Debt and Money!

Our Local Body Elections have now come and gone – until next time.  One ousted Councilor described his and others failure to get back in as a “tsunami of discontent”.  People seem to be saying it was the debt issue that drove the change. 

It got me thinking!  About money.  As surprised as some might be, the church doesn't always think and talk about it.  But we do know that money is an incredible tool and can accomplish amazing things.  Imagine what we could do for our families if we had more money.  Too often we are limited because we don’t have the money.  Too often we’re limited because we don’t have the right attitude and the right actions for our money - especially what we think others should do with it!

Money has great ability to bless, influence, and make a difference.  Money as Kevin Gerald says, is “A Dominion Certificate”.  Money says to land, - I can own you.  Money says to vision, - I can fulfill you.  Money says to needs, - I can meet you.  Money says to those bills, - I can cancel you out!  Money says to education, - I can put you through University.  Money says to retirement, - I can set you up sufficiently.  Money says to diseases - I can cure you!  Money says to low-income housing - I can build you.  In fact, we need money for those things. 

So it is understandable that we want to do many of these admirable things, and sometimes we borrow money to do that.  The problem is when that level of debt is unmanageable.  That’s true in business and personally.  A mortgage can be a good thing and the only way we’ll get into the market.  But when servicing that mortgage puts undue pressure on the necessities of life, then, well, maybe it wasn't such a good decision.  Let’s be wise with our money – at all levels – so that our families are free to grow into mature fiscally savvy men and women who by our example will have enough to make a difference to their lives and those around them.

Tongue-tied? How to speak effectively at work

I've done something I have wanted to for years!  Join Toastmasters!  Thoroughly loving it!  And there be more of the lessons I've learned here in time to come!

But I came across this interview from www.cbsnews.com which is great!  


In too many companies, talented individuals fly under the radar, working hard but unable to get to the next level. Sometimes, they get stuck because they aren't able to effectively communicate in a professional setting, either because of lack of experience, nerves or both. 

Michael Notaro formerly the president of Toastmasters International, a group that teaches public speaking and leadership skills, offers some important suggestions on people can sharpen their ability to speak in public settings. 

Why do smart people sometimes sound less than intelligent when speaking at work?

Michael Notaro: The ability to speak on the spot -- something that occurs regularly in the work setting -- is a skill that many struggle with. Fortunately, impromptu speaking can be learned. One great resource that I recommend, of course, is participating in the Toastmasters program. Practicing speaking scenarios helps, since the more people do something, the better they become at it. Once individuals become more comfortable speaking off-the-cuff, they gain the confidence to speak with more authority.

How important is eye contact when trying to convey your ideas?

It's crucial. Effective communicators make eye contact and smile to convey friendliness and warmth.

What are some tips that can help shy people get the words out?

Come prepared. Know the material and have a genuine interest in sharing that interesting, well-organized information with your audience. Also, prepare some examples or a relatable story to share, which will help you illustrate an idea, especially if you're nervous.

That's a great point. Nerves can make even the most normal voice sound soft or shaky. Any tips for this?

The best way to improve voice quality is with projection. Then, use vocal variety -- avoid a monotone sound -- and use gestures to emphasize important points.

Any final tips for speaking with authority, whether it's to your boss or your whole team?

Speakers should concentrate on the message, and the information they want to share. Know that listeners really want you to succeed and are not waiting to pounce on the first slip-up. It's natural to display a little nervousness.

© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

Staying Young!

 Here’s some great words about youth:

·         If the world seems to beat a path to your door, you probably have an attractive teenage daughter. 

·         99% of most youth problems is adult.

·         Adolescence is that period of life when children feel their parents should be told the facts of life.

·         The trouble with the younger generation is that most of us don't belong to it anymore.

·         Until a boy is sixteen he is a boy scout, after that he is a girl scout.

·         A historian says that women used cosmetics in the Middle Ages.  They still use cosmetics in the middle ages.

·         Middle age is when you're just as young as ever, but it takes a lot more effort.

·         The seven ages of woman: The infant, the little girl, the miss, the young woman, the young woman, the young woman, the young woman.

·         Definition of B29: What women in their 40's wish they could again.

·         Old age is the time when men pay more attention to their food than they do to the waitresses.

Society is obsessed with the quest to stay young.  My Uncle waited two years for surgery, but you can have a "face job", "nose job", or a "bottom job", within a week.

Here are some thoughts to help stay young!

1.         Be positive about life. 

You are only ever the results of your own attitudes.  An attitude of faith and confidence is an attractive thing.  He who says he can, can, he who says he can't, can't.  Attitude determines altitude.  Our attitude is like an armour.  1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude...

2.         Look after your body. 

Its all we've got for the Holy Spirit to live in.  What goes in, everything, emotionally, physically, spiritually, eventually shows.  1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things...

3.         Live in the present and for the future. 

The past is past, so learn from the past to live better in the present, and look forward to and prepare for the future.  Phil 3:13-14 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

4.         Use wisdom and insight. 

Some of us only wish we had or hadn't done this or that.  If only we'd used more wisdom, or consulted the wisdom of others.  If only we look more carefully into the decisions we make.  Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.

5.         Don't be afraid of using energy. 

It takes grit and energy to get things done.  A good shove is all things need sometimes.  It creates the momentum required to get something going, then after that it doesn’t require so much effort.  Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

6.         Respect our partner. (If we have him/her of not).

When you first meet him/her you don't really know if this is the one.  So respect him/her in every way.  Proverbs 20:25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.

7.         Believe in yourself. God does. 

See yourself as God does, and see what He thinks you can do.  You'll be amazed.

Believing in yourself is trusting in what God has made, and honouring what He has done.  Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

Getting Unemployment To Work

When you find yourself unemployed, it’s good to think about what to do with time off, or (so called) more time on your hands.  It is good to give it some thought, as so many just waste the time away, and then wonder where a few years went!  And worse, they regret lost opportunities, for not being ready.  And, when a job does finally come, they’re not in the right head space for it!  

I've had my share of being out of work.  Here are a few thoughts that I have found to work.

1.         Have the mindset that “you’re still working”.

This is important, so that you keep focused and your mind stays alert to stuff.  The holiday mode, should only last for the holiday, and we need to have a good one, a holiday that is.  But it needs to end, and back into work mode. 

2.         Keep to a regular schedule. 

I have always got up at a certain time, and kept to a reasonable regular weekday schedule.  Get up, devotions, breakfast, then depending on your life, for me it was study, or job hunting, then house work, meal preparations, a walk (a bit of extra time is a good thing to build into our life a habit of exercise if that is needed) then reading, or whatever.  But HAVE A SCHEDULE!  Otherwise the days will drift by and you’ll loose them.  When you keep busy-ish physically, it is amazing how that helps us keep sharp and alert mentally and spiritually.  

3.         Plan your days, weeks, months. 

This too is vital.  Plan your days, weeks and months.  They give you motivation, order and also give you something to look forward to.  When “something comes up”, you can look at your schedule and see if it is important to break into your usual plan of things (which is good sometimes) or diarise it for a set time.  Put into your plan jobs around the house, projects big and small, and outside the house stuff, so that when they’re done you can cross them off which gives you a great sense of achievement.  Any future employer will want to know you’ve used your time wisely even if you’ve had a lot of time out of work.  If you can say what you’ve done with your days, it helps. 

4.         Keep connected with people.

This too is important.  Obviously with Christian people to keep our faith alive and fresh, but all sorts of people to keep us alive relationally.  It is easy when not working, especially if finances are tight to get isolated, and away from people which is dangerous, as we lose the relational sharpness we need for normal work life.  Plan it in, cell group, Church, social group, or whatever it is that does it for us.  For us we have had a cell group all of exPastors, which has been a lifeline for me.  Kept me sane, and the prayer support has been invaluable.  This group for me has been able to minister to me prophetically, which has been awesome! 

5.         Learn something new to keep your mind active. 

Maybe take up something we have always wanted to for years.  This serves to keep the mind alert and learning.  Again a future employer will want to know that we’re able to learn new things, which is always the case in a new job.  But it is just good for us, to learn new things, meet new people, and expand us in many areas. 

There’s things you can do while you wait, like update your CV, learning how to write job application cover letters, and learning how to present yourself at a job interview.  If you need any help with those things, give me a shout.