More Biz Fiz - 3

Do you spend time in the Bible each day?
WRITTEN BY STEVE MARR

Scripture teaches, "He who gives attention to the word shall find good" (Proverbs 16:20 NASB).

The best way to prepare for your day, including work, is to spend time in God's word. Pick up your Bible and read scripture each morning. As God promised, you will find good each and every day. Your day will flow more smoothly, your decisions will be wiser, and business relationships will improve. Commit and then follow through with a program to read the Bible each day. Godly business success will follow.

For more Business Proverbs | CLICK

When I was young...

In the early 1960's

• I watched Black & White Television with rabbit ear antennas
• We had to go over to the television to change the channel
• There were about a dozen channels to choose from
• Our telephone had a long cord and a rotary dial
• There wasn't anyway to record a television show.
• Mom use to ring a bell out the back door when she wanted us to come home from playing
• We listened to music on the record player or the A.M. radio
• Mail was hand written and hand delivered
• Clocks had to be wound up or plugged in to work
• All of our drinks came in bottles made of glass or waxed cartons
• Leftover food was wrapped in aluminum foil or wax paper
• We played board games, played cards, hide and seek and other types of games that required two or people to play.
• My parent's car did not have air conditioning and neither did our home.
• We drank tap water
• Washes our dishes by hand
• We used maps when we traveled
• We used carbon paper in our typewriters to make copies
• The lawn mower did not have a motor, it had to be pushed to move the blades.
• Smoking cigarettes and pipes was not considered harmful by adults
• Later when there were copy machines, we would cut out pictures or larger fonts labels and paste them into a new document with tape or glue.

Wow, how things have changed. 

• We got our first computer in 1990.  It had a 650 MB hard drive and 4 megs of RAM.  The built in fax modern meant I didn't have to buy a fax machine.
• Now we have remotes, cell phones, laptops, ipods, plastic, video games, GPS's and much more.

Here is a video which reviews the progression of technology and projects its advancement in a "Did You Know" fast-paced format.  Very interesting, I hope you enjoy!   
Technology | CLICK

Eye-Black Message

Sugar Bowl - Cincinnati: Eph 2:8-10  "8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  [UPDATED; JAN  1ST, 2010]
SEC Championship - Alabama:   John 16: 33 ~ 33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  [UPDATED DEC. 5TH]

Tebow's Final Home Game

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators, turned his eye black into a billboard for his faith. He chooses a different bible verse to feature each week, with his selection for last year's 2009 BCS Champion -ship Game earning 93 million hits on Google the next day.  
Go Gators! Go God!

Thank you Tim for your leadership in both

Sport and Spirit!

CLICK | http://www.tebowseyeblack.com/

For verses used by Tim this year:

Playing the Bones

We have a family tradition that has been passed down for generations playing a percussion instrument called the "Bones".  It's a wooden instrument where one pair is played in each hand creating a beat to go with the music.  One hand follows the melody and the other keeps the beat.  I remember my Dad and Grandfather playing them when I was young and later I picked up the tradition.  When my Dad was 9 years old,  he performed on the radio with my Grandmother playing the piano in the background.  He has a recording of this on an old vinyl 78 record.  He still likes to pull out the Ole Bones and entertain us at family gatherings and we love it.  The kids get a real kick out of it.  He still has the same set and I have a set made by my Grandpa Kennedy.  On Wikipedia, I discovered that this instrument had it's origins in Ireland and varies in shape and wood type.  This picture best represents the set we have.  It's about time to pass this on to my two boys.

CLICK | More about the "Bones" instrument at Wikipedia
CLICK | http://www.bonedrymusic.com/Default.asp

Meditate, Pray or Both

Finding the time and a place to "quiet" myself enough to hear God's voice has been a challenge for me lately.  There are so many other influences that seem to consume my time and energy, distracting me from what I know I need to do more of.  Below is a great article on meditative prayer which is helping me refocus my priorities and seek more quiet time...

WE NEED TO FIND A QUIET PLACE TO

BE WITH GOD

AND HEAR HIS WORD

CLICK | "Meditative Prayer" article

"We have some idea, perhaps, what prayer is, but what is meditation? Well may we ask, for meditation is a lost art today, and Christian people suffer grievously from their ignorance of the practice. Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God."—J.I. Packer

Integrity is

What we say... What we do... AND What we say we do!

"UNKNOWN" FACTS

I've always enjoyed reading useless facts.   Often they are interesting and sometimes even humorous.  My kids love when I share these types of facts with them...NOT.  Enjoy! 

• A rat can last longer without water than a camel.
• Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks or it will digest itself. 
• The dot over the letter "i" is called a tittle. (Try using that word in a conversation)
• A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. 

(23 more facts)

STAND FIRM

1Co 16:13 - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

This is a great way to start your day, I've been reading this men's devotional for several years and I am constantly amazed on it's revelance to my present circumstances.  It's a great format designed with a man's walk with God in mind.  The physical copy I usually get is now unavailable, so I checked online and found it in a free PDF format. 

Check out PDF version @ STAND FIRM Daily Devotional for Men
To Order, go to:  www.lifeway.com/standfirm

Here is a little WORD study on some "Stand Firm" verses found in the Bible...

Journaling...it does your spirit good!

Tonight we discussed the benefits of journaling at our men's bible study.  For some, they like to read one chapter of Proverbs each day and use that reading to start the journaling.  Many times the words would take on it's own direction as they wrote, it became a conversation between the writer and the Lord.  Since there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, it is a great source for devotions for each day of the month.  Others, used it to record what was going on that day and offer a prayer need or praise.  In later entries it strengthens their faith when they saw those prior prayer request answered.  Now that it is recorded, these words can remind us of  God's faithfulness, helping us get through present struggles or doubts.  When we are feeling down, it is sometimes hard to see a way out.  Our ability to remember God's faithfulness is clouded by our despair.  The journal can be the light that can replace hopelessness with hope. 


It was at the prior meeting that we were first challenged to start journaling.  Most of us did and tonights testimonies of the benefits were inspiring and encouraging.  My own writing has been sporadic thus far.  After tonight's meeting I received a stronger desire to continue with greater regularity.  My time has been divided between writing this blog, Facebook, Live-journal and a written journal.  I'm hoping in the next few weeks I will acheive an appropriate balance. 


The gleaming I get from those who have been journaling for a while is that there is a special dynamic that takes place in writing the words out on paper that isn't quite as powerful in other formats.  I will yield to their experience and wisdom and strive to put more effort in the written journal. 


If you are  journaling how has it benefited you?  If you don't, will you consider joining me?

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise in later life.

Proverbs 16 Nuggets

There are so many nuggets of truth in this chapter, it's worth reading the whole thing.  Here are three(3) verses that I have been pondering over of since I was a teenager and have found them to be trustworthy and true.

1. PROV 16:3  "Commit your ways to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." NIV  -  I first learned this verse in the King James Version which upon reflection speaks more to me than the NIV.  PROV 16:3 "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established"  KJV  -  Wow, that is powerful!  I have seen God work in my life this way.
2. PROV16:9  "A man's heart deviseth (plans) his way:  but the LORD directeth his steps" KJV  -  Aren't you glad that the circumstances in your life can be directed if you trust in Him, that it isn't just fate?
3. PROV 16:20  "Whoever gives heed to instruction (handle a matter wisely - kjv) prospers, and blessed is he who trust in the LORD."  NIV

A bonus verse for my son Chris who recently became engaged!

Proverbs 18:22

"He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD."

Congratulations Chris & Danielle!

Some More Biz Fiz

Business Proverbs
Are you satisfied with your current business operation believing all is well?

WRITTEN BY STEVE MARR

Jesus said "...every branch that bears fruit , He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit". (John 15:2 NAS)

Even a productive fruit tree requires pruning to allow the energy of the tree to be channeled to fewer branches. Examine in detail your office or production processes. Question every step, ask if the step can be simplified, or eliminated. Complex processes have been simplified as mush as 75%. The key is an objective review of the work. Prune your processes and redirect energy for business success

www.businessproverbs.org

Common Sense and Tested Faith

from SUBLIME INTIMACY by Oswald Chambers  MUHG-  Aug. 29

The contrast between faith and common-sense are discussed here.  It helped clarify the substance of faith for me and I thought you may benefit from this as well.  ~  Dave

"Didn't I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40

Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual.

Listen to Your Lady

Here is a great rap video to encourage us GUYS to take the time to listen better.  It's well done, funny with a twist at the end.  Something I needed reminding of.  The song is in my head now and that might be the help I needed to remember to do just that.  Listen 2 Your Lady!  May it bless you...and your wife this week.

CLICK | L2YL

(video link)

Link to more "thatjustinguy" videos

You Got to Laugh

(at yourself) Sometimes
I first saw this video posted on Facebook, thought it was worth mentioning on my blog.   I'm not sure who will find it more humorous, men or women.  Comments welcome.  Enjoy

The Husband Song | CLICK
(He's the man....he's the man!)

Some Biz Fiz

Do you remember to ask for the business from prospective customers?  WRITTEN BY STEVE MARR

Often, we talk to customers, explain our offerings, state all the advantages of our product, and quote a price, then fail to close the sale.

Ask for the business, firm up a commitment.

A golfing partner of Henry Ford, upset when Mr. Ford bought life insurance from another agent, asked why?

Henry Ford answered, you never asked me.

Remember, most sales are completed only after you ask for the business. Ask, for business success.

In the Word:  Scripture reminds us "...ask, and it shall be given to you..." (Luke 11:9 NAS)

http://www.businessproverbs.org/

Dinosaurs no more...

A possible reason why dinosaurs are exstinct.

Want to know more?

 ~ see videos below ~

"Dinosaurs and the Bible"

and

"Age Of The Earth"

The Knot

TheKnot   by Chris and Danielle

Please visit our wedding website!

We are so excited, after what will be over 6 years of dating, to finally become husband and wife. Our family and friends are important to us and we would love for you to take part in this special occasion. Feel free to look around.

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!

Pray for us as we are about to embark on your journey together.

READ MORE...

Shared via AddThis

The Engagement

On October 3, Carol and I joined Lane and Pam Stidham on a trip east to Lake Placid, Florida to visit Lane's Parents.  This occasion was to celebrate Lane's 50th birthday!  We were joined by our kids and many Stidham family members.  Chris, our oldest, couldn't make it to the event because he was called into work (or so he claimed).  Hmmm...

But, I Don't Want To...

Tom Landry, legendary head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, said  "The job of a coach is to make players do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be."   There are many application you can get from this philosophy, both practically and spiriually.  I can see it in my kids as they work hard at their education.  I can apply this to my work as well. 

But when I find myself in hard times, I have to ask myself, "Is this a trial meant to test my faith or discipline from my heavenly coach?"  Stuggles by their nature, strenghten our faith and confidence as we get through them.  Discipline on the other hand, ignored can weaken and isolate us. 

God's dicipline is not meant to get us back for doing wrong, He wishes to draw us back to Him.  Most of the time, my struggles, especially financial right now, are a faith challange in perseverence.  Because He is faithful, my needs are being met, sometimes at the last minute, but met.  Other times I need to REFLECT and ask God if I need to repent and yield to Him.  Recently I had a tooth pulled, it HURT, but I am better off now that the decaying tooth is gone.   It's often the same with repenting.

Blessing!

Dave

PROVERBS 3:11-12

David Crowder Band

CHURCH MUSIC REVIEW

Thought I would share a great review of David Crowder's new CD 'CHURCH MUSIC' by Joel Farabee.  There are 17 songs on this album (which is on my "wish list").  I heard some of the songs and DC interviews from it's release on 'The Joy FM' , looking forward to hearing the rest someday.  Enjoy!

READ REVIEW HERE...

P.S.  THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE

A favorite concert video I like is "Oh The Glory of it All".  I am involved in the video ministry at my church.  We had the opportunity to host a David Crowder Band concert.  It was a blast!  We had 6 cameras and 2 video mixers on our tech team.  After the show got started the crowd stood for one of the songs and never sat down.  When I watch this video, I relive the experience I had as a camera man finding the shots and working with the team to enhance the concert event with many of the same effects seen in this video.

Oh The Glory of it All
WATCH IT HERE... "...you will never be the same"

Abraham's Stars

Abram was questioning God on how he was going to be blessed by Him since he had no heirs. Our Lord said to him in Genesis 15:5 "Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then He said to him, "Your offspring will be that [numerous]." v6 Abram believed God and it was credited unto him as righteousness.

My first assumtion is that Abram can count and secondly that it was night time. Yet the second assumtion would be incorrect, it must have been daytime for in verse 12 we find that later the sun was going down.

Abram had to look up at the sky and believe the stars were there, even though he could not see then.

Has God shown you his faithfullness is the past, remind yourself of those times and believe God to be faithfull always, even when you can't see it now.

May God's word strengthen your faith today!

In Christ,

Dave