Solidworks posted a highlights video from the conference in New Orleans. They claim it is the world’s largest 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) Event. You can tell the last day had a Star Trek theme with an appearance by Leonard Nimoy. A little corny, but overall it was fun. I especially enjoyed the emphasis on design and technology.
Archive - February, 2007
Highlights from SolidWorks World Conference in New Orleans
New Template for FaithEngineer
The site today has been pretty crazy. I have incorporated a new 3-column template on the site. I wanted to organize the site content better, so hopefully this will give me some new options. I based the new template off of the rounders-3 at blogcrowds. Next up is a custom header.
Basketball With the Kids
We just finished up the Upward basketball season for Luke and Emma. I have really enjoyed coaching and being with the kids. Upward is a good program and it was sponsored locally by Cliffview Church here in Galax. It was a great way to introduce people to a church and teach the kids some basic beliefs about following Christ. Coaching is my one chance to act completely crazy and silly (I was coaching 1st-3rd grade) and share about my faith at the same time. I also enjoy the emphasis on teamwork, basic skills, and sportsmanship. I like the fact that we can take the emphasis off of competition and put it on being Christ-like.
And while I’m talking about basketball, I have to mention that us guys at church had our first basketball practice yesterday. We will be playing in a local church rec league. I’m just a little sore. Well actually, a whole lot sore. I have always enjoyed playing basketball and it feels great to get out and run. My lungs were burning and my legs were feeling like jelly, but it felt great. I did realize how out of shape I am. I can really relate to the chapter in Mark Driscoll’s book titled “Why am I getting meaner and fatter?” I tend to do good in the summer when I can get outside and bike and run, but I struggle keeping in shape during the winter months. That’s pretty lame considering there is a full gym right outside my office.
And one more basketball surprise. I get to coach Luke in the local rec league starting tomorrow night. It’s a league for K-2nd grade. That should be interesting. A bunch of wild and crazy boys with an attention span less than their age. It will be a good chance to model sportsmanship and character to these young men. I can’t wait.
Unleashed
Jenni and I registered today for the Unleash conference at NewSpring Community Church. I’m looking forward to meeting some fellow bloggers and learning more about NewSpring’s story. I always enjoying learning from other churches. Their community is similar to ours, so I look forward to seeing how they are reaching and engaging their community.
Here are some of the breakouts that will be offered at the conference. Now I’ve just got to decide which ones to go to.
-
Senior Pastors ONLY
-
Leading Authentic Worship
-
Creating Community in Church
-
Student Ministry – The
-
Financially Equipping Your Congregation
-
Blogging and Communication
-
The Volunteer Experience
-
Creating Excellent Experiences for Kids
-
The Creative Process
-
Staffing for Success
DecembeRadio Live In Concert at Galax
Here is a clip I found on Youtube from the concert last Sunday night. The sound quality is not so good, but it’s awesome to see a clip from a concert I was at. We kept noticing this little blond girl’s head popping up at the bottom of the screen. We thought it looked like Emma, and it was! So Emma, my little girl, has made her youtube debut.
I Must Be Getting Dumber at Work
After reading this article, it makes me realize why I hate long meetings so much. I have read several articles lately about brainstorming not being an efficient way to come up with new ideas. These studies show that people working independently can come up with more and better solutions than in a group. For me, there is some truth in that. I tend to get bored and frustrated hearing crazy ideas that are not feasible. I am very task oriented and I feel like I am wasting my time when there isn’t a clearly defined goal to the meeting.
I know that sometimes, people in a group can come up with solutions that individuals would never think of, but the key is to not get too detailed when meeting! Give ideas and then let people think about them and develop the ideas more fully. That is very important for church meetings as well. Most people don’t want to spend all the spare time listening to someone think out loud and ramble through a bunch of ideas that won’t work. You might just be making the attendees dumber.
The "Wee Me"
I got tired of staring at my ugly face all the time in my blog header, so I replaced it with this picture.
It’s a picture of me and Jennifer that I created on the site weeworld It’s something different and I think I am much better looking in cartoon. But I still look like a nerd. But as Zach so eloquently stated, at least I am the coolest nerd he knows!
Thanks to Marko for the website.
Christian Blogging Survey
I recently participated in a Christian blogging survey by pastors.com. If you want to check out some other Christian blogs, then check out the list of everyone who participated at Rick Warren’s Blog. If you haven’t read many blogs before, then definitely check some of these out.
I am also listing great blog posts I have read in the sidebar of my blog or by going here. As I read through different blogs using Google Reader, I can flag the ones that I really like and place them on my shared page. My blog will automatically pull those into my sidebar. Pretty slick, and it’s an easy way for you to see what I’m reading and enjoying. There are a lot of good Christian blogs out there. And while you’re reading others, have you ever thought about starting your own?
Cornerstone Sermons
- Powerful Prayer May 14, 2012
- Which God do you serve May 9, 2012
- The Making of a Man of God May 1, 2012
- Living a Missional Life April 24, 2012
- Building a Discipling Culture April 16, 2012
- Death Brings Life April 10, 2012
- Looking Back April 7, 2012