Just a little bit about Brad Peek

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Stuff Weird people think – Economic Trends!

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I love Economic Trends. Call me a nerd if you’d like but graphs like the one below really rocks my world!

Graph

I can tell you a lot about investments from this graph. I can tell you that 1980 was the best year to sell gold, February 1999 was a great time to buy into oil, 2000 was a perfect year to dump stocks before re-buying in 2002 or 2009, and right now is the best time since 1995 to invest in Housing. Of course, I have the benefit of history when I make these statements but I think there is a lot to be gleaned from economic indicators like these.  I like to stare at these charts, along with other indicators, and make economic assumptions, which help me perform my role.

If you want to visit this interactive graph as well as other economic indicators, click on it or go to http://www.macrotrends.net/

Why Are You Here?

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Do you know why you’re here? On earth? Have you thought much about that lately?

At this point in history, it’s easy to just skim information, watch random video clips, or amuse ourselves with whatever’s trending. The Bible, however, speaks of inescapable realities that are much more important than whatever’s streaming on your device at the moment.

Such as, Why are you here? Do you know? Because that’s what matters. And that’s what God’s Word is here to show you.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2, esv) This single verse, though perhaps not a direct answer to that question, gives us clues as to why we’re here. It indicates that we are not here just for laughs, to run a successful business, to become well-known or famous, or to earn a name for ourselves. We are here for purposes that require us to go through a lifetime of challenges and tight spots—“trials of various kinds”—so that we can display the superiority of life lived in God.

Mind if I say that one more time? We are here to display the superiority of the life lived in God. That’s a really important sentence. Because as you know, trials and troubles come to all people. They’re a part of everyone’s life. But in how many people do those same trials and troubles produce . . . “joy”?

Joy is not normal. Joy is supernatural. You can’t craft it in your basement or create it through an experience of hard work or pleasure. Joy is something you can only get from God. Therefore, unlike those who don’t know Him or don’t have a genuine faith in Him, believers in Christ are the only ones supernaturally equipped to walk through “trials of various kinds,” generating “joy” in the process.

Joy—a supernatural delight in the person of God, the purposes of God, and the people of God.
Joy—springing up from a genuine worship of His grace, perfection, beauty, love, power, and goodness.
Joy—born of realizing that He is doing something awesome around you all the time, even when you can’t see it or feel it.

That’s why even Christians get cancer. That’s why even Christians go bankrupt. That’s why even Christians can have prodigal kids, suffer chronic back pain, receive rejection letters in the mail, and get into accidents on the freeway. God allows us to face and feel the same things that people who don’t know Him experience, so that we can put on display the joyful distinction of what it means to be His child—what it means to live with hope and eternal perspective.

So press your mind down on that. Think about it hard today. In light of what’s happening to you right now, and in light of why you’re here, what can you do in this moment to best display the superiority of life with God?

New Minnie Vehicle Service Begins In July at Walt Disney World Resort

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UPDATE: New Minnie Vehicle Service Begins In July at Walt Disney World Resort
Original article by Thomas Smith, Disney Parks Blog

As we shared during our LIVE coverage at D23 Expo 2017, a new transportation service featuring vehicles themed to the one-and-only Minnie Mouse will soon be taking you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort. Today, we’re thrilled to share a look at some of the vehicles from the Minnie fleet as well as more details about this new point-to-point service.

Starting later this month, guests at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts will be able to arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from their smartphone. It’ll be simple to do. Just arrange a Minnie vehicle and a Disney cast member will arrive and drive you anywhere you wish at the Resort in a magical way that only Disney can do.

First Look: Disney Parks Unveils the Star Wars-Inspired Land Model

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Announced as Name for Star Wars Lands at Disney Parks

Article by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

As we’ve previously shared, two Star Wars-inspired lands are currently under construction at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Tonight, we’re happy to pull back the curtain and give you the first detailed look at the model of this new land, which will be on display this weekend at the 2017 D23 Expo.

Both Star Wars-inspired lands will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before Wild Space, where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.

First Look: Sneak a Peek at Disney Park's Star Wars Land-Inspired Model

Here, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action at two signature attractions: one that lets guests take the controls of Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

First Look: Sneak a Peek at Disney Park's Star Wars Land-Inspired Model

Follow the Disney Parks Blog over the next few days for full coverage of all Walt Disney Parks & Resorts news and announcements coming out of the 2017 D23 Expo.

Disney Teams Up with Magic!

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Disney Making Even More ‘Magic’

Article by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World Resort

Over the years, the relationship between Walt Disney World Resort and the Orlando Magic basketball team has been, well, magical. Now it’s about to get even more magical as we expand our relationship as the team’s uniform sponsor.

As part of the NBA’s three-year trial period in which the league welcomes uniform sponsorship partners, Disney will have its logo on the Magic players’ jerseys for all games starting next season.

Disney Making Even More ‘Magic’

Disney became one of the team’s Champion of the Community partners in 2010, and this expanded partnership is another way we are working with the Magic to solidify Central Florida’s presence as a global sports destination. And it’s just cool.

Disney Making Even More ‘Magic’

Disney is also adding a special seating and hospitality area at the Amway Center for annual passholder upgrades during select Orlando Magic games. As part of our expanded partnership, Magic fans can purchase or renew their Walt Disney World Annual Passes at the Amway Center, including the Orlando Magic Team Shop. And doing it there comes with some perks. Throughout the multi-year agreement, fans who renew or purchase their annual pass at the Amway Center will receive one of the new Orlando Magic jerseys with the Disney logo.

“At Walt Disney World Resort, we naturally believe in all things magic and are happy to support our hometown team,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “This long-term relationship symbolizes our shared focus of solidifying Orlando as a world class city for sports.”

When you think about it, this agreement really is a slam-dunk. But don’t take my word for it. Check out this video of Mickey Mouse and Magic star Aaron Gordon playing ball. Now this is “Pure Magic.”

Are You in Charge?

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Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11, esv).

article by James MacDonald

Someday Jesus Christ will step onto the world scene and bring this whole, unfolding drama to a conclusion. His presence and appearance will bring all of us to our knees. Every knee will bow. I’m not sure when it will happen, I’m not sure how it will happen, but I am certain it will happen.

Every person who exits this life will bow before Jesus Christ. “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me” (Romans 14:11). Every person will say these words: “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Even if you’re not much of a public speaker, you will account for yourself. You will answer for the choices you have made.

We can recover eternally despite some bad choices, but we cannot get this one wrong. We can avoid God but not for more than a lifetime. Jesus Christ is Lord, and someday every knee will bow to Him as the rightful Ruler. The Master. The One in charge. The ultimate authority.

If life is about one thing, it’s about getting this ultimate authority relationship figured out. Who’s really in charge? It’s not Washington, or Hollywood, or Wall Street, and it’s not you and me. It’s Jesus Christ the Lord. No matter what we accomplish in this world, a hundred years from today, if we didn’t get this figured out, we will have nothing.

Submitting to His authority is both a crisis and a process. The crisis is a decision: understanding with your mind that Jesus is Lord. Then comes the process: bowing to His authority means obeying His commands.

The ultimate test of lordship is not the crisis of your deciding that you believe, but the process of submitting your will to His at the point of pressure—the place where you and He disagree on what to choose. Whose will wins: yours or His? “Jesus is Lord” is chosen in a dozen daily decisions, each one taking your life to a better place.

  • If I were in charge, I would do __________ with my life. But Jesus is Lord, so I choose His plan for my life.
  • If I were in charge, I would do __________ with my finances. But Jesus is Lord, so I choose to give, save, and spend according to His priorities.
  • If I were in charge, I would do __________ right now in my marriage, but I’m not in charge. He is Lord, and I will do what His Word says.
  • If I were in charge, I’d storm into work and tell my boss __________. But Jesus Christ is Lord, and as His representative, I’ll only say what my Master wants me to say.

Everybody serves somebody. Everybody has somebody in charge of his life. Forget the excuses—you choose who you serve. You don’t fall into servitude. It’s not an accident. You can’t blame your environment or your past. You choose who you serve. Your mama doesn’t choose for you. Your pastor can’t choose for you. As much as someone might love you, he can’t choose for you. Even God, who loves you perfectly, will not choose for you. There are simply some crucial decisions you have to make for yourself. The ball is in your court. “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors Extends Robert A. Iger’s Contract

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The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced today that it has extended Robert A. Iger’s contract as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to July 2, 2019.

“Given Bob Iger’s outstanding leadership, his record of success in a changing media landscape, and his clear strategic vision for Disney’s future, it is obvious that the Company and its shareholders will be best served by his continued leadership as the Board conducts the robust process of identifying a successor and ensuring a smooth transition,” said Orin C. Smith, Independent Lead Director of the Disney Board.

Mr. Smith continued: “Mr. Iger has led The Walt Disney Company to unprecedented success during his 11 years as CEO, driving Disney to new creative heights, expanding the Company’s global reach, fostering technological innovation, and delivering year-after-year of record financial results. During his tenure, Mr. Iger has created enormous value for shareholders, with total shareholder return of 448%, compared to 144% for the S&P 500, and a dramatic increase in the Company’s market capitalization to $177 billion from $46 billion.”

“Leading this great company is a tremendous privilege, and I am honored to have been asked to continue serving as CEO through July 2, 2019,” Mr. Iger said. “Even with the incredible success the Company has achieved, I am confident that Disney’s best days are still ahead, and I look forward to continuing to build on our proven strategy for growth while working with the Board to identify a successor as CEO and ensure a successful transition.”

Details of the agreement will be included in a Form 8-K filed today.

Since Mr. Iger, 66, became CEO, The Walt Disney Company has been recognized as one of the “Most Reputable Companies” in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2006-2017); one of “America’s Most Admired Companies” by Fortune magazine (2009-2017); one of the “World’s Most Respected Companies” by Barron’s (2009-2016); one of the “Best Places to Launch a Career” byBusinessWeek magazine (2006-2010); and as “Company of the Year” by Yahoo Finance (2013).

Sing praises to God

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How does singing glorify God? The Word of God says to “make a joyful noise unto The Lord”, Psalm 100:1. I may not be able to sing with much talent and I certainly have never joined the choir but I can make a joyful noise, and that noise is meant to lift up and praise the name of Jesus!
Psalm 47:6-7 says:
Sing praises to God, sing praises;sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;sing to him a psalm of praise.
I testify that singing meaningful lyrics in order to bring worship to God absolutely glorifies Him. I love the band Third Day for this reason; they are sold out to glorify God. Click on the player below and listen to the song while reading the lyrics…
Lyrics by Mac Powell/Music by Third Day
From the recording: Come Together, Track #11.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises
Sing praises to our King, sing praises
Let all the nations sing
Let all the nations sing of His love
Oh, sing praises
So shout for joy all of His children
So shout for joy all of His children
Let all the people sing
Let all the people sing of His love
Oh, sing praises
For You are God and You are worthy
Of all our lives and all our praise
And so we sing to the Most Holy
The Lord, our God
The Lord, our King
Sing praises to our God, sing praises
Sing praises to our King, sing praises
For He alone is God
For He alone is worthy of praise
Oh, sing praises
 If you want to bring glory to God, you can do so by singing praises to God!
Visit BradPeek.com for more information about me as well as my feeble attempt to glorify God.