Category Archives: Life

Ask Gary?

  By Gary C | March 27, 2013 - 9:07 pm | , , , ,
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Ask-Gary mock ad

A colleague at work put this little mock-advertisement together.
It really struck me as entertaining because my job is focused around software engineering process improvement. However, as I thought about it, I realized that there really is an inherent problem with our perception of authority. Our friends at Meriam-Webster define authority as:

au·thor·i·ty

[uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-]

noun, plural au·thor·i·ties.

1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine. 2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization: Who has the authority to grant permission? 3. a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency. 4. Usually, authorities. persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government: They finally persuaded the authorities that they were not involved in espionage. 5. an accepted source of information, advice, etc.

As Romans 13:1-7 tells us, we are all subject to the authority over us as it is God who puts that authority in place. If He wanted it another way, it would be. … Click to Continue →

Caleb Strong Men’s Challenge: Love on your families.

  By Gary C | February 22, 2013 - 3:29 pm | , , , , ,
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This is my anniversary weekend. I am a blessed man, but I am only blessed because of Jesus’s example and Peter’s challenge to us. ‎1 Peter 3:7 – … husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman …, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (ESV)

Over 20 years ago, I met my wife and fell in love. I asked get to marry me back then and she told me to ask again later. It took 15 + years to ask again. She finally said yes. Four years together, and we have faced many challenges and adventures together, including a move across the country.

There is no better partner, … Click to Continue →

We don’t miss them until they’re gone.

  By Gary C | February 15, 2013 - 7:51 am | , , , ,
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I am currently sitting at the dining room table. It’s a table I have sat at a few times before on visits to Grammy and Papa Joe’s home. The difference today, is that today, both of them are with our Lord. There will be no hug from Grammy at the breakfast table. I won’t be seeing Papa Joe’s great big smile.
It’s not that this was fully unexpected. When Papa Joe passed last year, I knew that Grammy was not going to keep running this race much longer without him. Grammy and Grampa were very interdependant. I say that with much adoration. They did everything together. Sure, Grammy was a technophile. She had a highly ranked web log ( blog ) and really loved … Click to Continue →

He makes all things new.

  By Gary C | December 30, 2012 - 11:45 pm | , , , ,
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The Bible teaches us that Jesus came to this world in order to save it. In short He came to make all things new. We are new creations in Christ. We are made the Father’s new family in Christ. Our old self, the carnal, the physical self, dies to make way for our new, reborn spiritual self.

Sometimes I need to be reminded of these things. Sometimes I am so wrapped up in the symantecs, or meanings of the words and phrases that I forget to look at the deep meaning, the true meaning of things. I get so wrapped up in the legalism, of the commandments, and the rituals of my daily patterns, that I forget to show true thanks, and praise. I forget … Click to Continue →

Still a long road to walk.

  By Gary C | October 17, 2012 - 8:37 pm | , , ,
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We have been blessed in our new home. We have a home, a car, jobs that provide for our financial needs and usually provide for our personal growth, time for our families and for service to our Lord. The road to get to this point has been very long… In fact, one could say that there have been many forces conspiring against our attempt to serve the Lord and make a new life here.

Please forgive the lack of updates, as you read you will understand.

The list of trials has been long and continues to strike against us. Our trust in the God of all creation, has let us continue to come together as a family and stand firm in our commitment to Jesus, … Click to Continue →

Another long drought…

Status

  By Gary C | September 27, 2012 - 6:51 pm | ,
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It has been a while since I have posted. Many things have happened, and I am stronger in my faith because of them. I am still working through some of it, however, we are well, we are moving forward and I hope to update soon.

— EDIT —

So it’s been a rough few weeks (rough month actually) for us here in the land of the lakes. We had a hard time finding a car, but the Lord provided as he always does… There have been some really long, difficult issues at work, and I nearly worked myself into a nervous breakdown. I am, however, truly blessed with a wonderful family, and good friends who look out for me and try to remind me that I am only a man, and I can only do so much.
Thank you all for the prayers, love and reminders to turn to the one who is truly in control…

I will return with more discussion soon.

Thank you guys for your prayers and emotional support.

Your B-I-C.

Gary C

May God bless you all.

Hedge of Protection

  By Gary C | August 15, 2012 - 6:07 am | ,
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Today we praise God for His Hedge of Protection ( Psalm 91:1-16 ).

Last night on the way home from picking up our son, we were in a car accident. It looks much worse than it we got though. Air bags deployed and our car may possibly be considered totaled. When all was said and done, God provided His protection. We were all checked out at the Hennepin County Medical Center, and everyone was quickly pronounced well and told we could go home. The most severe injury was sustained by my wife. She has a friction “burn” from the airbag on her arm. Though we got home rather late, we are all home and following the doctor’s orders to rest and take ibuprofen.

On an other positive … Click to Continue →

Small updates and prayer request

  By Gary C | August 4, 2012 - 6:24 am | , , ,
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Hello brothers,
I just wanted to drop you all an update and give you all thanks for your continued prayers for our trek to Minnesota.

We made it last week to Minnesota. We tried to take our time and really treat it as a new adventure. Debbie and I went to the Grand Canyon and stopped off at Boys Town on our way here.
The man who founded Boys Town is a huge inspiration and reminder of what kind of lasting work can be done when our Savior is on our side.

Upon arrival we have had quite a few challenges.
The first night we arrived, all hotels within 30miles of the city were full (no room at the inn?) due to … Click to Continue →

Moving, in His strength.

  By Gary C | July 11, 2012 - 8:58 am | , , ,
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Today is the day they load up my belongings into a truck and send us halfway across the continent. God has filled our lives with blessings and I am grateful that we have been so loved. We really made an effort to reduce our collection of “STUFF”. Things that we had in storage and hadn’t seen in years are now just gone.

For those of you who knew, our dog was really sick. To the point that the doctor (vet) basically said they weren’t sure if he would survive a move. They had Big Dog on really serious meds to dull the pain, but it wasn’t working. After we prayed for wisdom and discernment we talked to the vet, and gave Big Dog some aspirin-like (NSAIDs) meds. … Click to Continue →

Some house keeping and an update

  By Gary C | June 25, 2012 - 8:54 am | , ,
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First the housekeeping.

The comments on the site have been limited to registered users. I am unable to see the value in keeping open forums when I have had one post in a week that was valid and 120 spam posts in the same time period.  Registration is free, with a valid email address and your fingerprint registration. (no fingerprinting necessary in the US.  ^_^  )

Please take the time to register if you want your comments to be read or to be shared.

 

And now: my updates…

We have finally taken down the old “Just Ask” website. If you know anyone who was still reading the old Just Ask site. Please point them here. I am working on getting a domain forward put in place … Click to Continue →