NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

What Does Be-There Really Mean?

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Being there is somewhere between watching from a distance and in your face.

Don’t Be Unaware
Be There

The time to be-there is usually the most uncomfortable, most dangerous, most inconvenient time to be present. It can be expensive too.

It’s easier to watch from a distance. If you consider yourself a real friend, though, don’t stare . . . be there. The rule is simple:

You can’t listen if you’re not in audible range.

You can’t express compassion without showing your face.

You can’t hold a hand or dry a tear unless you’re within arms reach.

You can’t change the atmosphere unless you’re in it.

But do be careful. In-your-face is a little too close at any time.

THINK!AboutIt

Why Develop Your Own Domain Name

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There's no such thing as maintenance and expense free.

A Domain Name
Is
A Website

I started websiting back in 2008 and my first site was a Blogger blog. I knew nothing when I started. I’ve learned a lot since.

When I began, Blogger was free and popular, and seemed like a quick way to start so it made sense to use the Blogger platform. I soon realized it wasn’t that simple. It takes just as much effort to develop a canned website as it does to select and self host your own domain name.

I also realized that it is never entirely yours or what you want.

The domain name I had in mind (thinkaboutit) wasn’t available on Blogger and whatever name I chose was followed by the words blogspot.com anyway. It was never going to be my name.

There were also no names even distantly similar. The domain name I eventually chose, taitoday, was the closest thing I could get. There was no winning!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not badmouthing Blogger. It got me started and I’m thankful for what the experience taught me about domain names and websiting.

After becoming frustrated with the limitations, though, I did a little research and took the plunge.

I’ve also started thinking specifically about domain names and have bought a few. Following are three examples and they are for sale.

  • SplainThat.com ($218.00)
  • AskingNotSaying.com ($202.00)
  • ThinkingNotSaying.com ($197.00)

If you are thinking about starting a website and you find one of these names useful, contact me and we can go from there. Otherwise you can use a site like NameCheap to find and register a name you prefer. Registration and privacy run around $10.00. You can’t find it less expensive than NameCheap.com.

If you’re not sure, following are the options to choose from. [Read more…] about Why Develop Your Own Domain Name

World’s Largest Quilt Done For Charity

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It's a great idea, a very big one.

Quilters Turn Scraps
Into Winter Time Gold

A little over a year ago (October 2013) my wife heard about an interesting project involving quilts.

She loves all things quilts so her natural response was to look further and find out what was going on.

As it turns out the project is spearheaded by Sheila van Dyk and is quite ambitious. Sheila aims to recruit as many quilters as possible to build the world’s largest quilt verified, of course, by The Guinness Book of Records.

Ultimately the project is for charity, not fame. The large quilt will be constructed by sewing 11,000 single bed sized quilts together, which will then be separated and donated to charity. [Read more…] about World’s Largest Quilt Done For Charity

Jesus Among Many Saviors, Part 1

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Must Jesus do all the saving?

The Season For Life Saving
Is Always Open
To Everyone

From an early stage in my Christian experience I was told that “Jesus is ‘THE‘ Savior not ‘A‘ Savior,” with no qualification. The meaning was obvious. There was only one Savior and Jesus was it. When said, the idea was expressed enthusiastically, with a hint of accusation.

If you didn’t agree, you were in trouble.

Needing to think about it was reason to question one’s loyalty.

Of course, in the early years I loved it and thought it was a very clever way to make a strong point. It made a great party cry for believers.

Looking back, I now realize that statement is a little misleading and smacks of religious totalitarianism.

When you think about it, and I’ve had a lot of time to do that, you realize that Jesus isn’t the only Savior. In fact, there are many saviors in the world and you really can’t get the right perspective on Jesus till you’ve given all of them due consideration.

Let’s take a look at a few. [Read more…] about Jesus Among Many Saviors, Part 1

SACRP In The 2012 94.7 Cycle Challenge

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I Now Know
Why They Call It
A “Challenge”

Whether you cycle professionally, to stay fit or just to be social, the 94.7 Cycle Challenge is a great option. I entered the race for the first time this year and plan to do it again next year, the Lord willing and finances allowing.

My daughter-in-law, Sara, rode with me and it was her first race of any kind. She is planning to be there again next year also.

Route Description

The route is circular starting on the M1 leading into Joburg and finishing at the picturesque Waterfall Estate. It mostly follows main thoroughfares around Joburg but briefly juts into a historic section of the city center before following the Nelson Mandela Bridge out of the city and along what is deceptively referred to as a rolling track which includes several types of roads: four-lane stop-start highways, freeways (national and metro) and two-lane roads in both residential and rural areas.

High Points

The list of high points is quite long and combined they helped create a great atmosphere for a road race. All credit goes to the organizers and to Joburgers for making that possible. The synergy was remarkable.

There were ten official water points all providing refreshments, mechanical assistance, medical support, and physio treatment. The longest distance to any table was 15 kilometers and that was the first two tables following the start. All other tables were separated by no more than 10 kilometers. Several were only 5 kilometers apart.

Loads of additional, yet unofficial, tables provided refreshments, toilets, mechanical assistance, and encouragement, all sponsored by small businesses and friendly people and at least one provided great humor. It featured a sign that read “EPO sponsored by Lance.” I got a good laugh out of that and later learned they were giving out shots of Tequila.

The ambiance was great! Hundreds of braaing spectators set up gazebos along the route and clapped and cheered riders on. Even large corporations set up additional stands to support the race and these stands really stood out. Organizers referred to these stands as “Power Zones.” They were so impressive, Sara and I paused at one thinking it was a water table but kept moving once we realized we were in the wrong spot. It was encouraging, however, to know the community was coming out to spend their morning – and afternoon – watching us ride. [Read more…] about SACRP In The 2012 94.7 Cycle Challenge