Its in Hebrew, yeah, but here is how to get a free bus card holder!
http://www.oorah.co.il/blog/?p=318
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How do I publicize my new blog post?
Do you need to get your blog post out there?
Here are two tools you need;
2. and FeedShark http://feedshark.brainbliss.com/
Its so easy, that I'm ashamed for their sakes. You just put your url in and Bam! Bam! It gets out there.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Amazing facts about Tithing
1. Who are the world’s Biggest tithers? Kim Kardashian has given millions of dollars in tithes! Kim Kardashian gives generously to a foundation for the terminally ill, and tithes 10 percent of all her earnings to a church co-founded by her mother. What does she make a year? Her net yearly income is estimated in excess of $35 million. Figure on at least $3.5 million a year going to tithes!
(There are probably many more big givers. But they don’t want me soliciting them, so they make sure it’s all hush-hush…)
2. On the other hand… The patriarch Jacob tithed his sons, consecrating Levi. That’s a pretty heavy tithe!
(Anyone else is offering a son as a tithe?)
3. The longest tithe is that of smiles, because there is a MILE between the first and last letters. Har, Har!
(Or is it maybe Neons, where there is an EON in middle.)
4. Tithing turning deadly; On the 14 December 1831 at a place called Carrickshock, Ireland a crowd of locals attacked Edmund Butler, a tithe collector and a detachment of the Royal Irish Constabulary who were escorting him. A hail of stones rained down on the police, and the Chief Constable, Captain Gibbons and fourteen of his men were killed. So also was Butler and twenty-five to thirty local people, who had attacked the detachment with rocks and other implements.
It makes me weep to even think of it…
5. The oldest tithe; the ancient Babylonians collected a ten percent tithe, The Esretu, benefitting the governor, many years before the Bible.
It was CALLED a tithe. Like other things in life, it was not exactly as it seemed. It was really a TAX!
6. Tithing for free; you can now safely tithe without paying out a plugged nickel: give your unwanted gift cards instead! Want to know how? Go now to www.giftkards4kids.org for more information!
This information is non-promotionalJ.
7. Mormons are required to tithe above all other obligations, such as paying bills or debts. It comes before rent too. Non-tithing is considered more sinful than worst-sins alcoholism and smoking.
So what does the Mormon Church profit from tithing? $4.3 billion a year is the estimate!
8. The Tithe War; From 1830-36 there was an actual war waged by the Irish against paying the tithe for the upkeep of the established state church - the Church of Ireland. Tithes were payable either in cash or kind (that’s nice of them!) and payment was compulsory, even atheists needed to tithe!
I guess the old adage “…when atheists start tithing…” is a bit suspect!
9. Tithing jail; In 1832 Andrew Fitzgerald, the president of Carlow College was imprisoned for not paying his tithes! Things have changed since then, I hear.10. On the menu; In the middle ages not only was there a wine tithe on wine cellars, there was a tithe upon cut wood, slaughtered meat, and even land that had been prepared for farming!
I wonder if you cut your hair and wanted to make a wig of it, did you need to tithe that too?
11. Who tithes? Only three percent of American adults tithe ten percent or more of their income to churches. 12. Tithing is fairly universal; Jews Christians and Muslims all tithe!
Monday, August 29, 2011
The story of two Hobos
Late one night, deep in the 'hood, two homeless men curled up on top of a steam grating. It was chilly outside, and the warmth they found behind the old factory was welcome indeed. They made some cheap conversation;
Fat Jack: Hi there, you from these parts?
Thin Jim: Reckon I am - I be here ten years now!
Fat Jack: Well the name is Jack, Fat Jack is what I'm called. As a joke, that is.
Thin Jim: Joke??
Fat Jack: Cause I'm really darn thin. Not eating right all these years and all...
Thin Jim: Well, the same joke here; I'm known as Thin Jim, and no, I never was!
Fat Jack: Well you certainly have been feeding somewheres -
Thin Jim: Some people are nice, Jack; they had pity on me.
Fat Jack: I don't know about pity, Jim, I think we deserve food.
Thin Jim: Why, what are you to them? Nuthin but a beggar!
Fat Jack: And if I am, don't a beggar need to eat?
Thin Jim: Yeah, but do they owe it to you?
Fat Jack: I think so; they have responsibility on that money of theirs...
Thin Jim: What’s that?
Fat Jack: If they were granted money, they need to share it!
Thin Jim: Who says, bub?
Fat Jack: Two reasons, my friend; One - some of them make more than they can ever eat...
Thin Jim: So what?
Fat Jack: So obviously it was not given for them, that's what. If one guy got more than he needs and the other less, doesn't it make sense that it was given to share?
Thin Jim: Yo got some strong opinions there, man
Fat Jack: Heck, it's not even theirs, I say!
Thin Jim: What about the regular folks, the ones only making enough?
Fat Jack: Well someone is got to provide for us all; and if it's not me, it's gotta be them! Money is only there to be shared...
Thin Jim: Alrighty, what’s your other reason, pal?
Fat Jack: Well look at it this way; we are all in it here together.
Thin Jim: I'll be darned if I have any idea what you are talking about…
Fat Jack: I mean, all humankind is really like one big family.
Thin Jim: So?...
Fat Jack: So people have an obligation towards one another…
Thin Jim: What’s that?
Fat Jack: They need to make sure the next guy is fed and housed
Thin Jim: Your ideas are off the wall, Jack, you can be a politician
Fat Jack: How'd you figure that out??
Thin Jim: They are forever convincing you of what just aint!
Fat Jack: So what do YOU think, then?
Thin Jim: I think people can give others as a free gift.
Fat Jack: No obligation?
Thin Jim: Nothing! They are giving in kindness and generosity!
Fat Jack: And what of their social obligation?
Thin Jim: Is that your business or theirs?
Fat Jack: I suppose theirs. Let’s pretend we was rich, Jim!
Thin Jim: Hey, I'm rich! I just found a gold bar in the dumpster!
Fat Jack: Right on, now tell me; why ought you give charity?
Thin Jim: You mean ought I to give out of obligation or generosity?
Fat Jack: Yeah!
Thin Jim: Well, what's the difference to me?
Fat Jack: Who do you give to first; people that are most needy, or people that you are most obligated to, like your relatives?
Thin Jim: Good question. You say it has to do with giving out of obligation or generosity?
Fat Jack: Well if you give out of obligation, we need to see where your greatest obligation lies, if you give out of your heart, just follow your heart.
Thin Jim: And if I'm giving out of obligation I don't need to be in the mood. If I'm giving with generosity I do. And backwards too; if I give with a grumpy face I’ve fulfilled my obligation. But generous? No way!
Fat Jack: Move over Jim. You drowsed me out. I'm getting some shut-eye.
Thin Jim: You said the word, my man!
At this point the dialog become rather loud and monotonous, certainly not one I'd care to repeat.
But what do YOU think about this all; ought a man to give out of obligation, or out of generosity?
Give us your vote, will ya, we are the gift card donation folks, click here and tell us what you think!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tithing and Charity jokes
Two men were shipwrecked near an island. When they landed ashore, one of them began screaming and yelling, “We’re going to die! We’re going to die! There’s no food! No water! We’re going to die!”
The second man leaned calmly against a palm tree.
When the first man saw how calm his friend was, he went crazy and shouted, “Don’t you understand?! We’re going to die!!”Undisturbed, the second man replied, “You don’t understand, I make $100,000 a week.”
Dumbfounded, the first man looked at him and asked, “What difference does that make?!? We’re on an island with no food and no water! We’re going to DIE!!!”
The second man answered, “You just don’t get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe ten percent on that $100,000 a week. Wherever I am, my pastor will be sure to find me!”
After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?" "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."
During the last Sunday service that the visiting pastor was to spend at the church he served for some months, his hat was passed around for a goodwill, farewell offering.
When it returned to the pastor, it was empty. The pastor didn’t flinch. He raised the hat to heaven. "I thank you, Lord, that I got my hat back from this congregation."
A little boy in church for the first time watched as the
ushers passed around the offering plates.
When they came near his pew, the boy said loudly,
“Don’t pay for me, Daddy, I’m under five.”
Two beggars are sitting on a park bench in Ireland. One is holding a cross and the other a Star of David.
Both are holding hats to collect contributions. People walk by, lift their noses at the man with the Star of David and drop money into the hat of the man with the cross. Soon, the hat of the man with the cross is filled and the hat of the man with the Star of David is empty.
Father O'Malley, the priest, watches for a while and then approaches the men. He says to the man with the Star of David, 'Don't you realize that this is a Catholic country? You'll never get any contributions holding a Star of David.'
The man turns to the one with the cross and says, 'Moishe, can you imagine, this goy is trying to tell us how to run our business?'
Here is one from Gift card donations; Frank, the honest fundraiser, is waiting outside of Big Jack’s office to collect his yearly contribution. He sees a somewhat unsavory character there, Pete, who although is an old time solicitor, is less than one hundred percent honest. All the money he collects goes nowhere farther than his pocket.
However, Frank is nothing if not a gentleman, and makes small talk with Pete while they wait. By and by the secretary comes around, and ushers Pete into the wealthy industrialist. Frank is wondering how Jack is doing businesswise, and decides to ask Pete when he comes out.
Sure enough, Pete bounces out of the office almost walking on air. He waves a huge check in front of Frank’s astounded eyes, and heads right for the door. Frank is all eagerness now. He waltzes up to the office door, and with a confident knock is invited inside. Jack knows Frank well, and he KNOWS that he will walk out a happy man.
But Jim cuts Frank the smallest check ever. Frank’s heart sinks to his socks. He says to Jim “You will pardon me sir, but was my friend Pete here today?” Jim says “Sure, he was right before you” “And would you know”, says Frank, “that to that thief you gave a king’s ransom, but to my legitimate cause you give pennies?!”
Jim looked unsurprised. “Dear Frank”, he said sweetly, “I know all about Pete. However in my line of business I don’t have much honest money. I give him from the scam stuff. But you, I KNOW you are legit. So I give you honorable money. Sorry if I don’t have much to offer!”
WBUHBNAK3HDS
The second man leaned calmly against a palm tree.
When the first man saw how calm his friend was, he went crazy and shouted, “Don’t you understand?! We’re going to die!!”Undisturbed, the second man replied, “You don’t understand, I make $100,000 a week.”
Dumbfounded, the first man looked at him and asked, “What difference does that make?!? We’re on an island with no food and no water! We’re going to DIE!!!”
The second man answered, “You just don’t get it. I make $100,000 a week and I tithe ten percent on that $100,000 a week. Wherever I am, my pastor will be sure to find me!”
After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I'm going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?" "Because my daddy says you're one of the poorest preachers we've ever had."
During the last Sunday service that the visiting pastor was to spend at the church he served for some months, his hat was passed around for a goodwill, farewell offering.
When it returned to the pastor, it was empty. The pastor didn’t flinch. He raised the hat to heaven. "I thank you, Lord, that I got my hat back from this congregation."
A little boy in church for the first time watched as the
ushers passed around the offering plates.
When they came near his pew, the boy said loudly,
“Don’t pay for me, Daddy, I’m under five.”
Two beggars are sitting on a park bench in Ireland. One is holding a cross and the other a Star of David.
Both are holding hats to collect contributions. People walk by, lift their noses at the man with the Star of David and drop money into the hat of the man with the cross. Soon, the hat of the man with the cross is filled and the hat of the man with the Star of David is empty.
Father O'Malley, the priest, watches for a while and then approaches the men. He says to the man with the Star of David, 'Don't you realize that this is a Catholic country? You'll never get any contributions holding a Star of David.'
The man turns to the one with the cross and says, 'Moishe, can you imagine, this goy is trying to tell us how to run our business?'
Here is one from Gift card donations; Frank, the honest fundraiser, is waiting outside of Big Jack’s office to collect his yearly contribution. He sees a somewhat unsavory character there, Pete, who although is an old time solicitor, is less than one hundred percent honest. All the money he collects goes nowhere farther than his pocket.
However, Frank is nothing if not a gentleman, and makes small talk with Pete while they wait. By and by the secretary comes around, and ushers Pete into the wealthy industrialist. Frank is wondering how Jack is doing businesswise, and decides to ask Pete when he comes out.
Sure enough, Pete bounces out of the office almost walking on air. He waves a huge check in front of Frank’s astounded eyes, and heads right for the door. Frank is all eagerness now. He waltzes up to the office door, and with a confident knock is invited inside. Jack knows Frank well, and he KNOWS that he will walk out a happy man.
But Jim cuts Frank the smallest check ever. Frank’s heart sinks to his socks. He says to Jim “You will pardon me sir, but was my friend Pete here today?” Jim says “Sure, he was right before you” “And would you know”, says Frank, “that to that thief you gave a king’s ransom, but to my legitimate cause you give pennies?!”
Jim looked unsurprised. “Dear Frank”, he said sweetly, “I know all about Pete. However in my line of business I don’t have much honest money. I give him from the scam stuff. But you, I KNOW you are legit. So I give you honorable money. Sorry if I don’t have much to offer!”
WBUHBNAK3HDS
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Tithing Myths Debunked - Where Does Tithing Really Come From, And Why
Tithing has been the subject of much argument. The main issue of contention has been whether or not there is a clear and definite biblical source thoroughly establishing giving ten percent to charity as an obligation, or even as a praiseworthy practice.
In the absence of a defined source, many argue that giving a set amount actually detracts from the spontaneity and goodwill in the giving, because one give out of a sense of duty and habit.
So others do try to find sources, but the results are varied and of uncertain authority. For instance, if a source for Biblical tithing is found in the Old Testament, and is not countermanded at any point, is that incumbent on Christians, or not? Is money, like a salary, to be tithed, or is tithing only for farm produce?
I would like to approach the entire affair from an opposite angle; Most people today believe that we all must pull together in making the world a better place, and we must do our part in perfecting the universe. Living for our own enjoyment is pretty meaningless, and it gets empty and boring before long. Some part of us realizes that true power and meaning can only be found in doing good. Most of us are too busy too personally effect change hands-on, and so institutions have sprung up, which do the good work for us. Can those institutions do their mandate without us? Definitely not.
So we recognize that we need to be supporting those institutions, whether we like it or not, for those institutions to do their job. And indeed, although joyful voluntary giving is admirable, we need to ensure that the charities do not collapse because of us being in a bad mood on the particular day the collection is done. The best way is to work backwards, to accept responsibility as an obligation, and then try to keep our perspective in giving as a joyful willing experience.
As an analogy: we must commit to our children, because we are responsible for their being here. However that absolutely does not mean that parenting is boring or a chore; on the contrary it is incredibly empowering and fulfilling.
So too with charity; it is real power and ability to be able to effect change on planet earth. And its being an obligation does not lessen that meaning, in fact it cements it. We are doing good, and in the most binding form possible.
At this point, whether you agree with me or not, I have arrived at accepting a concrete financial responsibility towards the betterment of our universe. Now here is the crunch; what shall that entail? Will I give a hundred dollar bill every week, just because it is a round number, or will I give a fixed percentage of what I have or earn. I think that it can be fairly argued that a fixed percentage makes the most sense. Part of that argument would be that it’s plain unfair to expect the same from a poor man as a rich man. So it has got to be a percentage, which is fair to all. What would that percentage be? Any ideas? For starters let’s take the number mentioned in Scripture, the ten percent. That would be pretty much the default number.
So perhaps we can sidestep the entire issue of whether there exists a definite ten per cent charity obligation, whether it applies universally and whether it applies to cash earnings, and not just produce. We have realized the tithing obligation, at least as an ethical habit, all on our own. We are merely taking cue from the Bible as to what would be a relevant and appropriate percentage. And there is no quarrel that ten percent is the Biblical standard for some tithe, if not all.
Where should you tithe to? I always reccommend giving your unneeded giftcards to http://www.giftkards4kids.org. Fair enough?
In the absence of a defined source, many argue that giving a set amount actually detracts from the spontaneity and goodwill in the giving, because one give out of a sense of duty and habit.
So others do try to find sources, but the results are varied and of uncertain authority. For instance, if a source for Biblical tithing is found in the Old Testament, and is not countermanded at any point, is that incumbent on Christians, or not? Is money, like a salary, to be tithed, or is tithing only for farm produce?
I would like to approach the entire affair from an opposite angle; Most people today believe that we all must pull together in making the world a better place, and we must do our part in perfecting the universe. Living for our own enjoyment is pretty meaningless, and it gets empty and boring before long. Some part of us realizes that true power and meaning can only be found in doing good. Most of us are too busy too personally effect change hands-on, and so institutions have sprung up, which do the good work for us. Can those institutions do their mandate without us? Definitely not.
So we recognize that we need to be supporting those institutions, whether we like it or not, for those institutions to do their job. And indeed, although joyful voluntary giving is admirable, we need to ensure that the charities do not collapse because of us being in a bad mood on the particular day the collection is done. The best way is to work backwards, to accept responsibility as an obligation, and then try to keep our perspective in giving as a joyful willing experience.
As an analogy: we must commit to our children, because we are responsible for their being here. However that absolutely does not mean that parenting is boring or a chore; on the contrary it is incredibly empowering and fulfilling.
So too with charity; it is real power and ability to be able to effect change on planet earth. And its being an obligation does not lessen that meaning, in fact it cements it. We are doing good, and in the most binding form possible.
At this point, whether you agree with me or not, I have arrived at accepting a concrete financial responsibility towards the betterment of our universe. Now here is the crunch; what shall that entail? Will I give a hundred dollar bill every week, just because it is a round number, or will I give a fixed percentage of what I have or earn. I think that it can be fairly argued that a fixed percentage makes the most sense. Part of that argument would be that it’s plain unfair to expect the same from a poor man as a rich man. So it has got to be a percentage, which is fair to all. What would that percentage be? Any ideas? For starters let’s take the number mentioned in Scripture, the ten percent. That would be pretty much the default number.
So perhaps we can sidestep the entire issue of whether there exists a definite ten per cent charity obligation, whether it applies universally and whether it applies to cash earnings, and not just produce. We have realized the tithing obligation, at least as an ethical habit, all on our own. We are merely taking cue from the Bible as to what would be a relevant and appropriate percentage. And there is no quarrel that ten percent is the Biblical standard for some tithe, if not all.
Where should you tithe to? I always reccommend giving your unneeded giftcards to http://www.giftkards4kids.org. Fair enough?
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tithing tricks
There seems to be a good deal of confusion about tithing money, i.e. your salary, gifts you may have received, grants and the such. Do these need to be tithed under religious principles, or not?
Biblical sources talk of tithing cattle and sheep, fruits and the like. We have little direct evidence of tithing money. On the other hand, the principles involved in tithing, giving back from what you receive, are just as applicable for money as for anything else, I suppose. And the blessings promised to those who tithe, prophesied by Malachi, would accrue he who tithes cash too.
So where does that leave us?
Some people think that it translates to a good deed, praiseworthy but not obligatory. So if you are financially strapped, you need not tithe your money. The conflict; you will not receive the blessings either, at the time you need them most!!
Here is a way in the middle; give your gift cards, airline miles, credit card points and google adword credits. Half the time you will never use these, rather they sit in your pocketbook or wallet clogging up its contents. It becomes twice as hard to find the credit card you are looking for because of all the useless cards you carry around! Sifting through all that needless baggage will do nothing if not waste your time and hamper you. So why do it? Instead choose your favorite charity and donate it to them. Simply put it in an envelope and mail it in!
Of course, easiest is to give it to our very own favorite, GiftKard4Kids, because they will send you the envelope postage paid, saving you all effort and expense.
What you have done is streamlined your own life, while giving something with a cash value to charity. That constitutes a tithe by all standards, yet you have lost nothing. So this is the ultimate win-win. You have tithed, will be blessed with great bounty, yet it doesn’t hurt a bit, because you have just as much cash as you had until now. And although you may be financially struggling, in between jobs, you have not taken out of your family’s budget, because you have given nothing that would have been used!
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