Last night my wife and I went out on a little date. Our first stop was dinner. We were feeling a little hungry so we decided to splurge and get an appetizer too. It was good. Except here's the problem.
The meal is going to cost us at least $35. That means if I tip the standard amount - well let's just say I am going to be generous - 15-20%, I am looking at $5-7 for two people. It's not outrageous, but I'm tired of the service expecting it, when they only refill my drink once and that one time, I had to ask for it. I am going to get my $1.50 worth of diet coke one way or another.
I rethink my tip at that point - "Do you you really deserve 15%?" Regardless of what happens during a meal, if you can keep my drink filled without me asking or even noticing, you always get 20% from me. That's the first thing I think about when I get the check. Am I the only one who thinks this?
Orphans of India
Some friends and coworkers of mine are putting together a documentary about orphaned children from the tsunami in India a few years ago. They are in the process of putting together a full length documentary and are planning to do mission work in India. Below is a preview of their documentary. You can learn more at http://www.myspace.com/orphansofindia.
21 Laws of Leadership
So far so good. I'm 10 weeks into the year and I just finished my 10th book. That may not be a big deal for a lot of you, but it is for me. My original goal for the year was one a month.
At any rate, I just finished up John C. Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. This book was a very easy read but it was even more inspiring. It was laid out very simple and I gained a lot out of it.
As I was reading through the Law of the Big MO, it reminded me of the importance of momentum. I remembered when I played little league basketball in 4th and 5th grade, there was a rule that teams were not allowed to full court press until the final 2 minutes of each half. That rule was there to keep some teams from getting frustrated at the beginning of the half. It was suppose to keep games close.
Well, for my friend Scott and I, the last 2 minutes were simply a reward for hard work. Rather than waiting to develop momentum in the final 2 minutes, we played by the rules and instigated a half-court press. As a pair, we didn't let anyone across half court while dribbling the ball. They had to pass it over our heads well before they got to half court, if they had any chance at keeping us from stealing the ball. In fact, it worked to our favor, because once a player crossed the line with the ball, he immediately lost the ability to move backwards due to a back court violation. By the time the 2 minutes came around, our momentum had already started. Victory was the only thing we had on our mind. In fact when the 2 minutes came around, we often times continued to play half-court. We knew they would have to face us in 10 seconds or less anyways. As we grew older, coaches and kids figured out how to get around us and we had to look for other methods. We used what we knew at the time and it worked.
Create momentum with what you have.
At any rate, I just finished up John C. Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. This book was a very easy read but it was even more inspiring. It was laid out very simple and I gained a lot out of it.
As I was reading through the Law of the Big MO, it reminded me of the importance of momentum. I remembered when I played little league basketball in 4th and 5th grade, there was a rule that teams were not allowed to full court press until the final 2 minutes of each half. That rule was there to keep some teams from getting frustrated at the beginning of the half. It was suppose to keep games close.
Well, for my friend Scott and I, the last 2 minutes were simply a reward for hard work. Rather than waiting to develop momentum in the final 2 minutes, we played by the rules and instigated a half-court press. As a pair, we didn't let anyone across half court while dribbling the ball. They had to pass it over our heads well before they got to half court, if they had any chance at keeping us from stealing the ball. In fact, it worked to our favor, because once a player crossed the line with the ball, he immediately lost the ability to move backwards due to a back court violation. By the time the 2 minutes came around, our momentum had already started. Victory was the only thing we had on our mind. In fact when the 2 minutes came around, we often times continued to play half-court. We knew they would have to face us in 10 seconds or less anyways. As we grew older, coaches and kids figured out how to get around us and we had to look for other methods. We used what we knew at the time and it worked.
Create momentum with what you have.
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.
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.
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