A Cup with Jeremy

Haiti Trip 2011

2011-12-23T21:55:00.002-05:00

Home sweet home! I have returned from my first trip to Haiti! For nearly 2 years, I have anxiously awaited this opportunity and now it has come and gone. Wow, what an experience! Words are so hard to find to try to explain my trip and what I'm feeling right now. So many thoughts, so many emotions.

The island of Haiti, nestled right in the middle of the beautiful Caribbean Sea, is a breathtaking place.... stunning coastlines, majestic mountains, palm trees, plantain groves, perfect climate, beautiful people.

It is also one of the most horrendous, most utterly disgusting places I have ever seen.

Haiti is home to nearly 10 million people, confined to a space of only 10,000 square miles (slightly smaller than the state of Maryland). That equates to roughly 1,000 people per square mile. Comparatively, in the US, there is an average of about 90 people per square mile. Needless to say, the congestion in Haiti is almost unfathomable. Add to this dilemma a heartless, corrupt government and you have extreme problems, of which almost no amount of foreign aid can help.

Nevertheless, my heart is full of compassion for the Haitians and I want to do whatever I can. As complicated as I believe the situation is in Haiti, I do not believe the answer is to do NOTHING. Since the January 12, 2010 earthquake, my attention has been directed particularly toward the orphan crisis. Right now, there are approximately a half million orphans in Haiti (about 1 out of every 10 children). Shortly after the earthquake, I helped launch a non-profit organization, called Haiti's Kids, that is dedicated to providing H.O.P.E. to Haitian orphans (Housing, Opportunity, Protection, Education). To learn more about Haiti's Kids, please visit www.HopeForHaitisKids.com.

While on my trip, I had the privilege of meeting Benite Jeune, a Haitian with a heart for orphans. Benite is also a local pastor who oversees the church that my father-in-law, Dan Deaton, started 46 years ago in Vignier, Haiti. Aside from pastoring, Benite also operates a school for approximately 600 students and has visions of building a youth center in the near future.

Benite Jeune

I also had the honor of meeting Doris Jeune, the dear wife of Joel Jeune, another local pastor who currently oversees 3 orphanages, a number of schools and churches, and a medical clinic.

Doris Jeune

One of the objectives of the trip to Haiti was to solidify some of the next steps for Haiti's Kids and to research properties that could serve as a location for an orphanage. Below is a picture of one site we surveyed - only about 2 acres of land, but is selling for about $15-20,000.

Below are some more pictures from my trip. As you will see, the sanitary conditions in Haiti are almost beyond comprehension. Haiti needs help. I would submit, however, that they do not need any more handouts. Foreign aid and billions of dollars have flooded Haiti since the earthquake, but very little progress can actually be seen. It's the curse of Haiti. It's a very sad, very complicated situation. I believe, though, that Haiti can heal. Not through foreign support alone, but through Haitians believing and fighting for a better Haiti. The longer their dependency on foreign aid exists, the longer they will be incarcerated and limited to excel. America can help, but Haiti must fight the battle. Otherwise, we are only putting band aids on cancer. My heart is heavy and perplexed... but, rest assure, I believe... and I have hope for a better, greater Haiti!

More pictures from my Haiti trip: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150470268844869.377408.624749868&type=1

Community Ambassadors New Home!

2011-12-10T00:27:00.000-05:00

Today marked a historic day for Community Ambassadors. We opened our doors at our new location, Parmatown Mall - the very heart of Parma, Ohio.

A big THANK YOU to Home Depot, Walmart, Accurate Interiors, Granite Transformations, Cracker Barrel, Parma Christian Church, and many others for your support and donations to help the Community Ambassadors get into our new location. Collaboration gets more done!

For those that don't know what Community Ambassadors is, here's a brief overview:

Community Ambassadors is a Christ-centered, Christ-driven ministry (and a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) dedicated to two simple purposes:

Serving the local community in practical, strategic, and effective ways through collaboration - pairing available resources to apparent needs.
Inspiring, equipping, and mobilizing the local church to become an epicenter of faith, hope, and love to their community.

To fulfill these purposes, the Community Ambassadors acts as a multi-faceted resource center to the community, and a partner to churches who share the self-same passion of serving and loving others. Ultimately, our mission is to meet people at their point of need - kind of like Jesus did - even when that mission requires loving them in a big kind of of way and serving whenever, wherever, however. It's our community. It's our commitment.

For more info, check us out online at www.ComAmb.org.

I am a Community Ambassador

2011-11-12T09:17:00.000-05:00

Here is an intro/promo video for a ministry called, Community Ambassadors, dedicated to equipping the local church to become an epicenter of faith, hope, and love to the community.

Are you a Community Ambassador?

Columbus Half-Marathon 2011

2011-10-22T00:52:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, I ran my very first half-marathon (13.1 miles) in the Columbus Half-Marathon. This was a goal/commitment I set at the beginning of the year, and was the culmination of 10 months of training. My estimated target time to finish the race was 2 hours, 15 minutes, but I finished in 2 hours, 10 minutes, which was by far the best I had ever run throughout my training.

Below are some brief reflections from my run. Perhaps it may translate some encouragement to you:

Finish - Whatever you start, finish. No matter how hard or how long it takes, be committed to the very end. Complete your course - even if it's just for yourself. Chances are, though, it's probably not just for you. Others are watching and waiting to see if you'll actually cross that finish line. Your effort and commitment will inspire faith and hope in others.
Set a Target & Commit to Hit it - I think it's important to set goals and strive for them. Each time you reach new heights in your life, it sets benchmarks that keep you moving forward and growing. I didn't strive to win first place, but I did set a goal - to finish the race in 2:15. Ultimately, just finishing the half-marathon is a respectable feat, but my heart wanted to achieve something more challenging and more remarkable than that. So when I crossed that finish line and saw that I had finished in 2:10, I guess you could say I felt like a champion. My endurance was tested, my faith was challenged, yet I persevered because I had a mark to aim for. And now, of course, my desire is to get out there again, but this time break the 2 hour mark!

Mile 8 - At mile marker 8, I hit "the wall." Intense burning in my legs, aching knees, fatigue. My whole body started rejecting the torture I was subjecting it to. My lungs were begging me to quit. I began to feel my pace slow down, which meant that I would unlikely hit my target time. Right about then, a lot of thoughts and feelings began to swirl in my head. Mile 8, incidentally, became a defining moment for me. It was decision time - to give in or to fight? That was the question.

In this moment, I learned that for me to finish the way I wanted to, it was going to require me to push past all the discomfort and to start fighting for the finish line with everything in me. Suddenly, I got my second wind and an incredible, indescribable determination came over me. I began to increase my pace dramatically. In my effort to break any negativity coursing through my mind, I started chanting to myself the words found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "In my weakness, You are strong.... In my weakness, You are strong."

I believe between each person and greatness stands a mile 8. You either push beyond the wall or you let the wall defeat you. These moments are what define you and your future. I challenge you to persevere! Once you get past that moment, I know you will have what it takes to get to mile 9, mile 10, mile 11, and all the way to the finish line. Isaiah 40 says, "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."

You are capable of more than you realize - In January of this year, I stepped onto my treadmill to begin my training and completed my first mile in a whopping 16 minutes. Afterwards, I thought I was going to die! 6 months later, in a 5K race, I ran my fastest mile in 6 minutes. In January, I would have never fathomed I could run a 6 minute mile, but I did. Prior to this past Sunday, it was hard for me to fathom I could finish a half-marathon in the time that I had targeted. The truth is, however, you can do whatever you train your mind and body to do. Anything is possible. Absolutely, positively anything.

It's not all mind over matter - Many times I have heard that the mind is powerful enough to compensate for and overcome what we lack physically or skillfully. While I believe in this theory to a certain extent, and while I obviously employed some positive mental strategies of my own throughout the race, and while it's true that a woman once lifted a 2,000 pound vehicle off her son who was being crushed underneath, extraordinary results like this are not generally typical. More often than not, a person is only equipped to do what they have conditioned themselves for.

For example, back in January, I could have mentally willed myself to get on the treadmill and run a 6 minute mile or to run 13.1 miles in 2 hours, but my body did not have the capacity to do it. Rarely, if ever, will you outperform your capacity. If you don't train, if you don't consistently apply yourself, toward whatever it is, you can't expect to produce extraordinary results. Training is your testing ground. It's where you work out your limitations and test your capabilities. It's where you grow your capacity to do the extraordinary. Once your training is done and it's time to perform, you then know what your body or your skill can do. At that point, you then can employ the confidence that you are ready to do the remarkable and you are ready to be victorious!

This race and the whole experience turned out to be a big giant metaphor for me in so many ways. Everyone's marathon is something different. For me, I just wanted to go beyond myself and test a realm that I had never experienced before. I also wanted to use this experience as an opportunity to fund raise and build awareness for Haiti's Kids. Proudly, Team Haiti's Kids raised $1,436 for the cause!

Thank you to EVERYONE for all the love, encouragement, and sponsorships you've given me over the past 10 months. You motivated me beyond words and inspired me to keep the focus and keep on runnin'!

The King Inside of You

2011-09-13T10:33:00.003-04:00

Be careful how you view yourself, because your self-view, be it positive or negative, has powerful implications. Think of yourself as a "nobody" or "disadvantaged" or "unworthy" and, I guarantee you, the evidence of your opinion will eventually manifest.

Alternatively, believe that excellence and greatness resides in you, even if but a small sliver of it, and excellence and greatness will become you. Remember that greatness is not always defined by your present circumstances. Consider that King David was anointed king of Israel yet while he was herding sheep, and he remained a shepherd for at least 15 years after that before actually obtaining the throne.

David knew he was a king as a child and he believed in his kingship all the way up until it came to fruition. Undoubtedly, you will become that what you believe you already are. If greatness is in you, believe in that greatness, and live out your life with that self-same spirit of greatness.

Remembering.....

2011-09-11T17:25:00.002-04:00

2 beams once marked the NYC skyline and tragically came down on 9/11. 2,000 years ago, another 2 beams, forming a cross, marked the skyline of Calvary. They, too, came down. Both events, life-changing. Both, I will never forget.

There's an old song that goes....

Jesus, I'll never forget
What you've done for me
Jesus, I'll never forget
How you set me free
Jesus, I'll never forget
How you brought me out
Jesus, I'll never forget, no never

A Destiny of Blessing - Are You Piped In?

2011-09-03T10:47:00.003-04:00

Do you desire God’s blessing in your life?

Most would answer this near rhetorical question with an emphatic, “Yes!” Of course we want God’s favor! Of course we want the Lord’s hand moving upon our life, guiding our footsteps, empowering us to live out the very best life we can!

But how?

For many, a life of blessing seems like a fantasy, too off-in-the-clouds, too ethereal to be reality. Today, let’s just obliterate this crazy myth! I want to assure you and proclaim that, not only, is this life POSSIBLE, but that God’s favor is for YOU. That’s right, God DOES want to bless you. It’s no secret. God didn’t design you for failure. Of course, that doesn’t mean you are immune to failure. Don’t be silly. Breakdowns, mistakes, shortcomings, these are all inevitable experiences in life. But failure – that is NOT God’s destiny for you.

Rather, God designed you for success. He designed you to be an overcomer. He destined you to be blessed, not distressed. He destined you to be free, not bound. To be the head and not the tail. He intentioned excellence for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

So, how do we tap into this life of blessing? How do we unlock the door that unleashes God’s abundant favor into our life?

First, we must believe that God’s blessing exists. Yes, as simple as that sounds, we must accept the reality that God’s favor flows and has always been flowing. There is a fountain of blessing somewhere. You may not know where it is, and you may not know how to tap into it yet, but it does exist.
Second, we must realize that there are things that God has already blessed. I would submit that, since the beginning of time, God has blessed two things for sure: His covenant and the Kingdom. Covenant is simply another word for “promise.” The Bible declares that God’s promises are “yea” and “amen,” meaning they are unyielding and eternal. Within God’s Word, you will find some 3,500 plus promises (not to mention, the whole theme of Scripture is one big giant promise!). From the days of the Old Testament until now, these are words of life and power to them that receive them!

Furthermore, Jesus declared, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What exactly is the Kingdom? It is anywhere that Jesus Christ is made King. Anytime you serve, worship, fellowship, disciple, or do anything that establishes and celebrates Christ’s Lordship, you are operating in a Kingdom dimension. And this dimension is awesomely blessed.
Third, and perhaps most important, we must ALIGN ourselves to what God has already blessed. Many times, I have found myself seeking God’s blessing upon my life only to later wonder why He never blessed it. I prayed prayers like, “God bless me, bless my family, bless my finances, bless my career, bless my ministry, bless my endeavors, bless this, bless that…,” yet, strangely, His liberty and favor remained elusive. Now, don’t get me wrong, these are some good prayers to pray. However, what I failed to realize in my times of importuning was that God won’t bless me simply because I ask Him to, nor is He as interested in building my “castle” as He is in building His Kingdom. Think about that for a moment……. Simply put, God is a God of principle and His blessing is contingent solely on alignment to Him. Persistent pleading isn’t the trick, neither is good performance. God’s blessing flows into our life the moment and to the degree we align ourselves to what He has already established and blessed – His Word, His promises, His Kingdom-purposes for your life, and His covenant relationship with you.

To illustrate this point a little more pragmatically, think about the plumbing in your home. In most residential developments, there is a water main out below the street in front of your house. This gargantuan pipe is the source of the water that feeds into your home and through the plumbing and faucets. However, if your home’s supply line (the pipe between the road and the house) isn’t connected to the water main, you could stand on your front porch and plead and beg and shout to God for water to flow through your house, but guess what? Barring a miracle, there ain’t gonna be any water! Yet, the moment that supply line connects into the water main, the water that was always present before, and always flowing before, now begins to channel its way into and through your home.

The same is with God! His blessings have always been present and have always been pouring. It’s simply a matter of aligning ourselves and connecting to the Source!

Today, I just want to encourage you to inquire of the Lord – seek revelation – for what He has already established in your life. Wait for Him to reveal to you where His fountain of favor is, and to lead your hands to tasks that He has already blessed. His blessing is not beyond your reach, but it’s also not within you alone – it’s within Him. The Bible teaches us to loose on earth whatever is already loosed in Heaven. If it’s not established in heaven, you can pray all you want, but you will not experience God’s favor here on earth. The apostle Paul warned about “praying amiss.” While, contrarily, Jesus proclaimed, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Translated from the Greek, this simply means that anything you ask for that aligns to the character of Christ – who He is and what He’s doing – He will freely and liberally grant you. In other words, love what He loves, care about what He cares about, invest yourself into the Kingdom, and your life will be prosperous. Friend, YOU are a conduit for extraordinary power and blessing!

Is it time to live out this destiny?

I Samuel 2:30
…”For them that honor me, I will honor.

Songs of Joy Over Me

2011-05-18T00:15:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, I visited my sister, Kara, in Kentucky. On Sunday, I went to her church. At the open of the service, the pastor's wife quoted a scripture (Zephaniah 3:17) "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (NLT)

This obscure passage, one that I can't recall ever noticing before, moved me to tears. That the God of the universe loves me to the point of singing songs of joy over me. It speaks profoundly of the love relationship God so desires with mankind (a two-way relationship). The real kicker, though, was Monday morning, not even 24 hours later. When I woke up, I checked my work email and found that a lady I work with (some 350 miles away) sent an email around the office referencing this very same scripture. It would seem that this was not just coincidence, but that God sometimes goes the extra mile to get our attention and to speak His love to us.

Osama bin Laden: Dead

2011-05-02T18:14:00.000-04:00

Today marks a profound day in American and world history. Osama bin Laden was killed last night in a firefight, led by U.S. Navy Seals, in his home in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Americans celebrated gleefully all throughout the night, raising flags and shouting anthems, and all for good reason. Bin Laden's decade-long manhunt which followed the tragic events on 9/11 that cost thousands of lives finally ended, giving feelings of relief and vindication for so many. I am thankful for this American victory today. But I am also prayerful for America and all those potentially subject to Islamic extremists seeking revenge. The war on terror is definitely not over. Nevertheless, I am proud of our troops and thankful for their courage and sacrifice. Today, an evil man, who caused so much pain, through destruction and fear, is gone.

Adopted Convictions or Revealed Truth?

2011-04-24T15:22:00.002-04:00

Have you ever found yourself applauding a preacher in approval or throwing out a mental high five to an evangelist for no other reason than that their message validated your doctrinal position, or fit nicely within your pre-existing paradigms about God and the Church?

To those, like myself, who have been "churched" our whole life, we've heard a lot of pulpiteering, and we've seen a lot of stuff. Of course, it's not all bad. But there comes a point when you begin to wonder how much of the stuff is truly biblical and truly from the mind of God.

Often we don't like to question things, especially if they are things we've heard our whole life. We assume that if the preacher says it, it's got to be true. Or if our parents ingrained us with it, surely they wouldn't have steered us wrong.

But I just wonder sometimes how many adopted convictions are the result of passive acceptance of things that have been handed down, without ever being questioned. Sometimes we do question things in our own mind, but we fear being the odd man out, or even ostracized, and never really verbalize our questions to anyone. And sometimes we resist from questioning because we assume that the questions have already been asked before and anything contrary to what you already believe must have already been proven wrong.

In this vein of thought, I admit, I have asked many innocent, die-hard Christians this simple question, "What do you believe?" Usually, the response I get is eloquent, well thought out and concise. But, then, I follow with this question, "Why do you believe what you believe?"

Interestingly, the response to the second question is usually much different than the first response. Generally, people will refer to their upbringing, their heritage, what they were taught, and what the Bible says. Surprisingly, however, it is with the recounts of Scripture that I usually hear the weakest arguments, and worse, the most radical misinterpretations and modifications to the Word. It leaves me to think that many Christians, including myself, are tempted and susceptible to viewing the Scripture through the lens of our own personal dogma and familiarity. Do we sometimes read into Scripture to merely confirm our pre-established doctrinal template, or do we allow the Word of God to speak its authentic truth into our life... and change us, as necessary?

I would submit that it is by the Spirit of God that we can truly gain wisdom and discernment to know Truth, as opposed to our own intelligence or our own opinions or even our own culture guiding us through this process.

The Word of God is Truth. Doctrine, however, is not. Doctrine may bear truth, it may shed light on the mysteries of the Bible, it may even provide governing guidelines for interpretation, but it is not Truth. In fact, God's Word stands alone as the authority.

You may be wondering why I'm writing this post or even who my target audience is. Rest assure, my intention is not to ruffle anyone's feathers or be destructive, but rather to be constructive and to provoke critical, honest thinking within the Kingdom of God.

Simply asking questions does not necessarily infer that you don't believe what you're questioning. It just means that you're allowing enough room for God to reveal Himself, even if it means changing your opinion.

My purpose in making suspect the roots of anyone's convictions is not to stir up strife or make people squeamish, but to encourage believers in their pursuit of Truth. When doctrine and dogma is all that speaks into our life, rather than the Author Himself, we err to follow our own wisdom and contrive conclusions that aren't always consistent with Scripture.

As Martin Luther said, "The true rule is this: God's Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so." In other words, when God speaks, we should listen, and when He is silent, we should remain silent.

Repeated assertions does not prove a point, regardless of how impassioned or sensational the point is preached. Nor do strong convictions justify invalid doctrine. Bottom line, we can't force God's Word to match our interpretation or our pre-conceived ideas just because it's what we're comfortable or familiar with. Consider for a moment - just a moment - the possibility that we may not be 100% right on everything, and maybe - just maybe - God can still reveal something brand new to us.

As Christians, we must always guard our heart and pursue Truth in a responsible, thorough way. Furthermore, we must trust that all things necessary for our salvation and concerning abundant life are taught in the Bible and are clear enough for the ordinary believer, like you and me, to find and to understand. And, finally, we must never forget that no one cares more about our salvation than God himself. When you seek you will find. When you knock, the door will be opened.

The Foolishness of Preaching

2011-04-19T12:24:00.089-04:00

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:21 that it is by the "foolishness of preaching" that saves them that believe. I find it interesting that God uses the "foolishness of preaching." I find it even more interesting that He does not use the "preaching of foolishness."

There is a difference.

The "mystery of the Gospel," as Paul put it, is revealed, not by spiritual goofiness, nor by doctrinal hand-me-downs, but through the simplicity of "the preaching of Jesus Christ." (Rom. 16:25)

Salvation is ridiculously simple. It is Jesus Christ alone and in him crucified. (1 Cor. 1:23)

1 Cor. 1:21 - For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

My First 5K

2011-03-19T22:53:00.006-04:00

Ran my first 5K today. Talk about an exhilarating experience - body, mind, and soul. Finished in 26:26.

They don’t see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and the thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any man versus man competition. For in running it is man against himself, the cruelest of all opponents. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself, his emotions and his pain.

-Glenn Cunningham

Columbus Marathon - Team Haiti's Kids

2011-02-16T09:44:00.002-05:00

Haiti's Kids is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization committed to providing H.ousing,O.pportunity, P.rotection, and E.ducation to Haitian orphans. For more information, please visit the Haiti's Kids website at www.HopeForHaitisKids.com

Following the earthquake that massively devastated the island of Haiti on January 12, 2010, my heart was grieved for the Haitian people…. Particularly, the homeless children. Even prior to this quake there already existed a great need in Haiti to house the thousands of homeless children, but that need has become even more dire and urgent. Today, there are nearly a half a million orphans in Haiti, an alarming number considering that the size of the country is only 10,000 square miles.

On Sunday, October 16, Team Haiti's Kids will be running a half-marathon in Columbus, Ohio, for the cause of these children. They need a family, food, protection, and an opportunity for an education. Simply put, they need hope. And I believe, together, we can all help. One way to help is by offering a donation to this cause. By doing so, you will be empowering Haiti’s Kids to be your hands and feet to these children. If you are unable to give monetarily, I simply ask for your prayers for Haiti and your words of encouragement to Team Haiti's Kids. Each affirmation helps to keep the focus and the drive going, and as long as we are moving forward, we will make a difference in Haiti.

Thank you and God bless!

Meeting with Mayor Dean DePiero

2011-02-08T23:00:00.001-05:00

This week Dona and I had the privilege of sitting down with the Mayor of Parma, Ohio, Dean DePiero. He was such a cool guy - very kind and eager to help us. One of the purposes of our meeting was to initiate a bridge between our church, The Branch Community Church, and the community. We felt this initiative involved the mayor and city hall because they generally have a sense of what the real issues and needs that challenge the community are. We also plan to meet with the area school district and other community groups.

My heart beat is to see our church become a church without walls, in which there is an overwhelming outpouring of faith, hope, and love that is not simply contained within our building, but is projected out into the neighborhoods of our community, without condition. People need love, but they don't need to be required to come to your church first. The Bible says in James 2:17, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." The message of the Gospel is meaningless to people if it is not coupled with action. Many people won't automatically come to a church to see the Gospel displayed. The church then must give the Gospel arms and legs by "going out" and responding to the needs of others with the true love of Christ.

Love HURTS!

2010-12-04T23:07:00.001-05:00

As I was putting Dalyn down to bed last night, he looks up at me and asks, "Daddy, what does love feel like?" I didn't know how to respond, so I just reached down, wrapped my arms around him and gave him the biggest squeeze. I said, "This is what love feels like." He then blurts out, "Man, love HURTS!"

Donut Day

2010-10-03T22:25:00.001-04:00

Every Saturday, Dalyn and I go out and get donuts. This one particular Saturday, however, we decided we would make our very own donuts and video record the experience. Here is 8 minutes of donut making awesomeness!

5 Characteristics to Winning in Life

2010-09-13T23:33:00.001-04:00

Give Value First

2010-05-31T21:17:00.002-04:00

You want to win friends and influence people? Dale Carnegie's age-old tips can help you, but it all really boils down to one thing: Giving value first. You want to be on the receiving end of positive outcomes? Don't just go around looking for handouts or wait for spontaneous good fortune. Give value first. Most people desire a good deal. We love to be on the receiving end of something of value. Places like Burger King have already tapped into this revelation, hence the ever-popular "Value Meal" menu that largely contributes to their "whoppering" 2.5 billion dollar a year revenue earnings. People are naturally drawn to value. People shop at Walmart, Target, Aldi's, ebay, and Amazon.com all for the same reason. We gravitate to things that bring value.

If you want to be on the receiving end of this type of gravitation, in which people are drawn to you and seek to be involved with you and show you favor, then get used to delivering value to them. Provide value with every relationship and connection you make. This investment will pay you back exponentially, I promise. Many times, we wait until the other person initiates the opportunity. This is no way to make things happen. Take initiative yourself, make the first contact, offer something - tangible or intangible - of value that will make them go, "Wow!" If you don't provide some form of value to others, you give them no reason to return to you or to return any favor. Adopt the "give value first" philosophy and you will not only win more friends, but you will maintain the ones you have, and find that your investments rarely return void.

As a man thinks... So is he.

2010-05-25T21:52:00.002-04:00

This blog has moved

2010-04-09T23:28:00.001-04:00

This blog is now located at http://acupwithjeremy.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://acupwithjeremy.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Help Haiti Heal

2010-04-09T21:43:00.006-04:00

Here's the new logo I designed for the Help Haiti Heal campaign. HHH is a project, spearheaded by my father-in-law, that's mission is to build an orphanage for unclaimed children in Haiti. There are nearly a half a million orphans in Haiti - an alarming number considering the size of the country is only 10,000 square miles. The need is overwhelming.... but just one child's life changed can make a world of a difference in a nation in dire need of hope. I am privileged to spend today and tomorrow with a few incredible men who are impassioned and burdened to help launch this great endeavor. It's really cool stuff. More updates to come....

Help Haiti Heal

2010-02-13T13:07:00.003-05:00

Pastor Dan Deaton, from The Branch Community Church in Parma, Ohio, traveled to Haiti immediately following the devastating earthquake that hit there on January 12, 2010. 42 years ago, he established a church in the village of Vignier, Haiti, and has been coming to the island ever since. While in Haiti, he assessed the damages to a school in Vignier that serves 400-500 Haiti children. This school was destroyed in the earthquake and will need to be rebuilt. There is also a need for a number of orphanages to be built in the village. Through Help Haiti Heal, Pastor Deaton will be working to raise funds and coordinate the rebuilding project for the school, as well as the formation of the orphanage. If you would like more information or to partner with this mission, please visit www.HelpHaitiHeal.net.

Hungry for Change: Food, Inc.

2010-01-31T10:39:00.014-05:00

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to watch the film Food, Inc. To be honest, I didn't really want to watch it, but I had heard so much good about it that it piqued my interest (plus Chipotle was promoting it... and if Chipotle likes it, I like it). Basically, the film sheds light on the "where" and "how" our food gets from farm to fork - mostly stuff that we don't think about and, frankly, probably don't even want to think about.

But its interesting stuff, nonetheless. Like the fact that McDonald's is the largest buyer of meat and potatoes in the world. Hmmmm. Makes you wonder. There are a lot of McDonald's out there. And if they are the largest purchaser of these foods, then they probably have the muscle to dictate how these foods are produced. Which they do.

It's not that McDonald's and other large food conglomerates are inherently evil, but they have been responsible for creating a system that has screwed up our thinking a little bit. For example, why is it that you can buy a cheeseburger for 99 cents, but it costs $1.19 for a bushel of brocolli? That just seems odd.

Since there is such a high demand in America for processed food, these companies have been instrumental in coming up with ways to create enough of it really, really fast. This is why most of our food contains high caloric, sugar laden ingredients, and much of the meat we buy in fast-food chains or supermarkets come from factory farms in which animals are raised genetically and under incredibly inhumane conditions. Things that shouldn't even be in food are, and things that shouldn't even be fed to cows and chickens are, because we have found a "secret" to manufacturing unhealthy and environmentally harmful solutions, cheaply and in mass-quantity, to feed our demand. Even our government subsidizes farmers to over-produce genetically-modified crops in order to use them in various forms throughout almost every product and process in America, in spite of the fact that these genetically-altered ingredients contribute to 1 in 3 Americans developing diabetes, heart diseases, and cancers.

Anyway.... I'll leave my two cents at that. I don't want to bore you with my regurgitation of the film. I would highly recommend you watch it, though. It really isn't too "Michael Moore-ish" as I might be making it out to be. The film's director, Robert Kenner, doesn't even really "attack" the current system of industrialized food production. In an interview, he said, "All we want is transparency and a good conversation about these things."

The truth is, the film simply changes the way you look at food. It may not stop you from ever buying a Big Mac, which, quite frankly, I'm sure I'll even buy one from time to time. However, it will make you more "conscious" of what you are buying and eating. Rest assure, there are solutions to the epidemic. Changing the way America eats won't change overnight. It probably won't even change over the next ten years. But gradually it could start moving in the right direction. As the film puts it, we each get a vote.... at least 3 times a day.

You can buy the film on Amazon.com for about $10. Click here for info.

Help Haiti Now!

2010-01-18T00:04:00.010-05:00

Haiti has suffered a devastating blow over the past week, in which a 7.0-magnitude earthquake ripped through the small island nation, killing an estimated 150,000 people, leaving untold numbers wounded, without anywhere to go for safety or help. The aid is now trickling in, but it is still a sad, sad situation.

My in-laws, Dan and Donna Deaton, have a very intimate connection to Haiti. Having lived there as missionaries, they helped establish a local church in the town of Vignier. Over the past 40 years, they have continued to financially support the church there and have traveled back to minister on the island numerous times.

This morning, my father-in-law, Dan, will be traveling to Port-au-Prince, and on to Vignier, to help the rescue and cleanup efforts. He will also be assessing damages in order to coordinate a later return for the rebuilding process. His heart is very heavy right now for the Haiti people. The need is so great and the help is needed right now.

If your heart is compelled to aid in this effort, I would humbly ask you to donate any amount to the mission. I assure you, every penny will go to rebuilding and restoring Haiti. You can click on the following PayPal link to donate online, safely and securely (The page will say, "The Branch Community Church - Help Haiti Now"). Please note, your contribution is tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt upon donation. For those who are able to give, I thank you. And for all those who are lifting up prayers for the Haiti people, may God bless you.

I'll do anything for a free BOO-rrito!

2009-11-01T01:22:00.005-04:00

I never was really into celebrating Halloween. That is, until I heard that you can get a free burrito at Chipotle simply by wearing aluminum foil on your body on Halloween. I would probably do much more for a free Chipotle burrito, but, thankfully, all I had to do was hand-craft a super-cool burrito hat. Dona and Dalyn also shamelessly joined me in this festive, yet debatably humiliating, adventure.

These were my night-vision goggles I made. The cashier begged me for them, so I gave them to him. It was the least I could do since he was giving me 3 free burritos.

The line went clear out the door and wrapped around the shopping plaza. Insane!

Making your own aluminum foil hat, equipped with burrito chamber = $0.10
Driving 15 miles to the nearest Chipotle = $1.25
Standing in line for 35 minutes = $Annoying
Getting a free burrito - Priceless

Weston Valor Kiner

2009-09-30T21:34:00.011-04:00

On Saturday, September 26, at 8:12 p.m., my second son, Weston Valor, was born. Talk about joy unspeakable!!

Many have asked why we chose the name Weston Valor, so I thought I'd share. Aside from the fact that Dona and I just really liked the name, we chose Weston for what it expresses. Quite literally, it means Western or "the West," which, in and of itself, holds little significance to us, but, historically, the West has always symbolized new things..... new lands, new ideas, new opportunities..... waiting to be explored, revealed, and achieved. When I think of the West, I think of Christopher Columbus who sailed the ocean blue to seek out a land unknown. I think of King David who spoke often of having a "new song." I think of every great inventor who, at some point in time before their noteworthy invention, chose to be daring and adventurous.

And, of course, Valor..... this name was inspired by one of my favorite Bible characters: Gideon. Gideon was referred to by God as a "mighty man of valor." In spite of being the youngest in his family, God had purposed in Gideon to achieve more than just the ordinary. He was infused with incredible potential and an unusual capacity to lead, which Gideon did not take lightly. Gideon overcame spectacular odds and performed unbelievable feats because of his courage and willingness to trust in the Lord.

That's basically it in a nutshell..... Weston Valor was named on purpose. His untold future is still yet before him, but my prayer is that his inquisitive nature will drive him toward uncharted territories, his capacity for being uncomfortable will motivate him to go against the current, if necessary, and his life's challenges will enable him to face the unexpected with confidence and courage.

Did I mention that I just like the name, too?

Take Control & De-Clutter!

2009-09-05T09:31:00.011-04:00

Clarity
Can you articulate a clear, realistic vision of your life 5, 10, 15 years from now? Stop reading this for about 15 seconds and think about that question. Where are you headin'? Most of us have a difficult time getting a clear picture of where we are at right now in this moment, let alone where we are going. Why is this? For many of us, including myself, it's..... Clutter. Clutter is that bad, sneaky, little demon that gets in the way of a clear perspective. It also has a way of zapping our energy as we try to work around it. We hang on to old stuff we really should throw away (guilty!), we burn a candle on both ends by filling our agenda with too many goofy, unproductive activities (guilty!), and we try to navigate through a jig-saw puzzle of scattered thoughts and intentions. When you're constantly contending with this kind of clutter, you'll never get a clear perspective to truly evaluate. Don't let needless clutter obstruct your vision, steal your resources, and make you an unproductive person.

Self-Awareness
The only person that can get you to where you want to be is.... YOU. Sure, you're going to need others, too, along the way. But it starts with an acute awareness - an awareness of your own personal and unusual potential and purpose. You must realize that the only driving force powerful enough to thrust you into your dreams is that force inside your heart and mind. Drain your mind of negative thoughts and laziness. Truth is, most people know exactly what they need to do to succeed, they just spend so much time thinking of reasons why they can't do them. Take ownership of your life and accept the responsibilities of what it will take to get you to where you want to go. Only YOU can do this.

Commitment
It's always easier said than done, right? In order to get control of your life, you must embrace the fact that it's going to require commitment - and not just a short-sighted, laissez faire commitment either. If you can't commit yourself to the changes you know you need to make over the next 1, 5, 10 years, chances are you're not going to accomplish anything you really want to. So don't kid yourself, if you're going to do something, commit to it - all the way to the end. If you're going to take the first step, envision yourself taking the last step, and then remove any mental barriers and obstacles that lay in between.

If you have too many irons in the fire, too much noise in the background, or too much junk in the garage (guilty, guilty, and guilty!), it's time to ease up on the accelerator, get a clear head, and start getting organized. Only when you are able to get a clear perspective can you begin to truly see yourself and get a sense of where you're going (or where you NEED to be going). So purge your mind of negative, defeatist, or unproductive thoughts. Clear your schedule if you have to. Have some alone time. Make some alone time. Whatever it takes so you can get a clear vision again and take control of your life.

Weekend of Birthdays!

2009-08-23T22:16:00.008-04:00

What a fantastic weekend! On Saturday, Dona, Dalyn, and I had the privilege of going down to Lancaster, Ohio, for Paul Bishop's 50th surprise birthday celebration. Paul and his wife, Paula, are precious people and have an absolutely POWERFUL ministry.... Love 'em to pieces.

Part of Paul's surpise was the unexpected visit from musical artist, David Huff (from David and The Giants). He played a short, little concert in honor of Paul... it was great!

I just had to get a picture with the guy.... we look like bros, don't we? (Eric Steiner, I know you're jealous... lol)

The best part of the weekend, though, was today... it was Dalyn's FOURTH birthday!! Wow. He had a rockin' birthday from beginning to end...

He got a new bike - with TRAINING WHEELS!! He couldn't even wait to get out of his pajamas to try it out.....

You didn't think he was going to get a normal pancake for breakfast, did you?

Dalyn got to bring his best buddy, Dawson, home after church. They had a blast spending the day together.

Yikes!

Quick trip to McDonald's....

They ruled the playground area....

....and the video games, too.

We ended the day with a fun-filled birthday celebration with family. Dalyn is so full of life.... and he's growing up to be an awesome little dude.

Quote of the Day

2009-08-22T09:00:00.002-04:00

Minds are like parachutes; they work best when they are open.

-Thomas Dewar

How to spot a FOOL.

2009-08-20T23:02:00.000-04:00

What determines a Fool. Simple:

They don't believe in God - Psalm 14:1
They despise wisdom - Proverbs 1:7
They hate knowlege - Proverbs 1:22,32
They slander and gossip - Proverbs 10:14,18
They do mischief - Proverbs 10:23, 11:29
They are quick with their anger and temper - Proverbs 12:15-16
They despise a father's instruction - Proverbs 15:5
They do not plan ahead, and live only for the moment - Proverbs 21:20

William James wrote, "The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. As you think, so shall you be." (Proverbs 23:7)

Don't be a fool.

What is God calling you?

2009-08-19T22:05:00.000-04:00

God called Abraham, friend. He called Gideon, mighty man of valour. He also called Jacob, Israel. It doesn't matter what the world calls you, it only matters what your Father calls you.

10 Musts...

2009-08-18T22:55:00.000-04:00

Can't remember where this list came from, but I wanted to share. If only I could get really good at applying it every day.

How you think is everything.
Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.
Decide upon your true dreams and goals.
Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
Take action.
Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it.
Never stop learning.
Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.
Be persistent and work hard.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.
Learn to analyze details.
Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.
Focus on your time and money.
Don't let other people or things distract you.
Don't be afraid to innovate; be different.
Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
Deal and communicate with people effectively.
No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.
Be honest and dependable; take responsibility.
Otherwise, numbers 1-9 won't matter.

The Lord's Prayer.... as taught to me by Dr. Gerry Jeffers

2009-08-17T22:06:00.003-04:00

Matthew 6:9-13 & Luke 11:1-4

Teach Us To Pray

1. Our Father which art in Heaven....

Realize who God is - Your Father
Realize that your Father in Heaven knows all about You

2. Hallowed by Thy Name....

Hallowed means above everything - Put God above relationships, sports, hobbies, money, school, etc.

3. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done

Submit your will to God

4. Give us this day our daily bread....

You can't worry about your past or your future, you must focus on recieving your Daily Bread right now

5. Forgive us our debts AS we forgive our debtors....

God will forgive us if we forgive each other - so hard as it may seem, FORGIVE!
God wants to forgive you! He loves you!

6. Lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil....

Pray for God's grace and mercy to help you

7. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory....

Everything I have is yours, my relationship, my future, my job, my friends, my family, my education, MY LIFE

8. Amen.

So be it... I claim the Spirit, the Blood, the Grace, and the Power of God.

Hero or Celebrity?

2009-08-08T01:40:00.002-04:00

Mark Johnston preaches on the thought "I would rather be a hero than a celebrity." I am convicted to the core....

Quote of the Day

2009-08-05T11:57:00.000-04:00

I'm prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.

-David Livingston

Where are the Fathers?

2009-08-04T15:22:00.002-04:00

In America, 1 out of every 3 children live without their father (http://www.fatherhood.org/father_factor.asp). This is a devastating statistic, and one that has been moving in the wrong direction for far too long. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, kids with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use and criminal activity than children who have uninvolved or absent fathers.

Why then do so many fathers today fail to grasp the import of their role? Why are so many opting out of their God-given responsibility? Why are so many dads casting a blind eye to their neglect and laxness, oblivious to the painful and long-term consequences of their delinquency? Why? Why? Why?

We have a dilemma in America right now. Too many men do not know how to be men. Too many fathers do not know how to be fathers. Understand, this is not a self-righteous statement to elevate my own manhood or esteem my own fathering abilities. I, too, have great opportunities for improvement! My point is simply this.... it is becoming a traumatic rarity these days that children are given the fair and deserved chance to succeed because of a father who is present and engaged in their life.

Psalms 82:3 instructs us to "defend the cause of the weak and fatherless." (NIV) My heart's cry is that more men in our laissez-faire society would stand up and start being MEN. I understand that some children lose their fathers because of death and not always due to neglect, abandonment, or indifference. For those children who have lost their father due to death, we (us other fathers) should defend their cause and fill in the gap in their life. And for those children who have been robbed from their father because of delinquency, we should, likewise, bear the responsibility of their predicament in our hearts and actions. If you don't stand up for them, then who will? Our children need mentors. They need consistency. They need attention. They need stability. A generation - or at least one third of a generation - depends on it.

If you have a moment, take a listen to a song written by T.D. Jakes and sung by Israel Houghton that begs the question, "Where are the fathers?.... The responsible ones.... Where are the fathers? Have they helped to raise their sons?.... " (click here to listen). It is a great song... powerful.

Fathers, be blessed! I know how hard it can be sometimes. I lift you up in prayer. Please lift me up, as well.

Quote of the Day

2009-08-03T00:55:00.001-04:00

Only dead fish go with the flow.

- Sarah Palin

Upcoming Kiner Addition

2009-07-22T17:05:00.005-04:00

Here is a 3-D ultrasound of the newest upcoming addition to the Kiner family. Dona and I were overjoyed this past Monday when we received a positive report from the doctor. Since the beginning of Dona's pregnancy, we have had a number of scares regarding the baby's development (detached placenta, enlarged kidneys, Down's Syndrome, infection, surgeries, etcetra, etcetra). But Monday's report showed that everything is now NORMAL and HEALTHY! With 10 more weeks to go before this little baby boy pops into the world, I am just thanking God for His encouragement and His faithfulness!

Quote of the Day

2009-07-11T10:35:00.001-04:00

Those things that hurt, instruct.

- Benjamin Franklin

Liberty!

2009-07-05T18:29:00.004-04:00

On this Independence weekend, I am moved with such gratefulness for the men and women in uniform who have paid the price for my freedom, my family's freedom, and this country's freedom. I am even moreso reminded and moved as I think about the freedom and deliverance that my soul has been given, because of the price that Jesus Christ paid for me on the cross of Calvary.

2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." It is because of Christ and the power of His Spirit that I have liberty. And this liberty has applied to every facet of my life, whether it be in my family, my work, my finances, you name it. It is because of His Spirit that I have enjoyed the innumerable blessings of freedom.

Consider that, since 1776, America has had to keep fighting for its freedom. Unfortunately, America did not receive eternal liberation simply because a group of our forefathers penned a fancy declaration letter. Many, many wars have been fought, and many lives sacrificed, since that day to reinforce and reestablish the independence of our country. Equally, I am reminded this weekend that every time my freedom is challenged or in risk of compromise, whether it be with my pocketbook, my relationships, or my soul, I am in need of God's spirit in my life. Anytime I feel the chains of bondage or the shackles of unrest creeping in, I am reminded that I am in need of a renewing, a refilling, of God's presence and dominion in my world.

I would hate to live in a country that lacks the freedoms I know and appreciate. Just the same, I don't want to ever settle for anything less for my body, mind, and soul. Thank God for freedom! Thank God for liberty!

Brain Inventory

2009-07-01T22:44:00.003-04:00

Completely random, but these were some of the thoughts that ran through my head today.

Do not be non-chalant about anything.
Pay attention to the details.
Smile. A lot.
Wake up early.
Lighten up.
Work hard. Very hard.
I am a genius.
Don't ever, ever quit.
Eat lunch.
Be honest. Integrity matters.
Call my wife.
Chipotle burrito.
Do not be intimidated by anything.
Conquer.
Defeat is not an option.
Squeeze out creativity.
Push for greatness.
Believe.
Pay attention to your breathing.
Don't be afraid to make a phone call.
Solutions.
Execution.
Bottom line.
Exercise.
Fireworks.
Making tons of money.
Giving tons of money away.
Eric Steiner.
Facebook.
Grace.
Holy Ghost.
Nothin is impossible.
Dry clean my pants.
Carry breath mints with you always.
Renewing my vows.
Put-in-Bay.
Tired. Get sleep.
Live large. Extra large.
Inner joy.
Clarity.
Church tonight.
Chipotle burrito.
Be an example. It's worth a thousand words.
Opportunity.
Dalyn.
Don't be a jerk.
Corn.
Text Aaron for coffee.
Proverbs 28:25.
Be different, but not too different.
Napkins are for writing on.
Go the extra mile(s).
Put this list on my blog.
I should not text while I'm driving.
My wife is spectacular.
Do not slouch in public.
Laugh.
Appreciate.
Relax.
High blood pressure.
I can't wait to meet my new son.
My car stinks.
Febreeze.
Mark Pogue watches soap operas.
Be an asset.
Light up the room.
Jehovah Java.
Online odds & ends dishware store. Brilliant!
Finish church website.
Efficiency.
Redeem the time.
This is therapeutic.
Pray before meals.
Crummy weather.
People want to be good.
Vacation.
Fat vs. Skinny
Manners.
City Council. I can do it.
Dream the extraordinary, then take one step toward it.
Chipotle burrito.
Lick aluminum foil.

America: A Frog in a Kettle?

2009-06-15T23:54:00.003-04:00

Amazon's Kindle2

2009-06-01T20:56:00.003-04:00

This is cool... I want it.

Quote of the Day

2009-02-24T22:54:00.001-05:00

Whatever the person you wish you were, start being today.

My Aunt Jeanne (Buckli) Harmon

2009-02-15T22:39:00.002-05:00

Jeanne Ann Harmon, Jeannie, 60 years young, December 16,1948 - February 12, 2009

Jeannie was called home to Jesus on Thursday, February 12, 2009 in Colorado Springs at her home. She was born on December 16, 1948 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Gorden Buckli and Eunice (Ebert) Buckli. She had two younger sisters, Jerilyn and Barbara.

Jeannie went to Apostolic Bible College and received a certificate of Bible Study in 1970. She continued her education at Judson College where she received a Bachelors Degree in 1982. She married Patrick Harmon on September 15, 1973 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. They adopted their daughter, (Amy) Renee (Harmon) Batron on August 3, 1979. Shortly after, they moved to Elgin, IL where they were residents for 17 years. They adopted their son Michael Christopher Harmon in May 1990 at the age of 4. They were foster parents to Candy Savord from 1986-1989. They became Colorado Springs residents in 1996.

Jeannie's main passion was her love for God and caring for others. She was whole heartedly involved in any church to which she belonged. She was in singing groups, taught Sunday School and small groups, directed children's musicals, and was involved in women's ministries. She was always available to lend a hand wherever the church needed her.

Jeannie was a Senior Children's Book Editor at Cook Communications for 15 years. During this time she authored/edited many children's books. One of her other passions was Christian writing. It was her profession as well as her hobby. She taught a small group at New Life Church, Writing to Encourage Others. She also taught classes through the Christian Writer's Guild.

Jeannie had type one diabetes and fought through many trials including blindness, kidney transplant, heart surgery and many foot surgeries. Through it all she never lost her faith in God and had an indomitable spirit strengthened by her unwavering faith in God

She is survived by her husband, Pat, her two children Renee and Mike, her beloved granddaughters Megan and Haley, her mother Eunice Glenna, her step-father Ray Glenna, her sisters Jeri Kiner and Barbie Hilderbrand as well as their families. She was preceded by her father, Gorden Buckli, September 18,1955 and her son-in-law Garrett Batron, January 9, 2008.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2009 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Blunt Mortuary, 2229 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 10:00 am at Blunt Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her honor to the Tupelo Children's Mansion, PO Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802, 662-842-6982, www.TCMM.org

Fireproof Your Marriage

2009-02-08T00:48:00.016-05:00

Tonight, my wife and I watched the movie Fireproof. All I can really say is.... Wow. This movie was fabulous. If you don't know anything about the film, it was produced by the same guys who created Facing the Giants, which was another stellar movie. Kirk Cameron plays lead role as a heroic fireman who is locked in a failing marriage. He eventually accepts his father's challenge to take part in a 40 day experiment, called The Love Dare, that teaches him the true meaning of love.

I give the film a big two thumbs up. The movie reminds us that marriage is a covenant, in which you hold to the fireman's adage, "Never leave your partner behind." So when times get tough, that's when you persevere - not run. Whether your marriage is wonderfully rock solid or it is suffering from years of emotional damage, make it a point to see this movie.

After watching the movie, I went and purchased The Love Dare book from Amazon.com (right now it's only $8.00). It goes without saying that I love my wife with all my heart, and I know that she loves me just the same, but in a society that cheapens the value of morality and promotes selfishness, I think it's important to fireproof my marriage and protect it from every fiery dart that serves to destroy it. Marriage is such a sacred and beautiful thing.... but like anything worthwhile, it requires dedication, hard work, and a true commitment.

My Rant on Legalism in Pentecost

2009-01-29T00:15:00.003-05:00

The following is a note entitled, My Rant on Legalism in Pentecost, written by Jason Weaver, a young man who attends the church I grew up in down in Lancaster, Ohio. I found his message quite interesting and provoking. So interesting and provoking, in fact, that I chose to post it on my blog (with Jason's permission, of course). Some might find his view points touchy and controversial.... but you know me, I'm always up for some good discussion....

I just joined a Facebook group originally entitled, "The Pentecostals of Facebook", whose members, oddly enough, consist mainly of..... you guessed it- the Pentecostals of Facebook. I was browsing through the threads when I came upon one entitled, "Hair and our Apostolic Message". Intrigued, I perused through the posts, and the more I read, the more irritated I became. Finally, I became so impassioned that I decided to reply myself- and in typical Weaver fashion I wrote a novel. However, I feel what i said encompasses many of my feelings for the Pentecostal church- of which I am proud to be a member. So, I decided to also share these thoughts with you. Please comment/support/correct me where you feel led, and rest assured- none of the negative comments in my note apply at all to anyone I sent this note to. Thanks.

I just want to say a couple of things. I've grown up my entire life in the UPC, and have been constantly exposed to Pentecostalism- whether in my home, at church, at youth gatherings, at revival services, at MidWinter, at Youth Congress, or church camp. Given that, I never gave much thought to the rule that women must never cut their hair; I just always assumed that that is what they were "supposed" to do.

However, the older I've grown I have begun to question not the spirit of this law, but the way it is been carried out. I attended a non-denominational Christian school that was offshoot of a non-denom church, a while their I noticed many things.

Non-denominational Christians, I found, were AS A MAJORITY much more accepting of other people, people who didn't necessarily look like them. That's not to say they embraced sin; rather they embraced the SINNER. I've seen half-naked women come in of the streets, women who look like they were prostitutes, embraced by people of that church, full well knowing that if they entered a UPC church a MAJORITY of the members would have avoided them like the plague. This is not a rap on my own church, rather I feel like my church is actually much more open and accepting than most in Pentecost.

However, I've witnessed how the spirit of love was permeating in the non-denom churches that I have seen, and the spirit of judgment and the law dominant in Pentecostal churches. This came to a head when a substitute Bible teacher at my school, who pastored a small non-denominational church nearby, told the class of his background. He had been raised in Pentecost, but left it when he realized that people were more concerned with the length of their hair then lost souls, more concerned with no facial hair and wearing long skirts then helping those who are hurting.

At first when I heard those words, I was livid- he was putting down my faith!! But I slowly came to realize the truth in those words. The Pentecostal church, to my great dismay, is synonymous with the religion of the Pharisaic church. Just as the ancient Pharisees preached the law, and took great pains to follow it to the utmost letter, they missed the entire point- the spirit of the law. They missed that God doesn't care about whether one taxes his herb garden, or refrains from cutting her hair, ANY WHERE NEAR AS MUCH as He does that we show His love to one another, that we care for each other, that we follow His great commandment and GO OUT INTO THE WORLD, preaching the good news.

All to often I've seen Pentecostals treat their churches like they are a secret club, with only those who are saved and know the secret password, the secret handshake, and posses the secret decoder ring allowed entry to such a private membership. I witness time and time again Pentecostals put on a attitude of superiority, obviously smug that they know the TRUE plan of salvation, that they "dress" as God's people, set apart. And set apart they are. Instead of going out into the streets and getting their hands dirty, instead of actually following God's commandments of love, instead of actually embracing those in sin, they sit in their pews- wait I'm sorry; run the aisles- and wait for their prayers in heavenly tongues to prompt God to encourage the lost of the world to stumble through the church doors be themselves. And once they are baptized, Holy Ghost filled, cleaned up, wearing a skirt, and have grown out their hair a little, THEN the church will gladly embrace the new saint as one of their own.

Pentecostals seem to forget that their Lord and Savior, the one whom they profess to emulate the closest of all the denominations, didn't dine with the righteous, with those whose hair was a mile long, with the outstanding "upright" citizens of the community. NO! He spent his time with KNOWN thieves, prostitutes, drunks, and no-account criminals. They forget that it was those people- the people lost in sin, hopelessly searching for a way out- were the people whom He had a passion for. And in their haste to follow all of his commandments, they forgot to emulate His ACTIONS. I love how Pentecostals are told that alcohol = evil, when Christ himself drank it; heck, His first miracle was creating it. And that Pentecostal men are told to be cleanly shaven..... when Jesus Himself had a beard. Apparently, we mustn't emulate our God too closely.

And do not think that I am saying that we must drink alcohol, that we must wear beards, that women must cut their hair and wear pants- I'm not saying that at all, for each person has his or her personal convictions. However, what I can not stand is when those petty, insignificant things take precedence over God's most important commandments: love your God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself- not to mention going out into the world preaching the Good News in His name.

We have completely forgotten what He wants us to do- we can't see the town because of all the houses. We have become a legalistic denomination that thrives more on APPEARANCES than on substance. It is my personal belief (and I have come to believe this through much prayer) that God cares little to nothing about the appearance of our physical bodies- He cares only about our hearts.

As God told Samuel in 1st Samuel 16:7,
"Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

And yet, it seems that all Pentecost can focus on is the outward appearance. I believe in Holiness, but separation from secularism is useless if it does not include Gods love. My youth pastor told me that at years ago at his previous Pentecostal church, their was a rule that to be on the stage, one must wear a jacket. "Fair enough" one might say. However, my youth pastor had just become the drummer at that church, and he assumed that since it is rather difficult to play the drums in a jacket, that a shirt and tie only would suffice. He was fine- until halfway through the praise service when the pastor noticed his lack of jacket. The pastor immediately stood and escorted him off the platform mid-worship service in front of the whole church, to my youth pastors profound humiliation. That is the kind of thing that disturbs me- following the letter of the law, without a single thought to its intent. As Jesus told the Pharisees many times in the NT, God judges not the action, but the heart of the person who did it.

And this air of superiority is not even limited towards those outside the church. Every youth event I ever went to seemed to be a competition, over who was the "most holy". The girls with hair that hung down to their legs turned many a time turned up their noses at the others with hair only halfway down their backs, somehow convinced that they were the better Christian.

Oh, sure, they would all be down at the alter that night, crying their eyes out for Jesus, but the next day, or even later that night, when the emotion had worn off, they were back their usual selves- superiour, haughty, and utterly full of themselves. I must admit that is the main reason that I found the majority (not all mind you) of Pentecostal girls so distasteful. And it was almost as sure as death and taxes, the prettier the Pentecostal girl, the more haughty and full of herself she would be. I do not mean to offend anyone by this (and I do admit there were exceptions to the rule), but by and large I found that to be completely and utterly true.

And the guys were no better. I was always eternally amazed about the transformations that would overtake the boys during church camp. Some kids who were downright insufferable bullies during the day miraculously changed to tongue talking, aisle running saints during the evening service. However, one would be lucky if this new disposition would last until lights out at night- and, invariably, in the morning they would be back to their same old selves.

As a child, I just took this to be what was normal, but now..... I can't ignore it any longer. I am not saying, nor will I ever say, that Apostolic Pentecostals do not have the plan of salvation. I am, however, saying that we are not, as a denomination, living how God intended us to live.

I am going to a Christian university with non-denom roots, and I am so struck with the same foreign sensation that I felt at my old non-denom high school- that of people who don't care one bit what you look like, sound like, do for a living, wear on your body, or even if you cut your hair or grow a beard. All they care about it YOU. They love you and care about you. They work in soup kitchens and homeless shelters. They smile at everyone and treat every one as if that person was their equal. They don't judge- they leave that to God. No, they only love.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 25:31-46:
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

As I read the words of those like "Brother Winters" lambasting others for having the audacity to suggest that women don't have to have long hair, saying that they are being "led to hell by some false preacher" and are "wallowing in sin", and then compare them to the words and actions of Jesus, I feel so sad. We Pentecostals have totally missed the point- and one day we must account for the souls that were lost because of our utter blindness.

But after all, who cares about a world going to hell when Sister Johnson had the nerve to sing on stage only a week after she TRIMMED HER HAIR!!

Sigh..... dear Lord, please save your followers from themselves.

Who can measure the value of a life?

2009-01-25T16:00:00.001-05:00

Too powerful not to post....

The magicJack

2009-01-10T21:44:00.003-05:00

Just want to give some props to a new product I recently purchased - the magicJack. This little gadget (to the right) provides you with free local and long distance calling, free voice mail and caller ID, and allows you to take your phone number wherever you go (pending that you have an Internet connection with you). The best part is.... the device only cost me $39.95. After the first year, the only expense I will pay is 19.95 - PER YEAR - for the service. This beats the pricing of a traditional land line any day. I've been using my magicJack for the past couple weeks and, so far, I love it. Good sound quality and very simple to set up. What I love even more is all the money I will save because of this sweet little piece of technology. All you do is plug it into your computer, then plug your phone cord into the back of the device. It's that simple

Check it out for yourself at www.magicJack.com.

Posturing yourself for greatness

2008-12-17T12:11:00.004-05:00

Are you positioning yourself for great things? Are you postured toward excellence?

What is the direction of your thoughts?
What is the flow of your conversation?
What is the track record of your decision making?

Don't settle for things below, reach for things above. Keep yourself moving in a forward direction. Strive to become the person you know you already are.

First Choice on the Air!

2008-12-08T22:40:00.005-05:00

My company, First Choice Home Health, just launched their very first radio ad on 102.1 WDOK in Cleveland.... and I'm really excited about it!!

Dalyn's New Hobby

2008-12-05T23:27:00.003-05:00

I came home today to this....
How in the world does a 3 year old boy know how to use a computer? I kid you not, he was on this laptop, clicking away, playing games, totally focused.... as if he had built the thing himself. I had no idea he even had any interest in it. Dona said he has been playing with it the past few days for hours and hours. I'm amazed. Next project.... changing the oil on the cars.

Positive Thinking

2008-12-01T23:02:00.002-05:00

When you consistently maintain a positive frame of mind,
you'll become known as a problem-solver rather than a complainer. People avoid complainers. They seek out problem-solvers.

- Joseph Sommerville

How Obama Got Elected

2008-11-28T12:28:00.002-05:00

I'm not bitter, just baffled.... How in the world can we be more informed about a candidate's clothing expenditures, but don't have a clue about fundamental issues and information that actually matters? That's not an anti-Obama question, that's a "What in the world is wrong with this country that we would follow (hook, line, and sinker) whatever the media spoon feeds us with" question......

7 Points to Living a Powerful Life

2008-11-18T22:23:00.041-05:00

Below are seven facets of our life that we can hone to ensure that we are living the most successful life we can possibly live. These are areas that I try my best to pay attention to.... many times I fail miserably..... but my intention and goal is always to be better, do better, and live better.

Position
So much comes down to positioning ourselves for great things. Often times, we wonder why the cards just don't fall our way. The truth may be that we simply don't position ourselves for positive outcomes. For example, in the story of Jacob and Esau, you find that Jacob strategically positioned himself in a place to gain his brother's birthright. This story is usually laid out in a much different light than how I interpret it, insomuch that Jacob is described as a deceiver and a thief of his brother's birthright. However, I believe that Jacob found success that day and received his father's greatest blessing, because he was diligent to prepare and position himself for the right opportunity, at the right time. Had Esau done the same, he may not have found himself so easily bartering his most valuable possession. Every step, every decision, every opportunity you face is an occasion for you to position yourself for success.

Posture
A person's posture tells a lot about them. As a kid, my mother would always stress to me how important it was to stand up tall and not to slouch. Was she worried about the curvature of my spine or did she understand something even more significant about the power of posture? An individual's posture can reveal tremendous insights to their character. When you see someone who slouches as they walk, you may get the impression that they are lackadaisical, or perhaps suffering from low self-esteem. Or when a kid in a classroom is anxious to be picked and she throws her hand up in the air and yells out, "Pick me, pick me!" This child's anticipation and eagerness to be chosen permeates through her posture. What does your posture say about you? How do you present yourself when you walk into a room? What does your disposition exude? What is the direction and flow of your conversations - are they upward or downward? This is posture. It reveals our priorities and our heartbeat. When we posture ourselves with excellence, we exude a confidence and a brilliance that is hard to miss. David, in the Bible, is a great example of someone who postured himself well. Time and time again, David is found wholly (mentally, physically, spiritually) posturing himself toward God and excellence, and because of this, he experienced honor by God and favor by men.

Potential
While the word "potential" has positive implications, all it really means is that "it hasn't been done yet." When someone is said to have potential, they bear the ability to perform something, but they have yet to actually do it. It's a grievous thing to hear after someone's death that they had the potential to accomplish something great, but they failed to seize the opportunity. In the book of Judges, God calls Gideon a "mighty man of valor." Based on the resume of Gideon, this acknowledgment would have seemed preposterous, because, c'mon, Gideon was nothing of the sort. Gideon, along with the rest of the Israelites, was hiding cowardly in the mountains from the Midianites. Nevertheless, God knew Gideon's potential and He declared to him that he would overthrow the Midianite army. Initially, this awareness of his new found potential frightened Gideon. He was baffled that someone who came from such a poor home and who was the very least of his family could bear this kind of potential. Yet, when the Lord said to Gideon, "Surely, I will be with you," I believe Gideon trusted the potential that God had placed in him. As the story unfolds, Gideon did overthrow the Midianites, making his potential, not just a possibility anymore, but a fulfilled reality. Just the same, when we dig deep into the awareness of what God has called us to be, and we exercise our faith and ability to perform it, we can fulfill the potential inside of us, no matter how great or seemingly impossible it may be.

Passion
My son's middle name is Zeal. My wife and I chose this name because of a fascinating story in the Bible about a man named, Phinehas. In Numbers 25, Phinehas is noted by God for his zeal. As the story goes, Phinehas turned away God's wrath upon Israel by eradicating the source of sin that was infecting the camp. Phinehas was driven by his passion for the Lord. He had placed an incredible value upon the covenant relationship that Israel had possessed with God, and anything that was going to threaten it, he was willing to fight for. When it comes to living a life that is noteworthy and successful, you must find yourself willing to fight for those things which are noble, worthwhile, true, and right. You must be eager to act and to crush the obstacles and offenses that serve to threaten them. Phinehas' driving passion to preserve the things that he deemed right and valuable proved to be a rewarding fight, in which God bestowed a blessing of peace upon Phinehas and the generations that followed him. When you have a passion for something, and that passion drives you to noble action, there is nothing under the sun that can prevent you from accomplishing the task. Passion is the fuel that leads to victory, and you can never reach the finish line unless you have possessed that passion all along the way. Hebbel, a German poet from the 1800's, once said, "Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion."

Purpose
What drives your life? In order to really know true success, you must be able to answer this fundamental question. Unfortunately, many people lack the kind of clarity, or even desire, to know with certainty what their life purpose is. This is sad, because it shows that a person can move through their life without possessing meaning or significance to anything they do. It means that there are those who merely wander around this world just biding time, not really ascertaining what it all amounts to. Some claim to find their purpose in personal pursuits of achievement or tangible success, but I submit, focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life purpose. In fact, your life purpose isn't about you - it's about what God made you to do. Our life purpose can be summed up within the parameters of the Great Commandment: Love God and love your neighbor. This goes far beyond just feel-good emotions toward God and mankind. It is about living a life of service. It is about building a relationship with God and building relationships with others. There is no greater significance in this world, no higher measure of success, than to live out your life motivated to serve God and man in everything you do. This is not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all purpose, this is an ageless principle that will guide you in all matters of your life to do the things that truly matter and that will give you the greatest fulfillment.

Prosperity
What is prosperity? Is it having an abundance of money and assets? Or is it possessing an assurance that your needs will always be taken care of? Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." When you observe and diligently obey the principles that the Bible lays out, you are gauranteed prosperity and success. That's preposterous, you say? Allow me to clarify - you are not gauranteed millions of dollars in your checking account, but you are gauranteed a fail-proof system for successful living. Does this mean that men and women who follow Scripture whole-heartedly do not experience problems or failures? Absolutely not. What it means is that when you employ the principles of stewardship (the management of the resources God has given you), you will experience the assurance that God will honor His promises to take care of your needs. You will have a peace that will guide you through every struggle and pitfall. When you honor God with your resources (time, money, relationships, etc.), you will be prosperous in every facet of your life.

Profession
2 Peter 1:10 says, "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." Everyone possesses some skill, gift, or quality that is unique and beneficial. Sometimes it takes us a lifetime to figure out what it is, but it is so important to keep digging until you find the treasure that lies within you. I can recall years ago, when I was aspiring to go into the nursing profession, my father and I were discussing my future and the direction of my life. At the time, I was taking some nursing courses, working as an aide in a nearby hospital, and thinking I was pursuing a noble career in touching people's physical and spiritual needs. Nonetheless, after my Dad heard me out, he so candidly admonished, "Jeremy, this nursing thing.... it's a nice coat, but it just doesn't fit you." Umm, okay.....thanks Dad.....I think. His comment was a hard thing to swallow at first, but I knew exactly what he was talking about. I was ignoring the voice inside of me to pursue something that I thought would be a "smart choice." My Dad was not trying to discourage my ambitions, he was challenging me to pay attention to the direction of my passions and the things that flowed out of me naturally. In all reality, I never really wanted to be a nurse. I had other ambitions that spoke louder and talents that were much more obvious to me. These ambitions and giftings were placed within my DNA when God created me, and they were the voices urging me to pick up the coat that was custom suited for me. You see, success is not found when you choose a profession that pays big money - it is found when you find your unique coat and you wear it. I believe there is power in wearing the proper coat. David couldn't wear Saul's armor, but he knew how to throw a sling. He stuck to what he knew and he was victorious. When you stick to what you know and follow your giftings, you will be successful, too.

Quote of the Day

2008-11-15T02:22:00.008-05:00

Pessimism never won any battle.

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Why I'm Voting for John McCain

2008-10-11T23:30:00.009-04:00

Come this November 4th, America decides who becomes the next President of the United States of America. On this day, many dedicated Democrats will be voting for Obama; while just the same, many staunch Republicans will be voting for McCain. There remains, however, a massive number of Americans who are still undecided and asking themselves, "Is there a difference between these two candidates?" For you, I write this post.

Today, I am voting for John McCain. I say, "today," because I filled out an absentee ballot and do not have to wait until November 4th for my voice to be heard. The question is, though, why am I voting for McCain and not Obama?

Here are just a few of the things that I have considered before making my decision:

Faith and Values
For starters, I can tell you I am voting my faith and values, and not just my political party. Nothing comes before my core beliefs. Absolutely nothing. That's not to say that John McCain espouses everything within my value system (because he doesn't), but I can say I believe he's a whole lot closer to it than Barak Obama is. Now, if it were the case that Obama related more closely to my values than McCain, then I assure you my allegiance would be running a different course and I would be voting Democrat.
Country First
One of my values is to put my country first. McCain has an extensive record of putting his country first. He served his country whole-heartedly in Vietnam, through thick and thin, and when given the opportunity to come home early from duty, he declined, stating that he had not yet fulfilled his commitment to his country and fellow men. His extreme bravery and loyalty to country and countrymen has been proven time and time again through his lifetime of service, both in military and politics.
Leadership
I must say, based on everything I have read and heard (which, let's face it, that's all we can go by), Obama has a sketchy past, peppered with many poor judgement calls. He has had associations to people and organizations that have been found extremely untrustworthy, even dangerous, to this country. For example, at the inception of his political career, Obama shared close ties to a man, Bill Ayers, who, years earlier, ran a violent left-wing activist group, called Weather Underground, which was responsible for numerous domestic terrorism acts, including bombing the Pentagon and Capital buildings. Obama was also closely involved with a group called ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which currently is under investigations for voter fraud and disrupting the political system. Balance Obama's history of leadership and judgment calls with John McCain's and I think you'll find a stark contrast. It's hard to argue that McCain has had nothing but a remarkable record of leadership and experience in the military and in Congress.
Life
Another of my values is the sanctity of life. I believe that John McCain has a good, solid understanding of when life begins and who should be responsible for ending it. Obama doesn't. No need to say anything further.
Sarah Palin
C'mon, what's not to like about her?

Perhaps my reasoning for voting for McCain will not suffice your criteria for making a good decision, but just remember one thing: one man will be elected on Election Day. Which one of these men represents your values and priorities the closest? Looking ahead 5 to 10 years, which one will help build a truly better, safer America?

Does My Vote Count? Understanding How the Electoral College Works

2008-10-05T19:59:00.023-04:00

As you may recall from high school days, the President of the United States of America is not elected by a direct popular vote. Rather, it is by an indirect voting process via the Electoral College.

Now, this Electoral College usually raises a lot of questions and concerns among voters. Many have no idea how it really works. Some believe that it makes the people's vote meaningless, since in the end, it is the electoral votes that determine the true outcome of the election. I recently spoke with a young woman who told me that she was not going to vote this Presidential election because of confusion over the Electoral College. Her concern was that, if the Electoral College's votes supersede the people's vote, then her vote really doesn't matter anyway.

So, let's clear the confusion and spread some light on this whole Electoral College thing. What is it anyway? Is it made up of real people with real names and faces? Does your vote count? Who actually elects the President? Please read on.....

First, each state has a certain number of electoral votes assigned to it. For example, Ohio has 20 electoral votes. The number of votes that each state has is determined by how many U.S. Representatives and Senators there are within that state. Ohio has 18 U.S. Representatives and 2 Senators. California, which has a much larger population than Ohio, has 53 Representatives and 2 Senators, making up a total of 55 electoral votes. Overall, there are a total of 538 electoral votes (435 Representatives, 100 Senators, and 3 for the District of Columbia).

On Election Day, when the American people vote, it is true that we are not really voting for the President directly, but actually for the electoral votes. So, what does this really mean? Well, months before the election even takes place, each party hand picks its own electors. These electors are generally party activists who are extremely dedicated to their party. In 48 states (all but Maine and Nebraska), the candidate winning the most popular votes gets all of that state's electoral votes. So, for example, in Ohio, if the majority of the people vote for John McCain on November 4th, the Republican party receives all 20 electoral votes; therefore, those people that the Republican party strategically chose to serve as electors, will be the ones who will cast their vote come mid-December when the electors go to their respective state capitals to submit their ballot.

Although this voting process has received some criticism throughout the years since it inception to the Constitution in 1804, it remains as the most reliable means to democratically elect a President and Vice-President. One of the controversies with the Electoral system is that there is, in fact, a chance that a candidate could win the nation's popular vote, yet still not receive a majority of the electoral votes to win the election. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore won the popular vote with 50,999,897, while Republican George W. Bush had 50,456,002 votes; yet it was Gore who still lost the election because Bush had won the 270 electoral votes needed to win.

How does this happen? Is it fair?

Going back to the explanation of how the number of electoral votes are determined by each state, the Electoral College gives proportionate balance and power to every state in the United States. Naturally, the bigger states get more electoral votes than the smaller states, because they have larger populations, and vice-versa. So, for example, Indiana, who has roughly 6 million residents and 11 electoral votes, could potentially have 4 million people vote Democrat and 0 people vote Republican on Election Day. This, of course, would award the Democratic candidate all 11 electoral votes in Indiana. On the other hand, Ohio, who has about 11 million residents and 20 electoral votes, could potentially have only 1 person vote Republican and 0 people vote Democrat, giving the Republican candidate all 20 electoral votes for Ohio. In total, the popular vote for both states would be 4 million for Democrats to 1 for Republicans, yet because Ohio is a larger state than Indiana and has many more electoral votes, the election would be awarded to the Republican. Now, is this unfair? It might seem so if, in fact, my aforementioned example was generally the case, but it is not. Very few times has there ever been an instance where the national popular vote was inconsistent with the majority of electoral votes - and even when it was inconsistent, like with the Gore/Bush election, the popular vote was very, very close.

The bottom line is this..... While the Electoral College may seem a little confusing, and while there may, indeed, be a few wrinkles in the system, trust me when I say it still remains a fairly solid and reliable election process. The important thing is this, the power is still with the people. Don't let any misgivings toward the Electoral College process discourage you from voting this Election Day. On November 4th, get out and vote. Year 2000 taught Americans a very valuable lesson. Every vote does count. My vote counts. Your vote counts.

A Cup with Jeremy has a New RSS Feed

2008-09-28T22:07:00.004-04:00

UPDATE: A Cup with Jeremy has a new RSS feed. If you use RSS feeds and have signed up for my blog's feed, you will need to update it to the following address:

http://www.acupwithjeremy.com/atom.xml

If you have no idea what an RSS feed is, but would like to know, check out one of my old posts:

http://www.acupwithjeremy.com/2007/12/rss-feeds-at-your-service.html

Prayer Before Starting Work

2008-09-20T12:00:00.005-04:00

Here's a prayer I came across some time ago. I like to refer to it every now and then before I face the challenges and pressures of the work day.

My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work place, I bring Your presence with me.
I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your perfect order into this office.
I acknowledge Your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.
Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with.
I commit to using them responsibly in Your honor.
Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.
Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.
Lord, when I am confused, guide me.
When I am weary, energize me.
When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.
May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all with whom I come in contact today.
And, oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy.
Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.
Lord, I thank You for everything You've done, everything You're doing, and everything You're going to do.
In the name of Jesus I pray, with much love and thanksgiving.
Amen.

DIVORCE

2008-09-14T18:17:00.011-04:00

Divorce: one of the ugliest words in the English dictionary. Just two days ago, I learned that my neighbors, who have four young children, decided to separate. This news just broke my heart. Because of the heaviness on my spirit right now, I wanted to go ahead and blog some of my thoughts on the topic.

First of all, it is obvious that there is a crisis in the American home these days. While I don't completely trust statistics, let's face it, the divorce rate is ridiculously high in this country. The more important question, however, is why? Why are so many husbands and wives choosing to release themselves from all matrimonial obligations?

I don't want to come across sounding judgmental to anyone who has chosen or suffered through a divorce. That is not my intention whatsoever. I understand that every situation is unique and equally complicated; nevertheless, what I will venture to do is share some practical suggestions to anyone who might be contemplating divorce or struggling in their marraige. If you feel you need help relieving some of the pressures in your home and have hope that your marraige can be restored, please read on....

First, start with yourself. Ask, "What am I willing to do to help my marriage?" Stubborness and pride are usually the two biggest culprits in ruining a marriage. If you can identify things that you can let go, or things that you can do that you know will make your spouse happier, start doing these things right now... don't wait.

Secondly, make a list of all the things that your spouse does that upsets you - even the little things. After all, you may just find that many of the items on the list are just that, little things. And if they are, decide how many of these issues are really worth all the stress and heart aches you are now experiencing.

Thirdly, dig deep within yourself and try to find a positive outlook on the future. While most troubled marraiges cannot be fixed miraculously overnight, understand that if your frame of mind is that it's all hopeless and lost, then your chances for restoration are limited. Try to believe that, through a slow and deliberate plan, you can reach a solution.

Finally, talk. That's right... talk with your spouse. Studies show that the #1 reason for divorce is NOT money as some may think. It's communication. Lack of communication is the #1 reason that marraiges struggle to survive. My advice then is simply to talk through the situations, talk through the pain, talk through the financial crises, talk through the bitterness and the forgiveness.... just talk.

I understand that not all marraige issues can be resolved in just four easy steps, but it has to start somewhere, and usually it starts with a willingness and a perserverence to try... try again... and never give up. Please bear in mind, I am not implying that the onus is all on you either, or that you alone have the control to salvage your marraige. Most definitely, it is a two way street and a collaborative effort. Nevertheless, if you want your marriage to survive, do what YOU can do.... and give it your very best shot.

Sarah Palin

2008-09-07T23:21:00.002-04:00

How God Answers Prayer

2008-09-06T23:00:00.012-04:00

Tonight I watched one of the corniest and goofiest movies I've ever seen: Evan Almighty. Nevertheless, all was not lost - there was one profound line from Morgan Freeman in the movie that struck a chord and will probably forever stick with me. He asks,

"If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage or does He give them opportunity to be couragious? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings or does He give them opportunity to love each other?”

How often have you prayed and felt like God did not answer your prayer? If you're anything like me then it's happened, and going through something like this has caused a number of emotions - confusion, abandonement, hopelessness. Sometimes we even lose faith. (After all, we are a "fast food" society that expects lightning speed results, right?) Yet, God's strategy and timing for answering our prayers does not always coincide with our expectation. In fact, many times, while we are yet searching for our answer, mentally pacing in our minds, back and forth, back and forth, we fail to imagine that perhaps God has already provided us the answer we need. You see, God's answers are not always simple and easy, or the most conspicuous and convenient, but they are, indeed, always right and they are always targeted at the very root of the matter. I think it comes down to the fact that God is more interested in having us “grow” into our answers, so that we may gain understanding and wisdom, than to have our answers fed to us on a silver spoon and suffer not knowing the value of the gifts or the process of how to get them if we may ever need them one day again.

Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Dalyn Turns 3!

2008-08-24T01:46:00.005-04:00

Our little Dalyn Zeal turned a whopping 3 this weekend! Of all the things a little boy could asked for, he specifically asked for roller skates (imagine that). We got them - of course - and we took him and a few of his "bestest buds" to the local skating rink. Fun times... and precious memories. We also filled his bedroom with 14 million balloons - talk about excitement! Not sure who had more fun in the room, though - Dalyn or his crazy dad who was acting like he was 3 again.

Do I Know What My Passions Are?

2008-08-14T22:13:00.017-04:00

I'm currently reading, John Tesh: Intelligence for Your Life. The book bears numerous and powerful life lessons and great nuggets of truth for personal growth. Definitely would recommend. Here's one excerpt that really struck a chord with me:

Big Life Question: Do I know what my passions are?

If your answer to this Big Life Question is "No," or "I'm not sure," then ask yourself four more questions:
What makes me feel most energized and excited?
What do I want to be known as?
What could I talk about nonstop?
Which activities do I get so caught up in that time just flies?

If you can answer any one those four questions, then I'm sure you'll discover (or perhaps you already know) what your passionate about - more importantly, what your life purpose is, too. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say, "I don't know what my purpose is?" Friend, if you can go so far as to identify what you're passionate about, then you are well on your way to gaining an insight to what your purpose is. Many times, our passions and our purpose are linked hand in hand. The problem is most people don't realize this. Because I've found this to be true so many times, I'm prone to think that if you're good at something or you have a driving motivation to achieve certain goals, these are the things that you need to pay close attention to...... these are the things that you should cultivate, develop, and push every day. Chances are they are your gateway and catalyst to fulfilling your life calling.

Will God Keep His Promises to Me?

2008-08-05T22:13:00.005-04:00

"And the Lord gave to Israel (insert your name) all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers (your fathers) and they (you) possessed it and dwelt in it.

The Lord gave them (you) rest round about, just as He had sworn to their (your) fathers. Not one of all their (your) enemies withstood them; the Lord delivered all their (your) enemies into their (your) hands.

There failed no part of any good thing which the Lord had promised to the house of Israel (insert your name); all came to pass."

Joshua 21:43-45

Take God's Word and personalize it. His promises were meant for Israel and they are meant for you. Believe in them. Live for them. God's promises are yea and amen.

Power Scripture of the Day

2008-07-20T23:24:00.001-04:00

Psalms 36:9

…in thy light, shall we see light.

Sometimes it seems like all we can see is darkness (doubt, fear, frustration, negative thoughts). It’s like the lights get turned out. But when we are in His light….His presence…. we not only see things more clearly, we gain a whole new perspective. Suddenly, instead of problems, we begin to see solutions; instead of despair, we gain hope; instead of confusion, we start understanding the bigger picture.

Who and What are You Connected To?

2008-07-14T09:27:00.006-04:00

Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.

- Richard Bach

Who [and what] you choose to align yourself with will determine your next level in life. Whether you go up or down, get better or worse, move forward or move backward and most importantly, find fulfillment or disillusionment.

- Unknown

4 Years of Marriage

2008-06-29T23:25:00.004-04:00

This month, I celebrate four years of marriage to the absolute love and beauty of my life, Dona. The Bible says, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Well, I can assure you, I found her. She abounds with strength, dignity, grace, love, and virtue, and always bears a heart of servitude and care in everything she does and everyone she touches. She is truly magnificient and radiant in every way, from the inside out. Yet even with these few words I write today, I could not even come close to expressing the full magnitude of all that she really means to me and how she has added to my life. All I can say is that I am so thankful to God for the honor of going through time with her.... and I look forward to spending millions and millions of more minutes and "priceless" moments with her. I love you, Dona. You are my ONE and ONLY.

Risen from Slumber

2008-06-22T22:34:00.005-04:00

Hello again to everyone out there! I want you to know from the very bottom of my heart your visit (or revisit) to my blog means the absolute world to me. I hope only that it might mean something to you in return.

It has been a long four months since my last post. In spite of this protracted silence, I want to assure you I did not abandon my passion for blogging. If anything, I took a needful sabbatical from it. Since the beginning of the year, I have undertaken a couple of new and adventurous challenges, causing me a great deal of excitement, yet perhaps even more fatigue, both mentally and physically. The first challenge was the beginning of a new job. The second, buying a first home. Between the two, my head has been spinning like a fighter jet barreling out of control.

Needless to say, through all the chaos of "change," my blog has taken a back burner while I took some necessary time to clear my head and locate ground zero again. In the process, I found myself simply soaking in silence - not really exerting anything out of my spirit, just listening. I needed quiet. Contemplating the last few months, I thank God for giving me patience and sanity to get through them, because I know that I did not sustain them on my own strength. It has given me great peace to know that He will never fail me or let me fail. I also give a great deal of gratitude to my wife, Dona, for always believing in me.

Having said all that, I just want to finish this blog entry by commiting to all the visitors and readers of this blog, and most importantly to myself, that I will do my very best to submit at least one entry per week to this web journal..... Not that I have anything "great" to say, but there are some things you just feel to do, if for no one else but yourself.

Coming Home!

2008-02-20T06:56:00.004-05:00

The hotel I stayed at in Biloxi was Beau Rivage. As far as rating it, it was very nice, but I must say, it was not the most service-oriented hotel I've ever been to. While the location, the scenery, and the decor was all ravishing, and the numerous onsite amenities were quite appealing, nearly everything about the hotel was geared to take your money. In fact, you could barely even find a seat anywhere in the hotel - the reason: they want you to sit down where they can charge you, such as a restaurant or in front of a slot machine (did I mention the Beau Rivage is a gambling resort). And get this little piece of loveliness, if you want to have Internet access, you have to first buy a cable out of their vending machine for $10 bucks! Then it costs $12 a day to actually get Internet access to go through that crazy little cable. Can you say SCAM?!! It makes the Comfort Inn look more and more attractive every minute.

Anyway, I'll quit my griping...... the pillows were nice. Here are some more pics of the hotel:

Create a New Reality

2008-02-19T07:43:00.007-05:00

You do not live each day just to see what it holds for you, but to create your reality. Whether you realize it or not, every minute and every moment of your life you spend creating who you are and what you are becoming. All of your actions and your thoughts construct the substance of your life. In other words, things don't just happen. You happen. Your choices, your ideas, your beliefs, your determination - they all add up. They have everything to do with your past, your present, and your future. Good or bad, it is the reality you have created, the ultimate summation of all you have sown and are sowing. If you want a new reality, you must change it. No one else can do it for you. Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." To change your reality, you decide who it is you want to be, where it is you want to go, and what it is you want to happen. Then, you must understand and believe that everything around you is a part of this process. Invariably, your reality will only be what you choose and truly believe. If that is greatness, then greatness. If defeat, then defeat. Either way, your reality will be a reflection of your thinking and your orientation to life. This is a universal truth, an ageless principle. That is, to succeed or fail, to thrive or deteriorate. It is a reality that is entirely up to you to decide..... and to create.

Stop Talking. Start Doing.

2008-02-18T19:40:00.011-05:00

Yesterday, on my way down to Biloxi, I saw an IBM ad in the Chicago airport that caught my attention. It read: "Stop Talking. Start Doing." I really have to give the marketing people at IBM props, because ever since I saw that ad, I haven't stopped thinking about it.

Stop Talking. Start Doing.

Immediately, the tag line got me pondering all the things that I talk about. Finishing my degree. Buying a home. Traveling the globe. Learning a second language. Living debt free. Becoming a millionaire. Making an INCREDIBLE difference in the world. The list goes on. But you know what? None of these things really matter unless I actually "do" something about them. I can talk all I want about my ideas and my life's ambitions, but talk is cheap. It's only the "doing" that counts for something. That's the part that actually gets us from a dream to fruition, from an idea to a solution, from a possibility to a reality.

So, needless to say, this simple, yet thought-provoking ad, which grabbed my eye and seared my brain as I raced through the O'Hare terminal at 95 miles an hour, has left me both troubled and compelled. Troubled, simply because I'm bothered by the number of unmet personal goals I've done nothing about; but compelled to take action immediately on all of them. I don't want to be known for one who just talks about potential or talks about the possibilities. Good lord, we could talk about potential and possibilities and theorize and visualize until we're all blue in the face. It means nothing without action. Remember, great things don't happen just because you talk about them, great things happen becase you DO them.

Biloxi, Mississippi

2008-02-17T18:52:00.002-05:00

I am currently in good ol' Biloxi, Mississippi, attending a conference for work. I was kind of dreading the trip - that is, until I found out that this was my view from my hotel room window. I'm sure you're gushing with sympathy for me now. :) I'll try to add some more photos later on.

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

The Extra Degree

2008-02-04T17:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a cool video to watch.......

The difference between hot water and boiling water is just one degree of heat. While that may not seem like much, it's the difference between a relaxing cup of tea... and being able to power a 50-ton steam locomotive up a mountain. The following movie brilliantly illustrates how one extra degree of heat, that one extra degree of effort, can make all the difference in your life and perhaps someone elses.

Good Morning!!

2008-01-29T08:43:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody!! I promise I haven't forgotten about this blog!! The last few weeks have just been an incredible whirlwind. As many of you know by now, I started a new job at the beginning of the year and I'm finally starting to catch my breath. I no longer work for NORMLS (Northern Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service), which I served gratefully for 4 1/2 years as their Communications Coordinator. I now work at at a company called First Choice (home health care/medical staffing) and am serving as their Vice President of Operations. I'm very excited about this opportunity and look forward to what opportunities and challenges it will bring. I've got so much to learn and overcome, which makes me nervous, but I know that God can equip me with whatever I need to do the job well. Above all, I just pray that He guides me through this wild course and in one way or another uses me for His amazing glory.

World Clock

2008-01-08T10:55:00.000-05:00

Although it's said that 50% of the stats you hear are wrong (pun intended), I'm still a sucker for stats (with the exception of election polls - when are they ever right?). Here's a cool website I recently came across that shows a world clock and the rate of change for various categories, such as: births, deaths, extinct species, bicycles produced (who wouldn't want to know that?), earth temperature, abortions, etc. Check it out.....

http://www.peterrussell.com/Odds/WorldClock.php

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T10:30:00.000-05:00

It's a new year! For many, the turning of a year brings a feeling of renewing, starting over, looking forward, launching ahead. It's a fresh beginning to better things. At least that's what we hope for. We make strides and efforts to set goals, make resolutions, and outline a vision for the future. And why not? It's a good thing to believe that your new year can bigger, better, and brighter than the previous one. What excites me so much about the new year is the new challenges and great opportunities it brings. And on that note, here are a few things that I am looking forward to in 2008:

I start a new job in a couple weeks. Very excited about this change. It is a positive career move. I'll fill you in with more details later.
Teaching classes on Financial Peace at my church. (Can "financial" and "peace" actually be used in the same sentence? The answer is.....YES, they can and should!)
Buying our first home. Hopefully by summer. Woo-hoo!!

Expanding The O Candle business. I want every home in America to have an O Candle in it!
Getting my Bachelor's degree. There's a chance I could finish by the end of the year.
Reading more. I want to continue to strectch my mind for as far as it will go.

I wish you all the very best and a GREAT 2008! May it be a year filled with promise and opportunity.

When the work of Christmas begins...

2007-12-26T15:15:00.000-05:00

When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nation,
To bring peace among brothers and sisters,
To make music in the heart.

-Howard Thurman

Lovin' the Christmas Madness

2007-12-19T09:43:00.000-05:00

When they say, “Don’t get caught in the Christmas rush,” they really mean it! In the past few weeks it’s been something at every turn. Whether it’s parties and get-togethers to go to, flu bugs and chest colds to get over (and still trying to get over), schoolwork to finish, candles to make and to ship, Christmas decorations to put up, friends to help move, Christmas cards to send out, shopping and more shopping and even more shopping to do, and even babysitting (yeah, I’m man enough to baby sit) - it’s been non-stop! Needless to say, I haven’t had even an ounce of time until right now to sit down and blog.

Is all this madness exhausting? Yes. Is it crazy that we wear ourselves paper thin this time of year doing this and that and who knows what? Perhaps. But all in all, I have to say, I love it! Christmas time is my most favorite time of the year. I love everything about it – the rush, the chaos, the mayhem – even if it does make me half-crazy. And now with only less than a week left until Christmas, I am eager to take advantage of every opportunity and make as many memories with friends and family as I can. Life is so short and these moments will fade so fast. So, you can count on this crazy goon to make the most of this holiday time, and I would encourage you to do the same. Spend time with your family. Make hot chocolate. Phone an old friend. Play in the snow. Get out and have some fun. You live only once! As my father-in-law once told me, "If you don't do something, you'll end up doing nothing."

Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership

2007-12-06T22:28:00.000-05:00

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered - love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives - do good anyway.
If you're successful, you'll win false friends and true enemies - succeed anyway.
The good do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow - do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable - be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest man with the smallest mind - think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only hot dogs - fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight - build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them - help them anyway.
Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth - give the world the best that you have anyway.
If better is possible, then good is not enough.

Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE

2007-12-05T10:28:00.000-05:00

Here is an absolutely amazing story about a teenage boy, Ben Underwood, who can see in spite of being blind. Huh? After having his eyes removed because of cancer when he was three years old, he has sinced learned - all by himself - to navigate around the world using echolocation or sonar vision (basically the same thing that dolphins use to navigate). Ben plays basketball, video games, rollerblades, rides his bicycle, and lives a quite normal life. But his extraordinary ability is really nothing supernatural, it's just something that he has determined himself to do. His story is a true testament that NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE. No matter what the obstacles, you can - can - can achieve absolutely anything when you possess the right mindset and will to do it. One of the doctors in this video states, "The real story here is not his talents, but his attitude."

Dalyn

2007-12-04T10:30:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures of my son, Dalyn. Words cannot describe how much joy he brings into my life. I thank the Lord everyday that He has given me such an amazing opportunity and challenge to raise this little boy into a man. I hardly feel qualified for the task, but that will never stop me from trying.

The following pictures were taken by my brother, Jason. He started his own photography company, called SNAP! Photography, a couple of years ago and has been experiencing great success ever since. He has an amazing knack for capturing candid moments that turn into priceless memories the instant you look at the photograph. Here's a slideshow of more photos that he took of Dalyn while we all went on a hike in our backyard woods.

RSS Feeds at Your Service!

2007-12-03T22:31:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to throw a little "techy" tid bit on here...... RSS feeds...... Really Simple Sindication..... Um, say whaaa? Yeah, that was my first reaction, too. But, trust me, RSS is an extremely useful web tool that can save you boat loads of time staying up-to-date with your favorite websites. So, okay, what is RSS, really? Without boring you with all the technical mumbo jumbo (I wouldn't know how to speak it even if I tried), it is basically a way to notify you whenever there is new content on a website. For example, through an RSS feed, anytime I update this blog, instead of you checking the site every half-hour (because I know you have nothing better to do) to see if there's anything new, you could get a notification of the updates via an RSS reader, such as Google Reader or NewsGator, or through your Outlook 2007 email program, or even through your Internet Explorer 7 browser. All you have to do is subscribe to the feed (don't worry, it's free!). It's really super cool. So, in case, you happen to be one of the weird goons out there that actually enjoy reading my crazy blog (What is wrong with you?), save yourself some time and look into getting the feed. Here is the link you will need to use to subscribe - all RSS readers are a little different, so leave a comment if you have any trouble figuring it out.....

http://www.acupwithjeremy.com/atom.xml

Quote of the Day

2007-11-30T08:10:00.000-05:00

"When the opportunity comes,
it's too late to prepare."

- John C. Maxwell

Envision your opportunities and dreams today and prepare for them as if they'll knock on your door tomorrow.

Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005

2007-11-29T08:39:00.000-05:00

Watch this video. It's 14 minutes well spent.

Are you grateful?

2007-11-27T09:07:00.000-05:00

How annoying is it when you hold open a door for someone and they blow right past you without even a "thank you" or a gesture of gratitude? I mean you do it just because you're nice, and you're not really looking for anything in return, but inside you still long for some small acknowledgement of your generosity. And when they whiz right on by you gabbing on their cell phone, completely oblivious that the world really doesn't revolve around them, you get this empty feeling of wondering why you just opened the door for them. The truth is we don't like it when people are ungrateful.

During this holiday season, I want to make sure that I'm not the one whizzing by those around me that have shown me favor and kindness. I want to take a moment to let you know that you mean the world to me. And I would like to say thank you especially to:

God - I am nothing without you, thank you for giving me life and a reason to live it.
My wife - My closest friend, you challenge and inspire me everyday to be the man I'm supposed to be. You go 1000% to be the most amazing wife and mother anyone could ever ask for.
My son - You make me smile everyday. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
My parents - You have been my rock and foundation. Thank you for believing in me.
My siblings - There is no one on the planet that could ever replace you. Your friendship is priceless (and I'm sorry for all the nasty things I said about you when I was younger).
My in-laws - You gave me the most precious gift in the world, your daughter. Thank you.
My friends - You know who you are. I am blessed beyond measure to have you in my life.

Quote of the Day
An ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating acorns, but never looking up to see where they come from.
- Timothy Dexter

A Diamond in the Rough

2007-11-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

Every now and then, the world is exposed to someone with an extraordinary talent, someone who is uniquely special. Yet before these people were "somebody," they were "nobody" until someone else found them and said, "Hey, buddy, you've got some talent!" Well, here’s a video of a guy where this very thing happened. Let me just say, you can't judge a book by its cover....

The O Candle

2007-11-19T13:03:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, Dona and I decided to crack our ol' comfort zone and turn one of our lazy hobbies into a fun, little business venture. Since then, we've been holding our breath and staying terrifically busy making and selling our all-natural, soy candles. These candles, called The O Candle, come in an array of savory aromas and are contained in classic, brushed silver tins. We haven't made millions yet, but we've been having a blast and making a lot of great memories! (On a side note, I cannot recommend enough finding a hobby that you and your spouse can enjoy together.) If you want to find out more about our candles and learn why soy candles are sooooooo much better than the paraffin junk candles you buy at the Yankee Shmankee Candle store, go to www.theOcandle.com.

How to Make $500 in 3 Months Online

2007-11-15T13:10:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I endeavored to test the Internet’s money-making potential to see if there were real opportunities out there that would be easy and……free. After just a few months, I can say that my research proved to be worthwhile. I made roughly over $500 in about a 3 month span doing very simple things on the Internet – and the best part is – I didn’t pay one red cent to do it.

Below is my overview of 25 online companies/programs that rewards you with cash and/or prizes. Some are worth your time and some aren’t, but I will let you decide that. I’ve also listed how much I’ve actually made with each company. As you can see, you won’t get rich (as some will lead you to believe), but they may very well give you a little extra gas money.

Clear Voice Surveys - $20
Take surveys, redeem earnings for cash
Creations Rewards - $70
Take surveys, sign-up for free offers, redeem points for cash or prizes
Deal Barbie Pays - $40
Take surveys, sign-up for free offers, redeem earnings for cash
Greenfield Online - $36
Take surveys, redeem earnings for cash
If you want to join Greenfield Online, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
Harris Poll - $10
Take surveys, redeem points for prizes
Knowledge Networks - $ 50
Take surveys, redeem points for cash
Knowledge Networks picks you, you don’t pick them. Through a random selection process, you might receive a letter in the mail inviting you to join. Unfortunately, you can’t just go to their site and sign up with them.
Lightspeed Consumer Panel - $30
Take surveys, redeem points for cash
My Points - $30
Take surveys, sign-up for free offers, redeem earnings for cash
If you want to join My Points, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
My Survey - $50
Take surveys, redeem points for cash
Opinion Outpost - $38
Take surveys, redeem points for cash
If you want to join Opinion Outpost, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
Opinion Square - $15
Take surveys, redeem points for gift cards/prizes
If you want to join Opinion Square, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
PineCone Research - $50
Take surveys, get cash
You can only sign up with PineCone Research through their banner ads that they post on various websites throughout the year. If you ever see one of their ads, sign up.
Survey Savvy - $19
Take surveys, get cash
Synovate - $10
Take surveys, earn points, redeem for cash
If you want to join Synovate, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
Your2Cents - $12
Take surveys, redeem earnings for cash
ZoomPanel – N/A
Take surveys, redeem points for prizes
If you want to join ZoomPanel, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
Ebay - $50
Sell your unwanted items around the house, get cash

Below are a few companies which I did not earn anything from during the 3 month period, however, that does not mean they are a waste of time. Some of them are great sites, but take longer to reach payout.

Adbux - $0
View pay-per-click ads or register for free offers, redeem earnings for cash
ClixSense - $0
View pay-per-click ads, redeem earnings for cash
Fusion Cash - $0
Register for free offers, redeem earnings for cash
Inbox Dollars - $0
Take surveys, sign-up for free offers, read emails, redeem earnings for cash
Panda Research - $0
Take surveys, register for free offers, redeem earning for cash
If you want to join Panda Research, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
Surveys - $0
Take surveys, get cash
Tik Tik Cash - $0
Take surveys, read emails, sign-up for free offers, read emails, redeem earnings for cash
If you want to join Tik Tik Cash, send me an email and I’ll send you an invitation.
Valued Opinions - $0
Take surveys, redeem earnings for cash
The way to join Valued Opinions is through invitation or through one of their affiliates. Sorry, I can’t remember how I joined.

How to Tell a Real Offer from a Scam

2007-11-14T09:16:00.000-05:00

How many times have you been sitting at a red light and you see a sign that states, “Make $1000 a week! Call ###-###-####”? For a brief moment you probably wonder if, by slim chance, the sign might be true. Could you actually get rich if you just called that number? Naaaaaah. By the time the light turns green, your inner skeptic has you convinced it’s a silly hoax.

And then you’ve got those Internet “Get-Rich” programs (aka. scams) that assure you that you’ll make millions in 30 days or less. Are these fake, too? They must be. After all, making money can’t be that easy.

Well, your intuition is probably right. Making gobs of money is not "that" easy and anything that's worthwhile will require some effort. Nevertheless, there are legitimate money-making opportunities on the Internet that actually can and do work in your favor. In fact, I am going to show you just a few web programs that have ACTUALLY worked for me, and by that I mean, actually paid me moolah – real, green money.

But first, how do you determine the real offers from the scams? The truth is lots of web and email offers are designed to COST you money – not make it – so you have to be careful. At the website About.com, I found some helpful information on how to tell a real offer from a scam:

Find out how you’ll be paid. Some ‘jobs’ get you to work for nothing. For example, you post ads on internet bulletin boards, but you don’t earn anything until someone signs up. If that doesn’t happen, you’re out of luck.
If an offer guarantees you’ll get rich quick, leave it alone. Anything that sounds too good to be true is a financial trap.
They ask you to send money. Legitimate employers don't charge fees to hire you. They also don’t sell you information, software or kits to get you started.
Let someone else read the offer. Some scams are hard to detect. For example, you might receive a detailed contract that asks for banking information so your check can be direct deposited, but once they get your info, they drain your account and disappear. So let someone else take a second look at it.

These are just a few red flags to look for when attempting to make some extra cash from the Internet. They key is - remember, you’re wanting to make money, not spend it – when a company is asking for your credit card # or Social Security #, you’re almost always setting yourself up for a BIG disappointment. If you're in doubt, do your research. I can't emphasize that enough. If the offer sounds a little fishy, it probably is.

Okay, okay, as promised, I said I would outline some online programs that have worked for me, and I will be true to my word and post them on here…………tomorrow.

You think you've got it bad....

2007-11-13T08:50:00.001-05:00

This cartoon is hilarious, but it's also a great illustration of how our life isn't always as bad as it seems. It's funny how we can complain about some of the most insignificant, petty things like "having nothing in our closet to wear" or "the pain and suffering we endure because of high gas prices," while there are others in the world who literally have no clothes, no food, no shelter, let alone a vehicle to actually put gas in. Chances are we have it really good and don't even realize it.

This Thanksgiving season, I think it would be good if we stopped for a moment and took an account of our lives and looked at the things that we should be thankful for - the fact that, yes, we do have the ability and opportunity to go through a McDonald's drive-thru whenever we like and fill our stomachs with pleasurable food, the fact that our children actually get to take a hot bath before bedtime and snuggle in their warm beds, the fact that we can chill out on our comfy couch, in our heated home, on a chilly Saturday afternoon, feasting on Cool Ranch Doritos and a box of frozen Ho-Ho's, watching a college football game on our 32” HDTV. I mean, think about it. Most of us have it made. Even if we only have two nickels to rub together, we're still far better off than the majority of the population on earth.

We must not forget that there are others out there who have it waaaaaaay worse than us, and that when we complain, we only show just how foolish and inconsiderate we really are. So stop the grumbling! Instead of complaining, develop a habit of voicing your gratefulness -- say things like, "I know I don't have a brand new, designer shirt to wear, but thank you, Lord, that I do have clothes." An attitude like this will resonate and shine through your demeanor and people will see the grace and gratitude in which you live your life.

And even if you do really have it “that” bad, consider the fact that a lot of times your struggle is only a means to making you a stronger, better person. In every pain and trial, there is a purpose behind it. So don’t ruin what God is intending for your good by sabotaging it with your selfish pride and whiny attitude. Endure the process. Live gracefully and valiantly through your hardships and be mindful that somebody else might need to feel your strength and see your smile.

Maxwell's Keys to Success

2007-11-09T13:05:00.000-05:00

In my recent post, I mentioned a comment from John Maxwell, a profound leadership expert and renown author. According to Maxwell, there are four key qualities to being highly successful, and they are:

1. RELATIONSHIPS
Firstly, people who are highly successful are good at building relationships and have a way of getting along with people. Good relationship skills are the foundation of both leadership and success. Successful people relate emotionally, spiritually and intellectually with others. Both in the workplace and in their homes, people need to understand and practice the hammer principle: "never use a hammer to swat a fly off someone's forehead." In other words, don't overreact.

2. EQUIP
The second quality of highly successful people is that they equip, train and develop people. Successful people understand that for their success to compound, it must include others. They must have the ability to gain buy-in. One is too small a number to achieve greatness.

3. ATTITUDE
The third quality is attitude. Successful people have an uncommon attitude, especially about adversity. It's not that they have fewer problems than less successful people; they just have the tenacity to work through obstacles and problems. Maxwell says that "attitude is not everything, but it is the main thing – the difference maker. However, a great attitude cannot make up for incompetence.

4. LEADERSHIP
Fourth, successful people are good leaders. They have a vision, and they understand that leadership is about influence – not title or position. "People can lead wherever they are in the organization," he said. "They can lead up, across and down."

Friends don't let friends have low-interest savings accounts

2007-11-08T08:39:00.000-05:00

Every now and then, I like to throw things on here that might be beneficial to the readers. My latest cool tip comes from ING DIRECT bank. Right now they are offering an interest rate on their savings account of 4.30% For those of you who don't know any better, that's outstanding for a standard savings account (in fact, 9 times the national average). With most banks, you're lucky if you get a quarter of a percent. What's nice, too, is that you don't have to have a kajillion dollars to open an account - you can open one up for just $1.

But -- there's even better news -- they are offering a promotion right now. If you open a savings account with at least $250, they'll deposit $25 into your account. That's pretty sweet if you ask me. To open an account, go to http://www.ingdirect.com/ and enter the following reference code: CK923/hkdchvbga (you have to use this code to get the $25). The deadline for the promotion is January 31, 2008.

***By the way, I took advantage of this promotion already and can vouch for the $25 gift -- they really do give it to you, no strings attached.

The End of Carnegie

2007-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

For the past month, I've shared over 25 excerpts from the Dale Carnegie book, How to Win Friends & Influence People. Hopefully, these powerful insights have challenged your thinking and helped you, in some way, just as they have helped countless others, in improving your ability to relate and work with others.

Another one of my favorite authors, John Maxwell, once said, "People who are highly successful are good at building relationships and have a way of getting along with people. " He went on to say, "Good relationship skills are the foundation of both leadership and success. Successful people relate emotionally, spiritually and intellectually with others."

Make the fault seem easy to correct

2007-11-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

Don't emphasize the mistakes. Do the opposite. Praise the things the person does right and minimize the errors. Tell your child, your spouse, or your employee that he or she is stupid or dumb at a certain thing, has no gift for it, and is doing it all wrong, and you have destroyed almost every incentive to try to improve. But use the opposite technique - be liberal with your encouragement, make the thing seem easy to do, let the other person know that you have faith in his ability to do it, that he has an undeveloped flair for it - and he will practice until the dawn comes in the window in order to excel.

*Compilation taken from "How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie

Give a dog a good name

2007-11-06T20:15:00.000-05:00

The average person can be led readily if you have his or her respect and if you show that you respect that person for some kind of ability. If you want to improve a person in a certain respect, act as though that particular trait were already one of his or her outstanding characteristics. And it might be well to assume and state openly that other people have the virtue you want them to develop. Give them a fine reputation to live up to, and they will make prodigious efforts rather than see you disillusioned. Give a dog a bad name and you may as well hang him. But give him a good name - and see what happens.

*Compilation taken from "How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie

How to spur people on to success

2007-11-05T21:43:00.000-05:00

Why, I wonder, don't we use the same common sense when trying to change people that we use when trying to change dogs? Why don't we use meat instead of a whip? Why don't we use praise instead of condemnation? Let us praise even the slightest improvement. That inspires the other person to keep on improving. If you single out a specific accomplishment, rather than just making general flattering remarks, praise will become much more meaningful to the person to whom it was given. Everybody likes to be praised, but when praise is specific, it comes across as sincere - not something the other person may be saying just to make one feel good.

*Compilation taken from "How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie

Noah's Ark Party

2007-11-02T14:39:00.001-04:00

As a super cool and safe alternative to celebrating Halloween, Dona put on a Noah's Ark party for the kids at the church on Wednesday. All the kids were to dress up as animals or something pertaining to the Noah's ark story --- however, we did end up with one Power Ranger..... hmmm.... I was later told that Power Rangers were actually included in the New King James Version of the Bible. Anyway, Dona was rain (that's a cloud, not a giant molar growing out her head) and Dalyn was a lion (a big thanks to my mom for making his outfit on the fly last weekend).

(I have no idea where he gets this from.)

Dalyn for President in 2048!

Let the other man save his face

2007-11-02T14:31:00.000-04:00

Letting one save face! How vitally important that is! And how few of us ever stop to think of it! We ride roughshod over the feelings of others, getting our own way, finding fault, issuing threats, criticizing a child or an employee in front of others, without even considering the hurt to the other person's pride. Whereas a few minutes thought, a considerate word or two, a genuine understanding of the other person's attitude, would go so far toward alleviating the sting! Even if we are right and the other person is definitely wrong, we only destroy ego by causing someone to lose face. The legendary French aviation pioneer and author Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote: " I have no right to say or do anything that diminishes a man in his own eyes. What matters is not what I think of him, but what he thinks of himself. Hurting a man in his dignity is a crime."

*Compilation taken from "How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie