Today's conversation on "Our Daily Journey" was What does it mean to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind”?
To love the Lord your God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind...to me..means that I let Him in, I am totally devoted to Him, and everything that I do is for HIM and His Glory. It means that I do nothing without considering Him, consulting Him, submitting to Him and being obedient to Him. He has my total attention, and my complete loyalty. I give God my first, my last and my only Praise in the waking hours. I desire and work daily to please Him.
When you love a person (romantically), who is made of flesh and blood, you let them in.
You wake up with that person on your mind, you think of them throughout the day, you go to bed thinking of them. You do nothing to deliberately hurt them, but rather you wonder, 'What can I do to make him or her happy?" You compliment them and take advantage of every opportunity to spend time with him or her, and you look forward to every encounter. You believe them, you trust them, you are loyal to them, you share the deepest parts of yourself with them and listen to them with sincere interest. But most of all, you create a bond. And you do whatever you can to make sure that your bond, your connection, remains strong and unbreakable.
How much MORE is my love for He that created me, He that saved me, He that comforts me? He that first loved me. My existence is not complete, without my Father God, my Lord and Savior Jesus, and my Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
Devotion, as defined by Dictionary.com, is "profound dedication; earnest attachment to a cause, person".
That's what loving the Lord your God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind means to me.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
'A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned' and Other Financial Lessons From the Past
(ARA) - If the recent financial turmoil has taught us anything, it's that maybe we should pay attention to the age-old sayings that our parents and grandparents passed on to us.
* Take it one day at a time ... the new reality for most Americans when it comes to financial recovery.
* Don't put all your eggs in one basket ... a poster child for diversification.
You get the idea. So keeping the "what's old is new again" mantra in mind, here are some famous sayings from generations before that could serve us well in 2010.
1. Don't cry over spilled milk. The recession is over and it is time to start putting the pieces back together. It might take awhile (patience is a virtue after all), but you need to start somewhere.
2. Save for a rainy day. Call it an emergency savings fund, rainy day fund, or what you will. The idea is simple, but changing your behavior is not. Money is easy to spend and there's no question that there is still plenty of "gotta have it now" in everyone. It's time to slow down on spending and start saving. Easier said than done?
"The key really is to get started saving anything," says Jill Aleshire, senior vice president and director of consumer banking for Thrivent Financial Bank. "Whether it is $20 a month, $20 a paycheck, whatever it is you can set aside, just get in the habit of saving. An emergency reserve goal should be the amount equal to at least three months income and preferably six months income."
Next, resist the temptation to raid your savings. While most Americans have plenty of credit card debt (and the issue needs to be addressed as part of your financial picture), resist the temptation to raid the savings to pay it all off immediately. Also, resist the desire to raid the savings for cash purchases. If you succumb, whenever the fund is used, the amount withdrawn should be replenished as soon as possible.
3. A penny saved is a penny earned. For an emergency savings fund, a standard savings account or money market account should meet your needs. However, thinking even longer-term, consider certificates of deposit (CDs). CDs help force you to commit your money for a period of time, so they can help you start to make your savings a more permanent habit. The money is not accessible for the term, but you will earn a higher rate of interest than a standard savings or money market account.
4. You're walking on thin ice. The economy got bad enough that some Americans had to sacrifice the standard financial protection they always took for granted. If you terminated your life insurance policy, now is the time to begin shopping around for a new one. It's hard to think about, but if something happened to you, would your family be able to maintain their current lifestyle? Could they stay in the house so the kids would not have to move and switch schools? The time to protect your family is now. And, you know what they say, never put off until tomorrow, what you can do today.
5. Home is where the heart is. It's also where most of your equity probably is too. Look into home equity loans to help you consolidate debt and get back on your feet. Lending standards are now tighter, but banks want your business and will work with you to meet your needs.
8. Stop and smell the roses. We have all been through a lot the past couple of years, virtually none of us untouched by the financial turmoil. Perhaps your most important investment is time spent with family and friends. For more information, go to www.thrivent.com/marketing/savings.html or www.thrivent.com.
* Take it one day at a time ... the new reality for most Americans when it comes to financial recovery.
* Don't put all your eggs in one basket ... a poster child for diversification.
You get the idea. So keeping the "what's old is new again" mantra in mind, here are some famous sayings from generations before that could serve us well in 2010.
1. Don't cry over spilled milk. The recession is over and it is time to start putting the pieces back together. It might take awhile (patience is a virtue after all), but you need to start somewhere.
2. Save for a rainy day. Call it an emergency savings fund, rainy day fund, or what you will. The idea is simple, but changing your behavior is not. Money is easy to spend and there's no question that there is still plenty of "gotta have it now" in everyone. It's time to slow down on spending and start saving. Easier said than done?
"The key really is to get started saving anything," says Jill Aleshire, senior vice president and director of consumer banking for Thrivent Financial Bank. "Whether it is $20 a month, $20 a paycheck, whatever it is you can set aside, just get in the habit of saving. An emergency reserve goal should be the amount equal to at least three months income and preferably six months income."
Next, resist the temptation to raid your savings. While most Americans have plenty of credit card debt (and the issue needs to be addressed as part of your financial picture), resist the temptation to raid the savings to pay it all off immediately. Also, resist the desire to raid the savings for cash purchases. If you succumb, whenever the fund is used, the amount withdrawn should be replenished as soon as possible.
3. A penny saved is a penny earned. For an emergency savings fund, a standard savings account or money market account should meet your needs. However, thinking even longer-term, consider certificates of deposit (CDs). CDs help force you to commit your money for a period of time, so they can help you start to make your savings a more permanent habit. The money is not accessible for the term, but you will earn a higher rate of interest than a standard savings or money market account.
4. You're walking on thin ice. The economy got bad enough that some Americans had to sacrifice the standard financial protection they always took for granted. If you terminated your life insurance policy, now is the time to begin shopping around for a new one. It's hard to think about, but if something happened to you, would your family be able to maintain their current lifestyle? Could they stay in the house so the kids would not have to move and switch schools? The time to protect your family is now. And, you know what they say, never put off until tomorrow, what you can do today.
5. Home is where the heart is. It's also where most of your equity probably is too. Look into home equity loans to help you consolidate debt and get back on your feet. Lending standards are now tighter, but banks want your business and will work with you to meet your needs. Also, first-time homebuyers still have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity due to the number of houses on the market, low interest rates, and the possibility of a nice first-time buyer tax credit. In addition, repeat homebuyers can get in on the tax credit action as well, whether they are downsizing or looking for more space. For more information on tax credits, go to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.
6. Another day, another dollar. Unless you are sick as a dog. If you are fortunate enough to still be employed, you do not need to look far to see the financial impact of not having a regular income. While your savings should help protect you if you lose your job, what happens if you get sick or injured and cannot work for a period of time? Consider disability income insurance to help cover living expenses and protect your savings should that happen.
"Disability income insurance is designed to provide a monthly benefit to help cover your living expenses in case you become ill or injured and cannot work," says Bruce Fear, vice president of Protection Products and Solutions for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. "By setting aside a small portion of your salary - typically just 2 percent to 4 percent (of adjusted gross income) - you'll continue to receive a monthly income even if you do become disabled."
7. Lend a helping hand. Reach out to others in need through charitable giving and by volunteering your time and talents. There is plenty of need out there right now and every little bit helps.
Freelancing Can Be a 'Meat and Potatoes' or 'Whipped Cream' Job
(ARA) - "Graduates these days may find freelancing either as meat and potatoes or whipped cream for their professional diet," says career services director Mary Kate Robinson at The Art Institute of Houston. Freelancing either provides the sole compensation (meat and potatoes) by working for multiple employers for different projects, or it adds to existing employment compensation (whipped cream).
Some graduates choose to be self employed by using specific skills to pursue work without a long-term commitment to one employer. Why? Freelancers will have many clients bringing challenges, interesting experiences and even perhaps a touch of the unknown.
Sometimes freelance work may not provide a constant stream of income. In order to maintain continuity of revenue, freelancers must take on many roles such as business developer, implementer of design, consultant, networker and marketer to keep the revenue stream coming. The freelancer does not have a large support staff, so most of the roles that must be portrayed involve effective communication. Successful freelancers must constantly be networking/marketing and selling themselves, always in the process of searching for the next project.
Some of the best freelance job opportunities come from professional associations, alumni, teachers, postings from the career services department and just plain recognition/visibility in the community. In essence, freelancers are sharing their skill set by all forms of communication, ranging from verbal and nonverbal presentations, an interactive Web page exhibiting work with satisfied clients available for referral, handing out business cards at a chamber breakfast/lunch or other event, and - probably most importantly - always sharing the passion of their work with everyone.
After freelancers have attracted the initial attention of the potential client, certain areas need to be discussed and covered - generally in a written contract - stating employer expectations, a timeline for completion, materials to be included and compensation - which may either be an hourly rate or project based. Often the freelancer requests a deposit of up to 50 percent and final payment due upon employer approval and completion. Communication is clear and misunderstanding can be avoided with a thorough contract.
Interestingly enough, some freelance jobs have potential to become full-time job offers.
"I did a small project for a company designing a logo," says Tim Spencer, a recent Graphic Design graduate of The Art Institute of Houston, "which led to a full-time job offer with that company."
That is why, no matter what the size of the job, the freelancer should give 110 percent attention to time, talent and customer service as their next job may quickly come from a successful conclusion of a recent project.
After a designer or consultant builds a reputation, jobs may come more easily by referral, but in today's marketplace even a veteran freelancer has to be visible; freelancers are only as good as their last project. And generally that is what the employer remembers most.
"Make the most out of every opportunity -- whether it be your meat and potatoes or whipped cream -- it may lead to the next job," says Robinson. To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.
Some graduates choose to be self employed by using specific skills to pursue work without a long-term commitment to one employer. Why? Freelancers will have many clients bringing challenges, interesting experiences and even perhaps a touch of the unknown.
Sometimes freelance work may not provide a constant stream of income. In order to maintain continuity of revenue, freelancers must take on many roles such as business developer, implementer of design, consultant, networker and marketer to keep the revenue stream coming. The freelancer does not have a large support staff, so most of the roles that must be portrayed involve effective communication. Successful freelancers must constantly be networking/marketing and selling themselves, always in the process of searching for the next project.
Some of the best freelance job opportunities come from professional associations, alumni, teachers, postings from the career services department and just plain recognition/visibility in the community. In essence, freelancers are sharing their skill set by all forms of communication, ranging from verbal and nonverbal presentations, an interactive Web page exhibiting work with satisfied clients available for referral, handing out business cards at a chamber breakfast/lunch or other event, and - probably most importantly - always sharing the passion of their work with everyone.
After freelancers have attracted the initial attention of the potential client, certain areas need to be discussed and covered - generally in a written contract - stating employer expectations, a timeline for completion, materials to be included and compensation - which may either be an hourly rate or project based. Often the freelancer requests a deposit of up to 50 percent and final payment due upon employer approval and completion. Communication is clear and misunderstanding can be avoided with a thorough contract.
Interestingly enough, some freelance jobs have potential to become full-time job offers.
"I did a small project for a company designing a logo," says Tim Spencer, a recent Graphic Design graduate of The Art Institute of Houston, "which led to a full-time job offer with that company."
That is why, no matter what the size of the job, the freelancer should give 110 percent attention to time, talent and customer service as their next job may quickly come from a successful conclusion of a recent project.
After a designer or consultant builds a reputation, jobs may come more easily by referral, but in today's marketplace even a veteran freelancer has to be visible; freelancers are only as good as their last project. And generally that is what the employer remembers most.
"Make the most out of every opportunity -- whether it be your meat and potatoes or whipped cream -- it may lead to the next job," says Robinson. To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.
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