Recently I had the opportunity to go shopping for my daughter.

I realized that in order to buy undergarments – I literally needed to look for them…

She is 7 and I found more ungodly undergarments than wholesome…

Is it possible for us to return to some roots ?  somewhere along the line ?

as for me and my house -  We are.

Many of you who know me personally will know that I am a sucker for a bargain.   I save money where ever possible – follow the rule of 72 as if it were the 11th commandment… and such .

Once in a while I come across really incredible deals that are actually worthwhile and a great chance to get something that could normally sell for a large sum of money, absolutely free.  Recently I stumbled across a free download of Patrick Lenz’s Ruby on Rails book Build Your Own Ruby on Rails Web Applications! It’s basically a beginner’s guide to writing applications in the Ruby on Rails language, and it’s by major web developer Patrick Lenz, founder and lead developer of freshmeat.net and limited overload!

This is a great opportunity to get this incredible text for free. All you have to do is head over to SitePoint and click the big red button. It’s really that easy, and you’ll get an incredible read from this offer, so I’d suggest taking advantage of it, as it expires on December 1, 2007.

Safe Access faced stiff competition in the category from industry leaders such as Juniper, Sana Security, and NETGEAR. This is the second major award for Safe Access in the last three weeks. Safe Access was awarded Editor’s Choice by Windows IT Pro in a competitive head-to-head review with other leading NAC solutions. The review, published in late June, is available at  http://www.marketwire.com/2.0/release.do?id=743251&k=stillsecure

This company is serious about security.  This is the second accolade in just under 3 weeks.

Congratulations to the Still Security team for providing excellent products, a dedicated focus on not just the network – but the people behind the network.

Looking forward to seeing you @ Black Hat…

Microsoft Corp. today released Windows Home Server (WHS) to manufacturing, the final milestone for software that will power several turnkey home servers that OEMs will put on the market in late September and early October.

WHS developers have been inundated with bug reports on the under-construction consumer server software.  I hope this has changed and these have been fixed prior to this hitting the marketplace.

The software, based primarily on Windows Server 2003 code, will connect to systems running Windows Vista and Windows XP for file sharing, media playing and backup; and to Mac OS X and Linux machines for file sharing.

While I hear this being touted as the answer to the needs of many – I really wonder about the security aspects…

Successful Installation:

Child Safety Organization: Southern NJ

Internet Connection: Bonded T1 Qwest 3mbps.

Needs Overview:

The organization had a Cisco 2600 router in place. Our organization received a telephone call requesting an immediate intervention to secure their network.

The first thing we did was disconnect their bonded T1 connection from the outside world.
After placing our laptop into place and firing up StillSecure – we realized the organization needed a security solution faster than one could be ordered.

Every workstation in the building had an external IP address as well as a NATed ip…
OUCH

Equipment Overview:

PIV 3.2ghz 2048mb ram w/ 2 NIC cards and a Seagate 250GB SATA HDD.

Network Overview:

1 Wireless Router
45 workstations
3 Servers (Windows)
1 Cisco 2600 Router
1 Adtran Device

Success: The firewall put into place from Cobia, as well as the NAT Router allowed for a successful installation in minimum time. We charged $650 for the workstation to act as their cobia Secure appliance.

Each workstation was cleaned as well as the servers in this environment.
Using the Cobia Firewall we were successful in trapping multiple different types of traffic which allowed this organization to come into compliance with standard security protocols.

Due to an NDA we are unable to provide the name of this organization publicly.

Although the Cisco 2600 was left in place – the client requested an alternative which they could control which was simple yet good. What we gave them was a solution which is simple – and Excellent.

Successful Installation:

First United Methodist Church of Mt. Ephraim.

Internet Connection: Comcast Cable with Static IP and 16mbps down / 3mbps up.

Needs Overview:

The church has a static connection from local cable ISP with broadband speeds. The volunteer staff of the church who create the weekly artwork for the services needed a secure solution to gain access to the church network remotely.

Equipment Overview:

PIV 2.4ghz 512mb ram w/ 2 NIC cards and a simple 20GB HDD.

Network Overview:

2 Wireless Routers (Opensource WRTG Installations)
4 Workstations
1 NAS devices (based on Open Source FreeNas.ORG of course)

Success: The firewall put into place from Cobia, as well as the NAT Router allowed for a successful installation from existing hardware with zero cost.

And to think – these guys were going to purchase a sonic wall hardware solution which with support would have cost well over $470

This church has a food pantry which helps feed Camden City NJ – the nations poorest city.
the $470 saved will be money well spent.

Being a not-for-profit hosting provider (specifically for Christian churches and ministries) who has utilized a few of the open source and even closed-source firewall and routing products including Cisco, Juniper and even the open source product Vyatta (which is awesome but thusfare cannot compare to Cobia) I can personally tell you the differences:

Cisco – Cisco provides an excellent product – however they are Expensive. Cisco is a for profit organization whose focus is on training, certifications, and of course the bottom line. They have teams of people who train people to offer services at an expensive cost – and of course deliver a great product. Great but costly.

Juniper – basically in the same class as Cisco.

Vyatta – a product I have recently grown to love – is much like Cobia with a few differences. The VPN module is costly, free support is almost non-existant (mailing list support exists – but not good imho) however you have to pay out the Wazoo for support from a live person.

Cobia - Cobia begins with people. the StillSecure organization understands that people make the difference. They are not as concerned with building a customer base as they are ensuring their customer base is satisfied. Their people understand and realize that the people of their base – are dealing with people.

The Cobia platform is open source software and operates on commercial off-the-shelf x86 hardware (just like the PC your most likely using – or the server you have sitting around collecting dust…) The product includes many modules such as the XORP router, full (Transparent) firewall, DHCP server and more.

Cobia @ present does not include the VPN plugin – however since this is based on Linux – you could build this into the system if needed.

Cobia also @ present does not include the Strataguard plugin however in speaking with the company today I was told the system will be free for a 5mbps connection. If you need something faster you will need to spend a little bit of cash…

Today I had the occasion to contact StillSecure to ask a few key questions – one being about the Transparent Firewall… the response I recieved was awesome. 3 different parties touched base to make sure my questions were answered – on a product that costs …. $ FREE

It is odd that you find a company that is dedicated to providing support, who provide a great software platform, with dedicated people to support that platform.

This company reminds me much of cPanel – and is much like what many churches should be like – They are focused on the Mission vs the Mortar. The philosophy of this organization is one that I can follow -

Their sales associates are called Evangelists ! Imagine that – a company who calls their sales folks Evangelists.
and to think – we in the church sometimes run away from that… enomiker as if its damaging…

Their philosophy is to offer the best product – and in turn people will pay for support over and above what they cannot get for free.

One last note – In speaking with the CTO – Mitchell Ashley – I found that he is a dedicated Christian – focused on providing a great product, great support, modeled after how he as a Christian (Methodist) should live.

How important is it for you to Brand your church ?

If you don’t   Someone else will – Someone else has…

• Jesus Freaks
• United Methodists
• Crazy Folk
• Religious Fanatics …
• Baptists
• Weirdo’s

Simply defined – your brand is whatever comes to mind at the mention of your churches name.  If you are not seeing new people on a regular basis – you can for sure bet – you do not have an effective Brand image.

Understand – your ineffective brand is not a reflection on the quality of your church, but on the quality and clarity of your communication to the community in which your church serves.

Don’t settle for an out of the box branding campaign…. Open Doors Open Hearts Open Minds,   To Make Him Known …. -  Every Church – Your Church – has a unique personality.   Your Personality is your brand – its your image.  Embrace this.

I was asked the question this past week

“Glenn, why do you want to become a pastor?”

Being a man – who finds it difficult to answer with very little words – I stopped for a moment and then answered

“This is a calling I feel on my heart. I believe the church is reforming – and I want to be part of the process of change and growth. Faith should be unboxed – rethought – reworked – God does not change – but times – well they always do. I want to keep reforming the way the Christian faith is lived, believed – defined – explained… I want to introduce Jesus to people – not the junk that comes along with Jesus — the rule set of the church, the politity…”

I believe God has given us all dreams, desires – after all do you know anyone who is normal ? Think about it – do you know one person that is normal ? We all may seem that way until you get to know us … My marriage is a perfect example of this… I thought my wife was perfect – and it hurt when we finally got close to each other – close enough to allow us to hurt each other (interesting that this just happened not to long ago after years of marriage…) I often see the church led by those who take ownership – after all this is natural (I am guilty of this myself…) I believe however – leaders are just stewards of Gods resources – of God’s purpose in another persons life.

“Do not be afraid ! … For the battle is not yours, but God’s” 2 Chronicles 20:15

God has planted in me a vision for those who are lost coming to the loving arms of the Shepherd. I have hope – I have something – someone to hang onto… I take strength in this hope – and believe God has given me the ability to lead others, not just to give them a hope of the Grand Finale – but hope along this sojourn we call “life.” On Sunday a friend of mine – Alan told me -

“Glenn, it was not until 5 months ago or so I realized what your talking about – having an intimate deep relationship with Christ. I have been saved… but suddenly the burden got easier – even though living has gotten harder…”

I immediately thought of Matt 11 vs 28

“Come to me – all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

God never promised life would be easy – but He never promised life would get better – Instead He promised we would find rest for our souls… God will lighten the load – only if we let Him. I believe people today are missing that relationship with Jesus… No wonder the Christian Faith looses 3000 people daily. People are walking around carrying the burden of a lesser god, of a god in a box, a god in a bottle, a god on a fire truck – Only pulled out in emergencies – or when the magic is needed… I want to introduce others to a deeper relationship with the Jesus who’s Father was able to create this earth – who is able to give someone the intelligence to invent Starbucks, and the stars, the Holy Spirit who is able to give comfort that passes all understanding, to lead others to Yahweh- so there it is – short and sweet – I want to be a pastor because… Everyone needs a GOD who is bigger and better than they can imagine – Everyone needs to be introduced and reintroduced to the Shepherd who will never leave or forsake.

I believe being a pastor is less and less about bringing God into the church – instead – it is about the identification of a God who is already present – and the teaching and challenging others to identify with God and His presence.

I don’t think I can carry God into the church, into the street, into your home… God is already there… as a pastor I want to be used by the Holy Spirit to help others identify God’s presence and empower them through Christ to have a deeper relationship with the Father.

to me its a simple vocation – its about trying to teach and live by the way of Jesus

John opens his book with 3 miracles that directly relate to the 3 major gods of Asia Minor.

Jesus turns water into wine – heals and then feeds the thousands -

I wonder about the miracles in my own life- the things God has done for me, with me, through me – ordinary moments in ordinary settings that suddenly become infused with the Spirit of God – Have you ever been caught up in something so big – that its difficult to put into words?

My wife today came home with pictures from her ultrasound. Ordinary moments in ordinary settings – and we can see the miracle of our 4th child.

Tomorrow – my daughter is graduating from Kindergarten – ordinary moments in ordinary settings – and yet she is going to require surgery to remove a vascular malformation on her chin and airway – I am not hoping for a miracle – I already know that God has delivered a miracle to us … Kerianna has blessed us so much thus far – a reminder of God and His Plan and the lack of focus we have on Him .

When I was young – around 18 my brother Fred passed away.  March 15 1994 Fred tragically died in a train accident right outside Ft. Hood TX.  As we celebrated Fred’s life – I heard the gunshots @ the military funeral – the taps being played on the horn – and felt a hand on my shoulder – but I stood there alone…

I look back now – and realize I was standing on Holy Ground.

I have a faith that does not deny these moments – the moments where I feel totally alive — I have a faith that embraces these moments – These are not moments that distract me from what God is, Who God is, What God has in store for me – These Moments are just simply put – What it means to live in God’s plan – In God’s World – in the Palm of the Fathers Hand.

Our lives are meant to revolve around God – around His glory – around His will -  I think any moment that brings me back to God – to a deeper relationship with God, to a knowledge that it is not about me – … these moments – they are holy …  for some they may seem just like ordinary moments in ordinary settings -

For me – they are Holy reminders – God’s little miracles to help me believe and remember