RVG Speaks on ....

[How To] Change Computer Name in Ubuntu 11.10

2012-01-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much to say lately, but I find that I still collect and collect.

I thought this might be useful for me one day, and perhaps for anyone else stopping by here. Here's the article; [How To] Change Computer Name in Ubuntu 11.10

Keep Your Team Connected To You & Each Other

2010-11-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Karen for posting this.

The point below in the article hit home for me. I've been a part of geographically disconnected teams where it's been difficult to create camaraderie.

I agree with only the bold parts. I don't know of many employers that would condone team building using a TV show - and, regardless, hulu isn't available in Canada.

"Share a “virtual lunch” with the rest of the team a few times a year. How about ordering lunch in and putting the phone on speaker phone, and sharing a lunch or renting the same video or TV and sharing it over lunch? The conversations are bound to be fun, and if folks get the time to lunch, laugh, and share, they’ll grow closer together if they share an interest. Usually you can get everyone to agree on a TV show and even watching it on Hulu.com or Netflix streaming can be a great way to connect the people on both ends."

A step in the right direction

2010-11-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

"If you are a Microsoft Outlook 2007 user moving to Lotus Notes, this quick reference card will show you where to find the most common tasks in Lotus Notes 8.5.2."

Thanks to Kevin MacDonald of IBM for providing this summary.

No titles if I post from ping.fm...... had to add this later

2010-11-02T12:34:00.001-07:00

http://ping.fm/DFID3 Notes is cool - true, very true.

Domino server time

2009-07-26T17:32:00.000-07:00

After migrating to Domino 8 on our servers, we noticed the same issue that Vladimir Kocjancic reports in this article.

It's great to have this correction documented. Thanks Vladimir!

Moving to Notes 8.0.1

2009-07-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Jess Stratton posted a very useful overview of Notes 8.0.1 features and included a PDF file that can be used in a conference room presentation.

It's a good quick overview. Take a look.

More than just a free download

2009-06-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you go to https://shipit.ubuntu.com/ - you can request a free Ubuntu CD. When it comes in the mail, it includes 4 stickers to promote Ubuntu. Not only does Canonical give us a free download of a free operating system, they also back it up with a free CD for installation, and promotion.

Here's what it looks like;

I've already used Ubuntu 9.04, and it does everything I need.

First day at home

2009-06-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

I had a plan to wash my car today, and if we had last Friday's weather today - that's exactly what I'd be doing. But it's raining. I'm going to have to ~~switch to~~ come up with plan B.

Last day in the office

2009-05-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

I've known that today would be the last day in the Novi office for quite a few weeks now. I'm still not certain that it feels real yet.

I do know that lunch was very tasty, and driving home a little earlier than normal was a great feeling.

The job search officially begins next week Tuesday (I've decided to just go ahead and take Monday off). I'll be recording my job search process here.

Are you "googleable"?

2009-05-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's now a word. I looked it up, and found quite a few references;
Urban dictionary definition
A blog dedicated to it! - no recent updates though :-(
I'll let you see the rest at your leisure, there were 97,800 results.

What does it mean for my job search?

I want everything found on google when someone searches for "Rick VanGameren" to be something I'm happy for a potential employer or business partner to find. I have the good fortune, for this goal, to have a unique name. If it wasn't, I'd have to come up with a way to "uniquify" my name. Maybe something like; "Fred (I deliver overnight) Smith". Probably still need some more thought on that one.

Step one; what do you get when you google your name?

Use that as a starting point. Then decide what results you want to represent you, and - if you can, go back and brand them with the name you want people to use to find you.

Comment here if you have any questions.

RSS Feed Readers

2009-04-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

I've been using Google Reader as my primary RSS reader. I did read a notice on LinkedIn about subscribing to network updates;

Important note about web-based feed readers

Some web-based feed readers publish your feed URLs on the web, making them available to search engines and everyone else. You should not subscribe to LinkedIn’s Personal feeds with a web-based feed reader unless it guarantees that your feeds are kept private.

So I decided to install a PC-based feed reader for these updates. I was fascinated by the difference in the steps required to install a simple application like this for Windows (XP) and Linux (Ubuntu).

Windows

I settled on FeedDemon for use with XP. Here are the installation steps;

Google RSS feed readers and find the desired application
Download the installer
Logout
Log in as a user with administrative rights, otherwise step 5. will result in the error; "You must be logged in an administrator when installing this program"
Open the installer (remembering where I stored the install file)
Answer the installer prompts
Logout
Log back in as a regular user
Launch the program

Linux
I settled on Liferea for Ubuntu. Again, here are the installation steps;

Google RSS feed readers and find the desired application
The recommendation included an apt statement for the install, so - Open a terminal session
Type in, or copy and paste from the web site recommending the program; sudo aptitude install liferea
Enter the administrative password, wait for the install to complete
Launch the program

Somehow, I had believed that Linux was harder to work with than Windows. Seems I was mistaken.

A lot to digest

2009-03-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

There's a lot here in Sophie Lagacé's post; "More career tips and tools"

Hopefully you get some value out of it as well. Be sure to also read through the comments.

Scott Adams hit the nail on the head

2009-03-29T11:20:00.001-07:00

Check out today's Dilbert!

I can't say that I've been in the fabric box for all 14 years, nor does that represent my boss, but I can still relate.

Multi-tasking in Ubuntu

2009-03-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

I just shut down Notes, I'm installing software, writing this post, moving 30GB of data - all at once.

I certainly don't miss the Windows "please close all programs before installing this software" prompt. Not even one little bit.

One more place to look

2009-03-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

www.linkup.com

What linkup does is collect job postings from company websites. Some of these jobs may be advertised and filled before ever being posted on monster, etc.

If you read anything from Nick Corcodilos, you'll be as surprised as I was that he recommends linkup.

Salary Privacy

2009-03-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Now here is an article about salary that I do whole-heartedly agree with. I've never been comfortable knowing how much my co-workers or supervisors make, and I don't talk about it with anyone. Why would my salary suddenly lose it's privacy just because I'm interviewing for a new job?

Most employers have a salary that they want to pay for a job position. My job is to make sure that I provide more value than that when I perform the job duties.

I'm finding that I agree with quite a bit of what Nick Corcodilos has to say.

Why does this sound right?

2009-03-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I would like Nick to meet him. What he says sure is a "kick in the teeth" to many people. But - I think a lot of it makes sense.

There's a wealth of information on Nick's site, and I definitely haven't gotten through very much of it yet. I can't say that I'd recommend following his advice (yet), but - I definitely think it's worth it to check out what he has to say.

See this article on the Personal Branding Blog for an interview with Nick and follow the link to the Ask the Headhunter site.

Notes 8.5 on Ubuntu

2009-03-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

The install is not the same as for Windows, but the package manager makes it very easy to install software.

Setting up the client is straightforward, even though it's kicked off in a terminal session. I had a VPN connection active before trying to connect to the server, but still was unable to connect to the server. I had to configure locally first.

Passthru (a great feature of Notes!) is working fine. I still need to sort out the connection issues trying to directly connect via VPN.

Being platform-independent, the Notes client looks and acts just like it does on Windows. Well, almost like it, I need to adjust the fonts so that I can see the text on the workspace icons - for some reason all the workspace icons are blank.

Get really good at something

2009-03-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

This statement in Chris Brogan's post on Personal Branding stood out;

"Or worse than failed, he’d have done a mediocre job."

I read recently that being really good at something that doesn't matter also represents failure.

1. Decide what matters
2. Get really really good at something that supports #1

Rheinland Bread

2009-03-06T09:08:00.000-08:00

Bread that tastes great on it's own!

I do like bread, but I normally have to cover it with something - even if it's just margarine.

Steve Deming of Rheinland Baked Goods stopped by our office today with a sample of three German breads. Each of the breads; sourdough, multi-grain, and whole grain have a unique and distinctive flavor.

I took a slice of each and I'm really enjoying them. It's a good thing I haven't had lunch yet, 'cause I'm stuffed.

Thanks Steve!

Ubuntu on the Desktop

2009-03-05T19:03:00.000-08:00

There's still a lot of debate about this, but it's working great for me (right now as a matter of fact).

I didn't finish this article yet, but it made one point that caught my eye. Organizations that are still using Windows XP (or even Windows 2000) are perfect candidates for switching to Linux (Ubuntu was recommended) as they will be facing the need to upgrade their operating systems and hardware just to maintain updates. By switching to Ubuntu; they could avoid the cost of both the software and hardware upgrades.

I'm running Ubuntu 8.10 on a very old "throwaway" laptop (a Dell Latitude C640). It performs better than the Dell D610 that I use at work running Windows XP.

Time will tell if Ubuntu exhibits the kind of decay in performance that XP does after installing and uninstalling applications.

Interesting take on big failures

2009-03-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

This blog posting on Tom Ziglar's blog makes some interesting points;

“All great failures are moral failures" is thought provoking.

"Never forget: Just because you are of the opinion that something is not true doesn’t mean that you won’t be governed by it if it is true."

Gravity is true; so I don't jump off of buildings.

Adherence to a moral standard in order for society to function effectively. True?

I know my answer. And I don't define the standard myself, I attempt to adhere to the one given to me.

A faint ray of hope

2009-03-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

As I reported on February 25, I've been given the opportunity to seek new opportunities.

My boss has actually been working on a proposal to keep me and have me take on a support role for a Java-based project. It's looking less like that's going to happen. In the interim, I did pick up a Java book and viewed some great tutorials. Java is a cool programming environment that I should stop ignoring.

Speaking of learning Java, check out tip #4 in this article; 5 Savvy Job Search Strategies

recently on Seth Godin's blog

2009-03-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

The Panhandler's Secret

The ingenuity of a panhandler in coming up with a win-win situation struck me.

Most of what I've been reading lately advocates providing value before ever asking for anything. Everyone who has been blessed by interacting with me will want to return the favour at some point. And many times; that's not the point - it's not give to get. It's just give. Period. Because I've already been given everything.

Doesn't this just make sense? Isn't this part of what we learned in kindergarden? or maybe Sunday school?

Think win-win. Or - no deal.

We're all in the same boat

2009-03-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

This article; How Do You Network When Your Network's All Laid Off? is getting dangerously close to describing my network. There's some really good advice about how to present the fact that you're "looking".

I'm finding that most people are very open to connecting on linkedin. I don't think anyone feels their network is big enough or diverse enough any more. Linkedin does have some very good search capabilities as well, if you're attempting to do business or gain employment in a particular field or geographic location.

Not quite far enough

2009-03-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

This article from Kevin Eikenberry advocates being intentional about TV viewing.

What if it went one step further? How about an "over the top", "you gotta be kidding", "there's no way that's going to happen" kind of idea?

Here it is.

Unplug.

Disconnect your antenna or cable.

Think about it.

How would your life be different? What would you do instead of watching TV?

Now just in case you're thinking; I bet Rick watches TV. You're right; I do. Our TV is connected to a DVD player and a VCR. Cable; no. Antenna; no. So when we do watch TV, what we watch is intentional. We actually have an antenna on the roof, and when we moved in three years ago I asked my daughter if she wanted me to connect it. Her answer; "No, I'd just waste time watching TV".

How's my life different? Well; I do spend a lot of time behind a computer. In the last few years I've learned a lot about the automotive industry, Linux, marketing, ministry, etc. I've kept up with pictures from friends and family in Facebook.

But the most noticeable part for me is how I look at advertising. For the most part, it's difficult for advertisers to reach me. I don't even listen to broadcast radio. What I've seen over the last few years is that advertisers are getting louder and more outrageous as they seek to get our attention.

Keep in mind this point; the purpose of TV and radio is to deliver advertising. All the programming is created to ensure that you're there to receive the advertising. That's the bottom line.

30 seconds

2009-03-02T09:13:00.001-08:00

That's all the time my resume has in the hands of a hiring manager before a decision is made; keep - or toss.

Check out this posting from Liz Lynch and the mp3 file of the tele-seminar.

Some of the suggestions may help to get my resume in the right pile.

Ideally, my resume is in someone's hands because they asked for it. That's one of the reasons I'm pushing so hard right now to build my network on linkedin (www.linkedin.com)

When I look at my career, and the job interviews along the way - I'm reminded that it's been quite a long time since I've had an interview with a stranger based on a job advertisement that resulted in a job offer and placement. The last time (and only time since graduating university) it has happened for me is May of 1986. Almost 23 years ago! Every other job change/career move has been the result of leveraging a personal recommendation.

If you see a good suggestion online, please leave a comment here or email me at; rick dot vangameren at gmail dot com

I wish you the best in your job search!

Security Updates

2009-02-27T09:06:00.000-08:00

Even though 8.10 is the latest supported release of Ubuntu, it's been around for a while (October 2008) so there's a pretty big set of updates right away. I pulled the 200 updates down (it's pretty "automatic") and installed them. If I was running a fleet of computers on Ubuntu, I'd want to pull it once and use that download set for all the computers. Loading the updates on removable media is one of the ways I'm going to try.

I'm also following (trying to) hyperlink recommendations for accessibility from Glenda Hyatt.

The switch to Ubuntu

2009-02-26T18:14:00.000-08:00

I've been disrespecting Microsoft for years now (mostly, I'm against monopolies). It seems it's time for me to hitch my wagon to some flavor of Linux. I'm starting with Ubuntu 8.10. I've tested it many times on a few different computers. Today I have committed to limiting my computer use at home to Linux.

If I land some Notes/Domino consulting work, I'll have to sort out what I'm going to do for Domino Designer.

The 8.10 install is very straightforward. "Out of the box" it has everything I need for home use.

I'm going to research small business costs for Microsoft licensing, and see about helping businesses and individuals make the same switch to Linux.

The Next Phase of my Career

2009-02-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

I received notice today. I am fortunate to have the boss I do; he fought for me to get 3 months notice and he gave me the freedom to search for a job opportunity outside and inside my current employer.

The automotive industry has been unstable for the last few years, and I've managed to dodge this bullet for a long time. Now with the whole economy transitioning, more bullets are flying and it became difficult to justify maintaining resources that don't have a clear impact on improving the bottom line (I think that means me).

I'm going to use this forum to collect everything I've been reading for the past few months on job seeking, personal branding, social networking, etc.

Day 9

2009-02-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to see you, to hear your voice on the phone, to talk with you, to know you.

Day 8

2009-02-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Love, humility, and gratefulness destroy envy.

It's my job to be Judi's biggest cheerleader.

It's not my job to compare my weaknesses with her strengths.

Day 7

2009-02-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

Somehow, I'm reading Day 7 today.

There is a room in our lives called the Appreciation room - where we store all the things we appreciate about our spouses.

Most of the Love Dare has hit me square on right between the eyes. But today; it states; "most things in the Appreciation Room were likely written in the initial stages of your relationship".

Not so with Judi - she continues to speak in to my life reasons to appreciate her;
- she loves to spend time with me
- she serves and serves and serves
- she puts up with my weaknesses, while encouraging me to be better
- she is a godly woman

I love her, and appreciate her, more each day!

Day 3 and 4 - did 2 days go by already?

2009-02-05T17:25:00.001-08:00

day3 - selfishness

the opposite of love is selfishness
true love looks for ways to say "yes"

day4 - thoughtfulness

Somehow, I need to stop, take a breath, and just think about Judi for a few minutes. Today seemed so "full" at work, maybe it was supposed to be an example of a day where I definitely didn't stop.

Love Dare Day 2

2009-02-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

Love is kind.

Kind = gentle, helpful, willing, takes initiative

I know that Judi is kind to me. She has a servant heart.

I'll never know how to love until I learn how to demonstrate kindness.

The Love Dare, Day 1

2009-02-02T18:18:00.000-08:00

I always thought of myself as a patient person (except when I'm driving), but I'm still trying to get better. I just asked Judi and she agreed (phew!).

Now about not saying anything negative ......

This is something I'm going to need to work on. I so easily bash things that Judi cares about.

If I'm not patient and/or I'm not kind - I'm not loving.

check out The Love Dare here.

Test 2 from Posterous

2008-10-03T04:45:00.001-07:00

This is supposed to auto-forward to rvgspeaks

We'll see if I configured it correctly.

Rick

Posted by email from VanGameren's posterous

Growth Environment

2008-09-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

I've been plugged in to a Leadership Development Program for almost five years now, and the following from John Maxwell re-affirmed for me why;

From John C. Maxwell's book “Your Road Map for Success” (pg 107)

Create a Growth Environment

I mentioned before that commitment to continual growth has it's difficult moments as well as it's rewarding ones. But there is a way to make the journey more enjoyable overall: you can live in a climate conducive to growth. Just as the growth of tropical fish is limited by the size of the aquarium in which they live, you are affected by your environment. If your current circumstances do nothing to help you grow, you're going to have a hard time enlarging yourself to reach your potential.

That's why it's crucial to create an environment of growth around you. That kind of place should look like this:

Others are ahead of you: When you surround yourself with people from whom you can learn – instead of just people who are learning from you – you are more likely to grow.
You are still challenged: Complacency kills growth.
Your focus is forward: If you're thinking more about the past than the future, your growth has probably stopped.
The atmosphere is affirming: Industrialist Charles Schwab said, “I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.” The same is true not only of work but also of growth.
You are out of your comfort zone: Growth requires risk. Ronald E. Osborne stated, “Unless you do something beyond what you've already mastered, you will never grow.”
Others are growing: When it comes to growth, it's better to swim in a school than to try to do everything on your own.
There is a willingness to change: Clayton G. Orcutt declared, “Change itself is not progress, but change is the price that we pay for progress.” If everyone in your current situation isn't willing to pay that price, growth will be especially difficult.
Growth is modeled and expected: In the best possible environment, growth is not only allowed, but leaders model it and expect it from everyone. And when that happens, everyone's potential is off the charts.

The more positive the environment, the more rapid your growth is able to be. A life of continual growth is never easy, but a good environment makes the swim upstream a little less difficult. And it makes that trip much more pleasurable.

Every item on the list above is fulfilled for me with my involvement with Team. I am so glad to have met Chris & Kristen, and especially that they never have given up on us.

I am so blessed that I didn't have to create the growth environment, I only need to choose to be a part of it.

Reading - quick quote

2008-09-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ray Bradbury - "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them"

Also, from a DVD I just watched;

Learning takes no courage – it's the application that's scary!

THE BOOK - in my pocket

2008-04-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

I realized that I might be giving the impression that I only read these books.

Actually, my primary reading comes from THE BOOK. I have a Bible program for my Palm-based organizer. I have used it for a couple of years now.

Most recently, I started a rotation of;

one chapter from the Old Testament
a Psalm (unless I'm on Psalm 119 - that takes a few sessions)
a Proverb
one chapter from the New Testament

So, my current bookmarks indicate that I'm at;

Leviticus 19
Psalm 75
Proverbs 8
James 2

I also have Isaiah 58 bookmarked. I was challenged by a friend to read it, and I still haven't read it enough (it's probably been about 30 or 40 times - it takes a lot of repetition to "get it", and I'm certainly not there yet)

Not me speaking on this one

2008-04-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

This posting really affected me. I think sometimes my motives aren't pure.

I want this to be how I treat people;

Leadership Conduct - The World is Watching

To go even further, it's not just the world watching. God is with me. He is who I want to impress.

Thinking about Evidence

2008-03-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading "Is God Past His Sell-by Date?" by John Blanchard. There were a lot of perspectives I had never considered before. It made me want to quickly read "Meet the real Jesus", another one of Blanchard's books.

In the past, I had resisted reading books supporting rational proof for believing in God as I sought to rely on a child-like faith. I think I may have been afraid that the scientific evidence would contradict a faith in God. But instead - the more I read about evidence for my faith, the more my faith is supported.

How could I have thought differently? I think it's just that, as an engineer - the bulk of the science I have been exposed to has been devoid of any mention of God. Come to think of it, the bulk of the theology I have been exposed to has been devoid of science. In the words of Jim Collins in "Good to Great"; it's time to "confront the brutal reality". I need to apply that thinking in all areas.

God is faithful

2008-03-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

From todays' sermon;

1 Corinthians 1:9

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Faithful. He keeps His promises. His love will never fail. He will never leave me, nor forsake me. I can count on Him.

God is bigger than my problems. It's time to dig the ditches, and act on my belief.

What will you do with that freedom?

2008-03-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

This posting made me want to see Braveheart again. J and I just finished watching.

Orrin quoted this;

"I am William Wallace, and I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom? Will you fight?

Aye, fight and you may die, run and you'll live. At least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom."

Our fight is against tyranny, but not a tyranny that threatens to kill us physically. Instead, and much worse; one that is after our very souls.

Attitude

2008-03-06T13:56:00.000-08:00

I didn't watch the video yet, but I was impressed by these quotes;

Attitude is reframing the thinking about the events in your life to empower you towards victory, instead of disempowering you towards defeat. – Orrin Woodward

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want. - Oscar Wilde
(reminds me of the Newsboys song - "real good thing")

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. - Francesca Reigler

Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. - Bill Meyer

Whenever you fall, pick something up. - Oswald Avery

Jesus Arrested

2007-12-17T17:47:00.000-08:00

Matthew 26

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
55 At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

It struck me; what does "arrested" mean? To arrest also means "to cause to stop". This is not what happened. Jesus could have stopped all of it (I'm sure 12 legions of angels would have been able to 'arrest' the situation). But Jesus was willing to do His Father's will.

The writings of the prophets would be fulfilled. Thank you Jesus!

The Ant and the Elephant

2007-12-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading this book by Vince Poscente, (the ant and the ELEPHANT).

For me, it was a powerful analogy for how my conscious and sub-conscious is designed. It's definitely time to harness the power of my own elephant.

This was another book recommended to me by the leadership development program I am a part of.

Ask yourself - if it takes years to realize my purpose, is it worth it?

I think so.

Gethsemane

2007-12-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Matthew 26

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

I'm still amazed how Jesus knew exactly what was happening, and still kept going. There were no surprises. He didn't want it to happen, but He accepted His Fathers' will.

No one stood with Him, no one prayed and watched with Him. No one else understood what was happening.

Denial

2007-12-11T14:17:00.000-08:00

Matthew 26 continued
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31 Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:" 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
35 But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

And all the other disciples said the same. How quickly we pledge our allegiance. How quickly we fall away. There is great hope though; "after I have risen..."

Jesus is saying; "listen to my statements - you will disown me, I will rise" We can continue to count on His words today.

Lord's Supper

2007-12-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

During our Walk to Emmaus, the Lord's Supper took on a much greater meaning.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

The Lord's Supper (Matthew 26)
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18 He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' "
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
23 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus took the Passover meal and revealed its' full meaning.

Jesus' body and His blood. Broken. Shed. For me, and for you.

The Passion

2007-12-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

As Christmas approaches, I hear again; "Jesus is the reason for the season", and I'm reminded of His ultimate purpose.

Matthew 26 (NIV)

The Plot Against Jesus
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
4 and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
5 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

When Jesus had finished saying all these things. Things like;

25:40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Jesus knew the timing of his betrayal and crucifixion. The chief priests did not determine the timing.

We watched The Passion last night. We were suprised how long it had been since we watched it last. Somehow, I was afraid to watch again - like it would be too painful.
This was our third time. The first time, in the theater - I was deeply affected. Afterwards, I couldn't speak. The second time, at home - it was still hard to watch, and to keep from crying. Last night, we prayed before watching. I know that the movie is only an interpretation of the events. Somehow, even though it was hard to watch - I didn't cry. God has let me know that it's ok to accept His grace. I saw again the punishment I deserve, being paid for by Jesus. Tears, no. Not this time. A deep thankfulness, yes. Always.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew how hard it would be. He told his disciples - it's going to happen!

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Judas watched for an opportunity. Again, the timing was not up to Judas.

Thought Processes

2007-11-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

I think, at some level - we all suffer from A.D.D. (at least I do).

I was going to add another blog, with a focus on what I'm learning. So it would have been something like "rvglearns". It was to be something to keep MY attention. Blogging still isn't a regular practice for me.

Now, here's where it gets to my funny thought processes - I thought to go along with "rvgspeaks", it should be "rvgsits" (and learns - by reading and listening), then I thought that I would round out the set with "rvgrollsover" (but - that's just not going to happen!), finishing off with "rvg_goodboy".

I'd say that one still applies - worded differently. I'm definitely looking for "good boy", but I'll use better words; "well done, good and faithful servant" (come and share your master's happiness!!)

I really do need to put "thoughts to paper" to know what I'm thinking.

J is on her walk

2007-11-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

I was going to re-word this to post it, but I think it might be best to just use it word-for-word.

J is on her walk this weekend. I'll get to see her tonight at the candlelight service, and pick her up tomorrow. I can't wait for her to tell me how this weekend impacted her, and to re-experience it all with her as she tells me.

When I came back from my walk, I sent this email to a set of special friends. J won't see it until she gets back, so I can post it now;

Emmaus thoughts

I'm going to post these thoughts on my blog, but I don't want J to see it (yet). I know that there will be more to say after J's walk also, as we share our feelings with each other (I can't wait).

Growing up, I learned to suppress my feelings. I haven't un-learned that yet. So, while I might not manifest my feelings in a way that others can see, they are there.

There was so much I wanted to say during the close, but I couldn't collect all my thoughts. I wanted to say that I grew up feeling like I didn't deserve Gods' love, and that I pushed Him away. I knew that Jesus had given His life to save the world, but I don't know how much I let myself be a part of that. I still have trouble accepting gifts.

I think I might have been hiding behind the podium when I held up the agape gift from you all, but I wanted to say (now) how much it meant to me to have your names hanging with my name badge for the weekend.

I've kept most of the agape gifts hidden from J, we'll look at them together later. I was wearing the cross when I came home, and J noticed it. I let her believe that it was just one of the things I got this weekend (you know, no big deal) - but when we were told that our sponsors had held the crosses and prayed for us the night before, I actually gasped (wow, how demonstrative, eh?). I'm having trouble even now just typing this.

Your agape gift was the most meaningful to me for most of the weekend, but when I was given the cross .... I still don't know how to describe it. As others were being given their cross, I had my hand around mine. I don't know how to say how much I appreciate you all for how you demonstrated Gods' love to me.

I'm going to send this now, because my thoughts still are definitely not all collected. I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate you guys for getting me there, and for being an active part of my walk.

God loves you, and so do I!

In Christ,

R

If you would like to be reminded of God's love for you, I can think of no better way than to go on a "Walk to Emmaus".

Leadership (recognized)

2007-11-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

Check out the Business tab here.

It's great to know that number 1 is written by someone I've met!

Look at the company it's in;

Good to Great - Jim Collins (I still have to read that one!)
Who Moved My Cheese - Spencer Johnson
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Alan Greenspan
Donald Trump

Personal Mission Statement

2007-11-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't got it written completely the way I want it, but the fundamentals are here.

Found the old resume

2007-11-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

I think it says a lot less about me than I've already said in this blog, but I did find my old resume, so I thought I would just post it.

Emmaus - first impressions

2007-10-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

If you want to know that God loves you, there could be no better way I know of than to participate in a Walk to Emmaus.

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts on this. It takes me a long time to 'process' my thoughts.

Thank you D&L for introducing us to Emmaus. Thank you V&A for encouraging me and supporting me to get there. Thank you C&K and D&T for being there also. Thank you BJ for sharing the weekend with me.

God loves you all, and so do I!

Great friends

2007-10-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend with our great friends, C&K. J had to work, and couldn't make it (we all missed you).

I am extremely blessed to have friends like C&K. They are true servant leaders, and excellent role models.

I would say that C and I are great friends, not because of any great action I've taken, but because C is such a good-finder. Somehow, he sees something good in every one, including me.

Thank you C&K, for being such good friends to J and I!

Happy Birthday to KB!!

2007-10-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, that's not her initials.

It's a nickname.

She'll be home soon, and I can celebrate and let her know how much I love and appreciate her!

Current assignment

2007-10-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

One of our first impressions when moving to Michigan was "these people sure are friendly". It was very different from the 'cocoonishness' that Canadians were falling prey to. I know my pre-conceived notions of Americans were blown away; pride is not arrogance. Where Canadians are apathetic, Americans are proud of their country. It's still one of the only places in the world where people are dying (literally) to get in.
The first year in MI was a whirlwind of changes. I worked out of 4 offices over that first year, landing at the last one and staying there for a long time (right until today, in fact).

I settled back in to Notes development.

Geeky stuff I've enjoyed; recommending a replica server based on the users' IP address (very important for mobile users), document authorizations by clicking a mailto: link in email, using a 'design elements' view to move only updated database elements, using Notes Nomad and passthru for 'anywhere' Notes access.

I spend more and more of my time interacting using the computer. I hardly have need for a phone anymore. I'm really at the point where I could do my job from any location. I wonder when I should have my boss read this :-)

Two years ago, we decided it was time to put the family back in Canada. My status in the U.S. never became anything permanent, the kids were unable to work at any 'real' job, etc. I've been doing the cross-border commute. It's not actually as bad as everyone thinks, it's just funny to ask the U.S. government for permission to go to work every morning. Just like every other group of Americans, they're mostly very friendly people at the border. They have a very important, stressful job to do, and they do it well.

Our time in MI was a wonderful experience, and we wouldn't have wanted it to turn out any other way. It led to us meeting C&K, but that's a story for later.

Third time's the charm? (job three)

2007-10-11T18:41:00.001-07:00

The power of the network kicked in again. When I made myself available for new employment, and contacted a good friend about it, her efforts lined me up with two interviews. I say interview, but really - based on a good recommendation, I wasn't really 'interviewed'. I found myself in the rare situation of having two offers and deciding which one to take. When a good person recommends you, all you have to do for the interview is show up (and not goof up).
I was called the Continuous Improvement Coordinator. The improvement aspect was wonderful, it was only change that people resisted (sorry, couldn't resist that). The company had wanted someone who would come in and kick some butt, and they found out that wasn't me. You know you're being watched over when the company has good enough reason to let you go, but they find a place for you instead. I was re-assigned to the IT department, and oversaw the procurement and implementation of a quality management package. We decided on a package built on Lotus Notes. It was my first exposure to Notes.
We went from running internal-only email (cc:Mail), to piloting Notes mail and adding 6 'shared' internet mail addresses, to rolling out internet email access. EMail (before the advent of spam - sorry, couldn't resist that either) was the 'must have' application.
Our computers suddenly became indispensable. We used 'out of the box' thinking to implement backup strategies for our Domino server, and incorporated part number updates from our ERP system to support Notes applications.
The internet became a powerful tool for searching, including job searches. I discovered a job at a Christian non-profit organization in Michigan and, on a whim, applied to it. I was surprised when they responded positively. My wife and I went for the interview, and they made a job offer that I accepted (sort of). You may be remembering an earlier post that stated my first job was the last time I got a job based on an interview with a stranger. Well, it's still true. I accepted the job. I went to the border to apply for a work permit. I was refused.
I had no experience or expertise in obtaining a work permit, and neither did the organization. The job offer died on the vine. We had thrown our hearts into Michigan, we thought God wanted us there, and the whole thing fizzled. The ordeal had lasted nearly four months.
I shut off all notifications for jobs in the U.S., and I told myself I was going to be happy where I was for a while.
While all of this was going on, I had been unavailable for a lead role in an Easter musical at church. I became available, took the part, had a blast, and really stepped out of my comfort zone.
A month after Easter, I got a call from a former co-worker who was now working in Michigan. Less than four months after that call, we were 'out of Dodge' and moved in to our house in MI. When God clears the way, things move fast.
I learned that I could want something to happen real bad, and I could try very hard to make it happen, but God would still implement His better plan.

Give someone their life back

2007-10-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

That's the beauty of giving blood
(Canadian Blood Services)

I'm scheduled to go tonight.

You should go too.

It's actually one of the easiest things I can do to try to make a difference in this world.

Job two

2007-10-10T17:06:00.001-07:00

My wife agreed to move with me again, only a few months after the last move, and with our first child in tow.

I remember being very excited about being part of a new startup. I had the freedom to work, from the quality side, in the complete manufacturing process. I loved taking new people on a plant tour when they started, and being able to describe the individual production steps and quality issues throughout the complete production process.

I showed a knack for dealing with computers, and when the computer support person in the main office went on maternity leave, I filled in. I picked up a project for purchasing and tool crib inventory while I was at it, and stuck with that for the duration. It was coded in (raise your hands if you've ever heard of this); Advanced Revelation. [wow - side note; I just went to their web site and it's done in Domino - cool coincidence]
The consultant helping me with the implementation said one day that he could create an email function in AR, he just didn't have a client willing to pay for it. Well, if it could be done, then .... I was going to try. A while later, we had a rudimentary email application. I loved being able to go to someone's desk, make the changes they requested, and leave their desk knowing that I had helped to make them more productive.

I learned that I enjoyed making someone else's day easier and more productive, more than I enjoyed making my own day easier.

I stopped being involved in the manufacturing side of the business, and had many days go by where I didn't even touch or see the product we made. I remember walking in to the office and asking the receptionist; "we make wheels here, right?". The information age was starting for me.

The town we were living in was wonderful, my commute was only 3 km (many days I even walked to work, left a car at the plant, and drove home for lunch with my wife). I enjoyed my work, and ... I got the feeling that I needed to move on before I started 'settling' and getting too comfortable. We had been there for seven years, and I felt that if I stayed any longer, I would start making excuses about why I could never leave. In hindsight, it was a very good move; the company was sold a few years later and every one of the remaining original employees was invited to find other employment. Hearing that news, it felt like I had dodged another bullet.

Resume part two, the first 'real' job

2007-10-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

Assuming that post-university employment qualifies as a real job, I'll talk about my first one.

I suppose I made my career-defining decision based on who was willing to hire me. I packed up my wife, and moved her for the second time. This is where I realized that my education was really just beginning. I learned the details about Quality Management. It all seems so long ago, but there was a day when I understood what SPC, TQE, Q1, TFE, etc. stood for, what they meant, and why they were important. It's not that they're no longer important, it's just that I haven't practiced any of it for so long.

Computers were becoming a big part of working life, but I started out not having a computer assigned to me and the computers we used were not connected to each other. Communication was still paper memos and telephone calls. It feels very strange to look back this far; we didn't even have voice mail, let alone email.

My first job out of university, and it was actually the last time I was employed by someone who didn't know me before the first interview.

I didn't stay very long at the first company. My boss had moved on to a better opportunity, and I asked him if there would be a place for me there as well. I was happy when he said yes, and it was difficult to wait for 5 months until the project was far along enough for there to be a place for me.

I learned the power of a personal network, and what 'character reference' really meant. I'll always appreciate the people I worked with on that first job. Getting back to SPC and statistics, etc. - I learned that it takes measurement to be able to improve.

Moving on from there was a good move; the plant closed a few years later.

Resumé - part one, RVG's education

2007-10-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

To say I want to be unconventional would be understating my goals here. See an earlier post quoting Enlightened Leadership. The resumé model is broken, and needs updating (a total demolition and re-building).

My formal, in-class, "recognized by a piece of paper" education started in the fall of '79 (yes - I know - that's a long, long time ago) and "ended" in '86. So, 1986 would be about the time that my real education began. I'll cover that in subsequent posts.

Now, if you'll allow me, I'll go one step back. I finished high school (Grade 12) in three years. I had a scheduling conflict one semester, and the options I took led to discovering that I could (potentially) get high school done a year early. Grade 13 was a real eye-opener for me, and that grade ended up taking a year and a half to get done satisfactorily. I learned that I wasn't the "hot shot" that I thought I was.

On to university. I took the humbling process that began in grade 13 and continued it. I really had no idea how I was ever going to graduate, and even started investigating alternatives. I found two guys to work with, and that made all the difference. My "graduating" was really a team effort. I learned that I worked better as part of a team, and that the results of team effort was greater than either of the team members could have accomplished on their own. I also learned to keep going. I had two strikes against me, and couldn't afford a third (I would have been invited to find a learning institution more suited to my abilities, if you get my drift). The stress of this was always there. I even had a dream after graduation that I hadn't really gotten it done.

The biggest lesson I learned though was; how to learn.

I had started my lifelong learning journey. Gandhi was definitely right when he said; "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

What's the value of it all?
Piece of paper: worthless.
The doors the paper opens: valuable.
Learning to learn: priceless.

If I was hiring me

2007-10-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

I've had a mental goal for a few years to live what I would call a "no resumé" life. I haven't found a satisfying way to put together a meaningful resumé, so I really wanted to "pass" on the whole thing.

Recently it struck me - what would I want to know about a person who I was hiring? Fundamentally, it came down to wanting to know how that person thought, and why they thought that way. What are their core values? What are their goals? How do they think about other people, and about themselves?

Then, suddenly, I realized that one of my purposes in this blog is to let others know how I think - about me, and about others. To reveal my core values.

I think, in a small way, this blog is also my resumé.

Virtual collaboration

2007-10-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

I read this article a while back. It talked about overcoming some of the limitations of telecommuting.

I know that the bulk of my day is spent interacting physically within the confines of my cubicle. Less and less of that happens over the phone, and more and more of it via instant messaging, remote access to other computers and email.

I get up to get coffee. I get up to do what happens after drinking coffee.

Most days, my physical commute to work isn't really that bad. But, now that I'm over it, let's talk about yesterday. I had a meeting starting 30 minutes after my scheduled start time, and I had construction and traffic issues. I really don't know my way around Detroit except for the two or three routes I normally take. Neither of those routes were looking very appealling, so I took a fourth, uncharted route. Turned out to be one of my many poor decisions regarding directions. I ended up being late for the meeting, and thinking more about the benefits of bringing a virtual me to the office rather than the physical me.

I'm ready for telecommuting. I'm just waiting for my management team to catch up. :-)

I've got more to say on this topic. Much more, actually.

Stay tuned.

Cares and Worries

2007-10-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 37:14-17 (NIV)
Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Hezekiah took the evidence of his troubles, the thing he was worried about, and laid it out before God. He praised God and trusted Him to take care of the situation.

It would be wise for me to do likewise.

God bless you today, and may He grant you His peace.

When?

2007-10-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Leadership was published in 1991. In it they quote Jack Welch; "we need a fundamental revolution in our approach ... to work itself". The book goes on a few pages later to state; "we will have to undergo a total demolition of American style of management".

1991.

Did I miss the revolution? Did we really not need it?

I'd say we're way overdue.

Let me re-emphasize the quotes; fundamental revolution, total demolition.

fundamental: the very nature of something
revolution: drastic and far-reaching change
total: entire, everything
demolition: destruction

So, didn't Welch say we need to make far-reaching changes to how we view the very nature of work? Didn't the book go on to say we need to completely destroy (leaving no remnants) the way we manage?

I wonder if they could have stated it any clearer, or more sternly.

If we really did completely destroy how we view work, and how we manage people - what should the new result look like?

What's the model for North American competitive advantage look like?

I certainly don't have that answer, but - the beginning of the correct answers is the correct questions.

Discontent

2007-10-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a new book, Success with People by Cavett Robert.

This quote ties in so closely with a recent conversation that I just had to post it here;
on page 64 - "To meet with any measure of success in this life, we must have the gift of dissatisfaction. We must want circumstances to be better than they are now. If we are completely satisfied with our present state of life, and with everything that surrounds us, the pilgrimage has ended for us and we have already settled in our little city of compromise. We are then bogged down in the quicksands of complacency, lost in the sterile valley of inertia, and frozen in the ices of status quo. It is only through divine discontent that we keep moving forward."

So that's what's wrong with me! I'm discontent! I hope it's my "holy discontent".

My son and I attended a Leadership Summit a while back at NorthRidge Church. It was a simulcast from Willow Creek. Bill Hybels spoke about "holy discontent" and he referenced Popeye; "That's alls I can stands, and I can't stands no more." He meant; "what is it that you see happening in this world that tears at you?" More importantly, what are you going to do about it?

It reminds me of the Scott Krippayne song, "What Breaks Your Heart"
Want to get to know You better
I want to understand what matters to You
I want to know what moves You deeply
I want to see the world the way You do

What breaks Your heart
What makes You cry
What would I see
If I looked through Your eyes
I want to grow closer and closer to You
'Til what breaks Your heart
Will break mine too

Don't want to be numb to injustice
Don't want to get used to the evil I see
Don't want to grow cold to those who wander
Or forget about those who don't believe

That's what I want!

Isaiah 35:4

2007-09-30T15:50:00.001-07:00

say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."

I read this a few days ago and was immediately hearing the words of the song from Bob Fitts;
Say to those who are fearful hearted, "do not be afraid,
the Lord your God is strong, with His mighty arm,
when you call on His name." He will come and save

He will come and save you, He will come and save you
Say to the weary one, "your God will surely come"
He will come and save you

I really appreciate that there are people who can take Scripture and put it to music for me. I hadn't thought of my time reading Scripture as a time of praise before.

The Puck

2007-09-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Notes from Enlightened Leadership.

"We must anticipate where the market is going and will be, not where it is or has been - we need to ask the right questions"

Powerful stuff - reminds me of a couple of Gretzky quotes;
“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.”

So, where is the market going? If you're in mid-career and you have 20 years left until age-based retirement, which basket are you going to keep your eggs in for that time? What is the "safe, secure" marketplace for the next 20 years?

I'm not going to pretend that I know the answers to those questions.

I know the internet is going to be involved. I know that success is going to take excellence. I know that the marketplace will need leadership.

Beyond that, I know that there are people who know.

Decide who you're going to take advice from, then - follow their advice (now there's good advice that I should really take myself).

That first quote really has two parts - the second being - ask the right questions.

I've learned that our subconscious brain will go to work to answer any question we ask of it. Why don't my wife and I get along? - ask myself that and my brain will go to work and give me answers. Answers that won't necessarily help me to improve the situation. How can I demonstrate to my wife that I love her? - when my brain goes to work on that question, I can expect the improvements I am hoping for.

Ask the right questions!

Feedback

2007-09-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've already started looking for feedback. I've realized I shouldn't need it. If you know what you're doing is right - that's all the feedback you need.

I'd love to know that others think highly of me and appreciate what I have to say, but my self worth comes from a much better source than that.

He has already provided all the feedback I need.

Have You Ever?

2007-09-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever borrowed something, a book for instance, from someone for so long that they forgot you had it? they even forgot it was theirs? and if it was a book, you had it so long that you thought "oh, I'm going to see AEP, and I still haven't read that book she lent me!"

So, I pulled the book off the shelf to scan through it, and found a few pages of notes. My handwriting! Notes for the whole book! So, I had read the book! When did I do that?

Have you ever had that kind of thing happen?

It was this book (posting of notes to follow);

Enlightened Leadership

Soapbox

2007-09-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

I was having a "soapbox" kind of day yesterday. I even got an early start on it.

We had an old friend over for dinner, and I even got "called out" on it. She suggested that maybe I even like expressing my dissatisfaction with things.

It seems that people who have known you for a long time can see the habits and patterns that you don't see in yourself.

I think I need to put the action behind my words.

AEP, thanks for the "adjustment" (and the perspective).

Remember; leadership involves planned conflict against the status quo.

Strength and Shield

2007-07-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.

Like Scott Krippayne says; "as long as I can sing, I wanna sing about You!"

Isaiah 58

2007-06-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

I had a good friend recommend this passage. I put it in my reading rotation, thinking that after a few times I would be 'done'. I'm not done. I haven't gotten everything out of it yet. Maybe I'm just slow, but it seems that God highlights a new part of it every few times I read it.

I started making notes

I put a few different translations there also.