Yada yada yada...but.
That has to be one of the worst words ever. Add a "t" and it becomes one of my favorite words! TMI.
One of the cool things being a Christ follower, is realizing we can take God at his Word when He says "Never will I leave you or forsake you." So when I get the call about my current real estate assignment being terminated at the end of the week, need I worry? Of course not. Or when the Dr. says the cancer is still present? Again, wasted emotion worry is. Okay, I've got to stop sounding like Yoda.
...But. Another position opened up at a much higher pay scale...But. The cancer cells are being killed off.
Love those but's!
The most famous Vulcan once said-"When you eliminate the possible, no matter how unfeasible, only the immpossible remains."
Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible with God!
But what?
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lot 8
"David, Vee with XYZ Realty may come to pick up a key for Lot 8. She knows I'm off today but I told her I can meet her on Wednesday when both Kathy and I are in. Thanks, Ann."
That was a note left for me from the agent at a model home that is serving as a location for 3 communities closing out. The fourth community is 10 miles away and the note was referring to the key for that last home.
Ephesians 5:29-"Let no unwholesome word escape your mouth; only words that edify or give grace to those around you." That was one of the verses I read yesterday that applied to a situation.
"Oh hi David, this is Vee, I know Ann said...But, my clients will be here in a few minutes, can you drive over and let us in?"
What I wanted to say was "No...earn your frikkin commission and pick up the key like Ann told you to do." or "No stupid, I can't leave the three communities here, to bring the key you were supposed to pick up!" But then I remembered what I read earlier, so instead I answered with "I'm sorry Vee, I'd love to help you out, however, I'm here by myself and expecting a customer any moment."
...Every day something you read will apply.
That was a note left for me from the agent at a model home that is serving as a location for 3 communities closing out. The fourth community is 10 miles away and the note was referring to the key for that last home.
Ephesians 5:29-"Let no unwholesome word escape your mouth; only words that edify or give grace to those around you." That was one of the verses I read yesterday that applied to a situation.
"Oh hi David, this is Vee, I know Ann said...But, my clients will be here in a few minutes, can you drive over and let us in?"
What I wanted to say was "No...earn your frikkin commission and pick up the key like Ann told you to do." or "No stupid, I can't leave the three communities here, to bring the key you were supposed to pick up!" But then I remembered what I read earlier, so instead I answered with "I'm sorry Vee, I'd love to help you out, however, I'm here by myself and expecting a customer any moment."
...Every day something you read will apply.
Valentines Day Passion!
The last few blogs have been about God's Word being a map to protect, but also a map to promote passion!
Song of Solomon tells a story of a husband and wife on Valentines day... Starting from chapter one you have pheromones flying, passion in a park, and woopy in the wilderness...
1.12 The king is lying on his couch, enchanted by the fragrance of my perfume.
13 My lover is like a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts.
14 He is like a bouquet of sweet henna blossoms from the vineyards of En-gedi.
15 How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.
16 You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words! The soft grass is our bed;
17 fragrant cedar branches are the beams of our house, and pleasant smelling firs are the rafters.
You get the idea. Singles-Don't get any ideas.
Song of Solomon tells a story of a husband and wife on Valentines day... Starting from chapter one you have pheromones flying, passion in a park, and woopy in the wilderness...
1.12 The king is lying on his couch, enchanted by the fragrance of my perfume.
13 My lover is like a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts.
14 He is like a bouquet of sweet henna blossoms from the vineyards of En-gedi.
15 How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves.
16 You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words! The soft grass is our bed;
17 fragrant cedar branches are the beams of our house, and pleasant smelling firs are the rafters.
You get the idea. Singles-Don't get any ideas.
New York Times Number One Selling Book...Ever
Yet another story today about someone stepping on a land mine. With all the wars going on today, life can be treacherous and devastating to those living in those areas.
What if...The highest ranking officer had a map detailing exactly where the mines had been placed and gave clear warning of the areas to avoid. Wouldn't you want that map? One would be foolish not to.
The fool has said in his heart "There is no God." Psalm 53:1 Life is a maze and full of land mines. God has given us a map to help avoid stepping in it, yet, how often do we say "no thanks" I'll do life my way. He gives us free will to choose our own path in spite of telling us His way is best.
Think about it...If we followed just two ideas, Love God and love your neighbor, there would be no such thing as a land mine would there? One of the reasons Jesus was killed; that radical statement!
Might be time to open the book and read the map; doesn't do much sitting on the shelf.
What if...The highest ranking officer had a map detailing exactly where the mines had been placed and gave clear warning of the areas to avoid. Wouldn't you want that map? One would be foolish not to.
The fool has said in his heart "There is no God." Psalm 53:1 Life is a maze and full of land mines. God has given us a map to help avoid stepping in it, yet, how often do we say "no thanks" I'll do life my way. He gives us free will to choose our own path in spite of telling us His way is best.
Think about it...If we followed just two ideas, Love God and love your neighbor, there would be no such thing as a land mine would there? One of the reasons Jesus was killed; that radical statement!
Might be time to open the book and read the map; doesn't do much sitting on the shelf.
A Proverb a Day
From time to time I talk about my dad's influence on my life. One thing that comes to mind today is when he told me that there are 31 Proverbs; one for each day of the month. The Bible contains a lot of knowledge; wisdom is the application. Hindsight is better than foresight, but never as good as insight...So be sure to read today's Proverb
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2014&version=NLT
Today is Valentine's Day- Keep in mind that the best relationships are the ones with the best forgivers. Believe it or not a rope with three strands is stronger than one with only two! Be sure to keep God thoroughly intertwined.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2014&version=NLT
Today is Valentine's Day- Keep in mind that the best relationships are the ones with the best forgivers. Believe it or not a rope with three strands is stronger than one with only two! Be sure to keep God thoroughly intertwined.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Oswald
My Utmost for His Highest is a daily devo written Oswald Chambers. My dad used to read that book, and another called Streams in the Desert, pretty much every day. From time to time, I will peruse those books, as many people have been touched by these books.
Oswald was a Chaplain for the British during WW1. He had been assigned to be close to the raging battle. The father and husband in him, did not want to have the fam join him there because he thought it was too dangerous, yet he sought God about it anyway. He felt the Lord telling him to bring them to the danger zone with him, and his wife felt the same way. He was killed in battle just a short time later.
At first glance and my first thoughts after hearing this was; what an idiot, he endangered the lives of his whole family. What if they had been killed as well?
God says "My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways." The reason we have those books today is because his wife was there during that time, writing down things he spoke.
Sometimes having the faith to trust God ends up being our utmost for His highest.
Oswald was a Chaplain for the British during WW1. He had been assigned to be close to the raging battle. The father and husband in him, did not want to have the fam join him there because he thought it was too dangerous, yet he sought God about it anyway. He felt the Lord telling him to bring them to the danger zone with him, and his wife felt the same way. He was killed in battle just a short time later.
At first glance and my first thoughts after hearing this was; what an idiot, he endangered the lives of his whole family. What if they had been killed as well?
God says "My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways." The reason we have those books today is because his wife was there during that time, writing down things he spoke.
Sometimes having the faith to trust God ends up being our utmost for His highest.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Key to Success #7
Several years ago Mountain Lake Church in North Georgia started giving out business cards stating "You are the recipient of a random act of kindness from someone at Mountain Lake Church. God bless you today!" I found it both refreshing, and rewarding to be one of the givers and receivers of these. These were distributed everywhere; at Starbucks, Publix, Kroger, Five Guys, The Cigar and Wine Shop. Guess what, the owner of that last establishment showed up the next week and kept going thereafter.
While on that theme from, here's a story from The Today Show; I'd add this as an addition to keys for success #7 Do Random acts of kindness; try not to get caught talked about on a prior blog.
**************
In a time when everyone seems to be hard-pressed for cash, more and more are starting to give it away. "It made my day, it really did. It made my day,” customer Michael Aldea said.
"When I went to go pay, they said 'Oh, it's paid for. Somebody paid it forward,' " customer Sheri Buda said.
Story: In Joplin, a diner serves up shelter from the storm
"People will come in and say, ‘What do you mean? I don't understand. Are you trying to buy me a coffee today?' " And I say, "No, somebody came in 30 minutes ago and left money to pay for drinks until it runs out,” Josh Cooke, owner of the Corner Perk, explained.
Paying it forward
The pay-it-forward phenomenon kicked off two years ago when an average-joe customer left the first $100 bill.
"It's someone that just has a kind heart and wants that to generate in this area," Cooke said of the anonymous female donor.
That donor got what she wanted — not just customers, but strangers who heard what was happening started paying for people who follow. The owner says the lady who started the pay-it-forward tradition kept it going for a few months now and then — but in the past few weeks, the phenomenon has really taken off, with other anonymous contributors following suit.
"He said, 'I want to do that, too,' Corner Perk’s Sara Clemmons said of one donor. "He just gave me the hundred dollars and left. He didn't even get anything."
None of the anonymous donors leaves their name: only their money, and a feeling of inspiration that is jolting this community.
"For someone to come out of the blue and think about someone other than themselves, it's refreshing,” Aldea said.
"It's very inspiring to just see someone living out what so many of us talk about, and doing things for other people,” customer Jenny Dolin agreed.
While they all walk in for a pick-me-up, lately that comes from the compassion that comes with the coffee, not the caffeine.
While on that theme from, here's a story from The Today Show; I'd add this as an addition to keys for success #7 Do Random acts of kindness; try not to get caught talked about on a prior blog.
**************
In a time when everyone seems to be hard-pressed for cash, more and more are starting to give it away. "It made my day, it really did. It made my day,” customer Michael Aldea said.
"When I went to go pay, they said 'Oh, it's paid for. Somebody paid it forward,' " customer Sheri Buda said.
Story: In Joplin, a diner serves up shelter from the storm
"People will come in and say, ‘What do you mean? I don't understand. Are you trying to buy me a coffee today?' " And I say, "No, somebody came in 30 minutes ago and left money to pay for drinks until it runs out,” Josh Cooke, owner of the Corner Perk, explained.
Paying it forward
The pay-it-forward phenomenon kicked off two years ago when an average-joe customer left the first $100 bill.
"It's someone that just has a kind heart and wants that to generate in this area," Cooke said of the anonymous female donor.
That donor got what she wanted — not just customers, but strangers who heard what was happening started paying for people who follow. The owner says the lady who started the pay-it-forward tradition kept it going for a few months now and then — but in the past few weeks, the phenomenon has really taken off, with other anonymous contributors following suit.
"He said, 'I want to do that, too,' Corner Perk’s Sara Clemmons said of one donor. "He just gave me the hundred dollars and left. He didn't even get anything."
None of the anonymous donors leaves their name: only their money, and a feeling of inspiration that is jolting this community.
"For someone to come out of the blue and think about someone other than themselves, it's refreshing,” Aldea said.
"It's very inspiring to just see someone living out what so many of us talk about, and doing things for other people,” customer Jenny Dolin agreed.
While they all walk in for a pick-me-up, lately that comes from the compassion that comes with the coffee, not the caffeine.
6 Keys to Success
Mark Zuckerberg's recently came out with what he attributes his success to. Mark who? You know him by his little website-Facebook.
Six of the keys to success are:
Believe in yourself
Even if it's not perfect, stick to your vision
Tune out the naysayers
Loyalty breeds success
Follow your passion, not money
Live below your means
Six of the keys to success are:
Hey, he could double as a motivational speaker! I have years of journals that I jot down tidbits of information that may help me in all areas of my life. I have man's knowledge on one side and a biblical take on the other. That being said, let's look at those 6 keys through a spiritual lens.
Believe in yourself...So God fashioned me while in my mother's womb Psalms 139. Since He calls me the apple of His eye, and doesn't make mistakes...True statement.
Stick to your vision...Since He leads, guides, and directs our ways when we let him...True statement.
Tune out naysayers...Many peeps will try to dissuade you from the Truth. Naysayers are not the same as good council...True statement.
Loyalty breeds success...Lassie episodes taught me that...True statement.
Follow your passion, not money...Over 600 scriptures talk about money being your servant, not your master...True statement.
Live below your means...Again, tons of biblical themes about giving and serving others. Hard to do if you live paycheck to paycheck or spend more than you make. Too bad the governments of the world don't listen to this one!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Talking with God
Have you ever taken the time to notice a beehive being constructed? It's amazing to me how they know how high up they need to be, where the opening needs to be for the correct amount of air to come in and keep to nest cool, and to avoid the wind and rain from entering. As I think about this process; jazz music playing in the background, soft morning breezes. This moment in time, confirms in me that God uses His Word, the church, prayer, people and events and even experiences like this to speak to me. I might add as I experience God personally, it includes music, family, friends, my quiet time when I spend quality time in the Word and in prayer. Every way is unique in how God speaks to each of us individually. He's that big yet that personal. Obviously if you try to get to know someone, you have to spend quality time with them, and our God desires us to choose relationship over just a bunch of rules and regs.
To quote the Blackaby brothers in the study Experiencing God-"When God speaks, he doesn't give a new revelation about himself that contradicts what he has already revealed in scripture. Rather, God speaks to give application of his Word to specific circumstances in your life."
To quote the Blackaby brothers in the study Experiencing God-"When God speaks, he doesn't give a new revelation about himself that contradicts what he has already revealed in scripture. Rather, God speaks to give application of his Word to specific circumstances in your life."
Avoiding Life on the Rocks
A few people have asked me why my blog is called The Rudder? Well, what does a rudder on a ship do? Yup, just shout it out when have the answer. That's right; it sets the direction or course you are going; on tact and on task.
Last night, I started attending a Ironmen group. Ironmen, in the Biblical sense that iron sharpens iron. One man sharpens another. One of the qualifiers is "No Bible, no breakfast." Obviously, starting your day correctly positioned with the Son.
Andy Stanley once said "Your direction determines your destination." All you have to do to see if this is a truth, would be to ask the Italian Captain of the cruise ship Costa Concordia. Is your rudder setting your direction in life to a rocky ending? Are there steps you can take today that can alter the direction you're heading? Absolutely...Seek first God's kingdom and all the other stuff will line up.
Talking about line ups, today, surf is double overhead and offshore!
Last night, I started attending a Ironmen group. Ironmen, in the Biblical sense that iron sharpens iron. One man sharpens another. One of the qualifiers is "No Bible, no breakfast." Obviously, starting your day correctly positioned with the Son.
Andy Stanley once said "Your direction determines your destination." All you have to do to see if this is a truth, would be to ask the Italian Captain of the cruise ship Costa Concordia. Is your rudder setting your direction in life to a rocky ending? Are there steps you can take today that can alter the direction you're heading? Absolutely...Seek first God's kingdom and all the other stuff will line up.
Talking about line ups, today, surf is double overhead and offshore!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Giggle It
Last week a couple walk in to the model home community I'm selling in SoCal. The homes are nice, and they are not cheap; dancing just under the million dollar range. The couple absolutely loved the single level model and want to buy like, right now.
Spacebook, Myface, Titter, Giggle.
"I believe in God, like the Bible stories, and think Jesus was a cool teacher."
"We pay $2100 for rent and make almost $4000 a month, and we've saved almost $5000 for our down payment!" I think they were waiting for me to congratulate them or something. If you know anything about SoCal home prices and qualifying, you would know that those numbers relegate you to a home nowhere near here.
When I schooled them about the basics for qualifying, they were bummed they couldn't get the home. A $200k home maybe, and FHA. When I did the numbers for them, the reality that they would have to bring in a down payment of over $500k just to qualify, they were a little perplexed. They thought they could buy the house. They heard others with their income had bought beautiful homes like this in the past...
Imagine what would happen if they were given a loan for that home, after all, this ain't 2006. Oh, wait, that's a whole other subject.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing...
Like them, you may think you can get a cool house, or get to heaven by being good, or knowing about God. In reality, there are qualifiers.. Can't earn it; it's a grace thing you need to learn about, and have the faith to believe it, and live it.
Jesus says-"I am the way the truth and the light; no one comes to God except through me...It's by grace you are saved through faith, not by working for it, so you can't boast about how good you think you are."
Spacebook, Myface, Titter, Giggle.
"I believe in God, like the Bible stories, and think Jesus was a cool teacher."
"We pay $2100 for rent and make almost $4000 a month, and we've saved almost $5000 for our down payment!" I think they were waiting for me to congratulate them or something. If you know anything about SoCal home prices and qualifying, you would know that those numbers relegate you to a home nowhere near here.
When I schooled them about the basics for qualifying, they were bummed they couldn't get the home. A $200k home maybe, and FHA. When I did the numbers for them, the reality that they would have to bring in a down payment of over $500k just to qualify, they were a little perplexed. They thought they could buy the house. They heard others with their income had bought beautiful homes like this in the past...
Imagine what would happen if they were given a loan for that home, after all, this ain't 2006. Oh, wait, that's a whole other subject.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing...
Like them, you may think you can get a cool house, or get to heaven by being good, or knowing about God. In reality, there are qualifiers.. Can't earn it; it's a grace thing you need to learn about, and have the faith to believe it, and live it.
Jesus says-"I am the way the truth and the light; no one comes to God except through me...It's by grace you are saved through faith, not by working for it, so you can't boast about how good you think you are."
Friday, February 3, 2012
Wrong is Right?
ACLU sues library for filters on porn...Susan G Koman fund Planned Parenthood after all...Demi Moore pursues Zack Efron before her drug collapse...Billionaire adopts girlfriend as daughter to avoid lawsuit. These are today's headlines on MSNBC Homepage.
I can remember just a few short years ago when things were black and white, I knew the difference between right and wrong. What has happened?
The Bible is very clear on this; shortly before He returns, right will be wrong, wrong will be right. Earthquakes, famines, and wars, will increase in intensity as in birth pangs.
Just know the time is near.
I can remember just a few short years ago when things were black and white, I knew the difference between right and wrong. What has happened?
The Bible is very clear on this; shortly before He returns, right will be wrong, wrong will be right. Earthquakes, famines, and wars, will increase in intensity as in birth pangs.
Just know the time is near.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Youtube Fight
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2
Sacrilege! Remove themes like these from schools immediately! What, you would rather have kids respect each other, and consider others first? Heaven forbid any scripture based theme is allowed to marinate with our youth.
My oldest son posted a school fight on Youtube and has thousands of hits. I guess it's fairly normal these days. Not when I went to school! The 10 Commandments were posted outside in the hall for all to see. Lets see; don't lie, kill or steal, desire or be jealous of others stuff. Don't be adulterous, and love God.
Good thing those crazy ideas have been removed from our kids eyes! Those ideas are evil aren't they?
Sacrilege! Remove themes like these from schools immediately! What, you would rather have kids respect each other, and consider others first? Heaven forbid any scripture based theme is allowed to marinate with our youth.
My oldest son posted a school fight on Youtube and has thousands of hits. I guess it's fairly normal these days. Not when I went to school! The 10 Commandments were posted outside in the hall for all to see. Lets see; don't lie, kill or steal, desire or be jealous of others stuff. Don't be adulterous, and love God.
Good thing those crazy ideas have been removed from our kids eyes! Those ideas are evil aren't they?
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