NowTHINK!AboutIt

Tithing – Definitions And Warnings

May 10, 2013 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Tithers Offer Confused Instructions
But
Anti-Tithers Give None At All
Other Than Don’t Tithe

The definition of tithing is really straightforward. The word means one-tenth or ten percent and it is the designated amount of one’s income dedicated for God’s purposes. A “Tither” is someone who contributes ten percent of their income to God.

But don’t let that simple definition fool you. Tithing isn’t an easy topic to dissect. Every tither agrees on the ten percent part but they don’t all agree on how to calculate it or how it should be applied. “Tithe” can mean one thing for one person and something very different for another. The differences can be significant. Questions abound.

Tithers argue over which portion of their income should be included when calculating the tithe. Are we tithing on gross income or net? Stated more precisely, the question is “Ten percent of what?”

But the debate doesn’t stop there.

Those who say “Net” don’t agree on why it should be net instead of gross and they offer a variety of different formulas to calculate net. Some eliminate only their taxes before calculating the tithe and others eliminate more.

The same is true for gross tithers. They can’t say why it should be gross or what constitutes gross. In extreme cases, the definition of “gross” expands to include things like birthday gifts and student loans. Obsessive!

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Because the Bible never addresses these issues directly, gross tithers have to use stern looks and a demanding voice to force the issue. Emotional strong-arming.

In one internet conversation, a man complained that his pastor refused to accept his offering because it was calculated differently to what the pastor taught and was therefore tainted.

That mindset gives tithing a legalistic hue and it is this enforcement attitude to which many anti-tithers react. [Read more…] about Tithing – Definitions And Warnings

Suntide Illovo Sands – Durban South Coast, Amanzimtoti

May 8, 2013 by EnnisP 7 Comments

Beautiful Setting
Not So Appealing Surrounds

Just south of Amanzimtoti – near Winkelspruit – the Suntide Illovo Sands, a Holiday Club timeshare, is situated approximately 150 meters walk from the shoreline.

My wife and I made a midweek visit during the winter months – middle of June – and here is what we found.

The positives:

It is quiet, except for the sounds of the surf and the blowing of the wind. Very pleasant.
Units were neat, tidy, well maintained and self catering.
Grounds were clean and well maintained.
Our six sleeper unit had two bathrooms and two bedrooms. The 5th and 6th person were accommodated on beds in the lounge, beds that I could rest on.
Easily accessed braai units (BBQ’s) are located throughout.
All the usual timeshare services and amenities: daily house cleaning, game room, pool table, table tennis, an assortment of games, laundry, pool, TV and babysitting.
Every unit has beautiful views of the beach and ocean.
Personnel are friendly and professional.
The upmarket Galleria Mall within 12 kilometers drive.

Unfortunately, however, the negatives outweigh the positives, at least for me: [Read more…] about Suntide Illovo Sands – Durban South Coast, Amanzimtoti

New Review for “In Defense of Divorce”

May 1, 2013 by EnnisP 1 Comment

Two Very Different
But Amazingly Complimentary Books

This post is a shout out to Tara Eisenhard, author of The D-Word: Divorce Through a Child’s Eyes, for taking the time to read and review my book In Defense of Dirvorce. If you’re not sure what a defense of divorce looks like, read her review. She covers all the salient points.

You’ll find my review of her book here.

If you’re curious about the divorce issue read both books. The books speak from two different perspectives and are amazingly complimentary.

The D-Word is a fictional narrative that is forward looking and encourages hope rather than despondence toward life following divorce and In Defense of Divorce is more technical and debunks the idea that divorce is sinful just because it is divorce.

Read the books.

THINK!AboutIt

SACRP In The 2013 Tour Durban

April 30, 2013 by EnnisP 1 Comment

Empower Grannies
It’s A Concept

I completed my first Tour Durban this year (2013) and it was a great pleasure for several reasons:

One, it was my fastest race ever at 3h 54m. Since I have never finished a race in under five hours that represented monumental improvement.

I knew at the finish I had done well but was stoked to discover it was sub 4 hours!

Two, it was in Durban. What’s not to like? The weather is mostly good year round and on this particular day it was perfect. Not too cold. Not too hot. No rain at all and very little wind.

What makes this race unique is the roads are mostly wide and fairly smooth so you don’t feel cramped or shaken like a can of paint. And with just over 1100 meters of vertical ascent – most of it occurring in the first 30 kilometers – it is a great test of cycling skill.

Three, it was another great opportunity to feature the new riding jerseys for the South African Children’s Resiliency Project (SACRP) and these jerseys can’t be missed. They stand up and shout.

The colors are bright (reddish-orange and yellow) and the design is simple. There is nothing busy about it. One glance and you know exactly what you’re looking at. Your brain is tattooed with SACRP for life.

It was designed to draw people in and make them curious enough to ask what it’s about.

And it’s working. I was approached by a cameraman collecting footage for SuperSport and he asked me to explain what I was riding for.

Could I say a few words for the camera?

Mistake! I don’t have any problems with verbal responses – other than saying too much – and I’ve had a lot of time to think about the SACRP and therefore have a lot of formulated thought to spew.

The cameraman did two takes and he seemed to be pleased.

Hopefully, the footage will make it into the program but even if it doesn’t, the idea is working.

The SACRP is getting noticed and I am privileged to ride for the cause.

This won’t be the last time the jersey is worn in a race and we are looking for others to wear the colors also. If you would like to join the cause please let me know.

New jerseys are being organized as I write. The next race to feature the jerseys is the Amashova.

Stay fit and ride for a cause.

THINK!AboutIt

Many Thanks to Rika at Cycle Nation

Big thanks goes out to Rika at Cycle Nation. She was kind enough to take my picture at the start line and email me a copy following the race. You can see all of her Tour Durban pics in the Cycle Nation gallery and you’ll find many more pics of other races there also.

Finding God In Life – But Which Life?

April 25, 2013 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Two Questions:
How Much of a Life Do You Have?
And
Which One Are You Living?

God is a part of our lives constantly. He is present and aware everyday, every moment of everyday . Nothing goes unseen by Him. Nothing catches Him by surprise.

We, however, sometimes scratch our heads in wonderment thinking,

“where are You now God, when I need You most?”

The answer is He’s right where He’s always been. He hasn’t moved or changed. He operates by the same principles for everyone.

Deep down we know this is true but still question Him anyway not because He isn’t present but because He isn’t doing exactly what we asked – resolve some horribly embarrassing dilemma immediately – and instead of questioning our request or motive or approach we assume He didn’t hear or can’t answer or is being passive aggressive.

Saying nothing or doing nothing, however, is a response.

When He doesn’t give us what we ask for, the correct assumption is to think He wants us to change our perspective. He isn’t the talisman that helps us solve life’s problems. He provides the wisdom to solve these problems and then expects us to do something with it.

If we are going to find Him in life, we are the ones who must change.

The problem is most of us don’t really know what “Life” is. What does that term really mean? And defining “Life” isn’t the only problem. According to Jesus we can adopt one of two possible life’s so after we define the term we need to figure out which one we’re living. [Read more…] about Finding God In Life – But Which Life?