You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Uncategorized' category.
It’s been almost a year since I first started blogging. During that time I have grown as an observer of life, as a thinker and as a writer. I have also grown in relationships with people that I probably otherwise wouldn’t have, because or the accessibility of a blog or in some cases because of the common bond and experience of blogging itself. I have been able to share parts of my life with those who live far away, whom I can’t see on a regular basis.
All, in all, I think it has been a really good experience.
At the urging of my tech-savvy friend, social media guru Clayton Bell (Yes, He IS.) I have decided to take the plunge to a self hosted blog.
This will allow many more comment features and flexibility within the new blog that will enrich your experience on the blog and make it a more fun experience. Some of the new features include:
- The ability to receive follow up comments via email
- The ability to subscribe to the Blog via email
- The ability to share the post using integrated “Share This”
- A more memorable Blog URL (DaveHess.com)
Checkout my new blog site, and let me know what you think! I would love to get your feedback. (Be sure to update your RSS feeder and any links too!) I’ve got some good posts in mind that i’ll be posting soon.
Special Thanks again to Clayton Bell and Chris Tavalare who guided me through some of the technical aspects of making this transition!
Church consultant Chuck Gaines recently posted an article in which he shares 10 observations on growing churches.
Characteristics of growing churches include:
1. Positive spirit of excitement.
2. Spirit of expectation.
3. Celebrative worship service.
4. Opportunities to build meaningful relationships through small groups
5. Focus on giving away the faith through lifestyle evangelism
6. No sentence ever begins with “I”
7. “What can I do?” and “What can I give?” are expressed not only with meaning but with action.
8. Missions involvement
9. Pastor/staff who lead and congregations who follow
10. Church is a safe place to come to God – Grace rules!
The full article on the Lifeway website includes a brief explanation of each point which may help to clarify what he means by a couple of these. To read it click here.
As our nation is fighting through a recession, many people are struggling more than ever before to make ends meet. Such pressure is causing many to seriously re-evaluate their spending habits and seek wisdom on how to attain financial peace in the midst of national distress.
Dave Ramsey’s 13 week program “Financial Peace University” (FPU) offers such practical wisdom in an engaging and life-changing way. The topics covered in the program amount to a a crash-course in personal finance and help participants to establish systems for success in their personal lives and attain financial peace.
I went through the class 2 years ago, and by applying some of the principles taught was able to pay off a student loan early and became debt free. It also gave me a much better understanding of insurance and investments that will aid my financial decision making for years to come.
Whether you are a college student wondering how to pay your utility bill or a multi-millionaire who wants to be a better steward of the resources God has entrusted to you, FPU is worth doing.
To find out more about FPU and to find a class being offered near you visit the FPU Website.
If you live in or near Tallahassee, a new class will be starting on Wednesday nights in the end of January hosted at Every Nation, Tallahassee (church). To find out more about how to join the class and more information locally visit one of the two preview meetings, Wednesday, January 7th or 14th from 7PM-8PM at Every Nation, Tallahassee.
At the begining of 2008 I set a goal of reading 20 books by the end of the year.
Unless I do a lot of reading in the next two days I will fall just short of that goal at 19 books read. I was thinking of keeping my goal the same for 2009 when I read this article by Karl Rove in which Mr. Rove describes the reading contests that he had with President George W. Bush over the past three years.
The results he reports are as follows,
Year Books Read by Mr. Rove Books Read by Mr. Bush
2006 110 95
2007 76 51
2008 64 40
Though Mr. Rove won their competition three-years running, I think the amount that both men read is remarkable, especially in Mr. Bush’s case!
Keep in mind these books were serious books – I’m pretty sure they didn’t include anything by Dr. Seuss. (Most of the books listed were serious biographies and histories.)
Rove writes, “The reading competition reveals Mr. Bush’s focus on goals. It’s not about winning. A good-natured competition helps keep him centered and makes possible a clear mind and a high level of energy. He reads instead of watching TV. he reads on Air Force One and to relax and because he’s curious. He reads about the tasks at hand, often picking volumes because of the relevance to his challenges. And he’s right: I’ve won because he has a real job with enormous responsibilities. “
It’s easy to make excuses for not achieving our goals, or to avoid stretching our minds altogether. After all Life has many demands!
When I read this article I was both inspired challenged. If the President of the United States finds the time to read 95 books in a year I should be able to do more than 19!
Anyone up for a reading competition of our own in 2009?
I really appreciate all those who lay their lives down in service of our country. At several different points in my life I have seriously considered joining various branches of the armed forces. I am really drawn to many values that are day to day realities within the U.S. military.
Though, I don’t think that personal service in the Armed Forces is my path, I am incredibly admirable and thankful for those who do serve in this capacity.
If you have 3 minutes and a high-speed connection, check out this video. It’s powerful!
