Yesterday was the something-eth annual Christmas dinner at church. I don’t know what the number is, but it can’t be that large because the church hasn’t even been around that long. Anyhow, it was pretty good mainly due to the awesome chocolatized pretzel sticks that I made. The real food was pretty darn good as well, but I can’t take credit for any of that.
I also had the opportunity to speak to the congregation about Financial Peace University. Usually when I speak in front of people part of my brain goes away to a happy place and the mouth just does its thing until my time is up. This time; however, I actually prepared, and made notes, and thought about what I would say before I got up there. That worked out pretty good, so “sorry” to all my speech teachers in school – you were totally right and I was wrong.
I do, apparently, have to start numbering my points. Derin was cool enough to point out that I delivered first, second, second, second, and last points during the speech. Oh well, those middle ones were tied for significance anyway.
We did have a few sign-ups to come to the preview class which, by the way, is free and is taking place on January 7th, so that was encouraging. It is no secret that it comes highly recommended from me. There is something for everyone in there – even those of you that have handled every dollar perfectly from the very first – I know, that’s everybody 
In his book, The Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey recalls a pastor he had that said living right is difficult, but not complicated. It applies to almost everything, especially money. He goes on to say there are no “secrets of the rich” because the principles they use to become so aren’t secrets. Being a movie star or founding Microsoft would be the rarest of exceptions to the rule, that being that almost every millionaire in America did it the hard way. Hard, but not complicated.
I think we (humans) like to make things more complicated than they need to be because it creates more points of failure. More points of failure means more opportunities for excuses when we fail. I should expound upon that someday…
But not today! Looks like this’ll be the last from me until after Christmas, which we’ll be spending up in Iowa with the family.
Merry Christmas to everyone and travel safe!
10:29 am on December 18th, 2007 1
Pastor Bill,
You did GREAT! Even Pastor Donnie said so in his blog! And said something about you preaching! WOW!
-Derin-
12:07 pm on December 18th, 2007 2
I’d have to keep working on my stage comfort to pull that off..
It was easier this week. I usually do alright when I give a hoot about what I’m talking about
Giving a speech on three-hole punches in school was not very motivating. I didn’t exactly get full marks on that kind of stuff!
Several people did thank me for sharing and so forth and that was very encouraging.
3:36 pm on December 18th, 2007 3
Bill,
You really did a good job on Sunday. Did you say basically what you sent me the week before? I’d like to post what you said on my blog and if it’s the same as what you sent me, I’ll just post that email.
8:37 pm on December 18th, 2007 4
Wow Bill- it is terrific that you had an opportunity to make a difference and show the success you’ve had with these Ramsey teachings. I think there is an over importance placed on possessions or keeping up with the Jones’s but if people can have finances taken care of and not have that be a weight in their lives, that is a huge weight lifted for them.
And BTW, right now we are sitting in the hospital waiting for Bev to be induced. We are just getting started, so it is totally okay that I am on the internet. This is very exciting to be welcoming the baby, as I’m sure you can relate.
9:30 pm on December 18th, 2007 5
Meeting the baby will definitely be awesome – keep us updated!
10:35 pm on December 30th, 2007 6
Congrats on your speech. Next time you are giving a huge performance, let me know so I can be in attendance!