Home appraisal

I read an article recently that suggested you should get a home appraisal done now due to the downturn in the market to re-adjust your property taxes...it is an interesting thought as I know that our house has had considerable decline based on some of the comparable figures and sites like Zillow. I figure I should look into it to see if it makes sense based on the cost of the appraisal, or...do you think enough people will do it such that the negative revenue impact on the town will make them review the tax rates and prop them up to cover the shortfall? I suppose either way, at least my taxes would be as low as they could be.

I will have to look into that.

Tivo

So, we have moved into the future by picking up a Tivo box. I still don't know how to use it yet, but got it hooked up yesterday and the service transferred over to my name (story behind this being I found the box on Craiglist and the person selling it had a Lifetime service contract on it....so no monthly payments for me :)). I am most interested in the fact that hopefully both Kristen and I will make any TV viewing an active decision based on a show that we want to watch, rather than just a take up some time and zone for awhile kind of thing that is most often the case. Plus, with kids, Kristen's school, my class, and our bible study taking up our time every evening of the week, just about, this may give us a neat opportunity to see some shows that we would never otherwise see.

Believe vs believe in

I had bible study tonight with a few guys and as we are between studies, we simply caught up from the holidays and then we spoke about the sermon from Sunday. The sermon on Sunday talked about the difference between believing God and believing in God. How it is easy to believe in God and still do your own thing, but if you believe God and believe the things that He has said about Himself and about you, then it changes your decision patterns in your daily life. I think it was a good discussion as we walked through some of the scripture references that tied into this line of thinking. Hopefully, we will find a good study that we will all get into over the next couple of weeks.

2 Down, 34 to Go

The Starfish Files: One Leader¿s Account of Insight and Inspiration Under Duress by Hiam Alexander

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A leadership fable...this was a very quick, but interesting read. Though the premise is silly, the use of the story to quickly demonstrate the leadership/management points works out very well. The "mentor" of the book utilizes a starfish to promote 7 skills that managers and leaders mush have to meet challenges successfully. While none of these are new ideas, the approach and memory aide in the starfish does promote a way to remember the key learning points well. Could be a very useful book to share with a team as a basis for a weekend workshop or other similar team-building activities.


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Another book...but doesn't count :)

The Drummer Boy: A Christmas Tale by Ted Dekker

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A quick little book from Ted Dekker. Definitely a good read for children at Christmas time. While this is certainly a sappy read and one that you could see going to a 'Chicken-Soup for the Soul' kind of venue, it is nice to have a simple example of faith; for children by children.
How simple a task to play a drum...yet God can do immeasurably more than what we could imagine by being faithful. Anytime you can present that truth to anyone, it is a good thing.


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One other book...

I actually finished this one last year but hadn't written it up on my GoodRead's page...I am going to read the second one soon, so I wanted to make sure to finish this up...

God's Armor Bearer by Terry Nance

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is an excellent read on having a servant heart. It is focused on associate pastor's to their pastor and really works in the context of the church and it's members...but in using the Old Testament example of an armor bearer as the baseline to understand how God had called Terry to help fulfill his Pastor's calling rather than working on his own goals. Essentially, at least for a period of time, Terry was called to play a specific role in the kingdom of God. It was a supporting role to another person's calling. Terry worked through that and understood the biblical basis for having a servant attitude towards that direction and it blessed him and his pastor. Each person in the church will have a call from God, some to be leaders for a specific calling that God has placed on them, others to support those that are trying to accomplish those tasks. Do you have a servant heart and are you prepared to accept the glory from the Lord for your work, rather than be at the front of your own project? Read this book to get the biblical background associated with having an armor bearer's spirit in supporting the work of those at your church who are called to be leaders.


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1 Down, 35 to go

God's Covenant of Blessing by John P. Milton

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This book was difficult to read and to get through. It reads like a PHD dissertation. Not that it doesn't have some very interesting points to make and quotes to remember. This book proves how deep you can get into God's word as the author takes us with great detail into the covenant given to Abraham and then makes a case for how that one covenant is the same covenant throughout the Old and New Testaments with its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. I liked reading it for these moments where you can capture where the author was going in showing that the New and Old testaments tie together in a coherent and cogent story. I did not like some of the agonizing details and how in depth he does dive to support his premise of one covenant. It was just a bit dry for me.

That behind me, what I would say is that you will need time and much attention to get the jewels that are in this book...they are there, but you have to work to get them.


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ARGHH!

I am reading what may be one of the slowest books ever. "God's Covenant of Blessing". It reads like a PHD dissertation. If I didn't have to read it for my class...I would have been over it a long time ago. Not that I can't get a little from it here and there...but, wow...I am just dreading the fact that I still have another 80 pages left to read :(

Great quote to think on...

I have added it to my great quotes list on the side but wanted to share it in a post as well...
"There can be true faith without perfect knowledge; but true faith must be ready to act on the basis of the knowledge that it has." John P. Milton - God's Covenant of Blessing
I think that sums up so many truths about how we want things to be and how they actually are. I would love to have 100% of the information, 100% of the time...but that is not, nor will it ever be reality. Whether in business, life or anything else, we will have to act on circumstances based on the information we have. In certain cases, that will mean we make bad choices...I think that is a given...however, God has given us enough information to act on trusting that He is real and should be feared and trusted...so, while it may not be 100% of what I would like to have...the question is everyday...will I act upon it?

Happy new year

First time I have stayed up til midnight in the last couple years..
I wish you all a great night and happy new year.