TechShepherds.com

Fighting Elephants In the Church

A Masaai elder once told me, "When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers."  Satan tries to get leaders as high up the organizational chart as possible to fight with one another.  In the end, they may hardly scratch each other, but those around them and who report to them (the grass) suffers greatly.  Just food for thought.

But It Has A Plug!!

My shredder finally cut its last piece.  Saturday I went to a local office supply store to purchase a new one.  I had done my homework, and now I walked into this store to make my purchase.  Why this store?  They had mailed me a coupon.  It was only for $10 off if I spent at least $50.  That's easy to do when purchasing a shredder. 

With shredder in hand, I began the check out process.  What!!!!??? 

Stolen Powerstrip

We are hosting a big conference this week.  I was called away from my desk to take care of a technical issue.  Upon return to my desk, I could not get my computer or monitor to work.  Upon investigation, I realized someone had stolen (er...re-appropriated) the power strip from my desk.  Yep, I had three computers, three monitors, and my telephone connected to the power strip.  I was in the middle of reinstalling software on two of them.

Now that I have cooled down from the shock of someone having the audacity to take a power strip that was in use, I got to thinking about the necessity of power strips.

What would I do each day without God (my eternal Power strip)?  I am thankful that no one can unplug my power strip.  I am also thankful that my power strip is always there for me.

The question I realized I need to ask myself everyday is, "Am I intentionally making sure I am plugged into the power strip through prayer, Bible study, and reflection?"

Long Distance Communications

I watched with great excitement as the shuttle launched America back into space this week.  I just discovered NASA TV and have been fascinated not only with the mission but also with the fact that we can get live pictures and video from space.

Take a look at NASA TV on www.NASA.gov.  Note: their work days are long, but you could catch then while they are asleep.  If that is the case, you may not see much activity unless they show video from earlier in the day.

These pictures are phenomenal.  What a great Creator we serve!

Happy Cow Appreciation Day

That's right.  July 15th is the unnofficial (but nationally recognized) Cow Appreciation Day.

Of course, Chick-fil-A is using this as a time to celebrate as well.  To learn more about how you can get free food at "Chickie" on July 15, go to the Cows' website.

A Heart for more than cows and chickens...
S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, has a passion for more than chicken sandwiches.  He also has a passion for mentoring young boys.  He not only founded his company on Christian values, but he still teaches Sunday school to 13 year-old boys each week.  He also founded the WinShape Centre Foundation and has written a book entitled It's Better to Build Boys than Mend Men.

Other books by Cathy include:

• Eat Mor Chickin: Inspire More People
• The Generosity Factor
• It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail
• Conversations on Success
• Factor Generosidad
• Chick-fil-A, Inc: A history maker in the foodservice

Learn more about these books:

Supporting Our Troops As we Celebrate Independence

The pentegon has set up a web site where you can leave an encouraging message for our troops who are protecting the great freedoms we celebrate today.

Check it out at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil

Feel the Thunder

With today being Flag Day, I wanted to solute the men and women who fight for our freedoms.  Recently, my wife and I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremonies for the United States Air Force Academy.

This was an awesome experience as we watched 906 cadets be graduate as second lieutenants in the US Air Force.  This was the last pre-9/11 class to enroll in the USAFA.  When they enrolled, we were a nation at peace.   Just a few months later as terrorist struck on our own soil, these cadets resolved to take it to the next level.  Not quitting because of the changing world, they have finished their time at the Academy.

As many, if not all, of them will be going into war zones over the next months and years, I want to go an record as saying to them, " THANK YOU for your commitment."   Just as the roar of the Thunder Birds over the graduation, I can hear the roar and thunder of those fighting for our freedoms. 

Here are some of the pictures from the graduation and Thunder Birds.

China orders all blogs to register

At the risk of having their blogs/web sites shut down and fined up to $120,000, residents of China are now forced to register their blogs and sites with the government.  One more reason to be thankful we live in a free country

You can read the full story on MSNBC.com
Link: China orders all blogs to register - Tech News & Reviews - MSNBC.com.

Back Online

Wow...what a few weeks for my family and me as we picked up and moved across the country.  During this time we have been in sort of a technology sabbatical (or extended techno-sabbath). 

While we were not totally cut off from the world, I am thankful for free hot-spots at places like Panera Bread.  That has paid off for them, since I ended up eating several meals in their restaurants in order to check e-mail.

As we have moved, visited various churches, and visited several stores in our new environment, we have had some interesting experiences that I believe are relevant to technology in ministry and church in general.  I will share those over the next few posts.

Thank you for your patience during my short sabbatical.