Five Dollars
Doesn't seem like much but consider for a moment the 8th wonder of the world-compounding.
Save just $5 a day, or $150 a month, for 30 years — earn 10 percent on it — and you'll end up with a nest egg of more than $340,000. Would that make a difference in your life? (By the way, if you're wondering how the heck you can make 10% on your savings, you can't — at least without risk.)
The tricky part is saving that $5 without sacrificing your quality of life. As of today $5 buys a #1 meal at McD's, 1 pack of cigs, 1 happy hour drink inc tip, 1 appetizer or tapas. Oh, here's one; 1 Venti Caramel foo-foo drink..Ouch. But if you chose to sacrifice just a little, $5 makes a world of difference to kids and families in a third world country, if you chose to help them.
One of many ways of doing that is to pay for name brands only when name brands make a difference. Sound obvious? Take a quick stroll around any grocery store and you'll see that it must not be at all obvious, because the shelves are stuffed with products that cost extra — sometimes a whole lot extra — in exchange for nothing more than a name.
So if you're struggling with finances, want a little retirement, or want to leave a legacy for others, consider Abe.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Modeling Leadership
Ken Blanchard, the author of the One Minute Manager, once shared a story about what can happen when individuals in a company model servant leadership, no matter where they are on the totem pole.
A business consultant was training more than 3000 employees of a mid-western grocery chain to approach their jobs with a goal of creating a memory for their customers. She stated that "this is what will distinguish your store from all others."
Johnny was a 19-year old bag boy that had down-syndrome. His first response to the consultant's suggestion was "I'm just a 'bag boy.'" Nevertheless, he went home and shared what the consultant said with his mother. They began to ponder the consultant's words about how he could create a memory for his customers. Johnny had a habit of collecting inspirational thoughts that he would often read. He decided he would begin printing these sayings and place one in each of the bags of his customers. When customers came through the line he would place the sayings in their bag and say, "I've included some of my favorite sayings in your bag in hopes it will encourage you today. Thanks for shopping with us."
After just a few weeks, an amazing thing began to happen. One day the store manager noticed that all the customers were lined up at only one cashier station when there were other stations open. He began to panic, thinking the other stations were broken. After further investigation he found this was not the case. Actually, customers wanted to come through Johnny's line in order to get his saying of the day.
One woman came up to the manager and said, "I used to come to the store only once a week, but now I come everyday!" Johnny's example spread to other departments in the store. The florist began giving a flower to each florist customer. The meat department put Snoopy stickers on each meat order with a special greeting. This one act by a bag boy changed the entire climate of the store.*
A business consultant was training more than 3000 employees of a mid-western grocery chain to approach their jobs with a goal of creating a memory for their customers. She stated that "this is what will distinguish your store from all others."
Johnny was a 19-year old bag boy that had down-syndrome. His first response to the consultant's suggestion was "I'm just a 'bag boy.'" Nevertheless, he went home and shared what the consultant said with his mother. They began to ponder the consultant's words about how he could create a memory for his customers. Johnny had a habit of collecting inspirational thoughts that he would often read. He decided he would begin printing these sayings and place one in each of the bags of his customers. When customers came through the line he would place the sayings in their bag and say, "I've included some of my favorite sayings in your bag in hopes it will encourage you today. Thanks for shopping with us."
After just a few weeks, an amazing thing began to happen. One day the store manager noticed that all the customers were lined up at only one cashier station when there were other stations open. He began to panic, thinking the other stations were broken. After further investigation he found this was not the case. Actually, customers wanted to come through Johnny's line in order to get his saying of the day.
One woman came up to the manager and said, "I used to come to the store only once a week, but now I come everyday!" Johnny's example spread to other departments in the store. The florist began giving a flower to each florist customer. The meat department put Snoopy stickers on each meat order with a special greeting. This one act by a bag boy changed the entire climate of the store.*
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Gives and Takes Away
You may say to yourself " My power and the stregnth of my hands have produced this wealth for me" Deut 8:17
There is danger Will Robinson, well, for any of us who may have achieved some level of success through hard work or working smarter; then believing we achieved it through our own efforts. But the reality is that He is a gracious and merciful God, who has given it and can take it away.
There is danger Will Robinson, well, for any of us who may have achieved some level of success through hard work or working smarter; then believing we achieved it through our own efforts. But the reality is that He is a gracious and merciful God, who has given it and can take it away.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christianity Is Only For Certain People?
Jesus is the reason for the season. He came to seek and save those who are lost, those who have troubles, those who seek peace. Here's a quote from my church's blog "The message of Jesus is only for certain people--those with addictions to alcohol, porn, materialism, or greed. The message of Jesus is only for people who have anxiety, worry, stress, anger, or bad marriages. The message of Jesus is only for those who don't know how they're going to pay their rent, or mortgage. The message of Jesus is only for those who are prideful, depressed, lonely, sad, or have unhealthy relationships. The message of Jesus is only for those who don't know what they're doing with their lives or who are worried about their children's college funds.
The point is that the message of Jesus is only for certain people--those who understand they need him. And we all need him.
So now when you hear someone say 'Christianity is too narrow minded and only for certain people,' I'll respond, 'Yes, it is. The message of Jesus is only for people who realize they are not perfect.' And I won't be afraid to admit that I struggle with a lot of insecurities and self-doubts and need Jesus to remind me that I am a dearly loved child of his. By admitting my own weakness, perhaps others will see that Jesus came for people like me who know they are in need.
Do you have friends who think Jesus is only for certain people? Help them to see that Jesus is for everyone--everyone who is willing to admit they are in certainly in need."
The point is that the message of Jesus is only for certain people--those who understand they need him. And we all need him.
So now when you hear someone say 'Christianity is too narrow minded and only for certain people,' I'll respond, 'Yes, it is. The message of Jesus is only for people who realize they are not perfect.' And I won't be afraid to admit that I struggle with a lot of insecurities and self-doubts and need Jesus to remind me that I am a dearly loved child of his. By admitting my own weakness, perhaps others will see that Jesus came for people like me who know they are in need.
Do you have friends who think Jesus is only for certain people? Help them to see that Jesus is for everyone--everyone who is willing to admit they are in certainly in need."
Friday, December 3, 2010
Light at the End of the Tunnel
In this life you will have troubles...There's a light at the end of the tunnel.
One of my extended family members recently went through a nasty divorce with repercussions effecting them day in and day out. The kids are supposed to talk with the other parent on certain days, and even though they speak many times a week on other days, the court order specifies a certain time and day. A couple times over the past year were missed, so the absentee parent is suing the custodial parent on a Contempt of Court charge and jail time.
I can't even begin to imagine the anxiety, fear, and stress created by this situation. It seems as if the suing parent has one agenda- to make life miserable for the other parent, giving no thought as to what effect this will have on the kids. Even though the public records from the initial custody order shows that the other parent lived with a known convicted sex offender, or that almost too many instances to count, as evidence of extra marital affairs...with both sexes, were revealed over the course of a decade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXAAiSoBweU
When things don't make sense, gifts of things like peace, hope and joy do. These are the gifts that God gave us when He sent His son Jesus into the world, giving us a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.
One of my extended family members recently went through a nasty divorce with repercussions effecting them day in and day out. The kids are supposed to talk with the other parent on certain days, and even though they speak many times a week on other days, the court order specifies a certain time and day. A couple times over the past year were missed, so the absentee parent is suing the custodial parent on a Contempt of Court charge and jail time.
I can't even begin to imagine the anxiety, fear, and stress created by this situation. It seems as if the suing parent has one agenda- to make life miserable for the other parent, giving no thought as to what effect this will have on the kids. Even though the public records from the initial custody order shows that the other parent lived with a known convicted sex offender, or that almost too many instances to count, as evidence of extra marital affairs...with both sexes, were revealed over the course of a decade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXAAiSoBweU
When things don't make sense, gifts of things like peace, hope and joy do. These are the gifts that God gave us when He sent His son Jesus into the world, giving us a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Striving vs Obedience
When my businesses started folding one by one, my stress an anxiety level morphed into a time of striving. What I mean by that is I would look at any and every opportunity to make a buck. Everything was hard. Many times I was driving hundreds of miles away to do whatever it was for however long the job took.
When something unusual happens in our daily life experience, that's an indicator that it is a time to tune in our spiritual antennae. God is often at work.
"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant" (Josh 24:13).
I'll be the first to tell you that a month ago, I didn't have a clue about the advertising business, yet here I am blessed with a book of business, I did not build.
The people of Israel conquered the Promised Land as a result of obedience, not sweat, toil, or natural talent. God desires to give us fruit from our calling when we fulfill the unique purpose for which He made us. We will not have to manipulate the outcome.
As I learn again, to abide completely in His presence and purpose for my life, I realize His nature is to do exceedingly, and abundantly beyond what I can think or imagine.
When something unusual happens in our daily life experience, that's an indicator that it is a time to tune in our spiritual antennae. God is often at work.
"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant" (Josh 24:13).
I'll be the first to tell you that a month ago, I didn't have a clue about the advertising business, yet here I am blessed with a book of business, I did not build.
The people of Israel conquered the Promised Land as a result of obedience, not sweat, toil, or natural talent. God desires to give us fruit from our calling when we fulfill the unique purpose for which He made us. We will not have to manipulate the outcome.
As I learn again, to abide completely in His presence and purpose for my life, I realize His nature is to do exceedingly, and abundantly beyond what I can think or imagine.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Be Transformed
...So let mercy come, and wash away, what I've done...linkin park
...Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...Romans 1:1,2
...Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength...Mark 12:30
I remember as a child in Minnesota, gathering up caterpillars on milkweed plants that would morph into the majestic Monarch Butterfly. It's a complete change from an ugly green worm to a gold and black beauty. And then just to see them struggle to escape the cocoon, I was compelled to help. Little did I know at the time that my idea of being helpful, only proved to be harmful.
Sometimes the transformation can be painful; constantly being reminded of who we were requires us to renew our minds daily. Many times thoughts determine actions, and why it's so important our thoughts line up with God's...All the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHsYOtQIlT4
...Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...Romans 1:1,2
...Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength...Mark 12:30
I remember as a child in Minnesota, gathering up caterpillars on milkweed plants that would morph into the majestic Monarch Butterfly. It's a complete change from an ugly green worm to a gold and black beauty. And then just to see them struggle to escape the cocoon, I was compelled to help. Little did I know at the time that my idea of being helpful, only proved to be harmful.
Sometimes the transformation can be painful; constantly being reminded of who we were requires us to renew our minds daily. Many times thoughts determine actions, and why it's so important our thoughts line up with God's...All the time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHsYOtQIlT4
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