THE UNTOLD STORY OF PETBE

Who Cares About Caring?

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 03:15:00 -0800

We are precious in God's sight, not targets of quotas to be conquered.

Not objects to be manipulated, but sacred subjects to be cared for.

For we are the sacred creation of our living God.

Some years ago, Martin England, a white Southern insurance man, learned that the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was not covered by a life insurance policy. That worried him almost daily. He ran after Dr. King convincing him to buy a suitable insurance plan for his family. It wasn't easy chasing King for weeks. But finally he got Dr. King to sit down with him and his persistence paid off Dr. King signed the insurance papers.

Tony Campolo, recalling this story in one of his books, noted that it wasn't long afterward that an assassin's bullet pierced Dr. King's body and took from America the greatest of all modern spokespersons for freedom. Fortunately, the tragedy of King's death was not compounded by his leaving behind a destitute family. An ordinary insurance man had taken care of matters through an extraordinary commitment to meet an important need.

He cared. That's what makes Martin England different from the other insurance salesmen. He cared not for what he could benefit from a successful deal but what his clients would get from such a deal.

I'll never forget the experience I had with two young men who entered our house convincing me to buy a set of very expensive encyclopedia. It was easy to refuse. My mother-in-law already bought a similar set from articulate salesmen. And I preferred a lean cd-rom encyclopedia more than this voluminous literature.

But I became more curious as the two gentlemen alternately delivered their well-rehearsed sales pitch. They had quick rebuttal for every objection I raised. That whetted my appetite for debate all the more as I wanted to see how these guys were trained to sell.

The animated exchange continued for the next forty-five minutes. And the boys' patience began to wear thin. The older boy then delivered a monologue on the supposed benefits of this product. That did not work. Finally, they gave up. That's when I introduced myself as a marketing man and offered tips on making a sale. Perhaps more out of sheer exhaustion than politeness, they listened.

There was nothing wrong with what they said, I told them. But everything about their approach was wrong. They were so engrossed with their sales formula that they neglected the human side of the deal and that is the heart of meeting a person's need. A sensitive customer can smell a mile away that he is being treated like a project to be finished, not a human to be helped. That kills any prospect long before the salesman opens his mouth.

Customers - that's the rest of us - have been created in the image and likeness of God.

Wanted: Leaders, Not Managers

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 02:41:00 -0800

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Not so with you.

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Do you know that people prefer leaders to managers? They would rather be led than managed.

This message by United Technologies Corporation of Hartford, Connecticut was published in the Wall Street Journal: "People don't want to be managed, they want to be led."

"Whoever heard of a world manager? World leader, yes. Educational leader, political leader, religious leader, scout leader, labor leader, business leader, etc. Why" Because they do not manage, they lead. The carrot always wins over the stick. Ask your horse. You can lead your horse to water but you can't manage him to drink. If you want to manage somebody, manage yourself. Do that well and you'll be ready to stop managing... start leading."

Not everyone can be a good leader and a good manager at the same time. Some are excellent managers while some are strong leaders.

Writer Don Martin in his book Team Think notes the differences between a leader and a manager:

A manager administers, a leader innovates;

A manager maintains, a leader develops;

A manager plans, a leader directs.

Many people want to be leaders for the wrong reasons. They smell glamour and personal glory in leadership. Will they find it there?

Parents of college applicants in a university were asked, "What would you like your child to be - a leader or a follower?" A father, after much thought, wrote that his child, although a very individualistic person, was really more of a follower. Not long after, the college admissions director wrote the father back, "We feel he'll fit in specially well. Because he will be the only follower in a class of 412 leaders!" As it turned out, all the other parents wanted their children to be a leaders.

To dream high for your children is to want to see them become leaders, not managers.

Thomas Monaghan is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of Domino's Pizza, Inc. From 1970, Domino's grew from a small debt-ridden chain to one of the largest pizza companies in America with sales reaching over $1 billion in 1985.

Asked for the secret of his company's phenomenal growth, Monaghan replied, "I programmed everything for growth. Everyday we develop people - the key to growth is developing people." This is a pizza parlor, but he was looking out for people and not for the right recipe for a tasty crust or fast delivery schedules. Knowing how to deal right with your people is the key to effective leadership.

Friends, think of the cost of leadership, not of its glamour. Jesus gave Himself to people day in and day out, instructing them in God's Word. He made sure that His life was the truest example of excellence in leadership.

What was Christ's golden rule for being an effective leader?

People are changed because they see a clear example to follow. There is no need for coercion and intimidation. Jesus Christ was the perfect example. Follow His leadership style. His is the most effective way. As a matter of fact, the only Way.

Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:24:00 -0800

No one knows what he can do until he tries.

Do not let countless job promotions and opportunities pass you by for fear that you would not be able to do what is expected of you.

Such fears are baseless.

Many people have approached and told me, "You know, Francis, I have always dreamt of becoming a writer. But I can never be one now that I have this job. Besides, I also have a lot limitations." In their vulnerable moments, they reveal that they still greatly cherish these childhood dreams. The biggest hindrance to attaining these is themselves. Emperor Caesar wrote his commentaries in his tent while all the rest of the Roman army were asleep. The following day, he got up early and went to battle.

Handel wrote his best music after his doctors had told him about his impending death. While Beethoven wrote the Fifth Symphony after he had become deaf.

Three of the world's greatest poets - Homer, Milton, and Dante were blind men.

Hannibal and Lord Nelson, both outstanding generals, each had one eye.

Daniel Defoe wrote the classic Robin Crusoe while in prison. So did John Bunyan with his Pilgrim's Progress. Martin Luther translated the Bible in the Castle of Wartburg.

Dante wrote for twenty years in exile while awaiting executing. Cervantes wrote Don Quixote in a Madrid jail. The apostle Paul himself wrote his epistles joyfully while under arrest.

You'd say, "But these were great and talented men. I have a job to sustain for my family and my future."

Margaret Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind while working full time for a newspaper. Parliamentarian and statesman Lord Cavanaugh had neither arms nor legs. Our very own revolutionary Apolinario Mabini was a paralytic.

Now, do I hear you say, "But still I can't do what I want to do."

That's absolutely true because you can only do what God allows you to do. God has given us enormous talents and abilities to do great things for Him. It is a tragedy if you have not yet discovered them. This is as if you are living as a pauper when the land that you won has a large oil field underneath. It is more tragic if we already know what we have and yet not use them.

Ralph Waldo Emerson says that the reward of something done well is to have done it. Benjamin Franklin said, "Well done is better than well said."

God has appointed a day when all our works will be tested through fire. It will be sweet to hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Hold on to your dreams. Tell God about them and if He approves them, lift them up in prayer and they will come to pass. Without God, it is not worth dreaming about them.

Arise, o my soul, from a long slumber. For your dream to come true, you have to wake up first.

Truth Dearer Than Fiction (The Real-Life Characters of "Gone With The Wind")

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 22:41:00 -0800

Truth can indeed be lovelier than fiction.

The real story cannot be captured in neither a book nor a movie.

An inspiring story like this will not easily sell two million copies without the sensational ingredients of immorality and scandal.

Yet, no price tag can be put on the reality of torn lives that are transformed into peaceful ones.

"Come back to Tara... to Scarlet and Rhett and the greatest love story in all fiction..." These are the written words on the back cover of a book that has become one of the most successful, best-selling novels.

The book Scarlet, penned by Alexander Ripley, is a sequel to the classic novel Gone with the Wind. For more than fifty years now, this legendary love story has continued to bewitch hopeless romantics who clamor for a sequel. Ms. Ripley, who was personally in love with the novel, decided to write her dreams down in a book.

The reviews were glowing. People magazine claimed that it was "fun, entertaining, absorbing." Newsweek declared, "Best of all, Rhett is the same dashing heartthrob women everywhere have swooned over..."

What many people do not know is the original novel was not made up of merely dreams. It was based on real people who lived similar lives to the novel's characters. Many are unaware that the real Rhett Butler was no longer the same dashing heartthrob whom women swooned over. He had become something better.

Rhett Butler in the flesh was a man named Rhett Turnipseed while the real Scarlet O' Hara was called Emelyn Hannon by her family and friends. It was true that Rhett really walked out on her and joined the Confederate Army.

After the Civil War, Rhett became a drifter and a gambler, and he ended up in Nashville. Tired of an empty life, one Easter morning in 1871, he attended a Methodist revival meeting where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Soon after, Rhett entered Bible School and became a Methodist preacher in rural Kentucky.

What about Scarlet, did they meet again? Yes, they did. The Turnipseed family historians tell this story:

A young woman in Rhett's congregation ran away and rumor had it that she went to work in a prostitution house in St. Louis. True to his pastoral calling, Rhett searched for her.

He finally found the woman in brothel but the Madame of the house would not let her go. Later on, Rhett learned that the Madame was really Emelyn Louise. Their friendship was renewed.

The young girl under her was soon taken out of the flesh trade. Eventually she married and became the matriarch of a leading family in the estate.

After her encounter with Rhett, Emelyn left prostitution and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. She opened an orphanage for Cherokee children. She died in 1903, with her grave marked to this day.

The stories of Rhett Butler and Scarlet O' Hara are true. Real miracles do happen and are available to those who surrender their lives to the great Life-Changer, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

The Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefor, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold new things have come."

You, too, can experience this life-changing power. Surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. He best knows how to run your life. He has the whole universe at His disposal to make your life beautiful.

Like A Thief In The Day

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:38:00 -0800

Stealing is a crime, no matter how much is stolen.

It does not only mar our own reputation but our honor as a nation as well.

Realizing this, we see our state of helplessness for we have a sinful nature.

We need Christ to rescue us from this.

Signs in our department stores read: "Shoplifter will be prosecuted; Beware of shoplifters and pickpockets."

Shoplifting is a major concern in our retail industry today.

Do you know that a certain percentage of the price you pay for your merchandise is for shoplifting expense?

One department store owner relates the strategy of a group of people suddenly barging in and scattering themselves all over the place causing distraction among the sales personnel. In just a few minutes, an average of thirty pairs of jeans would be missing.

On other instances, "pregnant" women give birth to towels, T-shirts and jeans. Students are caught with their bags full of stolen jewelry and clothes. This is the reason why we have to spend more on security measures, thus increasing overhead expenses.

We may say, "That only goes for kleptomaniacs and not for me. Not for a suave, discreet guy like me." But what about cheating on your exams? Or maybe bloating the truth during job interviews? Or taking towels from hotels? Don't you sometimes extend your 15-minute coffee break to 20? Is there some "creative accounting" cooking up in your insurance claims and income tax reports?

Have you heard about an honest letter sent to the BIR? It read: "Dear Sirs, I cannot sleep. Last year when I filed my income tax return, I deliberately misrepresented my income. Now I cannot sleep. Enclosed is a check for Php 3,000. If I still could not sleep, I will send you the rest."

This next story is not funny. My wife and I were in one of the stores in Hongkong when a commotion broke loose. It turned out that an old woman was caught stealing. She was a Filipina. At that instance, it felt good that I was half-Chinese and I wanted to stick to that for the time being. This brings to mind our notoriety for faking documents, illegally extending our stay in a foreign land, and keeping hotel and airline property as travel souvenirs.

I am now used to waiting in long queues at international airports with fellow Filipinos as our passports are double-checked.

When this happens, I always envy the rest who just breeze through Immigration. What do they have against me? My being Filipino.

Curse of the Orient Seas

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 00:09:00 -0800

Proverbs 12:17 and 16:11 remind us that a "good man is known by his truthfulness; a false man by deceit and lies" and that "the Lord demands fairness in every business deal."

He established this principle.

Denver, Colorado was host to the 1996 Christian Booksellers Convention where more than 12,000 people from all over the world gathered to see and purchase the latest in spiritual books, music, and novelty items. With over 400 exhibitors covering almost 10 hectares of floor space, thousands of new products for the Christian retail market were featured.

I always look forward to attending this convention, knowing I would have an opportunity to bring home Bibles, books, and other materials that can meet the literary needs of our country's Christian community.

I have attended many conferences and it is refreshing to grace this kind of rare gathering where there is no sight of smoking, drinking, and scantily-clad women; no sound of swearing. Continuous with various publishers spending what seems to be eternity filling out orders and discussing delivery instructions.

That year, I had my eye on one large publishing company. After several attempts of trying to get an appointment with its representatives, I finally got one. But that was all I got. This big firm refused to give me a credit line.

I have been doing business with around fifteen different suppliers. So far, everything has been good and pleasant. They have been faithful in their delivery commitments and likewise my store has also been making its payments on time.

This publisher's conditions were extremely stiff, I thought. Each transaction, regardless of volume, has to be prepaid before any delivery was to be made. Businessmen know that credit facilities are always given as a regular business function. But what to me were credible credit references were completely ignored.

I surmised that perhaps this is practice they have with first-time clients with whom they want to initially establish trust. Once this is hurdled, regular business can proceed. I was dead wrong.

"You will have to prepay every order before we can ship them out to you," said the stern-looking publisher. That got my goat as I inquired, "But, Sir, I'm sure that you do extend credit facility to your other accounts, don't you?" As he affirmed this, my reflex response was "Sir, why then do you refuse to extend us credit?" Then he dropped the bomb and answered, "We do extend credit facility to every country in the world except to the Philippines and Nigeria." As I dug out of my defense,, he added, "We had some very sad and tragic experience doing business with your country before and we would not want to commit the same mistake again."

My first impulse was to defend my country as patriotic instincts began to surge through my wounded national pride. But then the truth has a way of making me sober, if not more objective. It's not the other countries' fault, I thought quietly, for we have ruined their trust for so many years. And our reputation has been so stained as a people that not even the word "Christian" can make them change their minds. The burden to prove otherwise rests on my shoulders, not on any pious-sounding name I invoke.

Despite its setbacks, I still carry my Filipino passport and with it bring a different message that we are a people who can be true to our word and keep commitments.

Wicked Tresspasser

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 19:12:00 -0800

Home is a private territory.

Hang up a sign that says, "No trespassing" in your bedroom which doubles as your office extension.

And consider your work a wicked trespasser to that sacred altar.

An eight-year old, first-grade boy one day asked his mother why Daddy brings home a briefcase full of papers every evening. "It's because Daddy has so much to do, he can't finish them at the office and so he has to work nights," the mother replied. "Well, then," said the child, "why don't they just put Daddy in a slower group or a lower grade?"

If you are an executive, there must have been times when you had to bring your work home. I guess that's the price one pays to be an executive. But if you do it regularly, you have either taken more work than you should or you've not been managing your time well.

Another possibility is that you are afflicted with this not-so-common disease called the "martyr complex," which involves wanting to impress your colleagues and family. There is also another word for you - workaholic.

People can become addicted to work just as they can become addicted to alcohol. Here are some signs:

A refusal to take a vacation;
An inability to put the office out of your mind on weekends and holidays;
A bulging briefcase full of work; and
A son or daughter you can no longer call by name.

You need to get away from work at the end of the day, both mentally and physically. Except for rare emergencies, time spent at home doing office tasks tends to be counterproductive, draining your energies and alienating your family.

And it's bad practice that breeds on itself. The more often you bring homework, the more difficult it is to stop this nasty habit. Your drive to get things done dampens as you tell yourself, "If I don't get this finished today, there's always tonight..."

Psychologists say workaholics have a subconscious desire to be snowed under by work and stay that way. To appear indispensable, however boring his life is devoid of leisure and enjoyment.

Most of us are busy with activities, not with achievement. And between them, there's a whole lot of difference. Achievement is getting things done while activity is staying busy all the time.

Let's pause for a while here. Many things in life are more important than work. Let us take your family, for instance. Where does it rank in your order of priorities? Haven't you noticed that your son or daughter has grown up so much? You can't kid yourself and neither can you kid your family by saying, "But I'm doing all this for you." Honestly now, we might be doing this for ourselves; because we're already dedicated to it. A workaholic's enjoyment is his employment.

There are much more worthwhile things to do. Pray, study the Word of God and have a regular family gathering. Teach your children how to pray. Build up their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ every day and equipm them for life.

Don't fill up that briefcase. Try not to bring work home. One business writer drives home the point with this question: "How many people do you know, who, in their dying bed, would say this: 'I wish I had spent more time in the office?"

Papa, Can You Hear Me?

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:55:00 -0800

God is our Provider and that we are not self-sufficient after all.

It is He who gives to His beloved even in their sleep.

God owns us - our work, our career, our business, and our family.

The skills we have and the time we spend are only on loan to us.

Life is no longer an issue of ownership but of management.

Scenes from an Americal add:

Little Boy: Dad, can we go swimming?

Young Dad: I really would like to, Son, but we just opened our new plant, and I just can't take the time off right now.

Teenager: Dad, can we go fishing together?

Middle-aged Dad: I really would like to, Son, but we just opened a new plant in Europe and I have to be there. But I promise I'll take some time off when I get back.

Old Dad: Son, do you think you could take a little time off to go fishing with me? Since your Mom died, it sure has been lonely around here.

Young Man: I wish I could, Dad, but you know we just opened a new plant in Japan and I have to be there. But I promise I'll take some time off when I get back.

Business bondage. This is what entangles most fathers. It comes in many forms. It could be an insatiable appetite to expand one's business empire. Or it may just be a case of being overly dedicated to work. However you may want to put it, it is that which interferes with your relationship with God and family. Some call it the unbalanced life.

Living in today's world offers countless choices that can satisfy us. But, sad to say, even if most offer only fleeting, momentary satisfaction, we still drive ourselves crazy in work just to attain them. This often results in a deeper emotional investment that robs us of a more meaningful life. In our desperate pursuit, we fall into a trap until we are in bondage to our work.

Psalm 127:1-2, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves" (NIV).

I had once come to a point where I firmly believed that success belonged to those who gave all their time, all their strength, and all their dedication to work. This was what I exactly gave - my all. And then one day, it suddenly dawned on me that my children were growing up so fast and I hardly spent quality time with them. It scared me that I knew so little of them and, worse, that they knew so little of me.

Another deep realization came.

Let us break free from the bondage of our career. Jesus Christ has set us free. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. All includes our time and our business. Or, should I say, His time and His business.

To Impress or To Impact

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:02:00 -0800

We become effective servants the moment we are willing to give up all that we are in order to receive all that we can become.

Then we can say that we are not just leaders, but faithful servants in the eyes of God and men.

Japan is unique in many respects. It is the only nation which experienced devastation caused by two atomic bombs during World War II. Yet barely a generation later, she has emerged as one of the most powerful and richest nations in the world.

What is her secret? Japanese managers today devote some 20 to30 percent of their time to personally develop their staff. It is part of the Japanese duty of mutual obligation between managers and staff.

Managers and supervisors are not selected based on their work experience or abilities which management believes can be developed through effective training. Instead, they are chosen on the basis of their potential to develop their staff.

And what are the criteria here at home? A look at our classified ads shows that our firms seek experienced, talented, and ambitious people, with hardly any regard to how they will relate with other people in the company. We neglect to look into the applicant's passion to train his or her staff, a must in teamwork and long-term growth. So what happens is we get bright and experienced persons who are individualistic, reluctant to be team players and trainers.

The Japanese have a different philosophy. Their managers and supervisors are people who are capable of developing their staff and training their subordinates to be well-rounded workers. The height of achievement for a supervisor in Japan is the promotion of one of his staff to a position higher than his. This promotion is so special that a ceremony is held in celebration of this occasion. In this ceremony, however, the focus of attention and honor is not the person promoted, but the supervisor whose skills and efforts made the promotion possible. A spirit of self-sacrifice is the framework of corporate organization.

The ultimate leader is one who is willing to develop people to the point where they eventually surpass him in knowledge and ability.

John Maxwell has this to say: "Leaders impress others when leaders succeed; leaders impact others when followers succeed!"

Effective leadership is servanthood, not coercion.

God's words in Mark 9:35 still ring true today, "The first among you shall be last of all and servant of all."

Using Things, Loving People

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:28:00 -0800

The basics are the decent principles focused on meeting people's need.

The money earned from this kind of deal is not mercenary's income.

While this may mean a much lesser value, nothing can surpass the fulfillment and the joy of knowing we've done well in they eyes of men and God.

Tony Campolo in his book Everything You've Heard is Wrong tells this story:

In a sales conference sponsored by a large insurance corporation, the executives invited speakers of caliber to share their most successful marketing techniques. The crowd was all ears to the how's of setting up clients, of pushing the right emotional buttons, and of closing a deal while one is ahead. Supposedly the best marketing strategies, the formulas sounded more like techniques manipulating people.

Campolo himself was given the task of ending the day with a motivational talk that could psyche up the sales team to get the job done. He surprised everyone with his opening words, "Everything you've heard today is wrong!"

Disbelief ran across the faces of the company's executives.

Campolo said people are not things to be manipulated with the right techniques. People are not creatures to be used to further our own economic ends. People are sacred because the eternal God has chosen to make each one of them his home. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

Campolo went on to say that, far too frequently, we relate to people as though they were objects instead of subjects. People in the marketplace deserve something better. He continued, saying, "You don't have to manipulate people if you're selling something they really need. All you have to do is show them the seriouness of their need and then demonstrate that what you have to offer can meet that need."

Campolo couldn't be more right. We live in a secular world that concerns itself with nothing more important than meeting quotas and closing sales. We have considered these more pressing than meeting a person's need.

While I believe in the importance of sales conferences and seminars, these should not be held at the expense of making us emotionless, money-grabbing mercenaries out to manipulate innocent victims who happen to be the consumers.

A cursory look at the country's leading bookstore would show volumes in the business section devoted to techniques and schemes aimed at manipulating the customer into saying yes to that valued order.

I wonder how many of our companies have already hired experts to talk about how customers can be manipulated. It's high time for us to get back to the basics.

God's Word in PROVERBS 12:17 says, "A good man is known by his truthfulness; a false man by deceit and lies."

How would you like to be known?

Family Feud

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 15:10:00 -0800

Situations such as these can happen when God is not central in the family.

If His Word does not wholly guide a family, expect that love for money will gradually creep in until money becomes their god.

Eventually people are killed and destroyed by it.

The father, being the founder of a business, usually controls it. He goes on to assign specific duties within its operations to his children. When conflicts arise, they are resolved in the light of the father's authority. Since all transactions revolve around the patriarch, trouble creeps in when he dies.

I've seen businesses crumble the moment this happens. The children start to fight bitterly over the spoils left to them. Some of these conflicts are never settled.

Leonard Sheon is the founder of U-Haul, which later became Amerco, a $1 billion revenue enterprise. He thought it wise to transfer the stocks, totaling 95% of the business, to his eight sons and five daughters while they were still young.

In 1986, two of them, Mark and Edward, seized control when they voted their father out. Sam, the eldest, quit after some time and the family split in two. Edward and Mark were running the firm while Leonard and Sam were suing to regain control. Stockholders' meetings fumed into fistfights. As things became worse, the old man could only grieve and say, "I created a monster."

Some conflicts are never settled. In 1924, Adi Dassler and his brother Rudolph opened a sporting goods company in Germany called Adidas. In 1948, they broke up after a bitter legal battle that led Rudolph to set up Puma. Since then, the two never spoke to each other again.

Today, Adidas is among the top companies in sporting goods while Puma trails not so far behind. Still the battle is on as Dasslers avoid each other like a plague. In fact, this has contaminated the workforce. Adidas employees seldom, if not ever at all, socialize with Puma workers.

It is always very sad when families are torn apart by the issue of money. Blood relations are too often ignored when power and control are sought. Children misread the values of diligence, hard work, and industry as clean and effective means of acquiring wealth and power. The focus is put on money, and no longer on the gratification and the nobility of doing one's best in the work. Instead, the signal children get from hardworking parents is that there is nothing more important to life than earning money and gaining profit, all for the cause of a good and comfortable life. In turn, siblings compete for their father's attention; they do everything they can only to get hold of the business. Almost too often, stories that go this direction end tragically. It is lamentable to see a once thriving business fold up, but more so around the breaking up of a family.

If you are a father who is in charge of a business, God's Word says, "The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

Teach your children to love God above anything else. Their lives and their future - in fact, their eternal destiny - are far more important than your business. Teach them fear of the Lord, for no business school can do that. Only you can. If you do so, both your family and business will flourish.

Go and bring your family closer to God. That is the father's main business.

The Job Dodgers (The Dodge Car Story)

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:55:00 -0800

Are you a Mrs. Dodge? Take pity!

Teach your children the value of hard work and patience.

Inspire them to strive on with stories of people who made it through the rain.

Enlighten them to welcome the challenges that come because they mold them into stronger persons.

Impart God's Word which teaches the joy and rewards of hard work.

In a world of Toyotas, Hondas, Mitsubishis, and Nissans, few people are familiar with Dodge, an American car brand. In 1914, John and Horace Dodge introduced the Dodge automobile. In the '20s, when Ford was the leading car brand, the Dodge was already selling at a volume of 150,000 units a year. The brothers' joint fortune then was around $200 million, roughly equivalent to $1.5 billion today.

Unexpectedly, John Dodge died in 1920 and his brother Horace followed a few months later. An immense amount of money was left to their wives, ex-wives, and their eight children - all of whom did not know anything about managing the business.

Horace Jr. tried working on the factory floor for a few weeks. But unlike his father, who rose up early each morning and went straight to work, the young Dodge explained that getting up at six was the hardest part of the job.

Whom did Junior pick-up after? Mrs. Dodge was the kind of mother who did not want her children to spend time with hot and greasy machines. Thus, the younger Dodges shunned hard work and became devoted to high and upscale living while suing each other for more money.

Because the '20s was a time of economic unrest, the Dodge disasters were the talk of the town. The press feasted on their financial fiascoes, divorces, speeding tickets, and jail sentences. They eventually lost everything - wealth, influence, reputation, and self-respect.

Tragic stories of children squandering their fathers' wealth built by hard work for so hardly are a common refrain.

One such story is of Cornelius Vanderbilt who was the richest person in the world until his death in 1877. At that time, he left his heirs an estate larger than the United States' treasury. Seventy years after, the last of the great Vanderbilt mansions that once lined Manhattan's Fifth Avenue was torn down to rubble. In 1973, when 120 of Vanderbilt's descendants held their first family reunion, not any one of them was a millionaire.

I have heard many established businessmen say: "I know what it is to be poor. I am what I am today because I have worked with the sweat of my brow and the grip of my hands. Never will I allow my children to experience hardships and poverty as I did in the past." In our society, this is the cliche heard in many rags-to-riches movie and TV drama scripts. I cannot help but refer to this as a life principle that will result in weak and incompetent personalities. Fathers who saw this seem to have forgotten that it was the poverty they grew up with that gave them the strength and drive to strive for bigger things. Children raised with this principle will grow up helpless, spoiled, and unable to face life's risks with courage and perseverance. What a waste!

GROUND BEEF FREEZER MIX

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:13:00 -0700

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. Cook and stir beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until beef is brown; drain.

2. Stir in salt and pepper.

3. Spread mixture in ungreased baking pan 8 x 8 x 2 inches.

4. Freeze 1 hour. (This partial freezing prevents beef from freezing together solidly.)

5. Crumble partially frozen beef mixture into small pieces.

6. Divide into 4 portions (about 3/4 cup each).

7. Wrap and label; freeze no longer than 3 months.

LEMON PUDDING

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:02:00 -0700

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 egg yolk, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
3 tablespoons lemon juice

1. Mix sugar and cornstarch in 1 quart saucepan; gradually stir in water.

2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.

3. Boil and stir 1 minute.

4. Gradually stir about half of the hot mixture into egg yolk.

5. Stir egg yolk mixture into remaining hot mixture in saucepan.

6. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.

7. Boil and stir 1 minute.

8. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients.

9. Refrigerate until chilled.

MINI CHEESE LOAF

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:52:00 -0700

1 hard roll
1 tablespoon margarine or butter, softened
Seasoned salt
2 tablespoons shredded pasteurized process cheese spread loaf

1. Cut roll into 3 equal slices almost through to bottom.

2. Spread cut sides of roll with margarine; sprinkle with seasoned salt.

3. Divide cheese between slices.

4. Wrap in piece of aluminum foil, 12 x 8 inches.

5. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

6. Heat in 400º oven until hot, 10 to 12 minutes.

FISH STEW

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:44:00 -0700

1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons sliced celery
1 teaspoon margarine or butter
1 can (8 ounces) stewed tomatoes
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon snipped parsley
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 small bay leaf
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Dash of garlic powder
1/5 package (16 ounce size) frozen skinless haddock or cod fillets

1. Cook and stir onion and celery in margarine in 1-quart saucepan over medium heat until onion is tender, about 3 minutes.

2. Stir in tomatoes, water, instant bouillon, parsley, lemon juice, bay leaf, thyme and garlic powder.

3. Heat to boiling.

4. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.

5. Cut piece of fish into 1/2 inch cubes; stir into tomato mixture.

6. Simmer uncovered until fish flakes easily with fork, about 5 minutes.

7. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Note:

Use a sharp knife to cut frozen haddock.

Store remaining frozen haddock in sealed package in freezer.

TOSSED GREENS AND CROUTONS

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:24:00 -0700

Seasoned croutons (below)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash each of salt, dry mustard and paprika
1 cup bite-size pieces salad greens

1. Prepare seasoned croutons.

2. Shake oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, mustard and paprika in tightly covered jar; toss with salad greens and 1/4 cup of the croutons.

3. Sprinkle with additional croutons if desired.

SEASONED CROUTONS

1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1 slice bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

1. Heat margarine in baking pan, 8 x8 x 2 inches, in 400º oven until melted.

2. Toss bread cubes and seasoned salt with margarine until cubes are coated.

3. Toast, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden brown, about 10 minutes.

CHEESE CROUTONS

Substitute 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese for the seasoned salt.

DILL CROUTONS

Substitute dried dill weed for the seasoned salt.

GARLIC CROUTONS

Substitute 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder and dash of salt for the seasoned salt.

ITALIAN HERB CROUTONS

Substitute Italian herb seasoning for the seasoned salt.

CHEESE-GRITS PUFF

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:07:00 -0700

3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons quick-cooking hominy grits
2 tablespoons shredded pasteurized process cheese spread loaf
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Paprika

1. Heat water to boiling.

2. Gradually stir in grits.

3. Heat to boiling.

4. Reduce heat; cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Stir in cheese, egg white, margarine and seasoned salt.

6. Pour into ungreased 10-ounce casserole or custard cup; sprinkle with paprika.

7. Cook uncovered in 350º oven until firm and cracks are dry, about 30 minutes.

OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:55:00 -0700

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Dash of pepper
1 chicken leg or thigh
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1. Mix flour, salt, paprika and pepper.

2. Coat chicken with flour mixture.

3. Heat margarine and oil in 6-inch ovenproof skillet or baking pan, 8 x 8 x 2 inches, in 350º oven until margarine is melted.

4. Place coated chicken, skin side down, in skillet.

5. Cook uncovered 30 minutes.

6. Turn chicken; cook uncovered until chicken is done, about 30 minutes longer.

ROSY APPLE

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:49:00 -0700

1 medium baking apple
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon margarine or butter
1 tablespoon grenadine syrup
1 tablespoon water

1. Core apple; pare upper third of apple to prevent skin from splitting.

2. Place apple upright in ungreased 10-ounce casserole or custard cup.

3. Fill center of apple with brown sugar; top with margarine.

4. Pour grenadine syrup over apple.

5. Cook in 450º oven until apple is fork-tender, 20 to 30 minutes (time will vary with size and variety of apple).

6. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

DROP BISCUITS

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:47:00 -0700

1. Heat oven to 450º.

2. Mix 1/2 cup buttermilk baking mix and 3 tablespoons milk with fork until soft dough forms.

3. Drop by spoonsfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet or double thickness aluminum foil.

4. Bake until golden brown, 6 to 10 minutes.

CONFETTI COTTAGE CHEESE

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:02:00 -0700

1/2 cup creamed cottage cheese
1 tablespoon thinly sliced celery
1 tablespoon chopped radish
1 teaspoon snipped parsley
Dash each of onion salt, seasoned salt and pepper
Lettuce leaves

1. Mix all ingredients except lettuce leaves.

2. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.

3. Serve on lettuce leaves.

CHICKEN IN FOIL

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:16:00 -0700

1 chicken leg or thigh
1 medium potato, cut into fourths
1 medium carrot, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 envelope individual serving instant cream of chicken soup
1 envelope individual serving instant onion soup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup frozen cut green beans

1. Place chicken in center of piece of aluminum foil, 18 x 15 inches.

2. Place potato on 1 side of chicken, place carrot on other side.

3. Mix instant soups and water until thickened.

4. Spoon over chicken; top with green beans.

5. Wrap securely in foil; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

6. Cook in 450º oven until chicken is done, about 50 minutes.

BEEF IN FOIL:

1. Substitute 4-ounce piece beef boneless round steak, about 1/2 inch thick, for the chicken leg or thigh.

2. Cook in 450º oven until beef is tender, 50 to 60 minutes.

GRENADINE SUNDAE

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:51:00 -0700

1. Drizzle grenadine syrup over scoop of vanilla ice cream.

TWO-BEAN SALAD

noreply@blogger.com (tweetymcan) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:48:00 -0700

1/2 can (8-ounce size) cut green beans (about 1/2 cup drained)
1/2 can (8-ounce size) red kidney beans (about 1/2 cup drained)
1/4 cup bottled Italian dressing
1 tablespoon chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1 teaspoon sugar
Lettuce cup

1. Toss all ingredients except lettuce cup.

2. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

3. Drain; spoon into lettuce cup.