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Equipping people worldwide to learn, apply, and teach God's financial principles so they may know Christ more intimately, be free to serve Him, and help fund the Great Commission.
Today on MoneyLife
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Denise Polsgrove: Survival Tips from a (Former) Single Mom
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Chuck says that the recently received a testimony from a woman that was so special we invited her to come on the program. Denise Polsgrove was surprised to learn that Chuck answers his e-mail personally (ChuckBentley@Crown.org) . He likes to get questions, comments, and testimonies and responds to as many as he can. Chuck tells listeners that the season of special prayer and fasting will end Thanksgiving week. We have a lot to be thankful for despite the difficult economy. Chuck shares a quote from Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation of October 1863 and mentions an article he's written for the Money Matters newsletter.
Twenty years ago, Denise's first husband left her and her then 2-year old son. She suddenly became a single mom and took a job in a drapery shop that paid only $4 an hour. Although she had a college degree, she took the job because the shop owner allowed her to bring her son to work every day. She did not want Brett growing up in a daycare center. Denise was forced to make tough decisions to survive financially. She cut expenses to the bone, went without air conditioning, and even learned to do her own car repairs. She found ways to show her son love without spending a lot of money. She made him gifts instead of buying them. The two built computers together. Her son has positive childhood memories despite their limited family finances. Some of their fondest memories are of reading the Chronicles of Narnia together. Once Brett started school, Denise was able to work more, and their income increased. She began saving to build a house, which she was able to do eventually after remarrying. Denise says her goal was to save 20% for the down payment on building house. Once she remarried, she and her new husband Joe had two incomes to utilize. Denise's son is a Marine, who recently returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq. The military will pay for his college education. Denise says she learned about boot camp through her son. Boot camp is designed to strengthen and help people make good decisions under stress in order to save lives. Recruits also learn that the mission is more important than the individual.
Denise didn't know she could be creative, but God brought out talents through the challenges. Those challenges keep coming, too. Denise and Joe both lost their jobs last year with credit card bills to pay. Still, Denise is a strong believer in tithing and kept doing it, even though money became short again. Incredibly, the couple made more last year than any year in their lives. On top of severance and unemployment, Denise's former employer brought her back as a contract employee until December of 2007. The couple saved that "found" money, knowing they would need it this year. Denise now has another temporary contract position that will likely end in March of 2009, so she's looking for a permanent IT position. Meanwhile, her husband Joe now has a fulltime, permanent position as a programmer. Praise the Lord! Denise and Joe also found a way to turn a healthy hobby into extra income. They teach swing dancing at GottaSwingCharlotte.com in Charlotte, North Carolina. To see them in action, click here! Denise says she had to be resourceful to survive. She learned to use her skills not only at home but also at church in the children’s ministry. As today's program nears the end, Denise gave some parting advice for listeners who are experiencing economic challenges:
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A Single Parent's Call to Outrageous FaithMany times I had prayed for God to strengthen my faith, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect this outrageous faith journey. |
Materialism Vs. Self-EsteemMore children believe that their clothes and brands describe who they are and define their social status. |
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Purchasing a HomeHousing is generally the largest item in a budget and often causes the largest budget problems. |
Tough Questions on TithingGive to God what is already His—and you will reap the blessings! |
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Other Resources: |
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Chuck tells listeners as the program begins that he's so thankful for the response we’ve been getting to the program.
Many listeners have contacted us to share how God has used this program in their lives to touch them and show the the need to make changes in the way they view and handle money.
After the break, Chuck introduces today's guest, Denise Polsgrove (shown here with her son, Brett, who's served 2 tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Marines). After receiving her email, Chuck invited Denise to share her testimony with MoneyLife listeners. 
