Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Is Money Really Everything?
Ten Things Money Can't Buy:We talk a lot about money: How to get it, how to spend it, where to spend it, and how to save it. For all the time we devote to talking about, worrying about, and dealing with money, you’d think it was the most important thing in the world. If the time spent obsessing about money truly equated to its worth, then there would be nothing that you couldn’t do or have without money. Money would be the only thing that mattered. But is money really as valuable as our obsession level leads us to believe?
Money is important, obviously. Without it we’d have no roof over our heads, food in our bellies or clothes on our backs. Money allows us to do and have more things than we can without it. It’s a means to an end. But, for all that money is useful and good to have around, for all that it can buy, there are quite a few things that it can’t buy. Even if you have millions of dollars, there are some things that you’ll never have with money alone. So what can’t money buy? Read on...
1) Lost time
Money cannot buy back lost time. As each day passes, it is lost and you can never get it back. When you miss that chance to say, “I love you,” to someone special, or you tell your kids, “Not now, I have to work,” that opportunity is gone. No amount of money that you make in the future will get that day, that moment, back.
2) Happiness
It’s a cliche that money can’t buy happiness, but it’s also true. It can buy you some fun and fleeting joy—a cool vacation, a big TV, a fast car—but it can’t buy the true happiness that comes from liking yourself, having stable relationships, and good a familial support system.
3) Happy, well adjusted kids
Money can buy your kids a lot of clothes, toys and gizmos, but it can’t turn them into secure, responsible, well-mannered, intelligent people. That only comes from the time you spend with them and the things you teach them. Money might be able to help with some aspects of parenting but it’s been proven many times that kids, once their basic needs are met, benefit more from parents spending time with them than the amount of money spent on them.
4) Love
It’s another cliche that money can’t buy love, but a true one. Money can buy initial attraction or even lust, but “true” love comes from mutual respect, caring for each other, sharing experiences, and growing together. There’s a reason that people who marry only for money rarely end up happy. Love at it’s best functions regardless of whether you have a lot of money or very little.
5) Acceptance
True, you can buy things that make you fit in—the latest cars, clothes, shoes, or electronics—but these things don’t represent true acceptance. If you really want to be accepted by your peers (beyond high school where a pair of shoes really does make you part of the in crowd), you’d do better to focus your energies on making yourself valuable to those around you. Being a good friend, a kind and helpful person, and someone who excels at what they do will go further to gain you acceptance than the stuff money can buy.
6) Health
Money can buy healthcare and medicine, but it cannot replace health once it’s lost. It’s far better to take preventative action such as watching what you eat, exercising, not smoking, and getting regular physicals than to rely on money to save you once your body has started to fail you. Money also can’t buy back your youth. No amount of money you make in the future will replace those days when your body could do anything easily and look good doing it. You can spend thousands on “treatments” to preserve your youth, but it’s an illusion. Once your youth is gone, no amount of money will get it back.
7) Success
Some people succeed by being slimy and paying/bribing their way to the top. But these are the exception and I would hope you wouldn’t aspire to that. Success comes from hard work, applying your gifts in the best way possible, and paying your dues to move ahead in the world. There is very little that money can buy you to help you succeed. It might be able to buy you some training or equipment, but the majority of your success is determined by the work you put in, not the money you spend.
8) Talent
People are born with certain talents. Money can certainly nurture a talent. You can buy music lessons or coaching sessions to nurture your talents, but money cannot buy a talent. You can learn to do certain things well—I’ve learned to play the piano after years of lessons—but the true gift to do it well can’t be bought. Even after years of lessons, I don’t have the ability to make the piano truly sing, whereas others in my family have had that talent from birth.
9) Class/manners
There are plenty of rich people who are rude and crude and plenty of poor people who demonstrate perfect manners and respect for others. And vice-versa. The amount of money you have doesn’t determine whether you behave well or poorly. Manners and classy behavior are not bought, they are taught and practiced at all levels of society by parents and family members who want to see their offspring behave well in society. Money doesn’t confer good behavior. Money can buy you entry into a better class position, but it cannot make you behave with class.
10) Peace
If money could buy peace, I think we’d be there by now. Think of the amount of money that governments have spent over the years in the name of “peace.” Has it worked? Nope. Peace isn’t something you buy. I think peace only comes from acting fairly, humanely, and treating others (people and countries) as we would want to be treated. And even then, it might not be possible. But for sure money won’t buy it.
I’m not suggesting that you give up the pursuit of money and go on some monastic quest for deeper meaning. It is important to manage your money well, to educate yourself about money, and earn enough to secure your financial future. However, it pays to stop and think every now and then about the things you would still have even if you didn’t have money. Your family, your health, and your gifts and abilities aren’t determined by how much money you have. There are things that no amount of money can buy and it’s worthwhile to pursue them even as you worry about money. Money is important, but maybe it’s not the most important thing in the world.
* by Jennifer Derrick: September 2, 2008.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Walk-a-Thon - Saturday April 30th, 2011
If your body's feeling tired, weak, or just plain lazy, then it's probably because you haven't been exercising. You need to come out tomorrow and join us on our Walk-a-Thon from LBI (E.C.D) - G/town!
You will not regret it!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Blessed Good Friday to All
LOL
100 points to get into Heaven
A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates.
St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay" the man says, "I attended church every Sunday"
"That's good, says St. Peter, " that's worth two points"
"Two points?" he says. "Well, I gave 10% of all my earnings to the church"
"Well, let's see," answers Peter, "that's worth another 2 points. Did you do anything else?"
"Two points? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's certainly worth a point, " he says.
"hmmm...," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"THREE POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"
"Come on in!"
St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay" the man says, "I attended church every Sunday"
"That's good, says St. Peter, " that's worth two points"
"Two points?" he says. "Well, I gave 10% of all my earnings to the church"
"Well, let's see," answers Peter, "that's worth another 2 points. Did you do anything else?"
"Two points? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's certainly worth a point, " he says.
"hmmm...," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"
"THREE POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"
"Come on in!"
Thursday, April 21, 2011
LOL
He who is without sin
Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What's going on here, anyway?" he asked.
"This woman was found committing adultery, and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded.
"Wait," yelled Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Suddenly, a stone was thrown from out of the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.
"Aw, c'mon, Dad..." Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"
"This woman was found committing adultery, and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded.
"Wait," yelled Jesus. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Suddenly, a stone was thrown from out of the sky, and knocked the woman on the side of her head.
"Aw, c'mon, Dad..." Jesus cried, "I'm trying to make a point here!"
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Happy and Blessed Palm Sunday to All
As we commemorate this historic day on the Christian calendar, it is also important to understand it's significance and what it truly means for us as Christians. Jesus knew exactly what would have transpired after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, however that did not deter him from following through with his mission, smiling humbly and graciously at the cheering crowd who would later be responsible for his crucifixion.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
NAC Los Angeles - Majesty (Here I Am)
This is an absolutely heavenly rendition done by the New Apostolic Choir in Los Angeles. Have a listen---It will truly bless your ears and hearts.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Facebook? Anyone?
If yes, then come join us on our group page and let's interact! Just follow the link below:
10 Things young people can do for God (Part II)
Just as was promised, below is the remainder of the list of things young people can do in their service to God:
(6) PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A DECENT PROFESSION
The New Testament strongly commands honest and honorable work (I Thessalonians 4:11,12). The Christian life is not that of a parasites but one of industry and service.
(7) BUILD A CHRISTIAN HOME
Next to obeying the gospel of Christ, the greatest favor you will ever do yourself is to build a Christian home. When you marry, MARRY A CHRISTIAN.
(8) PREPARE FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP
The church needs every competent leader and teacher that it can get. Develop your talents for Christian leadership by the sincere and zealous practice of spiritual responsibilities. Be USEFUL in the Lord's service.
(9) ENCOURAGE AND HELP OTHERS
Everyone bears a burden. When we help bear other's burdens and encourage them in Christ's walk, we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
(10) BE FAITHFUL THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE
(Read Revelations 2:10) Many perils will beset your pathway. Temptations and disappointments came to the Lord and they will also come to you. And all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer some persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), but God calls us to a life that man cannot destroy and to treasures that are eternal. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Keep your faith and it will keep you. There is great potential in your life. May God bless you as you develop it in His service.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)