Why Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Finance?

Finally getting down to why I’m writing this blog and sharing with both people I know personally and those who don’t even know who the heck I am. Well, I hope that something I say here on the blog will help someone. I hope that there will be some seed of thought here that will be planted on fertile ground.. As said in the bible in Mark 4:20,

“Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."

So people are probably asking why these five areas of life? And the answer is important, as these are the categories that all humans have in common. Each one affects the other and yet is important on its own. Take for instance, Friends as the third category, who your friends are will effect the other four areas. The wrong friends will tear those other categories down and you with the process. The right friends will build you up and cause spillover into the other 4 areas of life or categories. The truth is that a balance between these areas is what will give a more fruitful life.

Second, the order, Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness and Finance, is for a specific reason. It is the order of priority. Faith, being the highest priority, also transcends itself into the other 4 areas of life. Faith is the belief in things not seen. It is the ability to see positive things for the future even when bad things happen. That’s why leading a spiritual life is so important, as it benefits all areas of life. Generally, when a person lacks Faith then Fear takes over. Fear is just the other side, also a belief in things not seen, but is the lack of hope, a negative attitude. Yes, Faith is by far the most important indeed.

The last of the five is Finance. You can have all the money you need and still be unsuccessful. Sure, money is a good tool, but not the secret to happiness. However, the lack of this area will, like the other 4, spillover and affects the other areas of life.

Family and Friends mainly has to do with cultivating good relationships. It is amazing to me how much modern peoples lack in this regard. Learning to nurture your relationships will only have a positive effect on your entire life.

And of course, Fitness is so important. We have all heard the saying, “Without our health we have nothing”, although not absolutely true, it obviously trumps how much money you have in the bank.

It is amazing how much time has gone by after starting this blog. I have so much to share with you and look forward to covering some more on this topic. I will also be covering specific elements from all the 5 areas of life.

Blessings to YOU! I will leave you with a very funny video about priorities, WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER BE

The Video is no longer available. So I removed the link.

OBAMA VS. McCAIN

One more day until the election and I will be glad not to have to listen to one more negative political ad. I can’t recall when a political season of worse negativity than in this year in 2008. It is basically more of the same. I can’t wait until someone speaks up and encourages campaign finance reform. It seems congress passes one law and the parties and candidates always find a way around it.

What I would like to see is each candidate that runs for president has the same media coverage and advertising dollars to run their campaigns. I would like to see some accountability for accuracy in information. Let’s face it both candidates stretched the truth. It is interesting to see all the facts that are stretched this year.

Just take a minute and look at all the disputed claims on factcheck.org. I won’t repeat it here put just take a look.

http://www.factcheck.org/archive/October_2008.html

There should be laws in place just like there is with commercial organizations such as vitamin companies, where there are fines rendered for false information to the public. These are just my opinion, but doesn’t that make sense?

I would also like to see third parties treated fairly. Many good third parties have great ideas that are being suppressed by the big two. I particularly like the libertarian party, and the constitutional party. The reform party has some good ideas and so does the Green Party. I’m not promoting a third party here, but I think they should be heard.

Here are some websites to look at:

http://www.lp.org/

http://www.constitutionparty.com/

http://www.gp.org/index.php

http://www.reformpartyusa.org/


It really is amazing how many third parties there actually are:

http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm

Well with all that said I will disclose who I am going to vote for, and that is John McCain and Sara Palin. The reason I am going to vote that way is because of the social issues that I feel are going further and further away from what I believe to be the truth. And that is the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And that our rights are endowed by our creator. This county was founded on Judeo Christian values and it is those values and respect for God that has allowed this nation to become great. It will be the loss of those values that will send this nation into destruction, as did the Persian Empire, and the Roman Empire fall into obscurity.

George Washington said that it is impossible to govern a nation without God and the bible. I think everyone should be taught what was in the minds of our country’s founders. Take some time to research and to understand what made this county what it is today.

http://www.foundingfathers.info/federalistpapers/

Ok, I will leave you with some humor, and wish you all a tremendous election day.
Go Vote!

Halloween? Not Really all that fun,

I’m sorry to see so much evil celebrated on this day. A day that was originally called Hallows Eve, should be used for its original purpose, and that is to celebrate the great Christians who went before us. All Saints Day is really what true Christian should remember. Here is a post from Chuck Colson on Breakpoint from last year about All Saints Day,

Hope you enjoy!




Honoring the Witnesses - All Saints' Day

It is Halloween again, and to be frank, I really don't look forward to talking about it on "Breakpoint" every year. At best, Halloween has become an excuse to ask total strangers for candy. At worst, it is a celebration of the mindless paganism our ancestors wisely turned their backs on.
So this year, I would like to turn your attention to the often-overlooked celebration that Halloween calls to mind. In case you have missed it before, the name Halloween is a shortening of All Hallow's Eve and signifies the night before All Saints' Day.
For centuries on All Saints' Day the Church celebrated the lives of Christians who went before us. And rightly so: We can learn so much from those whom the author of Hebrews calls that great cloud of witnesses.
The tradition of remembering the Church triumphant dates back to the time of the first Christian martyrs. When soldiers of Marcus Aurelius Verus came to arrest Polycarp, a beloved church leader, Polycarp greeted them kindly. According to the third century historian Eusebius, Polycarp "ordered a table to be laid for them immediately, invited them to eat as much as they liked, asking in return a single hour in which he could pray."
When Polycarp later stood in the coliseum, accused and surrounded by the jeering crowds, the governor pressed him to recant his faith. Instead, this man, who himself had been discipled by the Apostle John, said this: "For eighty-six years, I have been [Christ's] servant, and He has never done me wrong: How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" As they were preparing to burn him alive, Polycarp offered up prayers of faith and praise.
In the years following Polycarp's death, Christians would gather annually to take communion beside his grave. There they would remember his brave witness and take courage from his example.
As the years passed, the day shifted in focus from remembering Polycarp to honoring all martyrs. By the seventh century, the Church created a holiday to honor all of God's saints—heroes of the faith.
One of my favorite heroes was a woman named Monica, who lived during the fourth century. She would never face flames or jeering crowds, as did Polycarp, but she did face testing. That testing came in the form of her own longing for the return of her prodigal son, Augustine. His licentious lifestyle made this Christian mother weep. Later, when Augustine, who is now known as one of the foremost theologians of Christianity and scholars of Western civilization, did come to Christ, he wrote this prayer: "My mother, Your faithful servant, wept to You for me, shedding more tears for my spiritual death than others shed for the bodily death of a son. You heard her."
I could tell you story after story like this, from Justin Martyr to Martin Luther to Amy Carmichael. But let me encourage you to do something this All Saints' Day. Take the lead in your church to honor the great saints who set examples for us. Reacquaint your children with Halloween's Christian origins. Research together and talk about the lives of Christian heroes.
Sure, go ahead and let the kids dress up like Batman and hit up your neighbors for candy. But when the hoopla of modern Halloween is over, encourage your kids to imitate some real heroes—not in what they put on, but in how they live their lives.
-Chuck Colson

9/11 What have we really learned?

I find it strange how people forget about 9/11. Yet it seems such a short time ago that the nation pulled together as one people.

Today people are looking to find blame for the condition of the economy, either it's the democrats, or it's the Republicans fault. Depending on who you decide to vote for.

But let's not forget what really is causing this depression. The war on terrorism is still going on and oil is the weapon of choice. The attack is not about territory or land it is about ideas and truth. Those that would like to see the values of this country eroded would love to have another 9/11. We really are not through this war on terror yet.

And if the terrorist win by wiping the values we hold dear from all Americans thoughts, they will succeed in conquering America. Because America is an idea.

God Bless America and lets all be grateful for the little things. A friend of mine sent me this video and it is great. I hope it affects you the way it affected me. Peace and Love to you All!

Life is Short, Make it Count - George Carlin Quote

I was taking to my next door neighbor, Greg, and he said he would send me this really neat George Carlin Quote. I'm thinking George Carlin the Comedian? But Greg was right this is an awesome quote. I think that most people would agree with what is said here. As Earl Nightingale would say, "everything that is of any real value to a person. he or she got totally free."

Anyway, I hope you also enjoy the quote.

What a difference a sad event in someone's life makes.
GEORGE CARLIN (his wife recently died)

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent ... and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgement, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space, but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are times of fast food and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember: spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one nest to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say "I Love You" to your partner and your loved ones but, most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER ... Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least 8 people ... WHO CARES?!

George Carlin

Commentary by Chuck Colson

One day after my last post, I was listening to the radio and Chuck Colson comes on and give his take on the coming financial crisis.

You can find it Here -

http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/2214-cost-and-opportunity

I alway enjoy listening to Chuck as he reports current news with a Biblical
World View.

THE POWER OF TEAMWORK

When you ask most people, “Do you believe that teamwork is important?” Most will agree that it is extremely important, in fact necessary to achieve and succeed in any great vision or goal. Yet, why do we all fall prey to the worldly media that conditions us to fight on our own?

The media has us conditioned to think that we can only win on our own merits. We fight for a job or a career and we believe that if we win someone has to loose. The business environment is ferocious. Most small business owners know nothing about developing a winning team. There is an adversarial relationship in most cases between the employee and the employer. Most employees only care about themselves, and most of the time they are justified, due to the fact that most companies only care about the bottom line.

Corporate America is in trouble, because its leaders have made decisions based on this win/loose philosophy. They have greed at hand and made decisions for themselves rather then what is good for society or their own employees. When will Corporate America wake up and figure out that the Win/ Win philosophy is what will create lasting long term growth for their company and the country?

Corporate America must realize that they must create teamwork with their employees as well as the general public. They need to do what is right rather than what is sufficient. They need to work toward the greater good rather than rely on selfish motives.

I have a feeling that this bailout of Wall Street will only provide further incentives for Corporate America to repeat the failed policies of the past. This can only increase inflation and lead to more expense that the general public may not be able to afford.

The country, and corporate America must create a team to work toward a common cause that will make America a powerful nation again. We can only be that way when everyone wins, including the great citizens of this county. Nothing but nothing will beat the power of teamwork!

To illustrate the power of teamwork take a look at this awesome you tube video. It takes place in Africa. The Lions I would consider corporate America. The crocodiles represent government interest. And the Buffalo represent a Team and what power teamwork can have. I hope you enjoy it!