‘Be an Esther’

26, September 2016

‘These things happened to them as examples for us.’ 1 Corinthians 10:11 NLT

It’s a mistake to think the great achievers in the Bible were somehow different from us and say, ‘In my situation, a life like that isn’t possible.’

Esther’s freedom was taken from her because of her beauty, a pagan king made her one of his wives. Talk about feeling out of place!  But no place is out of place when you’re in the place God wants you to be!  When Haman plotted to have the Jews exterminated, Esther was strategically positioned by God to save them.  She discovered her life’s purpose when her uncle Mordecai told her she had ‘come to the kingdom for such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14 NKJV).  And what was her response?  ‘I will go to the king [on behalf of my people] …and if I perish, I perish’ (Esther 4:16 NKJV)! But instead of perishing, she prevailed!

So what can we learn from Esther?

(1) When you first start out, God won’t give you all the details. That doesn’t mean He doesn’t have a plan. It’s in seeking Him that you discover His plan and draw on His strength.
(2) Knowledge is power. Whether you’re a slave or a sovereign, when you know God has called you, it enables you to overcome each obstacle as it arises.
(3) Knowing God’s in control gives you boldness. When Esther said, ‘If I perish, I perish,’ she was simply putting herself into God’s hands, knowing that even death can be faced with confidence when you trust Him. Not only does God have a place for you here on earth, He has an even better one for you in Heaven.  And that puts you in the ultimate win-win situation.
I love the stories of the Bible.  I find them to be most helpful in business and publish one every day before I get going.

I am by no means Religious but I am Spiritual.

RPH

5 Things U.S. Military, Overseas Citizens Need to Know to Vote Absentee

5 Things U.S. Military, Overseas Citizens Need to Know to Vote Absentee
Key Reminders from the Federal Voting Assistance Program during Absentee Voting Week

Alexandria, Va. — With less than two months until the General Election on Nov. 8, absentee voters are beginning to receive their State ballots.

During Absentee Voting Week — Sept. 26 through Oct. 3 — the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) reminds military and overseas citizens to vote their ballot as soon as possible and to follow up to ensure that their ballot is received by their election office. Here are FVAP’s top reminders for ensuring Americans vote successfully — wherever they are.

1. Know that your absentee ballot counts the same as ballots cast at the poll site. All ballots submitted according to State laws are counted in every election. The media often will report the projected outcome of an election before all of the ballots are counted. In a close election, the media may report the preliminary results or say that the outcome cannot be announced until after the absentee ballots are counted. However, all ballots, including absentee ballots, are counted in the official totals for every election — and every vote (absentee or in-person) counts the same.
2. Check your State deadlines, instructions, and options. Each State sets its own deadlines for registering to vote and its options for how absentee ballots are sent to voters. States can also differ in their requirements and deadlines regarding how to complete and submit absentee ballots. Some States require ballots to be postmarked by Election Day while others must receive ballots by Election Day. FVAP.gov has your State’s deadlines and requirements.
3. Postmark and send your ballot on time.  Every election, States receive some absentee ballots past the deadline for acceptance – but this is easily preventable. Follow your State’s specific deadlines and recommended mailing dates for returning your voted ballot. If you’re a registered military or overseas voter and don’t receive your requested State ballot early enough to submit it on time, you can go to FVAP.gov and use the backup ballot called the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Voters who end up receiving a State ballot after submitting an FWAB should still complete and return it, as well. States only count your backup ballot if your voted State ballot is not received by the deadline.
4. Fill out your ballot and election materials correctly. Many States have specific requirements for signing the envelope or an affidavit enclosed with your ballot. Be sure to follow the instructions sent with your ballot to ensure it gets counted.
5. Check that your voted ballot reaches its destination. If you’re wondering if your vote made it home, check the status of your ballot by selecting your State at FVAP.gov and contacting your election office directly.

Military and overseas voters who need to register or request a ballot can do so by filling out a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) at FVAP.gov — by hand or using the online assistant — and sending it to their election office. 

For additional information, visit FVAP.gov, email vote@fvap.gov or call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683).

 ###

Federal Voting Assistance Program

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization that works to ensure Service members, their eligible family members, and overseas citizens are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources to successfully do so — from anywhere in the world.

FVAP assists voters through partnerships with the Military Services, Department of State, Department of Justice, and election officials from 50 States, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. State and local governments administer U.S. elections, including those for federal offices. FVAP supports state and local election officials by providing absentee voting information, materials, training, and guidance.

Voters can contact FVAP's call center at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683), DSN 425-1584 or atvote@fvap.gov. Toll-free phone numbers from 67 countries are listed at FVAP.gov. Find FVAP on Facebook at facebook.com/DoDFVAP and follow @FVAP on Twitter.

Reblog by #Recession Proof Holdings Foundation for Military and Veterans Affairs

#RPHFMVA #Voting #Military #Veterans

Dads, Treasure Your Sons

04, September 2016

‘The children God has graciously given your servant.’ Genesis 33:5 NIV

We live in a day when children have never been given more of the things they want, and less of the things they need.  What do they need?  You!  Not trinkets, treasures, and toys, but your love and your time.

Read these unsettling words in a Newsweek column entitled, ‘Dear Dads, Save Your Sons,’ by psychologist Christopher Bacorn.  He tells about an anxious mother in her mid-thirties who came to his office with her 15-year-old son.  The boy’s dad had left four years before. Since then the teenager had descended into alcohol, gang membership, and violence. The mother had nowhere else to turn, and it was obvious the boy was at best a hostile participant. After attempting for thirty minutes to crack the steel vault of this boy’s heart, Dr. Bacorn realized the futility of it all. He wrote these poignant and sad words: ‘I’ve come to believe that most adolescent boys can’t make use of professional counselling … What a boy can use, and all too often doesn’t have, is the fellowship of men—at least one man who pays attention to him, who spends time with him, who admires him.  A boy needs a man he can look up to. What he doesn’t need is a shrink … As a nation, we’re racked by youth violence, overrun by gangs, guns, and drugs. The great majority of youthful offenders are male, most without fathers involved in their lives in any useful way.’

In Genesis, we read that Jacob was a successful businessman, but he discovered that his greatest earthly treasure was ‘the children God has graciously given to your servant’ (Genesis 33:5 NIV).  Dad, have you discovered that?

Dads, Treasure Your Sons

04, September 2016

‘The children God has graciously given your servant.’ Genesis 33:5 NIV

We live in a day when children have never been given more of the things they want, and less of the things they need.  What do they need?  You!  Not trinkets, treasures, and toys, but your love and your time.

Read these unsettling words in a Newsweek column entitled, ‘Dear Dads, Save Your Sons,’ by psychologist Christopher Bacorn.  He tells about an anxious mother in her mid-thirties who came to his office with her 15-year-old son.  The boy’s dad had left four years before. Since then the teenager had descended into alcohol, gang membership, and violence. The mother had nowhere else to turn, and it was obvious the boy was at best a hostile participant. After attempting for thirty minutes to crack the steel vault of this boy’s heart, Dr. Bacorn realized the futility of it all. He wrote these poignant and sad words: ‘I’ve come to believe that most adolescent boys can’t make use of professional counselling … What a boy can use, and all too often doesn’t have, is the fellowship of men—at least one man who pays attention to him, who spends time with him, who admires him.  A boy needs a man he can look up to. What he doesn’t need is a shrink … As a nation, we’re racked by youth violence, overrun by gangs, guns, and drugs. The great majority of youthful offenders are male, most without fathers involved in their lives in any useful way.’

In Genesis, we read that Jacob was a successful businessman, but he discovered that his greatest earthly treasure was ‘the children God has graciously given to your servant’ (Genesis 33:5 NIV).  Dad, have you discovered that?

Pick a cause with your heart and then an organization with your mind

Wondering where to begin? Think about what you care about most.

Giving should be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. With your kind and selfless action, you’re able to change the life of a child, improve the environment, or help someone less fortunate have a second chance. Therefore, it’s important for you to follow your heart and pick a cause or issue that you care deeply about (for personal, intellectual, ideological reasons or otherwise) when deciding where to give. And then, you should support the nonprofits within that field that are having the biggest impact, doing the most good.

ENTREPRENEUR SEMINAR SERIES B

IEL3200V - VETERAN
Fee
$0.00

The Wells Fargo Grant deliverable will focus on military veteran owned businesses and the course will be open to the miliary veteran and military veteran spouses.  The purpose is to lead conversations and share knowledge on commonly requested entrepreneurial topics while discussing how/if the focus shifts for veteran owned businesses.  All content is delivered virtually to reach a broad and diverse audience.  Unlike the IEL Certificate Course, participants get a short, quick interaction through semi-weekly seminars supplemented with expert mentor advice.  Outcomes for Series A include a targeted, impactful branding message with key tools to implement the messaging throughout all comunications.  Series B dives deeper into strategic thinking around sales growth, forecasting and innovation.

Veteran Entrepreneur Seminar Series B:
Second series of one-hour seminars designed to be taken consecutively in a single cohort.  Participants may have but are not required to have completed Seminar Series A.
Dates are August 30 - November 1st for one hour sessions meeting semi-weekly.
Advanced topics designed for existing businesses will be covered including topics such as: innovation, connecting and producing revenue with Government entities, economics and sales growth
Short term one-on-one mentorship support
Online Course Registration and Login
New Users – What to Expect:
Click on the "New User? Register" gray box below and enter your contact information to create a new account.  The email address and password that you enter will be your username and password for all online courses that you take through our system.
Next, complete the “Student” information section by providing your license type and number (if that applies to you)
Enter the Billing and Payment information to purchase the course.
Check that you have read the Terms and Conditions, and then click the “Register for Course” gray box.
The webpage will refresh to your course page.  You are in!
Returning Users – How to Access Your Courses:
You can login to your course in the future by bookmarking this login page: ce.jfku.edu/public/.
Your email is your username, and your password is what you selected at registration.
Technical Requirements:
Before you begin an online course, please make sure your computer has a broadband Internet connection. A dial-up connection is not sufficient.
The online courses require that you use the most recent Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox Internet browsers, which you can download from these links:  PC: Internet Explorer; Mac: Chrome (newer Macs only) or Firefox (Macs over 2 years old).