Cost efficiencies of corporate coffee machines

I love blog articles like this - "Cost efficiencies of corporate coffee machines."

It starts like this....

Coffee is now an essential part of working life. It is increasingly common to hear people say they can’t start their morning without a caffeine hit. You know coffee is important when the corporate set power through the CBD with briefcase in one hand and coffee cup in the other. No need to rant and rave about it - coffee is delicious, coffee is great, coffee helps people work harder and stay focussed longer. ........


Wait to you see the justifying calculations. It's a must - so click here!

Can you believe it is $104K per year in relation to lost productivity??!!

Does your office have a great coffee machine?

100% Commitment

I was inspired by this email today from leader and motivator Lee Colan.

Here is what he wrote:
As we have all learned through some of life's harder lessons – whether it's helping a friend through a tough time, coaching a little league team or working on a critical project – giving our best always gets the best results.

The moment we totally commit ourselves and begin giving 100 percent, a certain momentum develops. People naturally gravitate to those who are fully committed and start working in the same direction. Total commitment results in a certain, magical boldness – a boldness that has magnetism and power.

Andrew Carnegie said, "The average person puts only 25 percent of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50 percent of their capacity and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100 percent." We compete against our own potential every day.

I personally experienced the power of 100 percent commitment (and lack thereof!) when I wrestled with publishing my first book for two years. I was consulting and writing leadership articles, and so I thought it might also be time to write a book. I went through all the motions, from working with agents to sending proposals to writers' conferences, but I never seemed to turn the corner from aspiring writer to a published author. There always seemed to be an obstacle, although I now realize it was a result of my less-than-full commitment to my goal.
One obstacle after another... two years and counting. Then one day, I was at a client's office. My defining moment of commitment came when I saw a big box filled with practical handbooks sitting on my client's desk.

I quickly flipped through one of them and jotted down the publisher's name as I said to myself, "I can do this!" My moment of commitment turned into action, and with the incredibly gracious support of the publisher, I had my first book in print six months later. I was able to envision possibilities that I could only see through fully committed eyes.

Our commitment to our teams can have the same transforming effect. Committed leadership inspires committed teams. During the most challenging time in history for the airline industry, for example, Southwest Airlines' employees voluntarily forfeited $5 million in vacation time and $1 million in pay to help the company stay financially viable. Employees also took over the lawn and facility maintenance at corporate headquarters. These employees were simply reflecting a deep commitment – personal and professional – they felt from their leadership. When we lead with 100 percent commitment, this is the kind of commitment we can inspire in return.

Even with 100 percent commitment, however, leadership is not always a smooth flight. If we want to pilot our teams to full engagement, we have to understand we can't just kick back in a comfy first class seat. Now we have responsibility for not only ourselves but also for the safety and success of our teams. Our teams are depending on us to set a good course, keep them posted on our progress and make smart decisions.

Jumping into the pilot's seat brings many more responsibilities than privileges. But those who are defined by their 100 percent commitment reap the rewards of flying high above the rest!

Andrew back here again -
Here's my thought and challenge - are you a 100 percenter??

Great Music... But the Lyrics Don't Match!

Here are what I think are 2 great pieces of music - but the lyrics just don't match up with the music quality.

The first is Steve Winwood's While You See a Chance from 1980. Here is the video clip:


"While you see a chance take it
Find romance fake it............"

Then there is the current song by Sara Bareilles - Love Song

These lyrics... well... you judge for yourself!
"I'm not gonna write you a love song
'cause you tell me it's
Make or breaking this
Is that why you wanted a love song?
'cause you asked for it?
'cause you need one?
You see"

Hmmmmmm!!!

Word a Day

I love words!

And I like learning new words.
So everyday I get a new word from these guys - Wordsmith.

Here is a link to their website.

Here is today's edition -

hey rube

MEANING:
noun: 1. A fight between members of a circus and the general public. 2. A call to rally circus members in a fight.

USAGE:"I said 'Shut it, Camel! I'm dealing with a situation here.' Walter says.'What kind of situation?' says Camel."'Jacob's messed up.'"'What? How? Was there a hey rube?'"Sara Gruen; Water for Elephants; Algonquin Books; 2006.

What They REALLY Mean… (Perry Noble)

Here is an interesting blog entry from Perry Noble called What They REALLY Mean…

I found this a very fascinating entry because I have experienced much of what he writes. But I think I am struggling to give myself permission to agree with him because people are often so complex and fragile... so they need heaps of grace.

Here is a bit of what he writes:

One of the lessons I’ve learned while being in the ministry for the past 17 years is sometimes what people say isn’t exactly true…things such as…
(WARNING…you will probably only like this post if you are a pastor or a staff member of a church!)
What They Say: “I’m looking for a church that preaches the Word!”

What They Say: “Lot’s of people have been coming to me and saying they don’t like is…”

What They Say: “I’m leaving the church.”

What They Say: “Don’t take this personally…but…”

Click here to read the rest.....

What do you think about what Perry writes?

Some of you are asking, "who is Perry Noble?"

Perry Noble, Senior Pastor of NewSpring Church, located in Anderson, SC. He will be in AU soon at Hillsong Men's Conference.

Ezra and Nehemiah Insights

I did a recent post here called Holiday Reading.

Here is some great scholarly work about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, with a focus on the “background.”
I was thinking and pondering and praying about the whole “exile thing” for God’s people – over a 2 day period. I knew there was a key for me to find.

And then I came across these thoughts – well worth a read if you have a few minutes. Here is the BIG idea for me… “no matter where you are in life – and no matter how difficult it seems – God’s people always seen to find a way to “prosper.””

The Word is rich in insight – if you go looking for it. This entry is a combo of good daily disciplines – reading a book chronologically as part of a systematic personal study; prayerful reflection; good hermaneutics (eg asking questions of the text etc); revelation; quality biblical tools; journaling; and time.

Yamauchi, Edwin M. “Background of Ezra and Nehemiah” In The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Volume 4. 569-570. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, © 1988.

In light of the fact that the intellectual and spiritual leaders were the ones who were deported, the Scriptures must reflect the historical situation. As Cowan comments, "There does not exist sufficient evidence or probability of an active, creative group in the land during the exile, although the continuance of some form of Yahwism is not to be doubted." 17
Most of those deported were from the upper classes and from cities. Judging from earlier Assyrian reliefs and texts, the men were probably marched in chains, with women and children bearing sacks of their bare possessions on wagons as they made their way to Mesopotamia.

After some years of initial hardship, the exiles made adjustments and even prospered (Jer 29:4-5). They were settled in various communities, for example, on the river Kebar near Nippur, sixty miles southeast of Babylon (Ezek 1:1-3; cf. Ezra 2:59-Neh 7:61). When the exiles returned they brought with them numerous servants and animals and were able to make contributions for the sacred services (Ezra 2:65-69; 8:26; Neh 7:67-72).

A fascinating light on the Jews in Mesopotamia is shed by the Murashu tablets. In 1893, 730 inscribed clay tablets were found at Nippur. W.R. Hilprecht and A.T. Clay published 480 of these texts in 1898. Additional texts were made available in 1974 by Stolper. 18 The archive dates from the reigns of Artaxerxes I (464-424) and Darius II (423-404).
Murashu and sons were wealthy bankers and brokers who loaned out almost any thing for a price. Among their customers are listed about sixty Jewish names from the time of Artaxerxes I and forty from the time of Darius II. These appear as contracting parties, agents, witnesses, collectors of taxes, and royal officials. There seems to have been no social or commercial barriers between the Jews and the Babylonians. Their prosperous situation may explain why some chose to remain in Mesopotamia. 19

With the birth of a second and a third generation, many Jews established roots in Mesopotamia. Josephus (Antiq. XI, 8 [i.3]) declared that "many remained in Babylon, being unwilling to leave their possessions." In like manner, during World War II Japanese immigrants and their American-born children were deported from the West Coast and placed in relocation camps. Given the opportunity to return to Japan after the war, few of the older Japanese did because of the superior conditions of their new home.

The spiritual life of the Jewish community in Mesopotamia is documented by Ezekiel, who was in exile either after 597 or 586. Ezekiel 8:1 refers to the prophet "sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me" (cf. Ezek 3:15; 14:1; 20:1; 24:18; 33:30-33). Deprived of the temple, the exiles laid great stress on the observation of the Sabbath, on the laws of purity, and on prayer and fasting. It has often been suggested that the development of synagogues began in Mesopotamia during the Exile (but see comments on Neh 8:18).

The trials of the Exile purified and strengthened the faith of the Jews and cured them of idolatry. As Baron comments (p. 105): "The external grandeur of the 55 temples (of Babylon) devoted to the worship of the great gods … doubtless infused many a Judean onlooker with a sense of inferiority and shame. None the less, Jewish survival owes itself, paradoxically enough, not to those who remained at home but to the nationalistic vitality of those living so precariously in Exile."

As Holly Hobbie used to say on the whiteboard next to the phone at the house where I grew up, “bloom where you are planted!”

A Great Bible Commentary - and What I Use

Here is the Bible commentary set that I use - The Expositor's Bible Commentary (12 volume set). I bought them when I was in college in 1998 after a fair bit of research. They are so helpful to me!! So this is my 10th anniversary - and I also have an electronic version.

For more than 20 years, the EBC has been widely recognized by preachers, teachers, and laypeople as one of the best commentaries available. Each Bible book features an insightful introduction, detailed outline, penetrating theological and critical exposition, and useful bibliography. Notes on textual difficulties are kept separate and all Hebrew and Greek is transliterated. This commentary uses the New International Version for its text, but freely refers to other translations and the original languages.
Guidelines for Selecting Bible Commentaries

Bible commentaries are undoubtedly some of the most important tools in a preacher’s library. They aid in the preparation of sermons and lessons by offering textual, linguistic, cultural, historical, geographic, theological, and homiletical insights relevant to specific portions of Scripture.

There are thousands of commentaries—multi-volume sets, stand-alone volumes, and volumes in series—on the market today. They are not all created equal. Rather, they differ in purpose, theological perspective, depth of treatment, reading level, and other features. Consequently, it is imperative for the preacher to exercise caution when selecting them for purchase or use.

Making a wise commentary choice involves collecting information in four categories—purpose, evaluation, experience, and perspective.

Purpose
When evaluating a commentary, a preacher should consider the purpose for which it was written. Does it aim to ascertain the precise meaning of the text? To inspire the reader to spiritual growth? To discuss potentially relevant background information without arriving at a definite interpretation? To suggest means of outlining or illustrating texts in sermons or lessons? To bridge the gap between ancient revelation and contemporary life? These are but some of the goals of commentaries.

No commentary successfully caters to all readers; in fact, none should attempt to do so. Each reader approaches commentaries with a unique set of needs. Wise is the preacher who seeks out works whose purposes align with his own.
Discovering the purpose of a commentary is fairly simple in the case of a work that is part of a series. The distinctive features that define a series are stated prominently in each of its component volumes. Thus commentary series are uniform as to purpose. (It should be noted, however, that they are rarely uniform in quality.) The aims of commentaries that do not belong to series may be advertised less prominently, but can usually be discovered by reading the book’s cover and prefatory information.


Evaluation
A second stage in selecting commentaries consists of obtaining reliable assessments of their quality. While ministers might rely on their colleagues to some extent for this kind of insight, more informed judgment is often available in published bibliographies and reviews.

Experience
The third stage of commentary selection consists of applying the preacher’s personal experience to the decision-making process. Choosing a commentary involves an element of personal preference. What one preacher finds highly useful may be unsatisfactory to another, and vice versa. It is therefore advisable for preachers to take steps to avoid purchasing materials they will rarely use.

Ministers can avoid making poor choices by examining commentaries personally before deciding to buy them. This is particularly important in the case of commentary sets, which usually cost several hundred dollars. It is best if the examination process begins during a minister’s formal education, when he has access to the resources of a campus library.

A second aspect of experience has to do with the accumulation of knowledge regarding authors, publishers, series, and the various features of commentaries. As a preacher expands his understanding of the world of commentaries, he becomes less likely to make poor choices. To neglect the role of experience in commentary selection is to risk spending funds that might be better used elsewhere.

Perspective
The final stage of commentary selection involves assessing the theological and philosophical perspective of the author(s). Many commentators approach the Scriptures purely as a compilation of ancient literature, thus presuming the authority to critique a text that identifies itself as the pure, living Word of God (Prov. 30:5; Heb. 4:12). Accordingly, expositors with a high view of biblical inspiration must learn to deal with commentaries that reflect divergent theological views.

It is admittedly tempting to discard works written by authors with whom one disagrees. Yet, the decision to restrict one’s reading to authors presumed to be safe is faulty on several grounds. First, this action significantly reduces the pool of available writings. Second, it breeds an uncritical acceptance of the views of “safe” authors. Third, it prevents the reader from drawing benefit from authors whose writings are only partially in error.

The preceding stages of the selection process—purpose, evaluation, and experience—will undoubtedly help the reader determine the author’s perspective and decide whether to use or ignore a given commentary. Critical bibliographies are especially valuable. Furthermore, the minister should rely on the Holy Spirit to aid him in the discernment of truth.

How a preacher goes about choosing commentaries will determine to some extent how well he spends his money, understands God’s Word, and carries out ministry. The application of the principles discussed in this blog should help readers make more informed choices.

Adaped from Gregory A. Smith - Dean of the Integrated Learning Resource Center at Liberty University.

Koffee @ Kings Beach

Did another AM walk to Kings Beach (Caloundra) and had a Rolling Surf Resort coffee - nice

It was a perfect morning and a perfect cappucino!!
I also spent time re-reading Alcorn’s "Heaven" book – awesome!!

I love holidays - and devotional walks at the beach (with mandatory koffee stop)!

Get the Word in a Ya - Daily!!!

Here is a great lead from someone in our network Tracy Skellern-Smith.

She recently did this top post called Neglecting to Read Your Bible.

Here is a sample from her "snapshot"


On the Reading of Scripture (Or the Lack Thereof) There is no question that the church of Jesus Christ in Australia (and in much of the Western world) is not exactly in great shape. The church is very far way from where it is supposed to be. And it is certainly not having the impact that it should be having.

There are of course many reasons for this. But one clear reason has to do with our lack of devotion to the word of God. This fact was even picked up in the secular press not long ago. It involved a large study of Australian Christians and their Bible reading habits. It turns out there is not much of a habit at all. Regular reading of God’s word seems to be on the decline. Here is how one press account explains the situation.......

Well worth checking out the rest of the snapshot here.

The bloglink refers to a news article. It is called "Confession: fewer know their Bible" from the Sydney Morning Herald. Here is the link. Great research!

And also weighs in from a Bill Muehlenberg blog post called"On the Reading of Scripture (or the Lack Thereof).

Here is a snippet from Bill:

Much more can be said about what Scripture itself says concerning the importance of the daily study of, and meditation on, the word of God. There is no way a believer can grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ without regular, disciplined reading and study of Scripture.

Here's the rub - have you read today yet?

I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Psalms 119:11 (MSG)

2008 Australian Happiness Index

Check out the 2008 Australian Happiness Index summary results. Some surprises... and then some "not so surprises."

The Contemplative Pastor

On holidays I started to read Eugene Peterson's, The Contemplative Pastor – Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction. It was interesting how the book seemd to just fall off the bookcase several days before my holidays..........

Here are some summary notes of one of the sections - very challenging.

Ships sail East, and ships sail West
While the selfsame breezes blow
It’s the set of the sail and not the gale
That determines the way they go.

The question at the heart of the intersection of God’s will and human wills is apparently at the heart of everything. The relation of God’s will and my will is not a specialised religious question; it is the question. The way we answer it shapes our humanity in every dimension (p 99).

1. work – negative capability
2. language – the middle voice
3. love – willed passivity

negative capability
“the suppression of self so that the work can take place on it’s own” (p101)…. a kind of submission of will to the conditions at hand, a cultivation of humility. It is a noticeable feature in all skilled workers – woodworkers, potters, poets, and prayers.
…..respectfully and reverently entering into the reality of the material or situation. Kenosis – Jesus emptying Himself – is prelude to filling. A bucket, no matter what wonderful things it contains, is of no use for the next task at hand until it is empted - negative capability.

the middle voice

When I speak in the active voice, I initiate an action that goes someplace else: “I counsel my friend.” When I speak in the passive voice, I receive the action that another initiates: “I am counselled by my friend.” When I speak in the middle voice, I actively participate in the results of an action that another initiates: “I take counsel.” ……two wills operate, neither to the exclusion of the other, neither cancelling out the other, each respecting the other.
(p 103) My grammar book said, “the middle voice is that use of the verb which describes the subjects as participating in the result of the action.” It reads like a description of Christian prayer – “the subject as participating in the result of the action.” I do not control the action; that is a pagan concept of prayer, putting the gods to work by my incantations or rituals. I am not controlled by the action; that is a Hindu concept of prayer in which I slump passively into the impersonal and fated will of gods and goddesses. I enter into the action begun by another, my creating and saving Lord, and find myself participating in the results of the action. I neither do it, not have it done to me; I will to participate in what is willed. … prayer takes place in the middle voice.

willed passivity

There are different ways of being passive: there is an indolent, inattentive passivity that approximates the existence of a slug; and there is a willed and attentive passivity that is something more like worship.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Ephesians 5:21 (MSG)
Reverence is the operative word (p 107) – en phobo Christou – awed, worshipful attentiveness, ready to respond in love and adoration.

Love is defined by a willingness to give up my will, a voluntary crucifixion.
In marriage we learn that love does not develop when we impose our will on the other, but only when we enter into sensitive responsiveness to the will of the other… willed passivity. If the operation is mutual, which it sometimes is, a great love is a consequence (p 108).

Beach Cricket

I love beach cricket. We try and get some in every holiday - and we play in such a way that "everyone is a winner!" My boy is trying a new bowling style - under his dad's instruction - and he got 4 beach cricket wickets! Legend!!

Holiday Reading

Holidays can be a great time to catch up on some reading. We have this great balcony with a fantastic view - the wind blows gently, the stool is the right height, the coffee machine is handy.... all the right ingredients for a great read!!! I am finalising a commentary scan of Ezra-Nehemiah - powerful stuff. You might think it boring, but there is always "gold" in the Word when you take the time and make room to go looking for it!!

Chillaxin!!!

Here is a view from our holiday balcony. Richard has got the idea!!!

iiiHome is Here - You're Invited to Come and See the Future

The future in audio visual integration is here!! The 'Intelligent', 'Innovative' and 'Interactive' Home (iiiHome) has now been opened within Videopro's flagship Fortitude Valley store, and you are personally invited to come and see all that audio visual integration have to offer.

The video presentation which describes what technology the iiiHome has to offer is found by clicking here. For the in depth media release, please click here.

Caption Please - Not for the Weak Stomachs

Add your comment here to Los Whit's blog question today!!

Must Have for all Men

Big thanks to Peter G for this lead!! Aprox $1800.

Hurricane Ike

Image of Hurricane Ike on September 10, 2008, taken by the crew of the International Space Station, flying 220 miles above Earth. Ike barreled into the densely populated Texas coast near Houston early September 13, 2008, bringing with it a wall of water and ferocious winds and rain that flooded large areas along the Gulf of Mexico and paralyzed the fourth-largest U.S. city. (REUTERS/NASA/Handout)
Check out some more great images here

Learning to Preach Like Jesus

Thanks to Rick Warren for shaping these thoughts!

Jesus’ preaching attracted enormous crowds, and the Bible often records the positive reactions of those crowds to his teaching.
Matthew 7:28 tells us, “…the crowds were amazed at his teaching.”
Matthew 22:33 (TLB) says, "…the crowds were profoundly impressed.”
Mark 11:18 (TLB) says, “…the people were so enthusiastic about Jesus' teaching.”
Mark 12:37 (NASB) says, “The great crowd enjoyed listening to Him.”

These crowds had never heard anyone speak to them the way Jesus did. They were spellbound by his delivery.
1. Jesus began with people’s needs, hurts, and interests.
Jesus usually taught in response to a question or a pressing problem from someone in the Crowd. He scratched where people itched. His preaching had immediacy about it. He was always relevant and always on target for that moment.

2. Jesus related truth to life.
I love the practicality and simplicity of Jesus’ teaching. It was clear, relevant, and applicable. He aimed for application because his goal was to transform people, not merely inform them.

3. Jesus spoke to the crowd with an interesting style.
The crowd loved to listen to Jesus. Mark 12:37 (NCV) says, “The large crowd listened to Jesus with pleasure.” The New International Version says they “listened with delight.” Do people “delight” in your messages? Jesus never tried to convert anyone with anger.

I don't think He did it like this!

DadFest 08 on Channel 9 News