Happy Mother’s Day!

Dear Mom,

This morning at church, we were reminded of the power of Words. Words are powerful.

Every child knows that, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…” Oh, if that were only true. Words can hurt. They can also, encourage.
Words are powerful.
They can inspire. Words can instruct and guide. Words can degrade.
Words are powerful.

There are no more powerful words than those contained in the Bible. The words of the Bible describe the entire human experience. They introduce us the Alpha and the Omega. The “I AM” is distinguished from the multitudes of “I am - NOT”

Matthew 15:4 tells us “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’” The celebration of “Mother’s Day” is a fairly recent tradition. No, it wasn’t created by Hallmark, but according to Wikipedia, here in North America, we trace it back to Anna Jarvis in 1912. I was a bit surprised to discover that bit of trivia.

At any rate, I set out to consider some powerful words that describe you. It’s kind of funny. The words that come to mind are definitely a function of the period in my life and the role that you played during that period. I am confident that you did not change nearly as much as my perception did.

As a child, I recall very clearly that you were beautiful. I remember sitting on the couch, combing your hair. I believe the appropriate term would be “ratting” your hair, but none-the-less, by doing so, I felt part of your beauty. I can still recall photographs of you and Dad all “dressed up” for some occasion. Beauty indeed!

Adolescence and young adulthood bring to bear strong images of forgiveness. Lord knows that you were given ample opportunities to forgive. I’ll admit, at times I just could not understand. But today, that is probably one of the greatest gifts that you have bestowed upon me. My ability to forgive others is undoubtedly a gift of God, but no one modeled it better than you.

One of the speakers today spoke of the fact that mother’s never stop impacting their children. Even today, as I rapidly approach the ripe old age of 50, your influence, opinion and guidance are every bit as important to me as when I was 5. This may come as a bit of a surprise to you, (or maybe not) but you are one of the wisest people I know. When I stop to think about it, where did it come from? I’m not sure that we can credit it to an exemplary education. Certainly raising Darran, Danae and myself did not fill you with wisdom. I would have to conclude that your wisdom came from the same place that Solomon received his. By humbly surrendering your spirit to Christ, God has filled you with wisdom beyond your education or experience. You have inspired me in more ways than you can imagine.

Beautiful, forgiving and wise, who could ask for more? Yet more there is indeed. Perhaps next year, I can try this again and I am sure that a whole new list of words would spring to life, reminding me of you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Love,

Rick

Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. Joins Leading Technology Thought Leaders for Breakthrough Industry Conference

Peer group members learn to manage change, build relationships and help customers succeed in challenging economic times

April 27, 2009 – Carpentersville, IL – Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. recently played an active role throughout the first annual Heartland Tech Group (HTG) Summit in Dallas, Texas. HTG attracts industry thought leaders, experts and peers from across the globe. HTG members recently converged to participate and share knowledge, build on proven best practices and leverage the talents of all members. Built on its mandate of execution and accountability, HTG provides positive interaction throughout the entire technology industry by holding each other accountable to all members’ commitments.

Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. participates in HTG13 alongside eleven other group members who serve as a peer board of directors. Individual peer groups drill down and focus on overall effectiveness across operations, marketing, sales, finances and overall health of each member. By focusing on industry standards including business planning, process development, financial benchmarking and education, HTG members strive to maintain a competitive advantage over those other service firms that do not participate in peer activities.

“Participation in the HTG Summit benefits our company and our clients by exposing us to leading ideas, technologies and industry peers, “ said Rick Bahl, President of Quality Systems Solutions, Inc.. “We bring back proven ideas we can use immediately and a longer-term plan for greater success in the future. Plus, our peers hold us accountable for achieving our goals.”

Focused on only the best small and midsize technology firms, HTG spans the entire technology ecosystem. By leveraging leading technology manufacturers and vendors who provide sponsorship and interaction with HTG members, members are now equipped with the tools and knowledge to provide an increased level of service in their communities. HTG members are better prepared and understand the importance of positive interaction across all levels of the industry. This includes how disruptive and breakthrough IT solutions will influence their clients with laser-focused training from their peers and leading industry experts.

“HTG member companies benefit from having Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. join us at our event and participate in our peer groups,” said Scott Scrogin, President of HTG. “Our members have a passionate commitment to change and improve their businesses and their lives. Great technology matters, but we know that relationships and execution matter more.”

About Quality Systems Solutions, Inc.

Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. is a full-service solution provider offering hardware, software and services specifically geared toward helping small businesses succeed. We have partnered with leading companies such as Microsoft, HP, Symantec, IBM, TREND Micro, Lenovo, and SONICWALL to provide you with perfect solutions for your information technology needs. Our trained staff can identify and implement a solution tailor made for your situation.
In addition to serving small and medium sized businesses in suburban Chicago, we offer hosted services and remote monitoring and management solutions throughout North America.


About Heartland Tech Group

Heartland Tech Group was founded by Arlin Sorensen in 2001 to bring Iowa-based IT partners together to leverage each other’s talents following the post-dot com downturn. Over the years, HTG has grown from a purchasing group to a serious group of business owners, sales professionals, marketing managers and senior management of IT firms in non-competing geographies who meet for two days each quarter to work on key businesses issues and opportunities for growth. HTG has grown to over 200 members throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Quality Systems Solutions, Inc. Press Contact

Derik (Rick) Bahl
President
847-426-9548 ext.100
rick@qualitysystemssolutions.com

HTG Press Contact

Stuart Crawford
HTG Press and Media Relations
403.206.2233
htgmedia@htgmembers.com

Day Five

I am hours away from ending my 5 day "beans and rice challenge." The obvious question is, "how do I feel?" Physically, I feel fine. I've lost about 6 lbs., but that really wasn't the point. Did I ever get really hungry? Not really. Despite how much I normally eat, 3 cups of food is apparently enough for me... Did I experience caffeine withdrawal? Surprisingly not. That was what I was most concerned about. On a normal day, I can drink a pot of coffee and a couple of Mnt. Dews. I had a slight headache a couple of times, but not bad at all.

So, what was the toughest challenge? Temptation! Being surrounded by food and simply denying yourself is no simple task. I was an exhibitor at a Chamber Expo on Wednesday. The booth right next to mine was a local Country Club, with the Chef cooking up Steak Diane all day with a chocolate mousse to boot. That was one of about half a dozen booths featuring what appeared to be very tasty food.

Ok, so what is the point? The point is, I have choices. You have choices. Anyone who reads this blog is one of the most fortunate people on planet earth. Billions, yes with a B are not that fortunate. The have no choice. One cup of rice a day would be "Steak Diane" for them. Two cups and they have chocolate mousse. Three cups a day and THEY think that they are the fortunate ones! Was I able to empathize with the poorest of the poor? Barely! I can hardly imagine what it is like to drink dirty water and/or go for days or weeks at a time HUNGRY. I mean REALLY HUNGRY. My little exercise doesn't even come close.

So what? Here is what I would encourage you to do. Try it yourself. One week, one cup of rice or beans for each meal. No treats. No Snacks. Wash it all down with tap water. No Starbucks. No bottled water. RICE, BEANS, Water. That's it! THEN pick your favorite aid organization and GIVE! Give generously! Give regularly! Just GIVE!

If you don't know who to give to, contact your local church. I don't know of a single church that does not support some sort of global poverty initiative. If your not the church type, contact World Vision, ONE, Feed My Starving Children or any credible organization focus on aid to the starving.

Day Two

Today is day two of my "rice and beans" challenge. No, I'm not on a diet, though it wouldn't hurt me if I was. I am experiencing the "5-Day Challenge" a week later than everyone else at Willow Creek Community Church.

It is actually rather interesting for me. I just return from a week-long conference at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Las Colinas, TX. For those of you that have been there, it is a pretty nice place. Not a 5 star joint but very comfortable. Six days of "conference food" and dinners out on the town. For those of you that do the conference circuit, you know that unless you are ill, you never lose weight on road.

At any rate, in stark contrast to what I did last week, this is what I am doing this week.

"As an act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the globe, we encourage you to eat for five days, as the bottom economic half of the world does every day. Eat the three meals of your day using only the options below. Set aside the money you would have spent on additional groceries, and donate it to Celebration of Hope, which will support those who struggle with hunger and thirst.

Meal Options:
Plain oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
A tortilla, rice, and beans
Rice with bits of fish or chicken, and a vegetable
Tap water (use your Celebration of Hope cup)

Food Portions:
Portion sizes around the world are much smaller than a typical American meal. One cup or eight ounces is a generous portion. Meat is a luxury, with the average African consuming about ¾ ounce per day—the size of a small chicken nugget. Fresh fruit is rare, available only if locally grown and in season.
While these meals seem small by American standards, they actually represent diets in the broad middle when compared to the rest of the world. Half the world’s population lives on no more than $2 a day. Approximately 1 billion people live on even less—only $1 per day."

I don't want to minimize the reality of hunger, but I do want to point out that the greatest challenge I faced yesterday was that of temptation. On day one, hunger was never an issue. I expected a bit of a headache from caffeine withdrawal, but I was never really hungry. Chocolate in the bowl, cake in the tray, left over pizza in the fridge. That is what really challenged me, not eating what is so freely available.

I'm sure that by then end of the week, my body will be reacting a little differently. I'm confident that in some small way, I will begin to appreciate what true hunger feels like. But if I don't. If I never hear my stomach growl of feel faint or weak. If I stay the course and honor the challenge, one thing will happen for sure. I will be victorious. Victorious over temptation. Victorious over self-indulgence.

And how long do you think that will last? An hour? A day? A week? Let us not forget how blessed we are. HE has provided it all. HE offers me choices that others simply don't have. HE requires me to steward effectively all that HE has given me.

Praying for HTG Summit

It was my turn. We have a 24 hour prayer vigil to support the upcoming HTG Summit that begins Monday morning. Many of us volunteered to pray for 30 minutes to lift up the event to God.

When I accepted the invitation, I wasn't exactly sure how I would pray for 30 minutes. The first 25 items were provided by the organizer, Chris Chirgwin. I added the last five. I then spent one minute praying over each line.

May God honor each and every prayer request as 47 other people lift them up to Him. If you are reading this and would care to offer your prayer support, please do. Everything you need is included in the lines below. Even if you don't know, He does!


1. That God will be glorified in all that happens
2. That attendees will be protected, particularly from illness and harm. Last quarter we had one member that had to go to the hospital and a number that became sick after returning home.
3. For the leadership team and staff that they will be filled with patience and joy as they serve
4. Daily devotions and testimony time at 6:30 on M/Tu/Th and F
5. Church service at 6:30 on Wed – Jeff, Brad, Phil and others
6. That every believer will have the opportunity to share their life deeply with at least one other
7. For the facilitators who will be leading the 19 individual peer group meetings
8. For Bob Burg as he comes to share about being a Go Giver
9. For the Omni staff – that as they serve – we will serve and reach them
10. For the vendors who will attend – that they will see a very different relationship with our members – not one of being taken advantage of – but of being served
11. For boldness in sharing life and truth and Jesus
12. For deep relationships to be built that will last a lifetime
13. For God’s hedge of protection around all the events of the week
14. For the 20 or so new members who will be overwhelmed with their experience
15. For Scott and Arlin as they share the vision of HTG on Thursday
16. For all the breakout sessions – about 40 total – that content will be relevant and attendance will be strong
17. For the vendor fair – that the interaction between member and vendor will be positive and create win-win relationships
18. That some will come into a saving relationship with Jesus this week
19. For Christy Sacco – our event coordinator – for stamina and wisdom
20. For Ken Shetler – our vendor relationship man – for the ability to be a peace maker as he tried to herd the cats
21. For the HTG board as they meet and plan the future
22. For our new online portal – that it will work as expected and everyone will be able to get to the needed information
23. For peace that passes all understanding
24. That every interaction will be positive and bring honor to God
25. That God will expand our territory and help us continue to grow in our influence and thought leadership in the industry
26. That as God work in practical ways in the members live and their businesses become profitable or more profitable, that they will REMEMBER God and that they will honor him with their full tithe.
27. That the LIGHT of Christ burns so brightly throughout the week, that it cannot be missed or mistaken.
29. That the "Take away" for each and every summit attendee is that, "God is in control!"
30. Finally, I pray that each and every one of us is eternally thankful for the truth shared in #29, "God is in control!"