Tis the season…

Posted on December 14, 2009 by Kevin

It is snowing lightly as I write this post.  This is the first opportunity I’ve had to reflect in a while.  I am sure most will agree that this time of year is especially wonderful, unpredictable and extremely busy.

This year I have been officially working part time for Jeremy’s company (Adoni Networks) which I really enjoy.  We picked up several new clients in Central Wisconsin this year which brought Jeremy and I together a bit more, to address their unique needs.  Lots of stealthy virus activity has been popping up recently for me to handle.  I built up my first VMware Small Business Server for a local financial firm this summer as well.  My Blog Page www.kevinroe.net also is a recent undertaking, to share computer tips and life lessons with family and friends.    

Fortunately I still have my full time day job as a process engineer to keep me busy 8 to 5 each day.  Things were looking pretty slow in engineering midyear, and I narrowly missed being cut until much needed “end of budget year” activity opened up and flooded the few who remain with fast track projects to develop and manage.   Now there is never a dull moment.

There are however certainly worse things than being overworked.  It is very hard to face uncertainty and see both family and friends get laid off for long periods.     

That last couple of weeks were complicated by a painful bout with a pinched Sciatic nerve that persisted for some time to keep me from enjoying normal movement.  I could walk fine for the most part – getting in and out of low chairs and seats was nearly impossible.   It is amazing how the loss of something basic (that we often take for granted) can change our perspective.  The church prayed for my speedy recovery yesterday, and I awoke this morning with only minor awareness that continued to fade as the day went on.   Yes – I was seen twice for treatment, but God saw to it that He would be glorified by showing His hand in the outcome. 

The condition became quite noticeable just before I traveled west a week ago Friday to celebrate Christmas with Sandy and our kids, who had gathered in Rochester, MN.  We had a great time with kids and grand kids.  We exchanged a few gifts, shared great food and fun at Dacia and Sean’s house.  The grandkids got to play in our hotel water park on Saturday, and had great fun while grownups lounged and chatted.  Fortunately we all got home before a severe winter storm fell upon us.  Tis the season.

This year’s economy brought family hardships and gifts were limited by shrinking budgets, but there is no lack of caring and sharing throughout.  God has provided all our needs and given us the joy of sharing a bit of what we have collectively with other families in need.   God’s love shines through clearly if we keep His Son the focus of our purpose.

As I write this now, I am feeling grateful to have celebrated family Christmas early.  It gives Sandy and me chance to slow down and enjoy a bit more of the Christmas season without extended shopping pressure.   I am especially thankful at this time for the love I receive from my dear wife, family and friends; and for unexpected hugs from local AWANA kids whom Sandy and I have  begun to know as we share in their lives this year.   AWANA is an international mid week program that teaches local school age kids about Christ thru fun activities and scripture memory.  

So as of today, Christmas is only ten days away.  I will cheerfully celebrate the Gift of God’s Son with anyone who cares to share in it, and wait patiently until the shopping crowd fades away to spend my Christmas gift cards on some things I will need (at discount prices).

If I don’t see you before then – Merry Christmas!

Posted in Faith, Family | Leave a comment

Windows Users have Reason to Celebrate

Posted on October 25, 2009 by Kevin

Things happen faster than I can keep up on these days.  I had no sooner reported on announcements that a key windows api fault was causing major browser security issues, when Microsoft issued a long awaited fix as part of their largest Patch Tuesday security update ever issued (according to Secutity Now).  This is indeed Great news, replenishing trust in web brower based SSL encription certificate validity.  Just make sure your system is now up to date on the latest security patches. 

I am also excited about the offcial realease of Windows 7 to the general public.  My experience with this new O.S. over the last three months has been very postitive.  There seems to be a wide difference of opinion as to whether Win 7 is just a revision to Vista or a whole new Windows experience.  It is probably a bit of both, but much improved in my opinion.  Probably the best Windows OS built to date. 

It is a joy to share positive news on the security front for a change.  This does not happen frequently these days.   Remember also it is very important to do your reseach, and know who you can trust!  New software always ranks low on any security scale, no matter how exciting it looks.

Posted in Tech Insights | Leave a comment

Broken Web Browser Security

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Kevin

According to “Security Now” (www.grc.com), last month a hacker who goes by the moniker of Moxie Marlinspike, gave a presentation titled “New Tricks for Defeating SSL in Practice” at the Black Hat conference in DC.  While SSL encryption is a very secure protocol, it has now been shown possible to spoof a secure site forcing a redirected connection with SSL encryption entact.  Once redirected the hacker can steal any secure information you enter into the fake web form.  You may never know you were dupped. 

Most Browsers are using a shared library called CryptoAPI which Internet Explorer, Safari on Windows, and Chrome all use.  They all just assume the underlying framework in Windows reliable.  They’re all using it and as a consequence, as of today they’re all vulnerable. 

Essentially at the moment a Windows user cannot trust any Windows browser other than Firefox.  The Firefox guys fixed this within their browser.  They took responsibility away from the underlying Windows platform and fixed it themselves within days. 

Apple did fix it in OS X immediately, but hasn’t done so on Safari under Windows as its not their fault.  This is a Windows problem.  The problem is that it makes all browsers except Firefox completely untrustworthy for making secure SSL connections until Microsoft finally fixes it.   I recommend using Firefox only, until they do.

Posted in Tech Insights | Leave a comment

A long life well lived

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Kevin

This past Wednesday marked another milestone in life, as I took part in the funeral of my beloved grandmother Hazel, who died early Sunday morning 10/11/09, at age 96.  The visitation and funeral services were very nice, shared with many family and long time friends.  She had lived her entire life in the same area (20 mile span).

We laid her to rest in the local cemetery next to my grandpa Ralph who died tragically years earlier of ALS disease.  Grandma was familiar with great loss as she lost her mother to breast cancer when she was a young child.  It was a beautiful day and we know she is finally in the hands of Christ, where no more physical pain exists.   She was a Godly woman of strong character.  It was hard to see her health fade slowly over years since Grandpa died.   She loved well, and was truly loved in return.

I agreed as the eldest grandchild to share a brief tribute to her life during the service.  It was very hard for me to share all the fond memories so soon after her passing.  I was glad to do it.  My first cousin shared further fond memories as well which helped fill in gaps long forgotten.   Grandma’s fine Christian example through good times and bad, left behind a great legacy.

My last post here addressed the miracle of new life.  Now I contemplate the bitter/sweet end to life’s struggles that we all must face.  I am so glad her life story ended well with little suffering and much rejoicing that she entered eternity as God’s child.   God is so faithful, and His Word is true.

As I write I am reminded that I must faithfully add to my own legacy.   I’m learning to value this above all else.  I don’t know why such things lake so long to become a priority over other vain pursuits (I Cor. 13:11-13).

Posted in Faith, Family | Leave a comment

Reflections of a Proud Father

Posted on August 30, 2009 by Kevin

In writing this today, I spent much time in reflection while awaiting the induced delivery of my 5th grandchild.   Turns out this baby arrived quickly as a another very healthy boy (Daniel Henry Roe).  Daniel is a truly a blessing once again, as he is indeed a miracle baby having been carried by prayer into this world.  As I write this my bride Sandy is away, visiting some of our own children in California, so she will not see little Daniel before I, as is typical (it is usually I who has been somewhere working when the arrival happens).

Grandchildren are all precious and I feel very blessed to see them grow and develop.  As I stated in a previous post, I have much to be thankful for.  I remember as a young father of four healthy children feeling that I was the most blessed of fathers.   Soon after I leaned that our third (Daniel’s father Jesse) was suddenly a juvenile diabetic at 4 years of age.  It was hard to work through, but I was still very blessed.  By the time the fifth child Deondra came along we were scolded at times by insensitive people for having so many.  We thank God for every one of them, knowing God loves them each.  Subsequently it got much harder to rent housing and we decided to buy.

All of our children are now adults (Jeremy, Dacia, Jesse, Danae, Deondra) and only the youngest is yet unmarried.  The oldest is  a partner in a growing IT company, all are gainfully employed, most are involved in somehow in evangelical ministry, and I am very proud of each ( I have not told them nearly enough).  All five are uniquely gifted by God, and their life partners are awesome additions to our clan.

I trust I have taught them each faithfulness and the joy of serving others.  Seems I now learn more from them than they learn from me as they grow in the Lord.  There have been times I was not sure that they learned from me what matters most, but God is now using them to model His faithfulness where ever He has given them influence.  We often pray for them each.  It is a joy to see prayers answered in their lives.

As I reflect on these things I am most grateful for a growing family, and for the miracle of this new birth.  Life brings us each new challenges and hardships every day.  Through each new day God is faithful and worthy of complete trust.  Something to be continuously mindful of.

Posted in Family | Leave a comment

Learning to Lead

Posted on August 15, 2009 by Kevin

Recently I traveled to Iowa with my lovely wife for a “Weekend on the Farm”.  I finally got a taste of summer as it was very warm there.  Got to 94 degrees or so with a brisk breeze that kept things amazingly comfortable as we spent Friday evening  and Saturday in a white tent about 40′ x 100′ for life training.  The topic was the Leadership, specifically how to “Lead Like Jesus”.   Speakers ranged from Iowa Senator Nancy Bodinger to various other businessmen from as far away as California and Duluth MN.  Real life testimonies illustrated Gods loving hand in the lives of each speaker.  Many speakers and attendees where members of several “Heartland Technology Groups” founded by Arlin Sorenson of Heartland Technology Solutions (HTS), our gracious host.  http://www.facebook.com/heartlandtechnologies

Most often leaders in the business sector have a problematic EGO (edging God out).   Thru Worship and Scripture we examined how to obey the instruction and example of Christ.  The proper focus is to intentionally shift our EGO to one that “Exalts God Only”.

We were encouraged to step up to the place God intended, as we are all leaders whether we realize it or not.  Someone is always following our example.  My son and daughter-in-law (who first learned of HTG) also attended.  We meet many wonderful people.  The ladies found much encouragement from the conference also about trusting God in daily life.  The best part for me was getting to meet the host, a willing mentor to me and to all who accept his speaking into our lives.

I am very thankful for all that God is teaching me lately.  My son also sent me an audio book recently from www.audible.com which provided me another new experience.  This is an exciting work, promoted by HTG, and based wholey on Bible principles.

The book title is “The Go-Giver” by written by Bob Burg and John David Mann.   Its a little story about 5 powerful business principles.  It is both captivating and refreshing novel based on the life of a corporate “go-getter” named  Joe.  I totally loved the story from beginning to end.  The ending is awesomely inspiring.  This story should be shared with everyone from teens to Grandfathers.  I only wish I knew and understood these principles earlier.

God is really changing  the face of ministry in the work place and changing lives.  I am so thankful for my children who are in various way opening my eyes  to new ministry opportunities.  Of course God is using many people and media sources to enlighten Biblical truth.   We live in a wonderful time, though hard, God is working in love and grace to all people groups.  Lets keep our focus on Christ and actively take part.   Check out the Oak Initiative at –   www.morningstarministries.org/

Posted in Faith | Leave a comment

Beautiful Rain

Posted on July 26, 2009 by Kevin

Today has been a blessing as long needed rains fell periodically refreshing the greenery and our spirits. It was a nice end to a busy week.  Got some interesting work done earlier in the week, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the work God is doing in our local communities when we serve Him.  We took our Grandsons to Kids Quest and saw God use the talents of young kids to teach His word and share His love in fun ways with such excitement.  Puts us older folks to shame.

This week brought a lot of learning as I sized and priced a $10,000,000 system for upgrading raw Biogas to natural gas specifications 0n a huge scale.  Final numbers will be released next week.

Because the green energy market place is always changing in response to political incentives we don’t know yet whether such expense will be warranted.  If you can instead generate electricity for 8-10 cents per kW over a 20 year contract and get quicker payback, our learning and patent persual efforts may just be time wasted.  I can’t see the future, but God has called me to serve in my workplace and only He knows how all this will turn out.  Might cause great concern, but I know that my true worth is not dependent on the success of my workplace.

As exciting as design of key processes to address industrial problems can be my heart is in personal and direct service of my customers.  My part time work in IT services and PC troubleshooting is very rewarding as I earn their trust and appreciation on a personal level.  Got to help a client set up for web based vehicle programming services thru AC Delco (an expensive service) and placed a WatchGuard WAN/LAN network security appliance in service as an upgrade in network integrity.

Serving in God’s house as a sound technician most Sundays is especially enjoyable.  There is little personal reward on an individual level, but seeing everyday people to grow deeper levels in their corporate worship each week is very rewarding.

Technology has made it possible to take God’s word into the workplace, in ways not normally possible.  No more excuses for not spending time time in His word.  The Bible is becoming more relevant and more loved each day as the Spirit brings new insights.

I have so much to be thankful for in my life.  That’s a much longer story I will have to share when I have more time.  Can’t wait to see what this old man of 50+ years can learn next week!

Posted in Community, Family, Pespectives at Large | 1 Comment

Hello Freinds

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Kevin

This is my first blog post!  It is a bit intimidating as I wonder what is news worthy for my readers.  Something will come to me – it always does if I wait long enough.  For now I am so very thankful to be alive and active in the lives of my family and friends.  It is late.

More to come soon I trust.

Posted in Current Life Issues | Leave a comment