My time as of late has been focused on a few specific design projects that require superior interface designs if they are to be successful. As a result, I have focused much of my efforts on the fine art of paper prototyping. Paper prototyping is the primary way in which user interfaces are created initially, before they are taken from paper to actual end-user design.

Masterful user interface prototypes are rare, mainly because it is an extremely difficult task to come up with excellent interface designs, and it is a hard process to predict how the end user will react to specific ideas. It never ceases to amaze me how subtle changes can make a world of difference in the end user experience. Location, categorization, keywords, image placement, colors, highlights, spacing, flow, aesthetic flow, lighting, hierarchy etc. All of these things play a distinct role in what the user will actually do with the interface that is created.

We see the importance of interface design, or the lack of design, in the many daily activities that we take part in -- book typesetting, ATM menus, fast-food menus, OS GUIs, text books, road signs, billboards, appliances, cars, and thousands of other aspects of things that we do on a daily basis. If we break it down, we must realize that interface designs affect our lives in very crucial ways, and thousands of companies around the world influence the lives of billions of people in regard to how they conduct their daily activities.

As with anything in life, with interface designs, we must first and foremost seek to honor the Lord in the approaches that are taken, and ultimately bring order to the lives of those that are knowingly, or unknowingly, being influenced by interface design on a daily basis.

Nathaniel Darnell, a close friend and ally in the many battles we face as men desirous of honoring the Lord Jesus Christ, sent me the following video presentation from the recent announcement by former Chief Justice Roy Moore that he will be running for Governor of the state of Alabama.

This is a historic announcement that is without a doubt a wonderful thing to have recorded for each of us to reflect on. God bless you Nathanial for your efforts in recording this as well as the work that you continue to do through Valor Visual Media.

Click here to download the video.

As of late, I have been extremely busy in my work and growing relationships with my family, and I have neglected my blog. Rather, I have chosen to refrain from updating my blog and I have put my attention on the more important endeavors of family and business, and ultimately honoring the Lord in what He has given me to do. There is much more going on in my life, as the Lord has brought about many unique and wonderful events as of late, but for now I want to focus strictly on the work:

There is something quite unique and enjoyable about building a business of your own, and at the same time, something quite frightening as that false sense of ‘security’ that is often found in employment is not present in self employment. In the end, building something of your own from the ground up and reaping the rewards of your labor is a much more satisfying endeavor – though the process is often more difficult than working for someone else, and requires a profound trust in the only true security that we can have in this world: The Lord Jesus Christ.

Having accomplished the difficult task of plowing my ‘field’ of work, I am now, through the Grace of God, cultivating it in the hope that it will continue to grow. This is a process of patients, discipline, and a lot of toil. I am thoroughly enjoying myself, and I have a great feeling of accomplishment in my labors as I have put my hand to the plow and watched the Lord bless beyond my own expectations. I am humbled that the Lord has allowed this in my life, and I am very grateful for how He continues to bless.

My work is not simply important to me in-and-of itself. I view it as a huge part of my unique life on this earth, it is a part of the foundation being set for future generations and it is a part of the Christ honoring legacy that I will leave behind. My work provides me with the flexibility that I need to disciple my family as I desire to structure it. My work will be the cultivating ground for training my sons as they work along side of me to possess the skills that will be required of them as they take dominion in their own lives. It is a means in which I can assist others in their kingdom work on this earth, and it directly compliments, through financial support and other means, my own personal dominion responsibilities.

All of the above is very exciting to me and is also very fulfilling to me as a man. At the same time, I am very humbled and chastened by the responsibilities required in the privileges that I have currently been given by the Lord. I must not neglect them; I must cultivate them, grow them, and ultimately use them to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ on this earth. Though my endeavors are small, I continue to be given much by the Lord. May I use it with wisdom for His glory.

If a man is not being fulfilled in his labors and views his work as simply a means in which he receives a paycheck, he must, as the Lord allows it, press forward toward one or many work endeavors that will provide Christ honoring fulfillment and dominion work in his life. If we truly desire to honor the Lord in all we do, we must realize that though there are many seasons in the life of a man as he prepares his fields, the ultimate desire must be to first and foremost take dominion on this earth for the Lord Jesus Christ. May each of us strive to do this and facilitate ways to make this happen in all that we labor to accomplish.