This book is a presentation of five fundamental and biblical-based principles by which God would have us live our lives. They are not original to me, only discovered by me. They came out of a nine-hour seminar that had been developed in the 1980s. It is organized by each individual principle along with several chapters which illustrate how these principles can be applied to our financial circumstances. To illustrate these principles, they are likened to the building of a house. Each principle represents a step in the process of building a house. At the end of each principle, as well as each chapter, there is a personal application which I hope will help people apply that principle/chapter to their personal lives. The book is organized from start to finish on the concept that we are human beings created by a God who have given us a plan by which to live our lives, a plan that goes beyond the materialistic focus of most people in the world today. It is a book for persons who are willing to discover how God can direct their financial lives to be fulfilled according to His plan, which in turn will provide them with a level of fulfillment that can only be found by following His plan.

JOHN 10:10 "I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY." In many ways, life is like a football game. In times of abundant living, when everything is going your way, you gain a few yards and make a touchdown. But equally as certain there are times when you lose a few yards or you are tackled on the way to your goal. So how do you prepare yourself for life's ups and downs? You get out God's Playbook and see what His game plan is for you. Aubrey Johnson points out that a coach, including our heavenly Coach, "can draw up perfect plays, put them in a book for you, and remind you to do your homework, but he cannot study and practice for you." That's where strategy comes in. Using a football field analogy, Johnson identifies 10 strategies for Christian growth - things such as commitment, discipline and perseverance - to help you gain yardage on reaching your goal. Once you've figured out your strengths and weaknesses as a player on God's team, you begin the task of following the strategies presented in your playbook for living the abundant life.

For those who struggle with the same sins time and again, a strategy to overcome Satan's influence in your life.

Jesus came to give us an abundant life. In fact, abundance is God's will for us. But what does that abundant life look like? Scripture gives us insight into how His redemption not only provides for your salvation but also provides for all your needs-from finances to health. 3 John 2 says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." Beginning with the salvation of your soul, God's plan for abundance will begin to unfold in your life as you follow His kingdom principles for prosperous living. Full of biblical examples, guidelines, and affirmations, God's Plan for Abundance will give you the what, why, and how of God's strategy for blessing you so that you can bless others.

Abundant living is not about fame and fortune, power or prestige. Abundant living is about making solid use of the time we have to anchor our existence around God's blessings. But most importantly, it's about the choices we make. God has made us free agents. We can choose to simply exist, without ever finding or fulfilling our destiny, or we can choose to go through the door of the Good Shepherd and live fully. In Steps Toward Abundant Living, Pastor Carey N. Ingram uses biblical principles and common sense to examine three things that bring trouble into life, to explain three essential components of happiness, and to offer the keys to genuinely abundant living, including: Exercising faith Demonstrating true love Possessing a passion for life Remaining steadfast in prayer Accepting suffering as a redemptive power Changing lifestyles to the glory of God You owe it to yourself to make life a happy experience. With God's help and Pastor Ingram's plan, you can do just that. Let Steps Toward Abundant Living help you grow into a mature Christian, a disciple of Christ, so that your legacy of life-a good, abundant life-continues long after you have gone to be with the Lord.

Originally published in 2003 under the title: Life shouldn't look like this.

Builds on the author's premise that God is guiding every step of even the most blundering lives, sharing experiences about her own personal struggles while counseling readers on how to relinquish control over their lives by trusting in God.