Here is a letter to our local state representative.
Just a quick note to say that I DO NOT support any tax increase. The current fiscal problems have indeed been exacerbated by Rendell’s spending habits. We wouldn’t be in this mess if he hadn’t spent money foolishly and gave taxpayer’s money to his buddies.
If fact, I would ask that you and your fellow legislators review Rendell’s behavior and take the appropriate action against him.
Thanks for continuing to work hard for Indiana County and Pennsylvania.
.
June 18, 2009
June 08, 2009
Letter to Kiplinger's Magazine
Below is an email sent to the editor of Kipligner's Personal Finance Magazine.
In regards to the story "The New Rules of Credit Cards" in the July 2009 issue.
I've had at least 5 credit card accounts closed in the past year (one was opened in 1996) because of inactivity. I thought my credit score would drastically drop like your article states. As it turns out, my credit score has actually gone up to 832! Maybe closing inactive accounts isn't as bad as what we are led to believe.
.
In regards to the story "The New Rules of Credit Cards" in the July 2009 issue.
I've had at least 5 credit card accounts closed in the past year (one was opened in 1996) because of inactivity. I thought my credit score would drastically drop like your article states. As it turns out, my credit score has actually gone up to 832! Maybe closing inactive accounts isn't as bad as what we are led to believe.
.
June 01, 2009
Book Review
The Gospel According to The Simpsons by Mark I. Pinsky
Being a fan of The Simpsons, I was excited to read this book. The purpose of the book is to examine the spiritual aspect of the show.
The book starts out interestingly enough, by evaluating some of the characters and their spirituality. However, toward the end of the book, the author seems to spend most of the chapters giving the story line of several episodes without actually analyzing or thoroughly evaluating the spiritual side of the show.
The worst part of the book was the concluding chapter. It seemed to be just a bunch on quotes from other people with no real point.
Whether you enjoy or hate The Simpsons television series, this is one book you can skip.
This review is based on the first edition of the book. I have an updated edition that I will read at some point in the future.
.
Being a fan of The Simpsons, I was excited to read this book. The purpose of the book is to examine the spiritual aspect of the show.
The book starts out interestingly enough, by evaluating some of the characters and their spirituality. However, toward the end of the book, the author seems to spend most of the chapters giving the story line of several episodes without actually analyzing or thoroughly evaluating the spiritual side of the show.
The worst part of the book was the concluding chapter. It seemed to be just a bunch on quotes from other people with no real point.
Whether you enjoy or hate The Simpsons television series, this is one book you can skip.
This review is based on the first edition of the book. I have an updated edition that I will read at some point in the future.
.
May 27, 2009
Book Review
Matthew 24-28: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book. There are many great lessons to be learned from this text. MacArthur provides a great description of a spiritual tradgey (Matthew 26:36-46) as well as a great view of the command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20).
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book. There are many great lessons to be learned from this text. MacArthur provides a great description of a spiritual tradgey (Matthew 26:36-46) as well as a great view of the command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20).
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
May 22, 2009
A letter to Money Magazine
Below is a letter I sent to the editor of Money magazine regarding an article in their June 2009 issue.
I was excited to see an article about the associated costs of living a faithfully religious lifestyle
("The Price of Faith" June 2009).
The Jewish and Muslim families seemed to adhere to their religion strictly and faithfully. The Christian family seemed to also, but the closing statement caught me off guard.
"'We used to feel that if we just did our jobs using the gifts God gave us, we would be taken care of financially' says Kent. Now they know it's up to them to take care of themselves."
If that is how the Koeman family really feels, I think the authors could have and should have found a more faithful family to represent Christianity.
My question to the Koeman family is this: When you were "poor" only making around $30,000 a year, did God not provide for you?
Maybe they didn't have everything they wanted, but I'll bet God gave them what they needed! Too bad they didn't realize it.
.
I was excited to see an article about the associated costs of living a faithfully religious lifestyle
("The Price of Faith" June 2009).
The Jewish and Muslim families seemed to adhere to their religion strictly and faithfully. The Christian family seemed to also, but the closing statement caught me off guard.
"'We used to feel that if we just did our jobs using the gifts God gave us, we would be taken care of financially' says Kent. Now they know it's up to them to take care of themselves."
If that is how the Koeman family really feels, I think the authors could have and should have found a more faithful family to represent Christianity.
My question to the Koeman family is this: When you were "poor" only making around $30,000 a year, did God not provide for you?
Maybe they didn't have everything they wanted, but I'll bet God gave them what they needed! Too bad they didn't realize it.
.
May 18, 2009
Letter to the Editor of Smartmoney
Below is a letter to the editor of SmartMoney Magazine.
While I agree that e*trade is a pretty good brokerage firm overall, ("Finding the Best Fit" June 2009) the article left out one huge mistake e*trade pulled on some of its clients.
In March, e*trade abruptly terminated their line of mutual funds. This of course forced investors to liquidate their holdings, no doubt many at huge losses. How's that for customer service!
I have yet to read any analysis about this from any newspaper or magazine source, probably because e*trade advertises in most major publications (including your own).
.
While I agree that e*trade is a pretty good brokerage firm overall, ("Finding the Best Fit" June 2009) the article left out one huge mistake e*trade pulled on some of its clients.
In March, e*trade abruptly terminated their line of mutual funds. This of course forced investors to liquidate their holdings, no doubt many at huge losses. How's that for customer service!
I have yet to read any analysis about this from any newspaper or magazine source, probably because e*trade advertises in most major publications (including your own).
.
May 12, 2009
Lasagna anyway you cook it!
While I was shopping the other day I noticed in the pasta area there were two types of Lasagna, oven ready and regular.
I needed to know the difference, so I started my sleuthing.
First, the obvious. Both were branded with the Great Value label. The oven ready box is blue. The regular box is red.
Next, I observed the price. $1.49 for each. Interesting.
What about the size of the box? The regular box is 16 ounces and the oven ready box is only 12 ounces.
That's it! The weight is different, therefore, it must be because the ingredients are different making one box heaver than the other.
Upon looking at the ingredients they were identical.
So then what is the difference between regular lasagna and oven ready lasagna?
Apparently you get 4 ounces less of the oven ready lasagna for the same price as a regular box!
Remember you read it here first at Doe Valley, the place that answers those tough questions simply by thinking.
.
I needed to know the difference, so I started my sleuthing.
First, the obvious. Both were branded with the Great Value label. The oven ready box is blue. The regular box is red.
Next, I observed the price. $1.49 for each. Interesting.
What about the size of the box? The regular box is 16 ounces and the oven ready box is only 12 ounces.
That's it! The weight is different, therefore, it must be because the ingredients are different making one box heaver than the other.
Upon looking at the ingredients they were identical.
So then what is the difference between regular lasagna and oven ready lasagna?
Apparently you get 4 ounces less of the oven ready lasagna for the same price as a regular box!
Remember you read it here first at Doe Valley, the place that answers those tough questions simply by thinking.
.
May 11, 2009
Book Review
Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
This book is co-authored by John and Stasi Eldredge. Sometimes it is clear who is writing, other times it is not.
Overall the premise of the book is for women to be captivating. Their hearts should provide the invitation to romance so they can let their true beauty shine forth all the while having an adventure throughout their lives.
“What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating will do for you” is the caption on the back of the book. When I read the caption, I was a little annoyed because “Wild at Heart” did nothing for me. In fact, I though the book was wrong, so I had little expectation for this book.
As I started reading, however, I found this book to be better in places than “Wild at Heart.” The places I found myself enjoying were when Stasi wrote. I found myself usually disagreeing with John’s writing.
This book is an okay read, but could have been better if Stasi would have wrote the whole book. As with “Wild at Heart” the theology is a little off in places and the authors seem to use more movie and cultural references than scripture to prove their point. Sometimes (as with “Wild at Heart”) the scripture is interpreted in a weak or liberal way to further attempt to substantiate their point.
This is another book you can safely skip.
.
This book is co-authored by John and Stasi Eldredge. Sometimes it is clear who is writing, other times it is not.
Overall the premise of the book is for women to be captivating. Their hearts should provide the invitation to romance so they can let their true beauty shine forth all the while having an adventure throughout their lives.
“What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating will do for you” is the caption on the back of the book. When I read the caption, I was a little annoyed because “Wild at Heart” did nothing for me. In fact, I though the book was wrong, so I had little expectation for this book.
As I started reading, however, I found this book to be better in places than “Wild at Heart.” The places I found myself enjoying were when Stasi wrote. I found myself usually disagreeing with John’s writing.
This book is an okay read, but could have been better if Stasi would have wrote the whole book. As with “Wild at Heart” the theology is a little off in places and the authors seem to use more movie and cultural references than scripture to prove their point. Sometimes (as with “Wild at Heart”) the scripture is interpreted in a weak or liberal way to further attempt to substantiate their point.
This is another book you can safely skip.
.
April 27, 2009
Book Review
Teaching to Change Lives by Howard G. Hendricks
This book provides seven ways to help you be a better teacher. The book is geared toward teaching the word of God, but could be applied to any subject.
The seven methods are summarized below:
1. Teachers never stop learning.
2. People learn differently – so teach them differently.
3. The most effective learning comes from involvement.
4. To communicate your subject you must know it well, believe it, and live it.
5. Teaching is from the heart, meaning your whole self.
6. Effective teaching is motivating.
7. Preparation of both teacher and student makes for the best learning experience.
The author dedicates one chapter each to the above mentioned topics. There is also an introductory chapter at the beginning and summary chapter at the end. At the end of each chapter there are some reflection type questions to ponder.
Overall, this is a good book and a worthwhile read if you are interested in improving your teaching.
.
This book provides seven ways to help you be a better teacher. The book is geared toward teaching the word of God, but could be applied to any subject.
The seven methods are summarized below:
1. Teachers never stop learning.
2. People learn differently – so teach them differently.
3. The most effective learning comes from involvement.
4. To communicate your subject you must know it well, believe it, and live it.
5. Teaching is from the heart, meaning your whole self.
6. Effective teaching is motivating.
7. Preparation of both teacher and student makes for the best learning experience.
The author dedicates one chapter each to the above mentioned topics. There is also an introductory chapter at the beginning and summary chapter at the end. At the end of each chapter there are some reflection type questions to ponder.
Overall, this is a good book and a worthwhile read if you are interested in improving your teaching.
.
April 08, 2009
Book Review
Matthew 16-23: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book.
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
MacArthur provides thorough Scriptural commentary throughout this book.
MacArthur's commentaries are mainly expository. Meaning, he takes scripture and explains it with other scripture. His expository style, however, is easy to read and understand. He does digress into other scripture or theological topics at times, but I believe he does this so anyone reading this commentary would be able to understand the other scriptural passages that he references.
I would highly recommend The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series to anyone looking for an in-depth Biblical explanation of Scripture.
.
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