Now

One of the smartest people I know is my Dad. I've learned a LOT from him over the years... and have watched him model integrity like nobody else. Something we talked about a lot as I was growing up was how people wait until a funeral to give someone flowers....




So, we spend time "rubbing elbows" with people and just going on with our happy lives, all the while we selfishly CHOOSE to refrain from INVESTING in the relationship with some simple effort. My Dad's phrase was "Give people flowers while they are still living." Say what? Look, it's this simple.... Take time NOW to tell/show the special people in your life what they mean to you... while it will still make them smile. Hey LifePointers, does that sound something like LOVE GOD - LOVE PEOPLE?

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and people with every word and every action!

Freakin Hero

Doing the right thing when people spit in your face for it is tough! So many of our military people do it so often... they deserve so much more respect (and pay) than they get. Check out this story...

This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America.

On Nov. 12, Ms Cindy Williams (from Laverne and Shirley TV show) wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year -- citing that the stated 13% wage was more than they deserve.

A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article.

He ought to get a bonus for this.

"Ms Williams:

I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service)and my bank account.

Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.

I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum...

I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.

Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces.

Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you.

Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation, it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."

As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.

Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial
favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this:

Trade whatever MRE (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything. This gives some flavor.

Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opened piece.

But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death your right to say it.



You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.

And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve?

Rubbish!

A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and people with every word and every action.

Invention

When I grow up, I want to invent something cool. I saw this poster as an advertisement at a bus stop... It was promoting a young inventors workshop. A 14 year old kid came up with the LOST CAT MAGNET....


Does it work? Probably not.... Is that photo doctored? Ya think??? Anyway, I though it was funny. If you could invent something (even something crazy) what would it be? I'd invent a portable lake so I could take my boat everywhere with me and sneak in a little water fun whenever I wanted. Of course, I'd also have to invent a way for my HARLEY (OK I don't have a Harley yet...) to tow the boat....

By the way, I hate cats!! That's why we have a Golden Retreiver... Dogs are Godly pets! (Maybe that's a stretch...)

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and people with every word and every action.

Technology Is Great

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and people with every word and every action. (Can you punch in love??)

Whatever it Takes

Look out St Louis and the Metro East.... There is a group of people that are quickly getting to the place that we will do WHATEVER it takes to help people get back to Christ... many for the first time. You may be thinking "so what..." It may go against what you think is the "norm" for compelling people to pursue Christ.... and you will need to get on board the train or the freakin train will run you over.... Just sayin.... By the way, "pretty soon" is not a good time to start.... RIGHT NOW is a good time to start! Hey Kyle... take those Driven students to the edge tonight!!! We've got a freakin world to change!

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and people with every word and every action!

Soaking

I remember as a kid hearing my Mom tell people "Go soak your head!" when she was mad about something. How about soaking your mind? That's what we are talking about this Sunday at LifePoint. Try this simple little activity this weekend and see if it helps....

... think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. (Philippians 4:8)

Live loud, live intentionally, and love God and People with every word and every action.