Excellence

I just read a great book by Chauncey Crandall, M.D., entitled Raising the Dead. Dr. Crandall traces his medical career and his spiritual journey since the 1970's. He and several on his staff have witnessed numerous miracles, including healings of cancer and tumors, as well as people who were clinically dead coming back to abundant life.

Dr. Crandall says his purpose now is to give his patients "the best of medicine and the best of Jesus." I really appreciate how this Yale-educated, highly respected doctor uses every possible tool at his disposal, in order to serve his patients.

You can find the book on Facebook, if you'd like to become a "fan." You can buy the book in most major bookstores, as well as online. Dr. Crandall also has a newsletter to which you can subscribe.

Safety

I've recently had numerous conversations about safety. This post isn't meant to recommend gold, or timberland, or various other commodities and hard assets. While it's important to be a good steward, especially in times like these, my main point today is to ask you this: in what do you ultimately place your trust?

A client that I serve came in yesterday, and his investments are doing fine, but he had a health challenge, so I made sure that before he left, I prayed for him. I will continue to pray for him and his family, that they know that, ultimately, nothing is worthy of our trust except God.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that Solomon, the richest man yet to live, was not arrayed as well as lilies! So let us remember that God loves us and wants the best for us. But we must allow Him to help us. He won't bully or interfere--we have to give Him our permission. When we do, marvelous things begin to happen!

Steve

Great Information!

Hi Everyone!

I just realized that I've been so busy keeping Facebook and Twitter updated, that I've neglected to post anything recent on our blog!

For any of you who are interested in Prophecy and who may be wondering how we as Christians should react to current world events, I have 2 things to recommend to you:

1) Come to our Monday night Bible study. Robert Mawire leads them. Robert has spoken to numerous world leaders, and his prophecies have time and again come true while surprising many who once refused to believe what he said. You can find out more about Robert and his books on the following 2 links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Mawire and http://www.amazon.com/Americas-manifest-Destiny-Robert-Mawire/dp/1593523025/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273517899&sr=8-1

2) One of the books Robert recommended is the best book I've read in a long, long time! It picks up where the Book of Acts leaves off. It's written by Dumitru Duduman, who tells of his life as a Christian in Romania under the Nicolae Ceausescu regime. The book is called Through the Fire without burning: http://www.amazon.com/Through-Without-Burning-Dumitru-Duduman/dp/0963505505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273518381&sr=1-1

Family and Friends supporting a Great Cause

Here are 2 photos taken at last month's Care Net banquet. Since our firm paid for a table, my daughter Ruth and I got to meet former Governor Mike Huckabee, and get our picture made with him.

Dr. and Mrs. Gary Williams also sat with us, and while I was tracking them down in the Ferrell Center (where the Baylor basketball teams play--Sic 'em Bears!), a Waco Tribune photographer snapped a photo of the 3 of us.

Gary has Today's Family Dental, and I can highly recommend him and his staff. They have been great for our family, handling our children's dental needs with "kid gloves." Gary's wife Sandra helps out at the office, and she also has a scrapbooking business. For those of you who are like I was with a mental image of a dusty scrapbook with pictures and clippings falling out, you need to see the cool digital stuff that Sandra does! It's also nice to have a dentist who prays for you!!

I loved how Care Net director Deborah McGregor inspired us to embrace her vision that within the next few years, abortions will not be needed in our area. Please pray with me that this will be accomplished soon.

Anyway, Gov. Huckabee did a great job. Even though I may not agree with all his positions, he is head and shoulders above almost all other candidates, in terms of his civility, not to mention the fact that he is very articulate. I respect him for those two reasons and many more. I hope I get to play some music with him sometime. For those of you who may not know, he has a weekly TV show on Fox TV, Saturdays at 7 p.m. Central. Again, I respect him because he's not afraid to have guests with differing opinions from his, and he expresses his opinions with civility.

workshop yesterday

Archie Hughes hosted our workshop yesterday. Once again we had great food prepared by Sergio Garcia of El Siete Mares. Rick Caywood also spoke to us about his ministry. I encourage you to partner with his ministry. Sign up for his emails at http://www.rcmcc.org/.



We plan to do a workshop for widows, widowers and those who've been through traumatic divorces on October 1st. Once again Sergio will provide the food, and it will be held at the Waco Chamber of Commerce, 101 South 3rd Street in Waco. Website is http://www.wacochamber.com/. If you haven't seen their new building, you should go take a tour. It's a great facility.



Our workshop in October will be just to minister, not to discuss any specific financial products or services. God repeatedly admonishes us to care for widows and orphans, so this is one way I wanted to serve.



Also at the workshop, everybody got to see a demonstration of Facebook and Twitter. I also showed my book website, http://www.todayswordonmoney.com/, which now contains a link to the radio interview I did about my book with Tim Wildmon at American Family Radio, http://www.afr.net/: http://www.afr.net/index.php?option=com_sermonspeaker&task=singlesermon&id=12333&Itemid=0

Birthdays!

Well my daughter Ruth turns 16 tomorrow. Wow, it seems like just a couple of years ago that I was knocking on doors and building my Edward Jones practice while Anna was enduring the hot summer of 1993 as a pregant lady!

Ruth has been such a blessing, and she seems to have even more of a gift for salesmanship than her dad. She loves the Lord and is seeking His will for her career path. What a blessing each one of our children is. I love trying to observe and discern their gifts and their processes of maturing, so that (I hope) I can give them good advice and share wisdom about how to become Godly adults.

I welcome readers' comments on what works (or doesn't work) when advising children about the "grown-up" world.

Twitter, another Blog, and a new Website

Hi Everyone,

As you can tell by how long it's been since I last posted something, we've been busy! Since last commenting on Facebook, I've also begun to use Twitter. You can follow me at www.twitter.com/TodaysWordMoney. I will probably be adding 2 more Twitter addresses in the near future. My goal for the Twitter accounts is to share the spiritual component of financial problems and solutions.

I'm also in the beginning stages of marketing my new book, Today’s WORD on Money™. The new website for the book is www.todayswordonmoney.com. Also, once you log on to this website, you can go to our new blog, where you can see some excerpts from the book. Or you can visit http://todayswordonmoney.blogspot.com/.

I hope the above information will bless you and your friends and loved ones. (And I hope you all buy the book!)

Best short Christian apologetics piece I have read

I have 2 items to talk about today. #1 is Facebook. I had heard about it for some time, but I had never participated until January. I have re-connected with hundreds of high school, college and workplace friends. I think Boomers are really enjoying Facebook because of these connections, and because their children and grandchildren are using this social networking format. So give it a try and send me a "friend request."

#2: while on Facebook, I became friends with Mark Kelly, who graduated from OBU 4 years after I did. Like me, Mark is a writer. He has written a number of great articles and books. On today's blog entry, I want to focus on his article entitled "Proof Beyond Reasonable Doubt."

Here are the links: http://pbrd.wordpress.com/ or www.pbrd.wordpress.com.

You can read this all in one setting, or take a couple of weeks and read 1 lesson per day, less than 5 minutes each day. You will be blessed, and it will definitely help you as you witness to others!

When words aren't enough

I'm going to paraphrase my understanding of the story behind these 2 pictures, so please accept my apologies if I've missed any important details.

Our pastor told the following story of a church in the UK which is reaching out to the "goth" subculture. When 2 of these young people were asked what Jesus meant to them, they said nothing. One reason they were without words was probably because, up to that point in their lives, they had not experienced much of God's goodness.

They were then asked to paint what they felt about God, and they created these 2 marvelous paintings, which they were then able to describe. The painter of the painting on the left said that Jesus represented peace and calm in the midst of life's turbulence and chaos. The painter of the painting on the right said that the white hands superimposed over the other hands represented how God covers and protects us. Now both of these young people are allowing Jesus to transform them and give them new life. Isn't it amazing how God can use so many different ways to minister to us, based upon our own special gifts, needs, backgrounds and interests?

May we all be open to ministering in ways that may have been previously overlooked, so that all may hear God's Good News.

Hey Everyone. Friday January 23rd, we had a "Lunch and Learn" meeting at Hamilton House, 1521 Austin Ave. It was well attended, and both the food and the information were great!

Han Ashley oversees the preparation of the food. I highly recommend it. It tastes so good that it's hard to believe that it's also so good for you! To get on her mailing list (she serves there every Friday for lunch), email her at TheEpicurean@mac.com. Be sure and tell her I sent you.

Next at our workshop, Homer Owen shared how important it is for our health to drink enough water. Homer has lost 60 pounds since late last summer. His website is www.jacobsspring.com.

Danny Passmore gave us safety tips on how to protect ourselves when we're going to and from our vehicles. See his website for more details: http://www.passmoreselfdefense.com/index_files/Page2053.htm.

We also had some good information on real estate from Steve Wedler. If you'd like to be notified whenever we have another "Lunch and Learn" workshop, email us at info@twmgroupllc.com.

Remember this in 2009 and beyond---

What is GIIC AHM BIAH?

It's an acronym that provides us with an easy way to remember this:

God
Is
In
Control

And
Has
My

Best
Interests
At
Heart

Although many so-called experts would sometimes try to overwhelm us with bad news, let us not forget that God is in control.

Class Reunion--Oklahoma Baptist University

I just returned from Shawnee, Oklahoma where I attended my 35th (!) college reunion. I told Paul and Ryan that in some ways it seems like I graduated about when they did. But I must admit that I have a few more miles on me than they do. :) OBU is consistently ranked as one of the best values in U.S. News and World Report. I had Ivy League and Rhodes Scholar professors when I was there. I never had a class that was taught by a graduate assistant, and almost all of my classes were small.

For all those reasons and more, I joke with Paul and Ryan about the "real green and gold" being in Shawnee instead of Waco. But I'm a huge Baylor fan also, especially basketball. I missed the exhibition game last Saturday, since I was in Oklahoma, so I'm looking forward to seeing the Baylor men this Saturday.

I'd like to know who reads our blog, so the first person who reads this and calls me can have 2 of our tickets to an upcoming game. We have new seats that are very good--6 rows up near mid-court. So let me hear from you!

Great new movie out--"Fireproof"

The Sappingtons just got back from watching "Fireproof", the new movie written by the same folks who did "Facing the Giants" and "Flywheel". Kirk Cameron plays the lead role of a fireman who's having marital problems. He eventually learns the importance of being a good partner, both in marriage and in fire fighting. We highly recommend that you go see "Fireproof" as soon as you can! For more info, visit www.fireproofthemovie.com.

Good and good for you!

Hi everyone! I just found out about a great place to eat! On Fridays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., for $12 you can eat all you want of some of the best-tasting, healthiest food you could ever want!
It's served at the Hamilton House, 1521 Austin (next to Sironia). Han Ashley is the lead chef there on Fridays, and each Friday is a different menu. Don't go expecting meat, or a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit!! It's strictly vegan, but I was amazed at how delicious everything was! For more information, you can call the Hamilton House at 754-2823, or email Han at TheEpicurean@mac.com.

Steve

Time for Football!!!

Unfortunately, I have not had a lot to blog about in recent weeks. Nothing exciting has happened on the golf course and I have been working a lot (which I am not allowed to blog about). But, I am ecstatic about the upcoming college football season -- just ask my wife!



For those of you who do not know me, I am a Baylor and Alabama football fanatic--it extends beyond just a "fan"--I am truly a fanatic! During my four years at Baylor, I missed one home football game and attended 9 away games -- and Baylor was horrible during this time. I missed the one home game because my wife, Michelle, and I drove through the night to attend an Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. Why Alabama? Well, where I grew up, you were either an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan - end of story! And, since my father graduated from Alabama, and my grandfather worshipped Alabama, I did not have much of a choice. Honestly, most of my childhood was spent either studying old Alabama films or pretending to be an Alabama player in the back yard. Then, when my family moved to Texas, I continued to bleed Crimson -- they say that once you are a BAMA fan, you will never go back. And, for as much as I love Baylor, I will always pledge allegiance to Alabama football!



So, why am I so excited? Well, Michelle and I will be attending the Baylor v. Wake Forest game this Thursday where we will witness the new Art Briles offense. Then, on Saturday, Alabama plays Clemson on ABC primetime. Let's hope that the Bears and Crimson Tide will pull the upset -- Sic' em Bears and ROLL TIDE!!!



Ryan

Hey Everyone. Steve, Paul and Ryan will all be in Houston on Thursday, August 14th. We'll be speaking to area pastors about "Fully Funding your Ministry Vision in this Generation". So if you know of anyone in the Houston area who has interest in that topic, please have them call or email for details.

Steve

Paul's Adventure

Hey everyone-

I'm writing this a little late, but it has been a little busy since getting home.

As most of you know, I got married on July 7th, 2008 to a wonderful girl Becca. We were married on the beach at sunset in Jamaica and then had another 3 weeks to enjoy each other and travel. We stayed in Jamaica for a week and enjoyed every moment. We stayed at the Couples Swept Away resort, which if anyone is thinking of going down to the islands we would highly recommend this place. We did everything from snorkeling (both day and night), to kayaking to reading on the beach. The atmosphere was so relaxing and the people were so great. As they always told us..."No promblem Mon!"

We then started off on another adventure and flew to San Diego, CA. Our plans on this leg was really not to have any. We rented a Dodge Charger, had a GPS that sometimes worked, and a goal that we need to get to Oakland by July 25th to fly home. It was so much fun sharing the experiences with Becca. Even though I grew up in Southern California, I hadn't done 90% of what we did so each day, we were able to see, or do or try something totally new which I know we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We surfed (which I did lose wedding ring #1), and rented Beach Cruiser bikes, and went to a famouse Arts and Crafts festival called the Sawdust Festival (where I purchased ring #2), went to Disneyland, walked around Hollywood, camped along the Pacific Ocean, white water rafted in Class IV rapids and stayed in an old mansion in Napa Valley. Wow, that even felt like alot to type!

We are now back, trying to set up a home (as I am realizing is different than just a house I used to set up:), and getting back into the swing of things.

I hope that all of you get to meet Becca soon. I of course will be happy to show pictures, which I am trying to figure out how to put on my new iphone (wedding gift from my mom). I look forward to sharing stories with all of you soon.

Paul

Rick Shaw in Alaska

Hey Everyone. Rick Shaw is a commercial pilot who’s part of the TWM family. He recently flew to Sitka, Alaska and sent me these pictures. If anyone else has had a neat trip, please send us some pics and we’ll upload them to our blog. Paul and Becca are scheduled to return from California on Friday, so by next week or the week after, we should be able to show everyone some nice pics from their trip.

Saturday Golf Group

Hello to all. One of my passions is golf and I will likely be blogging about my Saturday golf rounds frequently. Almost every Saturday (except football season), I play with a group of members at BlackHorse Golf Club in NW Houston -- and we have a great time "hacking" it around the course. Today I shot 91, but had two birdies in the round... Interestingly enough, we had two eagles on the same par 4 out of our group of 11 men -- congrats to Allen Frank and Greg Davis!!!

-Ryan

Congratulations to Paul and Becca Hamilton

Hey Everyone, this is Steve again. For those of you who may not know, Paul married Becca Miller this past Monday, July 7th, in Jamaica. They are also going to take a "road trip" up the coast of California, so they should have some neat things to share with us next month about all their travels.