OfflineHi DG Family, I hope this post does not offend anyone. Dean encourages giving back and seeking a "higher power." I know some may not feel the same way, so I apologize if you find this post offensive.
If you have not read any of Pastor Joel Osteen's books, I highly recommend them, "Your Best Life Now" and "Become a Better You!"
Okay, the purpose of this post... this past week has been a very challenging week for me, personally. Without going into too much detail, I am having major problems at work, my father (who I haven't seen since I was 5, but did communicate the last few years through letters) passed away, I have property taxes due on the 10th of April, but NO money to pay them and my other 1/2 has a home based billing business. Our tax man told us that we didn't need to do quarterly tax payments for the home-based business. As a result, we owe $3500 to the IRS. In addition, we had purchased tickets to see Joel Osteen next weekend. Somehow, the open envelope with the tickets was picked up with outgoing mail. A few days later, the envelope was returned through the mail, but minus the Joel Osteen tickets. In addition, a couple that we had met several months ago called us to finally take us up on our invitation to attend our church. Of course, I did not feel like entertaining new friends. All this in one week is very overwhelming. HOWEVER, through all of this STUFF, I managed to pull myself up and over the mess and make my very first offer! I don't know if the offer will get accepted, but that's not the point. The point is that I had 101 reasons why not to continue this real estate investing dream. Instead, I am putting my faith in God and letting him deal with my "worldly" problems. You see we were made to prosper and be a blessing to other people. The dreams that are planted in our hearts, are put their by our God. Every step we take moving forward, our blessing takes one step forward closer to us. If we stop moving forward then so does our blessings… our dreams. My real estate agent (who happens to be a good friend) gave me every excuse in the book why I wouldn’t be able to wholesale REO deals. Not to mention make offers with no money. Every time I tried to make an offer, she would tell me 10 reasons why we couldn’t put the offer in. I searched for two weeks high and low on a loophole, which I found. You can use a Land Trust to make offers on REO property and wholesale the beneficiary to your end buyer. I bypassed her and went direct to the listing agent and made a ridiculous offer, but who cares! It was my first step towards reaping my blessing. This past Wednesday I wanted to throw myself in a hole, but I didn’t. Because I didn’t let all the STUFF get to me; I have great things happening today…
First and probably most important, the couple absolutely loved our church and they want to start connecting with God again (we must remember the big picture here; it’s not always about us). I went to a new tax person, after paying all the taxes (including property) we will end up with an extra $1,000. Ticketmaster cancelled our lost tickets and gave us new tickets that will be waiting at will call on the day of the event (I hope the people who ripped off the tickets enjoy their 2 hour drive to the stadium to find out their tickets are marked as stolen). 
The passing of my father is sad and disappointing, but after reflection I realized I want to live a more fulfilled life not full of excuses. He lived a sad, full of excuses type of life. I made my first offer. Job thing is still the same, but I have faith it will work itself out in the end. Mostly, I woke up to this great word of inspiration from Joel Osteen. I know I am doing the right things… God is moving me closer to fulfilling my dreams. Don’t look at your limited surroundings, take off your limits. Happy Real Estate Investing. KimmyJ
Take Off the Limits
Today's Scripture
"I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent] but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]" (Psalm 119:96, AMP).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Did you know you can limit your life by dwelling on the wrong things? So often, wrong thinking keeps people stuck right where they are. If you think you'll never accomplish your dreams, then you'll stay stuck where you are. If you think you don't have the talent, the connections, or the funds, then you are limiting yourself. We have to remember that God's promises never return void. His Word stands true forever! Don't limit what God can do in your life by focusing on what you see in the natural realm. You have to realize that you serve a supernatural God and just because you don't see a way doesn't mean that God doesn't have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a whole new level. He has explosive blessings in store that can blast you out of where you are and into a place of abundance. If you'll shift your focus from this limited realm and start looking at God's supernatural realm, you'll see His unlimited possibilities for your future. Take the limits off by setting your thoughts on what Almighty God can do in your life today!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, today I lift my eyes to You. You alone are the source of my strength, peace, and provision. I choose to delight myself in You knowing that You will give me the desires of my heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Awww Kimmy...I am so sorry to hear your dad passed. I know it is hard on you but you also realize all that would be involved in having a daily connection with him. Sounds like he was a troubled person. I am just so sorry.
I love Joel Osteen. I watch him every Sunday before I head out to church. He is so positive and can put you in a positive mood if you are feeling down. He really inspires me!
Remember him talking about the "skinny goat?" He was telling about when he first saw that huge building (colesium) that his church is now located in. He just knew he had to have it. He went to his financial advisor and the advisor and his own brother found every excuse in the book as to why he should not buy that building.
They told him the repairs would be enourmous and the his banker would never approve such a loan.
He kept talking about how skinny his brothers and financial advisors goat's were. Meaning they were thinking small and negative.
Joel kept seeing visions of that building having thousands of people and being so beautiful.
The banker turned him down for the loan. Joel thought his bankers goat was really skinny...nearly a starving goat.
So he went to the Bank of America and found a very positive loan officer who had a "fat goat" just like his. LOL!
All his dreams and visions came true for his church thanks to someone else seeing outside the box and also having a fat goat. LOL!
When you get as low as you have been all you can do is put it all in God's hands. You did the right thing cause HE pulled you through all the problems you were facing.
Don't let everyone else's skinny goats hold you back. You know what you want and you know your goat is fat...so go out and persue all your dreams.
"THE ARCHITECT OF YOUR DESTINY IS YOURSELF"
"SUCCESS WALKS HAND IN HAND WITH FAILURE"
I am sorry, too, about your dad... My prayers are with you.
What an awesome turnaround of events in the rest of your story!
You have not let the negatives turn your faith. And you are pressing forward with victory in your hand. You will always be a winner.
Thank you for sharing...
God bless,
Rina
"Obstacles can slow you down, but they can only stop you with your permission." Dean Graziosi (BARM pg 101)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
For a little about me, welcome to the site, and a few tips for new DG family members, click on this link: http://www.deangraziosi.com/user/3249
My Prayers go out to you and your family...
Stay Focused and Strong!
"The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity." — Peter F. Drucker
I am so sorry for your loss Kimmy.
Keep your head high. Things will get better over time.
In time you will look back at your financial woes and think i cant believe how far i came.
Richie.
Hey there.. . .. as a former pastor, marriage and family therapist, (still do a little part time) I am moved and inspired with your deep sharing of your personal story; Joel Osteen and Robert Schuler are the only T.v.personalitiesI'd even listen to; it's ...truly. .. all . .. about. . .believing. . and even though he's not religious banger. .Dean G. has the same message. .I love it!!!I live by it..I, now in my mid-fifties, have very little time or energy to spend with the negative nay-sayers. .. it beats me why some folk seem to thrive on draggin others down to their level of cynicism and critical thinking. but . . I . . don't . .buy .. it not from friends or family.
So, as you can obviously see, you have alot of support and kinship out here in cyberspace and I'm pressing on. . trying to stay positive and hopeful; you do the same.
still lookin' crosstown and finding killer deals.
crosstown looker
Kim, I just found this thread and I am so glad that I did. Thank you for your words of inspiration. You are soo right. Dominic and I have given this over to God and we have asked for His guidance to make good choices for us and our family. Even though this RE investing is supposed to be using OPM, we have A LOT OF MONEY invested in this thing so far (Academy, advertising, etc.), with ZERO coming in. It's REALLY SCARY! The only way we can keep going with it is to turn it over to God and to have faith that He will take care of us, one way or another.
We put another offer in this morning, and we are pushing forward. I know that if we work hard and follow Dean's strategies, with the great help of everyone on this site, the coaches at the Academy, and our strong faith, we will succeed!!
Thanks again!