Wow! I am truly grateful to meet very nice people in business. We are leaving to drive to Florida for vacation tonight so I filled the tank and checked the tire pressure, which you should always do before a long drive. To my horror, I found a bulge on the sidewall of one of the tires. I found out online that this could lead to tire failure, so I panicked that we were not going to be able to get out tonight. I drove down to Firestone Complete Auto Care, told Fred my story and asked if he could fit us in since we were leaving in three hours. At first he was not sure and said maybe in a couple hours. I said I would have to call for someone to pick me up. Fred spoke to someone and they ended up getting right to replacing the tire. What a great experience. I will enjoy telling this story several times. Thanks guys!
Category Archives: NEWS
Warning about 2012 end-of-world scare
Okay, I finally received a call from someone trying to scam people out of their money because of the impending end-of-the-world in 2012 as “predicted” by the Mayans. The man called himself Derek and asked if I was ready for the world to end. I said, “Yes,” and out of curiosity let him talk. I listened silently, so he kept asking if I was still there. I guess he had been hung up on a lot. Derek was surprised that I was not fearful and was ready for the end-of-the-world. He eventually got to the scam portion of his pitch and asked me to meet him downtown, presumably to give him some money.
Do not – I repeat – do NOT fall for these scams. These people are playing on everyone’s fears about something that will not happen. How do I know it will not happen? It has not happened so many times before. This list of end-of-world predictions from Wikipedia shows they are truly just “predictions”. These predictions are not truth even though sometimes they lead people into panic or into doing things to harm themselves or others. The Jim Jones massacre in 1978 where 909 people “drank the Kool-Aid” laced with cyanide shows how far this can go.
There is no need to fear. There is no need to panic. Even if by some remote chance, as depicted in the movies 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow, something does happen, you will end up in heaven in the loving arms of God along with all of your family, so why worry?
Do not put your faith in Mayan Indians from thousands of years ago or media that likes to sensationalize stories that increase fear and anxiety, put your faith in the one God who loves you and you will be fine no matter what happens in your life.
Peace be with you!
Love,
Whittle Thinker
Faith and forgiveness help deputy recover
Brandon Moore attributes his quick recovery and return to active duty 20-months after a life-threatening shooting to faith and forgiveness. Moore had nightmares weeks after being shot several times, including in the chest and “pulverizing” his leg. Many thought he would never return to activity duty again, but a great weight lifted and the nightmares stopped when he forgave the shooter. Now he speaks nationally to other officers about being vigilant, even in sleepy small towns like Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Read the full Deputy attributes life, recovery to faith story and see pictures from the Columbus Dispatch.
Forgiveness is much more important to the forgiver than receiver. This story shows its healing powers.
Woman finds wedding ring in tornado rubble
A tornado blew through Woodward, Oklahoma last Sunday and Emilee Neagle had 26 minutes to get her family out of the house. In the rush, they left her wedding ring on the bathroom counter and the family dog in the house. After eight hours with a metal detector and help from her third-grade class, Emilee found her wedding ring. And, the dog was fine too. Learn more in the Oklahoma woman finds dog, wedding ring amid tornado rubble story from CNN.
This story emphasizes that when it comes down to what is truly important in life, it is all about your family and not your possessions, which can be replaced (or found). Enjoy your family while you can.
Group trying to make math fun
A group of educators and entrepreneurs are trying to improve math education by making it fun, instead of just rote numbers. They even have a traveling museum hosting a square wheeled tricycle that works at a special surface. This is a good start, but I believe adding a personal finance class or two would go a long way to improve high school math education. Students can learn about logarithmic growth of mutual funds, algebra to help compare buying or leasing a car, and many other math techniques to manage credit card and other debt. Parents would likely tell their kids, “I wish they had that when I was in school. You better listen in that class.” Learn more in the Numbers game: America’s struggle to make math fun story at Reuters.
Palm Sunday 2012
Today we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant return to Jerusalem on a donkey with people waving palm leaves and then we endure the passion of Christ as Judas betrays him, Peter denies him three times, and Jesus is crucified on the cross then buried.
You will receive a palm at church today in memory of these events. Turn it into a cross before the palm dries out using the steps in this You Tube video – How to Make a Palm Cross.
Ex-cons have kids too
When most of us think about ex-cons, we think of a story we read of how hard it is for them to find a job and that many return to criminal activity to survive. What we rarely think or hear about is their families or their kids. Over 7 million children in the U.S. have a parent in the criminal justice system – many hoping their parent will be home soon. The Center for Employment Opportunities in New York City helps ex-prisoners reenter life and support their families. Jesus said to forgive seven times seventy times, so give an ex-con a chance in your business today. You could be helping a whole family heal. Learn more in the Making A Difference In 7 Million Children’s Lives story at the Huffington Post.
Tebow lands with the Jets
Tim Tebow was traded to the New York Jets after Peyton Manning replaced him as quarterback at the Denver Broncos. It adds a Wildcat option to the Jets but everyone is wondering if Mark Sanchez, the current Jets quarterback can share the limelight with “Tebowmania”. Read the full Analysis: Trade for Tebow shakes up Jets’ QB lineup story at Reuters.
Tebow uncertainty
The Denver Broncos signed Peyton Manning to a five-year $96 million contract, leaving Tim Tebow in temporary limbo. John Elway, Denver’s head of football operations, said Tebow was disappointed but would not break from his positive attitude. Just goes to show you there is no loyalty in business, it is all about making the best return and Denver believes they can do it with Manning even though Tebow turned them around to a division title and even beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs last year. The talk is that Tebow may end up back in Florida, where he won two BCS national championships and a Heisman Trophy, playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Learn more in the Broncos noncommittal on Tebow in wake of Manning deal story at Reuters.
Encyclopedia Britannica stops print editions
After 245 years, Encyclopedia Britannica will no longer be in print, only digital. They are selling their last 4000 print copies and then all future editions will be available on their website or through phone apps. They learned what all paper media providers have discovered – it is too expensive to produce in paper and the audience is all moving to digital. On the plus side, we should save a lot of trees. Learn more in the Encyclopedia Britannica ends print, goes digital story at Reuters.