens to stop me.
18:43:21 [marniep] Amy, do you have any questions on giving or gratitude?
18:43:33 [marniep] just make yourself keep going. Put a priority on it.
18:43:44 [Amy] No, but I have the same problem as Lori ...
18:43:51 [marniep] which one
18:43:56 [Amy] more distractions and obstacles
18:44:06 [marniep] ah
18:44:20 [Amy] how to self discipline yourself?
18:44:20 [marniep] ok, want to know what works for me?
18:44:26 [Amy] sure
18:44:33 [LoriS] Please!
18:44:49 [LoriS] Self-discipline, me, too, Amy.
18:45:21 [marniep] When I get up in the morning I think through my options of what I think I should be doing and then say my prayers, I ask what the most important things He wants me to do that day.
18:45:36 [marniep] Then I listen for his direction on the 1-3 things He sees are most important and then I do those first.
18:45:53 [marniep] As long as I do the things He tells me to, then everything seems to fall into place and get done as it should.
18:46:29 [marniep] If when I review what needs to be done that day and something "must" be done I pray specifically for help with that item - that I'll be able to accomplish it that day.
18:46:55 [Amy] How do you know what He wants you to do?
18:46:58 [marniep] When I remember to do this, my days are much more effective and productive than when I neglect to do this.
18:47:09 [Amy] just your feelings or impressions?
18:47:29 [marniep] The ideas that come to my mind while I'm praying and after I've prayed.
18:47:43 [LoriS] Your important things to do for the day -- are they ministry related always?
18:47:58 [marniep] no, not always.
18:48:31 [marniep] they may be cleaning my house or making some web site changes for myself or a friend. It may be balancing my bank statement.
18:48:47 [marniep] Today, I had an impression to call a friend.
18:48:54 [LoriS] Amy, you might be helped by something that I read recently -- Satan can't fake peace to us. If we feel peace, it is definitely from God.
18:49:14 [marniep] oh, good one, Lori. Very true.
18:49:22 [LoriS] Marnie also mentioned peace in her talk today, when she said for us to get a confirmation from God.
18:49:29 [Amy] interesting ....
18:49:31 [marniep] The fruit of the spirit are love, joy, peace (Galatians)
18:50:11 [Amy] < you read my mind ! I was getting ready to ask for scripture!!
18:50:15 [Amy] thanks
18:50:22 [marniep] A lot of times when I'm praying, the ideas flood in so fast I can't hardly finish my prayer because I'm so excited to get up and get to work on them.
18:50:34 [marniep] I know you too well, Amy.
18:50:54 [Amy] LOL Yes ! thankfully!!!
18:51:23 [marniep] Galatians 5:22 to be exact
18:51:39 [LoriS] I read today that "Satan can't counterfeit God's peace. In view of this fact, an important part of determining God's will is the presence or absence of peace." It's from a book called "Write His Answer" (A Bible Study for Christian Writers) by Marlene Bagnull.
18:51:47 [marniep] "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith
18:51:55 [LoriS] The above is the quote I was referring to.
18:52:27 [marniep] I just had someone last week recommend that book to me.
18:52:43 [marniep] v 23: meekness, temperance
18:52:43 [LoriS] I LOVE it.
18:52:54 [marniep] This other lady was raving about it.
18:53:01 [LoriS] (Got it at overstock.com -- good prices there on books)
18:53:11 [marniep] thanks
18:53:15 [marniep] will check it out
18:53:52 [Amy] me too!
18:53:54 [LoriS] I understand now what you mean by saying thank you before a prayer was answered.
18:54:08 [Amy] altho' I don't write!
18:54:18 [LoriS] When you mentioned Jesus saying thank you for his prayer being answered, it really made it all make sense to me.
18:54:40 [marniep] The great thing about starting your day this way is that if you get the 1,2, or 3 things done that you feel led to do, then you can feel good about how you spent your day... no matter what else doesn't get done that day. At least you did what He wanted you to do.
18:54:54 [LoriS] (you'll like that book even if you don't write -- writing is the theme, but it's not an exercise book. It's a devotional)
18:55:02 [marniep] Great, I'm glad it's starting to gel.
18:55:26 [marniep] So do you see now how these aren't really "steps"... that they're just a way of thinking... Once you know them... they change the way you see the world.
18:55:51 [LoriS] I've never been good at prayer -- I've been awesome at praising all of my life -- I just love nature, so God gets praised by me daily outside -- but I've always felt too unworthy to ask for anything.
18:56:26 [marniep] oh, that's a shame!
18:56:50 [marniep] not about praising - that's wonderful, but that you feel unworthy to ask is a shame
18:57:01 [LoriS] For example, I didn't like to pray for help financially if we were the ones who got ourselves into the debt in the first place.
18:57:15 [marniep] If there's one thing I've learned, it's that you don't have to be perfect for the Lord to answer your prayers.
18:57:53 [marniep] Read the old testament... how many times did those people in the book of Judges get themselves into a pickle and then the Lord WANTED them to turn and ask him for help and repent and come to Him.
18:58:07 [marniep] If they never turned to him and asked for help, then they just prolonged the agony.
18:58:24 [LoriS] I bought "The Power of a Praying Wife " by Stormie OMartian a year ago because I was desperate for my dh and wanted to give praying a try -- every day that I pray for him, I see a change in him or a change in our relationship.
18:58:37 [LoriS] You're right about the OT
18:59:30 [LoriS] So now I devote the mornings to prayer and Bible reading -- I'm glad I'm finally praying
18:59:45 [marniep] that's great!
19:00:01 [marniep] Satan doesn't want us to pray, I'll tell you that much.
19:00:44 [marniep] I think I'd like to spend my days doing as many things that Satan doesn't want me to do as possible. <hehe>
19:01:12 [LoriS] Amy, where do you think God is leading you?
19:01:39 [Amy] Right now, just to take care of my family ...not sure any more than that
19:01:57 [Amy] how about you?
19:02:27 [LoriS] I had a strong leading in that direction a year ago -- it's been a great year, but now I think I'm to add writing to that. I'd like to help other mothers of little ones, in everything from
19:02:46 [LoriS] childrearing to gardening to housekeeping and organizing. Stuff God has taught me over the years.
19:03:01 [LoriS] Heard of Emilie Barnes? I'd like to do those types of topics and books.
19:03:11 [Amy] Sounds really interesting ...
19:03:39 [LoriS] Who is in your family? I have four kids -- ages 9, 7, 4 and 1 (boy,girl,boy,girl)
19:03:41 [marniep] If you end up writing articles, Lori, be sure to submit them to IdeaMarketers.com in addition to SheLovesGod.com
19:03:55 [Amy] I need help organizing .. and my gardens turn into plant cemeteries!! LOL
19:03:57 [marniep] we have a lot of home/family/parenting sites that pick up articles from there.
19:03:59 [LoriS] Thanks! Both your websites?
19:04:36 [Amy] four kids - 14 girl, 13 girl, 10 girl, 8 boy (stepchildren)
19:04:42 [marniep] yes... both mine.
19:04:54 [LoriS] http://keepingthehome.blogspot.com/
That's my blog that I started a few weeks ago. Nobody knows about it, but it keeps me writing.
19:05:32 [LoriS] Scroll down and you'll see a photo of me, so you'll know who you're talking to. Stone is in the photo with me, the 4yo.
19:15:43 [LoriS] You can email this later if you want...you mentioned that there were 5 things to do while waiting.
19:16:05 [LoriS] I wanted to write them down, but only got written down "accumulate the knowledge needed for the idea to be accomplished."
19:16:34 [marniep] oh... I think it may have been four things... just a sec...
19:17:00 [Amy] < I cant remember either>
19:17:05 [LoriS] did you listen to yesterday's class, Amy?
19:17:23 [Amy] Yes .. but I can't remember either !
19:17:38 [Amy] Patience was last I think
19:18:31 [marniep] "we need not question the inspiration or answers we receive because the way or means to accomplish them are not readily available. Sometimes the Lord gives us this insight so we
19:17:39 [marniep] 1. Have a direction to pursue,
19:17:47 [marniep] 2. Accumulate the knowledge and experience the idea requires
19:17:48 [Amy] one of my worst !!
19:17:54 [LoriS] I was listening from my cell phone going across the AL/FL border.
19:18:07 [marniep] 3. Be on the lookout for the opportunity when the perfect time arises
19:18:16 [marniep] 4. Realize that many times the opportunity we need is hidden within a crisis."
19:18:46 [marniep] Was that it?
19:20:21 [LoriS] So this crisis that I am in now (dh's job loss, Hurricane Ivan mess), could be an opportunity that we need?
19:21:13 [marniep] possibly... I'd definitely expect it to be... something good always comes out of a bad situation. (Tomorrow's class)
19:21:44 [marniep] If nothing else, it makes you a stronger person.
19:21:53 [LoriS] I told dh that "you will stay in a circumstance until you learn the lesson from it." Then I said, "It's not me!! Must be you!!" We had a good laugh.
19:21:57 [marniep] But there could be some opportunity hidden within it. Look for it.
19:22:07 [marniep] LOL
19:22:29 [marniep] I wonder that sometimes. I get to thinking... what if it's Greg... what if he hasn't learned the lesson yet?
19:23:09 [LoriS] Yes, I wish he would hurry up and learn it!
19:23:13 [LoriS] lol
19:23:18 [marniep] me too!
19:23:20 [marniep] LOL
19:23:22 [Amy] LOL
19:23:36 [LoriS] I liked the Law of Rhythm. I tend to fight rhythms, like even body rhythms.
19:23:54 [LoriS] I notice that dh and I go in a rhythm. We'll get along perfectly, then have a week of not.
19:23:55 [marniep] how do you fight it?
19:24:06 [marniep] interesting
19:25:22 [LoriS] Oh, like boy rhythms, like having a "PMS week". I would always say it was a bunch of hogwash, but really, I do feel different that week. I grew up with all brothers, so there wasn't any sympathy. Must have worn off on me!
19:25:37 [LoriS] LOL -- that's BODY rhythms, not BOY rhythms.
19:26:58 [LoriS] With dh and I , I called it "hills and valleys." I guess it's rhythms.
19:27:12 [marniep] same thing
19:28:24 [marniep] Either of you have any other questions from any of the classes this week?
19:28:48 [LoriS] Oh, and I really liked your mentioning that you notice yourself go into a "creative phase, a production phase, and an organized phase." That's something I've always fought, too, and I'd try to be productive in the creative phase, or get frustrated that I wasn't productive at a certain time.
19:28:53 [Amy] nothing coherent!!
19:30:33 [marniep] yep... I think a lot of people guilt trip themselves because it's so hard to force yourself to do things you're not in the mode to do. Instead of working with their moods, they try to force a square peg in a round whole and get frustrated with themselves because they can't do it efficiently.
19:30:52 [marniep] hole... not whole
19:31:10 [LoriS] How long is each phase for you, usually?
19:31:40 [marniep] Creative phase lasts about 2-3 weeks?
19:32:00 [marniep] Then productive is about the same and then organization is the shortest of all... maybe 2-3 days
19:32:32 [marniep] If my world is organized, I can stay in creative mode longer.
19:32:34 [LoriS] I'll have to pay attention to mine. I'd never thought of it that way.
19:32:46 [marniep] but I'm not organized most of the time.
19:33:18 [marniep] I think I only do organized mode because everything gets so disorganized while I'm in creative/production phases that I have to stop and fix it at some point
19:33:28 [marniep] I'm in a creative mode right now.
19:33:33 [LoriS] Yes, organization would be my shortest.... possibly only hours long, maybe minutes, until I learned new methods!
19:33:58 [marniep] Otherwise I don't think I could get up each morning and write a 35-40 minute lesson and then record it 30 minutes later LOL
19:34:04 [LoriS] I'm not creative without it being organized, either.
This chat continued on to another class with
Leslie Householder on the Law of Vibration. Click
here to read that chat.
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