Filed under: Ramblings, The Great Outdoors | Tags: art loeb trail, backpacking, brevard, hiking, mountains, north carolina, pisgah
tennet mountain
Anway, back on topic – I like to read up on finding different things to do each time I go. I want to learn the area and know my way around in the woods up there. The Art Loeb trail has always stuck out to me. I’ve read about it numerous times, but I had never hiked any portion of it until I went a couple of months ago. Since that trip, I can’t get my mind off of it. The only problem is that I don’t have the time to go enjoy it. I’m basically out of vacation time, and it’s hard to find some one who would want to spend 4 days hiking in the woods. I’ve read stories of people covering the 30 miles in 2 days, but I want to enjoy it. 4 days seems reasonable. That’s still an average of 7.5 miles per day which is a lot for someone who isn’t in the greatest shape with a 50+ lb pack on their back.
So here’s my invitation. If you have interest in something like this, let me know. It would be good if you had a better sense of direction than me, because mine isn’t very good (but I do have a handheld GPS!!).
Here are a few pics of the Art Loeb Trail from my last journey with Chester.
Filed under: Ramblings
You heard it first from me. All of the banks in the U-S of A are going to fail. They are all going to go under. You need to go out and dig a hole in your backyard and put all of your money there. Yes, I know, you won’t be able to keep up with the current 15% rate of inflation, but if you don’t bury it you will lose it all by the end of the year when all banks will cease to exist. I know that you know that FDIC provides $100,000 of insurance for your money at each bank, and you can bend the rules to get more coverage. But not even FDIC insurance provided by our governement will cover your money. Don’t put it in the stock market, because it’s going to die as well. It’s already dying. Can’t you tell? I’ve lost $10,000 in 1 day in my 401k. My rate of return this year is -50%.
Seriously, this is how people are reacting right now to the crazy financial unsteadiness right now. I heard a story (one that I know is true!) of a guy who took $150,000 out of a money market account paying 4% and put ALL OF IT in a safe deposit box that he paid $30/year. Not only is he not earning interest, he is PAYING to put it somewhere “safe.” Also, he could have restructured the account so that it would be FDIC insured. I understand the people who lived the depression, and why they have these fears, but this guy was born a few years after the depression ended. And this story is something that happened LAST week, not 80 years ago! I seriously couldn’t believe it.
Of course, if I had over 100,000 I may feel a little bit different about the current situation, but I’m far from it. I trust the current financial system will pull through, and I think that these people who are freaking out now, will be freaking out when they miss out on the gains that are bound to come in the stock market. They will also feel stupid when only a few banks go under, and they’ve been losing interest on that money for all that time. If I thought my bank was going under, I’d be looking for a new job, but everything is going to be fine.
The main problem here is the media. There are some “real problems” out there with some banks, corporations, and financial entities, but as a whole, the media is the main problem. They have made things out to be much worse than they really are. This creates the panic that I have seen first hand for the past few weeks. It has been a crazy few weeks in my banking world because everybody is freaking out!
So for all of my millionaire friends out there who read this (count=0), don’t freak out. It’s going to be OK!!!
Filed under: Christianity, Ramblings, Religion, music | Tags: church, i want to be as cool as chris tomlin, life, midtown, Religion, worship leader, worship music
Why do I lead worship? That’s a good question, and one that I ask myself from time to time. I think it’s good to always evaluate why we do the things we do in life. I’ve been reading around some blogs from other worship leaders, or other people hating on worship leaders, and some other random things and it’s really had me thinking the past couple of weeks.
First of all, the main reason I lead worship is because I feel that it is an area that God has called me to serve, and it’s an area where he’s gifted me. I’ve been leading worship since high school, and I ‘ve really learned a lot since those early days. I also feel that it’s a priviledge to do what I do each week. I get to use music to facilitate a time of corporate worship, and that’s pretty neat.
Why do I lead worship at Midtown? That’s an easy question with a quick answer. I TRUST THE LEADERSHIP. I will never work for a pastor that I don’t trust or admire. I want to enjoy serving under a pastor and learn from him. I want to be challenged by him. There have to be open lines of communication as well. I trust the leadership at Midtown. I trust the deciscions that are made by Dustin. He’s not in it for himself. He’s not trying to be the coolest church planter and grow an enormous church at record speed. If the church grows, he’s not going to take credit, and if he gets a big head about it, there will be 10 guys there to humble him really quick.
Why do I lead the way that I do? I lead in a way that reflects my personality. Most importantly, I don’t want to do anything that is distracting, although I’m sure at times I do. I am not a preacher, so you will not hear any mini-sermons. If Dustin starts singing, we’ve got a problem (although he can play some drums-well, somewhat), and if I start preaching, we’ve got another problem. There is nothing worse than a pastor leading up to some type of an inviation or quiet reflection, and the worship leader comes right up and gives ANOTHER 5 minute sermon before even playing a song. It’s awful – just shut up. I understand God may have laid something on your heart, but find a better time to say it, and do it in 1 minute and not waste 5.
Being prepared
One phrase that I hate to hear is, I’m not a musician, I’m a worship leader. Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but you are playing music right? So that makes you a musician. Saying, “I’m not a musician” is not an excuse for poor musical preparation. I’d much rather play with a well prepared average musician, than an unprepared fabulous musician who has a lazy approach to the whole thing. Of course I’d like to have the best of both worlds: a well prepared good musician. I only say this becuase I think that preparation is incredibly important for a succesful set on Sundays with minimal distractions. A band or worship team that is not tight will provide one of the greatest distractions. Of course we have our hiccups on Sunday nights – we’re not perfect, but we give our best.
Life Applications
I think that some of this can apply to all types of things in life.
1. Find a job/hobby/place to serve that allows you to be who you are. Let your personality come through in what you do. Enjoy what it is that you are doing.
2. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Can’t put it any clearer than that. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves. I see it all the time – in the banking world and beyond. Midtown puts a lot of emphasis on preparation and it shows. Being unprepared comes down to pure laziness in my opinion. For a few months, I nearly killed myself working 40 hours a week at a bank, doing 5 church services on Sundays (total of 15 hours at church on Sunday), plus spending at least 1 or 2 nights a week working on church stuff. And I was still able to be prepared almost all of the time. So the excuse, “I’ve just been too busy” doesn’t go very far.
3. Work with people you trust and admire. Work with someone who communicates well with you and that you in turn can communicate with without having to climb a mountian. Lack of communication can create a lot of holes in the relationship and it will eventually crack.
So, this is the end of this post. Yes, I know it jumped around all over the place, and I probably should have taken my own advice and taken more time to prepare to write this post, but I’ve never called myself a good writer or even half decent writer, and if you got bored, confused, or lost at any time, you could just move on to a better blog.
Last night, Luda preached from one of my favorite passages of scripture ever. It’s Phillipians 4:10-13. Here’s verses 11-13:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
This verse speaks to me on multiple levels. Of course we’ve all heard Phillipians 4:13 for as long as we’ve been in church. Even those that grew up outside of the church circle have probably heard it at some point. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I think sometimes we hear that verse so much that we lose sight of what it really means. If Christ lives in us, we will know the secret to being content in any and every circumstance. We have the strength through Christ that lives in us.
Contentment is what I strive for in life. It’s one of my top goals. I’ve got more than I need. God’s always provided for me. I’ve rarely been in “need.” I am a professional “wanter” though. I can “want” from the time the sun rises until the sun sets. It’s always something different. Sometimes it’s guitars, sometimes TV’s, sometimes a fancy car, sometimes just plain junk, and almost all the time I wish I made more money. More than anything though, I want to be satisified with what God has given me. This doesn’t happen overnight. Somedays, I feel 100% content, and some days I just want more.
On the other side, I think that God is glorified when we work hard using the gifts He has given us to achieve more and be succesful in life. I want to excel in my career – that means getting promoted and earning pay increases. But there is such a fine line between being an ambitious hard worker and someone who always wants more.
True contentment can be a hard place to find in life. There’s no doubt in my mind that God’s given me everything that I need and MORE! I too often forget, but that’s why I’m constantly learning what it means to live a life of contentment.
First of all, I just have to say that John Mayer is amazing. His new live album is out of this world. If you appreciate good music from an extraordinary musician, you need to get this, or at least watch the DVD with someone. I think his music will be around for a long, long time.
I imagine that by now, most people have the new Coldplay CD. I’ve been listening to it off and on for awhile, and I do like it. Some songs I don’t like much at all, but some I love. Strawberry Swing, Violet Hill, and Death and All His Friends are by far my favorites. I honestly didn’t listen to Coldplay much until I met my wife. I didn’t dislike them, just never really got into it. We went to go see them in concert after we got married, and it was incredible. Probably one of the best shows I will ever see. The X&Y album is what really got me into Coldplay the most.
After listening to the new album for awhile, Ashley was playing some music from Pandora and one of the songs from Rush of Blood to the Head Came on. I really think I liked Coldplay’s songs from their whole career better than I do Viva La Vida and Death and All His Friends. I know it’s different, and I do think it’s great and I like that it’s different, but I have to say, I like the old Coldplay better. I’ve talked with a few people about this and it seems that I’m in the minority.
So, I wanted to ask everyone, which Coldplay do you like better? Viva La Vida or everything else? Let the arguments begin!
**for more music related discussions and recommendations, head over to the Melodies page**
Filed under: sports, technology | Tags: gamecocks, ncaa football 2009, xbox 360
So, today is July 15th. I have been waiting for this day for almost 6 months. NCAA Football 2009 comes out today. I bought an X-Box 360 in December, and I bought it for the sole reason of being able to play this game. I didn’t buy last years game, because I wanted to wait for this one. There has never been a better game made in the sports gaming industry. I have never even seen ANY version of NCAA football on the 360, but I will today. And I will probably play at least 4 games (3-4 hours) today when I get off work. I will get the game at lunch and read through the whole manual numerous times. And then, when I play Dustin and Rhodesy, I will dominate them using the USC Gamecocks against their pathetic Clempson Tigers.
I have never posted a video, but I couldn’t resist this one. This was from The Soup on “E” last Friday. You may remember my post on the new iPhone that just came out. I wish I would have had this video then, but better late than never.
YOU HAVE GOT TO WATCH THIS!
Lee, don’t worry, I’m not hating on you. If I had AT&T, I would very likely have one too…but this was absolutley hilarious..and for the record, I think the iPhone is awesome.
So, I’ll be heading to Charleston for 3 days to spend 3 days at the beach. I haven’t been in almost a year to the sand and salt water and all this talk of people getting bit by sharks in SC doesn’t scare me a bit. If only I could catch a couple fishing from the surf.
I love the beach, and this year is probably the least amount of time I’ve spent at the beach in a long time. We’ve made more trips to the mountains than normal though in the past year as well. I really can’t decide which I love best. I love to go to the beach, fish in the mornings and evenings, and sit on the beach ALL day and read 4 books during the week. However, I love packing up and heading to the mountains for some hiking and camping. So, this brings me to my question of the day.
Which do you like better? The beach or the mountains? If you have only 3 days of vacation, where are you going to spend it?
Filed under: Personal Finance | Tags: compound interest, dollar cost averaging, investing, money, Personal Finance, PF, retirement
Make It Automatic
This is the best piece of advice that I feel I can give. Make it automatic. Choose what you want to invest in and then automatically contribute the same amount to it every month. Have it set up to automatically come out of your checking account the SAME DAY you get paid. In the book “Automatic Millionaire,” David Bach calls this “paying yourself first.” It’s a good book to read, or at least skim through. I don’t agree with everything, but it’s a good place to start with some very valid points. However, you just have to remember, that whatever money you put into an IRA is hard to get back out until you are 59 1/2. Unfortunately, many people in today’s economy of spend first and pay later are having to borrow money from their 401(k) plan at work. Not a good idea. I would hate to spend my career saving money only to have to borrow that money back before retirement.
One reason to make it automatic is called dollar cost averaging. It’s a very simple strategy that is easy to understand. Dollar cost averaging is basically investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals over a very long period of time. The amount of money contributed each time is the same, but the number of shares you are able to purchase will be different each time based on the current market value of the shares at the time of purchase. If the market is up, you buy more shares, and if the market is low like it is now, you are able to buy more shares. Therefore, you aren’t trying to time the market. The cost of all of the shares you have bought over the life of the investment is averaged out. This is a great strategy for investing in mutual funds, whether it be through an IRA, 401(k), or other tax sheltered or non-tax sheltered plans. Just remember that this is a long term strategy, and is not to be used for quick short term gains.
Another reason to make it automatic is because of Compounding. According to our friends at Wikipedia who are always 100% correct in my opinion, “compound interest is the concept of adding accumulated interest back to the principal, so that interest is earned on interest from that moment on.”
Kiplingers, a trusted financial publication had this to say in a recent article:
-”Compound interest has been called the eighth wonder of the world. And with good reason. It magically turns a little bit of money, invested wisely, into a whole lot of cash. Even Albert Einstein — a bit of a smarty pants — is said to have called it one of the greatest mathematical concepts of our time.”
-”Here’s the gist: When you save or invest, your money earns interest or appreciates. The next year, you earn interest on your original money and the interest from the first year. In the third year, you earn interest on your original money and the interest from the first two years. And so on. It’s like a snowball — roll it down a snowy hill and it’ll build on itself to get bigger and bigger. Before you know it … avalanche!”
*I’d strongly advise you to go and read this whole article. It’s very easy to understand and probably says it a lot clearer than I’ve tried to in these last 4 posts*
We have one advantage right now that we will not have forever. We are young. I have 40 years until I retire. I want to do as much as I can. Right now, what I contribute does not seem to be a lot, but I am at least doing something.
Series Wrap-Up
This is the final post in the investment series. I hope that some of this has been helpful to you in your financial journey. I am not an expert, but this is something that I am passionate about. I want to see people that I care about be wise with their finances and really take an interest in planning for their retirement. I hope that you are encouraged to start investing now. I hope that you don’t think you don’t have enough money to invest, because you do. I hope that you don’t think you are too young to invest, because when you are young, that’s the best time to star. Whatever you do, just start now.
Do something!
*leave some comments and let me know if this has been helpful to you, and if you’d like to see more of this in the future*
