Saturday chill

Today's plans (or lack thereof): (I'm chilling ... and it is chilly outside!)

1. Decommission Dell desktop (really just unplug and remove KVM (keyboard - video - mouse switch). To go to Tom H. at church tomorrow. Has Suse Linux 10.
   
2. Have Roger program my new garage door remotes (on for my tractor, one for my truck)
   
3. Brother coming by at 11:00. We are going to hang out and I'm going to buy his lunch at Jimmy Johns
   
4. Kathee grocery shopping (now) and later to a women's fellowship at 4th.
   
5. Play pool? Watch football?
   
6. Kathee planning her famous "Ma's chili" for dinner (one of her half a dozen chili receipes)
   

Random thoughts for my readers (which as far as I know may be 2!)

1. I was perhaps a little harsh about Minneapolis yesterday. But I was not harsh about that police precinct (as the crime map illustrates!)
   
2. Minneapolis has some beautiful neighborhoods and a beautiful downtown. Minneapolis
   
3. Also Minneapolis has in the last 5 years developed the warehouse district into a neighborhood of upscale condos and lofts.
   
4. Without Minneapolis (a great place to work!), Plymouth would not exist
   
5. But I am glad to come home to Plymouth every night
   
6. I was not harsh about Ted Haggard! I think he is lying and I think he is a pitiful excuse for a so-called man of God! I pray for his congregation
   

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Scripture Reading: I Peter 1 & 2:

Key verses on Godly living:

1:13-16, "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”" Lesson: Called to Holy living!

2:1-2, "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" Lesson: Yearn for and receive the Word of God!

2:11-12, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles" Lesson: Flee Lustful Living!


2:13-15, "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God" Lesson: Obey the Law!

Our Savior: (2:24) "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed."

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End of Day

1. Great time with my Brother. His trip to Iowa: Visited the John Deere Museum (Moline IL?), Rock Island Armory (IL), and the Herbert Hoover home and museum
   
2. Roger a big help: salt in water softener, programmed new garage door remotes, trimmed bushes
   
3. Brother brought me a USGS brass property marker. Very cool. On the mantel.
   
4. Kathee cooking for tomorrow. Entertaining Mark Stamper from the church after the AM service and another couple after the PM service. Kathee has the gift of hospitality (as did her Mother)
   

Life: "a vapor" (James 4:14)

Tonight's reading: James 3,4,5

Key verses from these three chapters:

James 3:13-17, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy"

James 4:13-15, "Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” "

James 5:8-9, "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ... Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"

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Comment: When I was hospitalized at Craig Hospital in Denver for 11 weeks, this was a verse I regularly contemplated: "life ... is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away". There was a sunny spot that I would park my wheelchair and look out over the Swedish Hospital power plant. I would watch the vapor rise from the power plant stack. As steam soon dissipates, so does life quickly pass. One never knows when this life will end!

Crime in Minneapolis

Today I had coffee with Steve, a co-worker, who lives in this Minneapolis Police District (4). This map displays violent crime for one week in this district!

This happens to be where 4th Baptist was before they moved to Plymouth 5 or so years ago.

Friends of mine (Mamie F and Dave Y) live in this neighborhood.

Many days, Kathee and I drive downtown through this area.

This week, Kathee interviewed teens at North High School in this neighborhood for an internship. One of the young men she interviewed lost a brother (murdered on June 19th of this year!) in this neighborhood!

Back to my coffee buddy today. His home has been subject to numerous property crimes and according to Steve, the Minneapolis police will not even respond to property crimes.

He regularly hears gun shots near his home. When Mayor Rybak took office, he closed a police station in this area.

According to Steve, the "Disciples" gang rules his neighborhood! His personal protection solution is to keep loaded shotgun by his front door.

This is why I live in Plymouth instead of Minneapolis!

It makes one wonder that somehow a new baseball stadium and raising taxes for this was somehow a priority for Hennepin County this year! They should raise taxes for an army to clean up this neighborhood.

My thoughts on Ted Haggard

Star Trib: Ted Haggard

OK ... who is naive enough to believe this?

Ted Haggard admitted Friday that he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute but insists that did not have sex or did not do the drugs

I don’t find his story credible!

The seedbed for moral failure is:

1. Unaccounted money and
   
2. Unaccounted time and
   
3. Power and Pride
   

It will destroy any organization or man!

I personally cannot claim I am above temptation or will never fail morally but ...

If I gave anyone a $ 100, my spouse to whom I am accountable (and she to me) would soon know of it.

If I were not at work from 8 to 5, my spouse would soon know of it
If I were not at the dinner table at 6 ...
If I were not in bed with her at 10 ...

There is some safety in that accountability!

Texas Border Watch

I thought this was interesting.

If you cannot sleep at night ... sign up and log on and watch our borders!

Texas Border Watch Program

"As part of the Virtual Neighborhood Border Watch Program, the State of Texas has been testing video surveillance cameras in different environments along the 1240 miles of Texas/Mexico border using the internet to transmit the images."

Thursday - MWC

I was asked to serve on the board of Metro Women's Center and tonight was the first night. I've known Colleen T (director) for 4 1/2 years. She is doing a super job. I know about half the board members: Laura M from Parker's Lake, Diane E from Emmaus Baptist, and Bill and Virginia E from 4th Baptist.

Today's news:

1. Work: Boss's boss sent me an email of encouragement. I've had a very busy week and I am ready for Friday
   
2. Work: Next week the distribution team is targeting 16,000 workstations with the upgrade. I am skeptical of success because we cannot do any distributions during the day and we cannot do any distributions on Monday or Tuesday. Any workstation turned off at night is not going to get the upgrade. I have daily tracking meetings to review status and strategize the next days targets. I've quit worrying about this.
   
3. Short turnaound from work to board meeting. We got home at 6, Kathee quickly made pancakes, I took my shoes off and petted the cat and almost fell alseep. I left at 6:30 and drove past MWC in the dark by 3 miles. Then had to quickly do a U-turn and speed to make it on time
   
4. Roger's friend Shubeck is spending the night with us tonight. John Shubeck is an USMC officer. I am looking forward to meeting him at about 11 tonight.
   
5. Kathee and I read James 1 & 2 tonight
   

James 1:18, "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures"

James 1:21-24, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was"

Lest we forget

Andrew Small

Hebrews conclusion

K and I concluded Hebrews tonight by reading chapters 11-13. Here are some great sections:

Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Hebrews 11:13-16, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Comment: this is my desire: "desire a better, that is, a heavenly country"! At 57 you never know how soon I might see this!

Hebrews 12:12-13, "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed"

Comment: If you could see how badly I walk (with crutches) you would know how I can identify with this verse!

Hebrews 12:25, "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven"

Comment: Hear Him!

Hebrews 12:28-29, "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire."

Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have"

Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever"

Wells Fargo credit rating

Six biggest U.S. banks may be upgraded by S&P

"Wells Fargo's banking unit, rated "AA-plus," may receive an upgrade to the coveted "AAA" level, the highest grade"

Speed reading test

Interesting

www.readingsoft.com

Vista & Office 2007

Finally got set up with Vista at work. I am in a Beta program with 100 workstations. My "workstation" is a Dell desktop with 1.5 GB of memory.

This is secondary to my "production" laptop that is Windows XP SP2.

I'm supposed to use the Vista workstation for almost all of my day to day activity: Email, Office (2007 - which I have not tried yet). Should be fun.

Turns out that there are two display modes of Vista: "Aero" and "Classic". Aero is the "eye candy" edition with fancier graphics and a 3D effect. My old Dell that I am using for UAT (user acceptance testing) does not have a powerful enough video card to display the Aero view.

I talked to my manager this morning about how "beat up" I am feeling. He said "have tough skin" and hang in there. I feel better.

Kerry's Gaffe

Kerry's Gaffe (YouTube)

Comment ... my Son served in Iraq with the USMC!

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here is what Kerry actually said:

"You know, education--if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

The Botched Joke Excuse

Halloween

Here's a "holiday" my wife hates! I'm more ambivalent about it. I like to see the kids in costumes. I also enjoy their little happy voices at the door.

We go home late - past 6:00. We left the lights off (porch, hall, entry way, etc) to "indicate" no one was home, while Kathee made dinner.

At 7:15, after Bible time, we turned the porch lights on and had our first trick or treaters. Then at 8:15 we turned the porch lights off and have had no more.

Kathee hates Halloween because it seems so purposeless: kids dressing up (for what reason?), out in the dark and cold (for what purpose?), to go door to door to get candy! It's a waste of time.

Halloween history:

1. History Channel
   
2. Wikipedia
   

Why has Halloween grown so important? "In the United States, Halloween has become the sixth most profitable holiday (after Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentines Day, Easter, and Father's Day) for retailers".

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1. Kathee and I read Hebrews 9 & 10 tonight
   
2. Nathan and Roger both at the house, and Roger made dinner for Nathan
   
3. Tomorrow K and I drive separately as she is going to a Manager - A.A. meeting with one of her subordinates.
   
4. Work: rough day. Came home beat up! (More on the system problems that I caused and how our release deadline was missed)
   

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Hebrews 10:19-25

Hold Fast Your Confession

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Monday Blues

I was so stressed about going to work today but "made it through the day" and now relaxing.

1. Work: We are 67% on the new release. 38,000 workstations. I have 18,000 to go. I need to not take it so personally! I can only do what I can do.
   
2. Dental: At the Dentist today to have my molar prepared for the crown. Will get the new crown in 2 weeks.
   
3. Scripture: Kathee and I read Hebrews 7 & 8 tonight
   

Dr. Jeff Steele of Bassett Creek Dental has been my Dentist for 10 years. Thankfully over 10 years it has been mostly routine!

Selections from our reading tonight:

Hebrews 7:26-28, "For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever."

Hebrews 8:1-2, "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man."

Roger and I are watching the Vikings / Patriots game. Vikes losing 0-17. I'm ready for bed!

Fastmail

I signed up for 5 years of Fastmail today. I have a Gmail account that I use for all of my commerce (Amazon, banking, etc) and I have a Bluebottle account for personal email. Here's a review of Fastmail

One thing great about Bluebottle is the concept of a white list. No mail gets through unless the email address is specifically authorized. But the Bluebottle web interface is not that slick. I think (haven't worked the details out yet) is that I will use the Bluebottle white list function for all incoming mail, and use the Bluebottle SMTP for outgoing from my Linux server, but Fastmail for all outgoing web-sourced email. Fastmail has an "alias" function so that mail sourced from their web interface looks as if it is sourced from another email account - eg. my Bluebottle email account.

Doug Bookman at 4th

AM message on the plagues of Egypt

Key principle:

Isaiah 42:8, "I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images. "

He had interesting thoughts on Pharaoh harding his heart and God harding Pharoah's heart. "harden" in Exodus. The point is that through moral choices of rejecting God's messenger, that Pharaoh initiated the hardening process!

He also said that people who have hardened hearts make "stupid" decisions. He illustrated this by Pharoah's decision to pursue Israel through the miracle parted waters of the Red Sea.

Dr Bookman believes from his study that Amenhotep was the Pharaoh of Exodus.

Interesting links about the Pharaoh of Exodus:

1. http://www.allanturner.com/pharaoh.html
   
2. http://www.biblehistory.net/Chap15.htm
   
3. http://biblelight.net/moses.htm
   

PM: Survey of Daniel 1-4
Major points

1. Literalism of God's promises to Israel
   
2. Israel distinct from the Church
   
3. Future promise of Israel's restoration and salvation (Romans 11)
   
4. Defense of Pre-millennialism
   
5. Danger of Amillennialism and "Covenant Theology"
   
6. 20 min Q & A afterwards
   
7. Brief mention of the Balfour Declaration and Harry Truman's recognition of Israel in 1948
   

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Afternoon

1. Kathee grilled burgers
   
2. Roger and I went out to Mermaid car wash to get his car washed
   
3. We went to Home Depot to pick up a garage door opener for Roger
   

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A good read: Isa. 53:5 - the understatement of human history

Clipper CLT1D

Clicker® Universal Garage Door Opener

Roger bought one of these today at Home Depot. Works like a champ and EZ to program. It can control up to 2 doors.

He got his for $ 23.00. I bought 2 this afternoon on Ebay for $ 26.00. Intend to put one in the truck and Velcro one to the dash of my tractor.

Runner Safety Lights

Safety Selections

I found this site via Googling (Roger runs at night). It interests me because they are just about 1 mile away from my house.

They offer free shipping (maybe they will just run by and drop it off).

Sunday update: While we were at church, the product was delivered by the owner to our front door!

Five Solas

Five Solas

http://www.fivesolas.com

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Reformation Day

The last Sunday of October is recognized by Bible-believing Christians as Reformation Day. Most Christians are unaware that Reformation Day exists and have a scant understanding of the Protestant Reformation which it honors. Yet, our ignorance is our loss. The Reformation was a time when vital doctrines of Scripture were “rediscovered.” Men such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and William Tyndale led men away from the dead traditions of Roman Catholicism and to the life-giving truths of Scripture. Luther especially took the lead in these battles, and Reformation Day is a reminder of his famous “95 Theses” which decried the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church and which he publicly displayed on the door of the Wittenberg Church on October 31, 1517.

The key doctrines of the Reformation are…
* Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
* Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
* Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

Praise the Lord for the heritage that is ours through the Protestant Reformation! The men God used were far from perfect, but we see farther and more clearly only because we stand on their shoulders. What a blessing it would be to you and your family to determine to learn of God’s workings in the lives of these and others who have gone before us!

Pastor Chris Anderson

Quoted from Here

The Danger of Deficit Spending

GAO Chief Warns Economic Disaster Looms

"But Walker isn't optimistic that the government will be able to tackle its fiscal challenges so soon"

I'm not optimistic either!

Blogging by Email (5th try)

1. Our package to China was a lot heavier than we thought and was going to cost $ 90. to send 1st class. Kathee sent economy class (it was still $ 40 to send) and it looks like it will be more of a Christmas package than a Thanksgiving package
2. Roger is helping Nathan move.
3. Kathee is cleaning.
4. I am watching Penn State vs. Purdue football.
5. Grocery store and other errands later this afternoon.

I slept well and until 8:00 am.

End of the week

I worked from home today so we could have some work done at the house

1. Isanti County Equipment came down to convert my tractor for Winter: off with the mower deck ... on with the snow plow, chains, and weights. Plus oil change.
   
2. Surge Water came to maintain our water conditioner and reverse osmosis system.
   
3. Got my flu shot
   
4. Plus worked
   

This weekend. We are putting together a package to send to China to the daughter of friends. I did the shopping today at Target: peanut butter, honey, dried fruit, a couple of packages of cookies, pudding mixes, a book. Kathee will pack it up tomorrow and we will mail it.

I was contacted by a Sharper Iron member who is a relative. His Great Uncle (Jim Green) is my Uncle. Jim has been deceased for about 20 years. So Jim Green is my Aunt Eleanor's husband. Eleanor is my Mother's Sister. Jim Green's brother Joe is Bill Green's Grandfather. Small world.

Work:

1. We are still 18,000 shy of our upgrade target. We are at 37,000 desktops
   
2. UAT on the next release has not gone well: low participation (low signup and then about half never did the UAT). My boss is not pleased
   
3. I would like to say I am not stressed but I am. I have not received hardly any positive feedback
   
4. I'm starting wonder if I am wrong for this job or if this job is too big for me.
   
5. I look forward to relaxing tonight and this weekend and worshipping on Sunday.
   

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Tonight's Scripture: Hebrews 3 & 4

3:1-3, "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house"

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1. Kathee brought home "Jimmy John's" sandwiches: Jimmy John's. A new one opened up at Hwy 55 & NW Blvd in Plymouth
   
2. After dinner we packed the Thanksgiving box for Lindsay T in China.
   
3. Kathee packed up my shoes to be mailed tomorrow for resoling
   
4. We voted via absentee ballot
   
5. The Star Tribune did not come today for the 2nd time this week.
   
6. Weekend has arrived!
   

Broken tooth

I broke a tooth today and was at the dentist tonight. It will need a crown. Dr Steele put a temporary cap on it so it is smooth and does not hurt. Monday I go back to prepare for the crown, then in two weeks the crown itself.

Roger, Kathee and I read Proverbs 5 and Hebrews 2 tonight.

Tomorrow working from home.

Proverbs 5:15, "Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well"

Hebrews 2:3, "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him"

Dr. Lloyd-Jones on the Altar Call

Dr. Lloyd-Jones on the Altar Call

Good article!

Comments: I never walked forward to be saved. I was saved in 1969 in my bedroom as I read the Gospel of John. Kathee never went forward to be saved either!

I like the way 4th handles the "altar call" .. the Pastor says "there is nothing magical about comign forward ... if we can help you come forward"

Philemon

Kathee and I read Philemon and Hebrews 1 tonight.

Philemon is an interesting little epistle of doctrinal insignificance. Nevertheless I love its grace.

For example vss. 8 & 9: "Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ"

I see in this a certain style that I think befits leaders:

1. I could command you ... but I will not
   
2. Rather, I appeal to you
   
3. Based upon my authority, age, and circumstance
   

I see herein lessons for anyone in authority: a Father, a Pastor, a Manager, a Husband.

Something else (there are really many things interesting about this epistle) - the "house church" concept in vs. 2: "to the church in your house".

My deceased Aunt Eleanor had a church in their home at one time in Alto Michigan. I don't know much about the circumstance of this, but Eleanor and Uncle Jim's home had a large entry way (that they used an office) adjacent to a large dining room. I estimate that this room is (the house still stands, but I have not been in it for several years) 12' by 20'. Off the entry way and separtated by a dark paneled wide door was the living room - estimated size of 14' x 16'. This "L" shaped area (with the panel door opened) at one time served as a location for a Methodist church!

A friend of mine, D.A. Waite and his wife Vonnie, have a church their home.

Here's the link: The Bible For Today Baptist Church.

I'm not advocating a "church in one's house" but in certain circumstances it is a great option!

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1. A guy at work has a 100 oz insulated mug. Looks like this but it is Mountain Dew
   
   I ran into him in the break area today. He was filling up with water and ice.
   
2. Jeff M. the sod guy, blew out and turned off our sprinkler today ... a sure sign that Winter is around the corner.
   
3. Friday 4Turf is scheduled to put the snow plow on my tractor. Another sign of Winter!
   

Better at work

My boss was back today and we met twice. The system issues from last week were really not my problem although my changes aggravated the bandwidth issue.

1. My distributions to the remaining 20,000 workstations has been restarted. Had been halted on 10/18 (so we lost a week!)
   
2. As of today I'm at 35,710 workstations with the current release
   
3. WIFI distribution is progressing by 1000 per day.
   
4. Looks like we will be proceeding at a slower pace and the distributions may take as long as mid-December to complete
   
5. I have 37 UAT users on the new release. I need feedback from them by noon on Friday
   
6. I learned from the boss that they wanted to hire two for my position but only got funding for one. And that maybe mid 2007 I may have an assistant.
   
7. Apps Engineering has I.E. 7 packaged and ready for testing. Can't wait to see it!
   

Traffic horrendous leaving downtown. Took us 20 min to get from the garage to onto the freeway. Once on the freeway we got home in 20 min.

Kathee making pasta for dinner.

The Mamertine Prison

Pastor Jason Stamper mentioned this is in his message Sunday night.

Interesting links:

1. Mamertine Prison
   
2. Link 2
   
3. Wikipedia Link
   
4. Link 4
   
5. Link 5
   
6. Link 6
   

2 Timothy 4:6-7 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"

Problems at work

While I was away I requested distributions that overloaded an SMS (distribution) server and crashed it. This resulted in the patching cycle to not complete and also negatively impacted (not sure to what extent) an IVRU (Internet Voice Response Unit). The resulting mess got a lot of visibility (and this was not positive) and all of my distributions for the window 10/17-29 were put on hold.

So today I came back to more than 200 emails, plus this mess. My manager is out of town until Wednesday so I feel in limbo until we talk.

I am stressed but patient that this will be resolved. I will be very busy the next two weeks.

Mark W my buddy from BCP called me. I told him that if things don't improve, I would consider coming back. I'm not sure if I seriously believe this, but I don't like being called when I am on vacation (like I was last Wednesday).

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Kathee and I finished 2 Timothy tonight

3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

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I wore out the soles (really just the left one that drags a bit) on my Filson shoes. I have two pairs of these. One wears out and I send it off for resoling. I use http://www.shoecrafters.com/ in Chicago.

Sunday at 4th Baptist

AM: Pastor McLachlan preached from Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

PM: Our new youth Pastor, Mark Stamper, preached on "The Art of Discipleship" (2 Tim 1 & 2). II Timothy 2:2, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also"

I watched the Vikings / Seattle game in the afternoon. Kathee grilled hamburgers for lunch.

Return from Vacation

We were gone from Thursday 10/11 until today. We drove from Plymouth Minnesota to Helen Georgia to Tunica Mississippi.

Highlights:

1. Nephew's wedding in Helen Georgia (2 days)
   
2. 5 nights in Tunica Mississippi
   
3. Visited New Madrid, Missouri, site of massive earthquake in 1811
   
4. Visited Vicksburg National Military Park
   
5. Saw the USS Cairo
   
6. Visited the Tunica River Park
   
7. Dinned twice at the famous Blue and White
   
8. We took a ferry across the Mississippi
   
9. Visited Graceland
   
10. Visit the site of the Martin Luther King assassination
    
11. Visited Cairo Illinois and the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Ohio River
    
12. Mishap: I slide the car off the road into Mississippi mud in Farrell, MS ... had to be towed out
    

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I read two books

1. F.F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture
   
2. F.F. Bruce The New Testament Documents - Are they Reliable?
   

Google Docs

"Google Docs" will give Microsoft a run for the money. Nothing seems more wasteful than buying copies of Word or Excel for multiple personal computers.

Basic word processing functions (PRODWRITER) and spreadsheet functions are supported.

Last day of work!

Kathee and I vacation almost every October. October is a great time to travel: gas prices are lower, venues are less crowded, highways are less busy.

We are traveling to Helen Georgia (a nephew's wedding) and then to Tunica MS (S of Memphis TN).

When we return it is: colder, darker, and trees are bare of leaves (except perhaps the willows.)

It felt good to shut down email (with the "out of office reply" and put the "extended absence greeting" on my voice!

Today up to 34006 desktops on release 2.23. Beginning next Tuesday and through 10/29, we are distributing our upgrade (800 MB! it takes a while) to approx 17,000 desktops. Not all of the upgrades "take": sometimes workstations (as we call them) are turned off, locked in a cabinet, etc. sometimes the SMS client is corrupted on the workstations (not frequent) and the upgrade does not run successfully. If I have 80% success, 82% of my workstations will be current by October 31st. With a 90% success rate, I will be at 87%.

Workstations: They really are personal computers but we call them workstations to emphasize they are for business use and not personal use. Also we limit "rights" to the workstations (administration rights are not easily granted) so that the user cannot mess up the workstation. And if the workstation gets "hosed" and the phone support cannot fix it remotely, an engineer is dispatched to "reimage" the workstation (so it is not personal!)

We have reporting tools that detail all applications on each workstation. Last year we detected that someone had a poker game on his workstation. Let's just say it wasn't "nice" for him!

Also while I am gone, we will be distributing our internally developed secure WIFI utility. I've had it for 4 months and it really is slick! If one connects to a WIFI hotspot, they are programmatically prompted to connect to the company network via VPN (virtual private network with a key fob) or WIFI is disabled. It is a security solution for privacy.

We are going low tech on vacation. I am not taking my laptop. No email, no Internet, no work for 11 days.

I walked outside (instead of through the skyway) back to the parking garage after work. Without a coat, it was cold. This is perhaps the last time this year I walk outside without a coat! Its getting cold!

So long!

House and Senate poll tracker

Respect for the Pastor

I Thessalonians 5:12-13, "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake."

Pastors and other men who have had a great impact on me (or Kathee):

1. Dr Tom Hall of Westwood Baptist Cheviot Ohio. My first Pastor.
   
2. Dick Sauer, SS teacher at Westwood Baptist.
   
3. Dave Iverson and Dwight Bull: University of Cincinnati Campus Crusade for Christ. Both had a profound influence on me - particularly Dave.
   
4. Pastor Powers Payton at Bible Baptist Church of Plum Boro (Pittsburgh) and Haddon Heights Baptist (New Jersey). To both Kathee and me, the prototypical Pastor.
   
5. Deacon Jim Salomon at Plum Boro. His dear wife Hermine is with the Lord. Jim still living for Christ.
   
6. Pastor Dan Williams of South Holly Baptist in Littleton, CO
   
7. Pastor Doug McLachlan of Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, MN.
   

Some practical ways to "to esteem them very highly for their work’s sake".

1. Attend your church faithfully and pay attention.
   
2. Pray daily for your Pastor (and wife and family) and Pastoral staff.
   
3. Greet him at church
   
4. Remember him with an appropriate gift at the holidays
   
5. Let him know of needs and prayer requests.
   

Political Predictions

I don't have a crystal ball so I may be all wet, but here are my short and long term political predictions:

Minnesota:

Governor: Tim Pawlenty (incumbent Republican) over Mike Hatch (D) for Gubernatorial race. Polls are very tight right now so it could go either way.

Senate: I predict that Mark Kennedy (R) loses to Amy Klobuchar. Klobuchar is way ahead of Kennedy in recent polls.

US House and Senate: I hope that this is more than a dream but I see the Republicans retaining both the House and Senate by narrow margins. I think the Foley scandal and other bad press will blow over and the Republicans will win. Why:

1. The economy is strong
   
2. Gas prices are low
   
3. The North Korean nuclear test brings home the genuine threats to our country and the Republican are stronger on national defense.
   

Out on a limb for the 2008 Presidential race:

Senator John McCain and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty vs. Senator Hillary Clinton and New Mexican Governor Bill Richardson

59.3%

Release	Count	Percent
2.23	33,698	59.3%
2.22	6,635	11.7%
2.21	7,556	13.3%
2.20	8,892	15.6%
Pre 2.20	78	0.1%

Kathee and I are ready for our Fall trip to Helen, Georgia and N.W. Mississippi. We are ready for it. We will be leaving early Thursday and returning late Sunday 10/22. Roger will be at the house caring for all details there.

I have distributions to 17,000 workstations scheduled for 10/17-29. I hope to be at 85% by the end of the month. No distributions are taking place this week (starting today) as the week beginning on the 2nd Tuesday is Microsoft patch week.

Today I had coffee with my first manager at Wells Fargo (then Norwest), Jeff Williams. Jeff was my manager in Greenwood Colorado. It was a great job (that I loved) but the pay was low. I was an Operations Controller 2: MVS DASD management, Code Migration, Problem and Change Management. Jeff is just about 61 and can retire anytime but he still loves his job. He moved to Minneapolis 9 years ago, 1 year after I did.

Thessalonica: The model church

1. Acts 17 ... a rocky start! Acts 17:11 "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so". The Bereans contrasted with the Thessalonians!
   
2. I Thess 1:3, "remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope". A faith that works, a love that labors, a hope that is patient!
   
3. 1:6, "And you became followers of us and of the Lord". True disciples!
   
4. 1:7, "examples to all". The model church!
   
5. 1:8, "from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything". Evangelistic!
   
6. 1:9, "you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God". True repentance. True worship and service!
   
7. 1:10, "and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." Looking for the pre-tribulation rapture of Christ!
   

---

1. Walked outside from the parking garage to and from work. But will not on Wednesday. Cold is coming!
   
2. K & I read I Thess 1 & 2
   
3. Watching the Broncos / Ravens on MNF.
   

Fantasy Football

My team SUCKS! My QB is Dante Culpepper and his is out with a knee injury! Plus he has produced NO points this season. What was I thinking!?

57.57%

Where I stand today (Release Management)

Release	Count	Percent
2.23	32,765	57.6%
2.22	6,862	12.1%
2.21	7,640	13.4%
2.20	9,554	16.8%
Pre 2.20	83	0.1%

My next distribution window begins next week (10/17) - through 10/29. I hope to distibute to another 17,000 in this period. If all goes well I will be at about 85% by the end of the month

Dr. John C. Whitcomb @ 4th today

Wow!

This morning's message on the Genesis Flood. I had an opportunity to meet Dr Whitcomb before the service. Tonight our son, Roger, met him.

Interesting about Dr. Whitcomb:

1. He was saved in 1943 while a Freshman at Princeton.
   
2. Enlisted in the Army and served at the Battle of the Bulge (Europe)
   
3. He met Albert Einstein while he was a student a Princeton. Einstein attended a Moody Science film presentation on campus
   

John C. Whitcomb website

---

Key verses from his evening message:

1. Psalm 104:5-9 "You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever, You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away. They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them. You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth.
   
2. Job 12:7-10, "“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; And the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?"
   
3. 2 Peter 3:3-6, "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
   

My first computer

Radio Shack TRS 80 Model 3

I bought it in June 1981. Details:

1. Cost: $ 2000.00 (48 KB, 2 floppies)
   
2. Epson MX-80 dot matrix printer: $ 500.00
   
3. Software: Profile Plus (database) & SuperScripsit (Word Processor)
   
4. Uses:
   
   
   
   1. Composed my Master's thesis
      
   2. Church SS database (1500 records)
      
   3. College and Career database (mailing labels for communications)
      
   4. Visitor records
      
   
   

Contrast this with the computer model I sold when I worked for DEC: DEC PDP 10

Computers I sold with IBM:
System 7 (sold to the St Petersburg Times for power management)
System 32
System 3

Saturday respite

We have had a beautiful Fall day in Plymouth, Minnesota.

1. Weather in the 70's
   
2. I slept in until 8:15 a.m.
   
3. Errands with Kathee.
   
4. I took my truck through the car wash for the first time in 6 months
   
5. I took a 45 min nap while the Minnesota - Penn State game was playing.
   
6. I mowed my yard - mostly leaf chop up. The fern is gone for the season. Willows still in full leaf.
   
7. Kathee is making "healthy chili". I forgot what this is exactly but I'm sure it will be good.
   
8. Brother and Nathan will be here for dinner.
   
9. Tomorrow church @ 4th Baptist
   

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"Filled with the Spirit" = "word of Christ dwell(ing) richly "

Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"

Ephesians 5:18-19, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, "

What Does It Mean to Be Filled with the Spirit?

Quote: "A directly parallel passage to Ephesians 5:18 is Colossians 3:16, which explains in a slightly different way the meaning of the command “be filled with the Spirit.” The Apostle Paul says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” One can be filled with the Spirit only when controlled by the Word. It is knowing truth and obeying it."

Amish Children's Fund

Amish bury victims


Condolances: Bart Fire Company

Nickel Mine Children
c/o Bart Township Fire Company
11 Furnace Road, PO Box 72
Bart, PA 17503-0072


Donations: Coatesville Savings Bank

Two years ago, Coatesville Savings Bank opened a branch office in the village of Georgetown, approximately one mile from the Nickel Mine Amish School. We are currently constructing a larger office in the village center. The Board of Trustees and the staff of CSBank wishes to express our deepest regrets to the community of Bart Township in the wake of the tragic deaths of our neighbors' children today. We have established a fund for all necessary help and solace for the bereaved.

Funds have been established for those who would like to donate to assist those who are affected by the tragedy at Nickel Mines School.

There is the Nickel Mines Children's Fund and the Roberts Family Fund.

Donations can be mailed to:


Nickel Mines Children's Fund
Coatesville Savings Bank
1082 Georgetown Road
Paradise, PA 17562

Roberts Family Fund
Coatesville Savings Bank
1082 Georgetown Road
Paradise, PA 17562

---

Colossians 1

1. Our Savior: (1:13-20) "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross"
   
2. Our Salvation: (1:21-23) "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,"
   
3. Our Ministry: (1:28-29) "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily."
   

51%

1. I reached the 51% level of the new Windows XP release image on our workstations. We had 1000 upgrades yesterday. 29,000 down ... 28,000 to go.
   
2. Another business unit (small - only 340 to upgrade) signed up today.
   
3. Still pending .. Internet Services Group. Mtg with them on Monday. Vault group is in pilot. Mtg Monday to get them on board with remainder of their systems.
   
4. Vista pilot. Looks like I will be in the initial pilot group of 100. I am semi-excited. I have a second PC at work (now unplugged) that was just upgraded to 1.5 Gig. I need a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to get it going. I am in charge of communications for the pilot.
   
5. I used Sharepoint to build an ad-hoc form to collect UAT (user acceptance testing) participant information. I was able to build it in just about half an hour.
   
6. Am invited to speak for 10 minutes next Monday at the EFO regional managers's meeting. I need to put together a couple of Powerpoint slides tomorrow.
   

---

1. Mom needs a new water heater. Hers is 18 years old. Installed in such a way in her house that if it leaked it would flood into her linen closet. Her house foundation was jacked up (with pilings) straight yesterday and the plumber noticed how old her water heater was when he inspected the pipes.
   
2. Geico: The car that hit my Saturn was not insured. The driver provided her Uncle's insurance card. Not that he was insured either - had expired. His story is that he sold the car to his niece. I'm out $ 500.00
   
3. I had a nice nap after dinner while Kathee was cleaning up the kitchen.
   
4. I read the preface and introduction of Metzger's Canon of the NT
   

---

Key verses in Phil 3 & 4

3:8, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"
3:10, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"
3:12-14, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"
3:20, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ"
4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
4:5, "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand"
4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"
4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things"
4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Our Fundamentalist Future

Our Fundamentalist Future

Why I am a fundamentalist:

I believe:

1. The inerrancy of Scripture
   
2. The virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ
   
3. The substitutionary atonement through God’s grace and human faith
   
4. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
   
5. The authenticity of Christ’s miracles
   

Wednesday - Long work day

1. Kathee worked until 7 and took the bus home (home at 7:45)
   
2. I left work at 4:00 to visit Jeff S in the hospital. Got caught in Twins traffic. Finally to the hospital at about 4:45.
   
3. I brought the company laptop home ... worked until 9:30
   
4. Now 10 .. Roger, Kathee and I about to begin Philippians.
   

I'm up to 49.5% if 57,000 workstations on release 2.23. Another business unit with 2339 workstations signed on today (will be done Oct 17-29). Another group will only 374 workstations going very slow and will stretch out upgrades over three change periods (a month and a half). Our non-compliant workstations dropped to under 100. Support for them expires 10/10. I met with Sue C on our floor who has one of them .. she is going to have it recycled via Redemtech. I wanted it for myself ... I suggested to my manager that I be "gifted" with it - I intended to put Linux on it. But request was denied.

All leaves off the tree on the North side by Mrs. Finke's. Oak and willows still fully in leaf. There is a large spider outside the kitchen window - Daisy the cat noticed and was excited.

Receive Bruce Metzger's "The Canon of the N.T." today but did not even open the box.

---

Philippians quotes:

1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain"
1:27, "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ"
2:4, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
2:9-11, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"
2:12, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"
2:15, "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world"

Top Ten Democrat Sex Scandals in Congress

Top Ten Democrat Sex Scandals in Congress

It's not just the Republicans!

Why doesn't Congress fix this?

Bernanke urges U.S. to fix entitlement programs soon


Quote: "If we don't begin soon to provide for the coming demographic transition, the relative burden on future generations may be significantly greater than it otherwise could have been," Bernanke told the Economics Club of Washington

Congress dithers while the problems with the entitlement programs grow!

Nero fiddled while Rome burned!

Morale at work

I found this quote on the Internet:

A pithy slogan seen on plastic signs hung
in offices and workplaces throughout the
United States. It is supposed to be a 
whimsical perspective on people hating 
where they work, and the idea that
management is incompetent and uncaring. 

It has the wonderful side effect that it
completely trivializes things like slave 
labor, prison labor, child labor, and 
other such real mistreatment of workers.
In fact, if I was a paranoid socialist,
I would suggest that American businessmen
tolerate such workplace whimsy because
it diverts attention from the real horrors
of the corrupt capitalistic system. In a
way, such toothless rebellion is a 
religion--Marx's opiate of the masses

For me ... it is just "funny". I ordered three today: my wife (a Technology Manager), my boss (Technology Manager), and me (Release Manager). I think it will look good in my office.

Kathee working until 7 tonight. I am leaving @ 4:45 to visit Jeff S at North Memorial Hospital.

Have the Republicans lost the right to govern?

I am a Republican and I will vote this way in November. But it is beginning to look as if the Republicans will lose both the House and the Senate. While I do not wish this result, I think that we will lose. Why?

1. Immorality: Look no further than Rep Foley!
   
2. Inactivity: Missed opportunities on Social Security Reform & Immigration Reform. I wonder: What has this Congress accomplished in this term?
   
3. Ineffectiveness: What used to be the party of fiscal conservativism is now as ineffective on reforming and reducing government as the Democrats.
   

Change is in the wind and it will not be kind to the Republicans in November.

A couple of good articles

The Problem Isn't Foley
Paging Mr. Hastert

---

Kathee and I finished Ephesians tonight. 5:14 (a "worship chorus" from the early church)

     “Awake, you who sleep, 
      Arise from the dead, 
      And Christ will give you light.”

Why I hate Microsoft

Security software makers say they've been 'hamstrung' by Microsoft

1. I have suffered through a variety of bad Windows operating systems
   
   
   
   1. Windows 1.1
      
   2. Windows 3.0
      
   3. Windows 3.1
      
   4. Windows 3.11 (Windows for Workgroups)
      
   5. Windows 95 (can you say "daily reboot!")
      
   
   
2. I have seen Microsoft edge out other vendors: Netscape (when Microsoft kept "giving away" Internet Explorer, Disk defragmentation products, Word Perfect, Real Player, etc
   
3. Incorporation of Explorer into the operating system (Please .. does anyone really believe that I.E. should be part of the operating system
   
4. Security holes, weekly patches, service pack upon service pack
   
5. Bloated requirements. Like 2 GB of real memory required for Vista (the little secret no one is telling you about. Like all the folk who have bought PCs and have tried to run XP on 256 MB. How can an operating system need 2 GB to perform with mulitiple applications?!!!! I used to sell MAINFRAMES with 128 MB!
   
6. Licensing. If you have two Windows PCs .. must buy two licenses.
   
7. Requirement for add-on software to protect the operating system (Nortons Antivirus ... Spyware cleaners, etc). I've had a LINUX PC running connected via broadband to the Internet non-stop for 18 months ... with NO antivirus software. And it still has not caught a virus.
   
8. Bloatware (sofware with "eye candy" but no more real additional functionality). Can you say "Office 2007"
   

I'm stuck with Microsoft at work and I'm cool with that. My company replaces my PC every 2-3 years, buys the memory, patches the operating system, etc.

But I doubt I every buy a Microsoft PC again.

---

Counterpoint

1. Windows NT was a great operating system
   
2. Windows XP is a great operating system
   
3. Plug and play with USB is easy with Windows XP. USB support on Linux is problematic
   
4. Laptop Linux support is weak (video support)
   
5. Printer support on Linux is weak (I don't have a printer on my Linux PC)
   
6. Software installs are EZ with Windows ... complex with Linux
   

---

If all goes well I intend to buy an Apple laptop in a year!

Adventures at work

1. Used Cold Fusion server to send customized emails to 688 users. Last week I blue screened when doing this. I had a hypothesis is that it was an outlook issue so today I closed outlook when I did this function. I did a batch of 100 ... then a batch of 588. No issues. Again used my own Lenovo Thinkpad running my test Cold Fusion (with data from Microsoft SQL Server interim in data center).
   
2. We finished engineering on release 2.24. UAT was to begin today but we are delayed a day and will commence tomorrow. Engineers will need to pull *.iso's off a regional server and burn CD's to image a workstation. This is not how it works in production but for UAT this is the way it operates.
   
3. My biggest line of business has 17,000 desktops (70%) at release 2.23.
   
4. October is my big push month ... hope to have 50,000 desktops at 2.23 by the end of the month. Below are today's statistics
   

Release	Count	%
Pre 2.20	102	0.2%
2.20	12,403	21.8%
2.21	8,229	14.5%
2.22	8,809	15.5%
2.23	27,576	48.3%

---

I met a man as I left my building who walks worse than me - much worse. I walk with two forearm crutches. This guy had both legs braced up and had two underarm crutches (the most uncomfortable kind in my opinion). With his shoulders and upper body he dragged his crippled legs along. I think that all handicapped people feel a special kindship to other handicapped. I know that I do.

---

Tonight's reading: Ephesians 3 & 4

Ephesians 4:1-3, "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

---

Roger home sick with a bad cold.

Sunday at 4th Baptist

1. Morning message from Matthew 5:10, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
   
2. Evening message from 1 Cor 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
   

---

Twins: The Twins took home another AL Central championship today and Joe Mauer won an American League batting title by getting two hits in Minnesota's 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Division Champs

---

Prayer Requests: Jeff S - at North Memorial with heart arrhythmia. Dave D goes into hospital on Wednesday for tests.

Brother came by today and we watched some of the Bengals / Patriots game.

First service for new Church plant - Bible Baptist Church (Otsego?) - more than 100 in attendance at the first service.

---

Alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10)

1. Former Life of the Lost
   
   
   
   1. Condition: "were dead in trespasses and sins"
      
   2. Walk: "once walked according to the course of this world"
      
   3. Empowerment: "according to the prince of the power of the air"
      
   4. Conduct: "we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh"
      
   5. Effect: "fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind"
      
   6. Nature: "by nature children of wrath, just as the others"
      
   
   
2. Intervention: God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
   
   
   
   1. God made the Christian alive with Christ (5)
      
   2. God raised the Christian with Christ (6)
      
   3. God made the Christian sit together in the heavenlies with Christ (6)
      
   4. God will show us "in the ages to come" His exceeding riches in Christ (7)
      
   
   
3. Salvation by Grace: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (8-9)
   
4. Present life of the saved: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (10)
   

Blessed with every spiritual blessing

Tonight's reading: Ephesians 1-2

To the praise of His glory (1:3-14)

1. Elect: He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
   
2. Adopted: having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
   
3. Accepted: He made us accepted in the Beloved
   
4. Redeemed: In Him we have redemption through His blood
   
5. Forgiven: In Him we have ... the forgiveness of sins
   
6. Rich: We have ... the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence
   
7. Knowledge: having made known to us the mystery of His will
   
8. Inheritance: In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will
   
9. Saved: In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation
   
10. Sealed: in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession
    

God's sovereignty in salvation

1. (4) He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
   
2. (5) predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
   
3. (5) according to the good pleasure of His will
   
4. (9) according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself
   
5. (11) predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will
   
6. (19) the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
   
7. (22) He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church
   

myFICO® Identity Theft Security Deluxe

Here is a great service (that I subsribe to):

Benefits:

1. Tracks your TransUnion credit report and more than 400 other data sources for signs of identity theft
   
2. Provides identity theft resolution help should you become a victim
   
3. Includes identity theft insurance coverage up to $25,000 from St. Paul Travelers
   

Overview

Why I use this service:

1. Quarterly reporting of my credit report
   
2. Quarterly reporting of my FICO score
   
3. Alerts for various parameters that I have set
   
4. Identity theft protection and insurance.
   

Very cool picture

A Spot in the Sun

Looks like a Nerf Ball.

Nerf Ball

Nerf Ball history

Not much of a day off

Kathee and I had the day off but ended up working until 12:30

Kathee made a nice breakfast for Roger, her and me: grits, eggs, toast, coffee & juice.

We both logged onto work and worked until 12:30 ... then

1. We drove out to Watertown and had lunch at "R & B's" (Rico's and Betty's ... daughter Kelly was our waitress.)
   
2. We saw a weasel cross the road in front of us on County Road 6 in Plymouth. It is 4 lane there and we were surprised that it made it all the way across. Kathee looked back as cars braked for it. We debated whether it was a weasel or a ferret but consulting pics on the Internet, I'm sure it was a weasel.
   
3. Then drove out to Winsted
   
4. Up to Albion where we found a small Evang Free Church. Albion is the same size as Plymouth ... 35 square miles. But only has a population of 1126! (Plymouth is over 60,000)
   
5. Then up to Annandale ... switched drivers
   
6. Back to Plymouth
   

I got home and logged back on ... I had 24 new emails and 8 voice messages. Had to resolve this and that mostly pertaining to changes set to install next Tuesday.

Finally wrapped things up at 5. Kathee made grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches (a Friday night tradition). I balanced the checkbook.

We finished Galations (5 & 6) tonight. Kathee is doing counted cross stitch and I am watching the Twins.

We had a good discussion on "(1) Bear one another’s burdens ... (5) For each one shall bear his own load."

Kindof like Proverbs 26:4-5 "4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes."

Metro Women's Center

I've been asked to serve on the board of the Metro Womens Center and I am deeply honored.

Tonight Colleen and Steve Tronson came by the house to talk with Kathee and me about this. Action will be taken on my nomination at the annual meeting in October.

Long today (even though we had the day "off")

1. We both worked until noon.
   
2. I was paged at 1:00 p.m.
   
3. Errands this afternoon: car wash, shopping for a wedding gift for my nephew, CompUsa, new towels purchased at a linen store
   
4. Worked again from 4 until 5
   
5. Guests at the house from 7:30 until 9:00
   
6. Logged back onto work again at 9:30
   

Roger is now on my company laptop reworking his resume for the job he applied for yesterday. He needs to have his resume to the hiring manager by noon tomorrow.

Kathee and I read Galatians 3 & 4 tonight. 3:1 "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth"

I think we will really take off tomorrow.

Got the estimate on the Saturn bumper - $ 688.00

Vista demo

Our Microsoft rep, Jeff, demo'd Vista to us yesterday. Pizza at 11:30 and the Vista presentation began (I was 8 min late and almost all the pizza was gone!)

What I saw and learned:

1. Our company standard for Vista requires 2 Gig of real memory!
   
2. Will require 2 Ghrz dual core processor
   
3. For "Aero" features will require a 128 MB video card
   
4. Jeff said that Vista was a lot of "eye candy" and it did look nice.
   
5. There are all kinds of neat gadgets (clock, feeds, etc) that display on the desktop
   
6. Office 2007 was also demo'd
   

My view: I am skeptical of Microsoft's operating systems and hope to be a late adopter. I know that Vista is in my future at the company. My own plan is to replace my personal laptop next year with a Mac with OS/X (built on Unix). I continue to utilize Suse Linux on a Pentium desktop for home use (email, HTML, FTP, finances (Moneydance))

The pizza was good ... Vista, I'm not ready for it yet!

Working wirelessly at home in bathrobe

Ain't life great!

I am only working until noon. I am using the newly released company wireless utility for connection to the company network. I used it last night for the first time and it works great. We are set to roll this utility out to 72,000 workstations starting in October and concluding by Thanksgiving.

The WIFI utility:

1. Prohibits dual connectivity to a wired and wireless network (security)
   
2. Forces connection to VPN (virtual private network) via Rova (in 5 min) or wireless is disabled.
   

The wireless utility is my company's secure answer to wireless connectivity.

My company Lenovo Thinkpad feels half the weight of my personal three year old Dell laptop.

4 day weekend

Roger and I read Acts 23 tonight. Kathee and I read Galatians 1 & 2.

Paul of Tarsus

We have a 4 day weekend ahead but I did some work tonight and will work tomorrow from about 9:30 until noon (Kathee too). We both have our laptops home. Our objective is to be logged off by lunch time and do something (ride, shopping, etc). I probably will work Friday for a couple of hours too.

Roger applied for a part time job at Wells in Institutional Brokerage. It would free him up to go to school full time. Something to pray about.

Retrospective on the Lordship Controversy

15 Year Retrospective on the Lordship Controversy

Examine yourselves

2 Cor 13:5 "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified"

---

Kathee and I finished 2 Corinthians tonight and this verse stood out from the three chapters that we read.

Seems to me that 2 Peter 1:10 "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble" teaches the same principle.

Condi on Bubba

Condi on Bubba

I believe Condi!

Dick Morris on Bubba

"Clinton never took the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center sufficiently seriously. He never visited the site and his only public comment was to caution against “over-reaction.” In his pre-9/11 memoirs, George Stephanopoulos confirms that he and others on the staff saw it as a “failed bombing” and noted that it was far from topic A at the White House"

John MacArthur: Lordship Salvation

John MacArthur: An Introduction to Lordship Salvation

I personally do not like the term "Lordship Salvation" (I really see MacArthur's view as the Calvinist view of salvation!), but here is a good article.

The truly saved individual will be marked (not perfectly but observably over time) by following Christ. I allow that there may be some Lot-like individuals who are saved but not apparently saved.

But I marvel that Christians are so sure of the salvation of recently dearly departed loved ones who have no observable evidence of salvation except a baptism certificate or confirmation statement or card signed as a child indicating that they "invited Christ into their heart".

The one who is saved ... will follow Christ. It is a work of the Holy Spirit!

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

It's like the old saying "no fruitage ... no root-age"!

John 15:1-8 "“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[b] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

What isn't taught in Bible College

Or at least I have not observed it taught in fundamental Bible colleges:

1. The truth about Romans 14 and tolerance among believers over differences over preferences. At Haddon Heights Baptist, when I was an Assistant Pastor and only preached 4 times a year (and only on Sunday nights) - I preached on Romans 14 and caught all kinds of HEAT! Sad! That church - then over 100 years old - had never been taught Romans 14!
   
2. That tithing is not a New Testament command
   
3. That drinking is not prohibited in the Bible
   
4. That the Christian life is meant to be lived without an organization imposing rules on the believer. (And most preachers graduate from a school with rules upon rules and carry that mentality to the church)
   
5. The role of a woman in marriage and the balance between true male leadership and love for his spouse.
   

---

Tonight's Bible readings:

Kathee and me: 2 Cor 9 & 10

2 Cor 9:7, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver"


Roger, Kathee and me: Acts 20

Acts 20:7-12 "Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted"

New Desktop Image on 43.4% of desktops

Status at end of day today:

Image	Count	Percent
2.23	24640	43.4%
2.22	9540	16.8%
2.21	8675	15.2%
2.20	13862	24.4%
Pre 2.20	112	0.2%
	56829

Target is to have all workstations at 2.23 release level by the end of October!

---

1. I worked until 6:00 p.m.
   
2. Kathee worked until 7:00 and came home on the 7:10 bus
   

Exploding Diet Pepsi Bottle

I went down to the ING cafeteria on the 4th floor. Since I walk with two crutches picking up things (while I am standing) is a bit of a challenge. But I picked up (holding the bottle cap tightly between my thumb and index finger while gripping my left crutch) a 16 oz plastic (I'm glad it was plastic!) bottle of diet Pepsi.

In the checkout line, it slipped from my hand and landed on the bottle bottom on the tile. The bottle exploded open from the top spraying my pants, crutches, shirt, face and glasses.

It definitely was not a pleasant experience. I cleaned up the best I could in the rest room but still feel sticky. I can't wait to get home and shower (and also clean off my my crutches which are still sticky).

Kathee just emailed me to say she will be late ... so I will be sticky for an extra hour.

Adventures in Auto Insurance Claims

Geico informed me that there "is a problem" with the insurance with the owner and they (Geico) is not likely to pay the claim. (I am not blaming Geico! Sounds like the insured did not pay their insurance).

Allstate to the rescue: but I have to pay the $ 500. deductable.

I documented all in the accident report: The driver who hit my car from behind does not appear to have current Minnesota auto insurance (according to the Geico claims specialist)

Dr Crane: Pillsbury Bible College

Dr Crane of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College was the morning speaker at Fourth this morning.

We had as guests today: Chris (my nephew from Fort Worth), Eliot (Rachel's boyfriend), Rachel (home for the weekend), and Kristy (Rachel's roommate).

Roger (my Son) chatted with Dr Crane afterwards. They have in common that they both are Marines and both trained at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Dr Crane joined the Marines in 1952, Roger in 2001 (49 years apart!). Dr Crane asked Roger if the Quonset Huts are still there. They are ... but not used for recruit barracks anymore!

I mowed just the fronts (my yard and Mrs. Finke's) today as the backs are too wet.

Nephew Chris and Son Roger making Enchiladas for dinner tonight. Chris returns to Dallas tomorrow.

Minneapolis Site-Seeing

Kathee made breakfast for 8: My family (Roger, Rachel, Nathan, me, and herself), Chris, and Kathy and Roger.

What: Pancakes, juice, coffee, lingonberries. Kathee ran out of buckwheat mix and made a second batch from scratch.

Rachel and I went by the Plymouth police department to pick up the accident report form. I tried again to call the woman who hit our car but her cell phone does not work. I asked the police if it was a crime to not have insurance and he said it is a misdemeanor. If it turns out that their insurance has lapsed and that Geico will not pay, I am resolved to make sure charges are filed.

Kathee made a light lunch of fruit and cheese. Afterwards we:

1. Mill City Museum
   
2. The Guthrie
   

My legs were tired so Kathee and I returned home. Roger, Chris, Rachel, and Nathan are still site-seeing.

Kathee is making Cincinnati Chili and we are expecting all back to the house at 6 (including Brother).

Tomorrow: Church at 4th. We should have a full pew: Rachel, Chris (nephew), Kristy (Rachel's roommate), Kathee, Roger, and me!

Major Dick Winters on Leadership

From Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters


"First and foremost, a leader should strive to be an individual of flawless character, technical competence, and moral courage" (p. 284)

"The Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, has defined leadership in just two words via its motto: 'Follow me!'. Never ask your team to do something you wouldn't do yourself" (p. 286)

Minor Accident

My nephew Chris flew in from Dallas today and Rachel picked him up at the airport. On the way back to the house, Rachel's Saturn was hit from behind by a Ford Taurus on US Hwy 169 in Minnetonka.

If (really when!) you are in an accident, make sure you get the correct information. The back of one's insurance card has a list:

1. Driver's name and address
   
2. Auto owner's name and address
   
3. Auto owner's insurance policy
   
4. License plate number
   
5. Driver's driver's license number
   
6. Phone #'s, etc
   

Our situation today. Our rear bumper (2004 Saturn) is damaged (I'm guessing will have to be replaced!). The car at fault (our car was rear ended) is insured by Geico.

When I call Geico today they informed me that "there was a problem with the insurance" but the Geico claims agent would not elaborate. What this means, I do not know but I fear that I may have to pay the repair costs myself. I should know more this week.

Mankato trip

We took off yesterday and drove to Mankato in a cold driving rain. Rachel received a scholarship from GMAC and there was a scholarship reception at 4:30.

We arrived late at Rachel's apartment (about 4:35) and then did not make it to the reception until 4:55. The presentation and program did not begin until 5 so it wasn't a loss but the hor'devours were pretty much depleted.

After the presentation and program we went out to dinner at Neighbor's ... probably the only good restaurant in Mankato ... then drove home.

I hate driving in the rain ... and driving in the rain at night is even worse (at least it was not freezing rain!). Home at 9:05.

We had Scripture reading with Roger (Acts 19).


13-17 "Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified"

Seek ... Repent .. Believe

The Gospel in Acts 17:

1. so that they should seek the Lord (vs. 27)
   
2. God ... commands all men everywhere to repent (vs 30)
   
3. some men ... believed (vs 34)
   

Magic Typewriter Java Applet

Magic Typewriter Java Applet

Today I built a "News" page for my Release management website.

1. I researched all Desktop Connection news articles that I have written (and have not kept track of). They are on our Enterprise Field Operations website
   
2. I built a table in SQL Server: Headline, URL, News, Active_Flag, Ticker (plus a primary key called ID)
   
3. Cold Fusion populates the Applet code programmatically from the SQL Server table. Only the ones that have an active_flag =1 AND Ticker =1 go to the applet
   
4. Also on the same page, I have an archived list. All with an active_flag = 1 are displayed in a pull down form that brings up the news item in a new browser window.
   

1. One more business line - Wire Transfer Operations signed on for the upgrade
   
2. Another that put a hold on now go for 1400 workstations next Tuesday and Wednesday
   

The end of my day ... and a four day weekend ahead!

Steve Irwin Memorial

I watched the Steve Irwin Memorial service on the Discovery Channel tonight. Very good. I'm gonna miss him!

Steve Irwin Memorial

Lost in Translation

http://www.engrish.com

Assurance of the Resurrection

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The above is a portion from our Scripture reading tonight. This is my hope - to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord

News:

1. Kathee's coworker's home was destroyed by an F2 tornado Saturday. A tornado but no sirens
   
2. Cool today. About 49 degrees this morning. I walked 2 blocks outside from the parking garage to my building and it was cool (I only had a polo shirt on)
   
3. More progress on version upgrades.
   
   
   
   1. Today at 20,000 workstations of 57,000
      
   2. Signed up more for upgrades in September
      
   3. Cash Vault is going to take time. We are doing one vault October 8th. They are not going to commit to more unless this goes well.
      
   4. Card Services wants to do a pilot with approx 100 workstations before they commit. They have 2700 workstations.
      
   5. Deposit Risk Operations on board. 250 workstations
      
   6. Payment systems set to go with 900 workstations
      
   7. I made the same presentation to Wire Transfer Ops as I made to DRO but WTO has not bought in yet. Hope to have a commitment tomorrow.
      
   8. My PC "blue screened" twice today just after I used Cold Fusion to email .. once after emailing 250 ... once after emailing 200. Not sure why. Third time I processed mail I ran on remote CF server with no issues.
      
   
   

Josh Beer

Today was Josh Beer's last day at 4th Baptist. He and Anna are moving to Lancaster PA tomorrow.

Pastor preached on Phil 2:25-30 tonight;

25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.