Saturday, January 08, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
How State Income Taxes Compare
I did a quick search on state income taxes and found this table comparing all of the states (as of 1/1/2010).
Personally... and I know many of my friends will disagree with me... I don't have a problem with the state of Illinois raising our income tax rate, considering the complete economic disaster that we're in. Is our absurd deficit "our" fault? Is it our elected officials fault? Right now I don't care WHOSE fault it is. I'm tired of fingers being pointed. Let's just figure out HOW to get our state's financial situation back on track. And, as much as I hate to say it... a tax increase almost has to be a part of the correction. How much of a tax increase... Who knows... I'll let the "professionals" figure that out.
Again, this is my own personal thoughts.
Can/should there be some spending cuts, also? Of course... but you can't tell me that cutting a few salaries and some other wasted spending is going to get our state back in the black. And don't tell me that all state employees are over payed... Because I know plenty that are NOT... My wife being one and many other Illinois State University faculty and staff.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Colossians 2:7
"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."
Right after I read the verse above I read a Twitter post by Brian Tracy:
"What are you going to do today that's going to make a positive difference in your life tomorrow?"
What will make a positive difference in my life? First and foremost, making sure my "roots" are growing in healthy "soil" today... Which will bring a beautiful overflowing harvest of life tomorrow for myself and those closest to me.
Lord, help me keep myself planted in you... So I will be receiving your nourishment needed to be healthy spiritually, growing and blooming with faith and thankfulness.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
What will make a positive difference in my life? First and foremost, making sure my "roots" are growing in healthy "soil" today... Which will bring a beautiful overflowing harvest of life tomorrow for myself and those closest to me.
Lord, help me keep myself planted in you... So I will be receiving your nourishment needed to be healthy spiritually, growing and blooming with faith and thankfulness.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, January 03, 2011
Colossians 1:15
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation..."
What did this statement by Paul mean? And what is the significance of it?
Can you imagine the reactions of the Sanhedrin hearing these words by Paul, a former colleague of theirs... He is stating that Jesus IS God.
Paul isn't "just" repeating the gospel story (I don't mean for it to sound like I'm belittling the gospel story here), but is boldly making a theological statement - JESUS IS GOD.
I am always amazed by Paul's strength - not his physical strength, but his spiritual strength. And this statement was only the tip of the iceberg for Paul.
If I could have just one-one-millionth of Paul's passion for God to make bold statements such as this one presented in Colossians 1:15... changing lives and exulting our God.
Strengthen me spiritually, God. Help me to develop a passion for you that would help me exult your name through bold statements.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Colossians 4:5-6
"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone."
I must live the same no matter who I am with... Believers or non-believers, living in such a way that would be respectful, gracious, humble, and uplifting to my God and those around me.
Teach me, God, what "wise" means - and how to be seen as wise in my wife and children's eyes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Introducing Isaac
We had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in northern Illinois this week for the "Sexton Family Christmas" - which also meant we were able to spend a couple of days with the newest member of our extended family... seven week old Isaac. What a cutie!!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Just A Few Things To Ponder
Ran into this list at Ocean Interiors and thought it was worth sharing...
Just a few things to ponder:
01. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
02. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
03. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.
04. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
05. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
06. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
07. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
08. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
09. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
26. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, & never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
27. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
28. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
29. You should not confuse your career with your life.
30. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
31. Never lick a steak knife.
32. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
33. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
34. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
35. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
36. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
37. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
38. Your friends love you anyway.
39. Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new.
40. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
Just a few things to ponder:
01. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
02. Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often.
03. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.
04. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
05. If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you've never tried before.
06. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
07. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
08. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
09. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of cheques.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway.
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.
21. Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
22. By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.
23. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
24. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.
25. It ain't the jeans that make your butt look fat.
26. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, & never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
27. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
28. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
29. You should not confuse your career with your life.
30. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
31. Never lick a steak knife.
32. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
33. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
34. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
35. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
36. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
37. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
38. Your friends love you anyway.
39. Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new.
40. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Finishing Up
Another gardening year has come and gone. And, as always, I finish up my year by doing winter greens for a couple of customers. Though I HATE the cold, I L-O-V-E doing these "winter green containers" ... Gives a nice splash of color and liveliness to an entrance/front door.
North Point's iBand
Saw this posted on Facebook by Lanny Hemmings and L-O-V-E-D it and had to share it on my blog. Who says the iPad/iPhone/iTouch are worthless... WOW!!! This is SO cool!!!
Sunday, December 05, 2010
My Love... My Wife... My Inspiration
I take a lot of photos of my wife... which usually she detests. But, something I always enjoy :-)
Sometimes I take a photo of her that I can't stop staring at... One that captures who she really is. The eyes, the smile... They tell the whole story of who this loving, committed, God fearing wife and mother is inside and out.
Thank you, Laurie... for who you are, who you want to be, and who you want to please most... Our Heavenly Father. You are an inspiration to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)