| TheBranchCommunity.com |
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Making A Difference
Here is a picture that my brother, Jason, a phenomenal photographer, took awhile back. Every time I look at it, it inspires me. It's entitled "Making a Difference." Below is a little excerpt he wrote to go along with it:
Most people are content to walk through life looking only to protect themselves, too afraid or uncaring to recognize those around them...But there are those who attempt to look beyond themselves and realize the void in people's lives...This is a tribute to all of you who step out of your comfort zone and try to bring joy to someone else's life...You truly Make A Difference...
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Dream Big
Consider this: You can't ever fulfill a dream until you first imagine one. And if you're going to imagine having one, why not make it a big one? It doesn't cost you any more than the little ones. Here is a profound poem that I read often. It's adapted from a 1991 Macintosh advertisement, entitled, Dream Big:
If there were ever a time to dare,
to make a difference,
to embark on something worth doing,
it is now.
Not even necessarily for any grand cause,
but for something that tugs at your heart,
something that you feel passionate about,
something that you have dreamed about.
You owe it to yourself
to make your days here count.
Have fun.
Dig Deep.
Stretch.
Dream BIG.
Know, though, that things worth doing
seldom come easy.
There will be good days.
And there will be bad days.
There will be times when you want to turn around,
pack it up,
and call it quits.
Those times tell you
that you are pushing yourself,
that you are not afraid to learn by trying.
Persist.
Because with an idea,
determination,
and the right tools,
you can do great things.
Let your instincts,
your intellect,
and your heart
guide you.
Learn to trust.
Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Believe in the good of making a difference.
Believe in working hard.
Believe in laughing and hoping.
Value lazy afternoons.
Value lasting friends.
Look forward with anticipation
towards all the things that will cross your path this year.
The start of something new
brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible.
There is only one you.
And you will pass this
way only once.
Do it right.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
I do.
But wanting it doesn’t mean a thing if I’m not actually doing something about it. The Bible says, “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) And, of course, the Bible also says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (I Tim. 6:10)
So, is it a sin to be rich? Is it wrong to want to be a millionaire? Yes. That is, if it causes you to “err from the faith.” (I Tim. 6:10) However, if it is achieved through practicing Biblical stewardship, then who is to blame? The Word of God? I don’t think so.
I believe that there are great rewards to being a financial steward. Yet, being a steward and becoming financially smart does not happen by accident; it’s an intentional effort, a purposed mindset, it’s making it a priority.
Here’s a few tips that I try very hard to live by and perhaps one day it will make me a millionaire. Just remember, take anything I say about money with a grain of salt – I AM NO EXPERT:
• Spend less than you earn
Well, duh. I know, it’s simple, but the truth is 90% of the people in our American culture buy things they can’t afford. Live within – emphasis on “within” – your means and you’ll always come out on top on the balance sheet.
• Cash out the savings and pay off the high interest credit cards
Chances are the interest you’re paying on your credit cards is higher (probably much higher) than the interest you’re gaining from your savings account. Therefore, it doesn’t make much sense to save a bunch of money while trying to reduce your credit card debt. You’re savings are not winning anything.
• Don’t use traditional savings accounts – they’re stupid
I’m not going to say anything here. Read my post about “The Traditional Savings Account Scam.”
• Define your financial goals
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. And when you don’t have a vision of where you’re going, you end up spending money on stupid stuff, and then you wonder where it all went. If you are married, it's imperative that you define your financial goals WITH your spouse.
• Budget
To some, the word "budget" is a six letter bad word. However, there is simply no way to strive for and achieve your financial goals without a written plan. This is regardless of how much you make or how cyclical your income might be. First and foremost, this is a biblical principal. My advice with budgeting is simply to plan (literally draw it out on paper) for short-term as well as long-term. Know what you spend in a month's time and what you'll need to spend in a year's time (as well as 5 years, 10 years, etc.). And once you've figured out a budget that works for you, stick to it.
• Save Regularly – NO EXCEPTIONS
Okay, here I’m going to sound like I'm contradicting myself. Even if you're carrying credit card debt, I do believe it’s still a good discipline to put a little something into savings – even if it’s just a dollar. The point is: Develop the habit of saving. And once you have, don't ever break the momentum. You just don't want to be putting large sums of money into savings while you're still trying to pay down your credit card debt. Once you've paid off the debt, then you can put all that extra money into your savings and have it actually work for you.
• Invest in YOU
Go to back to school, take a course, or a seminar. Get licensed, get certified. Make yourself more valuable, more marketable. Who knows where it might take you or how much it might make you.
• Give
That's right. Giving is probably the most powerful financial tool you could ever exercise. My father-in-law says, "Money is like love. It's no good to you until you give it away." And that's so true. But there are other reasons why we should give. First and foremost, your money doesn't really even belong to you - it's God's. He gave it to you by providing you the ability and opportunity to get it. So when you're faithful to give to others and to tithe your increase to the Lord, He has promised to return it unto you "pressed down, shaken together, and running over." (Luke 6:38)
So there you have it. David Ramsey, a financial guru, says that "winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge." Ultimately, I believe that if you want something bad enough, you will get it. Good or bad. The bare bones of this philosophy is that if you truly want to conquer your woes - and I mean really want to - then you'll do whatever it takes to change your bad habits and develop better practices. But if you're content with staying right where you are and not making any adjustments to your strategy, then you'll just keep getting the same results that you've always gotten. Either way, you'll get exactly what you asked for.
You gotta have the want to!
Rev. Alan C. Oggs
Whether you think you can or can't, you're right.
Henry Ford
But wanting it doesn’t mean a thing if I’m not actually doing something about it. The Bible says, “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) And, of course, the Bible also says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” (I Tim. 6:10)
So, is it a sin to be rich? Is it wrong to want to be a millionaire? Yes. That is, if it causes you to “err from the faith.” (I Tim. 6:10) However, if it is achieved through practicing Biblical stewardship, then who is to blame? The Word of God? I don’t think so.
I believe that there are great rewards to being a financial steward. Yet, being a steward and becoming financially smart does not happen by accident; it’s an intentional effort, a purposed mindset, it’s making it a priority.
Here’s a few tips that I try very hard to live by and perhaps one day it will make me a millionaire. Just remember, take anything I say about money with a grain of salt – I AM NO EXPERT:
• Spend less than you earn
Well, duh. I know, it’s simple, but the truth is 90% of the people in our American culture buy things they can’t afford. Live within – emphasis on “within” – your means and you’ll always come out on top on the balance sheet.
• Cash out the savings and pay off the high interest credit cards
Chances are the interest you’re paying on your credit cards is higher (probably much higher) than the interest you’re gaining from your savings account. Therefore, it doesn’t make much sense to save a bunch of money while trying to reduce your credit card debt. You’re savings are not winning anything.
• Don’t use traditional savings accounts – they’re stupid
I’m not going to say anything here. Read my post about “The Traditional Savings Account Scam.”
• Define your financial goals
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. And when you don’t have a vision of where you’re going, you end up spending money on stupid stuff, and then you wonder where it all went. If you are married, it's imperative that you define your financial goals WITH your spouse.
• Budget
To some, the word "budget" is a six letter bad word. However, there is simply no way to strive for and achieve your financial goals without a written plan. This is regardless of how much you make or how cyclical your income might be. First and foremost, this is a biblical principal. My advice with budgeting is simply to plan (literally draw it out on paper) for short-term as well as long-term. Know what you spend in a month's time and what you'll need to spend in a year's time (as well as 5 years, 10 years, etc.). And once you've figured out a budget that works for you, stick to it.
• Save Regularly – NO EXCEPTIONS
Okay, here I’m going to sound like I'm contradicting myself. Even if you're carrying credit card debt, I do believe it’s still a good discipline to put a little something into savings – even if it’s just a dollar. The point is: Develop the habit of saving. And once you have, don't ever break the momentum. You just don't want to be putting large sums of money into savings while you're still trying to pay down your credit card debt. Once you've paid off the debt, then you can put all that extra money into your savings and have it actually work for you.
• Invest in YOU
Go to back to school, take a course, or a seminar. Get licensed, get certified. Make yourself more valuable, more marketable. Who knows where it might take you or how much it might make you.
• Give
That's right. Giving is probably the most powerful financial tool you could ever exercise. My father-in-law says, "Money is like love. It's no good to you until you give it away." And that's so true. But there are other reasons why we should give. First and foremost, your money doesn't really even belong to you - it's God's. He gave it to you by providing you the ability and opportunity to get it. So when you're faithful to give to others and to tithe your increase to the Lord, He has promised to return it unto you "pressed down, shaken together, and running over." (Luke 6:38)
So there you have it. David Ramsey, a financial guru, says that "winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge." Ultimately, I believe that if you want something bad enough, you will get it. Good or bad. The bare bones of this philosophy is that if you truly want to conquer your woes - and I mean really want to - then you'll do whatever it takes to change your bad habits and develop better practices. But if you're content with staying right where you are and not making any adjustments to your strategy, then you'll just keep getting the same results that you've always gotten. Either way, you'll get exactly what you asked for.
You gotta have the want to!
Rev. Alan C. Oggs
Whether you think you can or can't, you're right.
Henry Ford
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Difference Between a Boss and a Leader
I came across this today and wanted to share:
- A boss creates fear; a leader creates confidence.
- A boss creates resentment; a leader breeds enthusiasm.
- A boss says, "I"; a leader says, "We".
- A boss fixes blame; a leader fixes mistakes.
- A boss knows how; a leader shows how.
- A boss makes work drudgery; a leader makes work interesting.
- A boss relies on authority; a leader relies on cooperation.
- A boss drives; a leader leads.
And I’ll add one more to the list:
A boss parades his power before others, but a true leader uses his influence as opportunity to empower others to be powerful, too.
I think Mark Twain says it better:
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Create Community.
Inside a nearby Starbucks you might find a card sitting around that reads, "Create Community. Make a difference in someone's day."You would probably think the card is simply there for inspiration sake. But it's actually an ad for employment. If you turn the card around, you'll read, "When you work at Starbucks, you can make a difference in someone's day by creating an environment where neighbors and friends can get together and reconnect while enjoying a great coffee experience."
Wow. A statement like that would convince me that Starbucks is selling more than just quality coffee - they're selling an experience, too! And people are buying. Starbucks' first quarter results for 2007 were astounding: Net revenues of $2.4 billion were an increase of 22 percent; plus, a record breaking 728 new stores opened during the quarter. Again, I say, "Wow."
At Starbucks it's not just beans and water. They’re in the business of creating environments where people can make meaningful connections that literally change the quality of their lives. And here's a sample of what I’m talking about: My future sister-in-law, Sera, who works at Starbucks, recently demonstrated this "community" philosophy. When a new member of our church moved into town, and was visiting the church for only the second time, Sera approached him and said, "I recognize you. You came into Starbucks. Your name is George and your order is a tall Soy Chai."
Wow! That experience would never have happened if Sera had looked at George as just another “order to fill.” But no, she connected with the person in front of the counter. She listened. She remembered. She cared. Now that’s customer service. That's what creating community is all about. When we actually engage people like we care, when we listen to them, when we pay attention to the details, the likes, the dislikes, all the little idiosyncrasies – This is the kind of behavior that causes people to take notice, they see the realness in you, they begin to feel that the atmosphere where you are is a little different, a little better.
Isn't it time we all do like Sera and the Starbucks paradigm? What if we could build up and promote that kind of community wherever we go? Within our church? What about your business? Mahatma Ghandi once said, “Be the difference you want to see in the world.” I mean, we all crave relationship. We all want community. So let’s just do it. Let’s be the ingredient that creates an environment where relationships are grown, and lives are changed, and things just happen. Let's create community.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Jott It!
Okay, this is probably one of the coolest things I've found on the web.
First, here's the problem: You're driving down the road, you remember something important and need to write it down. You have no paper. No pen. And you're still driving. AaaaahHHhhh!!!
Solution: You jott it! That's right. Bada bing, bada boom!
Jott.com is a web-based messaging service that allows you to call its toll-free number, leave a short message, and have it transcribed and delivered right to your email. And best of all, it's absolutely free! This has been a life saver for me. In fact, Jott is now on my cell phone's speed dial.
Check it out! www.jott.com
First, here's the problem: You're driving down the road, you remember something important and need to write it down. You have no paper. No pen. And you're still driving. AaaaahHHhhh!!!
Solution: You jott it! That's right. Bada bing, bada boom!
Jott.com is a web-based messaging service that allows you to call its toll-free number, leave a short message, and have it transcribed and delivered right to your email. And best of all, it's absolutely free! This has been a life saver for me. In fact, Jott is now on my cell phone's speed dial.
Check it out! www.jott.com
Monday, March 19, 2007
Supper Time!
When was the last time you sat down together with your family, with your spouse, or with a friend, over a hot cooked meal? Your answer can say a lot about you, and even more about the health of your relationships.
Sadly, in our culture, these communal "breaking-of-bread" experiences are rapidly diminishing, and I don't think it's for the better. Nowadays, with drive-thrus, food courts, and microwaves, we can more easily give up something so modest, so humble, so available, that we never even realize its worth.
The truth is, the act of supping together is integral to shaping, defining, and cementing our relationships. It's a time where we share experiences, transmit wisdom, express values, embed expectations, confess faults, conspire dreams, forgive hurts, and repair damages. A meal together provides a fortress, a safe-zone, against the pressures and judgments we face every day, where our guards can come down and we enter the refreshing atmosphere of casual conversation. Indeed, a shared meal is the apex of fellowship and companionship. (In fact, the ancient translation of the word “companion” literally means “one who breaks bread with you.”)
Furthermore, extensive studies have shown that the more frequently you eat together - with family or with friends – the more likely you are to be emotionally stable, healthy, and cohesively connected to those you eat with. TIME magazine also reiterates this truth in regards to children: "The more often families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders and consider suicide, and the more likely they are to do well in school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables, learn big words and know which fork to use."
It almost goes without saying, the benefits of sharing meals regularly with the ones you love or care about just stack up. So, if you’re the type that never seems to make the time for a “dinner for two" (or three, four, or however many), then my word to you today is this: Stop it! Don’t separate yourself any longer – it’s a disservice to yourself and to others. Get connected! Invite a friend to lunch. Have a couple over to your home for dinner. Schedule a family meal time that you can commit to on a daily basis. You will reap great rewards, I guarantee!
Sadly, in our culture, these communal "breaking-of-bread" experiences are rapidly diminishing, and I don't think it's for the better. Nowadays, with drive-thrus, food courts, and microwaves, we can more easily give up something so modest, so humble, so available, that we never even realize its worth.
The truth is, the act of supping together is integral to shaping, defining, and cementing our relationships. It's a time where we share experiences, transmit wisdom, express values, embed expectations, confess faults, conspire dreams, forgive hurts, and repair damages. A meal together provides a fortress, a safe-zone, against the pressures and judgments we face every day, where our guards can come down and we enter the refreshing atmosphere of casual conversation. Indeed, a shared meal is the apex of fellowship and companionship. (In fact, the ancient translation of the word “companion” literally means “one who breaks bread with you.”)
Furthermore, extensive studies have shown that the more frequently you eat together - with family or with friends – the more likely you are to be emotionally stable, healthy, and cohesively connected to those you eat with. TIME magazine also reiterates this truth in regards to children: "The more often families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders and consider suicide, and the more likely they are to do well in school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables, learn big words and know which fork to use."
It almost goes without saying, the benefits of sharing meals regularly with the ones you love or care about just stack up. So, if you’re the type that never seems to make the time for a “dinner for two" (or three, four, or however many), then my word to you today is this: Stop it! Don’t separate yourself any longer – it’s a disservice to yourself and to others. Get connected! Invite a friend to lunch. Have a couple over to your home for dinner. Schedule a family meal time that you can commit to on a daily basis. You will reap great rewards, I guarantee!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Quote of the Week
This is one of my most favorite quotes. It is by Winston Churchill.
"Never give in -- never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
"Never give in -- never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Mud Fight!
On Monday, I turned in my final project for a class I'm taking through Ohio University. It was such a relief to be done.....at least for another quarter.
Come Tuesday, however, I didn't know what to do with my spare time. There were no chapters to read, no research journals to review – nothing but an evening of complete relaxation. Yeah right.
With my father-in-law coming home from a vacation that evening, and all the pretty snow melting away, I knew exactly what my evening would consist of: fixing all the ruts I caused earlier this winter when I took it upon myself to plow my in-laws driveway (as well as their yard). Fortunately, I got help from the little guy.
Well, not a whole lot of help. Dalyn thought it would be more fun to actually play IN the mud – and, indeed, it was. We had a blast! That is, until he fell completely in. With his bottom half soaked in mud and his feelings suddenly crushed, he was bewildered, and apparently I couldn’t fix it. No, he let me know – this was a job that only Mommy could handle – and off he went to find her.
Come Tuesday, however, I didn't know what to do with my spare time. There were no chapters to read, no research journals to review – nothing but an evening of complete relaxation. Yeah right.
With my father-in-law coming home from a vacation that evening, and all the pretty snow melting away, I knew exactly what my evening would consist of: fixing all the ruts I caused earlier this winter when I took it upon myself to plow my in-laws driveway (as well as their yard). Fortunately, I got help from the little guy.
Well, not a whole lot of help. Dalyn thought it would be more fun to actually play IN the mud – and, indeed, it was. We had a blast! That is, until he fell completely in. With his bottom half soaked in mud and his feelings suddenly crushed, he was bewildered, and apparently I couldn’t fix it. No, he let me know – this was a job that only Mommy could handle – and off he went to find her.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Are you spread thin?
A couple of night's ago, I got to sit down with my good friend, Aaron, over a caffeinated-choco-coconut-coffee-concoction, that I'll probably never order again. Anyway, in the midst of our conversation, Aaron recalled an analogy that he had shared with me once before and I will never forget it.
He said that sometimes in life we spread ourselves so thin that we begin losing our impact and influence on the world around us. His analogy was that it's like spreading butter on a piece of bread -- When you first get that glob of butter on there, the substance and flavor is concentrated and noticeable, but once you start spreading it out, the application gets thinner and thinner. Before long, you could actually spread the butter so thin that you don't even taste it anymore.
What a powerful word picture! Are you spread out so much that you're no longer making an impact on your environment? Are you maxed to the point that your family gets the least of you and everyone else gets the most of you? Are the daily demands so high that you're unable to do anything of real import for the Kingdom?
I know that life is busy, but do we realize that sometimes doing more is less and doing less is more? Growing up, my mom used to tell me that I was good at burning a candle on both ends. The problem with this is that, eventually, you burn out. And when you're burnt out, you're of no effect.
I want to encourage you today to make the time - budget the time - for taking care of the most important things in your life - your family, your faith, your friends, and even yourself. Don't let a busy schedule justify a crumbling marriage, or a troublesome relationship with your child. Don't succumb to compromising your relationships, your friendships, and your influence, just because "you've got so much to do."
Make the time, focus your time, focus your life, doing the things that really matter, and forget about the things that don't. Then, and only then, will your life really matter. Then, and only then, will you truly make an impact on those around you.
He said that sometimes in life we spread ourselves so thin that we begin losing our impact and influence on the world around us. His analogy was that it's like spreading butter on a piece of bread -- When you first get that glob of butter on there, the substance and flavor is concentrated and noticeable, but once you start spreading it out, the application gets thinner and thinner. Before long, you could actually spread the butter so thin that you don't even taste it anymore.
What a powerful word picture! Are you spread out so much that you're no longer making an impact on your environment? Are you maxed to the point that your family gets the least of you and everyone else gets the most of you? Are the daily demands so high that you're unable to do anything of real import for the Kingdom?
I know that life is busy, but do we realize that sometimes doing more is less and doing less is more? Growing up, my mom used to tell me that I was good at burning a candle on both ends. The problem with this is that, eventually, you burn out. And when you're burnt out, you're of no effect.
I want to encourage you today to make the time - budget the time - for taking care of the most important things in your life - your family, your faith, your friends, and even yourself. Don't let a busy schedule justify a crumbling marriage, or a troublesome relationship with your child. Don't succumb to compromising your relationships, your friendships, and your influence, just because "you've got so much to do."
Make the time, focus your time, focus your life, doing the things that really matter, and forget about the things that don't. Then, and only then, will your life really matter. Then, and only then, will you truly make an impact on those around you.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Traditional Savings Account Scam
I am by no means a financial advisor - so take what I say about money with a grain of salt - but, for the life of me, I just don't understand what the purpose of a traditional savings account is.
Allow me to explain. Currently, the national average earnings on a traditional savings account is only a mere 0.54%. Barely a half a percent! I guess that's more than nothing; however, the problem is that, in most cases, banks charge maintenance fees when you don't carry a certain minimum balance. So what ends up happening, oftentimes, is you pay $50 in maintenance fees per year, while you only earn a whopping $2 a year in interest. You pay the bank $48 a year to hold your money!!
I would be outraged if this were happening to me - but it's not. I'd be better off keeping my savings in a box under my bed (which I don't do that either). A better savings solution I've found, aside from having a 401K or IRA, is to do a high yield savings account through a company like Capital One or Ing Direct. (Again, I'm not suggesting you actually use these companies - they're just examples).
Nevertheless, here's the beauty of HY savings accounts through these sort of companies. They don't charge you fees, they don't have minimum balance requirements, they're directly linked to your bank account, their extremely easy to set up, and the best part is, they offer incredibly better rates than your bank - like 4.5 - 5%. So what does that break down to? Well, on $1,000 dollars, that's the difference between earning $5 and $45 (per year). I would much rather the $45.
But, hey, don't take my word for it, check into it yourself.
Allow me to explain. Currently, the national average earnings on a traditional savings account is only a mere 0.54%. Barely a half a percent! I guess that's more than nothing; however, the problem is that, in most cases, banks charge maintenance fees when you don't carry a certain minimum balance. So what ends up happening, oftentimes, is you pay $50 in maintenance fees per year, while you only earn a whopping $2 a year in interest. You pay the bank $48 a year to hold your money!!
I would be outraged if this were happening to me - but it's not. I'd be better off keeping my savings in a box under my bed (which I don't do that either). A better savings solution I've found, aside from having a 401K or IRA, is to do a high yield savings account through a company like Capital One or Ing Direct. (Again, I'm not suggesting you actually use these companies - they're just examples).
Nevertheless, here's the beauty of HY savings accounts through these sort of companies. They don't charge you fees, they don't have minimum balance requirements, they're directly linked to your bank account, their extremely easy to set up, and the best part is, they offer incredibly better rates than your bank - like 4.5 - 5%. So what does that break down to? Well, on $1,000 dollars, that's the difference between earning $5 and $45 (per year). I would much rather the $45.
But, hey, don't take my word for it, check into it yourself.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The more you read, the more you know.
I didn't always like to read. In fact, I think I made it through high school without reading one solitary book (with the exception of maybe a Dr. Seuss book here and there when I was a kid).
Now it's a different story. It's hard to get a book out of my hand. I feed on books in almost the same way that I gorge myself at a Chinese buffet. At any rate, I thought I might share with you some of the books that I'm currently reading or have read in the past couple of weeks.
Now it's a different story. It's hard to get a book out of my hand. I feed on books in almost the same way that I gorge myself at a Chinese buffet. At any rate, I thought I might share with you some of the books that I'm currently reading or have read in the past couple of weeks.
- The Word on Finances - Larry Burkett
An invaluable collection of Scriptures that speak to the issues of finance and stewardship. - Personal Finances - Larry Burkett
A small book that offers incredible insights and helpful practices to developing a proper financial game plan. - The Surprising Power of Family Meals - Miriam Weinstein
Explains how eating together makes us smarter, stronger, healthier, and happier. - First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church - Mark L. Waltz
An engaging and insightful book that provides "customer service" principles to enhance your church environment without losing the appropriate heart of the gospel. - 7 Practices of Effective Ministry - Andy Stanley
7 strategic principles that will help bring focus and clarity to everything you do in ministry. - Creating Community - Andy Stanley
A powerful guide to cultivating a culture of community and a small group environment in your church. - Serving as a Church Greeter - Leslie Parrott
A greeter's manual to being an effective "first point of contact" to guests who visit your church.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
An Unexpected Surprise - The Power of Giving
Last night was supposed to be an uneventful evening for me – most likely, a couple hours imprisoned to my desk, working on a much dreaded school project, and my wife, probably keeping Dalyn to a manageable calm and watching her favorite TV show, Prison Break.
But instead, Dona and I were treated to a phenomenal, almost surreal, experience - a Cav's game from the luxurious Mercedes-Benz Club, an exclusive area up at the top of the arena, which offers an incredible atmosphere, a panoramic view of the crowd and the court action, plus, some of the most unbelievable (all you can eat) grub. The whole night's package was a gift from my brother-in-law, Jared, who chose to bless us with a fun night out.
Needless to say, as we left the game, I couldn’t help but dwell upon how much that gift meant to me. It was a gift that I knew I would not be able to reciprocate. Plus, it allowed me a date experience that I normally would not have been able to provide. I was grateful. I was lifted. I was reminded that there is power in giving a gift.
So, my life lesson last night was this – If you have the ability and the opportunity to bless someone, then do it! Do you want to prosper (and I don't just mean financially)? Consider that “a generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV) Do you want to be influential? Again, consider that “everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.” (Proverbs 19:6 NIV)
I once heard a saying that goes, "You can't receive anything with a clinched fist." Think about that. A giving hand is open, and is therefore postured also to receive. So, if you have much in your pocket, then give of your wealth; and even if you have little to spare, then give of your heart, give of your time, give of your service. Either way, just give. Remember that you may be the spark that rekindles a spirit of hope, or a smile, or a new outlook on life in someone who is completely not expecting it.
But instead, Dona and I were treated to a phenomenal, almost surreal, experience - a Cav's game from the luxurious Mercedes-Benz Club, an exclusive area up at the top of the arena, which offers an incredible atmosphere, a panoramic view of the crowd and the court action, plus, some of the most unbelievable (all you can eat) grub. The whole night's package was a gift from my brother-in-law, Jared, who chose to bless us with a fun night out.
Needless to say, as we left the game, I couldn’t help but dwell upon how much that gift meant to me. It was a gift that I knew I would not be able to reciprocate. Plus, it allowed me a date experience that I normally would not have been able to provide. I was grateful. I was lifted. I was reminded that there is power in giving a gift.
So, my life lesson last night was this – If you have the ability and the opportunity to bless someone, then do it! Do you want to prosper (and I don't just mean financially)? Consider that “a generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV) Do you want to be influential? Again, consider that “everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.” (Proverbs 19:6 NIV)
I once heard a saying that goes, "You can't receive anything with a clinched fist." Think about that. A giving hand is open, and is therefore postured also to receive. So, if you have much in your pocket, then give of your wealth; and even if you have little to spare, then give of your heart, give of your time, give of your service. Either way, just give. Remember that you may be the spark that rekindles a spirit of hope, or a smile, or a new outlook on life in someone who is completely not expecting it.
Consciously Sedated in a Cultural Quagmire
Ninetyandnine.net featured a recent article I wrote, "Consciously Sedated in a Cultural Quagmire," as their cover article this week. And I was just starting to like their website. =)
http://www.ninetyandnine.net/cover/20070305.html
http://www.ninetyandnine.net/cover/20070305.html
Monday, March 5, 2007
The Lost Tomb of Jesus
Last night, I watched the Discovery Channel's special documentary, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," which has been stirring some heated controversy. Here's just a few of my candid thoughts on the show:
I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.
Saint Bernard
- First of all, based on many other programs that the Discovery Channel has aired in the past, it is quite apparent that DC has an anti-Christian/Bible agenda. Therefore, it's hard to fathom that this documentary was presented in an unbiased, objective manner.
- I am fascinated by man's eagerness throughout history to disprove that there is a God and that Jesus was/is the Messiah. But what's even more fascinating is that these arguments seem to pop up and fade away with every turn of the corner. A couple of years ago, it was the Da Vinci Code; then it was the Jesus Paper's; and now it is The Lost Tomb of Jesus. With each controversy, faith always seems to prevail.
- The weakness of the documentary's hypothesis (that Jesus was possibly married, had a son, and did not "physically" ascend into heaven) is that it is based on an unlikely chain of "if/then" statements, and the if's are very big if's. Therefore, the theory presented is extremely speculative and completely interpretive as to what answers you want to find. I couldn't help but sense that the journalist doing the documentary had already drawn his own conclusions before the research was even done.
- I do not believe that Jesus was married, or that He had children (history and credible artifacts cannot support this); nevertheless, I wouldn't have a problem knowing that He had. I do not believe it changes any part of the doctrine of Christ; rather, only reveal more about His humanity.
- As for the idea of a metaphysical ascension, I am still uncertain. 1 Corinthians 15:50 says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." In 2 Corinthians 5:6, it also says, "Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord." These Scriptures would, indeed, imply that Jesus' ascension was not physical or material, but was metaphysical.
Nevertheless, it still does not fully address the issue of what happened to His physical body - His flesh and bones. Luke 24:39 says, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." So, here you have Jesus, post-resurrection, in physical form (flesh, bones, and all). Therefore, would He not have ascended also in physical form?
We know, or we can assume by what Scripture says, that what the people saw on the day of His ascension (Lk. 24:51 & Acts 1:9-11) was probably a physical body. And with that in mind, consider also that Elijah was "physically" thrust up into a whirlwind in the sky and Enoch was "physically" zapped into oblivion, neither of them ever to be seen again. So where did their bodies go? Where are their bones? Could God have immaterialized their flesh and bones right into thin air? Or did He leave them behind? Who knows?
Consider also that Jesus, while in His physical form, was miraculously able to walk through a wall, and Philip, too, was instantaneously teleported to another land. Their bodies somehow turned metaphysical, yet while they were still physical. For a moment, their physical form became completely immaterial. Therefore, if the two, physical and metaphysical, are somehow linked together, shouldn’t it be reasonable to believe that if Jesus' physical body immaterialized during His ascension, that His flesh and bones would probably have vanished with Him, perhaps just like they did with Elijah and Enoch. For this reason, I would find it difficult to believe that Jesus' bones could ever be found.
Either way, whether Jesus ascended materially or immaterially, whether He left bones behind or not, I remain fully resolved as a Christian to hold to my faith, above any circumstance or piece of information, no matter how troubling or convincing, and to trust in God's sovereignty that He could have done whatever He felt like with His body. I know that satan's primary objective is to deceive the Body of Christ into thinking that there is no God, which I know with utter certainty there is. Dealing with extreme claims, such as these, that are intended to be pernicious to Christianity, does not damage my faith; rather, they cause me to dig deeper into my faith. After all, "We walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)
I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind.
Saint Bernard
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Quote of the Week
This past week, I went to a Christian Business Men's Luncheon. The speaker for the luncheon shared a quote that I thought was pretty good. He said, "The world is moving so fast these days that the person who says, 'It can't be done,' is often interrupted by the person who is doing it." How true.
Friday, March 2, 2007
How much potential do we really have?
Is our brain really full of untapped potential and undiscovered abilities? It's been said that we only use 10% of our brains, but can we really measure the brain's maximum operational capabilities? I dare say we cannot. How can we calculate a percentage of infinity? Perhaps 10% is too high a number or maybe too low. Perhaps it doesn't really matter. Either way, the truth is the brain clearly has immeasurable potential and an unlimited capacity to learn. And here's the proof - Check out this link that features Daniel Tammet, a true savant (a person of profound learning). There are a few videos here that show you just a glimpse of his mental abilities. It's truly amazing!http://60minutes.yahoo.com/segment/44/brain-man
Anybody that knows me knows that I have a thing for coffee. But, ironically, it's not really the coffee that I'm so crazy about. It's the people. It's the conversation. It's the experience that coffee creates. Indeed, almost every time I sit down with someone over a cup of hot brew, I leave inspired, enlarged in my faith, and empowered to be more than just average.
Read my profile.
Recent Posts
- This blog has moved
- Help Haiti Heal
- Help Haiti Heal
- Hungry for Change: Food, Inc.
- Help Haiti Now!
- I'll do anything for a free BOO-rrito!
- Weston Valor Kiner
- Take Control & De-Clutter!
- Weekend of Birthdays!
- Quote of the Day
Archive
- current
- February 2007
- March 2007
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- July 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- June 2008
- July 2008
- August 2008
- September 2008
- October 2008
- November 2008
- December 2008
- January 2009
- February 2009
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- September 2009
- November 2009
- January 2010
- February 2010
- April 2010
TBCC Blogs
Links
|
Subscribe to A Cup with Jeremy! |
