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What I Know About Life
The older I get the less I know, but I know some things:
~I know that I'm a work in process and that there will always be a gap between who I am and who I want to be.
~I know that I don't have to be sick to get better and that every day brings opportunities to improve my life and my character.
~I know that it's easier to talk about integrity than to live it and that the true test is my willingness to do the right thing even when it costs more than I want to pay.
~I know that character is more important than competence.
~I know that it takes years to build up trust and only seconds to destroy it.
~I know that I often judge myself by my best intentions and most noble acts, but that I’ll be judged by my last worst act.
~I know that I can't control what will happen to me but that I have a lot to say about what happens in me.
~I know that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
~I know that attitudes, both good and bad, are contagious.
~I know that winning is more than coming in first and that there's no real victory without honor.
~I know that it takes a conscientious effort to be kind, but that kindness changes lives.
~I know that neither gratitude nor forgiveness comes naturally; both often require acts of will.
~I know that real success is being significant.
~I know that happiness is deeper and more enduring than either pleasure or fun and that I'm generally as happy as I'm willing to be.
~I know that the surest road to happiness is good relationships and that the best way to have good relationships is to be a good person.
The above is from http://www.charactercounts.org/ - The following is from the Word of God:
1 Chronicles 29:17
~I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness.
Job 19:25
~For I know that my redeemer liveth...
Ecclesiastes 3:14
~I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:
John 11:22
~But I know , that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
~What Makes an Outstanding Leader?
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~Outstanding Leaders articulate their vision with conviction.
~Outstanding Leaders display a passion for and have strong conviction of what they regard as the correctness of their vision.
~Outstanding Leaders are self-confident, determined, and persistent.
~Outstanding Leaders engage in extra ordinary self-sacrifice in the interest of their vision and mission.
~Outstanding Leaders are self-conscious about their own image; they recognize the desirability of followers perceiving them as competent, credible, and trustworthy.
~Outstanding Leaders set the stage for effective role-modeling because followers identify with their values, and perceive them in positive terms.
~Outstanding Leaders communicate expectations of high performance from their followers and have strong confidence in their followers ability to meet such expectations.
~Outstanding Leaders communicate their message in a inspirational manner using vivid stories, slogans, symbols, ceremonies, etc.
Adapted from Leadership "styles" (per House and Podsakoff)
~Outstanding Leaders articulate their vision with conviction.
~Outstanding Leaders display a passion for and have strong conviction of what they regard as the correctness of their vision.
~Outstanding Leaders are self-confident, determined, and persistent.
~Outstanding Leaders engage in extra ordinary self-sacrifice in the interest of their vision and mission.
~Outstanding Leaders are self-conscious about their own image; they recognize the desirability of followers perceiving them as competent, credible, and trustworthy.
~Outstanding Leaders set the stage for effective role-modeling because followers identify with their values, and perceive them in positive terms.
~Outstanding Leaders communicate expectations of high performance from their followers and have strong confidence in their followers ability to meet such expectations.
~Outstanding Leaders communicate their message in a inspirational manner using vivid stories, slogans, symbols, ceremonies, etc.
Adapted from Leadership "styles" (per House and Podsakoff)
Sunday, December 12, 2010
~Urgent Prayer Request for the Country of Panama, Central America
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Urgent Prayer Request
The President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, has declared a state of emergency for the country of Panama due to severe rains and flooding.
Officials closed the Panama Canal around noon on Wednesday, for 15 hours, after heavy rains and flooding prompted its closing for only the third time in its storied 96-year history.
Over 900 families have lost their homes and water is being rationed. Many deaths are being reported, as well as people that are lost and unaccounted for.
Please keep the country of Panama, our saints, leaders, and churches in your prayers!
**Note! The current rains are the most fierce recorded in Panamanian history.
Read News story below:
Panama flooding displaces thousands
(UKPA) – 2 days ago
Heavy rains and flooding in Panama have killed 10 people and forced more than 4,700 from their homes.
Panama Civil Protection System officials said more than 450 homes have been destroyed this week.
President Ricardo Martinelli said he will declare a national state of emergency allowing the government to mobilise more resources for affected areas.
The rains forced the temporary closure of the Panama Canal from Wednesday into Thursday, the first suspension since a shutdown when U.S. troops invaded 21 years ago to topple President Manuel Noriega.
This week's closure was the first ever for weather reasons since the canal opened in 1914.
Aftermath of Panama flooding hits transport and finances -- rain continues .
Saturday, 11 December 2010 12:42 .
Centennial Bridge, more access problems .The aftermath of the heavy rains and floods in Panama is hitting the nation’s pocket book and transportation.
The Cabinet met yesterday (Dec. 10) to formalize the state of emergency declared by President Ricardo Martinelli and to give the green light to the Ministry of Economy and Finance to ask the National Assembly to temporarily suspend the limits set by the law of fiscal responsibility covering spending and borrowing.
The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is assessing how much it will cost to repair roads damaged by landslides and flooding while weather forecasters are promising up to three more days of rain.
Some of the worst damage was the collapse of an access road leading to the Centennial Bridge which promises further traffic chaos for commuters and shoppers in the days leading up to Christmas.
The access roads have been a constant source of problems since completion of the bridge was rushed through in time for an official opening ceremony by exiting president, Mireya Moscoso. It became known as the bridge with no access.
Minister of Public Works Federico Suárez said Friday that the structural integrity of the bridge has not been impacted by the collapse the road. He said it is an independent structure, and has a different base than the access roads on either side.
Repairs are being made he said and the ministry is working with transportation agency ATTT to ensure that there is as little impact on rush hour traffic as possible..
Trucks and heavy equipment have been banned on the road and will have to use the Bridge of the Americas. There is also severe damage on the Boyd-Roosevelt Highway connecting Panama City and Colon.
Freight vehicles, and west bound passenger transport will have to use the Bridge of the Americas.
To reach Colon only the Alberto Motta highway can be used.
Reports from the Electric Transmission Company, SA (Etesa) show , no improvement in weather conditions forecasting three more days of rain on the coasts of the Kuna Yala and the provinces of Colon, Cocle, Panama, east, central and west and north basin Bayano .
Search for victims in the area east of Panama continues, but rescuers of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), have recovered the last two bodies Wednesday from a family that was buried by a landslide in the historic town of Portobelo in Colon. Late Friday, two bodies from another family were still being sought.
Residents of the areas of Panama east, affected by the floods, filed a complaint to determine whether AES Panama committed willful misconduct or negligence in opening the sluice gates of the dam at Bayano.
Urgent Prayer Request
The President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, has declared a state of emergency for the country of Panama due to severe rains and flooding.
Officials closed the Panama Canal around noon on Wednesday, for 15 hours, after heavy rains and flooding prompted its closing for only the third time in its storied 96-year history.
Over 900 families have lost their homes and water is being rationed. Many deaths are being reported, as well as people that are lost and unaccounted for.
Please keep the country of Panama, our saints, leaders, and churches in your prayers!
Read News story below:
Panama flooding displaces thousands
(UKPA) – 2 days ago
Heavy rains and flooding in Panama have killed 10 people and forced more than 4,700 from their homes.
Panama Civil Protection System officials said more than 450 homes have been destroyed this week.
President Ricardo Martinelli said he will declare a national state of emergency allowing the government to mobilise more resources for affected areas.
The rains forced the temporary closure of the Panama Canal from Wednesday into Thursday, the first suspension since a shutdown when U.S. troops invaded 21 years ago to topple President Manuel Noriega.
This week's closure was the first ever for weather reasons since the canal opened in 1914.
Aftermath of Panama flooding hits transport and finances -- rain continues .
Saturday, 11 December 2010 12:42 .
The Cabinet met yesterday (Dec. 10) to formalize the state of emergency declared by President Ricardo Martinelli and to give the green light to the Ministry of Economy and Finance to ask the National Assembly to temporarily suspend the limits set by the law of fiscal responsibility covering spending and borrowing.
The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is assessing how much it will cost to repair roads damaged by landslides and flooding while weather forecasters are promising up to three more days of rain.
Some of the worst damage was the collapse of an access road leading to the Centennial Bridge which promises further traffic chaos for commuters and shoppers in the days leading up to Christmas.
The access roads have been a constant source of problems since completion of the bridge was rushed through in time for an official opening ceremony by exiting president, Mireya Moscoso. It became known as the bridge with no access.
Minister of Public Works Federico Suárez said Friday that the structural integrity of the bridge has not been impacted by the collapse the road. He said it is an independent structure, and has a different base than the access roads on either side.
Repairs are being made he said and the ministry is working with transportation agency ATTT to ensure that there is as little impact on rush hour traffic as possible..
Trucks and heavy equipment have been banned on the road and will have to use the Bridge of the Americas. There is also severe damage on the Boyd-Roosevelt Highway connecting Panama City and Colon.
Freight vehicles, and west bound passenger transport will have to use the Bridge of the Americas.
To reach Colon only the Alberto Motta highway can be used.
Reports from the Electric Transmission Company, SA (Etesa) show , no improvement in weather conditions forecasting three more days of rain on the coasts of the Kuna Yala and the provinces of Colon, Cocle, Panama, east, central and west and north basin Bayano .
Search for victims in the area east of Panama continues, but rescuers of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), have recovered the last two bodies Wednesday from a family that was buried by a landslide in the historic town of Portobelo in Colon. Late Friday, two bodies from another family were still being sought.
Residents of the areas of Panama east, affected by the floods, filed a complaint to determine whether AES Panama committed willful misconduct or negligence in opening the sluice gates of the dam at Bayano.
~Leaders Develop Relationships
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In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions.
~ Margaret Wheatly
• Relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ
• Relationship with your spouse
• Relationship with your children
• Relationship with extended family
• Relationship with church family
• Relationship with friends
• Relationship with neighbors
• Relationship with co-workers
In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions.
~ Margaret Wheatly
• Relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ
• Relationship with your spouse
• Relationship with your children
• Relationship with extended family
• Relationship with church family
• Relationship with friends
• Relationship with neighbors
• Relationship with co-workers
Saturday, December 11, 2010
~10 Commandments for Great Ideas
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**Note! A few day ago I read a post from the following site: http://williamtingcl.blogspot.com/. It was called "10 Commandments For Big Ideas." I changed it to '10 Commandments for Great Ideas' and made a few changes and would like to share the results with you. Here they are:
1. Be passionate about your vision and ideas.
2. Let excellence and quality differentiate your service.
3. Select with care the name of your church or ministry.
4. Believe in yourself but more in God whom you serve.
5. Step out...way out of your comfort zone.
6. Remember...the ‘devil is in the details.’
7. Experiment and listen to your staff and leaders.
8. Choose the right people for your team.
9. Value and appreciate your staff and leaders.
10. Persistence pays off and wins the race.
**Note! A few day ago I read a post from the following site: http://williamtingcl.blogspot.com/. It was called "10 Commandments For Big Ideas." I changed it to '10 Commandments for Great Ideas' and made a few changes and would like to share the results with you. Here they are:
1. Be passionate about your vision and ideas.
2. Let excellence and quality differentiate your service.
3. Select with care the name of your church or ministry.
4. Believe in yourself but more in God whom you serve.
5. Step out...way out of your comfort zone.
6. Remember...the ‘devil is in the details.’
7. Experiment and listen to your staff and leaders.
8. Choose the right people for your team.
9. Value and appreciate your staff and leaders.
10. Persistence pays off and wins the race.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
~Thai-Gram - December 2010
Thai-Gram
December 2010
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is one of Southeast Asia's largest and most vibrant cities. It contains the lion's share of Thailand's wealth and is ten times bigger than the country's next biggest city. It is also the seat of Government and usual residence of Thailand's Royal family. In the Thai language Bangkok is Krungthep.
Almost all tourists to Thailand arrive in Bangkok and experience its many faces; crowds of people, its famous traffic congestion, world class hospitality and shopping, fine restaurants, a multitude of impressive tourist attractions, flavorful aromas from the world renown Thai recipes. It is also home to millions of people without the knowledge of the one true God. A people steeped in idolatry and superstition.
Until the early twentieth century Bangkok was made up of many canals, earning itself the name 'Venice of East'. Many of these were gradually filled in to create streets and drainage systems, but some remain.
The population of Bangkok is larger than 168 countries in the world. Please pray for Bangkok.
If you haven't already, please add edandmarysimmons@aol.com to your email's contacts/address book.
God bless each of you.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support,
Ed & Mary Simmons
Bangkok, Thailand
Ed & Mary Simmons
8855 Dunn Rd.
Hazelwood, MO 63042
USA
edsimmons238@yahoo.com
www.Thailand4Jesus.org
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
~Leadership Characteristics - Develop a Winning TEAM!
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**Note! The following article was written with many references to Sports Teams. However, the principles and guidelines alluded to are very applicable to anyone interested in creating an effective TEAM. We must always remember that first and foremost we are on God's TEAM - we are workers together with Him and without Him we can do nothing!
Leadership Characteristics
by Karlene Sugarman, M.A.
"Leadership is like gravity. You know it's there, you know it exists, but how do you define it?" Former San Francisco 49er Tight End, Dr. Jamie Williams
Great leaders come in many forms. In one sense solid leadership is a subjective thing, in another there are certain characteristics that are, by consensus, typical of quality leadership. Leadership is the process of influencing team members to work hard towards, and be committed to, team goals. Leaders can either be task-oriented or person-oriented. Task-oriented leaders are most interested in training, instructing behavior, performance and winning. Person-oriented leaders are more interested in the interpersonal relationships on the team. Great leaders in sports are both task- and people-oriented, but lean more towards being task-oriented.
Leaders must possess the qualities they are trying to incorporate into their team. For example, if you want members to be confident, have self-control, be disciplined, etc., then you must first possess all these traits. One of the most powerful things you can do is lead by example. You serve as an influential role model for your players and everything you do will be watched. Vince Lombardi says, "Leaders are made, they are not born; and they are made just like anything else has ever been made in this country - by hard work" (Dowling, 1970, p. 179).
**Note! The following article was written with many references to Sports Teams. However, the principles and guidelines alluded to are very applicable to anyone interested in creating an effective TEAM. We must always remember that first and foremost we are on God's TEAM - we are workers together with Him and without Him we can do nothing!
Leadership Characteristics
by Karlene Sugarman, M.A.
"Leadership is like gravity. You know it's there, you know it exists, but how do you define it?" Former San Francisco 49er Tight End, Dr. Jamie Williams
Great leaders come in many forms. In one sense solid leadership is a subjective thing, in another there are certain characteristics that are, by consensus, typical of quality leadership. Leadership is the process of influencing team members to work hard towards, and be committed to, team goals. Leaders can either be task-oriented or person-oriented. Task-oriented leaders are most interested in training, instructing behavior, performance and winning. Person-oriented leaders are more interested in the interpersonal relationships on the team. Great leaders in sports are both task- and people-oriented, but lean more towards being task-oriented.
Leaders must possess the qualities they are trying to incorporate into their team. For example, if you want members to be confident, have self-control, be disciplined, etc., then you must first possess all these traits. One of the most powerful things you can do is lead by example. You serve as an influential role model for your players and everything you do will be watched. Vince Lombardi says, "Leaders are made, they are not born; and they are made just like anything else has ever been made in this country - by hard work" (Dowling, 1970, p. 179).
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