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I Am A Piece of Work!

Have you ever heard someone say, "Well, isn't she a piece of work!"

I realized this morning, I AM a piece of work.

Philippians 1:6 says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This verse tells me three things: 1) I am a piece of work; 2) I am an imperfect piece of work; and 3) Christ loves me and will never leave me un-mended.

I awoke pondering the blog I wrote yesterday on Dr. Paul Meier's book on Narcissists. It was so clear to me this morning that the books intention is not to fix someone else but to view our own hearts and minds before our loving Creator.

We get into so much trouble when we try to fix someone else. It's sort of like a computer, and the warning label states: "Only Authorized Repairman should open this casing". There is only ONE authorized Repairman in a Christian's life and that is the Lord Creator Himself. What is our job? To notify the repairman when we recognize something is wrong with our model.

Prayer is powerful and the Narcissist in our lives needs prayer, love and an extra measure of patience for they are as broken as we are.... especially if the Narcissist is ourselves.

Dr. Paul Meier's New Book

Paul Meier's most recent work is centered around the ancient-old syndrome: Narcissism. After years of counseling numerous clients, Dr. Meier began to experience the affects of this trait among Christian brothers and sisters. As an outcropping of his experience, he formulated a book that is sure to help millions.

"As I wrote it, I put in funny examples but also was reminded of all the pain my clients (and I) have suffered by the abuse of narcissists we have trusted in our pasts... and if you think you are perfect, you are a PERFECT NARCISSIST! The two therapists, with whom I wrote this book, and I think it will be extremely helpful to all who read it. It will give you a greater depth of understanding of human nature and provide a few laughs as you learn."

Dr. Meier's new book will help you discover if the stress in your relationships, whether personal or professional, are caused by yourself or others. What is narcissism and what can you do about it?

For more information visit www.youmightbeanarcissistif.com.

"Narcissism is nothing new, but as individuals become aware of those who suffer from this syndrome, it may seem very new".

As a tickler, here are some examples of "You may be a Narcissist if"....

1. you think the world revolves around you;

2. you demand excessive attention;

3. you tend to be controlling;

4. you are manipulative;

5. you are selfish;

6. you have little or no guilt for your own sins;

7. you think you are always right, and if someone else disagrees, they are wrong!

8. You use sarcasm and other critical comments

9. You grew up “spoiled” or abused—most often spoiled or the favorite child of one of the parents.

10. On the highway, you are frustrated with others driving.

11. In a prayer meeting, you find more spiritual avenues, or monopolize the prayer time

12. In any business arrangement, You fight for your rights above all others.

THESE NATIONAL ATHLETES CALL APTOS HOME

As it appeared in the Aptos Times, June 15, 2010 Edition

On May 29th, on the fields of the Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte N.C., under the threat of thunder and lightening, participants of the 2010 NCAA Division 2 Track and Field National Championships took to their events hoping for the elusive national title.

Three of these athletes would walk away with All-American status, while another would also add the title “National Champion.” Aptos can be proud of all three athletes, who call our town home.

The lightening and thunder had already postponed part of Friday’s events, but the humidity hovered over them with little relief.

Sophomore Nick Howe of University of California, San Diego, entered the javelin event ranked 3rd. With a throw of 225’, he walked away with a personal record and the Championship. As for school records, he is the first and only male national champion in the history of UCSD track and field.

“It’s been remarkable to see his improvement through these first two years,” Coach Tony Salerno, head coach at UCSD stated. “We’ve made some investments in perfecting his technique and quite frankly, I didn’t expect for him to get these kinds of results that fast. It’s been impressive that he’s developed this quickly and he certainly has a bright future, considering he’s only a sophomore.”

As a freshman, Howe was named CCAA Freshman of the Year after winning the javelin event with a throw of 189’10”. That same year he qualified for 2009 NCAA Division 2 Nationals and placed 11th with a throw of 195’11. His throw at the NCAA qualifier set the UCSD record with a mark of 201’3” at the Occidental Invitational.

Ask Howe who has made the biggest impression on him athletically, and he’ll say his father. Ralph Howe, a two-time All American Athlete himself, was a top U.S. javelin prospect in the 1990’s, nearly qualifying for the 1996 Atlanta games.

When asked what made the difference in Charlotte, Nick said, “Most of it is genetics, and I know I work really hard. On my fifth throw, the winning throw, I was thinking of my dad. I thought ‘this is for you.’”

Two young ladies from Aptos, superior athletes who also happen to be sisters, walked away with marks their parents are quite proud.

Senior Donna LeFever was named All-American with a sixth-place finish in the pole vault by posting a mark of 12’ 2.75”. Only weeks previous to the Nationals, she placed second at the CCAA Championships. She is the record holder at UCSD in the pole vault with height of 12’6” at Long Beach Invitational.

Donna’s sister, Junior Stephanie LeFever, won an All-American for placing 7th in the long jump and then won another All-American award in the 4x400. Stephanie joined teammates Jacqueline “Boo” Rose, Christine Merrill and Kelly Fogarty in the 4x400 relay event and finished eighth, earning them each a coveted All-American status with a time of 3:44.82.

Stephanie holds 5 UCSD records: She holds the 2nd best mark in the long jump and the Heptathlon. She holds the 6th best mark in the triple jump and the 7th best mark in the 100 Meter hurdles in the high jump she holds 8th place.

While school budget cuts threaten athletic programs across the nation, these young people’s performances are a reminder that we cannot lose sight of the fact that for many students, to be called “All-American” is a part of their American dream.

CAPITOLA DAIRY QUEEN REIGNS SUPREME

BUSINESS PROFILE: Appeared in the June Issue of Capitola Times

Written by Cynthia Howe

Back in the 60’s, my Grandpa use to take my brother and I down to get an ice cream cone after we’d gone to church and had our lunch. I don’t know who enjoyed the trip more. My grandpa

was a serious man, thought in black and white, so when he smiled, he lit up my whole world.

Ice cream made him smile. There’s something about ice cream and memories, I don’t know what it is, but for many of us, it happened at the Dairy Queen. For over 60 years, the Dairy Queen

has sat at the heart of small town America.

It all began in 1938 when a father and his son held a sampling of their new creation at a friends’ ice cream store. They had been experimenting with a soft frozen dairy product in their Kankakee, Illinois home. Two hours and 1,600 servings later, at 10 cents a pop, they knew they were onto something good. The love affair Americans have with soft-serve ice cream had begun.

Before World War II there were 10 Dairy Queen Stores, but after the war, demand for this frozen concoction resulted in 100 stores being opened by 1947, 1,446 stores by 1950 and today you can find over 5,900 restaurants around the world.

Whether you dip it in chocolate or cherry, choose vanilla or chocolate, put it in a sugar cone or plain, the DQ cone is delicious. What kids favor most however is the DQ Blizzard. Take soft-serve ice cream, any flavor, and throw in crushed candy bars, a variety of syrups, chips and goobers, and you’ve got a storm for your mouth.

Drive by our local Capitola Dairy Queen at about 3:30pm on a weekday and you’ll see that the Queen still reigns supreme with the locals. It’s swarming with young adults, buzzing about with Blizzards or chocolate dipped cones. But the Capitola DQ is much more than a teenage hot spot, it’s a local landmark for Capitola memories.

The Capitola Dairy Queen was established in the 1960’s. Michael Babich is the third and current owner, with the previous proprietor working the business for over 30 years. Since purchasing the business, Michael has made a few changes.

Michael is a member of the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program. By following

their guidelines, he has been able to conserve environmental resources in a number of ways.

“We are using less electricity, less water, using products made from recycled products, and greatly increasing our recycling program,” Michael shared in a recent testimonial. “At the same time we are saving money, getting good feedback from our customers, and feeling good about conserving.”

Michael also buys his produce locally from Watsonville, and purchases some of his buns from Aldo’s. These practices and more lead to less carbon footprints on our environment. But any business isn’t successful based on business practices alone; it’s about who does the business.

Employees are the face of any business, and the Capitola Dairy Queen has ‘welcome’ written all over theirs. “They are so friendly and always say “hi,” Margo shared. She lives just two blocks away and admits she goes to the Dairy Queen about five times a week. Michael works hard to

make sure that his employees have the vibrant personality that generates return

customers.

And they do return, over and over again. Some local customers have enjoyed their visits for decades, visiting at least two or three times a week. Michael remodeled the restaurant shortly after he purchased it.

The décor takes you back to the 70’s, with classic rock being played in the background. Their visits aren’t just about the ice cream either; it’s about the food – glorious food!

Whether it’s the hamburgers, wraps, chicken strips, onion rings or salads, the food is All-American-Awesome! The Flame Thrower hamburger is a huge hit with a quarter-pound or half-pound burger, jalapeños, bacon, pepper jack cheese, and Tabasco sauce. All of the hamburgers are flame broiled, never fried!

Did You Know?

• The DQ Blizzard turned 25 this year! To celebrate you can join the Blizzard fan club and receive 6 free Blizzard treats a year. Go online for details.

• This months Blizzard flavor: Midnight Truffle

• DQ can make a birthday cake with your picture on it! Just provide them with any custom picture for them to scan.

• DQ has a variety of items for immediate pick up. Choose from Dilly or Buster Bars, Ice Cream Sandwiches and much more.

•••

Dairy Queen: 816 Bay Avenue, Capitola -

(831) 475-8325

BusinessProfile

Ministry, Money and Melancholy

"By this they will know that you are my disciples, that you have love for one another". - Jesus

Everyone is feeling the pinch, the financial belt tightening around the middle that causes severe heart burn and indigestion, but there is one group that feels it more profound than other professions: Ministers of the Word.

Before stimulus checks, bailouts and health bills, pastors across America had their faith stretched as they watched the weekly offering plates come in lighter and lighter each week. It was like a barometer, but before the economic crisis ever started, few realize that money issues were to come in second to the prevailing struggle of ministers: melancholy, or its big sister, “Depression”.

In an article written by Rich Murphy, “Bad News About Your Pastor”, Murphy gathers statistics and findings from such sources as: Pastor to Pastor, Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Global Pastors Network. The statistics are shocking:

- 1,500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to spiritual burnout, contention in their churches or moral failure.

- 4,000 new churches begin each year, while over 7,000 churches close.

- 50% of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.

- 80% of pastors and 84% percent of their spouses feel unqualified and seriously discouraged.

- 90% said the hardest thing about ministry is dealing with uncooperative people.

- 80% of pastor' wives feel left out and unappreciated by the church members.

- Over 70% of pastors' wives feel pressured to “be” something to the church that they aren’t.

Although pastors are surrounded by a body of other believers, the majority of them have a difficult time finding a 'brother' among the crowd. They feel isolated on a personal level as they have learned to keep their private struggles private. They've learned that if they share too much, there will be someone there to point, accuse and opine on what ‘the pastor’ should or shouldn’t be doing … or allowing… or pursuing… or preaching… or….

This isolation is the first sign the enemy waits for as his personal invitation to attack, and he is faithful in that. If a believer that works at K-mart falls, it irritates the church, but if a pastor falls, it devastates whole families and communities. The message to the church should be, serve the Lord and not the enemy. Be careful not to let those things that Paul speaks of, those things that the first churches struggled with, be wedged in your body: quarreling, gossiping, judging one another, etc. These are the tools of the enemy.

Don’t let your Pastor become another statistic, Love your pastor by:

1. Praying for Him, consistently;

2. Respect his spiritual leadership;

3. Treat him as one called by God, not as your ‘employee’;

4. Allow GOD to define his ministry, not the Board or group of ‘concerned’ members; and

5. Commit yourself personally to being a 'safe' person for him, keeping confidentiality and trust before the throne of Christ. Be his brother, not his judge.

"The Help", by Kathryn Stockett

I finished this story today, and I felt like an old woman who just left a small Mississippi town, saddened at the thought that she would no longer visit her friends, "Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie.

While I mourn the loss of my new friends with the last page of the book, I realize I have three wishes: I want to know what happened to Miss Celia, is she okay? Does anyone truly befriend her and make her feel like a thread in the fabric of Jackson?

Also, I want to know if Miss Hilly ever gets her just desserts, because I don't believe she has stopped her evil ways... which leads me to my 3rd wish: Maybe Kathryn could write another book, letting me visit my friends once again, and it could just focus on Aibileen writing for the paper, having her own column that includes some of her sassy responses to the ladies writing, such as, "get rid of the ring around the collar by getting rid of that fat, no-workin'-man, honey!"

I give this book 5 stars out of 5, and I hope I get to visit one more time.