WELCOME TO PARKVILLE

WELCOME TO PARKVILLE

(A FRIEND STORY)

At a workshop I attended, art and drama therapist Emily Nash shared an experience she had while working with traumatized children and adolescents at a residential treatment center in the U.S. The boys who attended her class were often combative, prone to negative and self-destructive behavior, and unable to trust adults or even one another. Almost all had histories of severe abuse and emotional neglect.

They routinely brought their negative attitudes into the classroom, as reflected in their foul speech and rough mannerisms.

Sitting in a circle in typical group counseling fashion, some of them expressed their anger through statements like “I hate being here” or “I hate doing this!”
“Fine,” Emily would say, “but why?” She put the question to them one by one.

“There’s no respect!”
“These jerks laugh at me!”
“Nobody listens to me!”
“Too many fights!”

After listening to their reasons, Emily replied, “What I am hearing is not that you hate this class exactly, but that you hate living in a community where people don’t respect or trust one another, make fun of people they don’t like, and fight.”

They nodded in agreement as if to say, “At last someone is listening!”

“What if,” Emily asked, “we were to create a community where you did feel respected, a community in which your needs were met, a community in which you felt safe? What would that community be like? Let’s create it together!”

The boys’ imaginations shifted into gear.

“Let’s call it Parkville!” someone called out. Everyone agreed.

Parkville developed into a six-month project. The class made a banner that read: Welcome to Parkville—Where all your needs are met! They drew a map of the town, including points of interest that reflected what they wanted in their community. They elected and appointed people to fill various roles in the town: mayor, superintendent of the school, director of the arts center, owner and chef of the community café, manager of the video store, and many more. They created special events. They found solutions to Parkville’s problems in town hall meetings. Parkville became a community that they all said they would love to live in. Many expressive art projects were born from the creation of this imaginary idyllic town.

The first step was to draw the young people out by asking questions and listening carefully and respectfully to their answers, even though they came across quite negative at first. The next step was to challenge them to make a difference by channeling their energy into constructive projects that interested them. Emily explains Parkville’s success:

The project gave these young people an opportunity to experience living in a well-functioning community, many of them for the first time, even if only while they were together at the center. Their community became one in which there was support, where they could express their needs and others would listen and respond, a community built on mutual respect and care, a community of possibility.

In role-play they found that they could be effective citizens and had something to contribute. Self-imposed limitations were stretched, and new strengths and capacities were accessed. An adolescent who was engaged in destructive behavior was transformed into a leader, a caring father, a resource to the community.

Various methods are being used today to reach youth through their own interests, such as sports programs, art and drama therapy, and community projects. Through these, young people can acquire lifelong skills and a positive self-image. When we help them identify goals and find ways to overcome the obstacles they encounter along the way, we help them realize their potential.

—

Numbers 23:19 ESV / God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

1 John 2:24 ESV / Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna ( Surv.)

A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

(A FRIEND STORY)

“That’s not fair” must have been my three most-used words when growing up. It seemed that someone—or everyone—always had it better than me. By my early teens I had a well-developed measure-and-analyze mindset, and I was particularly obsessed with comparing my looks, personality, and abilities with those of other girls my age.
When I came into young adulthood and joined an office team, it was all about measuring up at work. I was convinced that the only way I would ever be accepted or appreciated was if I made up for my relative lack of skill and experience by working harder than everyone else. I was always trying to gain points (whatever those were and whoever was giving them out), and I was always frustrated with my self-assessed score.

I didn’t like myself in general, and even the things that I liked somewhat I wouldn’t give myself a passing grade for until I improved them a bit. I could always find something wrong.

Then another big source of discontentment kicked in—feeling cheated and like a loser because nearly all of my friends, who were also in their early and mid-twenties, were married and had children, while I still didn’t have so much as a serious boyfriend. I wasn’t sure whether that was God’s fault or my own, so I was upset at both of us.

I could hardly stand to be around other people, because almost everyone made me feel inadequate in some way, but paradoxically I also found a lot to disapprove of in everybody else. You would think that I would have focused on their strong points, since I was always wishing I were more like them, but that wasn’t the case. Not surprisingly, my negative attitude toward others caused them to keep their distance, which made me feel more unlikable and hopeless. It was a vicious cycle.
At a particularly low point, I read some articles by Maria Fontaine about recognizing and overcoming negative thought patterns. These made a definite impression on me, as I started to realize why I was so discontent and began to want to do something about it. Understanding the concept that I could change was the seed of freedom.
The way she applied biblical principles started me reflecting on my life from a very different angle—one of thankfulness to God for all He had given me, rather than complaint over what He hadn’t given me; one of gratitude, rather than resentment.

I also asked Jesus to tell me what He thought of me, and then I tried to look at things from His perspective. Through this I learned to communicate with Jesus more deeply than I had before, and gradually I started to change—first my mind, and then my life. Through hearing from Him, I came to understand that I had been made the way I was because that was what He wanted, that He really did love me, and that He wasn’t out to punish me for anything I’d done wrong.

I also joined a small prayer group, where we would explain our struggles and then pray for one another. Those times of prayer channeled the life-changing power of God into my life. They also put me in a position to receive a lot of encouragement and support from caring friends, which in itself went a long way toward my development of a healthier self-image.

Something else that helped me gain both confidence and compassion was getting to better know some of the people whom I once envied, because I found that their lives weren’t as perfect as I had imagined. Things really do even out.

I found that I could love more completely once my relationships with others weren’t hampered by envy. I could appreciate others’ good qualities, thank God for the wonderful way He made them, and enjoy our differences, realizing that they’re just that—differences. One wasn’t necessarily better than the other.

It took some time to break old habits—nearly two years from the time I took my first steps toward change until there was a notable difference in my attitude toward life—but it happened. My perspective changed to the point that I can now say I’m truly content and don’t envy anyone. I consider that a miracle.

Now, nearly 10 years later, I’m happy to say that my inner makeover was a lasting one. I know that some things are truly not my strong points, and I accept that. As a result, I’m not constantly getting derailed when I notice something about myself that isn’t ideal.

Life continues to get better, and I continue to get happier. I’ve learned that more good things come to a person who looks for the good in life and the beauty in people. I also know that I have the power, through Jesus, to keep making progress in areas that actually matter. It’s amazing how we can learn and grow when we aren’t hampered by paralyzing I-can’t-itis, which is born of negativity and fear of failure.

Romans 8:28 ESV / And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

John 13:34 ESV / A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Mark 9:42 ESV / “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

BEAUTIFUL YOU!

BEAUTIFUL YOU!

If all the flowers in the world were one color, or if there was only one type of tree, it would get boring after a while. Beauty is found in variety—the varying types and textures, hues and shades. I don’t understand why people try so hard to all look alike. What’s the beauty in that? I look at these models walking down the runway, and while many of them have symmetrical chiseled features‚ great skin, and what the media and fashion industry promote as “perfect” bodies, most of them look similar. They’re perfect examples of cookie-cutter beauty.

I’m all for people taking good care of themselves and their appearance. I think it glorifies our Maker to dress neatly, be clean, stay fit, and make an effort to look nice. I don’t believe in just “letting yourself go.”

What’s disturbing, though, is when people try to change the way God made them in order to meet someone else’s definition of beauty. When they do that, they’re giving someone else control over them, over how they think, over their happiness. Who decides that one thing is better than another—hair that’s dark or light, curly or straight; bodies that are lean, muscular, or rounded; noses that are large or small; lips that are thin or full? Would you give someone else control over you like that?

When you try so hard to fit a certain mold of beauty‚ whether it suits you or not or is realistic or not, you’re giving up your uniqueness. What’s the attraction of looking like everybody else? The first thing you notice about some people is their hairstyle, or their clothing, or their new nips and tucks or enhancements. You notice the “look” and whether it fits the latest trend. In some cases, the look isn’t attractive or flattering; it doesn’t match the person’s anatomy or personality.

One of the many problems associated with comparing yourself with others or trying to fit into the fashionable standard of beauty is that you’re never going to be truly happy. You might feel a sense of satisfaction that you changed something you didn’t like or kept up with the latest trend, but even if you do manage to achieve the level of beauty that you’re hoping for, even if you finally become the most popular person in your circle of acquaintances, how long do you think it’s going to last? You’ll eventually run into somebody who’s higher up on the physical-beauty ladder. What will you do then?

If it’s happiness you’re looking for‚ you’re not going to find it like that. The constant need to meet the world’s standard of beauty leads to obsession—first the physical makeover, then the molding of your personality to fit the new you, then the struggle to keep the look or to keep up with the changing looks as each trend gives way to a new one. What kind of life is that? Do you think you’ll ever fit the world’s idea of perfect beauty? Not even worldly celebrities can reach it, and they have plenty of money to change anything they want. And change they do, because the trends in what’s beautiful keep changing. Even the rich can barely keep up.

It’s human nature to want to be thought attractive, but true beauty is not only about physical appearance. It’s also about inner beauty, that spark that sets a person apart from the millions of others who are dressing the same way, getting the same haircut, and trying to achieve the same body—the interchangeable masses who desert their individuality in an attempt to keep up with the latest trend.

Save yourself a lot of time, trouble, and grief. Clear your mind of everyone else’s perception of what is beautiful. Set aside everything you’ve thought or seen or been told, and ask God to show you what specific qualities or features He gave you that make you unique. Enhance those, and you’ll bring out the best, most beautiful you.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else.—Judy Garland

—

Esther 1:11 ESV / To bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Matthew 5:28 ESV / But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

THEODOLITES SET-UP

THEODOLITES SET-UP

1. Place the instrument over the point with the tripod plate as level as possible and with two tripod legs on the downhill side, if applicable.
2. Stand back a pace or two and see if the  instrument appears to be over the station; if it does not, adjust the location and check again from a pace or two away.
3. Move to a position 90° opposed to the original inspection location and repeat step 2.
4. Check that the station point can now be seen through the optical plummet (or that the laser plummet spot is reasonably close to the setup mark). Then push the tripod legs firmly by pressing down on the tripod shoe spurs.
5. While looking through the optical plumb (or at the laser spot), manipulate the leveling screws (one, two or all the three at a time) until the cross hair (bull’s-eye) of the optical plummet or the laser spot is
directly on the station mark.
6. Level the theodolite circular bubble by adjusting the tripod legs up or down.
7. Perform a check through the optical plummet or note the location of the laser spot to confirm that it is still quite being over the station mark.
8. Turn one (or more) leveling screws to be sure that the circular bubble is now exactly centered (if necessary).
9. Loosen the tripod clamp bolt a bit and slide the instrument on the flat tripod top (if necessary) until the optical plummet or laser spot is exactly centered on the station mark. Retighten the tripod clamp bolt and reset the circular bubble, if necessary.

10. The instrument can now be precisely leveled by centering the tubular bubble.
Set the tubular bubble so that it is aligned in the same direction as two of the foot
screws. Turn these two screws (together or independently) until the bubble is
centered. Then turn the instrument 90°, at which point the tubular bubble will be
aligned with the third leveling screw.
Next, turn that third screw to center the bubble. The instrument now should be
level, although it is always checked by turning the instrument through 180°.
www.heroizutech.com.ng

TEN (10) GOLDEN SECRETS OF MARRIAGE:

TEN (10) GOLDEN SECRETS OF MARRIAGE:
TO THOSE WHO ARE MARRIED AND/OR ARE PREPARING TO GET MARRIED SOON

1. EVERYONE YOU MARRY HAS A WEAKNESS

Only God has no weakness. Every rose flower has its own thorn. If you focus too much on your spouse's weakness, you can't get the best out of his/her strength.

2. EVERYONE YOU MARRY HAS A DARK HISTORY

No one is an Angel, therefore, avoid digging into one's past. What matters is the present life of your partner. Old things are passed away. Try to forgive and forget. The past can't be changed. So FOCUS on the present and the future!

3. EVERY MARRIAGE HAS IT'S OWN CHALLENGES

Marriage is not a bed of roses. Every shinning marriage has gone through its own test of hot and excruciating fire. True love is proved in times of challenge. Fight for your marriage! Make up your mind to stay with your spouse in time of need. Remember, this is the vow you made on your wedding day!

4. EVERY MARRIAGE HAS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUCCESS

Don't compare your marriage with anyone else's! We can never be equal, some will be far in front and others far behind. To avoid marriage stresses, be patient, work hard and with time, your marriage dreams shall come true.

5. TO MARRY IS TO DECLARE A WAR

When you marry, you must declare a war against enemies of marriage. Some of the enemies of marriage are: Ignorance, Prayerlessness, Unforgiveness, Adultery, Third Party Influence, Stinginess, Stubbornness, Lack of Love, Rudeness, Wife Battery, Laziness, Divorce, etc. Be ready to fight to maintain your marriage zone.

6. THERE IS NO PERFECT MARRIAGE

There is no ready made marriage anywhere. Marriage is hard work, volunteer yourself and perfect it daily. Marriage is like a CAR with gear oil, gear box, brake hassles and if these parts are not properly maintained, the car will breakdown somewhere along the road and exposing the occupant to unhealthy circumstances. - Many of us are careless about our marriage... Are you? If you are, please pay attention to your marriage.

7. GOD CANNOT GIVE YOU THE COMPLETE PERSON YOU DESIRE

He (God) gives you, him or her in the form of raw materials in order for you to mould what you desire. You may desire a woman who can pray for 1 hour but your wife may only manage to pray for 30 minutes. With your love, prayer and encouragement, she will improve.

8. TO MARRY IS TO TAKE A RISK

You cannot predict what will happen after marriage, as situations may change, so, leave room for adjustment. Pregnancy may not come in the next 4 years. You may get marry to her because she's slim but she becomes 100% fatter after having a child. He may lose his beautiful job and you have to take the financial responsibility of the family until he gets a new job. But with God by your side, you will smile at last.

9. MARRIAGE IS NOT A CONTRACT, IT IS PERMANENT

Marriage needs total commitment, love is the glue that makes a couple stick together. Divorce starts in the mind. Never think of divorce! Never threaten your spouse with divorce. Choose to remain married! God hates divorce

10. EVERY MARRIAGE HAS A PRICE TO PAY

Marriage is like a bank account. It is the money you deposit into your bank account that you can withdrawn. If you don't deposit love, peace and care into your marriage, you are not a candidate for a blissful home. There is no free love in marriage, You cannot love without giving and sacrificing.

May God Give us The Grace and Wisdom to Build a Heaven on Earth Marriage!!!

Make Money While You Sleep with a 'Muse' Business

A money-making opportunity that's inexpensive to
set up and yet generates passive income while you
kite-board, eat a bowl of cereal or watch TV?
It sounds too good to be true, but it is one of the
most talked about elements of Tim Ferriss's book,
The Four Hour Workweek. Read our interview with
Tim here.
But how do "muse" businesses actually work? We
reached out to a successful entrepreneur to find
out more.
What is a "muse" business?
Jesse Phillips, a co-founder of the calendar
company NeuYear, explains a "muse" business as
such: "an automated business that gives you your
target monthly income number, so you can do what
you want." Phillips was very inspired by Ferriss's
book in starting a company to deliver well-
designed calendars to help people track and
achieve their goals over the course of a year.
"We started NeuYear to help people achieve their
dreams," he explained. "One of the best ways to
focus your effort toward achieving your dreams is
to plan and pursue goals. This doesn't have to be a
crazy big or detailed thing, it's as simple as
thinking about the steps to achieve something, and
making deadlines for each step." In crafting a
large, design-focused calendar, he and his cohorts
aimed to make that process as simple as possible.
He further explains: "A muse is not sexy. A muse is
not about pursuing your passion.
A muse is about finding a niche where you can
make money. Easily. With as little work as possible.
The emphasis is on good margin, low effort, which
will typically not be sexy/interesting/fulfilling your
passions."
How do you successfully create a "muse" business?
After successfully creating a profitable business
that was recently featured on the design site
Fab.com, here are Jesse's tips on mastering the
"muse" business:
1. Create something that people actually want, not just
something you want.
If you have a good idea and only 100 people in the
world want it, you're not going to make money
selling it to them (unless they pay $100,000 for it --
but that's not a "muse" business). This means you
have to do lots of research to find an opportunity
in the market.
A trick to this is finding what people are spending
money on. There have been an awful lot of
successful projects on Kickstarter related to coffee.
Solid coffee ideas will get way overfunded on that
platform. Perhaps you can come-up with a coffee
idea? Also iPhone accessories have been well
funded. Do you have an idea for an iPhone
accessory that will solve a real problem?
More on research
2. Test before launching!
Too many people quit their job and start a
restaurant! They struggle for 3 years and then go
bankrupt. You HAVE to create a prototype, test
with real users, and see if people will really buy
your product, before you invest a ton of money
and time.
This is why I love Kickstarter - it helps you to see if
people out there are willing to buy your product.
But you can do it easier than that, just go survey
people. Find people that buy similar products and
ask them if they'd buy yours. Put-up an easy web
page with LaunchRock or something and see how
many sign-up. This is not easy to do. The hardest
part is being honest with yourself.
3. Be willing to pivot!
No one knows the future. It's impossible to create
the perfect product that meets customer needs
perfectly without testing. Therefore, once you
launch and realize some other aspect is more
desired by the customer, you need to be willing to
shift. It's arrogant and foolish to try to force your
will on the market, you have to shift with your
growing knowledge of your market.
More on market research
4. START!
Too many people (myself included), have a great
idea, but never do anything about it. Make goals,
start working toward them, figure-out your
minimum viable product and get going. Don't try
to invent the next iPad, either! Start with
something small and simple, yet with good margins
and an existing market (this is not easy to find, but
it's out there).
5. Design is important.
A lot of entrepreneurs skimp on design when they
are starting out. I ran into the founder of About.me
at SXSW one year and he said: "Design is not the
most important thing. It's the *only* thing." This is
so. freaking. true. We are humans. We judge books
by their cover. We can't help it, it's how our brains
work. Therefore, make your design awesome. (sleek
& modern & minimal is usually easy to do, takes
less time and looks great!) Design is a huge asset .

Entrepreneur Essentials: Make Money Online with a Blog

Blogging is attractive to many entrepreneurs and
it's no wonder why.
Heather Armstrong, aka "Dooce," has built one of
the most profitable enterprises in the blogosphere
in telling funny, self-deprecating stories about her
kids and taking pictures of her dog. Maybe you've
wondered...could I make money online with my
own blog?
Or maybe you already have a blog and you are
wondering how to monetize it.
The truth is that making money with a blog can be
challenging. It's not as simple as setting up a
WordPress site and blogging your passion. But
with a strategic approach, and the right tweaks,
you can make money with a blog.
This guide will consist of four parts that are vital to
making money with a blog:
Targeting a Profitable Niche
"Build it and they will come" is an incredibly
compelling myth. But that's what it is -- a myth. In
order to be successful in any sort of business, you
have to build it and then work overtime getting
and satisfying customers.
When I talk to people about why their blogs aren't
making more money, it usually boils down to one
problem: they aren't sure who their audience and
how to tweak their focus to better serve that
audience's needs.
So how do you get yourself set up on the right
foot? You choose a profitable niche, even if means
tweaking your original idea.
Target a niche
In his advice on niche marketing, Steve Van Yoder
offers these guidelines that apply to blogs as well as
businesses:
"To determine if a particular niche is right for you,
ask yourself these questions:
Do I have an identifiable target population with
similar interests and needs?
Is the market large enough to support my
business?
Can I tailor my products, services, and business
identity to address that market's particular
needs?
•
•
•
Is my target market currently underserved?
Can I reach my potential customers in a cost-
effective manner?"

Identify your competition:
Once you know your niche, identify your
competition. Make a list of publications and blogs
that serve the same niche. What choices are they
making in terms of design, content, and
positioning. Doing this analysis is a critical step in
identifying how you can set your offerings apart.
You may want to start a travel blog, for example,
but your research on the competition may tell you
that focusing on the cruise experience may help
you reach the most readers.
Don't Miss These Articles on Monetizing Your Blog:
1 Getting Set Up
2Building a Following
3Strategies for Monetizing

Bonus Resource: Worksheet for Getting Started

8 Startup Mistakes to Avoid When Launching a New Business

Although starting a business will undoubtedly
be hard work, it can be one of the most exciting
and rewarding adventures of your life—if you can
avoid these crippling startup mistakes. You get to
bring your ideas to life. Build your team and
structure your business any way you wish.
However, since building a business is new to you,
learning from the business mistakes other
entrepreneurs have made in the past can help save
you a lot of time and frustration for the weeks,
months and years to come.
You're not alone either. Some of the world's most
successful entrepreneurs—ranging from Richard
Branson to Mark Cuban, Arianna Huffington, Tony
Robbins and more, have made massive missteps
along their path to eventual success. It's only
through learning from their mistakes and heeding
the advice of other more experienced mentors that
they were able to eventually achieve their biggest
goals.
From my own experience and that of others, here
are the 8 biggest, most avoidable startup mistakes
that many entrepreneurs continue to make when
building a new business.
1. Trying to Do Everything Yourself
There are only 24 hours in a day. If you want to
get a good night’s sleep, which is absolutely
necessary to performing at peak levels, the reality
is that you can’t do everything yourself. Although
being a one-person-show may be a functional
necessity in the beginning, you may want to
consider delegating simple tasks to a small team of
contract workers who can help lighten your load—
and free up more of your time for focusing on the
activities only you can do within your business.
Delegating can be a challenge, though. Others may
not perform tasks the same way you would, but
sometimes that’s okay. For example, you may like
to move the furniture in the office when you
vacuum, but your employees don’t. You need to ask
yourself if delegating the task of vacuuming and
allowing a little more dust to accumulate behind
the printer is worth freeing up some of your time
so you can focus on more important things.
2. Not Enforcing Accountability or Punctuality
If you’ve ever had a team member or contract
employee consistently show up late to meetings
and you’ve never held them accountable, you’re
telling the rest of your team that it’s acceptable to
always be late. That's a dangerous precedent to set.
Many business owners don’t want to be the “bad
guy” and enforce punctuality or accountability, but
those are the cornerstones for a growing successful
business with people who feel responsible to
deliver results across the company. Consistently
being late shows people that you are unreliable
and have no respect for yourself or other people’s
time. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to grow a
team that's invested in the future of your company,
be sure to set the standard for your employees so
they have an example to model from.
3. Starting a Business You Have No Genuine Interest
In
No matter how much time and energy you put into
your business, if you’re not truly interested in
what you do—the problem you're solving, the
people you're helping—you won’t get very far.
You have to care deeply about what you' re creating
and who you're building it for, in order to push
past the inevitable obstacles that'll come your way
as an entrepreneur.
If you’ve ever wondered why entrepreneurs like
Richard Branson and Perry Marshall are extremely
successful, it’s not because they found a winning
formula and they certainly didn't just get lucky one
day. They've accomplished incredible feats and
changed industries because they fundamentally
care about what their businesses are helping their
customers do on a daily basis. If you want to be
successful, you have to be deeply involved with
your customers.
4. Becoming Too Absorbed in the Details
Details can be important, but there is a point when
you need to accept the fact that perfect isn ' t worth
it, in order to move forward and continue making
progress with your business. In the beginning,
your business is not going to be perfect, and you’ll
be working out the kinks even with fundamentals
for a while as you get comfortable with the niche
you're operating in and the customers you're
working with.
If you get stuck trying to perfect something before
you can further develop your business and make
sure you're solving real problems your customers
actually have, you’ll never get anywhere. There are
of course some details that can't be skipped when it
comes to your finances, sales funnels, lead
capturing and customer relations. But if you’re a
startup and you’re postponing designing your
website because you can’t decide between two
shades of blue for your typography, it would serve
you well to make any choice for the short-term,
move forward with designing your website and
revisit your colors later when it's the right time to
care about a decision like that (hint: that probably
won't be for many years).
5. Building an Expensive Website on Day One
Speaking of building websites, the last thing you
want to do as a startup is spend a lot of time and
money building a fancy, flashy website before you
even know exactly how to best serve your
customers. One of the best early decisions you can
make as an entrepreneur is to launch a basic
website in the beginning so people have a way to
learn about your product or service and contact
you. That's it.
Here's why: If your business is still being
developed and you invest a ton of your time and
financial resources into building your ultimate
website before your business is even out into the
marketplace, you’ll just end up having to redo the
majority of your work anyway. The reality of
starting a business is that some of your
assumptions will be incorrect—you'll have to grow,
adapt and change in order to best meet the needs
of your customers.
6. Consistently Rebranding a Product That Isn’t
Selling
This is the biggest startup mistake you can make as
an entrepreneur. You may have seen this happen
with other people’s products. Something isn’t
selling, so they change the name and put it in a
new package. It still doesn’t sell.
If you have a product that isn’t selling very well
regardless of how you package it, it may not be
your product that is the problem. You’re either
marketing a perfectly good product to the wrong
people, or you’re marketing to the right people in
the wrong way—there could be something wrong
with your pricing, the value propositions you're
pitching or otherwise.
No matter how much you like the clever name you
came up with, if your product or service doesn’t
appeal to your target market, they won’t buy it. It
takes time to have conversations with real
customers, gather a significant amount of customer
data, interpret that data, and do a great job
of defining your target audience, but it is worth the
effort. You don't immediately launch perfect
solutions—you have to work with your target
customers to create the best version of what they
need.
7. Taking on Unnecessary Expenses
It’s a luxury to have an office, a new computer, a
fax machine, and a double monitor setup. But that
doesn’t mean you need these things in the
beginning. If you're starting up by yourself or you
only have a few employees and they are happy to
work remotely from home, then it doesn’t make
sense to incur the additional costs of renting an
office space.
If your current computer setup is perfectly
functional, you don’t need to replace it just yet. All
of the goodies you want to purchase will come in
time, but in the beginning it’s smart to be frugal
and only spend money on activities that have a
direct positive return in terms of new revenue
coming into the company.
8. Allowing Employees to Use Personal Laptops for
Work
It’s easy to let employees perform their work on
personal laptops because that means you don’t
have to buy them one, but in the long run this is a
big startup mistake.
While many businesses do this, there are quite a
few cons to this practice. Allowing your employees
to primarily use their own personal laptops for
work means that they'll accumulate passwords,
save sensitive documents and other materials
belonging to the business that they'll have access to
when they eventually leave the company.
Turning the Mistakes of Others Into Wisdom
While making mistakes can be beneficial at times
(if you truly retain the important lessons), you
don’t have to experience them all yourself.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort to
build a solid foundation for your business, work
directly with your customers to create meaningful
solutions for them and heed the wisdom from
others who've forged their own path of
entrepreneurship, you’ll be successful with your
startup.

8 Startup Mistakes to Avoid When Launching a New Business

Although starting a business will undoubtedly
be hard work, it can be one of the most exciting
and rewarding adventures of your life—if you can
avoid these crippling startup mistakes. You get to
bring your ideas to life. Build your team and
structure your business any way you wish.
However, since building a business is new to you,
learning from the business mistakes other
entrepreneurs have made in the past can help save
you a lot of time and frustration for the weeks,
months and years to come.
You're not alone either. Some of the world's most
successful entrepreneurs—ranging from Richard
Branson to Mark Cuban, Arianna Huffington, Tony
Robbins and more, have made massive missteps
along their path to eventual success. It's only
through learning from their mistakes and heeding
the advice of other more experienced mentors that
they were able to eventually achieve their biggest
goals.
From my own experience and that of others, here
are the 8 biggest, most avoidable startup mistakes
that many entrepreneurs continue to make when
building a new business.
1. Trying to Do Everything Yourself
There are only 24 hours in a day. If you want to
get a good night’s sleep, which is absolutely
necessary to performing at peak levels, the reality
is that you can’t do everything yourself. Although
being a one-person-show may be a functional
necessity in the beginning, you may want to
consider delegating simple tasks to a small team of
contract workers who can help lighten your load—
and free up more of your time for focusing on the
activities only you can do within your business.
Delegating can be a challenge, though. Others may
not perform tasks the same way you would, but
sometimes that’s okay. For example, you may like
to move the furniture in the office when you
vacuum, but your employees don’t. You need to ask
yourself if delegating the task of vacuuming and
allowing a little more dust to accumulate behind
the printer is worth freeing up some of your time
so you can focus on more important things.
2. Not Enforcing Accountability or Punctuality
If you’ve ever had a team member or contract
employee consistently show up late to meetings
and you’ve never held them accountable, you’re
telling the rest of your team that it’s acceptable to
always be late. That's a dangerous precedent to set.
Many business owners don’t want to be the “bad
guy” and enforce punctuality or accountability, but
those are the cornerstones for a growing successful
business with people who feel responsible to
deliver results across the company. Consistently
being late shows people that you are unreliable
and have no respect for yourself or other people’s
time. If you’re an entrepreneur trying to grow a
team that's invested in the future of your company,
be sure to set the standard for your employees so
they have an example to model from.
3. Starting a Business You Have No Genuine Interest
In
No matter how much time and energy you put into
your business, if you’re not truly interested in
what you do—the problem you're solving, the
people you're helping—you won’t get very far.
You have to care deeply about what you' re creating
and who you're building it for, in order to push
past the inevitable obstacles that'll come your way
as an entrepreneur.
If you’ve ever wondered why entrepreneurs like
Richard Branson and Perry Marshall are extremely
successful, it’s not because they found a winning
formula and they certainly didn't just get lucky one
day. They've accomplished incredible feats and
changed industries because they fundamentally
care about what their businesses are helping their
customers do on a daily basis. If you want to be
successful, you have to be deeply involved with
your customers.
4. Becoming Too Absorbed in the Details
Details can be important, but there is a point when
you need to accept the fact that perfect isn ' t worth
it, in order to move forward and continue making
progress with your business. In the beginning,
your business is not going to be perfect, and you’ll
be working out the kinks even with fundamentals
for a while as you get comfortable with the niche
you're operating in and the customers you're
working with.
If you get stuck trying to perfect something before
you can further develop your business and make
sure you're solving real problems your customers
actually have, you’ll never get anywhere. There are
of course some details that can't be skipped when it
comes to your finances, sales funnels, lead
capturing and customer relations. But if you’re a
startup and you’re postponing designing your
website because you can’t decide between two
shades of blue for your typography, it would serve
you well to make any choice for the short-term,
move forward with designing your website and
revisit your colors later when it's the right time to
care about a decision like that (hint: that probably
won't be for many years).
5. Building an Expensive Website on Day One
Speaking of building websites, the last thing you
want to do as a startup is spend a lot of time and
money building a fancy, flashy website before you
even know exactly how to best serve your
customers. One of the best early decisions you can
make as an entrepreneur is to launch a basic
website in the beginning so people have a way to
learn about your product or service and contact
you. That's it.
Here's why: If your business is still being
developed and you invest a ton of your time and
financial resources into building your ultimate
website before your business is even out into the
marketplace, you’ll just end up having to redo the
majority of your work anyway. The reality of
starting a business is that some of your
assumptions will be incorrect—you'll have to grow,
adapt and change in order to best meet the needs
of your customers.
6. Consistently Rebranding a Product That Isn’t
Selling
This is the biggest startup mistake you can make as
an entrepreneur. You may have seen this happen
with other people’s products. Something isn’t
selling, so they change the name and put it in a
new package. It still doesn’t sell.
If you have a product that isn’t selling very well
regardless of how you package it, it may not be
your product that is the problem. You’re either
marketing a perfectly good product to the wrong
people, or you’re marketing to the right people in
the wrong way—there could be something wrong
with your pricing, the value propositions you're
pitching or otherwise.
No matter how much you like the clever name you
came up with, if your product or service doesn’t
appeal to your target market, they won’t buy it. It
takes time to have conversations with real
customers, gather a significant amount of customer
data, interpret that data, and do a great job
of defining your target audience, but it is worth the
effort. You don't immediately launch perfect
solutions—you have to work with your target
customers to create the best version of what they
need.
7. Taking on Unnecessary Expenses
It’s a luxury to have an office, a new computer, a
fax machine, and a double monitor setup. But that
doesn’t mean you need these things in the
beginning. If you're starting up by yourself or you
only have a few employees and they are happy to
work remotely from home, then it doesn’t make
sense to incur the additional costs of renting an
office space.
If your current computer setup is perfectly
functional, you don’t need to replace it just yet. All
of the goodies you want to purchase will come in
time, but in the beginning it’s smart to be frugal
and only spend money on activities that have a
direct positive return in terms of new revenue
coming into the company.
8. Allowing Employees to Use Personal Laptops for
Work
It’s easy to let employees perform their work on
personal laptops because that means you don’t
have to buy them one, but in the long run this is a
big startup mistake.
While many businesses do this, there are quite a
few cons to this practice. Allowing your employees
to primarily use their own personal laptops for
work means that they'll accumulate passwords,
save sensitive documents and other materials
belonging to the business that they'll have access to
when they eventually leave the company.
Turning the Mistakes of Others Into Wisdom
While making mistakes can be beneficial at times
(if you truly retain the important lessons), you
don’t have to experience them all yourself.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort to
build a solid foundation for your business, work
directly with your customers to create meaningful
solutions for them and heed the wisdom from
others who've forged their own path of
entrepreneurship, you’ll be successful with your
startup.

How to Be a Millionaire, Saving Very Little per Month

Do you think being a millionaire is out of the
question for you?
Think again. If you avoid consumer debt and start
investing when you're in your twenties or thirties,
you can be a millionaire.
Here's how.
You Can Become a Millionaire: The Beginning
Let's assume you have $0 in your investment
account right now. You have no debt, but you
haven't saved anything, either.
Let's assume you put your investments into a tax -
deferred account, such as a 401 (k ).
Let's also assume that your investments, over the
long haul, will grow at an annualized average rate
of 7 percent. (Investing legend Warren Buffet
predicts the long-term annualized return of the
U.S. stock market in the early-to-mid 21st century
will be 7 percent.)
Remember: this is a very, very long-term average -
over the span of 20 years or more. In any given
year, your investments might be up or down.
Don't focus on the short-term. One year - or three
years, or five years - is small-scale when you're
talking about a lifetime portfolio.
With those three assumptions in mind - you're
starting at $0, you're investing in a tax - deferred
account, and you'll get a 7 percent return over the
long haul. Let's look at how much you need to
invest to create a $1 million portfolio.*
The Math of Becoming a Millionaire
If You Save: $100 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 58 years and 6 months.
That's a long time - if you're 25 now, you'll be 83
by the time you're a millionaire - so I recommend
saving more.
If You Save: $200 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 48 years and 10 months.
Notice how simply saving an extra $100 per month
($200/mo instead of $100/mo) shaves a decade off
the time it takes you to become a millionaire.
If You Save: $400 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 39 years and 4 months.
That means if you're 25 now, you'll be a
millionaire at age 64 - in time for retirement.
If You Save: $750 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 31 years, 1 month. If
you're 25 now, you'll be a millionaire at age 56.
Did someone say " early retirement?"
If You Save: $1,000 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 27 years and 6 months. If
you have a baby today, you'll be a millionaire by
the time you dance at your child's wedding -- or
maybe by the time your grandchild is born.
If You Save: $1,500 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 22 years and 9 months.
What a huge improvement over the "58 years" we
were quoting at the $100/month savings rate!
If You Save: $2,000 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 19 years and 7 months.
Have a baby today, and you'll be a millionaire
when he or she is in college.
If You Save: $2,500 per month
You'll Be a Millionaire In: 17 years and 3 months.
Have a baby today, and you'll be a millionaire
before your kid is out of the house. If you're
currently 25 years old, you'll be a millionaire by
age 42.
Want to run your own calculations? There are
many online calculators can help you.
How Can I Save That Much Money?
I'm guessing your next question is something along
the lines of "How on earth am I supposed to save
$2,500 per month?"
I can boil that answer down to four words: Earn
more. Spend less.
Here are some resources to help you earn more:
Here are some resources to help you spend less:
One final note:
If your employer offers a 401(k) match, take full
advantage of it. Otherwise, you're leaving "free
money" sitting on the table.
Conversely, if your employer doesn't offer a 401(k)
match, or if you're self-employed (like I am), take
the reins and start heavily investing your
paychecks into tax-advantaged accounts like
Traditional and Roth IRAs and Individual 401(k)'s.
Remember: if your job doesn't give you retirement
benefits, that isn't an excuse to forgo saving. Take
responsibility for your financial future.

Can You Become a Millionaire Earning $30,000 a Year?

Can you become a millionaire if you only earn
$30,000 per year?
Yes, absolutely. Here’s how.
Start Investing Early
At age 25, you begin earning $30,000 annually.
That’s an income of $2,500 per month, before
taxes and deductions.
You save $458.33 per month, and spend the other
$2,000. (Remember, this is a savings rate of less
than 20 percent of your gross income).
Your savings of $458.33 per month amounts to
$5,500 per year.
You put that money in a Roth individual
retirement account, also known as a Roth IRA.
($5,500 is the maximum that you’re allowed to
contribute to a Roth IRA per year, based on 2013
rules. Learn more about Roth IRA’ s here.)
You put the money into a passively - managed index
fund that tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
There's Nothing Fancy About it
In other words, you’re not doing any fancy,
advanced investing. You’re not day-trading or
stock-picking or betting on the Next Big Thing.
You're not flipping houses or starting companies or
buying Apple stock.
You're not doing anything sophisticated or time-
consuming or risky. You’re just tracking the broad,
overall market through a low-fee index fund: the
simplest type of investing that you can do.
You don’t touch your money. You never withdraw
it. You just let it sit there, reinvesting its own
dividends, and enjoying the power of compound
interest.
Your money grows at 7 percent annually. Guess
what? Within 38 years, by the time you’re 63,
you’ll have a nest egg of $1 million.
Can you believe that? By saving only $458 per
month -- which is the amount that some people
spend on their car payment -- you can grow a
million-dollar nest egg by the time you retire.
Stepping Up Your Savings
Okay, what if you earn $40,000 per year? Can you
bump up your savings a bit more, and start putting
aside $600 per month?
If you do, you’ll shave 3 years off the amount of
time it takes you to become a millionaire. Rather
than becoming a millionaire in 37 years, you’ll
reach your goal in 34 years. That means you can
celebrate your 60th birthday, millionaire-style, if
you start when you’re 25. Not only will you retire
as a millionaire, you'll also potentially be able to
retire early!
At $600 per month, you’re saving only 18 percent
of your gross income. If you can bump your
savings rate up by another 2 percent -- to a rate of
$667 per month -- you’ll shave yet another two
years off your timeline. You’ll be a millionaire by
age 58 if you start at 25.
Isn’t it stunning what a small bump in your
savings rate -- just an extra $60 or $70 per month
-- can do?
This effect is the result of compound interest,
which is the term that describes your interest and
gains accumulating its own interest.
The longer you stay invested, the more compound
interest works on your behalf. That’s why its a
great idea to start saving for retirement when
you’re young.
Source: CNN Money Millionaire Calculator

THE PASTOR WHO TAUGHT THE MARRIED ABOUT PRAYER

✝ A Must  Read till the End. 🙏👍

THE PASTOR WHO TAUGHT THE MARRIED ABOUT PRAYER

Joe and his wife don't sit next to each other during Church services.

Even when going to Church services, they go in different vehicles; and when they travel in the same car, it is usually a very quiet and uncomfortable ride.

Joe sat at his usual spot in the Church service; the fourth line on the far left row. His wife sat on the center row.

The Pastor took to the podium.

"Husbands, stop wasting your time praying" the Pastor began.

The congregants got alarmed. No one expects to hear a pastor saying prayer is a waste of time.

"I am not here to discourage you to pray. I am here to encourage you to pray right.

Husbands, stop wasting your time praying if you are not treating your wife well.

The Word says that when you treat your wife badly, it hinders your prayers. Men, you claim to be prayerful.

You come to church driving your expensive cars, giving your offertory and tithes, active in Church, some of you are Church leaders; but how are you treating your wife?

You may look good to us Church members, but it is your wife and children that know who you truly are" said the Pastor.

Joe turned to face his wife. She looked at him. Joe could see her eyes.

Her left eye swollen from the blow he gave her last week when she confronted him about his alcoholism, pornography use and mischievous behavior.

People couldn't tell she had a black eye because of the make up she had on, so well done.

The Pastor continued, "People have perfected the art of cover up. Here in Church, so many are hurting but you wouldn't know.

People come here wearing their nice clothes, shiny smiles, they are active in ministry but hurting a lot in their marriage.

We have become numb and plastic, brushing things under the carpet. But today we shall heal; we shall address those wounds we hide"

The Pastor cleared his throat and continued, "Many of those who are hurting their spouse are using the church to hide.

They think that because they give offertory and tithe, because they make public prayers, because they stand in front to give testimonies or because they hold a Church leadership position that they are right with God. God is interested in what you do in your marriage and in your family.

Your first ministry is your home. Stop trying to blackmail God with your service in Church yet you are mean and hurtful towards your spouse"

Many of the members of the congregation got restless and unsettled.

The Pastor continued, "Many of those who are being hurt by their spouse hide their pain and want to project an image that all is well to validate that they are blessed and in control.

Some of you are active in Church to run away from the pain in your marriage"

The congregation was silent. Some straightening their ties, others fidgeting with their Bibles, adjusting their sitting position.

This pastor was preaching truth and it was uncomfortable.

The Pastor continued, "The husbands are not the only ones guilty. Wives, don't you know the Word says when your husband found you he found good and you bring favour?

Then why are you the source of your husband's headache and stress? Have you been so toxic that you have turned your prayerful husband into a prayerless one?

Do you make him regret marrying you because you bring more complications than he had before marrying you?

How you treat your husband can be a stumbling block in his walk with God or an environment that encourages growth.

Many of you married your husband primarily because of his relationship with God, why are you now destroying his relationship with God instead of celebrating and nurturing it?

Why are you being a burden to your husband emotionally, spiritually, socially, sexually and financially instead of being one who brings favour?"

Joe's wife looked at Joe. Joe looked at her, she looked away.

The Pastor paused to drink his glass of water.

The Pastor continued, "When I am thirsty, I drink a glass of water.

When your spouse gets thirsty, will you allow God to use you to bless your spouse?

You've been told many sermons that focus on you as an individual, that God will make you prosper as an individual.

I am here to tell you your blessings are tied to people, you are blessed to be a blessing to others. Our God is not an individualistic God.

Your blessing is tied to your marriage, your family. It's not about you, you, you; it is about Jesus and Jesus is about love.

What good is it to prosper and be successful when you have no love? It is all vanity.

God cares about your family, how you treat your spouse and children"

Silence.

"Yes, we pray. But what kind of prayers does your spouse pray because of you?

When your spouse prays, is it largely to cry to God because of the hurt you bring?

Is it to plead with God to change you from the monster you've become?

Is it to plead for grace to deal with how difficult you are? Or is to give thanks for you?"

Silence.

"Are you really prayerful? Do you really value prayer?

Then why is it that many of you find it easy to come to us priests for us to pray with you as an individual, you find it is easy to pray in public in a Church service or Bible study, but find it so hard to pray with your spouse?

Isn't that telling of what is going on in your marriage? Don't you know that the more you pray with your spouse the stronger your marriage will be?

But how can you find it easy to pray with a spouse you hurt or who hurts you?"

The Pastor paused and looked at the congregation. Eyes staring at him.

"I challenge you. I challenge you to pray with your spouse and to treat your spouse well.

Husbands, you are the head of the home. I challenge you to stand up and go to where your wife is and pray with her as a start of a more prayerful chapter in your marriage.

Don't do it because I asked you to but because you want to. Your choice"

One by one, the husbands present stood up.

Joe stood up too.

Joe walked to where his wife was.

The face of Joe's wife overwhelmed with love, she looked on as her husband walked to her.

She almost stood up but he gave hand gestures at her to stay seated.

Joe reached where she sat. Their eyes met.

Joe knelt down. He stared at her then kissed her swollen left eye.

"I am sorry" he said.

"Can I pray with you?" He asked.

She got up from her seat and knelt down too.

There, on the floor as the Church service was still ongoing, husbands prayed with their wives.

Joe prayed kneeling with his wife.

They prayed for forgiveness, for thanksgiving, for love, for renewal, for peace, for direction; for their marriage.

Marriages were healed at that service .💏✝🛐☮

If You have been blessed by this message please share. You might just be saving a marriage.✝🙏

The Result of Hard Work... Real Life Story

Real Life Story.....®

Ezra and Thomas joined a company together a few months after their graduation from university.

After a few years of work, their Manager promoted Ezra to a position of Senior Sales Manager, but Thomas remained in his entry level Junior Sales Officer position. Thomas developed a sense of jealousy and disgruntlement, but continued working anyway.

One day Thomas felt that he could not work with Ezra anymore. He wrote his resignation letter, but before he submitted it to the Manager, he complained that  Management  did not value hard working staff, but only promoted only the favoured!

The Manager knew that Ezra worked very hard for the years he had spent at the company; even harder than Thomas and therefore he deserved the promotion. So in order to help Thomas to realize this, the Manager gave Thomas a task.

“Go and find out if anyone is selling water melons in town?”

Thomas returned and said, "yes there is someone!"

The Manager asked, "how much per kg?" Thomas drove back to town to ask and then returned to inform the Manager; "they are R13.50 per kg!"

The Manager told Thomas, "I will give Ezra the same task that I gave you. Please pay close attention to his response!"

So the Manager said to Ezra, in the presence of Thomas; “Go and find out if anyone is selling water melons in town?”

Ezra went to find out and on his return he said:
"Manager, there is only one person selling water melons in the whole town. The cost is R49.00 each water melon and R32,50 for a half melon. He sells them at R13.50 per kg when sliced. He has in his stock 93 melons, each one weighing about 7kg. He has a farm and can supply us with melons for the next 4 months at a rate of 102 melons per day at R27.00 per melon; this includes delivery.
The melons appear fresh and red with good quality, and they taste better than the ones we sold last year.
He has his own slicing machine and is willing to slice for us free of charge.
We need to strike a deal with him before 10am tomorrow and we will be sure of beating last year's profits in melons by R223 000.00. This will contribute positively to our overall performance as it will add a minimum of 3.78% to our current overall sales target.
I have put this information down in writing and is available on spreadsheet. Please let me know if you need it as I can send it to you in fifteen minutes."

Thomas was very impressed and realized the difference between himself and Ezra. He decided not to resign but to learn from Ezra.

As we begin this fresh year, let this story help us keep in mind the importance of going an extra mile in all our endeavors.

You won't be rewarded for doing what you're meant to do, you only get a salary for that! You're only ​rewarded​ for going an extra mile; performing beyond expectations. 

To be successful in life you must be observant, proactive and willing to do more, think more, a more holistic perspective and go beyond the call of duty.

May you be blessed with a better perspective to your work this year.
*Greater life needs this.mentality of going an extra mile, As Husband's, mothers, children...I pray..let's go an extra mile in all our endeavour... Prospect we Love you* 
Have a blessed day

```

5 Ways to Use Your Skills to Start a Side Business

One of the best ways to increase your income and
give yourself a solid foundation by which to grow
into self-employment in the future is to start a side
business of your own.
If you choose the right business opportunity,
there's room for you to keep growing your
customer base on the side, while keeping your day
job. From there, if you take the right steps, you'll
be able to grow your side income beyond that of
your day job—and launch into the world of self-
employment.
However, before you get started, you'll need to first
understand the different ways you'll be going
about discovering and validating your ideal side
business idea.
From my conversations with aspiring
entrepreneurs, one of the most common mistakes I
see being made over and over again when people
are looking for the right side business opportunity,
is that they completely overlook their single best
resource: their existing skill sets.
As a writer and marketer by trade, I know that
with any business I get into, I'll need to engage my
core strengths of crafting compelling content and
getting it in front of a large online audience, in
order to have a chance of being successful and
competing with others in my space.
If you want to become a successful entrepreneur
within your field, you'll need to engage your
strengths. If you're still unsure about which skills
you'll be able to monetize with a side business,
take the Entrepreneur ' s Skill Assessment today.
Once you've determined which strengths you'll
plan on leveraging, here are five ways to turn
those skills into a side business.
1. Freelancing
If you've built up a set of marketable skills
throughout your career and at your day job, you
should consider the idea of starting a freelance
business on the side.
There's a rapidly expanding demand for talented
freelance help, especially in the US with over 54
million freelancers in 2015.
If your skills include writing, designing,
developing, marketing, social media management,
or another high-demand digital skill, then you're in
a great position to start bringing on freelance
clients. Start with building a high quality portfolio
website to list your skills, showcase examples of
your best work, and display reviews from past co-
workers or bosses as you get up and running.
Create a very clear picture of who your target
freelance client is going to be, and make sure
you're tailoring your website and reach out
experience to what that person is going to expect.
2. Blogging
One of my favorite side businesses, albeit a very
long term investment in my future, has been
starting a blog and building up a loyal audience of
regular readers. If you're comfortable with the
potential that it may very well take you years to
start earning a decent income from one of the
various ways to monetize a blog, and you have a
knack for building connections with people
through your writing, then this may be for you.
Be sure to start with a niche topic that'll give you
the opportunity to become well-respected within a
close-knit community, before you set your sights on
expanding into a very large market. Your
credibility platform will be of great importance
moving forward.
3. Online Coaching
If you have a marketable skill that others want to
possess or get better at, then there's a market for
being paid to coach people, one-on-one, into an
accelerated learning experience. The emergence of
easy-to-use online coaching websites like
Savvy and Clarity .fm already provide you with a
built-in community of people looking to work on
various different types of skills. The most exciting
thing about starting an online coaching business
on the side is that once you've perfected your
teaching experience, you'll be able to easily
package it into a more scalable version—an online
course.
4. Online Courses
As with online coaching, when there's a growing
demand for a skill that you possess, one of the best
ways to monetize that ability of yours, is by
creating a genuinely helpful online course for
others to go through at their own leisure. While the
setup time and upfront investments are huge (in
terms of your time) with this business model, it's
one of the most scalable online businesses out there
today. Teachable has become one of the best
resources on learning how to launch an online
course business, as well as being the premier
online course platform to power your course
content once you have it built.
5. Physical Products
Whether you have an idea for a new-to-the-world
invention, a new spin on an existing product, or
nothing more than selling a product in a new way
or to a new market, there are countless ways to
make money selling physical products on the side.
For example, take Neil Patel, an online marketer
who last year launched a challenge for himself to
create an online business from scratch, in an
industry he knows nothing about (a nutrition
blog). Just last month, he cleared over $22,000 in
sales of a product that he white labels and sells on
Amazon.
If you're willing to get creative, there are a nearly
unlimited number of ways to use your skills and
start a side business that'll have the potential to
launch you into a career of self-employment. Check
out the Launch While Working Formula for more
on how to start and grow a side business while
keeping your day job.

The 4 Most Difficult Stages of Becoming an Entrepreneur

As you go through the process of starting your own
business and training yourself to adapt to the new
(often intimidating) commitments you've signed
yourself up for, it's important to be aware of the
mental journey you're going to be traveling along,
in addition to the physical one of making your
company come to life.
There will be ups and there will most certainly be
downs along the way. If you're careful to learn
from your mistakes and minimize the negative
outcomes as much as possible, you'll stand a very
real chance for succeeding in business.
Making the definitive decision to start your own
business and create the lifestyle you want to live, is
worth any amount of hard work; mental and
physical.
In my experience starting businesses, these are the
4 most difficult mental stages of the arduous
journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
The Sacrifice.
This is by far the most mentally trying stage of the
journey. At first, everything you do (and achieve)
will feel like an immense sacrifice. When your
friends are all hanging out together on a Friday
night, you're at home working on your app, doing
freelance work, or putting the finishing touches on
your prototypes.
You're likely to frequently question yourself, doubt
the work you' re doing, and seek outside approval
to help you justify all of the time and hard work
you're putting into your fledgling business.
However, the reality is, you only have a limited
amount of time outside of the hours you already
commit to your day job, so if you want to become
successful with your new business, there's no other
choice than to utilize the time you do have.
The Grind.
Now that you've become comfortable with the
discomfort that is starting a business, learning new
skills, and sharing your ideas with the world, you
start to get into a rhythm. You'll move into a
routine that helps you maximize your productivity,
so that you're spending as much time as possible
on your new business.
During this stage, you'll start picking up
momentum and experiencing bigger wins with
more frequency than when you were just getting
started. You've eliminated the regular feelings of
self-doubt, and can focus on growing your business
idea into a valuable solution for your customers.
The Life.
Your new business is generating revenue. You
know who your customers are and how to reach
them. You've attained a good amount of traction
and you're extremely confident in your ability to
serve those customers better than your competitors
can.
If you've been launching this business while
keeping your day job, this is likely the phase in
which you'll finally meet your minimum income
criteria for quitting your day job to focus on
growing the business full-time. It's exhilarating to
be working on your passion project with all of your
time & energy.
The Freedom.
After all of your hard work, you have a lot to be
proud of.
Your business has achieved product/market fit and
you're able to scale your operations much more
quickly now that you have the time, energy, and
mental clarity to focus on your longterm vision.
You're able to step away from the business at times
and trust the systems and people you've put in
place to help keep things on track, while you enjoy
the lifestyle benefits of running your own business.
True entrepreneurs never stop challenging
themselves, pushing the boundaries, and operating
with discomfort. It's how we grow.

7 Lifestyle Changes to Make You a Better Entrepreneur

If there were a magic button that could instantly
make you a better entrepreneur — one that gave
you better ideas, let you make clearer decisions,
helped you communicate better with the team, etc.
— you’d almost certainly press it.
Entrepreneurs tend to desire improvement in all
areas of their lives, especially areas that will make
them better business owners. Obviously, there’s no
magic button, but there are many ongoing
strategies that can improve your leadership and
business acumen.
The Lifestyle Difference
You could undergo a training program or engage
in brainstorming sessions with peers as simple
ways to become a better entrepreneur. These
approaches focus on the acquisition of knowledge
or a new skill set.
However, there are also lifestyle factors that can be
incorporated gradually and that condition your
mind to achieve its fullest potential. These lifestyle
changes are simple, easy to adopt, and can have
powerful effects on your entrepreneurial
performance, so why not give them a shot?
1. Take more breaks. There’s no question that taking
breaks can actually increase your productivity.
Though it’s tempting to work through lunch to
squeeze in an extra few assignments, it’s better for
you in the long term to allow your mind to
decompress, and return with greater focus and
motivation. Commit to taking at least three small
breaks throughout the day, even if they’re only 10
minutes, and incorporate breaks on a larger scale
by taking an occasional vacation.
2. Get more sleep. Sleep is more important than
most people realize. That recommended “eight
hours” might seem like a pipe dream, but if you’re
getting only a few hours of sleep per night on an
ongoing basis, or if you maintain an inconsistent
and unpredictable sleep schedule, you could be
sabotaging your own potential for success.
Without enough sleep, you’ll have a harder time
concentrating, remembering things, and solving
problems … not to mention all the physical health
problems associated with long-term sleep
deprivation. Do yourself and your team a favor by
making a good night’s sleep a top priority.
3. Read every day. The benefits of reading should be
obvious; you’ll gather new information and
knowledge for starters, but you’ll also build your
vocabulary and strengthen your communication
skills. The wider range of books you read, the more
pronounced these effects will be; don’t pigeonhole
yourself into one genre, format, or subject. Expose
yourself to a wide array of perspectives, and
you’re likely to generate more creative ideas.
4. Talk to more people. Ask your team for their
thoughts on your business. Talk to competitors and
peers. Seek opportunities to discuss your field with
other professionals at networking events. Talk to
random strangers on the street. The more you
interact with people who are not part of your daily
routine, the more skilled you’ll become at
communicating … and you’ll surely pick up new
ideas and perspectives that can help you solve
problems and address individual needs.
As an added bonus, you might even meet some new
potential clients or hires.
5. Eat healthier foods. The foods you eat can have a
substantial impact on your mind and body.
Without the proper nutrition, you might not be
able to function properly. We all intuitively
experience the energy drag that junk food can
have, and we all know what it’s like to try and
work while hungry. Keep your body fueled with
healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Kale is a perfect
example. It’s low in calories, high in fiber, high in
protein, and packed with antioxidants. As a
general rule, the more fruits and vegetables you
eat, the better; and the fewer processed foods you
consume, the healthier you’re apt to feel.
6. Be willing to ask for help. Inevitably, you’ll run
into pain points as an entrepreneur, and many of
us would prefer to take on and address those
obstacles independently. However, doing this on a
steady basis almost always leads to overwhelmed
work schedules, high levels of stress, and improper
procedures (especially in the case of tackling an
objective outside your expertise). It’s important for
you to learn to ask for help from outside sources to
prevent these negative outcomes. For example, you
could delegate a task to one of your team members,
seek counsel from a mentor, or even ask a family
member for help in brainstorming.
7. Reduce your reliance on technology. You probably
use the computer or smartphone for almost every
facet of your job these days. When you get home,
you might relax with more computer-based
entertainment or TV. You might even check your
email and voicemails throughout the night.
Breaking away from technology on an occasional
basis — even for a few hours — can be beneficial
to you in the long run. It can improve your focus,
reduce your stress, and give you time for more
important things. Why not pick up a book and kill
two birds with one stone?
Some of these lifestyle changes might appeal to you
more than others, but you ought to give all of them
a fair try. Even if it seems like an impossible goal
(like getting enough sleep every night), or
uncomfortable (like stepping away from technology
on a daily basis), you should challenge yourself to
improve in these key areas.
You’ll find yourself thinking more clearly, working
harder, and most important, feeling better about
your own role.

7 Words You Need to Eliminate If You Want to Be Successful

Becoming a successful entrepreneur is as much of a mental game, as it is one of finesse and expertise.
You can be the most intelligent, talented, and
respected person within your industry, but if you
don't believe in yourself and continue to be
brutally honest as you move through the extremely
difficult stages of growing a business, your failure
is all but inevitable.
Everything from the way you feel about getting up
to head into the office each morning, to the quality
of relationships with your business partners, and
the words you use on a daily basis, will have a long
term effect on whether or not you'll become
successful.
Whether you intend to or not, if you allow yourself
to use words and phrases that convey doubt,
insecurity, and a lack of true belief in what you're
saying, you'll eventually lose faith.
Not only does this effect your own mental well-
being, but the people you're communicating with
will read into your word choice and pick up on
your sentiment & body language.
Here are the seven words you'll need to eliminate
from your vocabulary if you want to be successful.

1. "Might"
This one is my all-time least favorite word.
Anytime I catch myself using it in conversation, I force myself to first think about why I would be unsure about what I'm promising or expounding
about—especially in a business situation. "Might"
is most commonly used to highlight something that
may be a possibility. In business, you need to be very sure of yourself and the decisions you're making. If you're not, others will pick up on your insecurity and have a difficult time believing in
you.
Not to mention how often this word is misused and out of context.

2. "Usually"
In a business context, "usually" is another word that expresses doubt about a situation or set of circumstances. Its lack of definitive nature tells the
person you're conversing with, that they shouldn't
confidently believe in an outcome that happens
only most of the time.

3. "Should"
Similar to "might" and "usually," the word, "should" also conveys a general lack of confidence and
certainty in the result you're really just hoping for, rather than taking the necessary time and
preparations to make sure you execute flawlessly.

4. "Won't"
Using this word is one of the quickest ways to put someone on the defensive. Instead of using a less personal word to decline participation in an
activity, the word, "won't" has an air of stubborn
rejection to it.

5. "Likely"
If you're using the word, "likely" in a business
setting, you're really doing nothing more than
making a prediction. Not only are you clearly not confident in the results or outcome you're talking
about, but you're making clear your lack of
personal knowledge on the matter.

6. "If Only"
Nothing says that you're living in a dream world
more than talking about business situations with the ever-hopeful, "if only." Here, you're actively
stating that you don ' t have control over what ' s happening, and it gives the impression that you're
just grasping at the hope of some sort of divine
intervention.
Quit dreaming of the things you could do with all
the resources in the world, and instead, focus on
making your dream come true with the tools you do have.

7. "Really"
In a business sense, the word "really" is a very
casual expression that attempts to place extra
emphasis and importance on a particular outcome,
without really quantifying what exactly that extra
emphasis is. The word rarely adds any real value to
your conversations.
Which words are you using today, that may be
holding you back from achieving your goals?

What Survey Plan Is All About

What Survey Plan Is All About

A Survey Plan is a document that shows the boundary of a parcel of land. It gives an accurate measurement, description of the piece of land and contains the following
information: the name of the owner of the land surveyed, the address or description, the size and the drawn out portion as
mapped out on the survey plan document. Other information
that a survey plan contain includes: the beacon numbers, the
Surveyor who drew up the survey plan and the date it was
drawn and a stamp showing that the land is either free from
government acquisition or not. So how and why does one
chart a survey plan in Lagos?
The major reason why a survey plan is charted is to get what
is known as a Land Information. Before a transaction is
consummated over a plot of land, it is always advisable to
Chart the Survey Plan presented for the land to basically find
out whether it falls under government acquisition or not and
as well authenticate the claim of ownership to the land.
While Charting a Survey Plan can be done by private
individuals or organisations, it is also one of the procedures
involved in the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy or
Governor's Consent to persons who have applied for them at
the Lagos State Land Bureau.
The procedure for Charting a Survey Plan starts with
obtaining an Application Form for Land Information and
Payment Advice from the Accounts Department of the Office
of the Surveyor General at No.87 Awolowo Way, Ikeja. For
survey plans that carries a single name the fee for charting it
is N10, 000 and N1, 000 for development levy, while the fee
for one that carries Mr. and Mrs. is N20, 000 and N1, 000 for
development levy.
The next step is to go to the designated banks stated on the
payment advice, pay and obtain original receipt with teller
and then submit them along with the following documents at
the front desk office of the Surveyor General's Office: the
completed application form for land information and a copy
of the survey plan. A file for the application is then opened
at this stage.
From the front desk office, the file is sent to the Accounts
Department for verification of receipts of charting and
endorsement. If cleared, the file is sent to the Records Unit
for proper confirmation / screening of red copy. An Officer in
the Records Unit scrutinizes the red copy side by side with
the applicant's copy. File is then sent to Charting Room to
ascertain the status of the property (acquired or free from
government acquisition) and execute a composite plan to
affirm the authenticity of ownership. The Officer in Charge of
Charting does the verification and confirmation of charting
and the sends the result (a Land Information Certificate) to
the Director of Coordination, Transactions and Records
Department for final clearance. At the final stage, the result
is sent to the front desk office for filling and a text message
is sent to the applicant to come and pick up the Land
Information Certificate. On the average, the entire process takes between a month and two to complete.

Beyond Sunday: Wounds from the Surgeon

Beyond Sunday: Wounds from the Surgeon

by

[Editor's note: Beyond Sunday is a Monday refresher to start off your week.]

Focus Verse of the Week

For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal. (Job 5:18, NIV)

Classic Commentary

For he wounds, but he binds up

The surgeon, who makes a wound even more painful by probing and opening it, does so to let out the matter and make way for his medicine. Then he lays on the plaster, and binds it up. So God causes grief and puts his people to pain, by diseases of body, or by making breaches in their families and estates, by other cutting providences. Then he binds up their breach, and heals the stroke of their wound, and in the issue makes all whole again. So it is in spiritual things - by the sharp, two-edged sword of the Word, he cuts and wounds, and gives pain and uneasiness. His Spirit lays open all the corruption of nature, and brings to repentance and humiliation for all transgressions; and then pours in the oil and wine of pardoning grace and mercy, and binds up the wounds that are made.

He shatters, but his hands heal

The same thing is meant as above, expressed by different words. The whole suggests that every afflicted man, and particularly Job, should he behave well, and as he ought, under the afflicting hand of God, would be healed, and become sound and whole again, in body, mind, family, and estate. For, though God for the present caused grief, yet he would have compassion, since he did not willingly grieve the children of men. He did not do it for his own pleasure, but for their good, as a skillful surgeon cuts and wounds in order to heal. SeeDeuteronomy 32:39, Hosea 6:1,Lamentations 3:32, andLamentations 3:33.

(Adapted from john gill's exposition of the bible, job 5:18)

A Thought to Keep

No one likes going under the knife, but we like cancer even less. God is in the business of scraping off those warts and moles that threaten to become malignant and attack our souls. He wounds so we might experience wellness in the Spirit.

SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS

SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS

(A FRIEND STORY)

A stray dog moved into the Smiths’ neighborhood the same day the Joneses moved in next door, and the dog immediately began to wreak havoc, scrounging in trashcans and tearing up flowerbeds in both yards. The Smiths were irked that the Joneses had brought such a nuisance into the neighborhood, and the Joneses found it inexcusable that the Smiths made no attempt to control their dog. For several weeks neither couple said anything to the other, while bad feelings festered on both sides. Finally Ms. Smith could stand no more and gave Ms. Jones a piece of her mind. “Oh,” Ms. Jones replied, “we thought it was your dog!”

Often the things that sour relationships are like that dog—more a matter of misunderstandings or small irritations that get blown out of proportion than actual wrongdoing on anyone’s part. Usually all it takes to set things right is better communication, but someone has to make the first move, and that’s not always easy. Both parties, convinced that they’re right or unwilling to admit that they’re not, lock themselves into their positions. Barriers go up. Relationships go bad. Everyone suffers.

Where can we find the humility to admit we’ve been in the wrong, or the love and grace to forgive and forget when we’ve been wronged? Where can we find the wisdom to turn a no-win situation into a win-win situation, the strength to buck our stubborn nature, or the courage to make the first move? All these and more are at our disposal anytime, whatever we need, when we need it, in unlimited supply, free of charge. “Every good and every perfect gift is from above.” “Ask, and it will be given you.” Like all of the other best things in life, the most successful relationships begin with the ultimate relationship—heart to heart communion with “the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” May He bless you with His very best, always and in all ways.

—

James 1:17 (ESV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Matthew 7:7 (ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
1. Timothy 6:17 (ESV) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

Question: "What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt?"

Question: "What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt?"
Answer: The Ten Plagues of Egypt—also known
as the Ten Plagues, the Plagues of Egypt, or
the Biblical Plagues—are described in Exodus 7
—12. The plagues were ten disasters sent upon
Egypt by God to convince Pharaoh to free the
Israelite slaves from the bondage and
oppression they had endured in Egypt for 400
years. When God sent Moses to deliver the
children of Israel from bondage in Egypt, He
promised to show His wonders as confirmation
of Moses’ authority ( Exodus 3:20 ). This
confirmation was to serve at least two
purposes: to show the Israelites that the God of
their fathers was alive and worthy of their
worship and to show the Egyptians that their
gods were nothing.
The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for
about 400 years and in that time had lost faith
in the God of their fathers. They believed He
existed and worshiped Him, but they doubted
that He could, or would, break the yoke of their
bondage. The Egyptians, like many pagan
cultures, worshiped a wide variety of nature-
gods and attributed to their powers the natural
phenomena they saw in the world around them.
There was a god of the sun, of the river, of
childbirth, of crops, etc. Events like the annual
flooding of the Nile, which fertilized their
croplands, were evidences of their gods’ powers
and good will. When Moses approached
Pharaoh, demanding that he let the people go,
Pharaoh responded by saying, “Who is the Lord,
that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I
know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel
go” ( Exodus 5:2 ). Thus began the challenge to
show whose God was more powerful.
The first plague, turning the Nile to blood, was a
judgment against Apis, the god of the Nile, Isis,
goddess of the Nile, and Khnum, guardian of the
Nile. The Nile was also believed to be the
bloodstream of Osiris, who was reborn each
year when the river flooded. The river, which
formed the basis of daily life and the national
economy, was devastated, as millions of fish
died in the river and the water was unusable.
Pharaoh was told, “By this you will know that I
am the LORD” ( Exodus 7:17 ).
The second plague, bringing frogs from the Nile,
was a judgment against Heqet, the frog-headed
goddess of birth. Frogs were thought to be
sacred and not to be killed. God had the frogs
invade every part of the homes of the
Egyptians, and when the frogs died, their
stinking bodies were heaped up in offensive
piles all through the land ( Exodus 8:13–14 ).
The third plague, gnats, was a judgment on Set,
the god of the desert. Unlike the previous
plagues, the magicians were unable to duplicate
this one and declared to Pharaoh, “This is the
finger of God” ( Exodus 8:19 ).
The fourth plague, flies, was a judgment on
Uatchit, the fly god. In this plague, God clearly
distinguished between the Israelites and the
Egyptians, as no swarms of flies bothered the
areas where the Israelites lived ( Exodus 8:21–
24).
The fifth plague, the death of livestock, was a
judgment on the goddess Hathor and the god
Apis, who were both depicted as cattle. As with
the previous plague, God protected His people
from the plague, while the cattle of the
Egyptians died. God was steadily destroying the
economy of Egypt, while showing His ability to
protect and provide for those who obeyed Him.
Pharaoh even sent investigators ( Exodus 9:7 ) to
find out if the Israelites were suffering along
with the Egyptians, but the result was a
hardening of his heart against the Israelites.
The sixth plague, boils, was a judgment against
several gods over health and disease (Sekhmet,
Sunu, and Isis). This time, the Bible says that
the magicians “could not stand before Moses
because of the boils.” Clearly, these religious
leaders were powerless against the God of
Israel.
Before God sent the last three plagues, Pharaoh
was given a special message from God. These
plagues would be more severe than the others,
and they were designed to convince Pharaoh
and all the people “that there is none like me in
all the earth” ( Exodus 9:14 ). Pharaoh was even
told that he was placed in his position by God,
so that God could show His power and declare
His name through all the earth ( Exodus 9:16 ).
As an example of His grace, God warned
Pharaoh to gather whatever cattle and crops
remained from the previous plagues and shelter
them from the coming storm. Some of
Pharaoh’s servants heeded the warning ( Exodus
9:20 ), while others did not. The seventh plague,
hail, attacked Nut, the sky goddess; Osiris, the
crop fertility god; and Set, the storm god. This
hail was unlike any that had been seen before.
It was accompanied by a fire which ran along
the ground, and everything left out in the open
was devastated by the hail and fire. Again, the
children of Israel were miraculously protected,
and no hail damaged anything in their lands.
Before God brought the next plague, He told
Moses that the Israelites would be able to tell
their children of the things they had seen God
do in Egypt and how it showed them God’s
power. The eighth plague, locusts, again
focused on Nut, Osiris, and Set. The later crops,
wheat and rye, which had survived the hail,
were now devoured by the swarms of locusts.
There would be no harvest in Egypt that year.
The ninth plague, darkness, was aimed at the
sun god, Re, who was symbolized by Pharaoh
himself. For three days, the land of Egypt was
smothered with an unearthly darkness, but the
homes of the Israelites had light.
The tenth and last plague, the death of the
firstborn males, was a judgment on Isis, the
protector of children. In this plague, God was
teaching the Israelites a deep spiritual lesson
that pointed to Christ. Unlike the other plagues,
which the Israelites survived by virtue of their
identity as God’s people, this plague required an
act of faith by them. God commanded each
family to take an unblemished male lamb and
kill it. The blood of the lamb was to be smeared
on the top and sides of their doorways, and the
lamb was to be roasted and eaten that night.
Any family that did not follow God’s instructions
would suffer in the last plague. God described
how He would send the death angel through the
land of Egypt, with orders to slay the firstborn
male in every household, whether human or
animal. The only protection was the blood of
the lamb on the door. When the angel saw the
blood, he would pass over that house and leave
it untouched ( Exodus 12:23 ). This is where the
term Passover comes from. Passover is a
memorial of that night in ancient Egypt when
God delivered His people from bondage. First
Corinthians 5:7 teaches that Jesus became our
Passover when He died to deliver us from the
bondage of sin. While the Israelites found God’s
protection in their homes, every other home in
the land of Egypt experienced God’s wrath as
their loved ones died. This grievous event
caused Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites.
By the time the Israelites left Egypt, they had a
clear picture of God’s power, God’s protection,
and God’s plan for them. For those who were
willing to believe, they had convincing evidence
that they served the true and living God. Sadly,
many still failed to believe, which led to other
trials and lessons by God. The result for the
Egyptians and the other ancient people of the
region was a dread of the God of Israel. Even
after the tenth plague, Pharaoh once again
hardened his heart and sent his chariots after
the Israelites. When God opened a way through
the Red Sea for the Israelites, then drowned all
of Pharaoh’s armies there, the power of Egypt
was crushed, and the fear of God spread
through the surrounding nations ( Joshua 2:9–
11). This was the very purpose that God had
declared at the beginning. We can still look
back on these events today to confirm our faith
in, and our fear of, this true and living God, the
Judge of all the earth.