I learned about the call command in Windows recently. Some context – was trying to run a command via HPSA at a customer, but kept getting an error that the program was not a recognized internal or external command. Very frustrating. Then one of the guys I worked with suggested adding a “call” to the …
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how to tell if you’re called to ministry
This is an excellent article: How Can I Tell If I’m Called to Pastoral Ministry?
cloud computing bible by barrie sosinsky
The first comment I have about {{Barrie Sosinsky}}’s book, {{Cloud Computing Bible}} is that it’s the first one I’ve read that doesn’t appear to have any sucky parts. This is a plus. {{Hybrid Cloud for Dummies}} was pretty much a waste of time. {{Deploying OpenStack}} was even worse. {{Sosinsky}}’s work, though, is not only less …
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study, study, study
In addition to leading a Sunday afternoon study at my church this spring, I am also participating in the 40 Day Challenge with a friend‘s church in NJ. That one uses the {{NIV}} (a version I’m not especially fond of), but it’s been reformatted into a chapter- and verse-less edition so that the books of …
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so much depends on reputation – guard it with your life – law 5 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 5 Reputation is the cornerstone of power. Through reputation alone you can intimidate and win; once it slips, however, you are vulnerable, and will be attacked on all sides. Make your reputation unassailable. Always be alert to potential attacks and thwart them before they happen. Meanwhile, learn to destroy your enemies by opening holes …
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A Visual Guide to the Gospels: fascinating insights into where they happened and why
I just finished reading {{A Visual Guide to the Gospels}} by {{James C. Martin}}, {{John A. Beck}}, & {{David G. Hansen}} a couple nights ago. I grabbed this on a lark from my local library the other day. What a find. Wow. This is a phenomenal piece of Bible study, archaeological research, prophecy linkage, and …
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organizational knowledge capture, retention, and dissemination
Knowledge capture, retention, and dissemination has been an interest of mine for a long time. I have written about various aspects of it before. The most vital commodity any organization has is the knowledge of its members – it does not matter if it is a historical society, company, church, or school: the organizational knowledge …
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quotes to prepare for session 1
To prepare for session 1, and to remind you of the whole purpose of this study, I want to share a pair of quotes: Faith means acting on God’s Word. Faith is acting as if something is so even when it is not so in order for it to be so simply because God said so. and When you …
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It’s [still] Not Too Late!
Due to weather and other concerns, the spring classes at PMBC won’t start until this Sunday – 10 Feb. So. It’s [still] Not Too Late! I’ll be starting that class at 1700 in two days 🙂 There are several others, too – but mine’s the best 😀
redecentralizing school
I have a very long–term interest in education. As I look at the current public education “system” in the US, I can see a variety of major problems. The biggest problem, endemic of any system built around the premise that the only people who should be together all day long should all be “similar”. Somewhere …
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decentralizing email
After several years of pushing all of my personal email into Gmail, I’ve decided that relying [almost] exclusively on one provider is just not the best idea ever. Google is great. But, as with any cloud service, exclusively relying on just one provider is not the best. Going forward, I am going to be relying …
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hybrid cloud for dummies by judith hurwitz et al
Many years ago, I started programming C++ with a friend of the family and member of my home church. We dove in with {{Borland C++ for Dummies}} by {{Michael Hyman}} and {{Stephen Prata}}’s {{C++ Primer Plus}} (Waite Group). Prata’s book was fantastic – if you were at the advanced high school / collegiate level. While …
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passive income is not a business plan
Shortcuts. Shortcuts are great. But only when you know the long way. Without hard work, the short cut will seem hard. Passive income seems to fall into this category. Some people think panhandling is a form of passive income. It’s not. The panhandler works for his money – he talks to people, shakes a cup, whatever: he …
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suggestions for improving your walk this year
One of the pastors at my old church in NC has some great suggestions/thoughts for improving your walk this year. Personally, I think it’s a Good Idea™ to also read non-“spiritual” books/works, too – because it can help keep you abreast of cultural trends and changes – but his list is a fantastic start.
google apps: the missing manual by nancy conner
{{Google Apps: The Missing Manual}} by {{Nancy Conner}} was a great book. In 2008. Today? Not nearly so much. So much has changed in the Google landscape in the last few years (or even months) that, sadly, much of the content is now quaint, or just out-and-out wrong. It’s too bad – because the book …
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spring class – It’s Not Too Late
This spring (starting on 03 Feb), I will be leading a Bible study class at PMBC based on {{Tony Evans}}’ book {{It’s Not Too Late}}. I invite you all to join me in this ~8 week study!
mastery by robert greene
In {{Mastery}}, {{Robert Greene}} continues in the style of his excellent work, {{The 48 Laws of Power}} (which I previously reviewed and have been posting excerpts from). Sadly, it is not quite to the level of The 48 Laws – though it still a good book. Unbeknownst to me, I’ve already been practicing most of what …
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always say less than necessary – law 4 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 4 When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original it you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you …
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deploying openstack by ken pepple
Where do I begin? How about with this being perhaps the most overpriced tech book I have ever seen. At just under 70 pages, and a penny shy of $25, {{Deploying OpenStack}} by {{Ken Pepple}} exceeds the cost per page numbers I can remember from college. Wow. Thankfully, I did NOT pay for this book – I …
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conceal your intentions – law 3 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 3 Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelop them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will …
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intelligence and espionage – chapter 13 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 13 Intelligence and Espionage Generally, raising an army of 100,000 and advancing it 1000 li, the expenses to the people and the nation’s resources are 1000 gold pieces a day. Those in commotion internally and externally, those exhausted on the roads, and those unable to do their daily work are …
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the basque history of the world by mark kurlansky
I have long been interested in the Basque people; first introduced to them nearly 13 years ago in an introduction to terrorism class (a year and a half before it was “cool”) with the separatist group {{ETA}}. So it was with great interest I grabbed {{The Basque History of the World}} by {{Mark Kurlansky}} off …
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more irrational gun maneuvering – president obama living up to [my] expectations
I was harshly criticized a few years ago when I pointed-out Mr Obama’s anti-gun stances. While several good things for gun owners did happen in his first term, irrational exuberance over the recent shooting in Connecticut has led Vice President Biden to say the following: “The president is going go act,” said Biden, who is …
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attacking with fire – chapter 12 – the art of war
{{The Art of War}} Chapter 12 Attacking with Fire There are five kinds of fire attacks: Burning personnel; Burning provisions; Burning equipment; Burning stores; Burning weapons. Using fire attacks depends on proper conditions. Equipment for fire attacks must be available beforehand. There are appropriate seasons for using fire attacks, and appropriate days for raising fires. …
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other things to podcast
In addition to my previous post about podcasting the Bible, I have been considering offering a podcasted version of some now-public-domain texts – such as {{Spurgeon}}’s {{Morning and Evening}} or {{Faith Checkbook}}. What other titles like that would be appreciated to exist in audio form?