Simple Solutions

Is it me? Or is the whole world crazy?

Perhaps something like this has happened to you.

I have a simple need, or I think it should be simple, and I wind up wasting hours, if not days, implementing a solution that doesn't work.

I have a funeral to perform tomorrow, so I reached out to Lynn, a deacon friend of mine who was kind enough to send me several examples of services she officiated.  She sent a couple of Microsoft Publisher files containing formatted bulletins, the handouts to give to the people who attend so they know what to say during the service.

Well, I don't have Publisher on my Mac, so I looked for a utility to convert the file to something I could use.

There are several free sites that do conversions, but they make you wait and tell you you could buy a copy of the software if you are in a hurry.

Well, I didn't want to do that, so I did a search on other options and found an article by a guy who suggested getting a trial copy of Publisher from Microsoft.

Sounds like a great idea, since it will let me modify the bulletin and print it with the proper formatting.

Let the games begin.

I went to the Microsoft Office site and learned that I can subscribe to Office 365, which includes Publisher, for $9.95 a month, and the first month is free (hence the free trial).

OK.  I did that and downloaded the software.

After several attempts to activate the software failed, I tried to contact customer support, but the chat didn't work.  All operators were busy helping other customers who probably had the same problems I had.

Abandoning that, I searched some more and found out that my password didn't work because I had chosen to use two levels of security (with two levels, no one can use the software, not even me).

So, correcting that problem, I finally was able to open the first program, Powerpoint.  But I couldn't find Publisher on my computer.

Did I make a mistake when I downloaded the software?

Let me try again.

Oh, yes, I went through the whole process again, but still no Publisher.

It seems Microsoft doesn't make a version of Publisher for Mac.  Do you think they could have said that in the offer?

That brings me to today's reading from John.

About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. The Jews were astonished at it, saying, "How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?" Then Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. - John 7:14-17

When it comes to speaking with true authority, I find it is a blessing and a rarity.  Most of the time, those who give advice, support, guidance and instructions fail to be as helpful as they could be, and I think that is because we are all flawed.

I am sure many of us have encountered this type of challenge from others.  Who are you to speak with such authority?  You don't have a degree or proper certification.

True wisdom comes form God, and no amount of training by other humans can come close.

Now, if only we can get God's help when we set out to do something simple, like open a file.

Well, what I learned is I should avoid simple solutions and just use my own judgment.

BTW, I managed to convert the file to PDF and was able to read it.  I will use the software I have to create the bulletins and that will be that.

Thank you Lynn for your wonderful help.  I was able to follow your example, but next time I will just ask you to send me a different file format.

More to come...