Don’t Waste Your Time With Image Management

Posted by Larry in

All of us have an image of the person that we want to be. If you are a mom you have an image of how you want your children to see you, how your husband sees you in this role, how other moms view you, how your mother will view you, how your grandmother will view you, how you want the pastor to view you, etc…  If you are a dad its the same thing. You have an image of the man that you want everyone to see when they picture you in that roll. Your wife, your children, your dad, your grandfather, other dads, etc…
The problem is that sometimes there is a gap between our preferred image and who we really are. The person we put out to everyone else isn't the "real me" or the “real you.”
You and I can spend our time doing image management or character development.

   Image Management- covering up the person that we are in hopes that everyone else will believe that we are the person that we know we should be. 

    Character Development- being honest about the person that you are; and trusting God to help you become the person that you should be.
What is your response to these questions?
Are you just trying to blend in?
Are you trying to cover something up?
Are you pretending to be someone you are not?
Are you withholding half the truth?
Are you feeling guilty?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions there may be a gap between the person that you are and the person that you want everyone else to believe that you are?
Take action today to take off any masks that you might be wearing and show the “real you.”

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Free Leadership Conference Hosted By Catalyst and Leadership Network – The Nines

Posted by Larry

Leadership Network presents
The Nines from Todd Rhoades on Vimeo.

Catalyst and Leadership Network are partnering together to offer a free online leadership conference – The Nines. You will be able to access the conference from home or the office on your computer. The conference will begin on 9/9/09 (that’s the Tuesday following Labor Day) at 9:09am CDT.
Here is the time for your time zone:
Sept. 9, 10:09 AM EDT Eastern Time
Sept. 9, 09:09 AM CDT Central Time
Sept. 9, 08:09 AM MDT Mountain Time
Sept. 9, 07:09 AM PDT Pacific Time
Sept. 9, 06:09 AM AKDT Alaska Time
Sept. 9, 05:09 AM HAST Hawaii-Aleutian Time
You must be registered for this event. Click here to register for free right now.
The conference will consist of 9 minute videos of today’s best church leaders and communicators. It will be a fantastic event.
Confirmed Speakers as of August 24:
Reggie McNeal (Leadership Network)
Perry Noble (NewSpring Church)
Leonard Sweet (Author/Speaker)
Ed Stetzer (Lifeway Research)
Mark Batterson (National Community Church)
Alan Hirsch (Forge Mission Training Network)
Dino Rizzo (Healing Place Church)
Greg Surratt (Seacoast Church)
Sam Chand (Sam Chand Ministries)
Jon Tyson (Trinity Grace Church, NYC)
Reggie Joiner (CCO, reThink)
Nancy Ortberg (TeamWorx2)
Mike Breaux (Heartland Church)
Pete Wilson (Cross Point Church)
Neil Cole (Church Multiplication Associates)
Jenni Catron (Cross Point Church)
Noel Heikkinen (Riverview Church)
David Foster (The Gathering)
Mark Bankord (Heartland Community Church)
John Bishop (Living Waters Church)
Rick Rusaw (LifeBridge Church)
Geoff Surratt (Seacoast Church)
Jim Tomberlin (Third Quarter Consulting)
Anne Jackson (FlowerDust.net)
Naeem Fazal (Mosaic Church)
John Coulombe (First Ev Free Fullerton)
Teresa McBean (NorthStar Community Church)
Jason Cusick (Faith Church)
Bambi Encarnacion (First Ev Free Fullerton)
Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church)
Judy West (Windsor Crossing Church)
Scott Wilson (The Oaks Fellowship)
Amy Hanson(Author/Speaker)
Toby Slough (Cross Timbers Church)
Troy Gramling (Flamingo Road Church)
Scott Nickell (Flatirons Community Church)
Jorge Acevedo (Grace Church)
Matt Williams (Grace Church Greenville)
Bob Roberts (Northwood Church)
Dave Ferguson (Community Christian Church)
Matt Carter (The Austin Stone Church)
Lawrence Aker (Cornerstone Baptist Church)
Dan Kimball (Vintage Faith Church)
Ken Fong (Evergreen Baptist Church)
Bill Easum (Easum & Associates)
Bryan Carter (Concord Church)
Jim Burgen (Flatirons Community Church)
Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church)
Chip Henderson (Pine Lake Church)
Jeffrey Johnson (Eastern Star Church)
Jim Sheppard (Generis)
Brad Bell (The Well)
Brian Bloye (Westridge Church)
Steve Robinson (Church of the King)
Stacy Spencer (New Direction Christian Fellowship)
Bil Cornelius (Bay Area Fellowship)
Margaret Feinberg (Author/Speaker)
JD Greear (Summit Church)
Scott Hodge (Orchard Valley Church)
Greg Holder (Windsor Crossing Church)
John Ortberg (Menlo Park Presbyterian)
Darrin Patrick (The Journey)
Michael Trent (Third Place)
Steven Furtick (Elevation Church)
Brad Powell (NorthRidge Church)
Matt Fry (C3 Church)
Larry Osborne (North Coast Church)
Brian McLaren (Author/Speaker)
Mark DeYmaz (Mosaic Church)
Skye Jenthani (Author/Speaker)
Eric Bryant (Mosaic)
You can register for FREE! Click here.

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How To Make Someone Feel Like A Champion Today

Posted by Larry in

Kingdom Hearts BoxshotMy son has been playing the game Kingdom Hearts for PS2 lately. He got it for Christmas and has taken quite some time to actually pour himself into it. Well like any new activity there is a learning curve. There are things that he finds easier to accomplish than others and there are things that at first seem almost impossible to overcome.
This morning he must have been dealing with one of the more difficult tasks. He walked up and asked if I could help him with the game and then he began to describe the difficulty he was having. As he concluded his remarks he said, “That’s why I need your help, you are usually good at stuff like that.”
As I listened to my son talk I only got confused as he was trying to describe his plight with the game. However, when he told me that he needed my help and gave the impression that I had a strength he could utilize I felt like Superman. Now, you must know that I am not a gamer. Until we purchased our first game console for our children a couple of years ago I had not played video games since I was a child. I wasn’t even sure I could help him, but his words made me feel like a champion.
That leads me to ask you…
What admirable qualities and strengths do you recognize in others?
When you recognize those qualities in someone today why not brag on them. Let them and others know what you see that is so great. If you do this, you will have less time to point out their faults and in the long run you will probably find yourself with more friends and less enemies.

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Preview The Book FEARLESS By Max Lucado

Posted by Larry in

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear. They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out? Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.
Can you imagine your life without fear?
I will be posting my review of this book on September 8.







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5 Reasons Why People Create And Provide Artistic Expression

Posted by Larry in


  1. Pleasure-it provides personal fulfillment and gratification
  2. To express their inner thoughts
  3. To express mood
  4. As a form of communication
  5. To provide a more welcome and suitable environment

Just yesterday I shared with you a poem by my friend Megan. Her words were just an expression of her personal walk with Christ. I hope that story has encouraged you to do the same. To create and give expression of yourself into the world around you that it might be forever changed.
What could you create with one of the motivators above. To better help you, let us look at each one in the form of a question.
What is it that brings you joy?
Perhaps you could clean out your daughter’s closet, rob the cushions from the living room couch, lay them in the closet, drape a sheet over the door way, and create a comfortable hide away that is sure to make any 6 year old smile.
What is on your mind?
Perhaps you could create a letter that expresses you opinion about what is going on in your state or national government and send it too you representative.
What are you feeling right now? What is going on in your life?
Perhaps you are feeling lonely and you need to create a friendship. Today would be a great day to pick up the phone and call or text someone and plan a fun outing.
What is it that you feel like you need say?
Perhaps you could create a video of yourself and share some favorite memories of your life to be shared with friends and family at your funeral.

Where do you spend most of your time?
Perhaps there are some things in your home or on the job that could be done to make life better for you and for others. Perhaps you could create a calm atmosphere by changing your attitude. Perhaps you could create resting place for the family by cleaning up the living room.

Have fun creating!!!

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How Do You Give Expression To Your Walk With Christ

Posted by Larry in

The words below are from my friend Megan. She said that God woke her up around 5am a couple of days ago and then she sat down and wrote the words to the poem you are about to read. With her permission I am excited to share this work of art with you because it is confirmation for me that God is still inspiring His creation to be creators. He is still working to give the world a fresh glimpse of his character, his holiness, and his majesty through individuals that will dare to share their walk of faith with the rest of us.

BEAUTIFUL PLANS
by: Megan (age 16)
Tonight I lie awake
Like many of my nights before
God, I don't know why You give and take away
But I know once my heart laid shattered on the floor

So many thoughts run through my head
But Lord, I've remembered every word You've said

Thoughts of how You awakened my weary soul
Without ever making me pay a toll

For right now, ALL I can do is try to sing myself to sleep
In the hopes that I will find Your Peace

I am beyond unworthy of this beautiful love You give
But it is in ONLY YOU that I live

I have fallen short of Your grace
But I have never stopped seeking Your face

And I have been unlovable
But You Oh God are unstoppable

You still love me
Because that's EXACTLY what I need

How beautiful Your love is for me
Thanks so much my SAVIOR who has set me free

I have NEVER been unloved
Thanks to the ALMIGHTY Emanuel above

"For I know the plans I have for you,"
He has beautiful plans for you too
Declares the LORD,
Calling like grace through the discord
"Plans to prosper You,"
Plans to make you succeed through
"And not to harm you."

But His plan will help and make you anew
"Plans to give you hope,"
"These plans will give you what you really want and need to cope
And a future."
With plans in which us He will nurture
-Jeremiah 29:11

Amen.


What have you created for God lately? Who did you share it with?


Megan is 16 years old and she is daring to share her walk of faith with the world around her. God wants each of us to have the same courage. Will you join Megan and begin to give expression to your relationship with your Creator?

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"A Note To Self "

Posted by Larry in

This is a powerful video! Please watch and think about your life. If you were to write a note to yourself at the age of 5 what would it say about the journey you would take? What would your priorities be? Just some food for thought.




If you write such a letter I would love to see it and even share it with the world via this blog if you would be comfortable with that.

Leave a comment. What are some things you would share with yourself?

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Is Television Satan’s Toolbox

Posted by Larry in

HUNTIK Secrets and Seekers
Long before recorded time, humanity was faced with an evil of unimaginable power. From the ranks of mankind arose the Seekers, those with strong will who could harness energies of the Spirit World and call forth an army of powerful Titans.

I have been watching this show (HUNTIK Secrets and Seekers) with my son over the past week on YouTube.  We do not have cable or satellite in our home so we pursue other avenues to meet our entertainment needs.  I stumbled across this show while searching for something else on YouTube and we decided to give it a try.  We have watched all 26 episodes that are posted and we both enjoyed the series very much.  So just today I was reading the above tag line along with some other information about the show and I realized that these words make me a little uneasy.  As a Christian I am very concerned about what my children think about the spiritual world.  I want them to have a Biblical view of such things.
It also occurred to me that others in Christian circles would even be critical of my choice to view this animated show with my children.  At which point I began to ask myself what other choices were out there from a Christian perspective.  I came up with Veggie Tales and Focus on the Family has the Last Chance Detectives series, but other than that I am at a loss.
So I think the question begs to be asked, “If the Church is supposed to be helping transform culture, why are we not leading the way with compelling messages in the medium that most people consume information (i.e. television or video)?”
Here is a list of the good qualities that I found in this show:
1)  Clear lines drawn between good and evil.
2)  One of the main characters experiences the power of receiving forgiveness and ultimately redemption.
3)  Good story line.
4)  Values loyalty
5)  Good portrayal of the family (Locke Lambert’s family)
6)  There is always a mission, a mystery to be solved, and of course bad guys that need a good martial arts butt kickin.
There are many other things that I found to be good qualities in this show.  I am not listing these things so that you will run out with your children and buy the DVDs or surf the net and watch it, but I do want to say that not all television is bad even if we do not agree with all aspects of the programming.  Now I am the first to tell you that we need to control what we consume because it effects the person that we are becoming so please hold the lectures.  But until Christians start leading the way in the market place of ideas we will have to learn to navigate this mine field the best we can.  If you have children, watch television with them and then talk to them about  the aspects of what you have just watched.  Teach them to think critically about what they consume and emphasize the qualities that line up with Christian values and bring to light those qualities that do not.

What have you been watching lately and why?  Is it the content, the genre, curiosity, etc…?

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40 New Backpacks For The 2009-2010 School Year

Posted by Larry in


Yesterday I had the privilege of dropping off 40 backpacks to the Dunbar Primary Center just a few blocks from our church. The school will have approximately 260 Kindergarten – 2nd grade students attending classes for the 2009-2010 school year. What seems like a little will go a long way for our small community and also for our church. I am not sure of the exact numbers, but there is a high percentage of children in the local school system that are in financial need and these are the type of folks that were close to the heart of Jesus. He was particularly eager to do for others what they could not do for themselves. As it should be with every church in the world.

I am excited to say that my church is making a shift in its priorities to focus more on the practical needs in our community. This is just one simple way that we can make life better for the community in which we live. I am continually praying that we can model the heart of Christ with our neighbors.

What about you? What have you been doing lately that would reflect a servants heart?

Make a list of the needs that you know of in your family, neighborhood, city, state, etc… and then challenge your family or church to do something about it. Just make sure you are willing to work, plan, and implement the plan. The world isn’t short on ideas, only courageous leaders to see them through.

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Take Some Steps To Bring Focus To Your Life

Posted by Larry in

Dr. Howard Hendricks said, “The secret of concentration is elimination.”
This season of my life is becoming a reflective season for me.  I am asking questions about what is important to me and evaluating whether or not I am being effective to do the things that I want to accomplish. 
I have noticed that life has a tendency to shift towards chaos and complexity.  We just continue to add things to life without ever evaluating why we do them; why we give attention to certain relationships; why we talk more than we act; etc… I am aware that there are certain things that are important to me and now I have to make decisions about what needs to be given up so that I can focus my time and energy on those things.
These are never easy decisions to make because I will have to give up some things that I enjoy doing to focus on what I think is most important.  Also, I know there will be resistance from others as they will want me to fit their mold.  But… God has given me stewardship over this life to live and one day I will be accountable.
What about you?  Are there things that you can or should give up to make your life more productive?
You could make a list of the key areas of your life and then list what is important for you to accomplish in each of those areas.  Then every three months you could take some time to evaluate if you are living the life you want to live.

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Daily Discipline Leads To Long Term Follow Through

Posted by Larry in

One thing I have noticed about myself is that I have a difficult time with long term follow through.  I cannot count the number of things in my life I have started and not finished.  As you might imagine this has left me feeling disappointed at times and wrestling with the guilt of my failure to complete or stick with things over the long haul.
I have reflected on many things over the past couple of weeks that I wish I had followed through with but didn’t. I know that if I had completed these things I would have more choices for the future.  That’s why writing this blog is so important to me.  It forces me to address an area of weakness in my character while focusing on an area of strength in the way God designed me. 
Committing to write a blog helps me build daily discipline that will hopefully lead to long term follow through and also forces me to communicate regularly whether anyone reads it or not.  While at the same time I get to write and share what limited knowledge I might possess for those who might choose to read.
Take some time to make some observations about yourself.  Are there some character qualities that you could stand to improve?  Is there an area of strength that you need to focus on?

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My Friend The Pastor

Posted by Larry in

Today I am meeting as a member of the West Virginia Ministries of the Church of God where one of my dearest friends will be introduced for ordination.  It is at times like these that I am reminded that Todd is not launching into ministry or just now becoming a pastor.  He has served many years as a leader in our movement and as a minister in a local congregation.  He is only now receiving recognition for his life’s pursuit to be a shepherd to others.
I am celebrating with my friend today for a heart that pursues God in the face of adversity.

What is your life’s pursuit?

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Silencing the Critics

Posted by Larry in

I had the opportunity last night to attend the West Virginia State Camp Meeting of the Church of God at the Rippling Waters Campground in Romance, West Virginia. Some would argue that the camp meeting atmosphere is equivalent to the audio cassette. It is still used by some but not an attractive medium to the population at large. Since I am always looking for ways to expose myself to different environments and good preaching I gave little attention to this consideration.
Dr. David Sebastian talked about the difficulties of communication and the all to frequent tendency of church members to “prepare for war” with one another based upon rumors and hearsay without ever having talked face to face. I would add that this is a far too frequent occurrence for friends, neighbors, and co-workers as well.
As Dr. Sebastian concluded his message he shared this quote (I missed the individual that it was accredited to):
“The church is not served well by unloving critics nor uncritical lovers.”
May I ask you how often you are critical of your church, job, or family without a loving heart as your motivation? Before you answer too quickly, an attitude of love would be marked by you desire to do a good job, concern for the people around you, your willingness to work hard, a measure of sacrifice, and a motivation to want what is best for the group and not yourself (as well as many other qualities). Maybe next time you could offer solutions to a problem rather than pointing out what is wrong. And then offer to see the solutions through.
May I ask you another question? When was the last time you felt that something needed to be addressed within your family, church, or place of employment but you just kept quiet. Perhaps it was fear that kept you from having that difficult conversation. Refusal to have the conversations that challenge everyone to do what is right is equally as wrong as just standing on the outskirts and complaining about what is wrong without sharing a part of the load to be carried.
Where can you improve?

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For a couple of years now I have been in the practice of driving my wife to work each morning.  Occasionally she will ask for me to stop at the McDonald’s near her office to pick up breakfast for her, and that is what she asked of me this morning.
I sat patiently (which is not an easy thing for me to do) for my turn at the speaker to place my order.  As I pulled up to the speaker a voice came on and ask to take my order. So I gave my order: a large black coffee and a bagel with bacon.  There was no reply, but I could hear muffled voices coming from the speaker.  Another voice comes on and says, “Can I take your order?” I am a little frustrated, but I repeat the order.  While I am giving the order (for the second time), the person taking my order begins talking with someone else in the restaurant.  Thus, he is not able to hear me giving my order.  He begins trying to have a conversation with both of us at the same time.  At one point, I could not tell if he was talking to me or someone in the restaurant, so I asked.  When he replied that he was speaking to someone inside I asked him to focus on me and complete my order.  So he allowed me to finish my order and when I was done he said, “hold on a minute.”
At this point I was irritated to say the least.  I did not wait, I pulled around to get in line so I could talk with someone face to face at the window.  My wife, sensing that I was irritated, asked me not to be angry when I pulled up to the window.  I had every intention of asking for a manager, but I refrained.  When I pulled around to the window I was met by someone other than the person who had taken my order.  He was standing in the background.  Another lady took my order at the window and apologized for the bad headsets and explained that it was hard to hear through them.
What she needed to apologize for, was not the equipment, but the lack of service and courtesy provided by the individual taking my order. 
For those of you reading this, please do not mistake these words as a vent line.  Many of you work with people, you have families, attend churches, etc… You have the greatest opportunity to positively impact people when you give them your undivided attention. 
Remember these two things:
1)  Just like you, others want to be heard when they speak.
2)  Your service (marriage, organization, church, etc…) is only as good as your relationship with the customer.    

What is a bad customer experience that you have had?

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Choosing a Blogging Audience

Posted by Larry in

I have been reading a lot of literature on how to succeed with writing a blog and one of the items for consideration is the audience that you want to reach.  I had only put limited thought into this until now.  So I want to define in writing who I am trying to reach with this blog and why.
     1.  Individuals that want something more out of life.
Far too often we wake up and assume that each day is just a normal day and we do not give significant attention to the choices that are ahead of us.  I want to help individuals think about and live life on a deeper level.
     2.  Christians that are tired of the status quo.
It seems that many of the churches in our Western culture are operating under a powerless existence.  I believe that one reason for this is that we have lost our moral authority in society.  We are not living lives that are possessed by the spirit of God and there is a disconnect between what we say and what we do.  I want to encourage and challenge people to live by God’s standard.
3.  Anyone who wants to change the world around them.
We all have the opportunity to change lives each day but we are often reacting to what is going on around us and not being proactive with our relationships.  I want to connect with people that are looking to change the world one person at a time through small acts of kindness.
These are my initial thoughts on the audience I hope to reach with this blog.  In time it may become necessary to refine my thought process as all three of these ideas together may be too broad to allow real focus.  I do believe that these ideas are cords of a string that can and should be woven together into the fabric of our lives.  I guess we will have to see how my little mind is able to process and communicate my heart for such things.

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Life Is Fragile

Posted by Larry in

In just over an hour I will begin a 90 minute trip to Parkersburg, West Virginia.  A couple of the students in my youth ministry and I will be going to a viewing for a young man that was shot and killed a few days ago.
In these moments I realize that there is nothing that I can say that can take away the pain that the family feels.  Only God can do that.  We are making this journey today to let the family know that Chad’s life helped impact our lives for the better.  While this may not soothe the pain, I am hopeful that it will bring a measure of comfort to the family, and they can see that Chad lived a life worth celebrating.
Also, as I make this trip with high school students and young adults I am prayerful that each of them will realize how fragile life is.  Often times we consider our youth a time to be carefree; until that magic day of adulthood hits and then it is time to be responsible.  I want each of my students to value their life today.  I want them to use this short time they are given on Earth to make an eternal impact. 
That leaves me to ask myself, “Am I wasting the time that I have been given?”

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Showing Up Is Only Half The Battle

Posted by Larry in

I came across a blog post titled Wherever You Are, Be There 100% on therebelution.com website. This site was set up by Alex and Brett Harris to encourage teenagers to live a life of meaning and purpose. 
I think this article is applicable to all of us.  Let me know what you think.
Read the article here:  Wherever You Are, Be There 100%
What if you gave 100% to your job, your marriage, your school work, or to whatever task or situation you are surrounded with right now?  Is there anything you have been avoiding or just giving a half-hearted effort towards?

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It Is Better To Give Than To Receive

Posted by Larry in

I am sure that you have heard someone use the phrase “It is better to give than to receive.” We often hear these words spoken when a parent or grandparent tries to teach a child making selfish choices that he is choosing a foolish way to live.
I remember spending a Christmas with my friend Scott when we were teenagers. His family was having a gift exchange at his grandmother’s house a few days before Santa’s big day. I have two very fond memories of that day.
1) The grandparents did not expect me to be amongst the guests that evening, therefore, they were surprised when I showed up with the family. At first I was a little embarrassed and a tad uncomfortable. My uneasiness quickly faded away when I realized that the family had sent someone out to the store to make sure I had a couple of gifts when it came time to exchange presents. I felt really good when I opened the present with my name on it, but I could tell that what joy I experienced that evening was little compared to the family as they watched me open the gift and be a part of the family. I received a far better gift than a Christmas present that night as this family loved me.
2) The most remarkable event of the evening was when Scott’s cousin Shane opened a box and immediately began to complain about the jeans that were inside. Shane’s mother came out of nowhere into the circle we had formed; grabbed him by the arm and escorted him from the room giving him a lecture on the way out. I still laugh at the sight of that little woman dragging her son through a crowd of people and stacks of presents.
This is a perfect contrast between those that have learned the truth in this often spoken adage, “It is better to give than receive.” The grandparents in the family would not accept me participating in this family event and being forced to sit and watch everyone delight in opening gifts and having nothing of my own to enjoy.
On the other hand we have a young boy that had been given designer clothes his entire life and up to that point in his life had never learned to give. He had only learned to receive and because of that it built selfishness. Each time he received he thought he deserved better than the time before.
What about you? Is your attitude more of a giving attitude today or a receiving attitude?
Tell me how you have given to others this summer. What small act of kindness have you given someone else?

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Do You Want To Get Rich Today?

Posted by Larry in

In our society today it seems that everyone is looking for a get rich quick scheme.  As I have been investigating best practices for blogging I ran across this headline “Free Video Reveals: The #1 Secret That Helped Us Make Up To $94,042 Per Month As Niche Marketers On Total Autopilot.” At first glance this juicy title gets the adrenaline pumping.  After all, don’t you want to make tons of cash with very little work?  So do I!
When you stop to think about it you know that life doesn’t work that way.  Whether you own your own business, work for someone else, manage a blog, or bag groceries, work is work.  It takes time and energy.  No matter what endeavor you pursue in building financial security you will be required to invest yourself into the process.  It will not happen without effort.
My advice is to give up on those schemes that promise something for nothing.  It is probably true that these individuals are making tons of money, but not because they have found the magic formula for success, but more accurately they are selling us on a false hope of great riches with little to know work.  And… There unknown secret is available to you for a “small” fee.
Once you have decided to give up on these foolish magic makers then you can explore strengthening your financial platform. Here are a couple of ideas for you to explore as you consider different options for the future.
1.  Figure out what you are good at and what you enjoy, then begin a part time business on the side.  Start slow and learn all that you can.  Eventually it just might turn into a lucrative business.
2.  Explore new ways to use what you already do to earn extra cash flow.  Maybe there is a part of what you do that can be marketed in a different way.  Perhaps you could blog about your experience and teach people about what you do.
3.  Start making better choices with the money you have right now.  Dave Ramsey has a great program to help you in this area.

How are you creatively earning extra income?  Please leave a comment I would be interested to know.

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Free Audio Book

Posted by Larry

Christian Audio is a company that produces audio books and other forms of Christian media. As a part of marketing they are currently offering a free audio download each month. This month the free download is The Divine Comedy (unabridged) by Dante Alighieri.
If you find yourself too busy to read this is a great alternative. You can listen in the car or on your favorite portable media device.
Free Book
When you arrive on the page:
1) select download and click add to cart
2) verify that the book qty is 1 then click checkout
3) if you do not have an account you will have to create one-click create account and follow the directions
4) if you have an account – sign in
5) you will be prompted for a code – enter the free code (this month it is aug2009)
6) verify the invoice total balance is $0.00 and click checkout
7) Final verification – if okay click finish (PLEASE CLICK FINISH ONLY ONE TIME)
8) Wait until your order is verified and then you should be able to click on the title on the left of the screen
9) After selecting the title you will be asked to choose your format MP3 is the most compatible format, M4B is for Apple/i-pod users, and then WMA for Windows users.
10) After choosing your format your downloads will appear at the bottom of the screen-there is usually more than one download for each book
I hope you enjoy.

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