I stumbled opon this and this is great. Just reach your hand out to the next serviceman or Woman and thank them if there behind the enemy lines on at a desk, it all counts.

Worth While Video to see

Eric

The effects of the sunken economy are found in pockets here and there where I live in Orange County, California.  People out of jobs were typically related to jobs or services in the real estate market and especially the  x-mortgage brokers that had the rug pulled out from under them. At least that is how it started. Now we all have brothers, sisters, friends that are lost or have been losing their jobs.

Now it is rippling into every segment of the population and nobody is really immune to it’s effects and fallout. There are many people who are and have been “drinking the president’s Koolaid” when getting their 10 minutes of news when they come home from work and are running their lives as usual.  Then there are the ones like us that read and filter through, understanding that this is not going to go away anytime soon and we all do our part to tighten our belts and also help others. Our stock market is temporarily being propped up, but a downturn is eminent.

The auto industry is the next major one to really unravel.  The silent Giant, Ford has been working away at some very cool and gas efficient models that will probably keep them afloat with the near death of GM and Chrysler.  I have family that is floundering in the auto industry and there are very mixed emotions on where they will be in 6 months or for that matter, 3 months from today.

Those of you who are fortunate enough to have a solid financial life, I urge you to identify a friend or a co-worker that is trying but not making it or is having a time of it. How do you help? Send them a few bucks, make an anonymous bank deposit, make a meal, counsel, pay for something they need as part of their daily lives, get creative, but help. If each of us do our part in our own circle of friends and family, we can really make a difference.

You may be thinking, “how can my help really affect others?” You never know that your encouragement can keep that dad or mom from doing something drastic or having to go without. I am torn between helping others in other countries but I come back right her in our own backyard with people who need our help and attention. It does not take much.

I have been given a gift with the ability to spot a person of family in pain or that needs help. Ever walked by a person that is crying or just looks sad? Do you know what you can do for that person if you asked “are you alright? Is there anything I can do for you?.

Put yourself in their position and it will not be difficult to come up with some ideas you can help others. Ego…? This is not about how good you can feel so keep your blessings to your immediate family and don’t boast of what you have done, it will spoil the gift and sometimes really embarrass the person or family you are helping. Keep it on the down-low.

How does this help you? Indirectly it does because in the process of helping others, it affects how you view the world and others, typically for the better. Get your kids and family involved. If you cannot help financially, help by being there for them, which can make a real difference.

When it happens anonymously  tell me how your helping others affected their lives and how you think you helped them. Don’t use names just speak in generalities.

One person or family at a time.

My heart goes out to the dealers that are being cut out of GM / Chrystler system.  As a Corporation, I understant what the suits are thinking and this is a tough tough position all those dedicated hard working people.

I have worked with a franchise and cannot imagine spending many years building the business and the brand and then getting dumped. This move will add a nail in the coffin to the Brands.  I think they should have given the dealers some alternatives to being immediately out of business…. Like…

How bout they only support them if they have can run on their own and the car dealer sells them cars and does not carry any paper. The dealers may or may not be in a credit position to buy them but at least they have a choice over their own destiny. Charge the dealer a franchise fee so Corporate is not spending money allowing the Dealer to again make choices.

Nobody said it was going to be easy and I am not certain what the financial bleeding gain Corporate will have from these cuts, but I can assure you that they probably far outweight the trust and bad press that will proceed, having the buyers consider a foreign car or , better yet a Ford.

E

If your like some of us that are on the go and have our bibles in our PDA’s our my newly acquired IPhone, which does make bible reading easy.

Add to that, we need to have a virtual copy of our life reading plan that we can put in our portable devices or even our desktop. We have scanned it so you can print it and fold it if you lost your original.

Click the image, it will open in a new page and you can right click or save as to your desktop for easy reference.

 God Bless

I crack myself up. You know I have real mixed feelings with OBummer in the office. 60 days plus and counting, people are starting to recover from the coolaid they were drinking and the tied is turning…. OBuummer. I think that lots was said and different things are actually being done. It is hard to be the President of the US.

Everyone wants to be a critic, but our forefathers based our foundations on trust and ethics, and I think in some ways that is being comprimised. In the past few weeks, the general public has been focusing its anger on the AIG Bonus position.

Well, who knew that the Tart money would allow for that. Well, as much as it was being poured over by Obama and if you are the most powerful person on the planet, don’t you think you can get some of these important facts straight? My thought is that he knew about that and people told him not to mess with it. Now that it is exposed, it is an outrage in his camp.

The Tart giveaway is and has always been out of control. Banks are investing and holding, and of course it is written in that they can do that.. People are looking for a bailout which is boardering on a socialilstic-type structure.

I am not an expert but when - “It looks like a Duck…” and welll… you know the rest. Oil and everying is going up. What will summer bring when were not in session and people want to travel… I think Oil will spike again and we will go back into our circlejerk…

Do I have an aswer? Nope… Just know that this does not look like the right one.

e

Yesterday, we lost Dave Gustave, a Brother in Christ.
Thursday March 5th. 2009 3:05 PM.

Services - When - Wednesday March 11th. 10AM @ Calvary Refuge, HB, CA
Church Office 714 891-9405

More Photos here

Those that new him or knew “of him”, understood that Dave did NOT let others know of his pain and struggles in life.  I got to know Dave early from Calvary Huntington Beach early Mexico mission trips to Santa Marta Orphanage, run by Kay and Bill (I recall).

Just about anything that you can think of doing at Santa Marta, Dave had his hand in it, making what ever he put his hands on the best it could be.

Santa Marta was some 11 plus years ago and during that time I had no idea of his illness up until around 3 years ago.  Linda, Dave’s wife, faithfully stand by his man, dealing with his daily health challenges as a Team (the definition of Marriage).

I found out about Dave’s health challenges by accident when Dave invited me to  come by his house to pick up some software for the Church. At the time he was tired and could only be up for a few minutes and when I asked he did not voluntarily give up his issues. With a little prodding, Linda and Dave sheepishly explained his bout with Leukemia (learn here).  I do not know much about Leukemia, but what I know is that it is blood related and it drains the “get up and go” right out of you and more…

Dave was more determined to NOT let his illness stop him in any way. He was a ROCK! Dave would get up and go even when his body clearly said ”NO” please rest me.

Over the years, The Lord was seriously watching over him and used him as a vessel to grow the our church, Refuge, Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach, which was Dave’s way of spreading the word of God wherever he was involved or whomever he talked to.

Dave and I last worked together up until a year or so ago, when we were building out the Refuge High School area.  I am sure any that if you were around would have heard… ” Well ask Dave first” cause he was running that part or had plans on that…”

Dave, of course, was always directing, organizing, and or working side-by-side with others.  He always took on ”mini- projects” and got involved when others chose not to or nobody volunteered.

In life, as Christians, we do not know why the Lord took him now nor do we know why he takes other people in our lives.  Rest assured, that beyond a shadow of a doubt, Dave was truly  “A Good and Faithful Servant” Mathew 25:21

In my life, Dave became a source of personal inspiration, leaving me to live by “Unto The Lord” to get through life. Linda, Dave’s wife has faithfully stood by his side through it all and our prayers go out to her and the family.

We will miss you Dave, and we encourage all who read this and knew

To all that new Dave … Post your personal experiences and comments on how Dave touched your life and others.

More Photos here

Eric

Print this and post it! >> Download a file >>  Click Here to get 40 Tips for Better Life

   40 Tips for Better Life

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile.  It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My purpose is to __________ today.’

5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in last year .

7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum t hat appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will this matter?’

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I  am

 thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly  don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.  I just did.

 

Click Here to get 40 Tips for Better Life

Sent to Dad from his Daughter Carlene. See my blog www.EricKirkhuff.com to get a copy

 

Laughing guy - Funny stuff - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4Y4keqTV6w

Laughing Girl at the Laughing Guy -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iys86OcXPY8&NR=1

1992 Dodge Caravan with My Dad. Removing the Heads to replace the Head Gaskets. It is not about the work, it about doing something with your dad and sharing good memories - Van Father Son Project

I went home for lunch and watched Glenn Beck and listened to the 2nd part of the interview with Robert Lagoyavich.

Like Beck, I am completely dumfounded at this man and he blatant Arrogance.  As you watch and listen, I am waiting for him to break down and confess or to find him at home with wrists slashed and an apology next to him.

On another note, our country is in really in trouble when Diane Finestien gets 5 to 1 in emails telling her NOT to vote for the Simulus package, she Votes YES.

God Help us