This morning, I posted on my Facebook page a Haiku. Here it is: God is with the poor----And God is with the broken----Let us be with God.
So, in the spirit of that post, here is an opportunity for all of us to impact Michiana.
There is a family in the inner city of South Bend that I was contacted by earlier this week that is in need of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas along with gifts for Christmas. This is a single mom that is on disability. She has 4 kids that are her own and 2 addition kids that she has legal custody over. The kids are ages: 12, 10, 9, 5, 5 and 4. One of the 5 year olds is a boy and the rest are all girls. I thought that it would be awesome to help this family out.
The other opportunity to impact Michiana is through the homeless shelter. Here is a list of the shelters current needs:
Aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Diapers, Swimmer-all sizes, New Socks and Underwear for both Men and Women, Feminine Hygiene Supplies, Towels and Wash cloths, Cough Drops, Laundry Soap, Umbrella's, Children's School Uniforms, x-large to xxxxl shirts, Ear plugs, Interview attire/clothing for women (sizes 18 and up), Interview attire/clothing for men (xl & xxl shirts and pants larger than size 46), Women's Dress shoes (sizes 8 and up), Men's shoes (size 9-14)
This project is something that a group of people just decided to do. It is not company sponsored in any way shape or form, so feel free to help out where you can with what you can. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
For how to donate or help, you can contact the following people in the following ways:
Barry Skalski 574-370-8156 or by email BarrySkalski@sbcglobal.net
Michelle Zarobinski 574-876-8674 or by email Michelle.M.Zarobinski@wellsfargo.com
Bill Calahan 574-310-0011
Starting on Monday, there will be a drop off station located inside of the building located at 202 Lincoln Way East in Mishawaka. It is the building that National City Bank, Prudential One Realty, Wells Fargo and Metropolitan Title occupy.
If we collect enough, we may be able to sponsor more than one family!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension and Changes
Today, in a vote of 403-12, the House passed a bill that the Senate had already passed that extends the Homebuyer Tax Credit and also makes some changes to the existing tax credit. Now, before I go ANY further, I need to throw out a disclaimer that President Obama still needs to sign this into law to make it official. Although that should just be a formality, it is in fact not law until he signs it. So, this is just to inform of what the bill is and what some of the changes are.
Ready? Here we go:
The proposed new law will extend the current first time buyer tax credit from November 30, 2009 to April 30, 2010. However, it only has to be under contract by April 30, 2010. It actually has to close by July 1, 2010. This will help out with short sales tremendously!
Also, current homeowners are now eligible for a tax credit upon purchasing a home, up to $6,500. The catch here is that existing homeowners have to have lived in their home for 5 of the last 8 years in order to qualify.
The proposed new law also extends the income limits. Under the old credit, maximum income for the full credit was $150,000 for a married couple. Under the new law, the maximum would be raised to $225,000 for a married couple. The maximum purchase price on a home is $800,000.
There is also a new anti-fraud rule where the purchaser must attach documentation of the purchase to the tax return.
First time home buyers are still considered someone who has not owned a home in at least 3 years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me and I will do my best to answer any questions that you may have. My cell is 574-370-8156.
Ready? Here we go:
The proposed new law will extend the current first time buyer tax credit from November 30, 2009 to April 30, 2010. However, it only has to be under contract by April 30, 2010. It actually has to close by July 1, 2010. This will help out with short sales tremendously!
Also, current homeowners are now eligible for a tax credit upon purchasing a home, up to $6,500. The catch here is that existing homeowners have to have lived in their home for 5 of the last 8 years in order to qualify.
The proposed new law also extends the income limits. Under the old credit, maximum income for the full credit was $150,000 for a married couple. Under the new law, the maximum would be raised to $225,000 for a married couple. The maximum purchase price on a home is $800,000.
There is also a new anti-fraud rule where the purchaser must attach documentation of the purchase to the tax return.
First time home buyers are still considered someone who has not owned a home in at least 3 years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me and I will do my best to answer any questions that you may have. My cell is 574-370-8156.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Decisions, Decisions and more Decisions
Every few weeks, it is my turn to lead discussion for my Friday morning men's bible group. This is my Friday, so I thought I would share:
We are all faced with decisions on a daily basis. Some are more basic like: What do we wear for the day? What do we eat for lunch? While others take more thought like: What kind of haircut to get next week? What do I attack first on my to-do list? And still others are more complex like: Should I go buy a new car or house? Should I get married? Should I go on that vacation? Etc…..
So, I thought we could talk about decisions that we all have to make, how we make these decisions and where does God fit in to all of these decisions.
Ronald Reagan once said: “America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it is all right to ask if we are on his side.”
1. When making a decision, how do you know that your decision is your will or if it is the will of God? Which do you listen to more, your will or God’s?
2. Seems like sometimes, we make our more important decision the same way we make our more basic decisions….more out of habit or with the flow of the day. What process(es) should be used on decisions? Should there be a difference and why? How do you decipher what is a major or a minor decision?
3. Do you believe that God sends you signs in your attempts to make a decision? If yes, how do you know? What do you look for?
4. You have made a decision, you are moving ahead with it, but you keep coming up against major road blocks. How do you handle that? Do you re-assess your decision or do you keep plowing ahead through the road blocks? Do you see these road blocks as a sign from God that you are on the wrong path or are they put there to make you stronger?
5. When is it wise to seek the council of others when making a decision? Do you see this as a sign of strength or weakness when you seek the advice of others? How do you look at the person that is asking for your advice? Do these opinions effect you when you ask for someone’s advice or not, in other words, do you care about what the other person thinks of you when you are asking their advice?
6. Is there a right time to interfere with someone else’s decision making? How do you do that without coming across as judgemental?
James 1:5-8 (New International Version)
5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
We are all faced with decisions on a daily basis. Some are more basic like: What do we wear for the day? What do we eat for lunch? While others take more thought like: What kind of haircut to get next week? What do I attack first on my to-do list? And still others are more complex like: Should I go buy a new car or house? Should I get married? Should I go on that vacation? Etc…..
So, I thought we could talk about decisions that we all have to make, how we make these decisions and where does God fit in to all of these decisions.
Ronald Reagan once said: “America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it is all right to ask if we are on his side.”
1. When making a decision, how do you know that your decision is your will or if it is the will of God? Which do you listen to more, your will or God’s?
2. Seems like sometimes, we make our more important decision the same way we make our more basic decisions….more out of habit or with the flow of the day. What process(es) should be used on decisions? Should there be a difference and why? How do you decipher what is a major or a minor decision?
3. Do you believe that God sends you signs in your attempts to make a decision? If yes, how do you know? What do you look for?
4. You have made a decision, you are moving ahead with it, but you keep coming up against major road blocks. How do you handle that? Do you re-assess your decision or do you keep plowing ahead through the road blocks? Do you see these road blocks as a sign from God that you are on the wrong path or are they put there to make you stronger?
5. When is it wise to seek the council of others when making a decision? Do you see this as a sign of strength or weakness when you seek the advice of others? How do you look at the person that is asking for your advice? Do these opinions effect you when you ask for someone’s advice or not, in other words, do you care about what the other person thinks of you when you are asking their advice?
6. Is there a right time to interfere with someone else’s decision making? How do you do that without coming across as judgemental?
James 1:5-8 (New International Version)
5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Great Speech, Great Movie
Ray, people will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. "Of course, we won't mind if you have a look around," you'll say. "It's only twenty dollars per person." They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it; for it is money they have and peace they lack.
And they'll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces.
People will come, Ray.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.
And they'll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces.
People will come, Ray.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Perseverance
As I type the name Derek Redmond, most of you probably have no idea who he is. Most people have no idea what his story is, until you hear it or read about it. Then, it all comes back to your memory.
Derek Redmond trained most of his life for one moment. That moment was to take place in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. Derek was a world class sprinter who was one of the favorites to win the 400m sprint race. And that moment is what he will always be remembered for.
You see, Derek did not win the race, nor did he come in 2nd, 3rd or 4th place. But instead, he finished dead last....way behind everyone else in what could be the slowest time ever ran in the Olympics. So why is this so memorable?
About 150m's into the race Derek heard a loud "pop" and then fell to the ground in excruciating pain. His hamstring had tore. There was a groan from the crowd and then silence from it as everyone stared wondering what had happened.
The rest of the sprinters had already passed the finish line, and people with stretchers were on their way out to carry Derek off the track. Then, Derek got up and started to hop on one leg to finish the race that he had started. Suddenly, from the crowd, emerged Derek's father on to the track to help him get to the finish line to a standing ovation of 65,000 people.
This my friends, is perseverance.
What is there in our lives that we have been trying to accomplish that seem so close yet so far away? Are we seeking help? Are we leaning on God to get us to that finish line? Sometimes, it is not about finishing in 1st place. Sometimes, it is just about finishing the race.
Here is the video version of what happened that day in Barcelona:
Derek Redmond trained most of his life for one moment. That moment was to take place in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. Derek was a world class sprinter who was one of the favorites to win the 400m sprint race. And that moment is what he will always be remembered for.
You see, Derek did not win the race, nor did he come in 2nd, 3rd or 4th place. But instead, he finished dead last....way behind everyone else in what could be the slowest time ever ran in the Olympics. So why is this so memorable?
About 150m's into the race Derek heard a loud "pop" and then fell to the ground in excruciating pain. His hamstring had tore. There was a groan from the crowd and then silence from it as everyone stared wondering what had happened.
The rest of the sprinters had already passed the finish line, and people with stretchers were on their way out to carry Derek off the track. Then, Derek got up and started to hop on one leg to finish the race that he had started. Suddenly, from the crowd, emerged Derek's father on to the track to help him get to the finish line to a standing ovation of 65,000 people.
This my friends, is perseverance.
What is there in our lives that we have been trying to accomplish that seem so close yet so far away? Are we seeking help? Are we leaning on God to get us to that finish line? Sometimes, it is not about finishing in 1st place. Sometimes, it is just about finishing the race.
Here is the video version of what happened that day in Barcelona:
Monday, October 19, 2009
10 Things I Don't Get
1. Sushi
2. Jon and Kate plus 8
3. NASCAR
4. Coffee Drinkers
5. The Ped Egg
6. Sky Diving
7. The Running of the Bulls
8. People that say "You just have to eat/drink a few of them, then it starts to taste good."
9. Churches that hate on other Churches
10. The X Games
What don't you get?
This was inspired by Tony Morgan
http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/10/16/10-things-i-dont-get/
2. Jon and Kate plus 8
3. NASCAR
4. Coffee Drinkers
5. The Ped Egg
6. Sky Diving
7. The Running of the Bulls
8. People that say "You just have to eat/drink a few of them, then it starts to taste good."
9. Churches that hate on other Churches
10. The X Games
What don't you get?
This was inspired by Tony Morgan
http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/10/16/10-things-i-dont-get/
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Teamwork, Leadership and......Ducks?
I just got back from a 2 day leadership meeting in Bloomington that was put on by the Indiana Realtors Leadership Academy (IRLA). One of the presentations, oddly enough, was about what we could learn from the teamwork and leadership that is displayed by ducks. That's right, Ducks. I really found this interesting and thought I would share it with you along with some of my thoughts.
Did you know, that as each duck flaps it wings, it creates and "uplift" for the bird following? By following in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range then if each bird flew alone.
Some thoughts on this were: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier they are traveling on the thrust of one another. As Leaders, we need to cast vision in a passionate way to encourage others to share in that vision. As teams, we need to help one another and to offer encouragement and support. How would this look in business? In my church?
Did you know, that whenever a duck falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone? It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the duck immediately in front.
How often do we let ego get in our way? This "I can do this on my own attitude" will not only isolate us from others that can and want to help, but it puts that goal off into the distance and makes it harder to obtain. It is usually better to stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.
Did you know, that when the lead duck gets tire, it rotates back into the formation and another duck flies at the point position?
How often, as leaders, do we not recognize how many other leaders we have behind us? Leaders that want to share in our burdens. Leaders that, if given the opportunity, may be able to take our group to another level not yet obtained. How often do we get so burned out, that the only way to fix our burn out is to completely step away from the situation? I see this happen in church leadership frequently. I myself have even experienced this. Sometimes, true leadership is knowing when to step aside and letting someone else lead for awhile. Then, stand by that new leader and offer support and encouragement.
Did you know, that when in formation, the ducks quack from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed?
How often do we encourage those that are leading us? We need to make sure that our "quacking" from behind is encouraging----not something less helpful or damaging.
Did you know, that when a duck gets sick or wounded, that 2 ducks will drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it? They stay with the duck until it is either able to fly again or dies. Then, they launch out on their own with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Are we standing by the people around us when they are in need? Or, do we turn a blind eye and say "too bad that happened"? Being part of a team is being there in the good times and the bad.
Did you know, that as each duck flaps it wings, it creates and "uplift" for the bird following? By following in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range then if each bird flew alone.
Some thoughts on this were: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier they are traveling on the thrust of one another. As Leaders, we need to cast vision in a passionate way to encourage others to share in that vision. As teams, we need to help one another and to offer encouragement and support. How would this look in business? In my church?
Did you know, that whenever a duck falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone? It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the duck immediately in front.
How often do we let ego get in our way? This "I can do this on my own attitude" will not only isolate us from others that can and want to help, but it puts that goal off into the distance and makes it harder to obtain. It is usually better to stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.
Did you know, that when the lead duck gets tire, it rotates back into the formation and another duck flies at the point position?
How often, as leaders, do we not recognize how many other leaders we have behind us? Leaders that want to share in our burdens. Leaders that, if given the opportunity, may be able to take our group to another level not yet obtained. How often do we get so burned out, that the only way to fix our burn out is to completely step away from the situation? I see this happen in church leadership frequently. I myself have even experienced this. Sometimes, true leadership is knowing when to step aside and letting someone else lead for awhile. Then, stand by that new leader and offer support and encouragement.
Did you know, that when in formation, the ducks quack from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed?
How often do we encourage those that are leading us? We need to make sure that our "quacking" from behind is encouraging----not something less helpful or damaging.
Did you know, that when a duck gets sick or wounded, that 2 ducks will drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it? They stay with the duck until it is either able to fly again or dies. Then, they launch out on their own with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Are we standing by the people around us when they are in need? Or, do we turn a blind eye and say "too bad that happened"? Being part of a team is being there in the good times and the bad.
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