[Dan.Linehan]

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

Actually, before that, let me say "Thank You" for first, having this forum, and secondly, making it open for "want to be great" like myself. I think this will be an excellent way to self-improve.

Without members like you who are willing to share so much this community would be nothing like it is today. Thanks for joining!

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where I attended our denomination's main Bible College, and pretty much stayed put until December, 2006. At that time, my wife and I moved back to her hometown, where she accepted an internship for her Master's in Counseling. We moved here with the understanding that we'd be back in Nashville by August of 2007, but, we wound up staying. She now counsels in the prison system.

It's great to hear that your family is involved in prison ministry. Too often people look down on convicts and ex-offenders, there's no need. Oftentimes they are truly trying to make the best of very difficult hands they've been dealt in life. There but for the grace of God go I.

Some people in the US get caught in a poverty trap. Then once they have a record it's very difficult for them to reintegrate back into society without facing extreme prejudice. Many are functionally illiterate anyway, and the "war on drugs" definitely doesn't help matters either.

It breaks my heart that there are kids barely into their teens who are already fully resigned to never having anything resembling a peaceful or normal life. You just can't judge kids like that, they are in a different world, and they need help, not prison.

People forget that Jesus himself was a criminal in his time. He was constantly persecuted by the pharisees for not following the laws of the land. How ironic that as a society we still villainize millions of non-violent "offenders" today.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

We have plugged in here, but, I don't feel as "plugged in" as I was in Nashville, and sometimes, like tonight, I get very homesick. If only I could live in both places.

I know what you mean -- I moved across the country 18 months ago, and I still don't feel as plugged in as I did in my hometown either. It's easy to forget how different a ten year friendship feels next to a one year friendship. Totally different scenarios.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

In the Papa John's Job, after I had been there 9 months, I was awarded a promotion to "assistant manager." It was in the publication job that I started learning about sales, and my pizza job that I started learning about customer service and managing people.

I started to learn more about managing people, I REALLY learned about stress, and it's effects, but, more importantly, I started to grasp the concept of the "real world." Although I learned much at Bible College, and am glad that I went there, being an assistant manager for this busy restaurant was probably the most formative thing that started to develop my current personality.

Restaurant management will do that. I worked in restaurants for years before moving into IT, which is a totally different atmosphere. Now I can tell the people who come from a blue collar background like restaurant management -- they have a much more upbeat, "get it done" attitude than the average IT staffer.

My restaurant background helps me be that much more grateful for my current career. On the worst of days I'm still not mopping the floor or changing fryer oil.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

In the world of Radioshack, I was promoted, and started what for me, was a long, arduous journey of managing my own store. During this time, I grew a bit more in sales and management skills. There were times that I would be the "leader" of the store in sales, and while not aware of it at the time, found it to be addictingly fun.

In June of 2002, I rose to the rank of store manager, where, I succeeded, and failed, in many ways.

Cool, so you know a lot about electronics now too. I feel an idea forming for you..

Why not work towards starting a restaurant with touchscreens integrated into the booths? Kind of like a Damon's - with the big screens and entertainment factor, but with a technological edge to it, so people could order from their booths? With your years of restaurant management and Radio Shack experience it seems like it would be a natural match-up.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

Since then, I have begun to deliver for a local restaurant again, and do that about 30 hours a week. While I love it, it does not provide the income, or the schedule, that I'd like to have.

Sounds like you are feeling a bit stagnant in your career. I'd say the nswer to that is to innovate. Hit every area restaurant, see who they are using for their IT consulting. See if their point of sales systems are up to date. etc..

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

Right now, I am working on a plan to market, and sell, a dessert that I make. I have a pretty solid marketing plan, but, getting the legal and logistical elements taken care of is a pretty arduous process.

Would you be making the dessert yourself then, in your house?

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

I am a born again Christian, and while my faith has always been strong, I have been increasingly growing, and exponentially so within the last 1.5 years. The Lord has shown me so much. He has gifted me with certain gifts that make ministry and counseling really easy for me. Additionally, He has been regularly giving me "fresh insight" not only into Scripture, but, also truths for daily life. I'll be more than happy to discuss my learnings at some point.

That's great, I'd love to hear more.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

However, one of my most basic, but most advanced, and recent discoveries, is a Christian version of the Law of Attraction. I believe, and this is my opinion, and this is from what limited information that I have, that The Secret and studies based upon the Law of Attraction, are extremely dangerous studies, with extremely heavy New Age elements, and have their source from Satan himself. However, the reason that they're so popular is that there is a strong element of truth in them, but, anything that the Devil shows or uses, is just a poor imitation of the "real thing." In other words, I believe that God's "Law of Attraction" is much more powerful, and has much better short term, and long term, results.

There is probably something to that. The Secret seems to focus on what people can extract from life, without them necessarily providing anything constructive in return.

For that reason, The Secret isn't the best representation of how the LOA works. At its core, LOA says that thoughts create reality, and to be conscious of your thoughts, and the reality that you are creating for yourself from them. The idea is not to simply visualize something you want and then try to get it at any cost.

Another way to look at it would be that "God" is always aligned with truth and love. And "Satan" is always aligned with worldly pleasures and selfish pursuits. I would submit that you could use the LOA to move successfully in either direction -- towards that which is eternal, or towards that which is worldly. The Secret, I think, places a bit more emphasis on the latter, more than we generally would here on the forums. Steve's writings and purpose are more service driven.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

1. I want to grow/improve myself, and figure that this is a good way. However, to be honest, I am not sure the ways that I can improve myself.

Well, that's something to improve on in and of itself.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

I know from a cursory examination, that I could potentially improve my memory by A LOT, and I am very interested in that.

This is by far the best current research on memory. Supermemo is amazing stuff.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

Goals that I have that I want to potentially accomplish:

1. Develop multiple streams of legitimate income

Would the dessert line be one of these?

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

a. Become debt free(as of now, about $56K)

What happened to number two? Or is this 1a?

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

b. Build a home, debt free

This is a great goal, it's one of mine as well. I would recommend ICF construction with Amvic blocks when you're ready. Strongest construction method around, with unbeatable R-values.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

c. Increase giving to charitable organizations

Every dollar you spend should be going to charity. If it isn't, you're doing it wrong. Only buy things that are manufactured ethically and sustainably. That way you are tithing 100%.

Creating a false distinction between day-to-day spending and charity is a big problem. Every dollar benefits someone; it's your responsibility to be conscious of who that someone is.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

d. do occasional mission work

Same thing. Your career should be your charity. Contribute through that. Don't create a false distinction between your job and mission work -- they should be one and the same.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

e. Possibly go back to school and get BA in Psychology, and MA in Counseling (need money and memorizing techniques, and other things too, as me and school does not get along too well.)

It sounds like you may want to put this on the back burner for now. Are you sure counseling is what you want to do for a living? You don't sound too enthusiastic here.

Originally Posted by kf4qhk

Anyway, that's a basic Jeremy introduction. I warmly welcome input and direction.

Thank you so much.

Jeremy

I'd hate to see an advanced introduction!

Thanks for joining Jeremy, it's great meeting you. Hope to hear more from you soon.