Filed under: family
So, the furniture in our bedroom is over 30 years old. My parents got it while they were engaged, and they’ve been married for over 30 years. AT first, we really wanted to be a whole new bedroom suit, but you’re looking at at least $2000. So instead we decided to refinish what we already had, because the wood is still in good shape, however it just looked old and rough. I felt a lot better about spending a little over $100 instead of over $2000.
Ashley wanted to paint it white, so that’s what we did. She also spray-painted the hardware to make it look like it came from 2009 instead of 1979.
Here’s some before and afters.
So, it’s nice to have all of that done! I recentley stained an unfinished bookshelf as well, and I don’t plan on taking on any projects for quite some time.!!
You may have read about this earlier this week. If you didn’t, here is the story.
A married couple in Boca Raton, Florida paid $155,000 to have their yellow lab cloned. They are apparently very wealthy, and have given a large amount to the Humane Society, so they had no problem justifying spending this money to clone a dog. Also, they already have 9 dogs!!!
I love this quote from the article. When asked how they would feel if the dog wouldn’t turn out the same way as the first dog, the owner responded,
“We hope so, but we do realize if he’s different we’re not going to love him any less.”
How about this, next time you want to clone a dog, just let me know. I’ve got a dog named Sandy, and I can’t promise he’ll be the same as your last dog, but I promise you won’t love him any less. He’s very loveable, and for $155,000 you can have him!
Filed under: Christianity, Personal Finance | Tags: ghandi, greed, shane claiborne
I read this quote today from a guy named Shane Claiborne in a book called The Irresistible Revolution. I’ve never heard of him before, and looking through some stuff about him today, I’m not sure if I’d agree with everything he says, but this was something I wanted to share.
I’m convinced that God did not mess up and make too many people and not enough stuff. Poverty was created not by God but by you and me, because we have not learned to love our neighbors as ourselves. Gandhi put it well when he said “There is enough for everyone’s need, but there is not enough for everyone’s greed.”
Filed under: Christianity, Personal Finance, Ramblings, lessons from... | Tags: greed
Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
I loved the definition of greed that I found yesterday, and I’ll use it again today. Greed is the “self serving desire for the pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others.”
Paul says in Colossians to put to death greed, which is idolatry. Take a look in Genesis 3, and see where Eve’s greediness led her to eat the fruit that was forbidden, and share it with Adam. Greed has been going strong ever since.
How about Jacob deceiving Esau to sell his birthright, or Laban deceiving Jacob after working for 7 years to marry Rachel only to be given Leah instead. In 1 Samuel, Samuel’s sons take bribes and “pervert justice.” Finally, there is the ultimate betrayal when Judas betrays Jesus for twenty pieces of silver. Greed was the driving force in each of those instances.
Exodus 18:21 uses the term “dishonest gain.” I think that best sums up greed in 2 words. Too many people look to make a quick dollar, or strike it rich while doing as little work as possible. The thing about the definition of greed that jumps out me is the fact that greed is denying something to others. When we are greedy, we are taking something from someone else, robbing them of what is rightfully theirs.
In the Ponzi schemes I mentioned yesterday, how many people do you think watched their lives come apart and their life savings disappear? There is already one case of a woman who committed suicide.
Fortunately as believers, we know that our hope lies in Jesus Christ, not the riches of this world. He is our everything, and our hope of glory. All that we have belongs to Him. He created this world. He rules over this world. But as someone in their 20’s who is saving for retirement, I can’t imagine reaching the age of 65 to see all of my life savings wash away. Even though I place my trust in Christ alone, I can’t say it wouldn’t be painful to watch something I’d spent my whole life working for wash away.
Greed isn’t just restricted to money and finances. Greed shows itself in many ways. You can be greedy for attention, hurting others so that you will appear more favorable and receive more attention. Some people are greedy for acceptance. Others are greedy for fame. I’m sure the list goes on and on, but the bottom line is that greed is destructive. It destroys you and all of those around you. Without a doubt I have been guilty of being greedy in countless ways throughout my 26 years life, and I write this to be a reminder for me of what greed is capable of doing in someone’s life.
Any thoughts? What ways have you seen greed be destructive in your life or others?
Filed under: Personal Finance, Ramblings, in the news | Tags: Al Parish, Arthur nadel, Bernie Maddoff, greed, nicholas cosmo, Ponzi Scheme
GREED: the self serving desire for the pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others
For the past few months, there have been numerous stories of greed, and how people have ruined their lives, and the lives of others through greed. I read the news multiple times daily, and have repeatedly seen how this awful economy is bringing people’s greed out into the light.
Need some examples? Ever heard of a Ponzi (Pyramid) Scheme?
1. Bernie Madoff- Accused of operating what could become one of the biggest Ponzi Schemes ever. It appears that he lost over $50 billion. Madoff is a former chairman of the NASDAQ. Madoff, who is Jewish, mainly targeted Charities and Foundations (lots of them were Jewish as well) as a form of Affinity Fraud. He definitely knew what he was doing, and even the good old Baptist’s lost some money.
2. Nicholas Cosmo- In the news today, he is suspected in a $380 million Ponzi Scheme. He has been in trouble with the law since 1997 regarding illegal financial transactions, and has undergone extensive gambling therapy.
3. Arthur Nadel - Also in the news today, accused of being the leader in a $342 million Ponzi Scheme.
4. Al Parish- A professor at Charleston Southern is now in prison for losing over $90 million in a Ponzi Scheme that affected over 600 people.
Unfortunately, there are probably more to come. The crazy thing is that 2 of these stories just hit the news today. As this article states, with the worsening economy, expect more and more people to be accused of operating these types of greedy schemes.
**more on this tomorrow**
Filed under: Ramblings, Sunday Night Music | Tags: hillsong, midtown fellowship, shane and shane, steve fee, tim hughes, worship music
Colossians 1:27
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Here’s the set-list for yesterday’s 3 services.
All Because of Jesus – Fee
Everything – Tim Hughes
Your Grace is Sufficient – Shane and Shane
Before The Throne – Shane and Shane
Stronger – Hillsong
Mighty To Save – Hillsong
If you haven’t heard the song Everything by Tim Hughes, be sure to check it out. Here are the lyrics. The song has been a great fit for the current series Identity.
God in my living There in my breathing
God in my waking God in my sleeping
God in my resting There in my working
God in my thinkingGod in my speaking
Be my everything Be my everything
Be my everything Be my everything
God in my hoping There in my dreaming
God in my watching God in my waiting
God in my laughing There in my weeping
God in my hurting God in my healing
Christ in me Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything
Filed under: Ramblings
As stated here before, I don’t care that much about politics. I’m trying to care more, but I have a hard time developing a lot of interest for it. I did listen to Obama’s speech today on NPR while I was on my lunch break. Here’s a part I liked.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
Let’s just say that I’m glad I’m not responsible for fixing all of these problems. Seems like a lot to take care of in 4 years! I don’t say that as a knock on Obama, but it really does seem like a nearly impossible task ahead of him. Good luck. I hope he does well and that we will see changes that will benefit our nation and the entire world.
Filed under: Ramblings
When Ashley and I first got married, we flew through season 1 of Lost on DVD. I’ve stuck with it since then. Ashley gave up sometime before last season began. I lost (no pun intended) the last 2 or 3 episodes of last season when my DVR died, and have since lost interest in the show.
I really can’t decide if I want to watch it this season or not. First of all, I missed at least 2, maybe 3 or more episodes. Plus, I can’t hardly remember the episodes I did watch.
What should I do? What are you going to do?
Filed under: Sunday Night Music | Tags: beautiful the blood, charlie hall, fee, in christ alone, mystery
Beautiful The Blood – Fee
Mystery – Charlie Hall
In Christ Alone – Campus Praise Band
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Colossians 3:1-3
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
The first guitar that I ever bought with my own hard-earned money was a Taylor 814-ce in 1999. It’s a sweet sweet guitar, but I’ve since come to enjoy the feel and sound of Martin guitars 100 times more than Taylor’s acoustics. I still think that Taylor’s put out some amazing guitars, and I love to pick up brand new Taylor’s here and there and strum a little.
Because I’m a Taylor owner, I get the Wood and Steel magazine each quarter and the picture that was on the front really captured my attention. They have a new guitar out called the T-3. They have recentley entered into the electric guitar department. I hated the T-5 (an electric that can supposedly work as an acoustic as well.) I haven’t played any of their solid-body electrics so I can’t comment on those.
However, this new T-3 looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it out. I don’t play electric much and can’t ever really justify spending more than the $400 I spent on my Mexican Tele, but this thing looks sweet as can be. Humbuckers, single coil, a bigsby vibrato tailpiece, and semi-hollowbody. 
