Happy New Year's Eve 2012

Many people started out in 2012 and some have passed away whether by nature death, illness & tragedy let’s pray for the families. .................. Pray for our troops where ever they may be globally. .................... Please do not drink and drive. Be safe. ...............................

Family Matters .. 12/30/2012

Sunday School Lesson for 12/30/12. Unit I. Victory in Jesus. Family Matters. Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4. ................................... Between wives & husbands (Marks of The New Life) - Ephesians 5:21-33 ............. Between children & parents (Marks of The New Life) - Ephesians 6:1-4 ............. Family members should love and care for one another; just as Christ love and cares for the church. (Put love into action) ................................... Train children and raise/admonish him/her/them in the Lord. .................... Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4 .......................................... Verse 21 - Man Redeemed; Duties & Graces Of The New Life; Humility, Required ....... Verses 22,23,24 - The Family; Married Life; Duties of Wives ......................... Key to a harmonious marriage that is God-centered, follow God's instruction. ...... As long as husbands do things within the will of God wives should go along with their husbands. .......................................................... Verses 25,26,27 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Propitiation (propitiation - an atoning sacrifice) ......................................................... Verse 28 - The Family, Married Life, Duties of Husbands .......................... Verses 29, 30 - Jesus Christ, Figurative Characters of Christ, The Head of the Body ........................... Verses 31,32,33 - The Family, Married Life, Duties of Husbands .................. A husband should love his wife as himself. (Genesis - historical & spiritual idea of marriage "one flesh"). Wives should respect their husbands. ..................... Ephesians 6:1-4 ...................................... Promise: Verses 1,2 - "Health & Healing Promised" ............................ Verse 1 - The Family, Parents & Children; Duties of Children to Parents, Obedience .............................. Verses 2,3 - The Family, Parents & Children; Duties of Children to Parents, Reverence ............................. Verse 4 - The Family; Parents & Children; Correction, But Not Unjust .............. Do not provoke your children. ........................................... Spirit-filled families: Children should obey their parents in the Lord. Some obedient children die young but disobedient children at times make unwise choices which can lead to premature death. ............................................ Tomorrow we will be having early service at our place of Worship/Church & I wanted another lady to teach this Sunday School Lesson for I am not married, but I do not understand about being submissive & have no problem with it as long as my husband follow the Lord. ............................................ Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & Zondervan Bible Commentary

1 - 15 - 2012 .. Watch The Secret Millionaire

The Secret Millionaire: Clips can be viewed at this link ... ........... http://abc.go.com/shows/secret-millionaire/index ................... This link was shared in my Teacher's Guide Sunday School Book for 1 - 15 - 2012. Unit II. God's Protection. Sharing Blessings. Genesis 45:3-15.

12 - 25 - 2011 .. God's Covenant

Sharing from my Teacher's Guide Sunday School Book for 12-25-2011. God's Covenant. Celebrating Promises Fulfilled. Luke 1:46-55. .............................. Now I prefer the KJV and The Complete Jewish Bible. The below link is in my Teacher's Guide Sunday School Book. ........................................ Sunday School Resources ... http://www.sundayschoolresources.com/bibledrills2.htm

12-25-88 Sermon ... Merry Christmas

One of my former pastor preached this message on 12-25-88 on Christmas Day. The message was "The Wise Men from the East and Their Worship Plan." ........................ Matthew 2:1-2 ............................................ Verse 1 - Now when .... Jesus ... was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men ... from ... the east to Jerusalem ............ Jesus Christ; Genealogy, Birth, and Early Life; Christ Visited by the Wise Men and the Shepherds ......................................... (Luke 2:4, 6, 7; Genesis 10:30; 25:6; I Kings 4:30 .... Daniel 9:24; Isaiah 11:10).... Verse 2 - Saying ... Where ... is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen ... his ... star in the east, and are come to worship him. ............................. Jesus Christ; Christ's Divinity; Christ Possesses the Attributes of God; Is an Object of Worship .............................................. (Luke 2:11; Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 60:3; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 9:9)................ Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & KJV Special Arrangement New Testament

Living By Example .. 12/23/2012

Sunday School Lesson for 12/23/12. Unit I. Victory in Jesus. John 1:15; Ephesians 5:1-2, 6-14. ................................. The Word Made Flesh and Manifested (John 1:1-2:11) ........................... Marks of The New Life (Ephesians 4:17-6:20) ............................. In The Christian Community (Ephesians 4:25-5:2)................................ John 1:1-5 ............................ Compare John 1:1 and Genesis 1:1 ................................... Jesus was/is God, God the Son. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit has a distinctive role & identity; they exist as one. ............................ Compare Wisdom in Proverbs 8 & Word & light in John 1. ........................ Verse 1 - Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity, He Is Called God. Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity, Christ Possesses the Attributes of God, Is Eternal. Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity, Christ Possesses the Attributes of God, Is Unchangeable. ................ Verse 2 - Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity, Christ Possesses the Attributes of God, Is Eternal ........................................ Verse 3 - Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity, Performs the Works of God, In Creating. Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity, Christ Possesses the Attributes of God, Is Omnipotent. (Omnipotent - God has unlimited authority/power.) ................ Verse 4 - Jesus Christ, Figurative Characters of Christ, The Light of the World ..... Verse 5 - Compare to John 3:19 (A.D.26) Fallen Man, The Extent & Evil of Sin, Man's Love of Sin ............................................... Ephesians 5:1-2, 6-14 God is the only perfect guide. Be imitators of God. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ............... Verse 1 - Man Redeemed, Adoption, Believers His Children ....................... Verse 2 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Propitiation. (Propitiation - an atoning sacrifice) .................... Verses 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 - Fallen Man, Sins of the Flesh, Works of the Flesh in General ................................ Verse 8 - Man Redeemed, Blessedness of The New Life, The Impartation of True Wisdom, Actually Attained ................................... Verse 9 - Man Redeemed, Blessedness of The New Life, The Indwelling of the Spirit ... Verse 14 - PROMISE: Pardon for Sins and Iniquities Promised ........................ Verses 13, 14 - Man Redeemed, Effectual Calling, Man Co-operates ................ Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & Zondervan Bible Commentary

Building A Strategic Plan - Book Review

You will, at some point, need to share what your vision is with the rest of the world. You should share your vision wisely. There are many people who have all the will to be successful and will take any idea and use it for their own. When you are creating a vision, only share the vision with the people you trust. You only want to share the pieces of the vision with people who can share the whole strategic plan, but if you have a vision that is something you want to patent or a business idea, be careful how much information you share. That is why it is important to look for like-minded strategic thinkers whom you can trust. ............................. You can be a high school dropout, and if you have more and want to be successful you can be just as successful as the PhD. ...................................... You might want a business that has no overhead so that you can operate from home. Identifying the qualitative nature of the vision and creating goals gives you the information you need to start building out a successful strategic plan that is in alignment with the vision. ............................... True success is not only measured in wealth and power but in having the feeling that you have accomplished your vision and your goals. ............................ Your odds of accomplishing your vision might increase in some locations versus others. Location matters in business and also matters in helping you realize your vision. ................................................... Think about certain professions that you immediately associate with a certain location. When you think politicians you think Washington, D.C.; if you think about models it's New York or Los Angeles. If you think about technology, Silicon Valley comes to mind. For real estate, you think about the hot spots in the world and the big cities. You might also need to be in the right place to accomplish your vision. ................................... When Mr. Hawkins was a young boy, his father used to tell him stories about the great legends in business. The legends included J. Paul Getty, T. Boone Pickens, Warren Buffet and others. As a youth, he wondered why others did not achieve such success. ........................ It wasn't until he found his way into the corporate life that he realized that large organizations had found ways to accomplish great things just like the greats. They have found ways to master the economies and produce the products and services that the world depend on. These organizations have the ability to grow and dominate the fields they are in. ............................ They took risks and invested in the strategies that in many cases led to huge dividends. One of the tools the companies used to make the decisions is a strategic plan. ................................... What the education factory did not take into account was that education is not the only strategic plan you can follow. There are other strategic plans that can get you to your goals. ............................. Always consider the source and filter the information that is being given to you. There could be an ulterior motive behind the information that you are getting. ...... You will need to understand human psychology, understand the history of what has worked and not worked, and be a realist to some degree so that you know what is plausible and what is not. It is important to remain flexible. ................... Unforeseen events happen; births, deaths, the loss of a job, and other events will impact your strategic plan. Your definition of success might be limited by your experiences and judgment. ....................................... Your strategic plans are all about you and your visions. ......................... The truth about you is that you might be more capable than others in some areas and less capable in other areas. You are the person who needs to understand what your strengths and weaknesses are. With a good understanding of what you are good at and not good at you should look for opportunities that you are qualified to pursue. ..... A tool used in business is the SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunity, and threats. .................................. Your strengths are unique to you and only you. .................... You can determine your weaknesses in the same way you determine your strengths. ..... Getting yourself into the world means that you must be engaging with other human beings to determine what is an opportunity. You can socialize with groups who share interests. You can read the newspaper, Internet blogs, and articles. ............... There are always opportunities out there; you just need to be aware of them. You must be prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. .............................. Threats are external to you but can threaten your ability to capitalize on opportunities. ................................... Threats, like opportunities, are only realized in the outside world. Threats can come from business, family, and just about anything you can think of. ................ You might as well focus on what you are good at, meaning that it is one of your strengths and that you can overcome the threats and realize the opportunities. ...... No two people are the same. They think about problems and the subsequent solution differently. ................................... Building your strategic plan will take time, understand that your transformation will not happen overnight. ............................ Just because you were not born into money or a well-connected family does not mean that you have limited potential. It does mean that you are going to have to work harder to find mentors who can help you think strategically. ....................... You can also apply the principles of strategic planning to your family life. ...... As with life and business, not all strategies are going to be successful. .......... If you had a marketing department and deep pockets you would be able to grow the business on your own. You could hire the right people to help you come up with the plan and strategic plan to meet your objective of increasing the sales. ........... Keep in mind that a strategic thinker has developed their skills over years and years of trial and error. You may be successful on the first try, but odds are that you will not be. ...................................... Your daily decisions all have an impact on your life: the road you take to work, the food you eat, the car you drive, the watch you wear, the clothes you wear, the way your body looks. ................................................. Keep in mind that life is complicated; keep your strategic plan simple enough to follow. ........................................ The strategic plans can be used to solve personal goals as well. ................ Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be a friend." ............................... You want to qualify the vision with some goals to better describe your vision. ...... Build meaningful friendships with lots of people. ............................. Have friendships with like-minded people. ......................................... My friends look out for my best interest. ............................... The process you use to create the visions can be applied to business, school, personal life, and pretty much anything you can think of. ......................... Creating your vision is a personal thing. .................................. Having a vision that is dependent on others adds complexity and will be more difficult to realize than one you have total control over. ...................... So while you are creating your ultimate vision or strategic plan, remember that certain paths can have similarities - such as you went to the same school as others or you shared a community of or faith with a number of other folks. But your underlying strategic plan might go in directions that others have not nor should they. .............................................. Articulating your vision is one thing, but committing pen to paper and getting that vision written down adds a new dimension. ............................... Start looking for strategies and they will start coming to you. If you are at a loss as to where to start, a great place is through secondary research online. ........ Have an open mind when getting your information. A strategy that worked for someone else might not work for you. ..................................... Getting professional help from a consultant could be just the tactic to help give you the advice to get you on your way. ............................... Strategies do not always work. ...................................... When you are looking at strategies to meet your goals in life, would it not be in your best interest to have as many as possible to choose from? The amount of information in the world is tremendous. .................................... You might determine the strategies by hiring a consultant or talking to family and friends or by trial and error. ............................................. There are trade magazines and journals you can subscribe to, or perhaps you could get alerts and advice from online or more importantly seek out those who have retired successfully and ask them what they did. .............................. The strategic plan is going to take a time investment. You will need to modify your daily activities. ...................................... You have to have some organizational skills. ............................ If you have a business with a number of employees, you can delegate to the employees to complete the projects. You might look for volunteers to help you realize the vision. ........................................... Writing a strategic plan does not guarantee success. Your goal with writing strategic plans is to help you start to think strategically about accomplishing your goals and visions. .............................................. The more success you have, the more there will be to manage. ....................... It is so important to find ways to manage the success you create. .................. Find the vision that suits you and your unique talents as an individual. .............. You must choose carefully who should be involved in your vision. ................... Keep those who share your vision and support your effort close. ................... You also want to be working on something you are passionate about. ................. Strategic plans are not just for becoming super successful and dominating in business and our personal lives. Becoming a strategic thinker can help you with your personal life as well. .................................... I was sent a copy of this book by Mr. Hawkins for review. ................... John M. Hawkins is an author, consultant who helps companies and individuals achieve their goals. He graduated with a degree in business from the University of Portland. He lives in Oregon.

My Prayers Go Out To Children/Schools/Families/Friends

My prayers are with the families, friends, and school staff for the lost of the children lives on today. We all need to be praying for the protection of all staff that work and monitor and teach our children. ...................... If I feel like it I might be able to share a book about a man who at one time I think talked with some when the Columbine Shooting took place. ....................... One of my mentors introduced him to me in 1998/1999. At that time his fee was $1,000 per day to speak. He is originally from Bombay, India and him and his wife now lives in Kansas in the USA. ...................... I am ill now. I am weak with a bad sinus infection and very congested.

Helping Those Who Hurt - Book Review

I reviewed this book more than 5 years ago I think am shared it online. ............. H. Norman Wright writes this book as a person who knows first hand about helping others through trauma. He is a licensced therapist and certified trauma specialist, he also suffered loss with the death of his son at a young age. ................. After forty years of counseling the author is convinced that as many as one-third to one-half of all people he has seen didn't need to come and see him. That is, they wouldn't have needed to see him if they'd had a trained pastor, lay caregiver, or knowledgeable friend to meet with. He is all for professional counseling when it's needed, but many issues can be resolved with the help of a friend who is willing to learn how to minister to others. And as Christians it is not an option to help or not help others. This is what the Christian life is all about - ministering to others. ... Helping others includes experiencing genuine interest and love for the individual. We can listen and rely upon the power of God for knowing how to respond, but we must also have a genuine interest and love. If it is not there, you can't fake it, and your friend will know if you are. Proverbs 27:9 "Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart." (AMP)....... Timing is another principle. Proverbs 15:23 "A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment - how good it is." (AMP). The correct answer spoken at the right moment is needed. ....................................... Hebrews 10:25 says, "Let us encourage one another." Your encouragement serves like the concrete pilings of a structural support. ................................ IF YOU WANT TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON, just be there. If you want to help another person, just listen. One of the greatest gifts one person can give to another is the gift of listening. ............................................... It has been suggested that successful communication consists of seven percent content, thirty-eight percent tone of voice, and fifty-five percent nonverbal communication. ...................................... But some listen because they care, and this kind of listening provides unlimited opportunities for real ministry in people's lives. ......................... When someone loses a parent, he loses a person who for many years has been the most influential person in his life. For most of us, it means losing someone who loved us and cared for us in a way no one else does or ever will again. ..................... What is experienced as a crisis by your friend may not be a crisis to you. You have to see it through her eyes. .................................. Develop a Support System: Over the years the author came in contact with more and more churches that have developed an ongoing ministry for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. ............................................. First in 1993 at the World Trade Center, next in 1995 in Oklahoma City, then in 1996 during the Olympics, and finally in 2001 at the World Trade Center - again. We experienced a twenty-first century "Day of Infamy" - and life in the United States has been altered radically. ........................................... Early examples of trauma are recorded in the Bible. Consider Job, who lost his family, farm, and health suddenly and by violent means (Job 1:13-19). David had several close (and no doubt traumatic) encounters with death that involved animals, soldiers, King Saul and giants (I Samuel 17:1-52; 18:10-11, 27; 19:8). These events affected his personaltiy and altered his immediate family. ......................... The word trauma comes from a Greek word that means "wound." ....................... How many people are exposed to traumatic events such as natural and technological disasters, accidents, crime, abuse, or war? ............................. Three Stages of Recovery: thinking emotional mastery .............................. The final stage is the mastery stage. This is when your friend finds new meaning through what she's experienced, and her perspective becomes that of a survivor rather than a victim. Who has the greatest potential to become a survivor? A person who has a relationship with Jesus Christ and a biblical worldview. ..................... If the loss was traumatic in some way, you may struggle with what to say. Grief is intensified if there was no opportunity to say good-bye, like in the case of accidents, fatal heart attacks, homicide, suicide, etc. Often when a death occurs in this way there is an intensity of feelings that can include regrets, guilt, shame, anger or rejection. .......................................... The core of helping others is prayer. But too little is said about prayer in counseling and too little is written about its use during the session and between sessions. What the author wants to address is the use of prayer as a means of healing in the process of counseling. ........................... There are five kinds of prayers that your friends need as an intervention during their time of difficulty: Prayer of encouragement Prayer of restoration Prayer of affirmation Prayer of blessing Prayer of intercession ............................ GriefShare is a program established in churches across the United States. A church is equipped with a video session for each meeting, a leader's guide, a leader-equipping video, and workbooks for group participants. Qualified lay people can lead this program. .................................. GriefShare videos feature interviews with thirty authors, speakers, counselors, and pastors with broad expertise in grief recovery from a biblical, Christian perspective.

To Be Replaced With A Biz Book in September 2013

This will be replaced with a Book Review from a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal, in September.

I have no plans to be back online until maybe this weekend.

Living Together .. 12-16-2012

Sunday School Lesson for 12-16-12. Unit I. Victory in Jesus. Ephesians 4:1-16. ...... Unity and Diversity (Ephesians 4:1-16) ............................. Maintenance and basis of Christian unity (verses 1- 6) ......................... The gifts that develop this corporate life (verses 7 - 16) ......................... Ephesians 4:1-16 .............................. verses 1, 2 - Man Redeemed, Duties and Graces of The New Life, Meekness ........... verse 3 - Man Redeemed, Duties and Graces of The New Life, Peaceableness ........... verses 4,5,6 - GOD, The Trinity ................................ We must show love which is the Christian virtue, pray and ask God to help you become more loving if you need help in this area. ............................... The apostle Paul admonished people to live their life worthy of their calling. ...... (Now I do not know what my gift is ... I know what I enjoy doing and that is what I do... but I have never been Seminary/Theology School either) ................... verse 7 - Promise: Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit Promised ....................... verse 7 - Scripture, Jesus Christ, Christ's Divinity ......................... verse 8 - Promise: Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit Promised ............................... verses 8,9,10- Jesus Christ, Christ's Ascension: Christ in Heaven, Christ's Ascension ......................... verses 11,12 - Sacred Persons and Offices, Offices and Gifts, In General ............. verses 13,14- Man Redeemed, Duties and Graces of The New Life, Perfection, To Be Aimed At ..................... verse 15 - Jesus Christ, Figurative Characters of Christ, The Head of the Body ...... verse 16 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Life ............................ We must speak/teach/share the Word of God truthfully in love ...................... Scripture reference taken/used from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible, and Zondervan Bible Commentary

5-20-2012.. 5 Stages of Grief

Kubler - Ross's: Five Stages of Grief .... http://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief ............. This link came from my Teacher's Guide Book 5/20/2012 .. it is suitable for all.... Unit III. The Word Will Be. John 11:17-27. Life That Does Not End.

The Heart of Financial Matters - Book Review

If you are looking for a get-rich-quick scheme this is not the book for you. ........ This is a study based on biblical financial principles to help you keep the money you have, invest it wisely, and provide for a safe, secure, financial future. It for everyone, wage earners, professionals, young people, married couples, those who are having trouble making ends meet, and people without proper financial training or a background in money management. ..................................... Mr. Hedges have been involved in the banking industry for more than forty years at eight difference banks. He has been president and chief executive office of three community banks. His writings, observations, and comments are from a banker's viewpoint. ............................... As a Christian businessman, he know that God will provide the answer to problems if we seek His guidance and study His Word. The Bible provides the principles for money management as well as solutions to the daily problem we encounter. ............... Goals are guides for building financial success. You will not reach your goals or become financially secure overnight. ............................. Luke 6:38 refers to our love, time, material possessions, friendship, ideas, opportunities, or anything that we could share, as well as our money. ........... Be cautious of get-rich quick schemes. ................................. Make a will. .................................. Misuse of credit is an addiction and it becomes a habit that is very difficult to break. ...................................... Proverbs 22:6 can apply to any type of training for your child or children; such as spiritual, moral, social, educational, or financial. ......................... Mr. Hedges and his wife sat down one day to discuss how to teach money management to their children. .................................... Teach your children the principle of stewardship that God owns everything and we are stewards overseeing his possessions. .............................. More important than teaching your children about money and finances is teaching them to live morally responsible lives. ..................................... Regardless of circumstances that may or may not be beyond your control, stay focused on reaching your financial goals. ............................. You will need to write down your personal goals. ...................... Keep in mind that you are the one responsible for taking care of your finances, and you are the one who will receive the benefit. ........................... You never know the true character of a person until they face adversity. This is when their true character and integrity are revealed. ...................... God wants good things for us and sometimes He must let us face adversity to truly reveal Himself to us. God is doing things in our best interest and He wants us to live life more abundantly. ............................ Your good name is worth more than great wealth. All things can be taken from you, but you can still have integrity. You can maintain your good name and that will open more doors of opportunity for you than anything else. ......................... Daniel served under three kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and Cyrus, King of Persia. All three Kings trusted Daniel and placed him in a position of great responsibility because they trusted him as a man of integrity and good character. .............. No victory or success will come unless you put forth the effort. ............... We are not all capable of running a large corporation, but we are all capable of doing our best in our work. ............................... Problems at work, financial problems, trouble with family members, health issues, the loss of a loved one, or any event that creates trauma or brings tension is adversity. ............................. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, "If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't, you will find an excuse." Once a person has mastered the area of finance, many other aspects of life will fall into place. ............. Mr. Hedges have given numerous financial and money management seminars in churches and other religious organizations over the past twenty-five years. .............. Our society has failed to recognize the importance of teaching money management in our homes, educational systems, and churches. Money is something that everybody needs and uses; however, very few people have formal training in credit, finances, investing, and the proper use of money. Without question, this is one reason why bankruptcy filings have increased dramatically over the last few years. ......... If we are not within God's will, we may gain wealth, but we will not have happiness or inner peace. When you let God be involved in your life, He will add no trouble to it. If He is not involved in your life, you will have trouble and inner turmoil. .... In Deuteronomy 28, there are fourteen verses telling of God's blessings if we obey His commandments, but thirty-three verses concerning curses when we are disobedient. ............................... You must change your heart before you change your pocketbook. ................. In an article in the May 2011 AARP Magazine ("Fix the Class Act, Don't Kill It," by Howard Gleckman), Mr. Hedges read that of every ten people over the age sixty-five, only three will be able to retire financially independent. ...................... It is not the amount of money that you make, but what you do with your money that is of more importance. .......................... There is an old saying that if you give a boy a fish, he will eat for a day; but if you teach him how to fish, he will eat for the rest of his life. .................. If you covet and pursue money, you will have many sorrows and disappointments (ruin and destruction). ................................. Money can be good. Money builds church buildings, schools, and hospitals. Money should never be put before God. .................................. In biblical times, a city built high walls for the protection of its inhabitants. This verse says that a rich man trusts in his riches to protect him, just as the high walls of the city were supposed to provide protection. Do not let money or wealth become your security or trust in it for protection, because you are only deceiving yourself. ................................. Why would God entrust you with more if you are not a good steward with what He has already given you? This applies to money, as well as any other gift or talent you have received from God. ............................. Good stewardships in little leads to being entrusted with more. .................. Seeking God's counsel in the use of our money is the most important principle in the area of financial management. ......................... God wants and desires to spend time with you. It pleases Him when you take the time to fellowship and communicate with Him. .............................. Our relationship with God is established when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We become a child of our Heavenly Father. ......................... We receive his instructions by spending daily fellowship with God in prayer. Bible study, Church attendance, and hearing the Word of God taught and preached. ........ We need to remove unrighteousness from our homes and return to teaching the Word of God (Job 22:23). ................................... Financial Principle: Pray about matters relating to money. God knows your future financial needs, and He will prepare you to meet those needs. ................... We are stewards of God's possessions, including our bodies. .................... A steward is a person in charge of another's business. We are God's trustees or stewards and He expects us to manage His possessions to the best of our ability. .... Financial Principle: Be a good steward of the time, talents, and possessions God has given you. ......................... Exercise self-discipline to control your finances. This is a key element in all areas of your life, be it in marriage, business, religion, relationships with friends, or in our financial matters. ................................ Let us not deceive ourselves, we are in a spiritual battle daily against the evil one and the devil is strong, deceptive, and cunning. We need the full armor of God as we struggle in this battle. .............................. Our greatest pleasure, most of the time, comes from doing something good for someone else. Sharing our possessions, time, and talents can be one of the most rewarding. ... God will bless our giving (Proverbs 3:9-10). Our giving honors God. We are to honor God first and then we will receive the blessing or the promise of God. ........ What has God promised in Malachi 3:8-10? ................................. He has promised to "pour out for you a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it" if you will give Him His tithes and offerings. These blessings are based on our actions. ........................................ You can not give out of greed with the intention of becoming rich. This is a heart issue. You give out of love, for God, and respect for Him and His Word. .......... We are to not only faithfully give to God, but we are to faithfully live for God. We are to be living sacrifices, holy, and pleasing to God. ........................ When the multimillionaire Howard Hughes died, someone asked, "How much money did he leave?" The response was "all of it." .......................... We are to do things that will have a lasing benefit on people's lives. Use your money, time, and talent, and influence for things that will have lasting benefit for others, even for generations too come after we have gone to be with the Lord. ....... All Christians are called to minister and serve God, but not all are called into full-time ministry as a profession. ....................................... Assume you are attending your own funeral. You are in the spirit and no one knows you are there. ................................ Will the preacher's job be easy or difficult to say nice comforting words about you? Will he say your integrity was without question and that you loved the Lord and served Him faithfully? ............................ When your family goes through your Bible, will they find it marked and worn from use or will they find it unused and covered with dust? ........................... The legacy is something that you leave in someone. ........................... Build treasures in heaven. ........................ During your productive years, you must save and accumulate for the future. ........ Save and invest as much as you can. The 10 percent that you pay yourself should be after your tithe and offering to the Lord, but before paying any debt or making any purchase. ............................. Start by saving 1 percent of your income per month. The increase this by an additional 1 percent each month until your goal of 10 percent is reached. ....... Be sure to place your money in accounts that are government insured. In the event that the company you are doing business with fails, your investment will be guaranteed. .................................. You do not want to sell your home to pay for financial emergencies. It also depends on location, permanence of your employment in the town, the economy, price, and affordability. ........................ Compounding is a term commonly used in banking and finance circles. ............. Compounding of interest can be daily, weekly, quarterly. Your money will grow faster if you reinvest your earnings, rather than spending the earned interest or income from your investments. ............................. How are you going to grow spiritually? This growth comes from Bible study, prayer, church attendance, memorizing scripture, and fellowship with other believers. Growth must first come by living a spirit-filled life. ............................ Sometimes we do things that may be harmful to God's work. ....................... We will reap what we sow. Is the fruit that you produce of value to God's Kingdom? Is God able to give you greater responsibilities because you have been faithful in handling past duties? ........................ Avoid use of credit, credit cards, and charge accounts. Credit looks just as attractive as food. ............................. Much of today's advertising and marketing is directed to encourage debt. ........... From Mr. Hedges banking experience, a debt consolidation loan is one of the worst loans to make. ............................................ The only wise method of using credit cards or charge accounts is to pay them in full each month. .................................. Seek the advice or counsel of experts before making an investment.' ................. If you use a professional advisor, it is best to avoid advisors who sell investments, especially if they sell only one product. Mr. Hedges recommend advisors who work for a fee and not on commission from selling a product. ............................ Separate counselors are needed in real estate, the stock market, bonds, and commodities. ............................... Do not cosign or guarantee loans. This is another financial principle about protecting your money. .................................. Are you to turn your back on your friends and relatives who are having problems? No, that is not Mr. Hedges point. If you desire to help a person, do so in a way that do not bring their burden upon yourself. If they were truly in need of help, if would be better for you to simply give them a gift. ................................. Another way to help would be to assist them in finding a professional financial advisor. .................................... Regardless of education or social standing, many people do not know how to balance their bank statements and post to their check register or they do not take the time to do it. ......................................... Mr. Hedges is most thankful for the personnel in our military, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMT's. But they will be the first to state that they are not capable of protecting us the way that God can and does. .................... Take the gifts and abilities God has given you, develop those gifts and abilities to their fullest, and then use them as best you can. ........................... Mr. Eddie Hedges is a retired banker with over 40 years experience, including CEO & President of three different banks in Texas. He has taught financial seminars in churches and religious organizations for over 25 years. His book shares his teachings along with numerous scriptures and banking experience in dealing with people with financial problems.

Make Your S.H.I.F.T. - Book Review

An excellent guide for individuals, those changing places of employment, getting a new job, getting a better handle on your finances, learning new skills, losing weight, going to college, starting a business. ..................... Avenues to learning new skills: visit the library and read books and magazines that interest you, take a class or hire a coach. ............................ Define and list your obstacles. .............................. Have a Plan "B." ............................... Define and set your goals - Financial, Spiritual, Family, etc. .................. Place your goals, dreams, plans, and desired outcomes in writing. ................ Stakeholders are people in our lives who can play a role to help us, or thwart us as we make our shift. ..................................... Brainstorm - List all ideas, or things that come to your mind. (Now I have not seen this word in a book since 1992, when I was in college in night school. Now I do not have a degree but the time I spent in night school was most rewarding). ............ Be grateful for what you have, no matter how much you have or don't have. BE thankful that you are still alive. .................................. Be confident in yourself, and understand your strengths and weaknesses. ............. Be positive. Stop focusing on your shortcomings. ................................. Beware of Naysayers. Do not share your plans or ideas when you are trying to accomplish a task, because some might not be supportive of your goals or dreams. .... Stop the cycle of generational dysfunction. ............................... Learn to listen, be silent. It takes two to argue. .......................... Keep your plan, goals, or dreams realistic. ................................. Our approach to change is personal and individual. ............................... Human beings are responsible for change, whether it is change in their personal or their professional life. Change requires the motivation to keep up a sustained effort, and a commitment to getting to the desired place. ...................... In the past twenty-five years, Mrs. Flaxington have been on many roles, in business and in working with individuals as a hypnotherapist, that have allowed her to observed many individuals intent on achieving personal change. She is, and have been, a hypnotherapist, a corporate consultant, a senior-level executive, a college professor, and a professional coach. ..................... The S.H.I.F.T. Model@ ................... Specify the desired outcome. ............................ Highlight obstacles and categorize ................................. Identify the human factor. ..................................... Find alternatives. ................................... Take disciplined action. ..................................... Being able to specific what you want and even more to the point, identifying something that you actually want to achieve, requires a very focused effort. ....... It always starts with defining exactly what you want to achieve in your life, and very importantly, why you want to achieve it. ............................... Depending on your goals and where you're starting from, these obstacles could include things like family, relationships, money, work, and even more internal issues, such as your own confidence and ability to believe in yourself. ....................... You will find out there are three types of obstacles: ones we can control, one we cannot control but can influence, and ones that are out of our control. ........... Among other things, this step looks at behavioral style, how we tend to take a different approach to problem solving and communication, and how these different approaches can hamper our ability to connect and work together most effectively. .... This step looks at the issues you might have within yourself and within your network of relationships. It looks at factors such as toxic friendships or poor self-esteem that might hold you back. Other things, like a supportive spouse or good self-confidence, might give an advantage in a particular area. ............................ In a kind of business sense, this is where skills like project-management skills, time-management skills, and resource-management skills come into play. ........... It is not enough to hate your 9-5 job and decide to start a home-based business. You have to know what skills you have, what impact it will have on your family, etc. ... Unless you have virtually unlimited resources, you can't just wake up one morning and pull a business idea out of a hat deciding to take it upon yourself to start that type of business for yourself. You need to think about the type of business that is right for you, even perhaps especially, if you are the only person who is going to be involved in it on a daily basis. ............................... We have a desire, we set the goal, and then we put steps in place in order to help us meet that goal. ............................... What is your personal desired outcome over the next year or few years? ............. We've read stories of people who made it rich and it ruined their lives, because a singular focus on wealth sometimes bring unintended consequences. ............... You have to think what you want your life to look like once you have made your shift and achieved the goals you are striving toward. .......................... Instead of "start your own business," you might have revised your goal to something like: "Find something you enjoy doing that you can make a business out of where you work from home three home three days a week have more time to spend with your family." .............................. What are you good at? What do you love to do and why do you love it? ....................... If we value something enough, we'll find a way to walk around the obstacle. ....... Take the time now to brainstorm and identify obstacles that have held you back, or that you fear may hold you back on the way to reaching your desired outcome. ........ Internal factors are anything you have accumulated throughout your life that either get in your way or help you to succeed. ....................................... External factors are all of the people in our lives who may affect our decision to shift in one way or another. ........................................... Our change sometimes threatens others, while some people can be great advocates and give us real help. We need to know who might be involved, for better or worse, to understand how to consider them as we create our plan for shifting. ............... Think about all of the people who may have some sort of stake in the people who may have some sort of stake in the process, if not now, then at some future point. ...... It is honestly better to consider everyone, even if you end up leaving him or her out of your change process, than to miss someone or some group that holds an important stake. It is not wise to assume you have support, or assume you can ignore someone because he doesn't seem to care or have power. ................... As you put a plan in place you may have to choose something that meets only some of your criteria, so you'll want to be aware of the most critical criteria for you. .... Now that you have created a list of what matters, you can begin the brainstorming process. The important thing is to have your desired outcome written down and documented, and then find ways to keep it in front of you, literally, so you can focus on it with clarity. ............................................. When Mrs. Flaxington decided to write her book, she had to sit down and list all the components in the process, it entailed everything from obtaining an ISBN, to getting a cover design, to finding a qualified editor, to every step in the marketing process and beyond. .................................... Life definitely intervenes and sometimes we have to make a mid-course correction or go down another road to get to our desired outcome. ......................... Each of our styles is different; our values are different, so we can't assume that because one person knows what to do in in detail at a given step, everyone else does. ............................... Having a "buddy" works well for some people. Your buddy a roommate, spouse, or friend, or it could be someone online you keep in contact with through social media sites. ............................................... Mrs. Flaxington husband is a big fan of the "Getting Things Done" (GTD) approach by David Allen, and everything he commits to goes into his GTD system. He uses that software and his outlook calendar to remind him of dates and commitments. ............ Mrs. Flaxington have color-coded folders for different projects (clients, books, marketing, financial information), and she can create a separate folder for each specific project. ................... Becoming very good at time management can be useful, and in her experience those who are good at managing their time always have some sort of system they use to keep them on track. .......................... The law of attraction is a theory that suggest we draw things in to our lives according to what we focus our energies on. Our thoughts are the most powerful tools we have. ................................. To achieve goals that are meaningful to you, however, it is important to understand and appreciate your talents and strengths, because this will let you become more confident and centered in your life and thus better able to see what will be, for you, a beneficial and valuable change. ............................. Stress comes in many forms. There is so-called "good stress" that motivates us and drives us to reach new heights, and then there is "bad stress" that consumes us and makes us less effective in our day-to-day activities. .................... Do not ignore the warning signs of stress until you find yourself sick or unable to cope because you didn't act on the warning signs. ..................... Another important way to alleviate stress is to take breaks throughout the day. ..... When Mrs. Flaxington was 19 years old she read a story, by Zig Ziglar, the late famous motivational speaker. He quoted the writer David Mamet who said, "Worry is interest paid in advance on a debt that never comes due." ........................ Another important skill is effective goal setting and creating an effective shift is to break through any destructive patterns that emerge in life. ..................... You can't fix the past, so it is most useful to just forgive yourself and focus on achieving a more positive, confident future. ................................ Remember that even Albert Einstein said, "It is not that I'm so smart, it is just that I stay with problems longer." ........................................... Research shows that people learn, change, and improve the most in those areas of the brain that already have the strongest synaptic connections. You learn new things and achieve more by working from your strengths. .................................. As a certified behavioral analyst, Mrs. Flaxington uses the DISC tool in her work. DISC identifies four facets to communication: how we deal with problems and challenges, how we interact with people, how we handle steady pace and work environment, and how we deal with rules and procedures specifically set by others. ... The DISC (D for Dominance, the Problems scale; I for Influencing the People scale; S for Steadiness, the Pace scale; C for Compliance, The Procedures and Rule scale) formula has been around for well over 30 years. DISC allows us to categorize types of behavioral styles. ............................. The sometimes uncomfortable truth is that we tend to like people who are like us, it is much easier for us to communicate with someone, for example, if we share similarities "click" easily because they "get" me. .................. Mrs. Beverly D. Flaxington is an accomplished business consultant, corporate coach, trainer, facilitator, behavioral expert, hypnotherapist, college professor, and business development expert. ..................... She is a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst (CPBA) and Certified Professional Values Analyst (CPVA). ......................................... Articles about her and her views have appeared in: The Boston Globe, Reader's Digest, Selling Power Magazine, Opposing Views with Mike McNulty, Fox News, and ABC News to name a few places. ......................... She is a frequent contributor in the media and has been featured on: Lifetime Television Balancing Act, with Jordan Rich on WBZ Radio; WVOL 1470 AM, Nashville, Tennessee: "Differences" with Denice Barnes; "Morning News Weekend": CVBT (Central Valley Business Times): with Doug Caldwell to name a few places.

The Art of Living Joyfully - Book Review

A guide to joy while you're going through life's trials. (This book has 190 pages). ...................... Words of wisdom from practical visionaries.... The Psalmist shares in Psalm 1:1-3 "The happiness of the godly, and Psalm 1:3 "wait on your season." .................................. Words of wisdom from practical visionaries: .......................... Faith is not knowledge of what the mystery of the universe is, but the conviction that there is a mystery, and that it is greater than us... Rabbi David Wolpe ....... God can dream a bigger dream for you than you than you can dream for yourself, and your role on Earth is to attach yourself to that divine force and let your self be released to it....... Oprah Winfrey .................................... There is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem... Booker T. Washington ..................................... I love the challenge of starting at zero everyday and seeing how much I can accomplish..... Martha Stewart ....................................... It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness... Charles Spurgeon ..................................... Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.... Benjamin Spock ............. The poets are only the intrepreters of God... Socrates .......................... Everyone has got it in him, if he will only make up his mind and stick at it. None of us is born with a stop valve on his powers or with a set limit to his capacities. There is no limit possible to the expansion of each one of us... Charles Schwab ..... If you can walk, you can dance.... Zimbabwean Saying .............................. God gave burdens, also shoulders.... Jewish Saying ....................... Get down on your knees and thank God you are on your feet... Irish Saying ............ The family with an old person in it possess a jewel.... Chinese Saying ............. Peace, like charity, begins at home... Franklin D. Roosevelt ................... The only question with wealth is what we do with it... John D. Rockfeller, Jr. ...... Every new day begins with possibilties. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace... Ronald Reagan .............................. This is the day the Lord had made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.... Psalm 118:24 ......................... When a man is gloomy, everything seems to go wrong, when he is cheerful, everything seems right! .............. Proverbs 15:15 ................. He who smiles rather than rages s always stronger... Japanese Proverbs .......... May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart... Eskimo Proverb ..................................... Musicial training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul... Plato ............ Sometimes when you have everything you can't really tell what matters... Christian Onassis ............................ It is not what we do, it is how much love we put in the doing... Mother Teressa ..... Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opend unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.... Matthew 7:7-8 ...................... We worn born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in every one.... Nelson Mandela ........................... Music is the universal language of mankind... Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ......... I have found that most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be... Abraham Lincoln ........................ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself... Leviticus 19:18 ............... When we can laugh through our tears, we are being given a powerful message. Things may be bad, but they cannot be all that bad.... Allen Klein ................ You're happiest while you're making the greatest contribution... Robert F. Kennedy ............... Here on earth, God's work must surely be our own... John F. Kennedy ............ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.... Helen Keller ....................................... The whole world is my family... Pope John XXIII .............................. Prosperity is just around the corner... Herbert Hoover ..................... Love is he master key which opens the gates of happiness... Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. ............................. Find the good - and praise it... Alex Haley ................................... Millions of angels are at God's command... Billy Graham .......................... Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion... Benjamin Franklin ............... I believe that God is managing affairs and tat He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end... Henry Ford ............................. Most people like praise ... When it is really deserved, most people expand under it into richer and better selves... Joseph Farrell ...................... The only way to have a friend is to be a one... Ralph Waldo Emerson ....... I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues.... Duke Ellington ... Every baby born in to the world is a finer one than the last... Charles Dickens ..... Love... binds everything together in perfect harmony... Colossians 3:14 .......... There is literally nothing that I ever asked to do, that I asked the blessed Creator to help me to do, that I have not been able to accomplish.. George Washington Carver ............................. God answers all our prayers. .............. Sometimes the answer is yes. ............................ Sometimes the answer is no.... Jimmy Carter ......................... Let us not get so busy or live so fast that we can't listen to the music of the meadow or the symphony that glorifies the forest. Some things in the world are far more important than wealth; one of them is the ability to enjoy simple things.... Dale Carnegie ............................... Believe in something larger than yourself... Barbara Bush .................... May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunshine shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, and also a friend... Irish Blessing ................... God does not ask your ability, or your inability. He asks only your availability... Mary Kay Ash .................................. In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous... Aristotle .......... God is love... I John 4:8 ......................... Faith is the evidence of things not seen... Hebrews 11:1 ........................... Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's spirit dwells within you? .... I Corinthians 3:16 ................................... God dwells wherever man lets Him in... Jewish Saying ......................... Allen Klein is an award-winning professional speaker and bestselling author. He is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Applied & Therapeutic Humor, a Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association, a Communication & Leadership Award from Toastmasters International, & an inductee into the Hunter College, New York City, Hall of Fame. He is the world's only Certified Jollytologist@ earning a Master's Degree from St. Mary's College in humor. He has worked in television production, designing children's television shows at CBS, including Captain Kangaroo. He lives and writes in San Francisco.

Understanding Theology in 15 Minutes a Day - Book Review

This book is a great book for a person and sunday school teachers to have in their personal library, for quiet time devotions, personal Bible Study, and as reference tool for the serious bible student. ............................. This book has 211 pages and has Bible Scriptures as references. ................. Theology is the study of God himself - who he is and what he has done and will do. ... The Bible is the very Word of God, without error, completely true and trustworthy; Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be, fully and eternally God as well as fully human. .......................... The word itself comes from the Greek terms for "God" (theos) and "word," "thought," or "reason" (logos). ........................... Theology can be thought of as the study of the Bible. ............................. Only a person of faith, one who understands trusts in God and trust in his Word, can truly understand his Word as he intends. ................................ God will never ask us to trust in something for which there is no insufficient basis for belief. Through his Spirit, he will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). ................ Too often theology has been motivated by pride that seeks to show the superiority of one's intellect and knowledge. God-pleasing motives "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31) and to help the church may be built up (I Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 1:28). ..................... God desires to use theology (biblical truth) to transform us into godly people. .... Interesting Fact: Up until the last couple of centuries, theology was known as the "queen of the sciences." You were not considered to be educated in any field of study unless you had also studied theology. ........................... Our knowledge of God is absolutely dependent upon divine revelation; and not only is he willing to be known, he desires to be known. ............................... History is the working out of God's plans and purposes, and whether we know it or not, we experience and observe his work in all current events. ................... God's ultimate revelation of himself was through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament often references the "angel of the Lord (Yahweh),: as in Judges 6:11, when this specific "angel" came to Gideon while he was threshing wheat. In the same passage, this individual is referred to only as "the Lord" (verse 14), so clearly this is not just any angel of God but God himself. The term applied is theophany, an appearance or visible "manifestation" of "God." ..................... This ultimate revelation became permanent when Jesus was born. The apostle John show the significance by referring to him as the "Word" (logos), "The Word was God" (John 1:1), and "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (verse 14). As a result, "he has made God know" (verse 18). Jesus Christ is the supreme communication from God and of God. We can know God because he became one of us in the person of Jesus Christ. ................................... Because God is always truthful and correct in whatever he says (II Samuel 7:28; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), his Word also is truthful and correct in whatever it says (Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5). Theologically, the Bible is inerrant, that is, without error. .................. God is faithful and always can be trusted to do what he says (Numbers 23:19, I Corinthians 1:9, I Thessalonians 5:24), the Bible, as the Word of God, also can be trusted (II Samuel 7:28). .................. The Bible is inerrant and infallible. God does not make mistakes, and his Word does not include mistakes. ........................... Not only is the Bible sufficient for what we are to know and do, but it is also understandable to the average reader. It's encouraging that graduate training in Hebrew, Greek, and theology are not necessary to comprehend the Bible. ............ This does not mean everything in the Bible is easy to understand. The things of God are deep and ultimately incomprehensible. Neither does Scripture's clarity nullify the need for pastors and Bible professors. ................................... "There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5; I Corinthians 8:4-6; Ephesians 4:6; James 2:19). ........................ God demonstrated his mind-boggling power to speak everything into being: "God said, 'Let there be ... (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 11:3)............................ Only God is eternal; everything else came through his will (Isaiah 44:24; John 1:3). This includes both the material and scripture realms (Colossians 1:16). The theological term (from Latin) for such creation is ex nihilo, meaning "out of nothing." .......................... Evil did invade God's perfect creation, and early on, but it is not eternal. ...... His handiwork will be perfected through his redemptive or re-creative work, by which he will reverse and remove the effects of evil and sin and restore creation to what he originally intended. ............................... Even sin cannot keep God from fulfilling his purposes, in the world as a whole or through humanity in particular. .............................. God sovereignly rules and controls his creation (Psalm 47; Daniel 4:17) : the doctrine of divine governance or guidance. God had a plan for his creation even before he had created anything, and everything h does is for the purpose of working out that plan (Acts 2:23; 4:28; Ephesians 1:4, 11). His highest purpose in every act is to glorify himself (Isaiah 48:11; Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). ..................... Not only did God create everything through his unequalled power, he also sustains everything through that same power. ................................ God works through his creation in order to carry out his plans: the doctrine of concurrence (meaning that God works in harmony, cooperation, or agreement with creation). God controls the weather, and through it, he provides rain that nourishes vegetation, animals, and people (Psalm 135:7; 104:14:147:8-18; Matthew 5:45). He also works through people and events in history (Daniel 2:21; Jonah 1:15; 2:3; Acts 4:27-28; 17:26). ....................................... There are many angels. The apostle John had a glimpse into heaven and recorded, "I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, ten thousands times ten thousand" (Revelation 5:11). They are powerful but not all-powerful. They are intelligent but not omniscient. ............................... God created them for delivering his message (Daniel 10). Other primary activities include worshiping God (Revelation 5:8-14), carrying out his judgments (Revelation 8-11), and protecting his people (Acts 5:19; 12:7-11). ........................... It seems that all angels were created good and holy, they are referred to as "holy ones" in Psalm 89:5-7 but at some point, many rebelled against God. These are referred to as "evil spirits" (Luke 7:21) and often as "demons" (Romans 8:38: James 2:19), especially in the Gospels (Matthew 8:28-33: Luke 4:33-36). Paul calls them "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). ............. Christians should be encouraged be the work of good angels on their behalf, whether or not it can be perceived. (II Kings 6:8-23, especially verse 17). With regard to Satan and demons, we should take their threat seriously, they are still dangerous. We should remember that through his death, and resurrection, Jesus Christ has ultimately broken their power and sealed their eventual doom (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14). They will be eventually judged and thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:9-10). .......................... Our true confidence is that God is greater than Satan and demons, and he is on our side (I John 4:4). ............................... Christ's resurrection is absolutely vital to Christianity and our salvation, and as such, the fact appears in the earliest creeds of the faith, two of them being the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Paul wrote of it in I Corinthians 15, his great chapter on resurrection. ..................................... His resurrection was essentially the Father's "stamp on approval" on Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice. The Father accepted his work, and the basis for the plan of salvation was successfully laid. ............................... His resurrection demonstrates that Christ's death defeated death (I Corinthians 15:54-57). ........................................ His resurrection is evidence of the great victory (II Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14-15). .................................... His resurrection provides spiritual life for believers in him, it results in their regeneration, being born again. ....................... Jesus' resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers in him. ..................................... Jesus' resurrection should encourage Christians to be faithful in obeying and working for the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). ........................... The solid evidence for it includes the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to many people, including the women at the tomb (Matthew 28:1-10), the apostles (Luke 24:36-49), and hundreds of others (I Corinthians 15:6). ............................ "God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administration, various kinds of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:28). ..................................... God sovereignly distributes them according to his will (I Corinthians 12:11, 18), God has given each and every Christian a role and responsibility in the body of Christ and the supernatural ability, in the form of a spiritual gift or gifts, to fulfill it. He knows best how to orchestrate this, and we should be content with the gift he chooses for us. ...................................... Spiritual gifts can be abused; they can be used or exercised out of pride or for one's own glory (Romans 12:3). We are to exercise spiritual gifts to build up the church as a whole, not our own reputation or ego. ...................... If any spiritual gifts are motivated by anything other than love, they amount to nothing (I Corinthians 13:2,3). ....................................... Interesting Fact: There is no command to know one's spiritual gift(S). God will certainly direct us to a venue of service than coincides with the spiritual gift(S) he, through his Spirit, has given us. ......................... Bethany House provided me with this review copy. ............................ Daryl Aaron earned his ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary and his PhD at Graduate Theological Foundation. He spent fourteen years in pastoral ministry before coming to Northwestern College where he is Professor of Theology and Bible. Dr. Aaron lives in Mounds View, Minnesota, with his wife Marilyn. They have one daughter, Kimberly, who recently completed her master's program and will join her father on the faculty of Northwestern College teaching Spanish.

Israelites Tabernacle - 10/15/2007

In 2003 my former pastor when I was at my home church had a study on "The Tabernacle." We ordered work books and studied from them....... The below is from my Family Bible. ..................................... Who am I sharing this? The word "Judah" is in my sunday school lesson for 10-21-07. I do not know how at this time my sunday school lesson and this go together at this time. .................... A Short Summary from "A Comprehensive & Critical Description of the Israelitish Tabernacle & Its Sacred Furniture. Together With An Account of The Priesthood & The Worship & Sacrifices of The Israelites." ............. The Tabernacle was a symbol of the visible church of God on earth. David in the Book of Psalms refers to the Tabernacle & its worship. ........................ The First Tabernacle -- was doubtless the dwelling, or headquarters of Moses, & the place where the public business of the nation was transacted. And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the Tabernacle, that all the people rose up, & stood every man at his tent door, & looked after Moses until he was gone into the Tabernacle. ...................... An exact pattern of the whole structure of the Tabernacle & all its appointments was shown to Moses by God in Mount Sinai, & he was commanded to entrust, the executing the mechanical part of the work to Bezaleel, of the tribe of Judah, & Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, who were the most skillful workmen in the nation. .............. The Court -- The appearance of the Court, the arrangement of the posts & walls, the open entrance with its curtains of blue, purple, & scarlet. .................... The Tabernacle -- When the nation was on a march, it moved in advance of the host, pointing the way; but when a halt was made, it settled down over the Tabernacle, resting, as it believed, over the Ark. ............................ The Altar of Burnt Offering -- was the instrument used for the purpose of reconciling man with his Maker. Christ was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in HIM. ................. Reference taken from -- KJV, The New Devotional & Pratical Pictorial Family Bible, "A Comprehensive & Critical Description of the Israelitish Tabernacle & Its Sacred Furniture. Together With An Account of The Priesthood & The Worship & Sacrifices of The Israelites." Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1879, by J.R.Jones in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. ................ Amazon.com sells a workbook titled -- "Life Principles For Worship From the Tabernacle by Wayne Barber, Eddie Rasnake, Richard Shepherd" for those that might be interested. I also have the workbook for in 2003 my home church did a study.

2 of 2 .. Unity, Not Conformity .. 12/9/2012

Sunday School Lesson for 12/9/2012. Unit I. Victory in Jesus. Ephesians 2:11-22. .... In my Teacher's Guide Sunday School Book there is a section for "Adult" and "Youth" concerning "Your Life" & "Your World." ..................... Adult: ...................... "Your Life" - Think about your gift or gifts that the Lord has given you and use them to build the body of Christ. ...................... Ask yourself weekly: Am I building the body of Christ or tearing down the body of Christ. ........................... "Your World" - Pray for better race relations among all people of the world. ............ Youth: "Your Life - Pray and ask God to help you if you have built up a wall of hostility in any of your relationships to forgive the person for the matter that caused the hostility .... Then ask God to forgive you if you had any part in the disruption of the relationship. ................................... "Your World" - As Christians believers we forgive others because Christ forgave us ..................... You just might be able to help your unbelieving friends by showing them how to forgive others when they have been done wrong by others.

1 of 2 .. Unity, Not Conformity . 12/9/2012

Sunday School Lesson for 12/9/2012. Unit I. Victory in Jesus. Ephesians 2:11-22..... Uniformity - Sameness, absence of variation. (variation - something which is difference)............................ When sharing/teaching we need to be sensitive to those who may have been harmed by others in the church. ............................... Jesus presence helps to break down walls of division and equips to be agents of reconciliation. ................................ They are members of God's heavenly and earthly communities. .................. Ephesians 2:11-22 ....................... Jew and Gentile United in the Church - Ephesians 2:11-22 ............... The alienated Jew and Gentile are now reconciled in Christ and formed into a home for God. ............................... God is accessible to the Gentile as to the Jew. ................................ Ephesians 2:11-22 ............................................... Verses 11, 12 - Sacred Rites & Forms; Sacraments, Worship, & Church Fellowship, The Significance of the Rite .................................. Verse 13 - Promise ...... Pardon for Sins and Inquities Promised ............... Verse 13 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Propitiation. (Propitiation - an atoning sacrifice) .......................................... Verses 14, 15, 16 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Propitiation .............. Verses 17, 18 - Promise ... Whosoever Will May Be Saved .......................... Verse 17 - Other Nations, The Conversation of The Gentiles, Jews and Gentiles Made One in Christ .................................. Verse 18 - God, The Trinity .................................. Verse 19 - Man Redeemed, Adoption, Believers His Children ......................... Verses 20, 21 - Jesus Christ, Figurative Characters of Christ, The Corner Stone & Foundation .......................................... Verse 2 - God, The Trinity. Jesus Christ, Figurative Characters of Christ, The Corner Stone & Foundation ................................ For a more detailed study of Ephesians 2:19-22 & Ephesians 2:11-18 you may search/study/research the following Scriptures: ............................. Acts 21:28 - Gentiles forbidden to enter "notices were in Greek and Latin." ....... Herod"s Temple - There was a forbidden entry to non-Jews/Gentiles by the 'Wall of Partition.' ............................................ The Temples - I Kings 6-7, II Chronicles 3-4, Ezekiel 40-43, Nehemiah 13:4-9, Acts 21:17, John 10:23, Luke 19:47, John 2:14-16, Mark 12:41-44 ................... The Tabernacle - Exodus 19:16 -20, Exodus 40:34, Exodus 24, Exodus 6:7, Exodus 29:43-46, Exodus 32-34, Exodus 25-31, Exodus 35-40, Isaiah 29:13, Leviticus 16:14, I Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:19-22, Mark 7:6-13, Ephesians 2:11-18, Hebrews 10:19-25 ..................................................... Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible, Zondervan Bible Commentary

Her Corner Office .. 2005

“I was either contacted by Trudy Bourgeois or her Public Relations person to review her book in 2005 while being the Business Coach Host/Editor for another site. ..... Marketing Yourself: ................................... Be ready .. You Will Be Tested! ................................. Make friends at every level of the organization. Treat everyone the same. ........... You are the product. There are many ways to go about marketing yourself. ............ Marketing yourself is not about stepping on others. ........................... Building your career requires that you establish the brand called you – “YOU, Inc.” Your brand is based on your strengths, talents, beliefs, values, and vision. ...... You must be willing to find a way to use your talents to serve other people. ...... Create opportunities to market yourself: ................................... Request special assignments. .......................................... Network at every level. ..................................................... Develop good listening skills. .......................................... Often you’ll discover opportunities that have yet to make it onto the grapevine. .... Building relationships: ................................................... Connect with people who have common values and principles. ....................... Quickly get away from people who suck your energy. .......................... Three Critical Components of Building A Relationship. Trust +Authenticity+Open Communication = Real and Lasting Relationships. ................................ African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics were estimated to be 25% of the U.S. consumer base at the end of 2000. The combined spending power of Hispanics and African Americans is nearing $650 million. ........................................... There is a growing and disturbing trend of women leaving big corporations to be more intimately involved in smaller companies. ..................................... Information in and of itself is not powerful. It becomes powerful when you make a choice to act on it.

God Knows About National Affairs... 2007

The Angels of The Lord Are Guardians of Cities and Nations ............... Thursday, July 12, 2007 ... the date I shared this online. ....................... God Knows About National Affairs. ...................................... Amos had to deal with the social evils of his day. Amos was pious and devoted prophet who studied to know the mind of God. ............................... God Knows About National Affairs Universal, World Events and Tension Outcomes are on The Prince of Peace Timetable. ............................ Isaiah 26:3 has wonderful words "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee..." ................................ Ezekiel 9:1 reads " He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. ............................................ Daniel 10:21 reads "But I will shew thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Micheal your prince. ......................................................... Daniel 12:1 reads "And at that time shall Micheal stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people. ...................................... God does know about National Affairs and let's journey back in time to Amos chapter 5 - 8 . The time frame that I am looking at is around B.C. 760 and our destination will be to Bethel. Amos was a peculiar and unique person. He was a native of Tekoa in Judah. God called Amos to be a prophet. ............................... Amos had to deal with the social evils of his day. Amos was pious and devoted prophet who studied to know the mind of God. Amos believed in justice, and he believed in righteousness. He believed that God was just and fair in his dealings. The wise shall see, hear, but say nothing for the time shall warrant God's infliction; his divine tolerance shall no longer endure the sins of the wicked. ........................... The wise people did continue to pray. Amos may have been presented as a good hard working man. Amos was a national leader; he prayed and cried out for the preservation of the nations as a father would pray and cry for the sake and preservation of his children. ........................................... Psalm 91:4 ""HE will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." God's desire is to care for us and protect us. This psalm's promise of safety must not be taken as an insurance policy against trouble. .................. But God does promise, "I will be with (you) in trouble." It is not necessary for one to be a genius nor a pessimist to recognize a problem and the progressive educators have not solved the problems. ................................... Biblical Facts: Revelation 7:1-2 Acts 12:7 Psalm 147:4 Exodus 3:7 Acts 15:18 Matthew 11:23 .............................................. The Angels hold back the 4 winds of heaven ............................... The Angels deliver God knows every area of the universe .................... God knows our sorrows God knows the past, present and the future ............. God knows what might or could have been ................................. If we have studied history enough to be able to look back over the centuries, we can see that there have been great and critical problems in the past. ............ I have faith that God is on the throne and that HE will rule in the affairs.

Chosen & Claimed - 12/2/2012

Sunday School Lesson for 12/2/2012. Unit I. Victory in Jesus. Ephesians 1:3-14. ..... We are Free Moral Agents - God allows us to make our choices, He does not force Himself on us. ..................................... Thanksgiving & Prayer: Ephesians 1:3-19 ............................. The blessings bestowed in Christ: Verses 3-10 ................................... Shared by Jew & Gentile: Verses 11-14 ...................... Ephesians 1:3-14 ....................................... Verse 3 - Duties To God, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving for Christ & His Salvation ..... Verse 4 - Works of God, The Purposes of God, Elected to Holiness ............... Note: Human Adoption/Foster Care - When sharing and or teaching this be careful, for some might have negative or positive experiences when they were adopted or in foster care. ........................................ Verse 5 - Works of God, The Purposes of God, Human Merit Excluded. The Family, Parents & Children, Adoption. Man Redeemed, The New Covenant, Salvation Is by Grace. ..................... "predestinated" - to forordain to an earthly or eternal lot or destiny by divine decree. ................................ "adoption" - to take voluntarily ( a child of other parents) as one own child. to take by choice into a relationship. ...................................... Verse 6 - Works of God, The Purposes of God, Human Merit Excluded. Man Redeemed, The New Covenant, Salvation Is by Grace. ............................... Verse 7 - Promise (Pardon for Sins & Iniquity Promised) ........................ Verses 7, 8 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Propitiation. (Propitiation - an atoning sacrifice) ................................... Verse 9 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Life ........................... Verse 10 - Jesus Christ, Offices of Christ, Our Life. Man Redeemed, The New Covenant, All May Be Saved .................................. Verses 11, 12 - Works of God, The Purposes of God, Human Merit Excluded ........... Verses 13, 14 - God, Holy Spirit, Offices ................................. Scripture reference used/taken from: KJV Precious Promise Bible, KJV Topical Reference Bible & Zondervan Bible Commentary