Only THREE PERCENT of the very rich are entrepreneurs. According to both Marketwatch and economist Edward Wolff, over 90 percent of the assets owned by millionaires are held in a combination of low-risk investments (bonds and cash), personal business accounts, the stock market, and real estate. Only 3.6 percent of taxpayers in the top .1% were classified as entrepreneurs based on 2004 tax returns. A 2009 Kauffman Foundation study found that the great majority of entrepreneurs come from middle-class backgrounds, with less than 1 percent of all entrepreneurs coming from very rich or very poor backgrounds.
[Paul Buchheit, Common Dreams]Archive for December 14, 2012
Leave Christ in Christmas–HIS Way
LETTER from Jesus about Christmas
[Thanks to the people who emailed this to me.]
It has come to My attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees! You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look it up: John 15: 1 – 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is My wish list. Choose from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up… It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them how very much I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that some in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families, as I wish.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary– especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. ‘Let not your left hand know what your right is doing…’
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of My kids.
I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE. NO ONE, no one else can say that to you!
Christmas Gift Idea: Books at a Discount
Give my Small Things Count, in paperback, or any of my e-books at a discount to you. Small Things Count is only $9.00, including delivery to any place in the U.S., and the study-group offer of 6 books for the price of 5 is still in effect. My e-books are half-price. They include Apple-Tempting New: A Tasty Tribute to New Life, Small Ways to Shape the World, and Surviving Your Child’s First Years: A Guide for the Extra-Challenged Parent. (Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget is still totally free.)
Here’s the catch: Small Things Count must be ordered directly through me rather than at any of the online booksellers, who will not honor this offer. Email me at [email protected] with your order and I’ll send you payment instructions. The e-books must be downloaded from www.Smashwords.com–search “Jackie O’Donnell.” None of the other e-tailer sites will honor this offer, either. First, though, go to www.JackieODonnell.net and click on the “Book Previews” page to read a description of each of the books listed above and to get the coupon code that you will use on Smashword to get your discount on the e-books.
Note: If you’d like me to personalize your gift of Small Things Count, let me know and I’ll inscribe it, with a personal note, to the book’s intended recipient.
This offer is good until the end of 2012.
Earth-Friendly Tip: Cold Water Wash
Since modern detergents are made to work with any temperature of water, it makes even more sense today to wash clothes using cold water. Doing so saves you $60 a year on your heating bill and the earth 6.5 pounds in emissions for each load of laundry.
[For more easy, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]
Pearl Harbor Day & Peace
This Pearl Harbor Day I’m reminded of a bumper sticker I see often: “Practice peace.” It’s more than just a warm, fuzzy slogan on a bumper or tee shirt. It’s something we should do every day. We begin by forgiving all those slights and hurtful actions against us. They may have been unintentional anyway. Then we learn to take a cleansing breath before we react to something that upsets us. Next, we work on creating more loving relationships, whether it’s quickly resolving conflicts between our children or searching out areas of agreement with that co-worker we never seem to get along with. World peace is a wonderful concept, which will be achieved in God’s own time. Meanwhile, starting on this historical day, let’s get ready for that time by practicing peace in our daily lives.