If you are going to launch the ministry, start the company, or chase your dream, it will cost money. No one likes talking about money and fewer people like asking for money. But in the end, it takes money to run businesses, ministries, and families. It takes money to print books, sell shirts, and advertise. So whether we like it or not, we have to deal with it. A few thoughts on asking for money…

1. Ask with confidence. If you really believe in  your idea, then you have nothing to be ashamed of in asking for money. If you really think that your new church is going to impact the city, then why would you not want others to help? If you really think your new company is going to make a profit, then who wouldn’t want to give to that? If you lack confidence in your idea, then it’s too early to ask. If your idea is solid, then move on to number 2.

2. Be prepared. Once you are convinced of your idea, then you need to prepare. Bring documents, illustrations, and stories about your idea. Show the impact you will make. Share the impact you’ve already made. Have a way for them to give right there. Make sure you have something great to leave with them, a brochure, a letter, a DVD, anything that they can look at later.

3. Don’t say no for them. This is a horrible mistake that many people make. They open their ask with a conditional clause that allows the person to say no. Don’t say things like, “I’m sure you’re already committed to other causes”, “If you can’t give right now its okay”, “I’m not sure if you’d be interested in this or not”, or “I know you already gave once”. Ask with confidence and let them decide. Always assume they will give. If they don’t give, move to number 4.

4. You have to ask more than once. Depending on the amount of money you are seeking, you will probably have to ask more than once. If you know that going in, you’ll handle the “No’s” and “Maybe’s” a lot better. Most serious givers plan their giving in advance, so when you come in mid year, they’ll probably have to tell you no. This is probably not because they don’t like your idea or want to help, its because they are committed elsewhere and you need to get in line for the new year. If they say no, then ask for a reason. If they say “yes, but” figure out a time or best way to follow up and then ask again.

My wife and I have been doing the Love Dare that was seen in the movie Fireproof. If you are not familiar with the book or the movie, I would suggest giving it a look.  The movie was a low budget film and in some parts it showed, but the message was powerful.  The Love Dare has been a great experience because it requires an intentional effort on each person to put into the marriage.  What we’ve found out is that having a great marriage does not come easy.  It takes a lot of focused effort over the long haul to become what you want it to.  It does not happen by luck, accident or mere coincidence. I’ve seen this in other areas of my life like getting back into shape.  Its hard.  It takes discipline.  Its so much easier to not be in shape than to be in shape and I think its the same for marriages.  But if all you do is pound burgers and coke, eventually your heart will stop beating.  The same is true in our marriages; if all we do is do what is easy and serve ourselves, our marriage will stop beating and die too.

The heart of the movie, the book, and our experience is that a marriage built around love and service is only accomplished with Christ in the center.  Only when we model our marriages after his example will we reach the relationship we desire.  It requires serving when we’re not appreciated.  It means loving when we’re not loved in return.  I am so blessed to have a wife that cares enough about our marriage and loves Jesus enough to love me when I’m not lovable.  To serve me even when I’m a jerk.  What I see in her is a living example of the Gospel. Here is a scene that says it better than me…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUNGW-KyKFk&hl=en&fs=1]

The point of something being fireproof is not that it will never be burned in a fire,  but that it will be able to make it through a fire when it comes.  Paul says it this way, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”

Husbands, go do something to show your wives you love her. And I don’t care what kind of mood she was in when you last saw her!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc&hl=en&fs=1]

Mark Batterson said this in his newest book Wild Goose Chase, and it has been hanging in my mind a lot lately:

It is much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like on.

Wow!   That has so many implications and applications.  I’m learning that reactions show the maturity level of an individual.

Here are some I’ve been thinking about.

Act:  Opening the door for your wife.

React: What do you do when she’s late?

Act: Put a few bucks in the offering basket.

React: What do you do when you see a homeless person?

Act: Going to church on Sunday

React: How do you react when someone cuts you off in the parking lot?

Act: Spending a few moments in prayer

React: What do you do when you read that millions of woman and children are used as sex slaves?

The list could go on and on.  The thought of the day for me is: choose to react in a way that will reflect highly upon Jesus.

By the way, if you want to help stop child sex slavery, visit Free Chains.

Have you ever been reading and the text just slaps you in the face?  It just jumps out at you and comes alive.  I heard a quote today and I’m not sure who said it, but it went something like this.  The point of education is not knowledge but action.  Wow!  That is so timely for me. You see, I am an education junky. I love books. I love learning, growing and changing. I love going to conferences and sitting down with any leader that will give me time. I’ve been blessed over the past year to learn so much from more experienced leaders that I look back with amazement.  I love it all. But I’ve been seeing that all the right information will not change anything. Knowing the answers. Memorizing the principles.  Being able to quote the content.  It is all great. But it wont change a flipping thing.  The only thing that changes things (English professors going crazy with that sentence) is action.  ACTION. Action, comes from some other root word that means to act on something. To move. To act. Its about change. Its about taking what you’ve learned and doing something with it.

Its a new year.  Its a clean slate.  With all that you learned last year, what will you apply this year?  What action will you take in 09 to make it the best year of your life?  A couple of actions for me are:

1. Focus- I will spend more time on the things that truly matter this year than ever before.  I plan my weeks and days in advance. I now block my time.  A principle from Andy Stanley goes like this, “The clearer the vision, the fewer the options, the easier the decisions.”  When you focus on what matters, its easier to decide where to spend your time.

2. Prayer works, so do it more.  I saw God do amazing things last year, so why didn’t I spend even more time begging him to move?  I don’t know, but that is changing this year.

3. Leading at home. I’ve learned the best leadership principle out there (by trial and error…mostly error). If you are not leading at home, you are not truly leading.  I’m committed to leading at home at the highest level possible.

Its going to be an awesome year.  Everyone is predicting a horrible year.  I think God has other plans. The bigger the mess, the bigger the opportunity.