Monday
Four states in four days. That's where I was from Monday to Thursday. It was an exciting, but exhausting trip. Exciting because I learned a lot, exhausting because of the schedule.
Utah to Illinois. I asked my wife to take me to the airport very early. I rather wait than be late for the flight. My boss (yes it was a business trip) caught me reading the book I Blog, Therefore I am. Curious pronounciation of blog, "I see you're reading those bee-logs". "They're also called blogs", was my mild correction. It was great to read other tBloggers in the book: Finalyfree (yes 1 L), gfak40, Rand, Billlyryan (yes 3 L's), basild and many others. I'd like to recommend this book because one of my posts is in page 60, but I have to warn you it might be a disappointment if you expect too much. A lot of it are written by teenagers trying to commit suicide or imbibing huge amounts of liquor and drugs. Like the pool of blogs here in Tblog, you have to search for the good stuff. And there are a lot of them too.
We also had a little discussion on what's happening in New Orleans. He's kinda ticked off that other countries were not quick to help. The total opposite of how the US reacts when there's a calamity elsewhere in the world. I told him that France and surprisingly, Cuba offered personnel. Also, they might be thinking that we can fend for ourselves, which is actually true. But it's a nice morale booster to see the offers, albeit even as a courtesy. We both agreed that those looters, muggers and rapers should be shot on sight, it is just abominable to take advantage of people who are already suffering. It is very encouraging to see both celebrities and ordinary people chipping in every way they can to help. I really hope every evacuee finds a job in the state they land and start rebuilding their shattered lives.
Our flight was delayed 30 minutes because they decided to wait for people coming from Canada. It was the last flight out of Salt Lake City and they don't want them to get stuck in here. In the flight, the captain announced that we will be trying to make up the time by flying faster. Is he going over the speed limit? Is there a fighter jet up there that will pull us over and give him a ticket? Nah, just getting bored from reading about these kids trying to kill themselves. If you are one of them reading this post, take heart, pray to God, realize that everyone even adults go through these sense of meaninglessness. You were created for a reason. You are not a mistake, God doesn't make them.
To be continued....
Simplicity (Part 2)
4. AVOID BUYING ON CREDIT
I don't believe in borrowing from credit cards. (For convenience, I use one card to pay the whole amount at the end of each month.) If I need something really bad, I save up for it. Sometimes, at midpoint, I realize I don't really need the darn thing and give up the whole idea. The only exception I feel we should enter into credit is when buying a non-depreciating item, such as housing or land. I believe we should always live within our earning capacity.
Proverbs 22:7 says, "Those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders."
(I am what the credit card industry call a transactor. I use my credit card for almost anything I buy, but I pay off the balance every month. If you have the discipline to do that, a credit card is much better than a debit card because it is much easier to protect yourself from fraudulent charges. With debit cards, the money is already gone and you need your bank to refund it. With credit cards, you just report that its a fraudulent charge and you don't have to pay it.)
5. GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
If I content myself with $9.00 shirt instead of a $40.00 Polo shirt, I can help others more. Trust me, there is immense pleasure! You will find that the empty thrill of owning a diamond ring on your finger pales in comparison to the joy of handling a piece of bread to an orphan child.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in good work." (2
Cor. 9:8 ). The Old Testament of tithing, or giving 10% of your income is a good guideline to follow. The New Testament challenges us to give with a cheerful heart. (When you're cheerful, you may give more than 10%!) Make it a habit.
