Amazing Grace

This morning our company did something a little different for our weekly devotional time. We all went to a local theater to watch the film Amazing Grace.

Besides the fact that it was a wonderful movie that revealed the history to how the slave trade was abolished in England, it was also a movie filled with great inspirational one liners.

Slavery was a horrible thing, and often we only think about the effects it had on America. This movie reminded me that the slave trade largely influenced the world - not just the US.

The movie also did a good job of creating an appreciation for Newton, the author of the famous song Amazing Grace. If anyone needed to feel and receive the grace of God, it was him. Go see this movie. It'll make you a think like a better person.

We Have a Wii

Last night some good friends of ours were out shopping at Wal-Mart and they checked to see if there were any Nintendo Wiis. They had a few left from a large shipment they had earlier that day. Our friends called to see if I wanted one since we had played their's and it was a lot of fun.

Well, we bought it and they dropped it off last night and we hooked it up. It is awesome. It by far is the best game console I have ever played. The interaction is incredible. I don't care how much better graphics can get with Sony's Blu-Ray because I still have a crappy TV and have no intentions of upgrading until the price is more reasonable. Besides, how much sharper can you improve graphics beyond HD? The interaction the Wii, provides is so worth it.

Predatory Loans

If you didn't get a chance to see Dave Ramsey on the CBS Early Show, this morning you missed Dave discussing predatory loans. These are the kind of loans that get people to make impulse buys and worry about the consequences later. Whenever I see these kind of deals in the paper and on TV, I cringe. I am insulted every time I go into a store to make a purchase and the salesman tries to push "90 days same a cash". I think - "Do I look that broke to you?"

Sometimes, if I don't have anything better to do that day, I'll just refuse to make the purchase at that point. Then I will head over to a competitor's store to make my purchase. If I can get into the salesman's head and make him second guess himself with the next customer, then I have won.

However, I have also noticed that if you dress nicely and are clean cut, they don't usually say anything about the loan offers.

Pet Peeving Quoted on TV

I just found this today, but I was pretty excited to see Pet Peeving get mentioned on the news a few weeks ago. It's a milestone. Nashville is Talking took a quote from one of my previous posts on PacMan Jones.

New Seed of Sudan

There are several guys I work with along with a few others in the area who are working on a documentary about the story of former lost boy, James Baak. I really encourage you to check out the site at http://www.newseedofsudan.com.

I'll admit, the first time I heard about the ministries some of these men and women are trying to establish in Sudan, I didn't think it was any different than other ministry efforts going on around the world. However, as I've heard story after story of how God is working through New Seed of Hope to help prevent Muslims from controlling all of Sudan, I've been amazed.

I have come to realize that Sudan is a major spiritual battle field. There is a ton of information about this ministry and documentary, and I encourage you to take a look at it.

Dave Ramsey and Extended Warranties

This morning in our company's weekly meeting, Dave Ramsey shared a personal story that happened to him over the weekend. It was one of the funniest stories I have ever heard him tell.

Basically, this is what happened. Dave goes to buy a new wash machine and the salesman, having no idea that Dave is actually Dave Ramsey, starts throwing out comments about how Dave Ramsey comes in all the time to buy appliances AND the extended warranties.

Dave explains to the poor guy that Dave Ramsey NEVER buys extended warranties. Finally, Dave has to pull out his license and explain to the salesman that HE is Dave Ramsey, and that HE does not buy extended warranties - EVER!

This story is really funny, but it is also really sad. It's sad, because Dave isn't the only well known name being thrown around by salesmen. It's a tactic that some companies wouldn't think twice about using. Rumors of celebrities buying things are made up everyday to get YOU to buy something extra. Salesman only care about their commission and they'll say whatever they can to get you to buy.

Whether or not you agree with everything Dave Ramsey says, the man is full of integrity. He practices what he preaches.

You can also read about the story over at Pour Out.

That's not my job!

The following picture was sent to me in an email. I am not sure where or by whom it was taken but I think it is pretty funny. The caption that came with the email was "2006 It's Not My Job Winner." Maybe the painter needs to pick up a copy of John Miller's QBQ.

It Pays to Drive Crap

Ok. A lot of people ask why I am driving what I am driving. There's a story, so here it is.

I grew up as a mechanic's child. That means several things. First, I don't know how to fix cars. Second, I don't care about nice, new, cars because, well, they break too. Third, our family cars were always the last car to get fixed so I am use to driving crappy vehicles and I don't feel like I've been cheated out of any opportunities by driving beaters my entire driving life.

In December 2005, I bought a 1990 Nissan Pickup with a topper for $800. It was ugly, I mean really ugly. As a result, I was entered in a contest at work to win a new car because it was so ugly, but it ran really good. I spent a total of $80 in repairs and never changed the oil once - just added some. A/C didn't work but it had good heat. Nonetheless, we did everything in that truck with out worrying about it getting hurt. People even loved to borrow my truck and we even made money on it because people needed a truck that they didn't have to worry about when it came to hauling stuff. I went 2 consecutive months with out having to put gas in it once, because it was borrowed by people who would put more gas in it when they were finished.

Then, in November of 2006, a lady pulls a U-turn right in front of me from the shoulder of the road. It totals my car - every one is fine. Her insurance company settled with me and gave me an offer I could not even begin to refuse or negotiate. I end up getting $2000 for the truck and travel expenses. My wife and I carpooled for 2 weeks, so I didn't have to spend any money on a rental. Fortunately, I took the topper off before the wreck and made another $100 by selling it. Now, do you remember that car contest? I didn't win a car but I did win $500. (I work for the greatest company in the world!)

I spent 2 weeks looking around on Craig's list for a replacement and one day I saw a 1994 Suburban for only $3000. A $1000 under what blue book suggested. Having a child during all this time and maybe plans of having more, I decided this would be a good buy even if it does drink gas. I don't drive that much and I figured it would balance out the amount I spend on gas with our scooters (80 miles per gallon). The family that was selling it were fans of Dave Ramsey and hoped that they would be able to find a Dave Ramsey fan to sell it too. Well, boy did they ever!

So, the bottom line: I paid $480 to upgrade my Nissan Pickup to a Chevy Suburban. I did have to pay for title/registration and my insurance went up $1 a month. Oh no!

That's my story. It pays to drive crap!

Fun with Words

If you are a really good scrabble player you might be able to do this with a lot of other words, but today I received an email where someone rearranged the letters of a word to form another word or words that describe the first word. Is there a name for this? Anyway, below is the first word followed by the rearrangement. Enjoy.

• DORMITORY: DIRTY ROOM
• PRESBYTERIAN: BEST IN PRAYER
• ASTRONOMER: MOON STARER
• DESPERATION: A ROPE ENDS IT
• THE EYES: THEY SEE
• GEORGE BUSH: HE BUGS GORE
• THE MORSE CODE: HERE COME DOTS
• SLOT MACHINES: CASH LOST IN ME
• ANIMOSITY: IS NO AMITY
• ELECTION RESULTS: LIES - LET'S RECOUNT
• SNOOZE ALARMS: ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S
• A DECIMAL POINT: IM A DOT IN PLACE
• THE EARTHQUAKES: THAT QUEER SHAKE
• ELEVEN PLUS TWO: TWELVE PLUS ONE
• MOTHER-IN-LAW: WOMAN HITLER

Folding Laundry

I hate folding clothes. I cannot fold a shirt to save my life. I guess that is why I appreciate this video so much.

The Next Generation Leader

This morning I finished Andy Stanley's The Next Generation Leader. Stanley has a lot of insight on leadership as pastor of the North Point Community Church in Atlanta.

There are five major sections in his book that describe the qualities of a leader.
1) Competence
2) Courage
3) Clarity
4) Coaching
5) Character

One of the big take aways I got was to realize that fears are areas for opportunity. A large part of my personality is to look at the details and make an informed decision. Often times, it takes too long for me to make that decision because I am afraid to move forward without all the facts.

This is a good little read and as you can imagine, there are lots of biblical references on leadership.

Grammar Girl Podcast

Would you guess that one of the most popular podcasts on the web is about grammar? Well, it is. Mignon Fogarty puts together a weekly podcast on issues of grammar.

As dull and boring as it sounds, I'm not so sure I wouldn't like it. I often use bad grammar when speaking and typing. It's only like 5 minutes, and who knows, maybe I'll pick up on something to make me feel smarter and look smarter in front of others.

Leadership is an Art

I just finished up Leadership is an Art, by Max DePree. Even thought the book was written back in the 80's there were several good things that stood out to me. A fellow I work with always says "if you get one thing or one idea out of a book, it was worth buying." I'd have add that it is certainly worth checking out at the library.

DePree writes this book with double spacing and wide margins for you to take notes. The book is great for making you think. In fact, DePree intends for the reader to take their time even thought you could read the book very quickly.

One of the ideas that stood out most to me in the book, was an illustration he gave about why Sandy Koufax was such a great pitcher - he always had a good catcher. His point was that if you don't have a team that can handle catching each other's fastballs, your team won't be as successful. Or rather, if you are not able to throw your best pitch at the work you do, figure out how to get in a position where you can bring the heat. Then help others on your team do the same.

The Scratching Post

In good Dave Ramsey fashion, I'm not a fan of people who offer me incredible lines of credit with horrible interest rates. The reason - I don't do credit regardless of the interest rate. The interest rate is just extra fuel for the fire.

Having said that, I was reading The Scratching Post I got a kick out of reading KT Kat's "pay per post" on calculating mortgages using Credit Provide's tools. Check it out - I think you'll like it if you like Dave Ramsey.