Tag Archives: Objectivity (philosophy)

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 →

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 →

Can we learn to be Caleb Strong?

  By Gary C | March 7, 2012 - 6:10 pm | , ,
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We can be Caleb Strong!

But what does that mean?

I gave the invocation at our Emanuel Faith Community Church graduation ceremony for Men’s Fraternity: The Great Adventure last night.

In preparing for this talk, I reviewed “Caleb’s Prayer”,  a prayer that has been around for a few years in the Men’s Frat community. I have seen it published a few times, like at Warrior’s Hand  and on the Alameda Church of Christ site. I used this as a basis for my talk for the men. We dove into scripture and really pulled out the verses that spoke specifically to those points. I created a slightly modified version of the “Prayer of Caleb” and you can take a look at that on … Click to Continue →

Quick list: Up Coming Blog Topics to Write About

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  By Gary C | February 18, 2012 - 1:43 pm | , , ,
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As usual, the man with ADHD (me) has a million things flying through my head and I want to write about them all. However, if I don’t get them out on a list I know I won’t remember. So here we go.

Up Coming Blog Topics to Write About

  • The Budget Debate: Lessons in Communication
  • God’s Promises: Provision vs Position?
  • A Father’s Blessing
  • Driven to Achieve: Motivation vs. Being Content (in Christ)
  • A Man’s Role: What Does Leadership Look Like ( in the Home, in the Modern Family)
  • A Man’s Role: What Does Respect Look Like ( in the Home, in the Modern Family)
  • A Man’s Role: What Does Leadership Look Like ( at work )
  • A Man’s Role: What Does Respect Look Like ( at work )

That is about all I have this afternoon. I am sure I will add to it in the comments…..

 

Enjoy. I will pop these out soon.

Until then, May the Lord continue to bless your path.

Your Brother-In-Christ.

Gary C

What values do we choose

  By Gary C | December 16, 2011 - 12:02 pm | , , , , ,
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Once more, I have to say I Luv my friends. One of them, who happened to be a BIC,  recently posed following the question for discussion:

In entertainment media would you rather see violence or sex?

I processed that one and the result becomes tiered layers of acceptance. The primary reason for the tiered acceptance is that I have to know for whom the media is displayed, and to what extent the content goes. For example, as an adult, I do not appreciate the graphic nature in the betrayal of sex OR violence. I do, however, watch films in the genre of  war, action, history and so forth. While those genre have a plethora of violence I will not indulge, at all, in slasher or horror … Click to Continue →

Slam Poet: Sexual Healing

  By Gary C | December 12, 2011 - 8:00 am | , , ,
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This guy is so blessed with clarity of heart through his words. This poem is awesome and speaks of fighting the “world’s” view of sex and healing.

Check out his other content on YouTube.

No Man Is An Island

  By Gary C | December 6, 2011 - 1:42 pm | , , , , ,
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No Man is an Island

You have heard it from your pastor. Speakers like Robert Lewis and even Tony Robbins talk about building a support team or being in a small group. I will say it again.. though with many, many more words, because I like (the sound of my own voice) to prattle on..

We all go through times of crisis. Crisis of identity,  faith, purpose, or usefulness. We experience it in times of difficulty with finances, relationships, work, injury, or even depression. More than the tests and trials of life, we experience moments of doubt, so severe, that we forget whom (who?) we are and for what we were designed. We know we aren’t strong enough, but our Lord … Click to Continue →

ISI reboot

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  By Gary C | December 1, 2011 - 10:26 am | , ,
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Iron Sharpens Iron reboot

A quick reminder for all who do not know, Men’s Fraternity has restarted. We will be in session for two more weeks then we break for two weeks for Christmas.

The good news is Iron-Sharpens-Iron (ISI) group will be meeting on Thursday nights.

For the time being (until I can check with my office management) Patrick Keenan has opened his home for us ( right Patrick? )  you can contact him or I to get address and directions.

Our focus, is fellowship to bring us closer as Brothers In Christ. We will have an opportunity to share obstacles and blessings the Lord has allowed us to experience and how we can use that to serve Him. We have finished the first of the True-U series.  I have a few ideas on what comes next so we can talk about that tonight. We can also discuss opportunities to serve our community and reach others.  Same start time, 7:pm and we will continue until we are done or Patrick kicks us out.   ^_^

Thank you for time and for joining me in honoring Christ in our fellowship.

- May you know and accept the blessings the Lord has for you.

Gary C. - PartTimePreacher

Gary Cartagena is a dedicated husband and father.
Additionally he is Director of Business and Product Development for Quorum HR Solutions,
Founder and consultant for Computer Gurus of Escondido
Founder of the Education Focused site: Learn Differently
and Co-Founder of the Bible study site: BibleCounts
View Gary Cartagena's LinkedIn profileView Gary Cartagena’s profile
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Purity in Motivation, Intention and Effort

  By Gary C | November 14, 2011 - 10:58 am | , , , , , , ,
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Today, I meditate on Psalm 3:1-2

As I sit here and contemplate my morning reading, I preview what my day will look like. The focus of the passage is the psalmist’s earthly enemies.

As I ponder the question of “how does that apply to me today”, that still small voice speaks…

We have many earthly ‘enemies’, but our enemies are usually more mundane things like obstacles & challenges. At home it may be our physical limitations like asthma, allergies, out-of-shape or an actual handicap. At work it may be a tough job market, rusty skill set, a lack of confidence or a need for training. I know for myself, professionally I am struggling with learning how to market my business(es) and plan our next move. … Click to Continue →