dan_williams

New phase of life & ministry

Last day  with our Grace AG family, the Williams boys, and our introduction to B'hamton church...

Congratulations DAVID!

Looks just like you, Dave!  (poor Erin)

Hi, I'm Josiah. Check out my new photo album (look left).

IT'S A BOY!

Welcome to the planet,

Josiah Cole Williams (6 lb 14oz 3:15am)

Download JosiahCole.AVI (10997.7K)

Download JosiahCole2.AVI (8573.8K)

Recent Faces

Easter 07

Here's the latest shot of our budding family , though you can't see the budding very well since Caleb is covering most of the "bud" .  Sorry .  You'll get a better view as the months roll along toward October when our 4th baby is unveiled (God-willing) . 

Soldier quote about battle from "Band of Brothers"

Ronald Spiers: You've got some nervous privates in your company.

Pvt. Albert Blithe: We do, sir. We do.

Ronald Spiers: They just don't see how simple it is.

Pvt. Albert Blithe: Simple, what is, sir?

Ronald Spiers: You just do what you have to do.

Pvt. Albert Blithe: Like you did on D-day, sir? Lieutenant, sir, when I landed on D-day, I found myself on a ditch all by myself. I fell asleep. I think it was airsickness. When I woke up, I didn't really try to find my unit to fight. I just kinda stayed put.

Ronald Spiers: You know why you hid in that ditch, Blithe?

Pvt. Albert Blithe: Scared.

Ronald Spiers: We're all scared. You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. But Blithe, the only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function. Without mercy. Without compassion. Without remorse. All war depends upon it.

Wow. Couldn't say THIS any better.

"Characteristics of Influential People"
Tim Elmore / www.GrowingLeaders.com

In their fascinating book The Influentials, Ed Keller and Jon Berry document the type of person who carries great influence in America. Their research says that one in ten people pretty much tell the others where to eat, how to vote and what to buy. They are the people that others listen to, watch, and follow their lead. Keller and Berry call these folks “the influentials.” While I was intrigued by much of their research, I was especially drawn to the conclusions about what qualified a person as an “influential.” What is the make up and personality of an “influential”? According to nationwide Roper research, the following qualities sum up these influential persons.

1. They are able to sort out and define what matters.
These influentials can sift through all the noise and clutter and determine what’s important. Then, they follow through on what they believe are the top priorities. They don’t get lost in the mundane.

2. They are more optimistic than the average person.
Influential people believe the future is bright and consequently, they plan to engage in it. Their dreams are bigger than their memories, and they live with the hope of an amazing 21st century.

3. They are selective and discriminating in their choices.
People listen to these influentials because they scrutinize their decisions, skeptical of empty promises in the media. They’re not Pollyannas. They’re discerning as they plan what to do or buy.

4. They are authentic; they don’t just follow the norm but think for themselves.
These “influentials” don’t merely follow he crowd. They carve out a life that suits their identity and aren’t afraid to live a life that is a bit different than mainstream society.

5. They are good listeners and are very teachable.
According to research, these influentials list good listening skills as a high goal for themselves, especially if they’re in leadership positions. Although they know a lot, they listen to learn more.

6. They believe in God and are active in serving their communities.
More than the average person, influentials believe in God and claim to have a relationship with Him. Consequently, they are active in serving voluntarily in their communities and churches.

7. They value education and believe it is key to the future.
These influential folks place a high value on education. Most of them are college educated and want the same for their children. They believe it is key to the “good life” and realizing dreams.

8. They demand a job that is interesting, enjoyable and contributes to society.
They want a job that’s defined by three criteria: interesting to perform, enjoyable to them and one that benefits or adds value to society at large. Work must benefit others not just generate a profit.

9. They are visionaries, and keepers of society’s high ideals.
They possess a vision of tomorrow and it helps them maintain hope. They tend to dream and hold fast to society’s highest ideals and values. People lean on them to remind others of the big picture.

10. They feel they're responsible to their communities and the world around them.
This was interesting. Far and away, these influentials are most likely to feel responsible to their communities. They cannot just “live and let live.” They believe they are accountable to others.

11. They define success as loving and be loved by their family.
Along with their spiritual beliefs, they define success not with money, but as loving their spouse and kids. They want to “win at home” before trying to accomplish something on the job.

12. They believe in growth and change.
Finally, these influentials are predisposed to growth and they welcome change. They are the first to adapt and change in order to grow. They are into progress and improvement.

Let me ask you the obvious question. As a leader—do you possess these qualities? These are not necessarily the characteristics that make a person highly influential, but the vast majority of the most influential citizens of our country carry these virtues. It can’t be just a coincidence. I believe they explain part of the reason others listen to them. 

Latest shots of home...

Mildly ironic, kinda'.

I read this while sipping one of my very favorite beverages...Dr Pepper: Diet Cherry Vanilla (kinda' like the now extinct Red Fusion from early 2000's  ! )

Diet sodas and juices
In an attempt to become thought of as healthier, soda companies have diversified into non-carbonated beverages and diet sodas. While these are an improvement in some ways, they are hardly a solution to the problem.

First off, most juices and other caloric non-soda alternatives are mainly just sugar and water without the carbonation. A quick label comparison between a commercial orange juice and a Mountain Dew would show a similar "bottom line" with regards to calories and sugar. The only improvement would be the lack of the non-caloric offenders.

But that's no small matter, as the true effects of these ingredients have not been thoroughly studied. Despite their no-calorie status, diet sodas have been linked to assorted illnesses. There is no good science on this yet but my own anecdotal evidence is, so far, 100% accurate. I've yet to have a client not lose weight by kicking diet soda. Granted, all of my clients drank an excessive amount, but regardless, there is little doubt that the pH balance of diet sodas hinders the body's ability to absorb nutrients. One client, a female athlete, lost 15 pounds by making no other dietary change but eliminating diet soda. Fifteen pounds and zero caloriesâ€more weird science. The bottom line to all this is that, for best results, your body would be happier if you cut most of the calories out of your liquids and cut out soft drinks €”caloric or not altogether.

Also -- this may just save my life: TEA!  This drink seems to have been created for me personally!  A natural anticdote for IBS, GI trouble, congestion, allergies & stress ?  Hey!  Stay out of my journal!

Peppermint Tea. It freshens your breath, and it can also freshen your gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint can be used to ease symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome, may help dissolve gallstones, and help with congestion, allergies, and stress.

http://www.beachbody.com/jump.jsp?itemID=604&itemType=NEWSLETTER_ISSUES