Saturday, March 26, 2011 Read Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I no longer deserve to be called your son" Lord Jesus, give me a heart that longs for both justice and mercy.  Lead me into the joy of your Father who delights when the lost are found. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/26/2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Read Jeremiah 18:18-20 Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf. Father, I want to talk to you as Jeremiah did.  Let me hear your voice and experience your presence today. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/22/2011

Tuesday March 22, 2011Read Matthew 23:1-12The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.Jesus, give me a love for all that is good and pleasing to you.  Create a clean heart in me, one that desires to serve and not to be served.  Fill me with your love so that I may help bring people to you.Charles Gardner, Realtor/InvestorRegion Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/21/2011

Monday, March 21, 2011Read Daniel 9:4b-10Lord, great and awesome God, you keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you and observe your commandments!Merciful Father, we are made in your image and likeness.  Through the power of your Spirit help us to be ministers of your mercy and love.  Too easily we judge, condemn, and fail to forgive.  Heal us.  Strengthen us in your ways..Charles Gardner, Realtor/InvestorRegion Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/20/2011

Sunday, March 20 Read 2 Timothy 1:8-10 Beloved:Bear your share of hardship for the gospelwith the strength that comes from God. Lord Jesus, all my strength come from you.  All praise and honor to you, Lord!  Come fill me with your presence.   I want to see your face. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/20/2011

Saturday, March 19, 2011 Read Matthew 5:20-26 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Lord Jesus, as we come to the altar give us the grace to deal with the disorders in our relationships.  Remove the bad blood from our communities and world.  Then we shall worship you in spirit and in truth. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/19/2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day-Thursday, March 17, 2011 Read Matthew 7:7-12 Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Come, Holy Spirit, teach us your ways.  Give us the wisdom to ask and to seek and to knock in all the proper places.  Prevent us from wasting our time and energy on things that do not matter.  Instruct us in your ways, the ways of love, peace, and joy. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/16/2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Read Jonah 3:1-10 God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way. Holy Spirit, pierce my heart so that my repentance bears fruit in action!  I don't want to say the right words; I want to be transformed as well. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/16/2011

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Read Matthew 6:7-15 Jesus said to his disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them. Jesus, we are slow learners.  Too often we complicate prayer by an overabundance of words.  Send your Spirit into our hearts to teach us how to pray.  Only then will we come to hear and respond to your loving presence. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/14/2011

Why Stock Investors are Buying Single Family Rentals  There is a noted hedge fund manager with a reputation as a contrarian investor, who has never been one to follow the status quo. Recently he has taken on an entirely new level of criticism due to his decision to switch asset classes and begin investing in single family, residential rental real estate.  This manager was asked about his rationale, and he explained "The best investments we have made are the ones no one else would touch". Could he be wrong?  As it turns out, he has identified several strong reasons for his optimistic position surrounding real estate...six reasons that are commonly associated with more traditional investments such as stocks but six very strong reasons just the same. It makes for good reading and even bett... 03/14/2011

Monday, March 14, 2011 Read Matthew 25:31-46 Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Jesus, teach me to be generous with all the riches you have given me.  Show me how to share them with the poor in my midst-even in my own home.  Lord, I want to become like you. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/13/2011

Sunday, March 13 Read Matthew 4:1-11 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desertto be tempted by the devil.He fasted for forty days and forty nights,and afterwards he was hungry. Lord Jesus, as we venture more deeply into this Lenten season, send your Spirit into our hearts that we might remain faithful to your word and your way.  So many temptations pull at us; so many distractions prevent us from living in your presence.  In your kindness, send angels to minister to us. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/13/2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011 Read Luke 5:27-32 Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners Lord Jesus, you came to cure the sick; you came to cure us sinners.  May we have no fear in inviting you to eat and drink at our table.  May we hear daily your call to follow you.  Give us the grace of repentance. Make us whole in your grace. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/12/2011

Friday, March 11, 2011 Read Matthew 9:14-15 Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  The days will come when the bridegroom is taken from them and then they will fast." Jesus, our bridegroom, you continue to invite us to your table.  As we rejoice in your presence, help us to be conscious of all those who live on the margins of society.  May our fasting draw them more closely into your presence and into your love. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/11/2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011 Read Matthew 6:1-6 Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, may this season of Lent be truly holy.  May we glorify the Father by our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  Purify our motivation; give us the gift of your Holy Spirit so that all we think, feel, and do may bring your kingdom into fuller realization. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/10/2011

A minister passing through his church In the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar And see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, A man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw The man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kind of shabby And his coat was worn and frayed, The man knelt, he bowed his head, Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, Each   noon time came this chap, Each time he knelt just for a moment, A lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, With robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see, Because the fa... 03/09/2011

Psalm 23 for the Work Place The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining. He reminds me that he is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor him in all that I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop, for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through. He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go. His Faithful... 03/08/2011

Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011 Read Joel 2:12-15 Even now, says the LORD,return to me with your whole heart,with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;Rend your hearts, not your garments,and return to the LORD, your God...Blow the trumpet in Zion!proclaim a fast, Lord, the trumpet has sounded, and I want to respond. Help me to rend my heart this Lent, so that it can be filled anew with your love and your Spirit Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/08/2011

Transactional Funding and Agents Transactional funding is a fabulous tool when properly used but many novice investors are surprised to find their real estate agent resistant to the very concept. Upon closer questioning, it's not because of a bad experience much less any type of legal restrictions but rather confusion or even outright ignorance of the very existence of such a mechanism. The reality is that most agents and brokers never encounter transactional funding and are even less informed than most novice investors. Unless you have the good fortune to find an agent that has worked with someone who has used transactional funding in the past, it is often necessary to educate and inform agents about the benefits to be derived. Below are some of the most common questions or concerns co... 03/07/2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Read Mark 12:13-17 Jesus said, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God", Jesus, I give you my life.  Help me to honor you with my life.  Teach me to dedicate myself to serving your kingdom. Charles Gardner, Realtor/Investor Region Realty-Greater Houston Homes-Humble, TX 03/07/2011