I need new sheets for my bed. There was a point in my life when sheets were sheets, but not anymore. What I now consider newly acquired refined tastes, my friends simply call High Maintenance. They shake their heads at the lengths to which I will go to get the best product at the best price. For instance, I’m a big fan of those who submit their product reviews on… Read More
A Tribute to My Father-in-Law
The year 2015 marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of my father-in-law, Aaron H. Hollinger. I had the privilege of knowing him for almost 25 years. We had many great conversations over that time. His perspective was unique in that he was a minister, bishop and church leader while also being an entrepreneur and business owner. We could talk about most anything. Often times our conversations would head down… Read More
Peace for 2015
Here we are at the birth of a new year. 2015 is here already! Typically this time causes us to reflect on what has transpired in the previous year and make plans for the year to come. None of us knows what this year holds, but we do know that life is predictable on one hand yet unforeseeable on the other. If you experience a surprise (good or bad), we… Read More
A Calming Perspective
I have always appreciated gaining the perspective of those around me, especially when I am feeling undue pressure. This fall I took on a big project – building a large deck out of concrete blocks and pavers. The job required a lot of precise measuring, leveling, and grading. I got so wrapped up in the project that at times I was trying to get almost every paver perfectly level. Thankfully,… Read More
A Ball in the Water
In most areas of my life, I try to take a measured long-term point of view, but when I play golf, I tend to take chances hoping to improve my score. One example of my over aggressiveness comes from a round I played a few months ago. I was staring down my second shot on a par five, deciding if I should lay up (taking a shorter and easier shot)… Read More
Wisdom For the Wealthy
Wealth and wisdom seldom go hand in hand, but scripture offers wise instruction for the wealthy in God’s family. Here are three of those timeless principles. Remember who gives you the ability to create wealth. These are the words Moses used to warn God’s people as they prepared to enter the promised land: You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth… Read More
With Humble Gratitude – We Say “Thank You!”
Coach John Wooden coached the UCLA Men’s Basketball team from 1948-1975. Not only was his program incredibly successful, he was also one of the most highly thought of and well respected coaches of all time. I recently came across one of his motivational quotes that grabbed my attention: “Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” Great advice! For the moment I’d like… Read More
One Blade of Grass
It’s almost that time of year to put our lawn mower away and allow it to rest for the winter. I do get satisfaction out of a lawn well mowed, but I’m ready for the grass to go dormant. This past summer I read an article in The Fishwrapper about a man named Pat, recounting lessons learned as a boy from his father. One summer Pat and his brother decided… Read More
Winning Teams
This summer has been filled with helping coach my son’s baseball team. It’s fun teaching young men how to work together as a cohesive team. There are challenges with managing egos and emotions that can get in the way of performance, but when the team clicks, it is something to watch. The team runs likes a well-oiled machine when each player understands his role and responsibilities at his specific position… Read More
Trust and Transparency
I recently finished reading The Big Short by Michael Lewis, which explores the key people and events leading up to the market crash of 2008. One of the surface issues that lead to the crash was that lending standards for mortgages were extremely loose in the mid-2000s. One of the examples of those loose standards referenced in the book was a Mexican strawberry picker in California who was making $14,000 a year,… Read More
