Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.
On 10/06/2011,
in faith, relationships,
by Daniel Christian
On 10/06/2011,
in 21st century, Apple, creativity, design, multi-touch, multimedia, music, relationships,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
It’s highly likely that you have already seen a ton of postings re: the news of Steve Jobs’ passing yesterday. However, I need to reflect, comment upon, and commemorate his life and work here today.
When Apple asserts that Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, it’s true. They are not just flowery, flattering words. Jobs was a one in a (hundred) million type of person — carefully crafted for the needs of today. His skillsets were rare. His negotiation skills were solid. His vision and courage to pursue the entrepreneurial/innovative way of life are outstanding. His knowledge — and pursuit of knowledge — as well as his drive helped him bring about many world-changing technologies and projects. Not too many people could own/direct an animation studio, oversee the production of software and hardware that was fined tuned to creating and distributing multimedia, comment on which font style would be appropriate for a message, relentlessly pursue excellence in user experience/usability in all of an organization’s product lines, present information the way he did, create excitement for his company’s products, etc.
Personally, Steve Jobs has helped me continue to think big — to have wind in my sails that I can make a contribution…that I can help change the world. All of us can, even if in smaller ways than Steve Jobs did. But we will need to believe that we can change the world and to persevere through the trials and tribulations that are sure to come our way when we attempt to do so.
I hope that the team that Steve & Co. put into place continue to pursue his passions and visions, as the world needs visionaries. Though I did not know him, I will yet miss him. I am grateful to God for his gifts, abilities, life and work.
Addendum:
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
— from Steve Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech given at Standford University
On 10/05/2011,
in faith, relationships,
by Daniel Christian
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while he is near.
On 10/03/2011,
in business, corporate / business world, ethics, hearts -- matters of the heart, MBA, motivation, relationships, society, United States, vision/possibilities,
by Daniel Christian
From DSC:
How is it that corporations are sitting on trillions of dollars (estimates vary) but the unemployment rate continues to be towards the high end of historical unemployment rates? Where’s the love and compassion for one’s fellow man? (Some of Charles Dickens’ writings in The Christmas Carol come to my mind here…)
One has to ask, what’s the state of our hearts these days? Is business just about serving the almighty shareholder? Is that the ultimate goal of our businesses? Seriously…what percentage of Americans is that perspective currently benefiting? (I don’t have the answer/data, but I bet its not a majority of Americans. The lines at the soup kitchens and shelters are getting longer, not shorter.) Corporations have — today — the power to change the situation. But what’s the ultimate vision of our corporations? Who do our corporations ultimately serve?
Some relevant articles:
- Corporate profits at all-time high as recovery stumbles (March, 2011, The HuffingtonPost.com)
NEW YORK — Despite high unemployment and a largely languishing real estate market, U.S. businesses are more profitable than ever, according to federal figures released on Friday. U.S. corporate profits hit an all-time high at the end of 2010, with financial firms showing some of the biggest gains, data from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis show. Corporations reported an annualized $1.68 trillion in profit in the fourth quarter. The previous record, without being adjusted for inflation, was $1.65 trillion in the third quarter of 2006. Many of the nation’s preeminent companies have posted massive increases in profits this year. General Electric posted worldwide profits of $14.2 billion, while profits at JPMorgan Chase were up 47 percent to $4.8 billion. - Remarks by the President to the Chamber of Commerce — President Barack Obama (February 7, 2011 from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Headquarters, Washington, D.C.)
“So if I’ve got one message, my message is now is the time to invest in America. Now is the time to invest in America. (Applause.) Today, American companies have nearly $2 trillion sitting on their balance sheets. And I know that many of you have told me that you’re waiting for demand to rise before you get off the sidelines and expand, and that with millions of Americans out of work, demand has risen more slowly than any of us would like.” - Hoarding, not hiring – Corporations stockpile mountain of cash (April, 2010, ABCNews.com)
- U.S. firms build up record cash piles (June 2010, WSJ)
- Corporate America sitting on $1 trillion in cash ($2 trillion if you count short-term investments) (Dec. 2010 from JoshuaKennon.com)
…
What does that mean? It means that when the fear subsides, and companies are convinced that the world is all sunshine and roses, the turnaround can be rapid. Putting $1 trillion of cash to work in the economy, whether in the form of new product launches, capital expenditures, or even mergers and acquisitions paying off investors for their shares of companies and forcing them to find another use for their newly freed funds, can go a long way to solving the unemployment figures.
Addendum on 10/4/11 to potentially address a part of the other side of the table here:
- Economic Conditions Snapshot, September 2011: McKinsey Global Survey results |SEPTEMBER 2011
Our latest survey shows just how gloomy executives’ economic expectations are. A majority fear the eurozone will splinter; those in emerging markets are most hopeful.
On 09/27/2011,
in faith, global / globalization, history, relationships, religion,
by Daniel Christian
Some items concerning the fact that the Dead Sea Scrolls are now online:
- The Dead Sea Scrolls Online — video
- From parchment to personal computers, Dead Sea Scrolls go online — from theglobeandmail.com
- Famous Dead Sea Scrolls are now Online — from edukwest.com
- Dead Sea Scrolls come to life on the Web — from cnet.com
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
From DSC:
Having gone through Northwestern, the culture there was highly competitive and it seemed like the whole point of being there was to land a job by the time you graduated. If you didn’t have a job by the time you graduated, you were falling behind.
Having gone through Northwestern, the culture there was highly competitive and it seemed like the whole point of being there was to land a job by the time you graduated. If you didn’t have a job by the time you graduated, you were falling behind.
Evanston, where NU is located, is surrounded by the Chicagoland area — filled with corporations, industry, banking, retail, and more. Much of the surrounding culture of Chicago tends to lean towards status — what # of the Beamer are you driving? Oh, a 755, you must be important/rich/successful in life. You must have a corner office — you’ve made it big! Congrats! How many people do you have working for you? Wow — 250…pretty good.
So when a friend of mine from church introduced me to Matthew 6:33, she was really introducing me to the LORD’s Re-Prioritization Plan for me. As is often the case, the way the world works (and often the way I was trained), is usually 180 degrees different from the ways of the LORD. Don’t seek the corner office Daniel — seek his kingdom and his righteousness first. Don’t pursue the Beamer, you can’t take it with you. Build up for yourself, Daniel, treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy, and where thieves cannot break in and steal.
Keeping balance and priorities in life has been a challenge for me at times — relationships, family, work, my health, further schooling, etc. But this verse helped me — and still helps me today — keep the right goal and priority in mind.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
On 09/19/2011,
in faith, global / globalization, hearts -- matters of the heart, relationships, society,
by Daniel Christian
12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
On 09/16/2011,
in 21st century, 24x7x365 access, communications, online media, pace of change, relationships, society, story, technologies for your home, technology (general),
by Daniel Christian
In this funny, eye-opening, and inspiring film,
director Tiffany Shlain takes audiences on an
exhilarating rollercoaster ride to discover what it
means to be connected in the 21st century.
From DSC:
My thanks to Mr. Joseph Byerwalter for this resource.
“[Imitating Christ’s Humility] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
“The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.”
On 09/07/2011,
in 21st century, digital audio, digital learning, digital storytelling, digital textbooks, digital video, e-books, e-publishing related items (EPUB and more), e-readers, education technology, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, faith, interactivity, relationships, religion,
by Daniel Christian
On 09/06/2011,
in faith, global / globalization, hearts -- matters of the heart, relationships, society,
by Daniel Christian
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
On 08/29/2011,
in faith, global / globalization, hearts -- matters of the heart, relationships, society,
by Daniel Christian
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”