Showing posts with label 41.Commentary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 41.Commentary. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Law of the Garbage Truck

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gary Kimpel
Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Subject:

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined
your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!
--
In His Grip
Gary

Thursday, November 27, 2008

My Thanksgiving 2008

My Thanksgiving 2008
Colossians 3:15-17 (New King James Version)

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Thank you, Stuart, for calling me this morning with this Scripture. It Blessed me beyond measure.

I reviewed the Thanksgiving message that email out to everyone last year. Boy, I've grown a lot in the Lord this year. Reflection is a theme of this Holiday, a Holy day.

Juan invited to come to be with him and his family today. My heart aches because I wish could be in with everyone today. Juan and I share in our struggles with employment.

I am remembering passed Thanksgiving Holidays with my Mother and my older sister Beth. In 1985 Beth over did the festivities of the meal because of the recent passing of Mom. Dad had a big project to do because the oven had be replaced to make the event happen. Dad always comes through. As for me that year I was in so much pain in secret, almost like quiet desperation. Remembering the pass reminds me on my Love today.

Its going to me to be hard to call my niece, Marissa and and my nephew, Stone, today. I'm holding back tears because so much miss my sister Beth around the Holidays.

I wish I could be with my Dad and my brother, Michael, in Florida today. However, duty calls tomorrow. I should be grateful for a little work even though I know testing coming soon.

I hope to call my sister, Cheryl, and her husband Lee in South Jersey to remind them of the reason for the season. I'm sure they will cringe inside, its my little tradition with her. I love my little sister and so does Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Universe.

To all my cousins, aunts and uncles out there I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving today. Check out my family photos online: http://picasaweb.google.com/kingdan.610 . Let's get together sometime soon.

The Philadelphia Eagles is such a love/hate relationship. Andy Ried screwed up McNabb's head. What happen to running quarterback that I loved to watch? Andy is eating too many Tastycakes and Cheese Steaks! Then that bum Jeffery Lurie goes and invites stinking Joe Biden into the owner's box. The bums!!! Green and Silver forever, but I want change now! Well there's always next year. Ok I feel better now.

Well, going to eat some fowl bird now. What turkey am I.

God Bless you all today and Happy Thanksgiving.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Fwd: Greetings to the SCCC Family




Hello! This is Pastor Kelvin.

In light of how some things were shared and received during last weekend's services, I am calling for a sacred assembly of prayer, healing and hope for our church family.

Please join me as we move toward clarification and reconciliation during each of the weekend services.
My heart is heavy but full of hope. Please know that I love you very much. I look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Friday, October 10, 2008

One minute each night

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <Steve_Womack>
Date: Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Subject: One minute each night



Dear Friends,

Consider joining in this prayer effort. I know you're already praying but it sounds good to think of the nation praying together at the same moment.

Steve Womack
Wycliffe




From:

Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 10:02 PM
Subject: One minute each night






ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT....
This is the scariest election we as Christians have ever faced. From the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't
voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees. Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His
name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold. His scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land
and the ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so. We have never been more desperate than now for
God to heal our land.


2 Chronicles 7:14 :


If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their
wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every
night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England , its people and peace.
This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.


There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America .. The United States of America and our
citizens need prayer more than ever!


If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, 8:00 PM Central, 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM
Pacific, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our
citizens, for peace in the world, for wisdom and courage for our leaders, the up-coming election, and that the Bible
will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.


If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along.


Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be
speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Thank You





At TEBC we are building people for the Glory of God....


from Birth to Eternity! Matt. 5:14-16


Financial Peace University at church

Dave Ramsey's
FinancialPeace
UNIVERSITY

Dear FPU Attendees:

Thanks for a fantastic first class for Steele Creek Church of Charlotte! We had a great finish & I just wanted to thank you for participating through a long 13 weeks. You are to be commended for your faithfulness & we want to encourage you to continue on the journey that you started. For those of you who may have started the class, but were not able to finish it with us, I pray that you were able to go through it on your own and are applying the principles.

I would like to share a few numbers that we extrapolated from our class that may encourage you on your journey.
&#183 $210,492 - Total amount of savings and debt reduction for those the finishing class
&#183 90 - Total number of credit cards cut up by the class
&#183 $1,100 - Average amount saved per family during the course
&#183 $2,887 - Average amount of debt reduction per family during the course
&#183 2 - Average number of credit cards cut up per family

We're always trying to understand the impact of classes like this & see how we can improve.
Would you be willing to send us an e-mail to provide feedback to us? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on improvements that we could make, as well as any personal testimonies that you would share with us that we may be able to share with others to encourage them to participate. Please see one I received recently that is attached below. You'll notice that we will remove the names to protect confidentiality. If you do send me one, please let me know if I can have your permission to use it publicly or if you would prefer that I keep it confidential.

Thanks again for a tremendous class!

-Wes.

Dear Pastor Wes:

I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to share what Dave Ramsey's course 'Financial Peace University&quot has meant to me.

For as long as I can remember I've had a bad relationship with numbers. I've never felt comfortable or competent. I even wound up marrying someone based on my reasoning that he was so much better with numbers and math than I was. While that was true, he had some other major problems and we wound up divorced. And I was back, trying to get a grip on the money monster, alone. And now with a child.

I got to where I had given up on being able to handle money well--it never seemed to get better. I felt stupid and irresponsible. I was frozen-stuck. I cried out to God for help for more than a decade-and I never felt that I got any answers. I was in despair, feeling like I could never have good credit, never own a home-never even balance my checkbook. When I arrived at 'Financial Peace University' (FPU) my head was hanging down, literally. All I could think of was how badly I had messed up.

One of the first things we had to do was prepare a mini-budget. It took me about 3 weeks to actually do it-I was scared of it! But I finally decided it had to be done-I was enrolled in the class-and after all, I am a teacher. My FPU small group leader very gently encouraged me to get it done. That budget started one of several 'aha moments' that happened throughout the course. After doing the budget and looking at what money went where, I discovered something I kinda knew all along-I don't make enough money! It was very strange-and almost comforting-to see it on paper. Now I knew what I was up against.

Another thing that is highly suggested was that single parents get a mentor-someone to walk along side them in the process. But who would take on such a big responsibility with me? Who would want to put that much time into me? I finally asked my FPU small group what they thought I should do. They suggested I ask someone in my home fellowship. I honestly hadn't thought of that before! And that's how my mentor came into the picture. I asked and she almost instantly volunteered. Turns out she has the gift of administration. And boy is she good at it! But as wonderful as she was in helping me navigate through some of my financial landmines this summer, the best thing about my mentor is that she has BEEN THERE. I'm not walking through this on my own anymore.

By the middle of the course Dave was talking about mutual funds. Mutual funds?? I HAVE a mutual fund but I had no idea what it was! Retirement stuff…I don't know…Dave explained it so that I actually have a clue what it was I signed-and I didn't have to put toothpicks under my eyelids to stay awake either! I was now starting to look at things I was always afraid of looking at-keeping my checkbook current (it didn't have to be perfect right now-just as close as I can get it), finding how much debt I was really in (not as much as I thought-and was afraid of), and saving enough money so that when I have an emergency I can take care of it. He made it sound so simple-and did it in an entertaining way. I learned that I needed to maintain my 'four walls'-taking care of food, shelter/utilities, transportation, and clothing-before worrying about my debt. I can't even put into words the pressure that has taken off me.

But the best lesson was the last one-learning how to give. I felt that for most of my life I've been a taker, not a giver. I was always afraid to give because I could never give out of abundance-I didn't have any. But FPU sets that as a goal-to have an abundance so you can give it away-how cool is that? I want to do that too-to be able to have enough money left over to give it to others-maybe other single moms who struggle like me.

Every summer for 4 years I struggled to keep gas in the car, food on the table, keep the electricity and telephone on and all while being overdrawn at the bank-with all the fees that go along with it. This summer, because in the fullness of time God answered my prayer; through the generosity of this church and my home fellowship, there is gas in my car, food in my refrigerator, all of my utilities are on-and I HAVE (in the positive!) $252.00 in my checking account!! Woo-hoo!! A savings account has been set up so that a certain amount of money will be automatically deducted from my normal teacher paycheck so that by next summer I will have a normal monthly income to live on. I have a part time job that will help me save up for my emergency fund. I am also currently seeking a roommate so that I can save even more money.

August 29th I will receive my first paycheck since May 30th-and boy I can't wait! Because that will be when all of the plans will really start to roll. I can't remember ever being this excited about money. I can't wait to start using the 'debt snowball' to pay off my debts with 'gazelle intensity.' I now hold my head up, and I have something I haven't had in a very long time-hope for my future. Dave Ramsey and FPU CHANGED MY LIFE.

I don't know what you have planned for the future of this class but by all means do whatever it takes to bring it back. There are lots of hurting people out there who need this valuable course- not just single moms. God has gifted Dave Ramsey and used him as a miracle in my life. I will go anywhere and talk to anyone to tell how important this is. It has the potential to change lives. It certainly changed mine.

Sincerely,

FPU Participant

Monday, July 28, 2008

The secrets to Limbaugh's success

The secrets to Limbaugh's success: "The secrets to Limbaugh's success
Posted: July 26, 2008
1:00 am Eastern

© 2008

Editor's note: As WND reported, Greg Laurie lost his son Christopher in a traffic accident Thursday. Heartfelt condolences from the WorldNetDaily staff go out to Greg and his family. This column was written earlier this week, before Thursday's tragedy.

This column is one in a series of WND tributes this week to Rush Limbaugh by our columnists in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of his national radio program Aug. 1.

As a pastor for over 35 years, I'd like to put forth the proposition that Rush Limbaugh is one of the most effective preachers in America – if not the world – today.

'Hold on!' you might protest. 'I don't even know if Limbaugh attends church, much less is a preacher!'"

Saturday, July 12, 2008

NewLife.com: Money: Tool Or Master?

NewLife.com: Money: Tool Or Master?: "Money: Tool Or Master?

by Steve Arterburn
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 NASB

Here’s a scary thought: the content of your character is demonstrated by the way you choose to spend money. If you spend money wisely, and if you give God His fair share, then you’re doing just fine. But if you’re up to your eyeballs in debt, and if “shop till you drop” is your unofficial motto, it’s time to retire the credit cards and rearrange your priorities.

Our society is in love with money and the things that money can buy. God is not. God cares about people, not possessions, and so must we. We must, to the best of our abilities, love our neighbors as ourselves, and we must, to the best of our abilities, resist the mighty temptation to place possessions ahead of people.

Money, in and of itself, is not evil; worshipping money is. So today, as you prioritize matters of importance for you and yours, remember that God is almighty, but the dollar is not.

Are you choosing to make money your master? If so, it’s time to turn your thoughts and your prayers to more important matters. And, it’s time to begin storing up riches that will endure throughout eternity: the spiritual kind.

Servants of God are always more concerned about ministry than money. Rick Warren

No man can stand in front of Jesus Christ and say “I want to make money.” Oswald Chambers

Money separates people more often than it joins them. Liz Curtis Higgs

There is no correlation between wealth and happiness. Larry Burkett

The borrower is a slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 HCSB "

Friday, July 04, 2008

JournalingLife.com



JournalingLife.com means Creative Spiritual Prayer Scrapbooking Journals Soul Dream Garden Baby Children Kids Family Crisis Therapy Emotional Thematic Pen Paper Art Photos Memories Heritage Create a Journal: "Christian Journaling

As you journey through life seeking truth and wisdom, a journal can be your steadfast companion on the road to eternity. Spiritual growth can be a complicated process and capturing your heart's deepest thoughts in a journal allows you to see exactly how you are traveling that road.

A Christian journal can serve many purposes, including a catalog of your own prayers, wisdom and insights you have gleaned from scripture, and even daily encounters with other Christians that serve to help you on your pathway."

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Walking With God - Blogs

Walking With God - Blogs: "Build a Bigger Fire

I’m back home after this amazing Tour. It was beautiful, and exhausting. A marathon, and God was in it. It was demanding, and hard, but mostly it was beautiful. And filled with greater meaning. Something really important is taking place. Something really big.

Several years ago I was backpacking alone in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. It’s something I try and do once a year, that is, head to the high country for some time alone with God. I was camped on a high shelf in a high valley. It was June, and there were still patches of snow. The days were warm but the nights were cold. One evening after dinner I was just sitting in camp as the sun set, not really wanting to go to bed but too cold to enjoy the evening. I was sitting sort of hunched over, my arms wrapped round my legs, when God said, “Build a fire.” I don’t normally build campfires when I’m alone; usually when it gets dark I’m in my bag in the tent, reading by headlamp. But I clearly heard him say, “Build a fire.” My first thought was where am I going to get dry wood? I stood up, and turned toward a line of tall spruce trees about thirty yards behind me. Though it was a long line of trees, my eyes went immediately to one tree in particular, to the base, and there, under a canopy of boughs, was a pile of firewood. Stacked. Under the tree. Not broken or gathered, but actually cut with a saw. How, in this remote valley, in this secluded spot, under one of a hundred trees, was it possible I would find an abundance of dry wood neatly cut and stacked??!!

I slowly turned around, slowly doing a 360, to look behind me, around me, fully expecting Jesus himself to be standing there, smiling. You can understand, I was blown away. I gathered some wood, and made a fire ring. But I made it small, like an Indian fire for one person, and the wood God had provided did not fit. He spoke again. “Build a bigger fire.” I pushed out the stones, made a bigger ring, stacked the wood and let ‘er blaze. I knew it was a moment filled with greater meaning. A prophetic moment, if you will.

Standing each night on stage during this tour, looking out at the bright eyes and earnest faces eager to connect with God, eager to live this life he is calling us to live, eager to share it with others, I realized. Here is the bigger fire. You are the bigger fire. It’s come true.

Posted: 4/27/2008 1:38:46 PM by John Eldredge | with 48 comments

(...then I reviewed some the comments posted. Here's one from a character that I can identify with, Lt. Dan.)

Lt. Dan
I was the one who stacked that wood under a tree by your camp, as is my practice, to leave some wood for others. I don't do it for God, I do it as a gift to you, or anyone in need who comes along. You are not the only one who travels alone in the wilderness. Should I take credit for doing this small good deed? Of course! God didn't do it, I did it. God is my companion, not my being. Jesus is my teacher, not my soul. I have my own spirit, my own soul. Incidentally, John, the heart is a muscle in the body cavity that pumps blood. You claim to be enlightened, but you preach the ignorance of the past. Too bad.
5/8/2008 7:52:01 AM



"

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Restored by Neil T. Anderson (recommended reading)

The impact of the Freedom in Christ message has dramatically changed my Walk with God. C.S. Lewis, John Eldredge and Neil T. Anderson are three key authors whom helped in my transformation to releasing my heart back to Christ. My new found confidence came from understanding my Identity in Christ which allow me to see how I am living in larger story than my own smaller story. My redemptive story must be shared within my community, which systematically follows a deeper “connectiveness” with my faith and my circle of friends.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

How to Think Before Speaking - wikiHow

How to Think Before Speaking - wikiHow:
How to Think Before Speaking

'Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.'
Proverbs 17:28 American King James Bible


Abraham Lincoln: "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Not All Who Wander Are Lost: "That said, there are times when it may be best to stop going to church altogether, albeit only for a time. When church becomes a joyless burden — something we think God demands of us, lest we be struck down by lightning — it may be time to take a break. After burning out in a church where he didn’t sense a real connection with God’s presence, author John Eldredge stopped going to church for a year. “It was one of the most refreshing years of my life,” he says. “I hadn’t abandoned God, and I very much sought out the company of my spiritual companions. What I gave up was the performance of having to show up every Sunday with my happy face on.” After a year of recovery and discernment, Eldredge was better equipped to find a true church home."

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Fwd: JERSEY AIN'T ALL BAD

The're many t'ings that I miss about Jersey and many I don't

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Merideth Date: Jan 30, 2008 12:04 AM
Subject: JERSEY AIN'T ALL BAD
To:


If you've ever lived in Jersey...you'll appreciate this!!!

New Jersey is a peninsula.

Highlands, New Jersey has the highest elevation along the entire eastern seaboard, from Maine to Florida.

New Jersey is the only state where all of its counties are classified as metropolitan areas.

New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.

New Jersey has more Cubans in Union City (1 sq mi.) than Havana, Cuba.

New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the US.

New Jersey has the highest cost of living.

New Jersey has the highest cost of auto insurance.

New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation.

New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to

as the "Diner Capital of the World."

New Jersey is home to the original Mystery Pork Parts Club

(no, not Spam): Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.

Home to the less mysterious but the best Italian hot dogs and Italian sausage w/peppers and onions.

North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major shopping malls in a 25 square mile radius.

New Jersey is home to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The Passaic River was the site of the first submarine ride

by inventor John P. Holland .

New Jersey has 50+ resort cities & towns; some of the nation's most famous:

Asbury Park , Wildwood, Atlantic City, Seaside Heights, Long Branch, Cape May .

New Jersey has the most stringent testing along its coastline for water quality control than any other seaboard state in the entire country.

New Jersey is a leading technology & industrial state and is the largest chemical producing state in the nation when you include pharmaceuticals.

Jersey tomatoes are known the world over as being the best you can buy.

New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production

(and here you thought Massachusetts?)

Here's to New Jersey - the toast of the country! In 1642, the first

brewery in America, opened in Hoboken.

New Jersey rocks! The famous Les Paul invented the first solid body electric guitar in Mahwah, in 1940.

New Jersey is a major seaport state with the largest seaport in the US, located in Elizabeth. Nearly 80 percent of what our na tion imports comes through Elizabeth Seaport first.

New Jersey is home to one of the nation's busiest airports

(in Newark), Liberty International .

< FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>

George Washington slept there.

Several important Revolutionary War battles were fought on New Jersey soil, led by General George Washington.

The light bulb, phonograph (record player), and motion picture

projector, were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park, NJ, laboratory

New Jersey also boasts the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.

The first seaplane was built in Keyport , NJ.

The first airmail (to Chicago) was started from Keyport, NJ.

The first phonograph records were made in Camden, NJ .

New Jersey was home to the Miss America Pageant held in

Atlantic City .

The game Monopoly, played all over the world, named the streets on its playing board after the actual streets in

Atlantic City .

And, Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world,

not to mention the best salt water taffy.

New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East countries.

The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey, in the

Watchung Mountains.

New Jersey has the tallest water-tower in the world. (Union, NJ!!!)

New Jersey had the first medical center, in Jersey City.

The Pulaski SkyWay, from Jersey City to Newark, was the first skyway highway.

New Jersey built the first tunnel under a river, the Hudson

(Holland Tunnel).

The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ, which is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.

The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College played Princeton).

The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ,

(but they're all gone now!).

New Jersey is home to both of "NEW YORK'S" pro football teams!

The first radio station and broadcast was in Paterson, NJ.

The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ, by Maj. Thomas Armstrong.

All New Jersey natives:

Sal Martorano, Jack Nicholson, Bruce

Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Jason Alexander,

Queen Latifah, Susan Sarandon, Connie Francis

Shaq, Judy Blume, Aaron Burr, Joan Robertson, Ken Kross,

Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Budd Abbott, Lou Costello,

Alan Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Flip Wilson,

Alexander Hamilton, Zack Braff Whitney Houston, Eddie Money,

Linda McElroy, Eileen Donnelly,

Grover Cleveland, Woodrow Wilson,

Walt Whitman, Jerry Lewis, Tom Cruise,

Joyce Kilmer, Bruce Willis, Caesar Romero, Lauryn Hill, Ice-T,

Nick Adams, Nathan Lane, Sandra Dee, Danny DeVito, Richard Conti,

Joe Pesci, Joe Piscopo, Joe DePasquale, Robert Blake, John Forsythe,

Meryl Streep, Loretta Swit, Norman Lloyd, Paul Simon, Jerry Herman,

Gorden McCrae, Kevin Spacey, John Travolta, Phyllis Newman, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Eva Marie Saint, Elisabeth Shue, Zebulon Pike, James Fennimore Cooper, Admiral Wm.Halsey,Jr.,Norman Schwarzkopf, Dave Thomas (Wendy's), William Carlos Williams, Ray Liotta, Robert Wuhl, Bob Reyers, Paul Robeson, Ernie Kovacs, Joseph Macchia, Kelly Ripa,

Francis Albert Sinatra, "Uncle Floyd" Vivino

and don't forget Bob Gaudio and

Frankie Valli.

The Great Falls in Paterson, on the Passaic River, is the 2nd highest waterfall on the East Coast of the US.

You know you're from Jersey when . .

You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges";

You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags;

A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter;

You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven;

You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk,

at 3 A.M.;

You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery;

At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and

you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from;

You know what a "jug handle" is;

You know that WaWa is a convenience store;

You know that the state isn't all farmland;

You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." And when you are there, you're not "at the shore"; you are "down the shore";

You know how to properly negotiate a circle;

You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving;

You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (try . . Mexico . . . York ..! . . Hampshire-- doesn't work, does it?);

You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich;

You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege;

You don't think "What exit?" is very funny;

You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little different", yes they are;

You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton--that's for out-of-staters;

The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bars;

You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls;

You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers;

Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony;

You know the location of every clip shown in the

Sopranos opening credits;

You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall;

You know that people from

North Jersey go to Seaside Heights,

people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from

South Jersey go to Wildwood -

It can be no other way;

You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either North

Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey;

You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state;

You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's and Orbach's;

You also remember Palisades Amusement Park;

You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries;

You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February;

And finally . .

You've NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER

pump your own gas!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Boundaries for Leaders Video



Video on Boundaries for Leaders:
http://www.cloudtownsend.com/channels/leadership.php
7 minutes long

Proverbs 25:28
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
      Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Merry Christmas

To All My Democrat Friends (few that there are):
Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes.


To All My Republican Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Gadgets, Necessary or Evil?

New Life Ministries: 1-800-NEW-LIFE: "Gadgets, Necessary or Evil?

by Steve Arterburn

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Do you sometimes wonder how you ever got along without some new invention or service that comes along?

Until recently, Floraine Alba, a grandmother in New Jersey, used to write 50 checks a month to pay her household bills. It would take hours. Now she has cut three or four hours off that time by paying her bills on-line, electronically. 'Spending all day writing checks and stuffing envelopes was bad enough,' Alba said, 'then I had to go stand in line at the post office.'

Each day more devices fill our lives . . . cellular phones, fax machines, personal computers, lap tops, PDA's, IPods, and answering machines. Sometimes, we wonder how we ever got along without a particular thing or item. Then it breaks, and we remember what it was like to lift our garage door each day or to wait until we found a phone booth to make a call.

The subtle danger of a new device is it can make us desire things over our relationships with people. Don't get caught up in wanting the next device or service but think about what these desires are doing to us and our relationships with others.

I challenge you today, to pause for a moment before"