r2r - A New Era in Workplace Flexibility

I recently came across some info about this new concept - effective 1 January 2010.

There isn't just one definition of workplace flexibility, because it means different things to different people.


Basically, flexibility is about an employee and an employer making changes to when, where and how a person will work to better meet individual and business needs.

While the basic concept stays the same, it's the type of flexibility which makes the difference.

Essentially, flexibility enables both individual and business needs to be met through making changes to the time (when), location (where) and manner (how) in which an employee works. Flexibility should be mutually beneficial to both the employer and employee and result in superior outcomes.


What are flexible work practices?


There are a range of creative and practical ways to change when, where and how work is organised:

When people work:


Flexible working hours - altering the start and finish times of a working day, but maintaining the same number of hours worked per week (for example, 8am to 4pm instead of 9am to 5pm). It can also mean condensing standard hours per week into fewer days (for example, four days per week at ten hours per day).


Part-time work - generally speaking, working fewer than the standard weekly hours. For example, two days per week, 10 days over four weeks or two days one week and three days every second week.


Variable year employment - changing work hours over the month or through the year, depending on the demands of the job (for example working more hours during busy periods and taking time off in quiet times).

"The object of a new year..." - G.K. Chesterton

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.
It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.
Unless a particular man made new year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.
Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.
Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."

- G.K. Chesterton

Happy Merry Christmas!

20ten

I have been trying to get some intel about next year... 2010 or 20ten.

Stuff like... "what will I be doing?".. "where will I be living?" etc etc. There is a bit of change in my world at the moment.

The best I can do at the moment is a logo design.

Maybe it's my way of getting some traction at least around the concept of a next year.

I know this... God will still be there... and He will be faithful... again.

So here goes... I know this about my 20ten....


1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move in my life.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-annoited preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessing upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love me.
10. Jesus will still save the lost souls.

That's not a bad start!

The Bush Behind Our Home

Went for a walk in the nature reserve behind my home yesterday afternoon.

I took the camera with me and went in search of the elusive "storm bird."

The dog and I tracked him down to this tree. The bird is in this photo... if you have a keen enough eye. A bit like "where's Wally?"

I took some time to observe the detail of what I was standing near.

Lilley always likes to come for a walk with the boss!

Simple Pleasures

Life is full of simple pleasures... the little things that make up a great life.


A great cup of tea is one them.


What "simple pleasure" are you thankful for?

A New Day of Honouring - Ps Mark Edwards Style

Jillian and I and the kids were invited last Sunday to attend Ipswich Region Community Church by Ps Mark Edwards.

The purpose of the visit was so that we could be honoured for our leadership role in the region since 2006.

We had been thoroughly honoured at a Night of Honour for us at Westlife Church on Sunday 11 October.. and they also gave us a 2 week holiday in Hawaii !!!

And then this from our district Australian Christian Church leader. It was just superb... and very humbling.

Below is a photo of the lovely flowers and books given as gifts.
And there is also a photo of Ps Mark in full-flight preaching part 1 of the innovative new series, Green. What a great church!

What a great day ... and a whole new level of honouring. Thanks to all involved and may you be favoured by your investment.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honour;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalms 84:11 (NIV)

Sunset @ The Lakes

Jethro and I went for a bike ride late this afternoon and it included 2 laps around Spring Lake at Springfield Lakes.


There were a lot of other locals out enjoying a great part of the day. Even the ducks!

Umbilical Hernia Repair

There is a lot of change in my life in this season. "Transitions" is the key word.

I went and saw a surgeon this AM - and a recently diagnosed umbilical hernia needs to be repaired ASAP.

So tomorrow morning it is.

This verse came to me when I was praying this AM

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalms 51:6 (NIV)

God is interested in my inner parts.... my guts. And He desires wholeness and integrity.

So the healing process starts tomorrow under the care of a skilful surgeon.

I was "encouraged" greatly by Jill when she sent me this Youtube clip (below) of an umbilical hernia repair.

Enjoy it... if you are game!

Happy Father's Day!

Sonora Dodd, of Washington, first had the idea of a "father's day." She thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.

Sonora wanted a special day to honour her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.

Happy Father's Day!

Aussie Taxi Driver - Andrew Denton Interview

I found this media clip quite funny.

Click on the link below and enjoy the interview.

Hope is Alive - Steve Penny

Another great recent post from Steve Penny........

The late Teddy Kennedy will be remembered for his quote “Hope is Alive and the Dream Continues.”

Hope is not passive but creates three powerful waves in a person's life.

Hope firstly produces a wave of desire within a person. When hope dies all your desires die with it and then all that remains are fears and dreads. The first sign of hope is a strong desire for something.

The second wave of hope is expectation. Desire now grows to become a strong expectation. By keeping hope alive you are creating waves of inner momentum and now a strong expectation has started to grow within you.

The third wave of hope is enthusiasm. The thing you desire is now anticipated to arrive and you enthusiastically prepare for it in your life.

Hope is not passive but is the development of a strong inner environment from which an outward action of faith can be taken. You must allow hope to stay alive and grow in your inner world and as you do it will produce an environment in which your expectation will mobilise you to take action and bring about your desired results.

I am hoping for better things continually and so I continue to allow the waves of hope to surge within me until I enthusiastically express my inner hope as an outward action of faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for – the evidence of things not seen.

"S" is for Saturday and Soccer

It was Jethro's last game of soccer today.

We have had a great season.

Councillor Morrison to Walk Across Ipswich City

Go for it, David!!!

3 Words to Change the World - Lee Colan

Some people literally change the world; people like Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin.

Although it’s an ambitious goal to change the world, we often underestimate our singular power to change the world of those around us.
We don’t have to be Oprah giving away new cars to positively change someone’s world.
We each have that same power.
We don’t even have to do anything!
We only have to say three simple words.

Try one of these three-word, power-packed statements to change someone’s world:

§ I love you.
§ I thank you.
§ You are terrific.

§ I am sorry.
§ I trust you.
§ I promise you. (and keep it!)

§ God bless you.
§ I can help.
§ I understand you.

§ You are talented.
§ I believe you.
§ You will succeed.

§ You inspire me.
§ It’s no problem.
§ I forgive you.
§ You’re the best!

Whether we have a long conversation with a friend or simply place an order at a restaurant, every word makes a difference. The results of our interactions are rarely neutral; they are almost always positive or negative.

Ask yourself, "Do my words reflect my commitment to helping others, creating win-wins, continuously learning, embracing change, supporting my team's success?"

Words are the seeds of commitment. We plant the seeds with each movement of our lips. Once they are spoken, our words either grow in the form of an immediate response or they take time to germinate. Whether the result becomes apparent sooner or later, we cannot speak words of failure and defeat and expect a life of success and victory.

Plant the seeds of success in someone’s mind and heart today.
You’ll start a positive ripple effect that can be felt by many people and many miles away, not to mention the positive effect you will feel inside.

Do not do a thing! Just say three simple words.

I will close with a three-word challenge: JUST SAY IT!

Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions.

Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia.'
(Charles Schultz)

Focus on Excuses or Focus on Solutions

Focus on excuses, and every challenge is a stumbling block.
Focus on solutions, and every challenge becomes a stepping stone.

During one of Franklin D. Roosevelt's election campaigns, his campaign manager was about to print 3 million copies of the candidate's acceptance speech with his photograph alongside. Then someone pointed out that the photographer had never given permission to use the photograph. According to the copyright laws at that time, you could be fined a dollar per copy for publishing unauthorized photographs. The campaign couldn't take a $3 million hit.

The campaign manager felt a tinge of panic, but instead of thinking up excuses or finding someone to blame, he kept his cool and started considering ways to handle the situation. Could this disaster be turned into a dividend?

He had an idea.

He cabled the photographer: "I have a plan that could mean a great deal of publicity for you. What's it worth to you if I use your photo on this campaign material?" The photographer cabled back: "I can't afford more than $250."

It was a deal!

By focusing on finding a solution, FDR's campaign manager was not only able to prevent great embarrassment and fines, but he also forged a lasting relationship between the photographer and FDR's administration—and he got a pretty good deal for a crucial photo.

(adapted from Lee Colan)

Mr Ipswich - Queensland Times

Here is some more information about the Mr Ipswich competition from last Friday.

We also get another picture of Ray B.

Human Touch - Toyota Style - Media Clip

Check out great media clip below.

It is called Human Touch. Nice one, Toyota

PS - looks like a recession-busting strategy - no Toyota employee will be retrenched during this current global economic turndown!

A Meeting in Hell

Janet S sent this through by email recently.

Very interesting.

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,
"We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive."
"To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives..."
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. "
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there, having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!

Thoughts??