Some things I have learned

Over the past few months I have learned a few things.  First of all, I have started learning how to sell cars.  Before I started at Ian Weigh Motors, I had not ever sold a car in my life! True story.  Secondly, I have learned that relying on people to do the right thing is sometimes followed by heartache.  And thirdly, I have learned that it takes all types to make life what it is.

All the things we do, all the people we meet, all the encounters we have, are what makes us who we are.  Our past, our present, even our future, will determine who we become, what we will do, and where we will go.  Some things enrich our lives, and we are grateful for them.  Other things try to steal our very soul from within us, and we cry out to God and ask, "why?"

We often don't realize the effect our interaction with other people has on those people.  How much do we lift a person up, or how much do we drag them down?  It's all fun and games, until someone becomes suicidal.  While this seems to be quite a morbid sort of post, stop and think a minute about what you have just said to someone, or what you are about to say- what effect will it have on the overall structure of the person you are talking to?

Have fun, live life, don't stop being who you are- just remember one thing: it takes people from all walks of life to influence our lives and shape and mould us into who we are.  Don't scoff at someone because they are different, don't worship someone because they possess something you feel you don't- every person is as important as every other person, regardless of age, sex, race, colour, location, or possessions.

Not Getting Any Cheaper

It usually happens twice a year for me.  And it hurts every time.  No matter how hard I try to save up for it, I just can't seem to get the money put away to take care of it, and have to scramble at the last minute.  I have done budgets, I have tried making things work out.  I just can't save for it.  I have to have it.  There is no real choice!

Vehicle registration.  I normally pay every six months- it only saves about 10 per year to pay in one go.  I knew the date was coming close, so I decided to go online tonight and all the Department of Main Roads blood let me dry.  I thought the payment was due around the 26 of the month, and so was excited to be able to get it over and done with so far before it.  That is until I started the process, at which point I discovered my wife had been driving around in an unregistered car for pretty much exactly a week!

This time I paid for the whole year.  I don't know if it will help get the funds together any better for next time, but at least I won't have to renew it so soon after Christmas again!

Happy Census Night Australia

Jim
http://www.christianbusinesssearch.com.au

Back in to it

It has been a while since I posted.  In fact, it has been over six months!  So I thought it was high time I got back on the hobby horse, and write a post.

A few things have changed since my last post.  The floods have gone (in our area the devastation has regrown), and life is going on as normal.  I lost my job just after the flooding- sales dwindled down to nothing, and it just wasn't working out, so I found different employment.  I no longer sell Solahart Hot Water or Solar Power systems- I am the worlds newest Used Vehicle Sales Consultant!

Before March the 18th I had never sold a car in my life.  When we moved from New Zealand to Australia, my dear wife had that chore with our automobile.  I had never had any formal sales training either- I just sort of fumbled along, gleaning what I could from books and cd's I came across.  Despite all this, it hasn't taken long to build my sales.  I am by no means making a fortune, but as I gain experience, I can see the potential for quite a satisfactory yearly income!  On this subject- if you are looking for a quality used vehicle, and live in the eastern states of Australia, call me on 07 4924 5200 and I will be happy to help you find the best car for you.  I work at Ian Weigh Motors- one of the countries premier Toyota Dealerships (Oh What A Feeling).

One final thing for this post.  Check out http://www.ChristianBusinessSearch.com.au, the best place to go if you are a Christian business person in Australia, or if you are looking for a business operated by a Christian.  This is a little business I have started, in the hopes that we may be able to be financially free to serve the Lord in a more full time capacity.  Please get behind this, and help us to be able to more fully serve our God.

Floods Away

When I think about what some people have had to endure this past few weeks, I feel almost ashamed that I have been placed in the same category as them.  Flood Victims!  Yes, I live in a home that was flooded.  I lost a few possessions.  I have a massive clean up in our yard.  But really, what did I lose?

A torrent of water raced through cities, towns, and villages, destroying all that lay within its path.  The earth was stripped bare of it's vegetation, trees were ripped out by the roots!  Cars, vans, and trucks were carried away in the devastating wave of water.

Peoples motor homes were smashed amongst the more deeply rooted trees, entire houses simply vanished!  The buildings that remain either totally destroyed, or in need of many tens of thousands of dollars of repairs.  Some homes, still standing, can only now be demolished by their distraught owners.

Pets that couldn't be retrieved in time.  Livestock and horses with no chance of rescue.  If the damage to the property were not enough, the livelihood of the inhabitants swept away.  But this- this absolute disintegration of life as many people knew it- was only just the beginning.  The worst is yet to come.  But also the best!

Amongst all the buildings and vehicles and animals being carried off, a more horrible sight.  As rescue worker attempt to save the life of a family, a young child is sucked into the raging river of water. Families are taken by surprise and for many it is just too late.  Too little warning, so very much too late.  Elderly, little ones, and all in between, life just drowned out in a moment.

As the "inland tsunami" passes on, people take stock of the situation.  Checking for loved ones, neighbours, and complete strangers, people are confronted with overwhelming joy as the are reunited, or complete devastation at the realization they have lost someone, without hope of ever seeing them again.

But amongst all the turmoil, a ray of light shines out.  The stories of survival, kindness, and heroism begin to emerge, and we find that, once again, the people of Queensland can pull together and make the best of the worst situation.  Let us be grateful that there are some who will risk it all to help a fellow battler make it through. 

As we continue with the cleanup, we must needs remember that there are some places with no one cleaning- because no one was left too clean up.  We needs to figure out who needs the help.  There are so very many people who have lost it all, but Praise God, they still have breath!
  

My hope and prayer is that people will turn to the One who gave His all for us.  Christ is the Comforter.  Christ is our Saviour.  If only we will turn to Him, not only will he take care of our eternity, he will also help us through the here and now.  Listen Australia, God is calling!

Jim