Thanksgiving 2011

This year I've made a few additions to the list, but though every Thanksgiving I try - I can't seem to say it much better than this. 

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You know, God does what he does in our lives through people - people that are gifted, kind and patient - people that have our best interests at their heart.

Like a glove

I made the switch. PC to Mac - that is.

I used a Mac for several years back in the Motorola days. But through my career - everything was Windows. Windows was how I made money and the Mac went bye-bye.

Now, as much more of a computer user than a systems architect - I'm back on the Mac, baby.

It fits like a glove.

The Sun Returns

Can I get a witness? After an eternity spent in rainy shadows - I saw blue sky this afternoon and I even took a leisurely bike ride before dark.

I'm back in the game. :)

This Never-Ending Rain

in the Midwest is driving me crazy. All our plans (turkey hunting, rock climbing, yard work) have been put on hold for what seems like eons.

I heard rumblings that our President was considering a plan to seed the atmosphere with particulate pollution so as to supposedly form more clouds, cause more rain and cool the planet down.

I don't know what I'll do if that one gets approved...

Father, thank you for springtime and for the New Creation to which it points. Help us to remember during these dreary days that the sun will soon shine again. We long for the brightness of your Kingdom to come.

What's on your mind?

We wrapped up our discussion of faith and works tonight during our regular weekly get-together. Well, we've been saying that we're finished every Tuesday night for awhile now - but we seem to keep discussing one facet or another of this very practical topic.

But we really are going to move on! And that's why I wanted to ask, "What's on your mind?". What would you like to discuss, here on the blog and/or during our weekly chats?

We can talk theology or any other topic - leadership issues, continuous improvement, current events, changing the world - whatever - I'd love to discuss what's on your mind in the context of the Judeo-Christian worldview.

So whaddya say?

Back To The Grind

Well, I put off writing my first post of 2009 - maybe because I knew it meant that the holidays were over and that it was back to the grind.

The holidays were wonderful. The boys are just delightful. They both took up guitar (more seriously) over the break due to some strategic Christmas gifts and their progress is truly amazing.

We skied Loveland for 5 days. We're addicted to skiing - the whole scene is invigorating. I'd been concerned that the recovering heel would be a problem. But no worries - it did its job just fine. All the skiing (no jumps included, though!), a skin trip up to the peak and then the regular evening swims in the heated pool with Dylan. Ahhh - everything was great.

And there's no room for despair since we've got some cool climbing trips planned (on rock for a few upcoming weekends and then ice climbing in March - yes!).

But for now it's back to work, back to school and most importantly, back to our part of the master's great project to make disciples of all the nations.

I hope your holidays were as relaxing as ours. And my hope for this year is that you and I will more fully realize the gifts and callings that God has put in us - to live in fresh anticipation of his kingdom to come.

Ice, ice and more ice.

My home's been without power for two days - and my Internet connection's been down for three due to the ice storm that blasted the midwest.

I vaguely remember liking the snow and ice when I was a kid...

Technology and Ministry

I spent the day bringing up a Microsoft Sharepoint Services web server specifically for our students' use. I then began training our Director of Student Affairs to create simple web applications with it.

I've done Sharepoint work for several years, starting with the Digital Dashboard Resource Kit (back when wheels were square, and you had to turn a crank to get your car started.).

So now we're able to quickly communicate with our students through an online calendar, announcements and picture/document libraries. We'll also have a few custom workflow applications to eliminate a big chunk of paperwork and streamline daily interactions with our students.

So today was like putting on a nice old pair of blue jeans. I was, for a moment, back in my familiar old IT consulting world.

Tomorrow it's back to syllabus development, theological concerns and in general doing my best to win the world.