Friday, April 6, 2007
New technology lets you read your voice mail
"We've all gotten those long voice mail messages from a friend, relative, business associate--or in this reporter's case a PR person pitching a story idea--that seem to drag on forever. New companies, such as Simulscribe, SpinVox and now Callwave, are emerging to provide a fix for busy people who don't want to listen to long messages anymore." Read more...
Getting Things Done' In 60 Seconds
By Mike Elgan
If you're like most educated technical types, you've heard of David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' (GTD) productivity concepts, but don't use them.
And I think I know why: 1) you're too busy to study a whole book on productivity; 2) it might not work for you anyway; and 3) deep down you really don't want to change how you work.
Am I right?
I'll make a deal with you. I'll spend the next 60 seconds telling you how to radically boost your productivity. In exchange, you have to promise to buy the book 'Getting Things Done,' if it works for you. I'm not here to steal from David Allen, but to introduce him to you. The concepts below were inspired by GTD, and might be considered blaspheme by GTD fundamentalists -- they're what I started doing after I read two of his books, and they work for me.
Here goes:
Why We Home School
A Toronto school principal who pleaded guilty to throwing human excrement at a 12-year-old boy may get her job back, officials said on Tuesday.
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Thursday, April 5, 2007
Google Turns to Users for Online Maps | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Google Turns to Users for Online Maps | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "As part of an initiative being launched Thursday, the Internet search leader will provide free tools designed to make it easy for people to share their knowledge about their neighborhoods and other favorite places by creating customized maps that can assemble information from a variety of sources."
Woman riding horse at midnight charged with DUI
DUI charges can apply even when the vehicle has four legs instead of wheels"
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Saving or Hoarding?
Howard Dayton
GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP)--Once again, Americans are spending everything they make -- and then some. The U.S. Commerce Department reports that the 2006 savings rate was a negative 1 percent. This means that Americans either dipped into their savings or borrowed to finance purchases.
Furthermore, the 2006 figure was even lower than the 2005 -0.4 percent and was the poorest showing since the -1.5 percent savings rate in 1933 during the Great Depression.
Could it be that some Christians think that when a person saves funds, he or she eliminates the need to live by faith? If so, they have arrived at a false conclusion, because saving is not another word for hoarding.
There is definitely a great difference between saving and hoarding. Actually, saving involves faith, but hoarding eliminates faith. So, it's best to ask God for the wisdom to understand the difference, and the willingness to be willing to honor Him by handling your money biblically.
Go Ask An Ant?
In Proverbs 6:6 8, the Bible uses an ant as a good example of saving. "Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest."
It seems that, somehow, within the ant colony, God has designed these creatures so they are able to calculate very accurately what they'll need to get through the winter; they then gather and store that amount during the summer and autumn.
In fact, that's a good description of "saving": Looking forward to a future need, then putting aside whatever is necessary to meet that upcoming requirement so you won't have to borrow.
Attitude Versus Amount
You must understand that the difference between saving and hoarding is attitude, not amount. In today's society, when we measure what we're putting aside against the biblical standard, there's no doubt that we could conclude that many of us are hoarding.
A serious question that American Christians need to ask themselves is, "How much is enough?" Many believers have bought into the world's mindset concerning finances and have ignored God's clear biblical principles.
As Christians, God commands us to "not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). The way we handle resources should reveal our trust in God. Even our American currency reminds us that it should be "In God we trust," and that we shouldn't simply trust in the currency on which that statement is printed.
But We're Not Ants
We're not ants, so where do we place our savings? Before answering the "where" question, you should determine (1) your specific purpose for saving the money and (2) the sort of risk level you can handle. It's important to understand that although there are certain similarities between savings and investments, there are also great differences. But we won't go into that now, because we're talking about savings.
There are some simple guides we can mention about savings.
(1) A savings account might be the safest place to store surplus funds, but it yields the lowest interest rate.
(2) Certificates of deposit (CDs) yield a slightly higher rate than savings accounts. CDs and Treasury notes are two of the safest investment vehicles, but they also return relatively low yields.
(3) Money market funds may provide somewhat higher returns than either CDs or savings accounts. There are small risks involved with money market accounts. However, as long as they are with a strong company the risk should be minimal.
Always keep in mind that the higher the return on your savings, the greater the risk. Consider that if you'll need all or part of the money soon, a savings or money market account might be best, because CDs could tie up your money for at least 90 days. And, with CDs there are penalties for early withdrawal of funds.
Plan With Purpose
Don't save just for the sake of saving something. Instead, have a plan and save with purpose. Also, prayerfully think about designating some of your surplus money for helping someone in need in your church.
Yes, there is a difference between saving and hoarding. Saving involves faith because it represents good stewardship, but hoarding eliminates faith in God and it ignores faithful stewardship.
Remember, always pray and ask God for the wisdom to handle the provision He has given you. And, be sure your savings have a purpose that reflects biblical stewardship so that you'll avoid hoarding.
Be sensible, and don't jump on the downward savings trend. Instead, "Go to the ant.... Observe its ways and become wise."
Howard Dayton is CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. Dayton and the late Larry Burkett joined forces in 2000 when Crown Ministries, led by Dayton, merged with Christian Financial Concepts, led by Burkett. The new organization became Crown Financial Ministries, on the web at www.crown.org.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Plane Diverted Due To Passenger "Meltdown"
"Hawaii-Bound Flight Diverted To San Francisco When Woman Hits Pilot After Smoking In Lavatory" Read more...
French Train Sets Speed Record
A French train with a 25,000-horsepower engine and special wheels broke the world speed record Tuesday for conventional rail trains, reaching 357.2 mph as it zipped through the countryside to the applause of spectators. Read more...
Why We Home School
5th Graders Face Charges For Classroom Sex
The teacher left the rural Louisiana classroom unattended. Two boys and two girls participated, with another 11 children in the room. "After 44 years of doing this work, nothing shocks me anymore, but this comes pretty close," says the sheriff. Read more...
The teacher left the rural Louisiana classroom unattended. Two boys and two girls participated, with another 11 children in the room. "After 44 years of doing this work, nothing shocks me anymore, but this comes pretty close," says the sheriff. Read more...
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Help Protect Texas Students' Religious Liberties
The Religious Viewpoint Anti-Discrimination Act (HB 3678), has been introduced in Texas to protect children’s religious liberties in public schools. A few examples of unconstitutional censorship of school children in Texas include: Reprimands for talking about Jesus during Easter; a ban on children wishing deployed troops a “Merry Christmas;” children forbidden from using religious messages on gifts or cards including references to St. Valentine’s Day; children forbidden from bringing Christmas items to a school’s “Winter Party” despite the acknowledgment of other faiths during the season; children threatened by Superintendent that if they prayed they would be "disciplined the same as if they had cursed;" teacher trashing two Bibles belonging to students, taking the students to the principal's office and threatening to call Child Protective Services on the parents for letting their children bring Bibles to school. HB 3678 codifies the many constitutional ways a student or groups of students may express their faith at school and at school-sponsored events and outlines what activities would land a school in constitutional hot water. The Bill outlines the extensive liberties students are guaranteed and the protection school officials receive when recognizing these liberties. If HB 3678 passes in Texas, it will become the model template for legislation in every state. The hearing on this bill is April 12, 2:00 p.m., House State Affairs Committee, Austin, Texas. Send an email to your state Senator and Representative today in support of HB 3678.
Take Action
School: Pirates are not welcome
"Killian says, his “pirate regalia” is part of his faith — the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster."
CITIZEN-TIMES.com: School: Pirates are not welcome
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