JANUARY 2018

Business Tips:

CHARACTER

The definition I speak of is moral excellence and firmness. Character is a habit of will. It becomes a skill and a discipline that when exercised it becomes stronger. This is based in the right and wrong of integrity, which you can study. Character is not just being good and not being bad. Character is standing in and doing something rather than standing idle when wrong is being done. It isn’t just knowing the difference or being a character, but holding the line for others also. Your example in your daily speech and action exemplifies character that others can use to get better. A man or woman of character is said to be the straight line that others measure themselves against. Just as Jesus did, so you can live a character led live. Things that can distract from this may be pleasure, lust, etc. There are many references, the Bible, Launching a Leadership Revolution – Woodward/Brady, Resolved – Woodward/Brady, Character Counts - Dyer and more historical studies like Churchill (go see the movie The Darkest Hour) I encourage you to keep adding and doing additional study on your own.

    Personal Tips:

THE GIFT OF FAMILY

            One must spend time with family. I find that much drama, offenses, problems, and conversations lead

to how one deals with or spends time with their family. Some may not have the benefit of understanding what true family is. Let’s define what it looks like. Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to find or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless privilege which costs nothing but love. Yet, the truth remains: We need a place of belonging – a place to be nurtured and loved and given strength and encouragement to grow and become the person God created us to be. From the beginning of time, that basic place was, and is, the family. I pray that you not only find home with your personal family, but nothing is more special than the family of God. (Romans 8:14-16)

Life Skills:

Faith, Family, Fitness, Finances, Friends, Fun, Following, Freedom; we call these the 8F’s in life. Many of these categories can tell one where their priorities are in life by measuring the time one would spend in one of the above categories.

This year Google says the top issues that face the world are…. SURVEY SAYS….

1.      Relational Issues

2.      Money

3.      Health issues

4.      Anxiety over finding or losing loved ones

5.      Religious questions

6.      Concerns about death

I know I don’t have it all figured out, but I have a lot of great sources that speak into these items and I welcome your comments. Please feel free to drop us a line concerning any of them.

Money – Part 2;

Financial burden is one of the top issues people are facing today. The good news is that you CAN be in control of your finances. Many people think that their job, their pay, their bills/expenses are just their lot in life and they need to make due. I am here to tell you that God did not intend for you to be in debt. Nor was it intended that you suffer under money. Money is a necessity, but when managed and used correctly it is a tool in your hand, rather than a slave that you serve. FIGURING OUT HOW TO BECOME THE MASTER OF YOUR MONEY WILL BE A HUGE STEP IN YOUR LIFE. TAKE THE STEP!

Philippians 4:19. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” ...Malachi 3:10. “”Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. ...1 Timothy 6:10. ...Acts 20:35. ...Proverbs 22:7.

Notable quotes:

-          You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.

-          Family gives us two things: one is roots, the other is wings

-          Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. – Dr Seuss

-          lost time is never found again – Benjamin Franklin

-          “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ …”(Romans 8:14-16)

Something I want you to know:

      When you look at the year ahead, do you think….this will be the best year ever or do you think, just another year? Your outlook on life, work, play, and many of the other things that we walk through in these letters will be a direct reflection of your results. You are what you think. Thoughts lead to actions, actions lead to habits, habits lead to character, and your character will leave a legacy. How are you programing your mind and therefore those around you? Decide to seek good inputs for your life.