Link Dump -- 5/25/09

How to Create a Minimalist Computer Experience

KRIS ALLEN SINGS "GOD OF THIS CITY"

6 Unique Ways to Eat Watermelon

My Favorite Blackberry Apps

I don't want a life that requires much faith.
The OSM (Obama-stream media) theme song
How and Where Twitter Might Hinder Worship
How and Where Twitter Might Help Worship
Parent-Teen Driving Agreement
DESPITE REPORTS, WHITE HOUSE DENIES JUNE 4th SPEECH WILL DISCUSS DIVIDING JERUSALEM: But France now pushing to divide Holy City
9 Affordable Cuts of Steak
How to Pack Smart for a Trip
After the Rapture: Orlando man will deliver messages to those left behind
Fast Food: Calories per Dollar

Link Dump -- 5/19/09

6 Small Things You Can Do When You Lack Discipline
FREE Coldplay Album Download (thanks Leonard!)
40 Most Useful Travel Websites That Can Save You a Fortune
Five quick and simple scams that could happen to you today
Keep your Twitter account clean with the Nest Unclutterer
Building a Team
Top 5 Worst Illustrations of ALL Time (let’s retire them)
Justin Masterson on his Faith
5 Ways To Start Decluttering Your Life & Home.
17 Cool Sites To Listen To Radio On The Internet For Free.
FedEx Shipping Discount Code: Up to 30% Off Overnight + Permanent Discount
Do You Interpret the Bible Literally? Take the Quiz…
A Chat with Coach Dungy
How the economy is impacting churches
The Greatest Autographed Baseballs of All Time
Steve Harvey’s Introduction of Christ
Three Lessons from Warren Buffett
Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute
Death is Not Dying
"More Americans “Pro-Life” Than “Pro-Choice” for First Time"
Twittering the Sermon
Obama Addresses Abortion, Religion, and Race at Notre Dame
Book Reviews - This Momentary Marriage & Velvet Steel
Spurgeon on What You Watch on TV
The 100 most-read Bible verses at BibleGateway.com
Cop wins doughnut eating world title for third time
10 Basics Every Man Should Have in His Fishing Tackle Box

FPU Reflections

Last Sunday evening we finished our most recent Financial Peace University (FPU) class. As always, it was good for us to go through the material. We are constantly learning and growing along with the class each time we coordinate. Just like a good novel or Scripture, the is gold to mined for our lives each time that inevitably applies directly to whee we are in our current journey.

This class is harder than most for me to say goodbye to. Believe me when I say that I am happy to reclaim the hours back into my schedule. Yet, the diversity and insight that these class members brought was very enjoyable. I know that these families will do well. And the Kingdom will be better for it. Here's a snapshot of the couples involved:

• There always seems to be a level of attrition for any FPU course. This couple was unable to continue do to childcare issues and concerns over pregnancy complications. They were really growing. They are starting a home based business. My hope is that they will build in the foundation of the first 4-5 weeks and jump into another class when life settles for them a bit.


• This couple in their late 40's came because her mother and father paid for then to do it. They were reluctant and missed several classes but you could tell that they were seeing the benefit of the material. The mother who paid the way passed on during the course which I think helped them want to honor the gift. They too I hope will build upon what they have and return to it again.


• My third couple are remarried and just beginning the "empty nest" stage. They came into the class looking to learn each week and you could see it in their reactions and looks to one another as the videos played that it was sinking in and they were "getting it". They are type A personalities and they are going to kick down their debt and begin to pass the baton to others, you can just tell.


• The next couple is in their 20s and yet to have their first child. They fire me up because they are starting out on a road that will involve a much smaller hole to dig out of and the building process and winning will come more quickly. They are bright and gifted and I can see them free to do the work they are wired to do and never have to have a plain old "job" just to make the ends meet -- VERY COOL


• The last couple is by no means the least. This pair included a very reluctant spouse. The husband came (barely) to the opening classes because his wife dragged him along. After the budgeting lesson they put the wheels in motion that have revolutionized their finances, and I believe their marriage and lives. He works independently and travels a lot. He mentioned Sunday that the ability to not have to worry about where the money is coming to cover the week's expenses has given him peace. They killed all of their credit card debt during the class and their debt snowball is really rolling. The extra cool thing is that they did it while she is not working. This stuff works!

I'm not sure at what point we will be offering the class again but I encourage everyone, no matter how well off you are, to get into FPU and explore God's and grandma's way of handling your finances.

Something to Ponder ... CS Lewis

"It is a dreadful truth that the state of having to depend solely on God is what we all dread most. And of course that just shows how very much, how almost exclusively, we have been depending on things. But trouble goes so far back in our lives and is now so deeply ingrained, we will not turn to him as long as he leaves us anything else to turn to. I suppose all one can say is that it was bound to come. In the hour of death and the day of judgment, what else shall we have? Perhaps when those moments come, they will feel happiest who have been forced (however unwittingly) to begin practicing it here on earth. It is good of him to force us; but dear me, how hard to feel that it is good at the time."

-- C. S. Lewis

So much to write about ...

Seems like I am constantly noting things that should be blogged about. Yet a lack of time, and quite often lack of discipline leads me to either start a post that then seems irrelevant by the time I get back to it or they just become good thoughts, never to be written.
I am in need of trying a new approach to being consistent. One thing I have found is that my Twitter account makes giving quick comment and a link on a particular subject/ article easier. Still I need to process more in depth through the blog. Here's hoping the new approach works; you'll know as much as I if the posts flow more consistently.

Link Dump -- 4/27/09 Where Does Time Go?

10 normal words that sound funny when you think about them too long.
The Morning After Pill and the End of Parenthood
The DIY Gym: 8 Pieces of Equipment That Will Get You Strong & Save You Money
A MODEL OF HEROD'S TEMPLE
The Problems with Socialism
Kathy Ireland's Pro-Life Testimony
22% of “Christians” Strongly Agree that Jesus Sinned
An Ark of Biblical Proportions
Seven Productive Things To Do When You’re Bored At Work
Buyers Beware…
Al Gore, You’ve Truly Outdone Yourself
Questions for Secretary Napolitano
What Else is in the CIA Memos?
A Real Self Defense Success Story
Top Reasons Budgets Fail
How Do Non-Christians View Your Community Service?
10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe
#529. Manly Men Retreats
Townhall for HOPE - Reflections
The Awesome Art of Getting Great Deals Online

Blue/ Gold Game Pictures

Especially for those of us who were unfortunately unable to attend this years Spring game. Here is a reader-submitted photo gallery from the game via

The Blue-Gray Sky .

Just over 4 months until the season kicks off ...

Dave Ramsey's 3 things to do if you are struggling with Hope

If you were not able to attend a venue or listen via radio to Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope last night you definitely missed out. There is much to talk about from the event but I wanted to post the 3 things he shared in closing. Addressed specifically to those who have lost or are struggling having Hope during these uncertain days.

1) GET UP -- TAKE ACTION

- You will never win sitting still

- "there is a great place to go when you are broke ... to work"

2) DONT PARTICIPATE IN LOSER TALK

- your attitude determines your altitude

- be a reader/ feed your mind

3) LEARN TO GIVE AGAIN

- America is the most well off, we need to rediscover giving

- give not just money, but time

For more information, resources, and to find out what you can do next; check out townhallforhope.com .

Thoughts on Discipleship

Ive been mulling over these thoughts on discipleship posted by Heather this week. How do they impact my personal journey? How do they/ should they impact our discipleship efforts in the church? How do they impact what you think about discipleship? Thanks forf keeping us thinking Heather.

Discipleship is about the journey more than the destination.
Discipleship is more about process than product.
Discipleship is more about completing spiritual workouts than completing spiritual worksheets.
Discipleship is more about relationships than program.
Discipleship is a discovery process.
Discipleship always includes relationships.
Discipleship includes relational, experiential, intellectual, personal, and incarnational dimensions.

Something To Ponder ... A. W. Tozer

“Oh, brother or sister, God calls us to worship, but in many instances we are in entertainment, just running a poor second to the theaters. That is where we are, even in the evangelical churches, and I don’t mind telling you that most of the people we say we are trying to reach will never come to a church to see a lot of amateur actors putting on a home talent show.”

-- AW Tozer