Friday, February 6, 2009

Nooma - "You"

Before we get to the Nooma video that we discussed on Wednesday - don't forget about the pot luck on Sunday! 2/8/09 12:15 Room 101.

Okay, since that is out of the way, let's discuss the Nooma video "You" that we watched on Wednesday night. This was the first time I had ever viewed this Nooma and it made my head hurt. It really tackled some big topics... Let's go to the quotes!

"These first Christians believed that Jesus' resurrection had implications for the entire universe. Their tradition had taught them that the world was broken and desperately in need of repair and at some point in the future, God was going to put it all back together. For them, this future restoration had nothing to do with leaving this world; it was all about restoration, the renewing and reclaiming of this world..."

Do you believe this? How do we restore and reclaim the brokenness of this world? How do you do it?

Another good quote:

"These first Christians believed very passionately that the world was not made better through military power or political coercion. This gospel they were living had nothing to do with using political force to FORCE people to live according to their laws. For them, this gospel was about serving the world, especially those on the underside of the Empire. For them, it was about serving, not ruling."

This gets my motor going! Do people view you as a servant, or are you more of a ruler? How can we better serve those around us? Of course, I immediately start thinking about the poor, the needy, the disabled...but I am challenged to serve the short tempered, the egotistical, the wife who gloats in victories over me (wait, is that too personal?)... You get the point. Conversions to Christianity will happen little by little in some cases. Rev Kev's quote comes to life - You are the only Bible some people will read...

Last one...

"We all fall short and that's the beautiful part. Broken, flawed, vulnerable people like you and me are invited to be the hands and feet of Jesus who loves us exactly as we are, and yet, loves us way too much to let us stay that way..."

Beautiful.

Now for the mandatory scripture.

"And all of those who believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing with them all, as anyone might have need." Acts 2: 44-45

Monday, February 2, 2009

Iowa Chops!

TNT traveled to the Wells Fargo Arena (aka the Meat Locker) for some hockey action on Friday, January 30th. We saw a game between the Iowa Chops and the Peoria Rivermen. The Chops are the minor league affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. (Things I didn't know until today.) They were also doing a "Pack the Meat Locker" promotion and were trying to lure fans in with $5 of Wendy's vouchers. (It worked for us!) Sadly, only 8,300 fans showed up and they fell short of the 8,900 goal.

On to the hockey game. Have you ever heard the expression "We went to a fight and a hockey game broke out"? Well, that's kind of what the game felt like on Friday. The second period saw 4 major penalties dished out for fighting and two players had to leave the game due to rather large cuts over their eyes sustained in the fights. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the fights as much as anyone, however, I couldn't help but feel like they were a little bit forced on this evening. It's like the marketing group went down to the players and said "We have a large crowd tonight... Put on a good show... People aren't coming here for the hockey action..." Between the fights and the cheerleaders (The Baby Backs) wearing about as much clothing as some of the new born babies in the Pella area, I was a little disappointed in the ol' Iowa Chops. (I didn't even mention the hot tub next to the arena with the Grandview students in their two piece swim suits that made their way to the Jumbotron more than a couple times...) It was pretty obvious what kind of fans they were appealing to, and how they wanted to keep them coming back.

It was kind of sad because overall, the hockey game was actually really good! Iowa overcame a 3-1 deficit, and tied it in the third period...sending it to overtime. Neither team was able to do anything in overtime, so it went to a shootout, with the Rivermen winning 3-1. I am pretty sure I could have goal tended about as well as the Iowa Goalie did in the shootout... :)

I pondered all of these things late into the night...all while enjoying $5.05 of Wendy's entrees. Hmmm... Wendy's....

Financial Learning Experience!

TNT had the opportunity to travel down to Ottumwa on Wednesday, January 28th and listen to Joseph Sangel talk about everyone's favorite topic...MONEY! Joseph was what I like to call "high energy" and made what could be a very dry, some what boring topic more exciting. First, I am going to promote his website www.joesangl.com. It is wildly popular. Under the "Tools" link there are a bunch of useful ideas, excel spreadsheets and links that can help you start savings today.

The core principles of financial freedom...
1. There is power in working together. (Either with your spouse, or with friends...accoutability)
2. Avoid the debt trap! (Where is it written that you have to have a car payment?)
3. Develop a plan for your life - This creates the reason for you to plan your finances.
4. Have FUN managing your money! (Budget for fun!)

Another good quotes from Joe... "A written budget is different from a written budget that is followed!"

There were a lot of good ideas given by Joe and I guess I took away a couple ideas...
1. Shop your insurances. Life, car, home and any thing else... You should shop these at least every two years. Joe gave the example of the "Lending Tree" commercials - so when Insurance companies compete... YOU WIN! On Joe's website, under the "Tools" link, you can go to "Next steps and click insurance. http://nextsteps.iwasbrokenowimnot.com/insurancemain/ Here you can scroll down and get different life, car and home insurance quotes... When Insurance companies compete you win!
2. The debt snowball. Say you have 5 debt payments every month... When you pay one of them off, apply that payment to the next smallest payment and pay that off. And so on... This works better with a picture, but instead of paying off one credit card and then taking that $50 a month you were paying and upgrading your cell phone, apply that $50 towards credit card #2. Or car payment #3... You will not miss the $50...
3. Have at least $2500 in an emergency fund. Joe made the good point that money problems are terrible and they make every other problem worse. Say you don't have an emergency fund and suddenly your furnance breaks down. Now, you got a furnance problem...and a money problem.

I could ramble on (oops too late), but this was a good night and we got dinner and we got to listen to a speaker for $10 per family...but at the end of the night, Marty Schmidt and the Bridge said they were so serious about us saving money, they were going to refund the $10 we paid! It was beautiful! Much rejoicing was had...

"Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow..." Proverbs 13:11