MAY HIS PEACE, JOY, AND GUIDANCE BE YOURS TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE NEW YEAR

Christmas Miracle! http://bit.ly/KUT4q

How can these formidable challenges be an incredible step forward to a whole new plateau of accomplishment and personal fulfillment?

In short, how can all of us triumph over health, emotional well being, and financial issues?

Living Life Through God's Power

There is a story of a man with incredible athletic ability, boldness, leadership, and a heart and commitment for the people around him. He was so focused on the needs of his friends and neighbors that he would not allow a major adversary, three times his size, to emotionally torment and bully those around him.

Against all odds, he boldly stepped in and defeated this life altering threat to him, his family, and neighbors and this courageous, selfless act enabled him and all around him to step up to a plateau of opportunity, health, and prosperity that he and the others around him had ever experienced.

Who was this person? None other that a humble sheperd boy by the name of David that stepped in and took on Goliath, a seasoned warrior. He did this in the strength, power, faith, and confidence in his God of Creation.

God's Over Ruling Power and Healing

But even with this incredible connection to God and his power, this same David was subject to periodic emotional challenges, as we all are. He said, ” O my soul, why are you distressed and disturbed within me? I will look unto my God for the hope and strength of his presence. ”

Some years later there was another man who was known for his intellect, boldness, strength, unconditional love, and commitment to all around him. He was known for his coaching prowness, leadership, and was a gifted speaker.

He began coaching a team of just twelve individuals from average to modest vocations.
And yes he too was not exempt from life challenges. In fact, some leaders were intimidated by his intellect and leadership abilities.

Despite this, in three short years, he had succeeded in galvanizing this humble group in to leaders of men who helped spiral his leadership concepts to countless millions of people through out the world.

There were times that his team needed to fall back themselves, emotionally and psychologically. In the end, however, it was this person’s commitment and unconditional love to everyone that provided the psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual healing that his team needed to witness.

The rest is history. This person, sometimes referred to as the Son of David, Jesus Christ stands today as a leader among leaders, a coach among coaches, and an incredible testimony on how we should all meet and over rule life challenges.

Christ Reaching Out To Each Of Us, Daily

When your Trident Society counselor quotes a rate you can be sure that all of the following extra fees are included so that you will have minimized the stress and anxiety on your loved ones in the future.

Peace of mind is knowing the bottom line

While cremation costs have risen from $400.00 some 20 years ago to from $2,000 – $5,000 or more, there are companies that advertise cremations for as little as $ 494.00! That may cover the cost of the cremation itself but what about transferring the body to a crematorium, the storage fees, travel fees beyond 25 – 30 miles, weekend and holiday fees and more?

I’ve been around the block a few times myself in this industry so here are some tips that will assist you in actually getting to the bottom line yourself thereby sparing your family from being hit with 90% of the costs later:

If weekend ,holiday, and evening fees are not specified there is a good chance your family could be paying another $800.00 – $ 1,000 in fees.

What mortuaries call 2nd attendant fees could easily be another $200.00 plus for the family.

Direct cremations does not mean there are no refrigerated storage fees of the body until the original signed death certificate and disposition permits are processed through the county. These storage fees can easily cause your family to pay from $ 300.00 – a $1,000 or more in extra costs.

Cremation costs themselves generally range from $500 – $600 all by themselves wherever you go. That’s the least of your concerns. It’s all the extras that are often left for the family to pick up.

If your family is not going to be comfortable with your ashes or cremains being placed in a cardboard box, a plastic container, or a coffee tin, they may be asked to pay over a $ 1,000.00 for a permanent urn. This is included with Trident society so the family is spared the sales pitch.

If you should die beyond a distance of 25 -30 miles from your home, there is an additional fee of from $2.00 – $3.00/mile in extra fees 95% of the time. So if you’re visiting your family on the east coast, that would be at least an additional $6,000.00 in extra fees to them on arguably one of the worst days of their life. You can be traveling anywhere in the country or in the world with the Trident Society and there are no additional costs to your family.

While industry costs continue to go up all the time, when you’re ready for your Trident Society counselor to set up your prearranged cremation plan, the costs at this time will be under $2,000.00 bottom line with all of the above scenarios included. Exactly how important is your peace of mind that you have taken care of all of these hidden costs in advance for your family?

If I can clarify any additional questions for you in the future, just ask for me, Sal Capobianco, at 562 331 5480.

Why is it that it takes the death of a loved one and the reading of their will to trigger such a response?

Chat With God, God's Inheritance

I have received such letters in the past Lord,and have found myself fantasizing about the future. Thank you for MUCH MORE than just a promise of temporary wealth but a promise of receiving an inheritance that was sealed by your death for all of us.

” Come to me, you that are blessed of my Father and receive your inheritance that was prepared for you from the creation of the world . . . . ” Matthew 25

Chat With God, Our Inheritance Through Him

Chat With God on Beach

My immediate thoughts took me to memories of the roaring and echoing of waters on the beach side, with a multicolored sunset as a prelude to a busy day. Thanking and praising you for all that was going well in my life felt uplifting and my spirit was renewed.

My response was in the form of a question. I asked isn’t it possible that God, the creator of the universe, knew us so well that if he directed us to take our minds off of ourselves and our limited abilities and focused on your unlimited strength and direction through us, wouldn’t that be to OUR benefit?

( To be continued )

An Inspirational Poem

A Seaman’s Prayer

by Charles C. Johnston

” My boat is so small and the sea of concern and dismay is so vast.

Night time has fallen. The stars that guide me are hidden and I can no longer find my way.

The waves crest above me and I fear that my humble vessel will flood and all will be lost.

Hear me, I beseech thee O Lord. Grant me the courage to persevere and make for safe harbor. That I might abide, once again, in thy warm and loving embrace.

Grant me thy kind dispensation that I might serve thee unto the remainder of my days. ”

Love, What does it look like? If you saw it, would you recognize it?

Many people are raised with the idea that if you are working hard, you are expressing your love for your family. Surely, we are to provide for our family, but at what cost? What about our health? How important is establishing balance? What, for you, are the most important things in life?

Love, How far would you go for it? If you saw it, would you recognize it?

How many of us have been raised with the idea that quality time is more important than quantity time? Do you think your kids, grand kids, etc know the difference between the two? What gestures have the most impact on our families, the spectacular vacations every four to five years, or the day to day phone calls, notes, or just helping out with day to day household responsibilities? If our kids don’t see us living a life of love, how far do you think they might go to experience it?

I was raised by a hard working Italian American family where often love was expressed by my dad very seldom being home so that we could live in a nice home and in a safe neighborhood. Often times I was reminded that if we sacrificed today that there would always be a tomorrow.

Well after losing my mom to brain cancer at the age of 53, and my dad from colon cancer, things began taking on a little different perspective. Christ encouraged us to lay aside treasures where moth and rust destroy and where thieves can break in and steal. But to lay up treasures in heaven where moth and rust can not destroy and thieves can not break in and steal, for where your heart is there will your treasure be as well.

Love, What does it look like? If you saw it, would you recognize it?

Love. What does it look like? How do you portray it? How far would you go for it? If you saw it , would you recognize it? If you were the creator of the universe and you were looking to express your love for mankind, how would you express it?

Would accepting Christ’s incredible demonstration of love for you and me today, at this time that we celebrate his victory over the grave,be to much to ask for? Just say Lord Jesus, I acknowledge and accept your death on the cross for me and understand that I am not perfect. Come in to my life and guide and direct me from this day on. ( Rev 3:20 )

The older man, do you know what he was doing? He was encouraging the younger man.

Chat With God, Encourage Each Other to Build Each Other Up

At this time in our economy, more than ever this is a time to ” encourage each, to build each other up ” as stated in I Thes 5:11.

Far too many people have lost their homes, banks have tripled to quadrupled their interest rates, have dramatically cut back on credit lines, and have limited bank financing. Many are asking where the middle class’s stimulus or bailout is. Maybe the answer is with in ourselves.

Why not reach down deep with in ourselves and, with God’s help, rise above of the many obstacles that have been set before us? Why not reach out to a neighbor, coworker, or an acquaintance and encourage and uplift them? How many times has a random act of kindness been returned to us when we least expected it?

Chat With God, Encourage Each Other

Bruce Larson, in his book, Wind and Fire, points out some interesting facts about sand-hill cranes: “These large birds, who fly great distances across continents in a “V” formation like geese, have three remarkable qualities. First, they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. Second, they choose leaders who can handle turbulence. And third, all during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation.”

This is not a bad model for the rest of us: we all should be honking encouragement to each other.

What Hank didn’t share is that his friend, Gene is fighting cancer and parkinsons disease! It truly was an inspiration to me to watch both of them help each other!

What possible problem can we be allowing to discourage us when there are people like Hank and Gene dealing with aids, cancer, and parkinson’s disease?

Karen is represents another incredibly inspirational people. Her doctors call her their ” walking miracle “.
She went on to share with me that she has been fighting 4 types of cancer for the past 17 years!

She still finds time in between chemotherapy treatments to have an incredible amount of fun with her involvement with the Red Hat Ladies. If that wasn ‘t enough, her exhusband Richard insisted on paying for her prearranged cremation plan. Guess that makes them an inspirational couple whether they are officially married or not.

Anyway, when Karen, recommends that one of her friends consider receiving information on how they can save thousands of dollars for themselves and their families, it’s no wonder that they are willing to listen.

So now, I guess you know why cancer, aids, inspirational people, and the Trident society come together?

Barriers to Effective Communication

Recently I was talking to an acquaintance at my wife’s birthday party.  Our conversation moved in to an often volatile topic which was politics. It soon became apparent that our political views were not aligned and that almost became an insurmountable barrier to effective communication.
Gratefully, some others in the room began talking about other hobbies and interests. As a result, we found out that we both had a passion for diving and hiking. We became fascinated with places in the country and the world that we had experienced. We also began sharing pictures from my lap top computer with enthusiasm and spontaneity. We were both totally and completely immersed in each other’s experiences and all it took was a wiilingness to explore some other interests. What a shift!
We no longer felt polarized by our differences but unified by what we had in common. We didn’t need to be in 100% agreement on everything in our lives in order to have a mutual respect and appeciation for each other.
We were both patriots and Americans with a unique perspective on some things in life. But that was part of what made us who we were.
I reflected on what I had learned that day.  As neighbors, Americans, and members of a Global community, we have far to much in common to allow individual differences to separate us.  We are interconnected.  We cannot allow our political views, personal preferences, or religious choices to diminish our respect and appreciation for each other. When we do, they become barriers to effective communication.

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