tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90499204600941195352024-03-13T11:44:04.583-04:00Varnished DepotMiscellaneous thoughts, feelings, and ideas on the journey.David H Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376504905242300326noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-15444204837962346662010-11-18T11:55:00.003-05:002010-11-18T12:03:30.054-05:00It's not about me... I think<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCHo0OkykH2akRclZ-gS1eyx4TGQMj51LmM45XZYMB6ZaEwdG_HNVEeMpqLoOnmccguGUsAQ2KPHcH2-gBtiqwTM5C3-Luag2ptbqOuXo3NO1tvttC36G_TTUQmKA7srmVyMzjTzwwi_o/s1600/globalperspective.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 15px 15px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCHo0OkykH2akRclZ-gS1eyx4TGQMj51LmM45XZYMB6ZaEwdG_HNVEeMpqLoOnmccguGUsAQ2KPHcH2-gBtiqwTM5C3-Luag2ptbqOuXo3NO1tvttC36G_TTUQmKA7srmVyMzjTzwwi_o/s320/globalperspective.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540935811271686114" /></a><br /><div>So often in our evangelical sub-culture, we think that it is all about us. It is true that God loves us as individuals. It is also true that his love for us is extravagant and unconditional (He DID, after all, give his Son for us, didn't he?). Yet, I think that we often forget that the Lord is not only "Lord" of our lives personally, but also the "Lord of Creation". </div><div><br /></div><div>This point was brought home to me the other day. I was (as I do during my regular scripture/prayer/meditaion time) seeking a "word" specifically for me for that particular day. My routine reading brought me to Psalm 47, "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy... For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne." So I'm thinking, what does this stuff about nations, all the earth, etc. have to do with ME? How does this apply to MY life today? What is here for ME? </div><div><br /></div><div>I then realized, that my life in Christ (as important as it is to God) is part of a grander scheme. It is a small, but significant part, of God's plan for all of his creation. How I live affects others. How I act upon my faith is a factor in what God is doing in the world right now. </div><div><br /></div><div>So here's the question... or rather, questions: Will I walk in the will of God for my life? Or will I seek my own will? Will I allow my actions to be reflective of God's work? Or my own works? Will I live for HIS glory by fulfilling HIS purposes? </div><div><br /></div><div>I know my answer! What's yours? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-23543266335324345922010-10-15T03:02:00.003-04:002010-10-19T00:01:15.680-04:00A Space for Margin<div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">More great thoughts from Tim Stevens -- <a href="http://LeadingSmart.com">LeadingSmart.com</a><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="padding-bottom: 20px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(87, 92, 93); "><tbody><tr><td height="5"></td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 12px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(87, 92, 93); ">October 14, 2010 at 6:19 AM<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td> </td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); line-height: 1.3em; padding-bottom: 10px; "><p>I've been thinking a lot about margin.</p><p>A margin is the portion of the page that you intentionally leave blank. You don't write all the way from the left side of the page to the right side—no, you typically leave space all the way around, and we call those margins.</p><p>Yet in life, everything in our culture is telling us to ignore margins. Spend more money than you make and you will have no financial margin. Fill your schedule from early morning until late night—and you will have no time margin. Surround yourself with needy people and be constantly reactive to their expectations—and you will have no emotional margin.</p><p>Mark Batterson <a title="Batterson's Blog" href="http://www.evotional.com/2009/06/10-ways-to-create-margin.html" target="_blank">wrote</a>, "You need margin to <strong>think</strong>. You need margin to <strong>play</strong>. You need margin to<strong>laugh</strong>. You need margin to <strong>dream</strong>. You need margin to have <strong>impromptu conversations</strong>. You need margin to seize <strong>unanticipated opportunities</strong>."</p><p>I want to live a life with margins.<br /></p><p>------------------------------------------------</p></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-45225806174002601922010-10-13T18:34:00.001-04:002010-10-13T18:34:36.882-04:00Top 10 Reasons To Vote<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; "></span><table><tr><td valign="top" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-top: 20px; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: dashed; border-top-color: rgb(171, 171, 171); "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Got this from Dave Ramsey... <br></span><br>Top 10 Reasons To Vote</td></tr><tr><td valign="top" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 18px; padding-bottom: 20px; "> <img src="http://a248.g.akamai.net/f/248/26342/9h/dramsey.download.akamai.com/23572/daveramsey.com/media/email/mytmmo/gazelle_gazette/gg_101210/vote_med.jpg" alt="Vote" width="140" height="129" align="right" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; ">We live in the greatest country in the world, and one of the reasons for that is because everyone has a say in who leads the nation.<br> <br>That's the best reason. Here are some others.<br><br><strong>Top 10 Reasons To Vote</strong><br>10. Mark Twain said it best, "Politicians and diapers needs to be changed often, and for the same reason."<br> <br>9. Too many people have fought and died for your right to vote.<br><br>8. If you're not willing to be part of the solution, you can't complain about the problem.<br><br>7. Help the world—vote out an incumbent. <br> <br>6. We already experienced that whole "taxation without representation" thing. Didn't care for it.<br><br>5. The only other thing that's special about November 2 is that it's National Deviled Eggs Day. <br> <br>4. If you don't put someone new into office, you'll have to listen to the same old rhetoric over and over.<br><br>3. Listening to the same old rhetoric over and over.<br><br>2. Once you finish selecting the person who claims they will fix the economy, you can get back to work and fix your own.<br> <br>1. If you don't, then this list will be for naught. </td></tr> </table> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-73183190096482497322010-10-06T11:32:00.002-04:002010-10-06T11:43:02.665-04:0010 Personal Growth Questions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville, Palatino, Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; "><h3 id="post-3252" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0px -1px 1px; line-height: 26px; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Perry Noble offers 10 questions for leaders to ask themselves concerning their personal growth. I think it can apply to anyone who is a follower of Jesus. </span></span></span></span></span></h3> <h3 id="post-3252" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0) 0px -1px 1px; line-height: 26px; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">#1 – Am I reading my Bible for information or transformation? (</span></span></span></span><a href="http://biblegateway.com/bible?version=31&passage=James+1%3A22-25" class="bibleref" title="NIV James 1:22-25" target="_new" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">James 1:22-25</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">)</span></span></span></span></span></h3> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> #2 – Am I allowing people or circumstances to steal the joy that Jesus promised to me? (</span></span></span><a href="http://biblegateway.com/bible?version=31&passage=John+10%3A10" class="bibleref" title="NIV John 10:10" target="_new" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">John 10:10</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> #3 – Is there anything in my life that God is consistently dealing with that I am trying to ignore? (</span></span></span><a href="http://biblegateway.com/bible?version=31&passage=Ezekiel+14%3A1-5" class="bibleref" title="NIV Ezekiel 14:1-5" target="_new" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ezekiel 14:1-5</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> #4 – Who are the people in my life that God has placed around me for the purpose of me sharing Christ with them and/or inviting them to church? (</span></span></span><a href="http://biblegateway.com/bible?version=31&passage=2+Corinthians+5%3A16-21" class="bibleref" title="NIV 2Corinthians 5:16-21" target="_new" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">II Corinthians 5:16-21</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Read the remaining 6 </span></span></span><a href="http://www.perrynoble.com/2010/09/23/10-personal-growth-questions/"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">... </span></b></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><br /></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-45307488491049942082010-08-05T10:24:00.002-04:002010-08-05T13:58:41.738-04:00Your Boss Needs You To Be…<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div>Another Great Post from <a href="http://www.leadingsmart.com/">Leading Smart</a></div> <div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Your Boss Needs You To Be…</b></div><div><p>I don't care if you work for a church, a business, or a factory. I guarantee you, your boss needs you to be…</p><ol><li style="margin-left: 15px; "> A Momentum-Increaser — don't make your boss be the only one pulling up the attitude and bringing energy to the workplace.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Values-Champion — No one should live out the values of the organization more than you do.</li> <li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Silo-Destroyer — sniff out and destroy the silos that exist in departments throughout the organization. Make sure everyone is more committed to the macro vision than their micro project.</li> <li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Straight-Talker — don't engage in triangle conversations or put-downs of your team or leaders.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Generous-Giver — okay, this one is specific to working at a church, but I would never work for a church where I didn't believe in it enough to give as much as I possibly could.</li> <li style="margin-left: 15px; ">An Innovative-Thinker — be solution-oriented. Don't just come to your boss with problems, but also solutions. Your attitude should be, "Economy tough? Less staff? Lower budget? No problem, we'll figure out a way to get through this!"</li> <li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Loyal-Friend — you don't have to hang out together, but he needs to know you are "for" him. If put in a corner, your boss knows you would defend her.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Back-Protector — always believe the best. Always.</li> <li style="margin-left: 15px; ">An Integrity-Keeper — you are who you are when no one is looking. Your boss needs you to have great character.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">An Unbelievable-Spouse and Effective Parent — the strength of your leadership and effectiveness comes from your leadership at home.</li> <li style="margin-left: 15px; ">A Lifelong Learner — read books, study other best practices, learn, learn, learn–then come back and apply it to your organization.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">An Equipping-Leader…not a Satisfied-Doer — You should be building teams and reproducing teams. Take delight in the success of your team more than your own success!</li> </ol><p>What else would you add to this list? Which one is most difficult for you?</p></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-20261046102507744662010-08-04T12:15:00.002-04:002010-08-04T12:16:16.055-04:00Say Goodbye to the Untouchable Preachers<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">J Lee Grady doesn't mince words in this piece... </span></div> <div><h2 class="contentheading" style="line-height: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 21px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; "> Say Goodbye to the Untouchable Preachers</h2></div>Al Capone once controlled all of Chicago. The notorious 1920s gangster bribed the city's mayor, bought the police and presided as king over an empire of casinos, speakeasies and smuggling operations. He dodged bullets for years and lived above the law—and earned the nickname "untouchable" because no one could bring him to justice...</span><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "> </p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">I hate to compare any minister of God to a gangster. But the sad truth is that today there are a handful (well, maybe more) of unscrupulous preachers who share some of Capone's most disgusting traits. They are notoriously greedy. They are masters of deception and manipulation. They have bought their way into the charismatic religious subculture and used their uncanny hypnotic ability to control major Christian TV networks.</p> <p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">And, like Capone, their days are numbered. Justice will soon catch up with them.</p> <span>Read more: <a href="http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/29039--say-goodbye-to-the-untouchable-preachers#ixzz0vedQKYzd" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; ">http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/29039--say-goodbye-to-the-untouchable-preachers#ixzz0vedQKYzd</a></span><p> </p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-69406004686375988592010-08-03T11:53:00.005-04:002010-08-03T12:07:05.056-04:00Promises of God?<span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Just received this from Greg Koukl of<a href="http://www.str.org/" target="_blank"> STAND TO REASON</a> and thought it intriguing... what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Why? <div><br /></div><div>---------------------------------</div></span> <div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><p> <img align="left" hspace="15" width="150" src="http://myfabfaith.com/bible_comments.jpg" />When I was a new believer in the 70s, part of the standard "gear" for Jesus Movement Christians was a dog-eared paperback copy of <em>The Jesus Person Pocket Promise Book</em>. </p> <p>It seemed like a sensational idea at the time, collect God's promises, and then cash them in as needed. Now, nearly 40 years later—though the promises of God are no less "precious and magnificent" (2 Peter 1:4)—I think twice when people claim them. </p> <p>Promises are frequently abused, in many cases by people who should know better. A promise not carefully tethered to the details of the text becomes an empty exercise of relativistic wishful thinking.</p><p>Knowledge—"an accurately informed mind"—is the first characteristic of a good ambassador. Ambassadors need to get the content of the message right before they can accurately pass it on to others. Since everything we offer on God's behalf consists of promises of some sort, mistakes here really matter.</p> <p>A biblical promise is a binding pledge from God to do—or not do—something specific. If the promise is made to you, you have a right to expect God to keep His word. If you are not the rightful owner, though, you may not lay claim to it. It is pointless to expropriate promises made to another, and can lead to disappointment and discouragement.</p> <p>But how do you know if you are the fortunate beneficiary? You find out by looking closely at the details of the promise itself and applying two simple principles.</p><p>The correct meaning of any biblical passage is the meaning the author had in mind when he wrote it. A promise is only a promise when it is used as its maker intended. We discover that intention by paying attention to the specifics—the words, the conditions, the recipient, the timing, the historical setting—the details that make up the context of the promise.</p> <p>The process can be organized into steps by asking (and answering) four questions: Who?, What?, Why?, and When?*</p><p><strong>Who?</strong> Identify the particular person or people the promise is made to. The promise may be for a specific individual, for a group, or for anyone. Ask, Am I that person? If the promise is to a group (e.g. Jews, Christians) ask, Am I part of the group?</p> <p><strong>What?</strong>—Zero in on the particulars of the promise. Specify what the promise actually commits to. Ask, What will happen (or not happen) when the promise is fulfilled?</p><p><strong>Why?</strong>—Why will the promise be fulfilled, that is, what must happen first? Note the conditions or requirements the promise hinges on, often signaled by an if/then clause. Ask, Do I meet the requirements?</p> <p><strong>When?</strong>—This is the promise time. The promise may be for a particular time ("…at this time next year …") or for an unspecified time. Ask the question, What is the time of the promise, if any?</p><p>We can only legitimately claim a biblical promise if it is rightfully ours. If the promise is for us, and we have satisfied the conditions, and the promise is for our time, then we can count on God to keep His word. </p> <p>If not, then we must leave the promise to its rightful owner and profit from the text by learning what we can from God's faithful dealings with them.</p><p>----------------------------------</p><p>See I told you it was intriguing! :) Greg also has written a book entitled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310282926?ie=UTF8&tag=kwikmind-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0310282926">TACTICS: A Game Plan for Discussing your Christian Convictions</a></p> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-44177653698354328132010-07-30T16:40:00.000-04:002010-07-29T00:37:37.903-04:00The Church and Apple<div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; "><a href="http://www.leadingsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Apple-Dell.jpg" style="color: rgb(2, 40, 149); text-decoration: underline; "><img align="left" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-5728" title="Fast Company" src="http://www.leadingsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Apple-Dell-300x224.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="224" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; " /></a>Another from Tim Stevens at <a href="http://www.leadingsmart.com/2010/07/should-the-church-have-more-in-common-with-apple.html">Leading Smart</a>... </p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">I have friends who are Apple evangelists. For them, stock in Apple is like gold, an iPhone is akin to a magic wand, and Steve Jobs is the messiah.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">I’d like to think I’m more balanced. I carry an iPhone, but use a Dell laptop. I like the Mac operating system–but actually prefer using Windows 7.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">Regardless of whether you are on Team Apple or not, from a business model Apple can’t help but garner your respect. I thoroughly enjoyed <a title="Link to original article" href="http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/147/apple-nation.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 40, 149); text-decoration: underline; ">Apple Nation</a>, a recent article in Fast Company magazine. Some interesting quotes…</p><blockquote style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-style: italic; "><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">Apple’s engineers spend 100% of their time making projects planned by a small club of senior managers–and sometimes entirely by Jobs himself. The CEO appoints himself the de facto product manager for every important release.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-style: italic; "><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">Apple sets its own agenda and tunes out the tech wags–competitors, industry observers, analysts, bloggers, and journalists who constantly spew torrents of advice, huzzahs, and brickbats in its direction. Behind its doors, Apple can ignore us all.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="font-size: 12px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-style: italic; "><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">Steve Jobs primary role at Apple is to turn things down. Every day, the CEO is presented with ideas for new products and new features within existing ones. The default answer is no. Every engineer who has gone over a product with him has a story about how quickly Jobs reaches for the DELETE key. “I’m as proud of the products that we have not done as the ones we have done,” Jobs told an interviewer in 2004.</p></blockquote><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">So much of this makes sense for a for-profit company, and is the reason for Apple’s success. But I have some questions about how it might translate in the church world…</p><ul style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-type: disc; "><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">If the senior pastor at your church was the primary creative director and had veto power for everything–is that a church you would enjoy attending? Would you want to work on a staff for that pastor?</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">I wonder if members/attendees at many churches think similar thoughts– “Behind its doors, the staff/elders of this church ignore us all.” In the church world–is that good? Or is that a weakness?</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; ">At Apple, the “default answer is no.” Would churches run better if they said “no” to more opportunities? Do we tend to get so broad that we lose impact?</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 18px; font-size: 12px; ">Your turn–what do you think?</p><div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?a=vnlRNa35W1Y:pieComL9pXs:yIl2AUoC8zA" style="color: rgb(2, 40, 149); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?a=vnlRNa35W1Y:pieComL9pXs:7Q72WNTAKBA" style="color: rgb(2, 40, 149); text-decoration: underline; "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0" /></a></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/leadingsmart/~4/vnlRNa35W1Y" height="1" width="1" /></span></div><style type="text/css"> body{padding:0; margin:0;} a {color:#022895; text-decoration:underline;} a:hover {text-decoration:none;} h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,p,li { color: #333333; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } h1 { font-size:26px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:20px; margin-top:20px; } h2 { font-size:23px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:18px; } h3 { font-size:20px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } h4 { font-size:18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } h5 { font-size:18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } h6 { font-size:18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } p { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#000000; margin:0 0 18px; line-height:18px; font-size:12px; } p img { margin:10px 10px 10px 0; padding: 0; } ul { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-type:disc; } ol { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-type:decimal; } li { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin:5px 0 5px 0; font-size:12px; color:#000000;} blockquote { font-size:12px; margin:15px; color:#666666; font-style:italic; } blockquote p{ color:#666;} cite {font-size:12px; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold;} pre,code { margin: 1.5em 0; white-space: pre; } pre,code,tt { font: 12px 'andale mono', 'monotype.com', 'lucida console', monospace; line-height: 1.5; } tt { display: block; margin: 1.5em 0; line-height: 1.5; } #top-msg a, #bottom-msg a{ text-decoration:none; color:#888888; } /* tables -------------------------------------------------------------- */ td.content table { margin-bottom: 10px; } td.content th { border-bottom: 2px solid #cccccc; font-weight: bold; font-size:12px; } td.content td { border-bottom: 1px solid #dddddd; font-size:12px;} td.content th,td { padding: 4px 10px 4px 0; } td.content tfoot { font-style:italic; } td.content caption { background:#ffcccc; } </style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-45018147544013798942010-07-23T11:13:00.003-04:002010-07-29T00:29:58.593-04:00Wherever You Are…Be Fully There<div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br />Here's a post by Tim Stevens of Grainger Community Church. This is something I've thought about for some time. Thanks Tim! You can read Tim's blog <a href="http://www.leadingsmart.com/">here</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><a href="http://www.leadingsmart.com/"></a><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="text-align: left;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td height="20" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><hr width="100%" size="1" noshade="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></td></tr><tr><td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/leadingsmart/~3/v8Z0eP5WLU4/wherever-you-are-be-fully-there.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(1, 28, 159); font-size: 20px; line-height: 23px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Wherever You Are…Be Fully There</a></span><br />by Tim Stevens<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size:11px;">July 22, 2010 at 7:19 AM</span><br /></td></tr><tr><td height="20" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><hr width="100%" size="1" noshade="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></td></tr><tr><td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><p><a href="http://www.leadingsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/texting.jpg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img title="texting" src="http://www.leadingsmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/texting-252x300.jpg" alt="" width="252" height="300" /></a>Teens get a lot of grief about how much time they spend on their phones. I hear adults say, “They never put their phones down!” or “He is texting non-stop!” or “I bet she couldn’t live a day without her phone.” But in truth, teens do what teens see. And I see adults every day who belittle others because of bad phone habits.</p><p>One day last year I got up before daylight, and spent hours traveling by plane to go across the country for the sole purpose of a one-hour meeting with some leaders for whom I have huge respect. During the meeting, there were several occasions when each of those leaders picked up their phone to read or type. At the same time, they glanced up at me on occasion as I was talking, said “uh huh,” then continued to “thumble” with their phone. I’m not a touchy-feely type of guy, but on that day I felt devalued. I walked away from that meeting purposed in my heart to never do that to anyone.</p><p>Here are a few habits I appreciate in others and try to put to practice…</p><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">When you start a meeting, turn your ringer off and move it away from you. If the screen comes to life when you get a text–then put the phone upside down so you won’t see it. If it is likely to vibrate, then put it somewhere it can’t be felt or heard.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">If your phone does vibrate during the meeting and your guest says, “Go ahead and take that if you need to” — reach down and silence it without even looking. This communicates to your guest that they are very valuable to you.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Don’t buy into the “what if there is an emergency?” line. Rarely does that happen. It’s not a good excuse for having to look at your phone multiple times through every meeting.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">If you know you will need to be reached during the meeting, let your guest know, “My wife is at the doctors office and may need to reach me, so I apologize in advance that I’ll be taking her call when it comes.” That tells your guest this is an exception–you wouldn’t normally do this.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">If you are in a meeting with multiple people–follow the same rules. Don’t convince yourself that your participation isn’t needed right now so you can disengage and respond to texts or play your next turn in Words With Friends.We fool ourselves into thinking we can multitask, or that our disengagement won’t be noticed for a few minutes. Not true.</li></ul><p>I’m not saying phones are evil or every time you use your phone you are devaluing others. I’m a heavy smart-phone user. Your phone doesn’t need to be out of sight every time you interact with another human. There are times when I’m sitting around with 5 or 6 friends or family members and every one of us has a phone out. That’s part of the 21st century. I think it can actually enhance the conversation and social interaction. But there are times when you have limited interaction with others when you should be ALL there.</p><p>It’s about valuing people. And sometimes that means we are looking in their eyes and being fully engaged so we can really listen to their story and hear their heart.</p><p>Think about it.</p><div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?a=v8Z0eP5WLU4:KdjZxy8uv78:yIl2AUoC8zA" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?a=v8Z0eP5WLU4:KdjZxy8uv78:7Q72WNTAKBA" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/leadingsmart?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span><br /></div><style type="text/css"> body{padding:0; margin:0;} a {color:#022895; text-decoration:underline;} a:hover {text-decoration:none;} h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,p,li { color: #333333; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } h1 { font-size:26px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:20px; margin-top:20px; } h2 { font-size:23px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:18px; } h3 { font-size:20px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } h4 { font-size:18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } h5 { font-size:18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } h6 { font-size:18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom:16px; } p { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#000000; margin:0 0 18px; line-height:18px; font-size:12px; } p img { margin:10px 10px 10px 0; padding: 0; } ul { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-type:disc; } ol { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; list-style-type:decimal; } li { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin:5px 0 5px 0; font-size:12px; color:#000000;} blockquote { font-size:12px; margin:15px; color:#666666; font-style:italic; } blockquote p{ color:#666;} cite {font-size:12px; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold;} pre,code { margin: 1.5em 0; white-space: pre; } pre,code,tt { font: 12px 'andale mono', 'monotype.com', 'lucida console', monospace; line-height: 1.5; } tt { display: block; margin: 1.5em 0; line-height: 1.5; } #top-msg a, #bottom-msg a{ text-decoration:none; color:#888888; } /* tables -------------------------------------------------------------- */ td.content table { margin-bottom: 10px; } td.content th { border-bottom: 2px solid #cccccc; font-weight: bold; font-size:12px; } td.content td { border-bottom: 1px solid #dddddd; font-size:12px;} td.content th,td { padding: 4px 10px 4px 0; } td.content tfoot { font-style:italic; } td.content caption { background:#ffcccc; } </style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-33853807704893464522010-07-14T21:32:00.004-04:002010-07-14T21:39:37.769-04:007 Ways to Make Life Changing Decisions<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 19px; font-family:Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><table><tbody><tr><td style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4em; "> <p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; "><a name="129d336850d1b2eb_1" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LifeHack/~3/6b_kxvq6bis/7-ways-to-make-life-changing-decisions.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; ">7 Ways to Make Life Changing Decisions</a></p> <div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><p><img title="Sunrise" src="http://assets.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2010/07/sunrise.jpg" alt="" width="465" height="334" /></p> <p>Most people don't know the profound effects of making decisions. Often times, we go through life oblivious to what thoughts we are thinking and what actions we are taking. Every single decision we make in our days shapes our current reality. It shapes who we are as a person because we habitually follow through with the decisions we make without even realizing it.</p> <p>If you're unhappy with the results in your life right now, making the effort to changing your decisions starting today will be the key to creating the person you want to be and the life you want to have in the future. Let's talk about a few ways you can go about making life changing decisions.</p> <h2>1. Realize the power of decision making.</h2><p>Before you start making a decision, you have to understand what a decision does. Any decision that you make causes a chain of events to happen. When you decide to pick up a cigarette to smoke it, that decision might result in you picking up another one later on to get that same high feeling. After a day, you may have gone through a pack without knowing it. But if you decide not to smoke that first cigarette and make a decision every five minutes to focus your attention somewhere else when you get that craving, after doing this for a week, your cravings will eventually subside and you will become smoke-free. But it comes down to making that very first decision of deciding whether or not to pick up that cigarette.</p> <h2>2. Go with your gut.</h2><p>Often times, we take too much time to make a decision because we're afraid of what's going to happen. As a result of this, we go through things like careful planning, deep analysis, and pros and cons before deciding. This is a very time consuming process. Instead, learn to trust your gut instinct. For the most part, your first instinct is usually the one that is correct or the one that you truly wanted to go with. Even if you end up making a mistake, going with your gut still makes you a more confident decision maker compared to someone who takes all day to decide.</p> <h2>3. Carry your decision out.</h2><p>When you make a decision, act on it. Commit to making a real decision. What's a real decision? It's when you decide on something, and that decision is carried out through action. It's pointless to make a decision and have it played out in your head, but not doing anything about it. That's the same as not making a decision at all. If you want to make real changes in life, you have to make it a habit to apply action with your decision until it's completed. By going through this so many times, you will feel more confident with accomplishing the next decision that you have in mind.</p> <h2>4. Tell others about your decisions.</h2><p>There's something about telling other people what we're going to do that makes us follow through. For example, for the longest time I've been trying to become an early riser and whenever I tried to use my own will power, waking up early without falling back asleep felt impossible. So what I did was I went to a forum and made the decision to tell people that I would wake up at 6 AM <em>and stay up</em>. Within two days, I was able to accomplish doing this because I felt a moral obligation to follow through with my words even though I failed the first time. Did people care? Probably not, but just the fact that there might be someone else out there seeing if you're telling the truth will give you enough motivation to following through with your decision.</p> <h2>5. Learn from your past decisions.</h2><p>Even after I failed to follow through my decision the first time when I told people I was going to wake up early and stay up, I didn't give up. I basically asked myself, "What can I do this time to make it work tomorrow? The truth is you are going to mess up at times when it comes to making decisions and instead of beating yourself up over it, learn something from it. Ask yourself, what was good about the decision I made? What was bad about it? What can I learn from it so I can make a better decision next time? Remember, don't put so much emphasis focusing on short term effects; instead focus on the long term effects.</p> <h2>6. Maintain a flexible approach.</h2><p>I know this might sound counter-intuitive, but making a decision doesn't mean that you can't be open to other options. For example, let's say you made the decision to lose ten pounds by next month through cardio. If something comes up, you don't have to <em>just</em> do cardio. You can be open to losing weight through different methods of dieting as long as it helps you reach your goal in the end. Don't be stubborn to seek out only one way of making a decision. Embrace any new knowledge that brings you closer to accomplishing your initial decision.</p> <h2>7. Have fun making decisions.</h2><p>Finally, enjoy the process. I know decision-making might not be the most fun thing world to do, but when you do it often, it becomes a game of opportunity. You'll learn a lot about yourself on the way, you'll feel and become a lot more confident when you're with yourself and around others, and making decisions will just become a lot easier after you do it so often that you won't even think about it.</p> <p>Anything you decide to do from this point on can have a profound effect later on. Opportunities are always waiting for you. Examine the decisions that you currently have in the day. <strong>Are there any that can be changed to improve your life in some way? Are there any decisions that you can make today that can create a better tomorrow?</strong></p> <h6 style="text-align: right; "><span style="font-weight: normal; ">Image: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesjordan/1531979022/sizes/m/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><span style="font-weight: normal; ">James Jordan</span></a></h6> <hr /><p><em>Hulbert Lee writes an inspiration blog at <a href="http://frombottomup.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); ">From Bottom Up</a>. The people he writes about include famous entrepreneurs, famous celebrities, and famous leaders. If there's one message that these people can offer, he wants to deliver that message to his readers to inspire them and to help them succeed in life. Visit his blog <a href="http://frombottomup.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); ">here</a>.</em></p> <p><a href="http://www.lifehack.org/?p=11905&akst_action=share-this" title="E-mail this, post to del.icio.us, etc." rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); ">Share This</a></p><div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:D7DqB2pKExk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?i=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:D7DqB2pKExk" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:V_sGLiPBpWU" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?i=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?i=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:qj6IDK7rITs" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?i=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:H0mrP-F8Qgo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?d=H0mrP-F8Qgo" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:cGdyc7Q-1BI" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?d=cGdyc7Q-1BI" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?a=6b_kxvq6bis:3rf5IjCfUs4:w5D5mtFXw10" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 81, 168); "><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/LifeHack?d=w5D5mtFXw10" border="0" /></a></div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-90081433287348841082010-07-13T11:59:00.005-04:002010-07-13T12:10:33.585-04:00What if our Church Members were Debt Free?That's the question Tony Morgan asks at his blog, <a href="http://tonymorganlive.com/">tonymorganlive.com</a>.<div><br />So many people who attend not only ours, but many churches, have money struggles. Statistics show that about 40 to 70% of our church attendees are struggling with their finances and debt. But, what if our Church Members were Debt Free?</div><div><br />Some of the answers are:<br /><ul><li>Less stress</li><li>Freedom to pursue some God-given dreams</li><li>Ability to fund some shared God-given dreams between the people and their church</li></ul>Quoting Joe Sangl, he says, <i>"When people are financially free, they are much more likely to go do exactly what they have been put on Earth to do — regardless of income potential."</i><br /><br /></div><div>What do you think? Would Warwick Assembly be a stronger and more vibrant community if this were true... I'd like to hear your comments.<br /><br />(for the full article go to <a href="http://tonymorganlive.com/2010/07/13/what-would-happen-if-the-people-in-our-churches-were-debt-free/">http://tonymorganlive.com</a>)<br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-2991924950387834092010-04-01T12:22:00.002-04:002010-04-01T12:25:40.588-04:00Quote of the DayJust found this quote... <br /><br /><blockquote>“Everytime you forgive someone who hurt you, encourage someone who feels defeated, extend compassion to someone who stands alone, confront someone in love, open your heart to a friend, reconcile with an enemy, devote time to a child, you align yourself with God’s central purpose in this world.” – <span style="font-weight:bold;">John Ortberg</span></blockquote><br /><br />As we celebrate Jesus' resurrection, let's be people who are indeed aligned with God's purposes in this world!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-19309821601218019172009-06-20T23:04:00.006-04:002009-06-20T23:21:39.592-04:00A Christian Faith without Christ?<a href="http://bit.ly/XKxlh"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Jjw6qXIHL._SL160_.jpg" align="left" border="0" /></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kwikmind-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0801013186" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" width="1" height="1" /> When a writer says<br /><blockquote>"a moralistic religion of self-salvation is our default setting as fallen creatures. If we are not explicitly and regularly taught out of it, we will always turn the message of God's rescue operation into a message of self-help."</blockquote>you know you're not reading something to make you feel good, but a rather a prophetic call. A call to return to the unadulterated gospel of salvation.<br /><br /><a href="http://bit.ly/XKxlh">Christless Christianity</a> by Michael HortonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-89720907470285948982009-06-12T22:52:00.010-04:002009-06-13T00:11:11.621-04:00Four Dynamics of Effective Sermons<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCp_bKpkBVvI93BHr4JHHlsWaErY8qYGBz45nFEBDTWkcOi7gpZ6O3c7tgVOp0mQQgTIdJms_WPdWuFCLhEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />The video was a little rough, I know. I think I'll get better with time :) But I hope it's helpful to you.<br /><br />Another site you might find interesting is "<a href="http://www.kwikmind.com/sermons.html">Sermon World</a>" where you can have outstanding sermon outlines and Powerpoints delivered to your "inbox" every week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kwikmind.com/sermons.html">Sermon World</a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-17750576544760371402008-12-08T13:08:00.001-05:002008-12-08T13:08:21.217-05:00Playing for Change - "Stand by Me"<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Watched an interview by Bill Moyers with Mark Johnson of playingforchange.com... what an awesome project. Enjoy!<br/><br/><div class='youtube-video'><object height='355' width='425'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/Us-TVg40ExM' name='movie'> </param><param value='transparent' name='wmode'> </param><embed height='355' width='425' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/Us-TVg40ExM'> </embed> </object></div><div align='center'><br/><br/>Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me"</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-35578761214059136032008-11-05T11:29:00.003-05:002008-11-05T11:57:41.093-05:00Why I am thankful and hopeful this morning…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOPg7qCh0k8U3L3l2f2DH9OHkgoIHEUes6OrW1RYs0HZUbcTfmN1FgqhhehCdlGRVrGHNYrn33A7dzaBURM9A7AmIK3G4DUPNt1H40vOgh74nJVx8KQDrpltY_GKco1NPL1r8AC-WiMYB/s1600-h/flagspeople.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOPg7qCh0k8U3L3l2f2DH9OHkgoIHEUes6OrW1RYs0HZUbcTfmN1FgqhhehCdlGRVrGHNYrn33A7dzaBURM9A7AmIK3G4DUPNt1H40vOgh74nJVx8KQDrpltY_GKco1NPL1r8AC-WiMYB/s320/flagspeople.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265212547296888514" /></a>This presidential election cycle has been an exciting one to say the least. The American people have spoken and this morning is the beginning of a new era in the life of our nation. With the election of Barack Obama to the office of president of the United States, we have once again shown ourselves to be “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. Regardless of one’s political preference, we can truly say that we are living in a grand historical moment. <br /><br />Last evening, after the announcement of Senator Obama’s victory, I remarked on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1218566051&ref=profile">Facebook page</a> that I was proud of my country and hopeful for the future. That comment spurred a long time friend to ask, “Are you serious?” My answer was “Most definitely” and here’s why…<br /><br />This morning, I am <span style="font-weight:bold;">thankful</span>… I am thankful that we live in a country where everyone, regardless of race or creed has the opportunity to aspire to the highest office in the land. And I am thankful that, 43 years after the <span style="font-style:italic;">"Selma to Montgomery March"</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">“Bloody Sunday”</span>, we can proudly say that we have a person of color soon to serve as the president of the United States of America. <br /><br />And this morning, I am also <span style="font-weight:bold;">hopeful</span>… I am hopeful because as a nation we are exhibiting to our world, a world so fractured by partisan, racial and sectarian strife, that even though we may hold varying opinions on important matters we can still stand together as one people. I am hopeful because, along with the ancient writers of scripture, I believe that it is God who sets up and removes leaders. And, lastly, I am hopeful because I serve One who promised his people “a hope and a future”. <br /><br />In light of all this, there is one primary thing I can and will do… I can <span style="font-weight:bold;">PRAY</span>. I am reminded that, as a follower of Christ, I am called to pray for my leaders. I will pray for President-elect Obama. I will pray for protection, wisdom, and God’s guidance in his life as he prepares to lead our great nation. And I will pray for this country as we move forward into the as yet unknown opportunities and challenges of the future. <br /><br />So, yes… I am thankful and I am hopeful… with no apologies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-22237690044159621592008-11-04T15:14:00.002-05:002008-11-04T15:17:51.693-05:00Kung Fu Clown - An Election Day DiversionWow...<br /><br /><p align=center><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bksiiivwTLA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bksiiivwTLA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><br /><br />What a great country we live in! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-51869866000568186962008-10-26T00:14:00.002-04:002008-10-26T00:17:30.894-04:00Wow... My picture is in Sam Farina's Blog...Well actually it's the back of my head as well as the back of Julie's head. Second picture down: <a href="http://samfarina.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-joy-as-vicki-and-i-trained-coaches.html">http://samfarina.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-joy-as-vicki-and-i-trained-coaches.html</a><br /><br />I'm famous! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-58762728078912381022008-09-23T12:09:00.004-04:002008-09-23T12:37:02.195-04:00Are you an avid reader? How about a digital ebook reader?<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1416542264?ie=UTF8&tag=kwikmind-20&linkCode=am2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1416542264"><img border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51XfaLkWjeL._SL160_.jpg" align="right"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kwikmind-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416542264" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />My wife is an avid reader (Vince Flynn, Dean Koontz, etc). Sometimes she has up to 4 books going at the same time. With the iPod she got as a gift from the kids, she now has discovered the ease of listening to audio books. So in addition to having 3-4 physical books going on, she also has one going on her ipod as well! She is amazing.<br /><br />The thing with physical books though is that they eventually find their way to your already crowded bookshelf. How would it be if you could put a large part of your library in the palm of your hand? And be able to switch through them without having to put the previous one down? How would it be to be able to read a magazine or newspaper practically instantaneously by simply tapping on your "book", no matter where you are? Well, that is now possible with something called "digital ebook readers". There are several on the market today with more being developed. You can find some reviews at <a href="http://www.digitalreaderreports.com.index.php">DigitalReaderReports.com</a> which you may find helpful.<br /><br />A popular reader is the <a href="http://www.digitalreaderreports.com/sony-reader.php">PRS-505</a> developed by the <a href="http://www.digitalreaderreports.com/sony-reader.php">Sony Corporation</a>. It is small and lightweight. Along with the <a href="http://www.digitalreaderreports.com/amazon-kindle.php">Amazon Kindle</a> (considered the best on the market) it features a "paper-like" look on the screen.<br /><br />Although I don't currently own a digital ebook reader, the whole concept intrigues me. What about you? Would you like something like a digital ebook reader? Or do you prefer the feel, look, and smell of a book in your hands? Comment below...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-74706441063182067072008-09-11T13:57:00.003-04:002008-09-11T15:57:53.993-04:00Self DefinitionOn this day 7 years ago, we witnessed the horrendous tragedy that we now call "Nine Eleven". During a time of silent contemplation as I gathered with a number of colleagues in ministry, I was reminded of something I heard in a Charlie Rose interview with Thomas L. Friedman (author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312425074?ie=UTF8&tag=kwikmind-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312425074">The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=kwikmind-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0312425074" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" />). In that interview Friedman said something like this:<br /><blockquote>Since that fateful day seven years ago, we as a nation have defined ourselves through the lens of that event rather than through the lens of the "Fourth of July". </blockquote>This morning I thought that so often even <span style="font-style: italic;">we as individuals</span> get our self-definition from the tragic events of our lives rather than the hope we have in Christ! Lord help us to know who we are in you, and not be defined by the things that happen to us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-60405552944991469622008-09-10T13:06:00.002-04:002008-09-10T13:17:14.130-04:00"Deception Pass"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx17bDtD4jRCNZM8SpSZw7Lfkiw6tJHShUFVcxaxkUo9FB8jgZaFJhG0y8AlhdIPqm_3QgbPkJqEixoh1WYfg7qL_5duLmURtIxXdXidOSt0RFl6NmHH20faNtQULgDXtcdaALObz5rty/s1600-h/DeceptionPass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx17bDtD4jRCNZM8SpSZw7Lfkiw6tJHShUFVcxaxkUo9FB8jgZaFJhG0y8AlhdIPqm_3QgbPkJqEixoh1WYfg7qL_5duLmURtIxXdXidOSt0RFl6NmHH20faNtQULgDXtcdaALObz5rty/s320/DeceptionPass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244442734986870290" border="0" /></a><br />Deception Pass is at the northern tip of Whidbey Island in the state of Washington. While on our vacation out west, Julie & I took a daytrip from the Pass down the length of Whidbey to the the Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-81557156147679180812008-06-04T13:36:00.002-04:002008-06-04T14:33:17.635-04:00Circle of Quiet<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Today as I was reading from the Psalms, I came across this incredible phrase in Psalm 94. It's out of <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_sp?event=AFF&p=1014720&sp=65298">THE MESSAGE</a>...<br /><br />God provides <i>"a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil</i>". (94:13)<br /><br />Every day, every moment, on every side, we are bombarded by the clamor of evil. Things vying for our attention calling us to look away from what really matters. In the midst of all that our Creator has provided that circle of quiet from which we can draw strength for the day and the resources necessary to live out God's best. Get into the circle!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-15813388935719887762008-05-31T15:07:00.002-04:002008-05-31T15:39:20.219-04:00LIFE 101 – AN EXPLORATION OF GENESIS 1-3<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I'm excited about a new series of messages that I'll be teaching each Sunday throughout the summer months beginning tomorrow. I have entitled the series:<br /><b><br />LIFE 101 – AN EXPLORATION OF GENESIS 1-3</b><br /><img src="http://www.bestbiblecommentaries.com/images/thefall.jpg" style="max-width: 800px;" title="" alt="" align="right" height="" width="200" /><br />Did you know that the first three chapters of the biblical book of Genesis are a key to understanding the ultimate meaning of Life!<br />Yes... I really mean that... Think about it -- Genesis 1-3 deals with...<br /><br /><ul><li>Creation,</li><li>The Environment,</li><li>Life’s Purpose,</li><li>Relationships,</li><li>Work,</li><li>Sin,</li><li>Redemption and</li><li>So Much MORE!!!</li></ul><br />It's true... these first three chapters of this ancient book encompasses the answers we human beings are looking for.<br /><br />Join me each Sunday at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.warwickag.com/">Warwick Assembly of God</a> throughout the summer months as we journey together through this important part of Holy Scripture.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-56860116857079112712008-05-29T14:59:00.001-04:002008-05-29T14:59:18.354-04:00A Divine Encounter<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><img src='http://docs.google.com/File?id=dg8vs39f_113cwm4qggr_b' style='margin: 1em 0pt 0pt 1em; width: 250px; height: 313px; float: right;' id='x4zf'/><font size='4' id='wzo10'><b id='kb_80'>A Divine Encounter </b></font> <br id='ii_00'/><br id='ii_01'/>On Saturday April 26, I had the privilege of being a presenter at the Hudson Valley Leadership Summit. My workshop, attended by about 25 people, was entitled "Being Church in a Media Driven Culture". In about 50 minutes we surveyed the history of media (from Icons to Ipods) and explored the impact our digital culture has upon the way we do church today. It was a blast.<br id='fw920'/><br id='fw921'/>At the final session of the day (our keynote speaker was Rev. Charles Crabtree, former Assistant Superintendent of the Assemblies of God and now president of Zion Bible College), all the pastors were asked to stand. Then others in attendance were invited to lay hands on them and pray. As I closed my eyes, I felt the warmth of a hand on my right shoulder and heard a voice with obvious "African inflections" (I've been to Africa and have several African friends) begin to pray for me. Almost immediately, my eyes began to well up in tears and I sensed the presence of God in a way I haven't felt it in a long time. I don't know who that brother was nor do I remember what he prayed, but I sensed God saying to me that he has his hand on my life and ministry. I know it sounds rather trite, but it was a powerful experience for me. <br id='pj250'/><br id='pj251'/>I have learned a long time ago, that we can not manufacture those divine encounters nor should we try to "conjure" them up through all kind of spiritual gymnastics. God is God. God is sovereign. We just need to be open to Him doing in us what he wants and when he wants. <div style='padding: 1em 0pt; text-align: left;' id='zyks'><div style='padding: 1em 0pt; text-align: left;' id='pvcr'><br id='fjwy0'/></div><br id='csub1'/></div><br id='ii_02'/></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9049920460094119535.post-65862253273243577462007-12-05T13:40:00.000-05:002007-12-05T14:19:10.191-05:00What Would Jesus Buy?Have you heard of Reverend Billy from the "Church of Stop Shopping"? Well there is a movie out for the Christmas Season titled "<a href="http://www.wwjbmovie.com/" target=_new>What would Jesus buy?</a>". The movie is by Morgan Spurlock of "Super Size It" fame and features Reverend Billy and his crusade to recapture Christmas from the clutches of consumerism. Looks like great stuff!<br /><br /><object height="373" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FCQEhqZO-gE&rel=0&color1=0xd6d6d6&color2=0xf0f0f0&border=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FCQEhqZO-gE&rel=0&color1=0xd6d6d6&color2=0xf0f0f0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="373" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is an interview of Morgan by Rick McKinley who is Pastor Imago Dei Community in Portland, Oregon. Good Stuff!<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NEaDUQlIlGA&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NEaDUQlIlGA&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />In what ways have you modified your Christmas spending this year? Let's talk!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0