My first encounter....

I remember as a young child struggling to put together in a special way a small wood project I had conceived. My father came by to see what I was up to as I was so quiet and tearful as I tried and tried. "You can't do it that way. It'll never work." (My first encounter with a Stone of Zion!) He went away thinking I would give up. A half hour later I went running upstairs triumphantly shouting: "I did it. It worked! See! SEE!"

When rules are made to be broken...

Ron Simes, assistant manager at our branch in my early years in the bank took me aside and explained there were only three ways you could be fired immediately in the bank. One was for dishonesty, one for poor custody of cash & securities and the third was for breaking a rule that was in the ‘Rule Book'. Then he showed me the rule book. He pointed out that each rule represented a time when the bank lost money. "Tom", he added "If you ever break a rule, and there will be occasions when you will as a good banker, make very sure you know exactly why you're doing it and that you can justify it on the basis of good common sense in the circumstances. Then you'll be alright." (Have faith in your responsible judgement and values.)

When policy does not apply...

Two consulting lawyers informed me that while one fund by simply buying shares in another may achieve a neat and clean process to effect their merger, it was against National Policy rules. These prevent one fund owning shares in another, so the lawyers maintained we would have to go with an alternative cumbersome and expensive route. (a Zion Stone!) I summoned my courage and arranged my own personal meeting with the Director for mutual funds at The Quebec Securities Commission. On presenting my case he replied "Mais, ce n'est pas pratique!" (Its not practical to do it any other way than the way you propose.) "We will make an exception for you." Ontario replied if it's ok with Quebec, it'll be ok with them too...(Whoops there goes another rubber tree...er...Stone of Zion!)

When the Values of Faith overrule the Rules...,

There are no rules of faith. Faith is rooted in values. The desire for compassion and understanding in wanting to solve a personal problem are values of faith. There are plenty of rules to hide behind in order to renege on those responsive values. Indeed there is even a righteous justification. "Why are you so angered? We did all we could. We followed all the rules!" (- "It also means the ‘chosen' people were not acceptable to God. It was because they were trying to be acceptable by obeying the Law instead of by having faith in God. They fell over the stone that makes people stumble."- Romans 9:32)

When your struck by a stone...

When someone throws a rule at you be sure to ask them for the reason for the rule or if they know someone who does. If no one knows or you get: "Because that's the rule." You've just been thrown a Zion Stone. Respond as God would have you do: "Look I am placing in Zion a stone to make people stumble and fall. But those who have faith in that one will never be disappointed." (‘I am the Lord, and I lead you along the right path.' Hosea 14.9 cev)

Here's the one I love...

"You can't do that! (why not?) Because its never been done before". ...Yummy!

Keep the Values of your Faith...and...Smite the Stones of Zion!