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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Letter From God: Book Review 2002 - 2004

Excerpts from a Book I Reviewed between 2002 - 2004...

By: Angela Watkins

Let us pray for all leaders, presidents and kings where we may lead a peaceable and quiet life.

On a serious note make sure you do know who your Heavenly Father is.....

By: Angela Doreathy Glass Watkins Bring every big and little thing to God in prayer for help, advice, or sharing your joy! Our Heavenly Father loves us. Sharing a note from a book I have reviewed.

Shared by Angela Doreathy Glass Watkins

Letter From God .....

My Precious Daughter,

I can't wait to hear from you! You are the joy of My heart! I created you to have fellowship with Me, and I love your company when you pray to Me.


You are so important to Me that I want you to bring every big and little thing to Me for help, advice, or sharing your joy! I am always available.





Prayer is the way you reach Me. Whether it's an arrow prayer or a lengthy one, I welcome all.

Don't worry if you continue to take back your worries. I am patiently waiting for you to turn them back over to Me again and again,.

I know that you'll grow stronger each time you focus on Me. I'm confident that My Spirit will continue to work in you to learn this challenging surrender, so don't think I'm upset or unhappy with you. I'll never stop drawing you into My loving embrace.

My daughter, you are valuable and precious to Me. Talk to Me often. Relate your worries to Me.

I stand ready to respond and take your burdens.

I love you.

Your Heavenly Father



This review was shared from "Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries" Finding Peace In All Kinds of Weather By Kathy Collard Miller. She has appeared on the 700 Club and other radio and television programs and has spoken in five countries besides the United States.


Angela Doreathy Glass Watkins

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Power Up: Taking Charge Of Your Financial Destiny ... Book Review

Book Review . Consumer Credit . Credit . Finance . Personal Finance . Debt . Budgets . Personal Budgets . Cheap - Frugal . Shopping Lists . Materialism . Investing . Monthly Income . Needs vs Wants . NASCAR . NFL . NIKE . Frugal Philosophy . Economic Use of Resources . Paco Underhill - Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping . Yard Sales . Hobby Finding . Keeping Up With the Joneses . Loans . Electronic Banking . Walk - Walking - Getting In Shape . Business & Economics . Debt Management

The author (Howard S.Dvorkin, CPA) Marketing Communications/New Media Coordinator sent me a complimentary copy for review. A powerful book of options of how one may gain financial independence which comes from a change mindset & working towards some goals.

I was most honored to receive this book for it is loaded with powerful advice in an easy to understand language coming from a man of his prestige.

The publisher nor author shall not be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Howard S. Dvorkin, CPA is a serial entrepreneur, a two-time author & a personal finance expert. As the Founder of Consolidated Credit Howard is one of the most highly regarded debt & credit experts in the USA & has played an instrumental role in drafting both State & Federal Legislation.

Examples of Cheap-Frugal Lifestyles from one of the author clients'

This client makes a very detail shopping list & sticks to it, & she stops every Sunday at an organic farm that allows customers to pick their own fruits & vegetables.



Howard S. Dvorkin CPA Power Up Taking Charge Of Your Financial Destiny, Books by Finance Experts




Her previous routine of buying coffee every morning has been replaced by drinking coffee at home from a coffee maker she found at a yard sale for $3 - & it was still in the box, not used.

Once or twice a month she & the family go to a pizzeria that offers large pizzas for $7.99. It feeds everyone & they all order water with lemon so as not to incur an extra expense - soft drinks & alcoholic drinks are usually outrageously priced compared to wholesale price. They are able to tip the waiter-waitress a slightly higher tip. This is being frugal.

She is actually involving her children in family finances which will have tremendous benefits now & in the future when the children have to run their own household budget. No parent wants to see their children struggle.

The frugal philosophy can become contagious. It's intelligent but it's also a difficult philosophy to adopt & sustain because we've all been programmed to spend - by TV ads, radio commercials, Internet popups & store banners that promulgate "the sale of all sales!"

Be frugal & get more for your money & more for your family. You'll be happier & have a few extra bucks in your savings account to show for it.

The above client ran into a perfect storm, of bad financial issues: She was laid off of work & was overwhelmed by medical bills as a result of an accident her child experienced. She basically lost everything but was determined by the thought of getting her financial privileges back.

She found another job & gathered other employees who lived near her neighborhood. She brought evidence, showing her coworkers how much money they could save on gas if they joined her carpool.

She did the work.

If you have money problems, you need to change your shopping habits & maybe some personal habits.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Choose to eat cereal because it tastes good, but it is also nutritious - & you need to add milk.

This is one of the items that one of my Doctors prescribed for me which is Whole Wheat Grain & or Bran.




Many times there are 2-for-1 deals, which is even better. Read the labels & determine which cereal has a good portion of protein & fiber compared to sugar. Cereal may be eaten at any meal.

You not only want to be frugal, but you also want to be healthy.

Look for lunch meat that is on sale or keep peanut butter & jelly in the house.

Most of us don't like to think of ourselves as materialistic or competitive consumers trying to keep up with our neighbors, friends, & work associates. But face it, when the guy at work drives up in a new Lexus & you're driving a 6-year-old car, that pang of envy is real.

The car becomes a status symbol, just as does a cup of java from a gourmet coffee shop.

Understand that comparing the purchase of a cup of coffee & a car is a stretch, but the point is that these things are being observed by you & others.

I read also in January of 2014 that Mark Z. - Facebook CEO is worth Billions & he does not even own a luxury vehicle - how true that is I personally do not know.

The author takes his hat off to the marketers who branded Starbucks. When a simple cup of coffee defines who you are & where you are going in life, it becomes apparent that we are in a trouble as a society. Does a cup of coffee from McDonalds exude a feeling of luxury like a cup of coffee from Starbucks?

If you're a woman you probably know what kind of perfume, lipstick, clothes, & shoes your friends wear. If they are buying brand labels then you probably are too, even if you don't make the same amount of money as they do.

If you happen to associate with people who make more money & you want to keep up with them, then you may become desperate & start using your credit cards for things that you simply cannot afford.

We are going broke trying to maintain our memberships in a perceived class of people.

Men are no different. They will be happy to entertain you by chattering about their top-of-the-line golf clubs, fishing equipment. If a neighbor down the road purchases a John Deere riding mower, you can be sure most of the men have seen it or heard about it.

CD"S are a place to put your savings for a fixed period-until the CD matures, which can range from only a few weeks to several years. Keep in mind that you cannot touch this money as you could in a savings account or other accounts, so you should be positive that you can live without the money you invest in a CD. If you withdraw the funds prior to the maturity date you may be assessed an early withdrawal penalty.

Savings bonds are a way for the government to borrow money. The purchase price is one half of the face value of the bond. Bonds are great for protecting your principal, saving for a child's education, giving as a gift, or generating tax-deferred income for retirement.

IRA's (Traditional individual retirement accounts) are unique in that they allow you to make tax-deductible contributions. Your money through the account, can be invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, & other financial vehicles, & the earnings grow tax-free. If you withdraw money before you turn 59 1/2, you will be penalized a rate of 10% plus you will be responsible for paying tax of the amount withdrawn.

With Roth individual retirement accounts you will not receive an income-tax deduction in the year when you make the contribution. You can easily educate yourself on these requirements of the Roth IRA by searching the Web at IRS.gov.

When you invest in a mutual fund, you & other investors will be pooling your money with the help of a fund manager. The fund manager is responsible for investing the collective money into specific securities (usually stocks or bonds). You will be paying a fee for the work that your fund manager does-namely buying the stocks & bonds that best meet the objectives of the fund.

You know what it's like to lose your money, so when you are starting over, be wise, educated, diligent, & informed. You be the boss. Be wary & above all read everything, especially the fine print. And if you don't understand something, ask questions.

There are a variety of fees that you could be charged if you aren't careful.

Electronic banking uses computers & electronic technology as a substitute for checks & other paper transactions.

ATM's are electronic terminals that let you bank almost any time. If the machine you are using is not associated with your bank, the ATM may require a surcharge, or usage fee (which may be 2 or 3 dollars). Having an ATM card or credit card in someone's hands, especially if the account doesn't belong to them, makes people do crazy things.

Direct deposit lets you authorize specific regular deposits, such as paychecks, & Social Security checks to your account. A good trick the author recommends is to increase savings is to split the direct deposit between savings & checking in a reasonable amount to cover your immediate monthly bills & forget you have the savings.

Personal computer banking allows you to conduct many banking transactions electronically by using your personal computer. You may use your computer to view your account balance, request transfers between accounts, & pay bills electronically.

Pay-by-phone systems allow you to telephone your financial institution with directions to pay certain bills or to transfer funds between accounts. You must first notify the institution to make such transfers.

A personal loan is taken out to meet your specific personal needs. The bank will have strict requirements before it lends you this money - meaning that you will need good credit, verification of income, & or proof of other assets. It helps to have a business relationship with the bank in the form of a checking or savings account.

The dealer you are working with usually can procure you an auto loan - depending on your credit history, which you will be working on improving. Taking a 4 or 5 year loan adds 1,000's to the original price. If you like two cars just about the same, the car, that has the lower APR should be your choice.

A home loan is used to buy a home, but there are many factors involved. The lender will analyze your ability to repay the mortgage based on the monthly payment, which will include property taxes & insurance on the property, plus existing monthly bills. There are many home loans, so you should be very careful & do your research to find the loan that you will not only benefit you now but also in the future.

A home equity loan allows a homeowner to borrow against the equity built up in the house. The homeowner is taking a loan out against the value of his or her home. These loans normally command a higher interest risk associated with them in terms of collateral priority.

A signature loan is an unsecured personal loan given at a fixed rate. These loans are used when you need cash for bill consolidation, auto repairs, vacations, emergency cash, taxes, or other personal financial needs.

Some people criticize those of us who try to be frugal. No one likes a cheapskate. Frugal is about being smart. Embracing the frugal philosophy. The dictionary gives us the meaning of frugal: characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources.

Think of a great Italian chef preparing a marinara sauce for a special dinner. The chef will use simple, fresh ingredients: tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, & pepper. Simple is better.

Shopping for groceries begin at home. Base your list on meals - think breakfast, lunch, & dinner for your family, whether it's five people of just you.

Plan your dinner meals according to days of the week. Maintaining a certain amount of flexibility allows you to save money.

You'll learn that being prepared & being frugal is smart. You'll save money & time.

Frugal philosophy involves time & money.

Howard & his wife plans meals that are inexpensive, easy to make, & nutritious. Don't forget to reuse your leftovers. If you have chicken from the night before - chop it up, open a can of kidney beans, warm up the chicken & beans, & make tacos or burritos - think ahead, be smart, proactive & always e frugal.

Listed in this book are examples of Monthly Income Worksheets, Revolving Credit Worksheets, Fixed Monthly Expenses Worksheets, Fixed Expense Worksheets & Discretionary Monthly Expenses Worksheets & the proper way to use them.

Your main fixed expenses are the usual suspects: car payment, mortgage, rent, & etc. These entries usually stay consistent from month to month.

Discretionary Expenses are the items that all of us don't necessarily need to comfortably exist but we purchase them anyway. This may not pertain to you or your family, but it's a lesson in using discipline when spending. Take control of these expenses - this is where the devil lives.

Most Americans suffer from the "want syndrome." Some people get so obsessed with what they want that they lose focus on their needs. They literally start to believe that they need a certain type of vehicle or brand of clothing; they make themselves totally convinced.

One of the author's favorite saying is "When the money is in your pocket, you're the boss."

The author & his wife was at an art festival & he liked a chair but the vendor wanted $360. He let the vendor negotiate against himself to get the price was comfortable paying.

The vendor told him "You are tough." He said, "Yes, I am." His wife said "You haven't seen anything yet. You have no idea what I live with." They all started laughing & began to make arrangements for delivery the next day.


Basic needs:

Food

Shelter

Clothing

Employment

Medical

Transportation

Communication

Entertainment


Howard does a very detail examples of pros and cons of how we need to budget & gives easy-to-follow options for maintaining & saving money at the same time.

Remember your hobby ideas; they could be your new source of entertainment.

Having money in a certain way is an escape from the real world. Not having money, unfortunate, has the opposite effect.

Sales aren't always a good thing unless it's for something that you "need." Sometimes abstinence is the better path. If you're at the supermarket stick to your list; if you're going to the mall make a list.

If you're a man & watch golf & see the top golfers with name-brand shirts & clubs, you probably want the same thing. The author has seen NASCAR fans (men & women) modify their cars or trucks like their favorite driver's car. TV coerces us to buy certain products & certain "looks" - as in fashion design.

Advertisers build brand identity, like NIKE & the swoosh. NASCAR is a brand; so is the NFL, just like Gucci or Chanel.

You are out to build your own brand-a brand new you who is smarter & savvier & understands that money is worth more than its monetary value. You are out to build yourself back up from financial crisis.

Materialism & coveting name-brand products is rampant in America. It's not healthy, financially or wise.

Money is to be earned, respected, & saved so that when an emergency occur, or when you need to purchase something that you really do need, you have it.

You are more than the possessions you buy or covet.

Kids watch shows where young girls, probably between 10 & 13, dress in the very latest fashions. They want the same clothes & they don't want us to buy from Kmart. Many parents fall prey to their kid's insistent pressure & buy fashions they can't afford.

In Paco Underhill's book: Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, he calla the first few steps into a retail store the "transition zone." It's where shoppers transition from the outside world to the retail space. Make a list & stick to it; you'll save money & time.

A hobby is an inexpensive & stimulating method for saving money & expanding your horizons. The author have had clients who took up knitting, fishing, writing, reading, sewing, furniture refinishing, & other creative activities, which granted them a sense of accomplishment without having to spend much money. The idea is to stay away from the places or things that switch on your "spend motor."

We want to save money & fill up our empty time with inspiring, educational, & purpose-packed activities.

You have spare time so why not fill it with something that won't create an additional expense.

Gyms are fine if you can afford them, but there are so many methods for getting into shape if you want to take up as a hobby. Go to a yard sale & or shop that sells used products & you will probably find a workout DVD. You can walk out of your front door & use the world as your treadmill. Groups of men & women walk all the time.

when you commit to doing something that may be difficult, like getting back into shape or learning to play a musical instrument, the reward is so much deeper & the satisfaction at succeeding is uplifting.

There are so many opportunities to improve your financial, physical, & mental well-being. You just need to take advantage of them.

A young client lost everything due to a series of unfortunate issues. He decided one day that he was going to fix his car up. He purchased some car cleaning products on sale & started from the tires up-washing, waxing, & shining-until the car looked almost new. One of his neighbors noticed & asked if he could clean her car. He had nothing better to do; he could either hang out with a few of his buddies at the beach or make some extra money. So he charged her a flat fee of $75, which included the products necessary to do the job. The woman told one of her friends about the great job & soon the author's client was cleaning cars on the side. Not a bad way to use some free time.

Howard S. Dvorkin, CPA success in the personal finance industry landed him columns in Fox Business News as well as has allowed him to be interviewed by countless media outlets over the years including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Fortune, Entrepreneur, The American Banker, Investor's Business Daily, & Virtually every national & local newspaper in the country. He has appeared as a finance expert on national & local TV & radio programs, including the CBS Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight, The Early Show, Fox News & CNN.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Living Justly With Others .... 1/12/20124 Sunday School Lesson

Psalm/Tehillim 7 . Praise - Lord - sing . Proverbs/Mishle 11 . Romans 6 . God . righteousness - holiness . Everlasting Life - Eternal Life . Submit Yourself - Every Ordinance . Matthew 18 . Peter . forgive - 7 times - 70 x 7 - unlimited . Kingdom of Heaven . Certain King . 10,000 talents . Compassion . Same Servant . his Fellowservants . Hundredpence . Luke 6 . Judaea . Jerusalem . Tyre - Sidon . Healed . Unclean Spirits . Rejoice . Love . Love your enemies . Bless Them . Merciful . Judge Not . Fruit - Foundation - Rock . Sunday School Lesson . Promises

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Luke 6:17-31 (Background Scripture: Luke 6:17-36; Devotional Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35) for 1/12/2014.

The Sunday School Lesson is shared from Luke 14:7-18a, 22-24 (Background Scripture: Luke 14:7-24; Devotional Reading: Psalm/Tehillim 147:1-11) for 1/19/2014.


talents ... 1 talent (kikkar) weight-talent "of king" - 158 lbs - 1 oz. - 10 dwts - 0 grs.

pence ... The Roman penny is the 8th part of an ounce which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence half-penny.

Tyre ... an ancient city of Phoenicia (port of Crete), covering 100 acres on an island, & having two ports of 12 acres each; now a town of 3,000 inhabitants (Biblical Times).

Sidon ... capital of Phoenicia, a walled city of 10,000 inhabitants (Biblical Times).


Love ... agape (God's Love - Unconditional) .... philo (tender affection) ... eros (romantic type)





Promises: Psalm/Tehillim 7:10; Proverbs/Mishle 11:3,5,6,8 (The Upright Are Blessed & Prospered) .... Romans 6:23 (Eternal Life) ... Luke 6:22,23 (Joy, Rest & Peace) ... Luke 6:37 (Pardon for Iniquities & Sins) ... Prospered does not always mean wealth/material riches - but there were some in Biblical Times that did have wealth.


Luke 6:17-49 ... The great Sermon ... Luke 4:14-8:56 (The Return To Galilee)

Luke 6:17-31

Verses 17-20

Verse 17 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Ministry; Christ Reception by Men, Followed by Multitudes

Verse 17 ... Matthew 4:25; Mark 3:7

Verse 18 ... Miracles; Miracles In Ejecting Devils & Destroying Idols; Ejection of Devils

Verse 19 ... Jesus Christ; Christ's Ministry; Christ's Miracles





Verse 19 ... Matthew 14:36; Mark 6:56

Verse 20 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Steadfastness Rewarded

Verse 20 ... Matthew 5:3

(Matthew 5-7 ... Reference Scripture in Sunday School Book)


Verses 21-323 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Steadfastness Rewarded

Verse 21 ... Matthew 5:6 ... Verse 22 (Matthew 5:11) ... Verse 23 (Matthew 5:12)




Verses 24-31

Verses 24-26 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Steadfastness Rewarded

Verse 27 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Prayer for Persecutors

Verse 27 ... Matthew 5:44

Verse 28 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Prayer for Persecutors

Verse 28 ... Matthew 5:44

Verse 29 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Meekness ... The Outward Man; body Clothed; Portions of Dress, Coat

Verse 29 ... Matthew 5:40

Verse 30 ... Trials & Persecutions; Conduct Under Persecution; Non-Resistance

Verse 30 ... Matthew 5:42

Verse 31 ... Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Love to Man

Verse 31 ... Matthew 7:12





Monday - January 6, 2014 - Judged by the Righteous God - Psalm/Tehillim 7:1-17

An Appeal For Justice ... Psalm of Supplication: On account of affliction - Expressing trust in God - Professing the psalmists integrity ... Didactic (instruct/teach) Psalm: Showing the blessings of God's people & the misery of HIS enemies.


Tuesday - January 7, 2014 - The Righteous & Upright - Proverbs/Mishle 11:3-11

Moral virtues & their contrary vices ... vice(blemish/defect/wickedness)


Wednesday - January 8, 2014 - Enslaved to God - Romans 6:16-23

The Gospel for The World: 'The Righteous - By Faith Shall Live' ... Romans 1:18b-8:39


Thursday - January 9, 2014 - Living as God's Servants - I Peter 2:11-17

The Christian Civic Submission (I Peter 2:13-17) ... The Submission Of The Christian (I Peter 2:11-3:12)


Friday - January 10, 2014 - Forgiveness & Mercy - Matthew 18:21-35

Teaching: The Church ... Matthew 17:24-18:35


Saturday - January 11, 2014 - Blessings & Woes - Luke 6:20-26

Woe ... warning


Sunday - January 12, 2014 - Do Not Judge - Luke 6:27-42


Scripture reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Edition Bible, Special Arrangement N.T, KJV, Zondervan Bible Commentary, Vine's Expository Dictionary of O.T. & N.T. Words, & Merriam Webster's Deluxe Dictionary 10th Collegiate Edition



Saturday, January 11, 2014

Fighting For Dear Life 'Terri Schiavo': Book Review

This is not a new review. I was sent a complimentary copy of this book to review, from the publishing company while being the Baptist Editor/Host for a site between 2002 - 2006/2007.

David Gibbs defends the rights of churches and Christians nationwide through Gibbs Law Association. He is a graduate of Liberty University and received his law degree from Duke University.

David took a leap of faith in October 2003 when Bob and Mary Schindler, Terri Schiavo's parents asked him to become the lead attorney in their frantic fight to save their daughter's life. Gibbs embarked on a compelling journey that would forever change his life.

Terri Schiavo is dead.

The attorney offer three reasons why he felt compelled to tell Terri's story.



life support, terri schiavo on life support, fighting for dear life the book of terri schiavo




He was there.

He witnessed firsthand what transpired both in the courtroom and behind the scenes. He sat and visited with Terri on numerous occasions. He laughed with her. He watched Terri's family interact with her in ways nobody in the media ever saw. And, he was in her room the day her feeding tube was removed...as well as shortly before Terri took her final breath.

When Bob and Mary Schindler first met with our legal team on Monday night, October 13, 2003, they were exhausted, weary, and out of options. Terri was very much alive, but her days were numbered after being rebuffed by the court system for more than a decade. In just two days, Terri's feeding tube would be removed for the second time.

Mary expressed how stunned she was that so many lawyers from their firm had already cared enough to listen for several hours while they bared their souls - especially since they were unable to pay them anything.

From time to time the attorney has been asked why his legal team agreed to work with the Schindler's - especially given the pitfalls and incredible odds against them. In a word, he believed God called him to do this work. As his father taught him, having a servant heart doesn't always mean you do what's easy; rather, you do what's right.

Their office stayed in constant communication throughout that weekend with other legislators they knew who were also in contact with Gov. Bush's legal advisers. The lawmakers in Tallahassee channels that Terri's feeding tube had been withdrawn earlier that week and they were very concerned.

The Schindlers had a small army of supporters who were watching the news eager to help. Within hours, phone calls, faxes, and emails poured into the Senate and into the Governor's office, as nearly 200,000 concerned citizens made their wishes known to Florida legislators.

The author (attorney) knew the attorneys from the House of Representatives had flown down from Washington, D.C. to conduct last minute filings with the court on Terri's behalf; they'd be arriving at his office shortly.

Terri was in great spirits that morning. Her eyes had a brightness that seemed to complement the light pink glow in her complexion. She sat in her reclining chair clutching her favorite stuffed cat under her arm. She was wearing a pink robe and a light brown blanket covered her lap.

Public servants delayed their Easter recess to finalize the bill. On Palm Sunday afternoon, the Senate assembled on Capital Hill and, in what was a unanimous bipartisan vote of those present, passed Senate Bill S.686.

Meanwhile, President Bush, who was at his home in Crawford, Texas rearranged his schedule and flew back to the White House. Rather than wait for the bill to be flown to Texas - a delay that could impact Terri's viability, Mr. Bush sacrificially put his signature immediately over the holiday.





Sunday evening, with the President on route to Washington, D.C. lawmakers gathered at 9 a.m. in the House of Representatives for what would be three hours of televised debate followed by a vote. Terri's brother Bobby was on Captial Hill visiting with every Congress member who would see him.

The well-known story of Job comes to mind. Here was a man who had everything. But, in the blink of an eye, God permitted it all to be swept away. Houses. Possessions. Livestock. Wealth. Children. Even his health. You might say Job's wife was the original right-to-die advocate. She said, "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God and die" (Job 2:9).

When faced with the decision whether or not to remove the life support of a loved one, there's one perspective few take into view: Eternity. The author asks a question: If you knew a person who had not yet made peace with God, meaning they would go to hell if you removed them from their life support, would you still pull the plug?

Eternity is forever.

A dear friend of the author, Helen Barber, was faced with that dilemma. Her father, Sterling Johnson was a strong man who had milked cows by hand every day. Helen described him as a "moral" person and yet one who remained without Christ throughout his life.

As Sterling's health began to deteriorate more dramatically, his doctor pulled Helen aside and said "Your father is dying. He will not live fifteen minutes unless we put him on a respirator to breathe for him.

Helen also knew that if her Dad died that night, he would die without ever having trusted Jesus Christ as his Saviour. For forty years, her Dad had rejected the Gospel message, but with one more night of life, Helen and her husband would have a final opportunity to tell him about Jesus.

Helen's decision was immediate and resolute: "Put him on the respirator! Put him on anything that will keep him alive.

Helen's husband, Raymond was a pastor who had won many people to Christ in hospitals over the years, and as Sterling's son-in-law, he would do all he could.

When Raymond came out, he said, "Your Dad trusted Christ as his Saviour! "Her dad was taken off the life-support several days later. Interestingly, he continued to live and was dismissed from the hospital to go live in his own home.

Her dad lived a normal life in New Mexico for another 18 months and attended church every Sunday. His greatest regret was that he had wasted his life not knowing the full joy of a close relationship with Christ. Her dad passed away eighteen months later.

Basketball Much More Than Just A Game: Book Review

Book Review . Coach Lawrence McKenzie . Basketball . Biz - Business . NBA Drafts . AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) . Grassroots Basketball . College & Professional . Dr. James Naismith . Kobe Bryant . Michael Jordan . Healthy Lifestyles . God . South Africa . Motivational . Booker T. Washington High School . Air Force . European Leagues

Exciting book for me to review. I did also enjoy looking at the photos in this book, as well.

I am highly elated that Coach McKenzie sent me an autographed complimentary copy for review.

I would highly recommend this book for businesses, schools, organizations, parents and Churches.

Coach sometimes wonder how many parents would stick their chest out if their kids grade point average was next to their points per game.

Coach McKenzie is a Coach, Educator, Author & Speaker. The only Coach to win four straight state titles in the ninety-nine year history of the Minnesota State Boys Basketball Tournament, shares his success strategies for "winning" on the court & in life.

Basketball is a business, & a scholarship is an investment.



Basketball More Than Just A Game, NBA Drafts, Amateur Athlete Union, Grassroots Basketball, College and Professional Basketball, European Leagues, Dr. James Naismith, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan




Basketball is no different from other things in life; you must understand the basics before you can master anything.

The training has to be about developing the kid's skills & not be strictly a business relationship.




Business Books, Motivational Books, Business Books in Spanish, Motivational Books in Spanish



Coach McKenzie was first introduced to the game when he was seven years old; his father took him to his Uncle Stan's high school basketball game.

His college career was cut short due to a bad attitude & a lack of focus.

But as only God would have it, providing an opportunity for redemption, he would find a place for him to give back & impact the lives of young men who were just like him.


To Parents:

The costs associated with parenthood, & they are numerous, are well worth it. The McKenzies' was & still is, in some respect a basketball family. The family tradition started with Coach father, Lawrence, learning the game on the streets of Miami. He became a star at Booker T. Washington High School & later in the Air Force.

Both Coach's son & daughter followed the family tradition & started at an early age.

Being five feet seven as a fourth grader made her a pretty popular camper.

Her new passion for the game of basketball kept her busy over the next few years, playing traveling ball for a few teams, four years of high school, & three years of college before deciding that the WNBA was not in her future, & she decided to continue her involvement with the game by becoming one of the team's broadcasters. Through the game she even managed to find her prince; KO, as they call him, is a former basketball star at Norfolk State, where they both played. Coach has even coached him during their brief stint in pursuit of professional basketball careers. They got married in September of 2009.

His son, Lawrence, started early with a house league at the YMCA. Lawrence is still pursuing his dream to play in the NBA, playing professionally in Macedonia & for the Los Angeles Defenders of the NBDL until his recent injury. Lawrence is the father of the McKenzie's first grandchild, Kailah Rae McKenzie, who probably pursue the game of basketball if his son has his way.

Its important to do your best best to not become that pushy sports parent.

Coach advice is to enjoy the moment, because it doesn't last forever. Kids grow up & move out & move on.

Coach talks to his children almost every day.


Life lessons Coach shares that he learned:

Learning to appreciate the joy of victory while remaining humble, & learning how to get back up,dust his self off, & move on after the agony of defeat.

To be responsible for his own attitude & understand that he can only control him-self, to always be open to learning, & to know that life is about serving others so that the world might be a better place.

Basketball is a game that is played by nearly three million people worldwide, ^ an estimated forty-five million in the United States. It is one of America's most popular sports but is also a very popular sport in other countries as well. It is a very culturally diverse sport & has opened up new doors all across the world, bringing foreign players to America to play the game at its highest level.

Michael Jordan, the most recognized player to ever play the game of basketball, has made it an extremely popular sport.

James Naismith was challenged by Dr. Luther Halsey Gilick Jr. to create an indoor activity as an outlet for sometimes unruly groups of students during the long, cold winter months in New England.






Naismith's challenge was to create a game that could be played by artificial light.

On January 18, 1896, the first college basketball game was played with the five-man format in Iowa City, Iowa. During the game, the University of Chicago defeated the University of Iowa, 15-12.

James Naismith 13 Rules of Basketball are listed in this book.

The game that Coach McKenzie once played for fun has blossomed into a multibillion dollar industry where kids are used like chess pieces so that adults can be crowned kings or queens.

The business of basketball includes selling sneakers, specialized training, traveling basketball, recruiting service, youth associations, & more, but it strides on selling pipe dreams through the magic of smoke screens.

The 5th Dimension used to sing "You don't have to be a star to be in my show." Today everybody has to be a star!

For Coach it started with the purchase of fifty-dollar Jordan shoes for his three-month old son. It continued with anything advertised or worn by Orlando Magic & Penny Hardaway.


Michael Jordan ...

"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks."

If you put in the work, the results will come.

Michael Jordan play to win, whether during practice or a real game.

... Michael Jordan


These major events become our family vacations, which generate dollars not only for the organizers but increase revenues for hotels, restaurants, & malls.

The NBA Drafts only sixty players each year, with a limited number actually making the team.

So often he has seen parents investing in training when they should be investing in a tutorial course for reading or the standardized tests.

The reality is that only two out of every 100 high school athletes will ever play in college, & only 1 of every 12 thousand high school athletes will ever become professional players.



Healthy Lifestyles, Nutrition, Food, Recipes, Health



The AAU (Amateur Athlete Union) is one of the largest sports nonprofit organizations in the United States. Founded in 1888 with the purpose to establish standards & uniformity in amateur sports, it administers thirty-two different sports. Proof of grade & membership are required.

Grassroots basketball, is much like the subprime mortgage market, making up the rules as they go along, & always in the interest of making a dollar. The former NCAA President, Myles Brand, describes it as the dysfunctional world of youth basketball.

TV analyst Len Elmore, who played college & professional basketball, graduated from Harvard, & is now the executive of Ihoops, has been quoted as saying "that shoe companies spending has thrown youth basketball into turmoil."

As a smart athlete you must be willing to ask yourself this question: Do those claiming to care really have my best interest at heart?

The best kids usually play for free, & others pay 1000's to finance the team with hopes of being seen by North Carolina, Kentucky, or Duke.

College basketball is big business. It's megamillion - dollar coaching contracts & selling sports apparel in team colors.

Corporations pay as much as $100,000 for a thirty - second ad during the early rounds of NCAA tournament. The NCAA television deal is worth $6.1 billion over 11 years for TV rights.

Every year during the NCAA tournament, Richard Lapchick of Diversity & Ethics in Sports (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida releases the graduation rates of the participating teams in "Keeping Score When Its Counts." Last year his study found that 64 percent of the teams participating in the NCAA tournament graduated 50 percent of all its players, but the percentage of graduation for African-American differed by 31 percent.

We spend so much of our lives chasing dreams, trying to capture the desires of our heart, with very little time appreciating our Creation's blessings.

A couple of years ago Coach lost his father, & while he was fortunate to spend some very memorable moments with him, he often find that he thinks about the things they didn't get a chance to do.

Besides Thanksgiving, when was the last time you thanked those special people who have touched your life & told them how much you have appreciated what they've done?

Coach & his wife was blessed in 2006 to travel to South Africa &, in particular, Bostwana, with Athletes in Action, as part of the Sports Ministry team. They actually celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary on this trip.

The trip was a blessing for him, it made him appreciate a great country like the United States, in spite of its shortcomings.

He witnessed orphans infected with HIV & kids looking in trashcans for their next meals.

He met a young Christian pastor, Gary Pelotshweu, who he continues to communicate with & plan on assisting with building a school to be used by young kids.

So while you chase your dreams don't forget to thank those people who helped you along the way.

With two children, Coach & his wife sometimes passed like two ships in the night while traveling to opposite sides of the city.

Back when his daughter was playing AAU & he coached her team, they qualified for Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee. It was an inner-city squad, full of talent but short on cash & opportunity.

They didn't win the tournament, but the trip wasn't a total loss. He took the girls to talk to the Coach at the University of Memphis. They also visited several historical sites, including the National Civic Rights Museum, where they sat on a replica of the Montgomery bus that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on. They also toured the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated, & a house turned museum that the slaves used in the Underground Railroad. Some girls, including his daughter,got letters from interested Colleges.

While a teacher has the responsibility for inspiring & molding the minds of our children, they are probably the least appreciated.

As students, we often fail to acknowledge the contribution of our teachers until much later in life. As for me I came from a long family line of educators - preachers - pastors.

The scholarship includes tuition, room & board, & other fees, but players are rewarded by receiving some of the great coaching, medical care, first-class treatment for injuries, trips to exotic locations during the winter, free tickets, media relations, & hopefully one day a very good job.

If parents are looking for financial assistance, they should be aware that it's been estimated that there are thirty times more scholarship dollars available for college academic scholarships than there are for athletic scholarships. The higher the grade point average, the more opportunities exist to have a scholarship offered.

In the end, academics should always be your priority because when you have played your last game its the educated students who would be the ultimate winners.

Very little time is spent watching the game, kids these days aren't really fans of the game. They're fans of some of the players in the game: Lebron, Kobe, Dwayne Wade, KG - the big names.

It is said that no player or coach spends more time studying his opponents than Kobe Bryant. Before each game you will find him with a portable DVD player watching clips of the players he'll be guarding in that particular game. He's looking for just the slightest advantage.

The greatest players are the ones who have mastered the most basic skills. We have begun to see more & more Europeans players being drafted into the NBA & the expansion of the league overseas primarily because of their style of game.

If you want to mimic a style, look at the European leagues, whose players have a flair for the fundamentals. They have some of the best players because they've gone back to the basics.

Coach Randy Brown, a former college coach at Iowa State, amongst other, suggests that kids need to learn forty basic basketball skills. Included in this book is 40 Skill Development Checklist with a brief breakdown of each position.

Kobe is just good; he's not a good guard or forward. He's good, period.

Jay-Z didn't drop Reasonable Doubt, his debut album until he was twenty-seven. He understands that while the world is a rush, true greatness takes time!

Teachable translates into being coachable.

It starts with recognizing that you don't know everything & being willing to learn. The book of Proverbs says, "In all you do get wisdom & understanding."

Coachable players want to get better & understand that when they are coached it's for their own good & the good of the team.

One thing that stuck with Phil Jackson when he was hired as Chicago Bulls assistant coach was Red Holzmans statement, "It isn't about how great a star player, is himself, its's about how great he makes the player around him." Michael, being coachable, transformed his game from being a scorer to learning how to beat teams without having to score. Even the greatest player in the game allowed himself to be coached.

A truly coachable player has the ability to separate the truth from fantasy.

If you don't believe in you, then why should I or anyone else, for that matter?

Believing is about faith, & faith is holding onto that which you can't see.

The word no is engrained in us. So we learn to play it safe & not take risks.

But when you believe in yourself, you have the power to make positive changes. As they say in Star Trek, "You can go where man has never gone before."

Your mind is your power! We often don't take advantage of the power within us. If you want to be successful, then watch your thoughts. Stop thinking like a chicken when you were created to be an eagle!

The world can be cruel; it places labels on you & tell you that you are not the right color or maybe you don't dress right or maybe you're too short or too big or maybe you talk differently, & we listen to it & start to believe it.

In October of 1998, Coach was hired as an assistant coach at Minnesota Patrick Henry. He was warned that it was a bad job; for the kids lacked discipline & had very little talent.

Coming off a season of being beat in the first round off the sectional play-offs, the school hired a well-known youth pastor who previously coached girl's basketball named Efrem Smith. He was introduced to Efrem in Church & asked if he needed any assistants & was offered the opportunity to volunteer.

Efrem Smith coached with Christian principles & shared Bible lessons to back them up. If God be with me, who can be against me?

Prior to the this game they were coming off one of the biggest runs in Minnesota basketball history with 3 straight state titles, led by standout guard Khalid El-Amin.

On a Friday night in a crowded gym their kids began to understand what it meant to believe. Mike Pettis, was having the game of his life, kept them close, every kid was shouting "I believe, I believe" at the end of regulation in a huddle.

Coach McKenzie was hired as head coach, after Coach Smith left to take a youth pastor job in Dayton, Ohio. Led by three juniors, Johnnie Gilbert, Greg Patton, & Tony Travis, they would return to the state tournament his first season,only to lose in the quarter finals that year.

Their mantra "Refuse to Lose" was born, & in 2003, Minneapolis Patrick Henry joined Southwest Minnesota Christians as the only two teams in state history to win four consecutive titles, all because they learned to believe!

Your attitude can either be your greatest asset or your greatest liability.

It is the foundation of becoming a champion, whether on the court, in the classroom, in the community, or in your family.

For so many coaches the emphasis is skill development, & very little time spent on developing the right attitude & character.

Their daily practice was known as the patriot creed; they repeated it before every game. Nine steps explained in this book. Awesinwe!


Loving to live starts with the understanding that each of us is truly special, made in the image of our Creator.

Successful people want to be around successful people, while misery loves company.

Coach once read if you want to be a millionaire, find one to hang out with, & it makes sense, because they're making deals with people like themselves.

Surround yourself with dream makers not dream killers, not those whose only contribution to you is to bring nothing but negative energy.

Coach understands the pain of young people making bad choices; one of his former players is currently serving life without parole in a California prison. It only takes fifteen - to twenty -seconds lapses in judgment to ruin your life & change your future.

He was an outstanding student-athlete who excelled in football & basketball - a star quarterback & a three-time state champion in basketball. He had star qualities, & he earned a basketball scholarship in pursuit of playing in the NBA.

Young people are faced with challenges that he couldn't even imagine - the lure of hip-hop culture, the information superhighwway, & the influence of music videos & mass media.

When you love to live, what you eat & don't eat becomes important. If you don't take care of your body, it won't take care of you.

Not only is your diet important but so are proper rest & exercise.

When you love to live, you know that you cannot put chemicals into your body.

In a 1968 speech in Atlanta, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., spoke the words, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. He went on to say, "You don't need a college degree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love"

Coach's grandmother, Pauline Jones, a very spiritual woman, was there for anybody with a need, whether in the Church or the in the community.

His grandfather, William Jones, served as the neighborhood handyman.

His mom & dad, Lawrence & Retha McKenzie home was where relatives & friends came to relax, get a meal, or to lay their heads. His sister Paula is a nurse, helping those that are sometimes in their weakest moments, & his sister Carla is an administrator with the school system.

Coach was blessed to marry a woman with the same values & upbringing. They ended up taking his niece & nephew after his wife lost her sister to sickle cell anemia.

So when that final horn sounds, & you've scored that last basket in the game of life, Coach hopes your final stats will read as you being the type of player who not only had the ability to score, but was always willing to provide an assist, & your dash will say you were truly a champion.


Coach McKenzie successfully inspires to motivate audiences everywhere to enjoy, achieve, & go from the sidelines to become true players for your business, Church, school, or organization.










Monday, January 6, 2014

Trumbone . Trumpet 'Shophar' Horn ... 1/4/2014

Trumpet . Shophar . Horn . Silver . Psalm/Tehillim 98 . II Chronicles 29:27 . Trumbone . Music


Trumbone . Trumpet 'Shophar' Horn ... 1/4/2014 I was listening to a Christian CD with instrumental music and the musical instrument is the Trumbone.

Horn (Strength/Type of Victory)

I was listening to Have Yourself A Good Time.

Trumpet: I Chronicles 13:8; Psalm/Tehillim 98:6; II Chronicles 29:27

Biblical Days: The Druses upon Mount Lebanon among married women wore/wear silver horns on their heads (KJV Precious Promise Bible)





Angela's Insight: Praise - Pray your way in the midst of the storm - in the storm - out of the storm.

Make sure you know the real ROCK - not diamonds - not the Insurance Company


Reference used/taken from: The International Teacher's Handy Bible Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible


Income Ideas & Biz Strategy By The BOOK: Bible ... 1/2/2014

Ideas for Biz Strategy . Ideas for Business Strategy . BOOK - Bible . Psalm/Tehillim . Proverbs/Mishle . Colossians . Guidance . Prayer . Wisdom . Scriptures For Study as a Guide


Income Ideas & Biz Strategy By the BOOK: Bible .... I developed these Scriptural Guidelines for a few ladies for their meeting on January 2, 2014.


Need ideas,assistance developing a 'Plan" for your hobby, idea, dream, goals and or biz - only serious inquiries are welcome to contact me.


Colossians 3:18-4:1 ... 'Social Relationships' used/taken from Zondervan Bible Commentary

Colossians 3:22-4:1 ... Guidance - Wisdom - Biz by the BOOK

Colossians 3:18-25 ... 'Sundry (different times) relative duties' used/taken from KJV Precious Promise Bible


Colossians 4:1-4 ... be fervent in prayer


Colossians 4:5-9 ... walk wisely


Colossians 3:2-4 .... 'Life' ... He exhorteth to be heavenly minded


Psalm/Tehillim 62:10 ... Money ... David, professing his confidence in God, encourage the godly. (KJV Precious Promise Bible)

Psalm/Tehillim 62 ... Psalm of Supplication: Expressing trust in God/Psalm of Gratitude: For mercies shown to the psalmist. Didactic(Instructing) Psalm: Showing the blessings of God's people & the misery of HIS enemies. (KJV Precious Promise Bible)


Proverbs/Mishle 3:9-10 ...Money ... Exhortation to various duties. ... The Lord's Blessing on Fields & Flocks. The Upright Are Blessed & Prosperous. (KJV Precious Promise Bible)


Matthew 18:19-20 ... Touching offences. ... The Lord's Love & Care for HIS Children. God Knows Our Needs & Answers Prayer. (KJV Precious Promise Bible)

Matthew 18:19 ... Duties To God; Prayer; Efficacy of Prayer, God Promises to Hear Prayer (KJV Topical Edition Bible)




Romans 13:1-7 ... Of subjection to magistrates ... Citizenship

Romans 13:1-7 ... Civil & Social Life; The Body Politic; Obedience to Rulers


Philippians 3:20 ... Citizenship


Psalm/Tehillim 107:19-20 ... Illnesss ... healed & delivered

Psalm/Tehillim 107 ... Psalms of Gratitude: For mercies shown to the Church. Psalm of Adoration: Of God's goodness & mercy/Of God's power, majesty, & glory. (KJV Precious Promise Bible)


Isaiah 58:8 ... Illness ... health/righteousness/glory of the Lord... The Upright Are Blessed & Prospered. (KJV Precious Promise Bible)

Isaiah 58:8 ... Sacred Seasons; Occasional Fast & Feast Days; Public Fasts, Promises to Those Who Fast in Sincerity. (KJV Topical Edition Bible)


Industrial Employments & Products: (KJV Topical Edition Bible)

Proverbs/Mishle 21:17; John 6:12 ... Frugality Recommended

Jeremiah 32:25 ... Purchase of Real Estate by the Prophet Jeremiah

Ruth 2:4-6 .... Harvest; Reapers

Luke 10:2; Revelation 14:15,16 ... Spiritual Harvest

Isaiah 33:23; Mark 8:14 ... Bad Management

Jonah 1:5,6 ... Prayer in Storm


Civil & Social Life: (KJV Topical Edition Bible)

Genesis/Bereshith 41:33; Psalm/Tehillim 101:7; Proverbs/Mishle 14:35 ... Overseers Discretion & Integrity Required

Proverbs/Mishle 18:24; Amos 3:3 ... Friendship, Its Indispensable Conditions

Proverbs/Mishle 11:14; 16:13 ... Counsellors, Uprighteousness Required

Ecclesiastes 5:9; Amos 5:14 ... Conditions of National Prosperity: Material & Spiritual

Proverbs/Mishle 17:8 ... Gifts, Their Use

Job 32:11 ... Listen Patiently

Proverbs/Mishle 22:28 ... Biz Affairs; Sacredness of Landmarks

II Chronicles 26:10; Luke 19:2 ... Social Relations & Duties; Riches, Instances


Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Topical Edition Bible, Zondervan Bible Commentary & The International Teacher's Handy Bible/Encyclopedia/Concordance KJV Precious Promise Bible