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Building A Dream Life

What Makes Things Right and Wrong?

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This Is A Question as Old as Time Itself


 

The Ring of Gyges is a mythical magic artifact mentioned by Plato in Book 2 of his Republic. It grants its owner the power to become invisible at will.


In recounting of the myth, an unnamed ancestor of Gyges was a shepherd in the service of the ruler of Lydia. After an earthquake, a cave was revealed in a mountainside where he was feeding his flock. Entering the cave, he discovered that it was in fact a tomb with a bronze horse containing a corpse larger than that of a man, who wore a golden ring, which he pocketed. Later he discovered that the ring gave him the power to become invisible by adjusting it. He then arranged to be chosen as one of the messengers who reported to the king as to the status of the flocks. Arriving at the palace, he used his new power of invisibility to seduce the queen, and with her help he murdered the king, and became king of Lydia himself.


Through the story of the ring, Republic considers whether a person would do right or wrong if there was no fear of being caught or punished.


How would you act if there was no fear of being caught?


Whether a Christian or not I believe that we naturally are born with a sense of what is right and wrong. Last week I wrote about different things done in the light and dark. I think this is evidence that we are born with an internal compass for right.


This doesn’t mean that we aren’t constantly fighting against evil that is trying to pull us off course.

 


In Matthew 3:2, John says, “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near.” As Christian’s we believe this right and wrong comes from God and the pull of the fallen comes from Satan.

 

 

Doing right or wrong is a choice and if there is a Hell you have much more to lose if you choose wrong.

 

How To Prepare A Scope Of Work For A Construction Proposal

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This Is A Critical Part of Clear Communication

 

We began this “Blueprint for Building a Better Proposal” series with communication and the problems that occur when it’s done poorly or not at all. This is without a doubt the area where most contractors struggle. It doesn’t have to be this way.


Communication is the most important part of the proposal process.


Things that are unfamiliar seem overwhelming. This is true for both the customer and the contractor. The customer when not understanding what the contractor is talking about and contractor when not having a system for preparing proposals.


 

Our “Blueprint for Building a Better Proposal” system has specific pieces and steps for simplifying the process.

 


Last week we went through Step 1 – Gathering Information. This is where the customer’s why is uncovered, and the physical information is gathered and recorded. Here, we’ll breakdown Step 2 – Preparing the Scope of Work.


What is a Scope of Work?


A Scope of Work, …clearly defines the project requirements, milestones, deliverables, end products, documents and reports that are expected to be provided by the vendor. It helps in the smooth functioning of a project/work contract wherein both parties can avoid ambiguities and situations leading to dispute. It is the first step to building a mutually beneficial collaboration between a vendor and his customer. From a Udemy blog post written by Richa


According to Juan Rodriguez’s The Balance Small Business article, “Must-Have Items on a Construction Scope of Work”, the basic elements…of a scope of work document describes all of the work to be done on a project, who is responsible for completing the work, how the work must be performed (techniques used), and what materials will be used.


 

Communication needs be simple and direct while explaining clearly and thoroughly.

 


Writing out the description of work to be done in terminology that both the customer and the contractor understand is key to clarity. It needs to include enough specifics to be thorough without being too technical. Communication isn’t any good if it’s confusing.

 


EXAMPLE PROJECT:


When meeting with customer Jane Smith we found out that she wanted to add on a laundry/sewing room. She loved to sew and did a lot of it. Currently she used the table in the main floor dining room and the sewing machine in the basement. Her washer and dryer were in two separate closets in the master bathroom. This made for an inconvenience when sewing or doing laundry.


Once we’ve determined the why and gathered the pertinent information…

 

…it’s time to prepare the scope of the work.

 

 

Once this process has been finished for the complete project, we’ll have a Scope of Work ready to be transferred to the Proposal template.

 


Next, we’ll start figuring out the prices for individual items using the Worksheet and Data Base.

 

Good Things Are Done in The Light

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…Not So Much in The Dark

 

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is everywhere you look. Black Friday, Cyber Monday…we are being bombarded by Christmas advertising. There’s certainly nothing wrong with businesses marketing their products and services. The important thing to remember is that…


Christmas is about so much more than “buying gifts”.

 

Christmas is about celebrating the Light of the World. You’ve probably heard it said that nothing good happens after dark. There is something instinctually implanted in us that tells us this is true. People will do things in the dark that they wouldn’t normally do in the light.


Pastor Lee told a story Sunday about a person who while driving at night, ate a candy bar. The ash tray was already full of trash. Then, this person who hated littering, rolled down the window and threw the wrapper out. Realizing what they had done, they knew they would never have done this if it hadn’t been dark.


Things are done in the dark that would never be done in the light.


Throughout Scripture Jesus’ light is shown in direct contrast to dark, Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12, 9:4-5 and 1 John 1:5-7 and I’ve found nowhere that it says dark is good and light is bad. The very first thing that God created was light and in the beginning Jesus was with God and Jesus was God. 


 

This light came to us in a manger over 2000 years ago and we celebrate this light at Christmas. This Lauren Daigle song tells us what this Light of the World is. 

 


Remember this Christmas as you see beautiful, bright Christmas lights everywhere you look, that Jesus is our Light and we are to reflect that light to those around us.

Good Things Are Done in The Light

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…Not So Much in The Dark

 

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is everywhere you look. Black Friday, Cyber Monday…we are being bombarded by Christmas advertising. There’s certainly nothing wrong with businesses marketing their products and services. The important thing to remember is that…


Christmas is about so much more than “buying gifts”.

 

Christmas is about celebrating the Light of the World. You’ve probably heard it said that nothing good happens after dark. There is something instinctually implanted in us that tells us this is true. People will do things in the dark that they wouldn’t normally do in the light.


Pastor Lee told a story Sunday about a person who while driving at night, ate a candy bar. The ash tray was already full of trash. Then, this person who hated littering, rolled down the window and threw the wrapper out. Realizing what they had done, they knew they would never have done this if it hadn’t been dark.


Things are done in the dark that would never be done in the light.


Throughout Scripture Jesus’ light is shown in direct contrast to dark, Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12, 9:4-5 and 1 John 1:5-7 and I’ve found nowhere that it says dark is good and light is bad. The very first thing that God created was light and in the beginning Jesus was with God and Jesus was God. 


 

This light came to us in a manger over 2000 years ago and we celebrate this light at Christmas. This Lauren Daigle song tells us what this Light of the World is. 

 


Remember this Christmas as you see beautiful, bright Christmas lights everywhere you look, that Jesus is our Light and we are to reflect that light to those around us.

Being Thankful Is A State of Mind

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We Have So Much to Be Thankful For

 

Over the last several weeks our Sunday School discussion has continued to find its way back to a statement made by a journalist, that we don’t really have much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is just a commercial excuse to eat too much and watch football.


I think eating and football are a couple of pretty good things to be thankful for.


This is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she’s whining about her life. Linus tells her that she should count her blessings. She goes on to say that she could count all her blessings on one finger. What does she have to be thankful for? Linus tells her, “…for one thing. You have a little brother who loves you…”

 


We don’t have to wallow, it’s a choice.


Negative things are a part of life, but we control how we are going to respond to them. We can choose to be thankful for the positive or we can wallow in the negative.


It’s sad that some people’s default perspective is feeling sorry for themselves. Sure, we all have times of feeling down and depressed. When feeling that way, we need to list the things that we have to be thankful for. Even if, like Lucy, it’s only one thing.


Earlier this week while listening to Andy Andrew’s weekly Professional Noticer episode, he read a Thanksgiving story, from his book, Return to Sawyerton Springs. Wade was feeling sorry for himself, until he listed ten things in his life that he had to be thankful for. The list consisted of everyday things that we take for granted too many times. Read or listen to the story and see the list here. 

 


Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and

CHOOSE to be THANKFUL.

 

 

If I Scratch in the Dirt with Chickens, Crumbs Is All I’ll Get

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Hanging Out with Eagles Helps Me Soar to Greater Heights

 

Last week I wrote about the importance of a loving church family from Pastor Lee’s message last Sunday. This week’s conclusion of the faith sharing series included sharing of personal stories.

From these stories there were struggles shared, faith expressed and confirmation of the importance of a loving church.

Tears were shed and bonds were strengthened. In the sharing, both last week and this, the one thing that was evident was the importance of being surrounded by the love and support of others.

Those with whom we choose to associate with directly affect who we’ll become, either good or bad. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Your friends are a statement of who you are choosing to become. 

Choose to hang out with eagles.

 

It’s evident that we are influenced by who we choose to associate with, on the other side, we influence others who associate with us. We have been called by Jesus to be salt and light to the world. We need to be lifting others up and helping them to soar higher.

 

Choose to be an eagle to others.

Influence is both powerful and gradual. Everything is always changing, either toward good or bad. What’s important is that we are intentional about the influences in our lives and choose the good.

We can choose to scratch in the dirt with chickens or we can fly with the eagles. It’s up to you which you choose, but you were made to fly.

 

Life Is Better in A Loving Church

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It’s Like Being Wrapped in A Warm Blanket on A Cold Night

There are way too many people stumbling around out in the darkness in need of a warm blanket. Those of us who have found our blanket need to be sharing blankets with others.

 

This past Sunday our Pastor’s message consisted of members of the congregation sharing what our church (Tisdale UMC) meant to them. This was a combination of long-term and recent members and some who weren’t.

 

Just like everyone of us is different and unique, so were their stories. Even with all the differences each one expressed common feelings of the warmth of the church. (Just like a warm blanket on a cold night.) It didn’t matter what their situation was, they felt wrapped up in warmth.

 

Having grown up in this church I assumed this was how all churches were. As I got older, I had a recurring conversation with people who had moved away and struggled to find a church that had this same warmth. This doesn’t mean that every person is looking for this warmth, but once they’ve experienced it, they want it.

 

This warm feeling is bigger than the people, bigger than the church, it’s God’s loving arms.

 

 

Too many people are cold and don’t even know it. If you find someone that’s cold give them a warm blanket of love and invite them in out of the cold.

There Are Two Ways to Look at Things

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I Choose to Believe in Miracles

 

 

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein


We have become spoiled and forget to be grateful for the miracles that surround us every day. We can be grateful or not, this is a choice. Being grateful requires an intentional decision.


Gratitude is how we show love. Being grateful and acting upon that gratefulness can be as simple as a spoken thank you or as big as how we live our lives every day.


Gratitude is a perspective. It’s how we see things. We can see only the negative or we can see the positive. It sounds cliché but it’s real and it makes a difference on how you treat life and how life treats you.


Gratitude is a choice. We can choose to be grateful or not but being grateful is a much better way to approach life. We have been given so much. Shouldn’t we be thankful for all that we have?


A young man was driven to college in an old car by his dad. Several of the students saw the car and began to tease the young man. The young man looked at them and said, “That old car is the reason I’m Here”. He went on to explain that his father decided to save money for his college education rather than spending it on a new car.


This son was grateful for his father’s love and the choice he made. This changed his perspective. If this son could be grateful for what his father did for him, shouldn’t we be exponentially more grateful to our Heavenly Father for all the miracles He’s given us.

 

Knowing Who You Are and Knowing Who’s You Are

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If You Have to Tell Someone Who You Are…Then You Aren’t

 

 

The famous actor Gregory Peck once was standing in line with a friend, waiting for a table in a crowded Los Angeles restaurant. They had been waiting for some time; the diners seemed to be taking their time eating, and new tables weren’t opening up very fast. They weren’t even that close to the front of the line. Peck’s friend became impatient, and he said to Gregory, “Why don’t you tell the maître d’ who you are?” Gregory Peck responded with great wisdom.


“If you have to tell them who you are, then you aren’t.”


We all have this natural built in desire to be somebody. It doesn’t matter if your and introvert or extrovert, you want to be known. It may surface in different ways, but we all want to be seen.


The problems arise when we start thinking we’re more than we really are and that we are the source of that greatness. In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells about a Pharisee that had fallen into this trap. He sees himself as being better than the tax collector.


It isn’t about who’s better, it’s about WHO’S we are.

 

  • God accepts us for who we are – there’s nothing we can do that God won’t forgive. The important thing to remember is that we must ask for that forgiveness. He knows our ungodliness and loves us anyway.

 

  • God never leaves us as who we are – if we believe and accept His teaching we will be transformed. He doesn’t just rescue us from Hell, He prepares us for Heaven. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a lifelong journey.

 

 


We can get caught up in the world around us and think we know who we are, or who we want to be. Be careful that this is the same person that God has designed you to be. You get to decide who’s you’re going to be.


You don’t have to tell others who you are…how you live your life will tell them who’s you are.

I’m Stuck God, Please Help Me

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Remember to Say Thank You for The Tow Truck

 

We pray when we need or want something. Even non-believers do this. There are countless examples of people saying things like, “When the plane was going down, I prayed, even though I didn’t believe in God.”

 

Prayer is a natural “God given” reaction. As long as we’re traveling smoothly down the center of the road, we ‘think’ we have it all under control. But when we find ourselves stuck in a ditch; we ask God for a tow truck.


After we’re pulled out, we forget to say thank You, just like the lepers in Luke 17:11-19 did. Ten were healed and only one returned to say thank You. This is a pretty low percentage of thanks.

Everything big and small should be discussed with God. He’s not only interested in the big problems.


If our request is loud, our thanks should be louder.


It is easy to get pulled down by the daily grind of the world. We have our head down working through the day’s problems and forget to look up. By not looking up we miss the miracles happening all around us. We think we have everything under control, but…not so much.


Regardless of man’s plans, God’s plans are bigger.


It’s easy to let the negative outweigh the positive. We need to be intentional about looking at the positive. When Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked on the island, he made a list of the negatives and positives of his situation. Making this list allowed him to see that things weren’t as bad as they first appeared.


When we find ourselves stranded on an island, we need to make a list.


Finally, we need to share these answered prayers with others. This sharing is an example of God’s involvement in the world. Seeing this routine involvement in the small as well as the big, let’s people witness God’s relationship firsthand.

 


Visit with God while traveling down the middle of the road. Don’t wait until you’re stuck in a ditch.