"When Times Are Tough- - - Innovate!!!"

During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. Genesis 14:15-16

As we read through the Bible we see some very strange stories, but there are always gems of inspiration—even when we don’t fully understand the story. Abram’s nephew, Lot, wascaptured by an army which was made up of the combined armies of four kings. Now Abram, was more of a wandering businessman (who was in the shepherding business)than a warrior. But his family was in dire straits , so he put together all his workers and household and had a total of only 318 men. Abram was thinking “outside the box” and used his faith and courage. He took his untrained forces, split them into two groups and attacked from the flanks at night with a surprise attack. The enemy had no way of knowing who they were up against and how many there were. Before anyone knew it, they got all thekidnapped relatives back safe and secure.

The other day I picked up the Kirkland paper to see an article written by a member of our church who sells real estate for a living. She was proposing a creative solution—collaborative pricing. I talked to people in our church who have experienced this firsthand and had sold for less than they thought they could get, but bought for less than they thought they should pay. And they were just beaming with joy and contentment. As I read the article, my heart was filled with encouragement at someone who's faith and courage is shining in a tough real estate time. Customers and the economy are both being blessed.Instead of moping she is innovating! Sounds like Genesis. Sounds like faith. Why don’t you and I try it this week!

Your friend for the rest of my life,

Tim White