Wages Vs Gifts

  

I just returned from an interesting discussion with my youngest grandson over breakfast. I made the young man oatmeal as he asked on my mornings when I do not have to go to my dialysis treatments. It all started with a question. "Papi, what do wages mean?" I told him it is a payment for something one does. "You understand that. No, Papi." Well, if one performs a service, that service is paid by a wage, meaning it is earned. "But what are you referring to?" Death Papi, what are the wages of death? OHHHHH, that's where you are going. So, I started "The wages of sin is death" (and my grandson finished the scripture by memory). After hiding the proud moment, I was having at the time. I then asked, what would that be if someone got something they did not work for and was done out of caring for another? After several perplexing moments where he blurted out what he thought I was thinking about to no avail, I said if I gave you five bucks to go to the store to buy whatever you wanted, what would that be? Several wrong answers later. I kept hammering at the question trying to make him think. OK, let's try this if you did something well, and I wanted to give you something, what would that be? "a reward" Yes, but what else would it be? He then had a look; you know this look (????????) OK, if it is your birthday and you get something you like, what would that be, he answered a present. Tell me the memory verse again, and we will figure it out. So, we said it together. The wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our lord. Now what is what you get just because? After looking at him with that (I don't get it to look), I said OK, say the scripture and see if you can get it. The wages of sin is death but the Gift. (the what?) the Gift (let's say that again), the Gift of god. OK, so what is it? (Computing noises for a second or two) it's a gift. There you do, son. It's a gift. And now, what is a gift? Do you get a gift for working? Before you answer, I'll tell you work is work and deserves a wage, so it's never a gift because you have to do something. (Trust me on that one). So, what is a gift? Is it something because you deserve it (no Papi)? OK, what then is it? Is it something I get just because I'm here (or words to that effect)? All right then, now we know that wages are for work and you earned it and not deserving of it; we also know that a gift is given just because, but because what exactly? Because you are giving it to me for free because I am here, and……  Because I'm your grandson and you love me. There you go. Good, so if we get wages, it means we worked for it and earned it, but a gift is because of no other reason than the father, and in my case, the grandfather wants to give it to you; it's free and without any other reason that you are a son. Are we good now? Yes. I thanked him because he gave me something to write about today. I want to thank his teachers at church because it caused him to continue to ask questions that will serve him well in and outside of the faith.

Easy password Security

     

                                                         Easy Password Security

  At some time, I'm certain we are all obsessed with the different passwords and codes one uses daily. I'm a retired systems administrator for a military medical clinic, which will stay anonymous. I have various passwords that I must have for the numerous systems for which I was responsible. I have a password system compatible with all military security protocols that are extremely easy to form and store securely. Two capitalized, two lowercase, two numbers, and. two special characters. This secret phrase strategy can appear overwhelming, yet it isn't as convoluted as it looks. I don't mean passwords in the usual sense. What I mean are passphrases. Something easy to recollect yet complex to translate and copy. That combined with an encrypted location (also password protected) to store them if one has upward of 7 to 10 passwords to remember. More on that later.

    Passphrases are the way to an important thought. Here is an example of a passphrase "!TH@Magn@Charta1215" This passphrase has all the components and the intricacy that is ideally suited for the current security conventions. The secret phrase above alludes to a verifiable occasion, location, or historical event. The Magna Carta was a document that was signed in 1215 AD. Notice what it isn't. It isn't your little girl's birthday or her name spelled in reverse. Not an occasion can't be straightforwardly connected with any individual or is accessible in a data set with anybody as a subject of that pursuit. The magnificence of this is that it is extraordinary to the essayist and has vast conceivable outcomes. It isn't attached to reality. The occasions can be fictitious, for example, (for Star Trek fans) [!TH@K0b@ya$h1M@ru], or Something almost identical and less perplexing. !TH@S1xD@yW@r67. (! The six-day war, 67)

     Having numerous passphrases available can be overwhelming; however, There are secure areas in one's work area where they are saved. In Windows, an encrypted password-protected folder can be created on the desktop to store the password list if it cannot be remembered. An application in the Microsoft Office suite makes securing an encrypted file easier. In the OneNote app, there is a provision for a secure file that can contain a list of passwords. Be sure a backup of the data is available in the event that it is forgotten, as it is difficult or impossible to recover if that event. Forgetting one's password and the complications can be tricky, but any security is better than no security.    Remember, numerous applications require passwords, and the number of applications that require complex passwords is expanding rapidly.   As stated previously, I used to work on a military network. We have Common Access Cards that allow entry into the secure network. So many of my colleagues had password lists under their desks that contain the passwords they use daily. This policy of keeping hard copy lists is a bad security posture. It can lead to a disaster if not managed correctly. I spread this message to my colleagues and customers; some have taken that advice to heart.    

Explain why universal physical truths are being replaced by thoughts based on how a person feels at any particular moment

 . The shift towards subjective truths is also fueled by the increasing importance of identity and personal expression in contemporary culture. Many people feel that universal physical truths do not adequately represent their identities and experiences. Instead, they seek to assert their own personal truths based on their unique perspectives and experiences.

While the emphasis on subjective truths has helped to bring attention to previously marginalized perspectives and experiences, it also has the potential to undermine the importance of objective reality and empirical evidence. This can have significant implications for scientific inquiry, as well as for social and political decision-making.

For example, if subjective feelings are given equal weight to objective evidence, this can lead to decisions based on personal biases rather than objective data. This can be particularly problematic in areas such as healthcare, public policy, and scientific research, where objective evidence is critical for making informed decisions.

In conclusion, while the trend toward subjective truths based on personal feelings and experiences can bring attention to previously marginalized perspectives, it also has the potential to undermine the importance of objective reality and empirical evidence. It is essential to balance the importance of subjective experience with the need for objective evidence and universal physical truths to make informed decisions and advance our understanding of the world around us.

Password Security for Seniors I mean (Everyone)

 Password Security for  Seniors I mean (Everyone) 

I am sure all of us, at one time or another, have agonized over the various passwords and codes that one has to remember daily.   I know I do. 1st of all, I am a system administrator for a military hospital, which will remain nameless. I have numerous passwords that I have to have on hand for the multiple systems that I administer.   I have a password system compatible with all military security protocols that are extremely easy to form and store securely.   The military uses a two x4 password policy. Two uppercase, two lowercase, two numbers and. 2 unique characters.   This password policy can seem daunting, but it is not as complicated as it looks. I don't mean passwords in the traditional sense. What I mean are passphrases. Something simple to remember but complex to decipher and duplicate. That combined with an encrypted location (also password protected) to store them if one has upward of 7 to 10 passwords to remember. More on that later. 

Passphrases are the key to something to remember.   let us try one 

[!TH@Magn@Charta1215]  this passphrase has the elements and the complexity that is perfect for the security protocols. 

The password listed above, either within or including the brackets, refers to a historical event, not a word (Yes, Captain Obvious, I can see that ). The Magna Charta was a document that was signed in 1215 AD.    Notice what it is not. It is not your daughter's birthday or her name spelled backward. It is not an event that cannot be directly associated with any individual or is searchable in a database with anyone as a subject of that search. The beauty of this is that it is unique to the writer and has endless possibilities. It is not tied to real life. The events can be fictional such as (for Star Trek fans) [!TH@K0b@ya$h1M@ru], or

something similar and less complex. G1l1ppioli1915. 

Having many passphrases on hand can be daunting,  but there are secure locations on one's desktop where they are stored.  

In windows, an encrypted password-protected folder can be created on the desktop to store the password list if it cannot be remembered. An application in the Microsoft Office suite makes securing an encrypted file easier. In the OneNote app, there is a provision for a secured file that can contain a list of passwords. Be sure a backup of the data is available in case it is forgotten, as it is difficult or impossible to recover if that event. Forgetting one's password and the complications can be tricky, but any security is better than no security.    Remember, numerous applications require passwords, and the number of applications that require complex passwords is expanding rapidly.   As stated previously, I work on a military network. We have Common Access Cards that allow us entry into the secured network.  

So many of my colleagues have password lists under their desks that contain the passwords they use daily. This policy of keeping hard copy lists is a bad security posture. It can lead to a disaster if not managed. I spread this message to my colleagues and customers, and some have taken that advice to heart.    

Its Best Not Knowing

                                                             It's Best Not Knowing

 

I (Sitting down for the 1^st time in a couple of months writing, as I've been ill as of late. But knowing that this is my warmup for getting back into the habit.)

            It is best not to know is the thought that if you knew what it would take to get to this particular time, some people might say NO THANKS!!! I can think of three examples (off the top of my head) that I did not know and one that did. I am one of them.

            Jacob had more than a couple of these, but I will talk about 1 of them. Jacob went to work for Laban with the thought that he would marry Rachel in seven years. Laban pulled a 52 fake out on him when he discovered that he married Leah. That is not the person he desired. that person was Rachel. However, you can have the girl of your dreams for an additional seven years. However, this was not the plan seeing that Jacob would have Twelve sons. They were Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Judah (from Leah), Dan Naphtali (via Bilah handmaid of Leah), Gad, Asher Via Zilpah, another handmaid of Leah, as Leah was barren for a time, and it was the custom to have the handmaiden bear children in the wife's stead during that period. Issachar via Leah Zebulun Dinah, the only girl, and joseph Rachel's first and only child before she died during Labor. Those children were blessed based on the promise from God given to Abraham. The question I thought of when reading this was, "I guess it is a good thing that Jacob did not know the plan ahead of time as it did not look like a good start; however it worked out well for all of us eventually.

            Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. They were a bit envious and planned his demise and the subsequent coverup. Joseph found himself in Egypt as a slave. However, he found favor with his employer Potiphar. He got a MeToo charge levied upon him by the wife of Potiphar, which landed him in prison because  Joseph refused to betray his boss and join her in a dishonorable manner. He would not lie with her as she desired. (you know ill tell him you did even if you didn't) Joseph was seventeen when he went to Egypt and thirty when he came out on top. After being appointed as the second most powerful person in Egypt, he was unrecognizable to his brothers when they came during the seven lean years that he saw in his dream. Still, Joseph knew them and asked for the youngest Benjamin to be brought to him to test how the brothers felt about him secretly placing a cup in a grain bag and then having his men catch them and bring Benjamin to him. Benjamin was not part of the circumstances that brought Joseph to Egypt Joseph was testing him an exciting turn of events happened after Joseph would not release Benjamin. Judah offered himself in exchange for Benjamin. It is interesting to follow the lineage from that point forward. Judah's line goes though Jesus and the apostle Paul through Benjamin. In this case, it would be very beneficial for joseph not to know the ending ahead of time

              I wrote a short essay about going back in time to meet myself at the Silas International Hotel in Manila in 1982. Seeing that version of me of that time had met my uncle (that looked amazingly like I do now), it was easy pulling the wool over my own eyes. I said the last thing to myself as I can give you some advice. You don't need the things you think you need. You don't have to get the approval of others to be recognized, and that girl upstairs is not suitable for you. Trust me. Upon my return to the present, I could not find my car. There was a page for me, and an envelope was left for me with a set of car keys, a CD, and instructions. The note's first thing was to look at your Retired ID card. It was Emmanuel O Crawford, SGMST retired.

I went to the parking lot to the noted area and hit the keylock—a new four-door Ford F150 with all the bells and whistles. The note on the dash said to tell the car to go home and go where it says. I was surprised because I did not retire as a Senior Master Sergeant. I lived in the same town but not in the same house. It was immense and had all the technological upgrades and improvements, and it was impressive. My two Natural daughters were there, and a wall-sized picture of Connie, my wife, passed away in 1987. My daughters greeted me, and I knew I had changed something in the past that changed my future. The thought was if you go back to change one thing, one can change everything. I then searched for my present family, trying to help them anonymously. One thing can cause a chain of events whose outcome is unknowable. Knowing how it turned out is not for us to know. The plans we make are the things that bring humor to the throne of heaven. 

There is one instance of a person that knew what would happen and did it anyway. The agony of that knowledge was represented by sweating drops of blood while the human prayed for a different outcome which is human nature as it is difficult to choose death.   However, the will of the man bent to the will of his father. The human submitted his personal human needs for the  duty that was the mission from the beginning  And we are all the better for the experience. 

I'll take the old saint's faith any day

 I'll take the old saint's faith any day.

 

I lost my parents, one at 18 and one when I was 23. I relied upon older, more experienced people, both in and out of the faith that had been there and done that. By the time I was 23, I had already had one relationship that exploded on me with the other person leaving for greener pastures.   I did have an older brother that stood in for my father figure; He was approximately 15 years older than I, who my father adopted as it was from my mom's previous situation.

Jimmy Lewis Crawford introduced me to living for Christ; however, it took years for me to get to that place in my life where I was receptive. He had a lady that introduced him to Baptism in Jesus' name and holiness, sister Mary Willis. The being was friends with my mom and dad. She was effectively my aunt. What stood out with my brother was that he was one of the last people to suffer from the polio epidemic of the later 50s and early 60s. I saw him suffer for the remainder of his life, but his faith never wavered, and he was very patient with me for decades. It should also be noted that it always came through for him when he prayed for something in earnest. It always came through.

 Joining the military in 1981, I would come home and stay with sister Willis. She had a particular way of encouraging good behavior on my part. At a specific time when I was on leave in the United States. She saw me getting dressed to go out with the fellas from the neighborhood, and she would say. "Manny, you know Strong drink is a mocker" (Proverbs 20:1). I would hate to see you come as far as you have to lose it being silly with your boys having fun while you are home on leave." I came back from hanging out with the guys stone-cold sober. I never dismissed her advice. Upon returning home, she said (in that old motherly voice), "You have a good time, baby?" I answered yes, mam, it was a great time with my friends from college. "I am so proud of you for having a good time without getting involved with alcohol.

After a long deployment, I got another 30 days' leave, went home, and stayed with sister Willis. I got another "suggestion" I had just received a promotion to E5, had plans for the evening, and she said. "Manny, you know the word speaks clearly about hanging with the wrong kind of women (" Proverbs 7.”) My question was, How did she know what I was planning on that evening? However, I was going on a dinner date, and after said dinner, I took the young lady home and stated, "I'm staying with my aunt, and I need to get back before she worries about me.' I miss sister Willis. I know she loved me and witnessed to me about Christ, and I knew she had a serious walk with God. Near the end of her life, my brother and I  brought the church to her,  where we prayed and sang. She passed in 1992 while I was in Okinawa.

 I married and had a daughter (now living in New Orleans), but on Jan 24, 1987, I lost her in a car accident, having flipped my new vehicle outside of Phoenix, AZ. she succumbed to her injuries after being thrown from the car. My daughter in a car seat in the back did not get a scratch. I remember repeatedly repeating my brother's phone number before I became unconscious and was surprised to see him at my bedside when I regained consciousness hours later. He took care of us while I recovered enough to travel, which delayed my reporting to my duty station as I was pretty beat up. But when I arrived at Holloman AFB, I reported to the housing office, where I met the couple that became my Spiritual parents. Robert and Marilyn Hughes. I was invited to church with them and was reintroduced to Jesus' name, Baptism. Jimmy and sister Willis witnessed me years earlier, and I told my brother when I started attending. I am still in contact with my pastor and members of that initial congregation.  

I found myself alone again after my daughter left for college (another painful story), where I attended a small church supporting a pastor Higginbotham. We remain in contact to this day, and I encouraged him when he wanted to start a YouTube Bible study series. I bounce ideas off him from time to time and send him some of my essays. I have always listened to those who have gone through life's trials and still maintain their integrity in the faith. For me, the life experience of those that have been here for an extended period on planet earth is valuable and should not be ignored.

When I see older people in the church, I know a person that has gone through some things in this life and has come out the other side. There is no substitute for experience, and that knowledge has a value that can be shared. When I think of these experienced saints, I think of Hebrews 12:1 and know if they can make it, I can too. I value their input and encouragement. 

The Sermon that made me think

                                                             The Sermon That Made Me Think

Matthew 18 21-29

      I had an awakening, and it hit like a Semi. I listened to this message then contemplated it for a couple of days. It's really familiar, however; the whole meaning of what it means was internalized. Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but seventy times seven. That's 490 times.

            Then the story parable began with the kingdom of God is like. When you see this in combination with the part of the Lord's prayer that says Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It means something that is important and should be adhered to. There was a King that wanted to settle accounts with his servants. Then the King came to this certain servant that owed him ten thousand talents. 62,017.18 is today's gold price per kilo. A talent is 35 kilograms. That would be in today's money in gold 2,170,601.3 that's two million one hundred seventy thousand six hundred one dollars and thirty cents. That's a whole lot of ca$h. His master ordered the servant and his family to be taken and sold to pay the debt. The servant fell down before him to ask for forgiveness. The master was moved and forgave him all $2,170,601.30. Having been forgiven the 2 million and change, this servant then goes to another servant that owed him money in the amount of 100 denarii (205.64) in today's money. Not only did he ask for his money, he grabbed him by the throat (in verse 28), demanding that he pay what he owed. This servant that owed the 100 denarii also asked for forgiveness and more time to earn what he owed the forgiven servant. The forgiving servant then threw the servant that owed 200 bucks and placed him into jail until he could pay.

            You don't believe that this would go without being noticed by the fellow servants that reported this action to the King, that summoned the servant that owed the 2mil and said, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? 'And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. Jesus then said, "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

            At that particular moment, I realized I had not forgiven many people in my life. I've asked forgiveness for things that I thought I was done with; however, I neglected the part where I was to forgive those that offended, mistreated, or hurt me. That list was long. I forgot them, but I know I did not forgive them because the mere mention of their name brought up anger and the desire for revenge. I had forgotten; however, I had not forgiven. I remembered each offense and how I felt when it happened. I have moved away from some, broken off contact with others, and with a few, I still held a grudge and was looking for an opportunity to get them back with interest. I am talking about bosses, coworkers, exes, family members, salespeople, and people just being mean.   There were more than a few misty moments when I realized my level of unforgiveness. The statement "show me your friends, and I will show you your future" has come to life in me as my local friends I have the privilege to share a pew with every week. I haven't made many friends outside of my church environment as I'm pretty busy being grandad and taking care of my espoused. It would have been unfortunate if I went through all of this to find that I would have things on the back end of this journey just because I could not let go of my need for revenge. The much that is given is my forgiveness; the much that is required is my forgiveness to others.