Eddie Jones's Blog, page 13
January 17, 2023
The Publishing Journey
With Shonda Whitworth
Today on Reality Coaching for Writers we welcome our dear friend, writer, and coach, Shonda Whitworth to talk about the publishing journey. Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers.
For more information, check out:
https://writerscoach.us
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January 5, 2023
Step Up Your Writing Game in 2023 | Writing Hacks and Mistakes to Avoid
Are you looking for ways to step up your writing game in the New Year? Eddie and Diana share a few mistakes to avoid and hacks to help you write tighter in this episode of Reality Coaching for Writers!
Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers.
For more information, check out:
https://writerscoach.us
#writingcommunity #writinghelp #TipsforWriters #writer #stepupyourgamewriters
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December 30, 2022
Set a Course for Your Dreams Today
How to Set Up a Dream Machine for Writing Success
Wherever you’re going, that’s where you’ll be. Set a course for your dreams today. This week on Reality Coaching for Writers we close out 2022 with ideas for how to reach our dreams in 2023.
Dr. Dharius Daniels Rainmaker https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jGJl71FJt3M
Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers.
For more information, check out:
https://writerscoach.us
#writingcommunity #writinghelp #settinggoals #NewYearNewDreams
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December 27, 2022
2024 — Birth of the Digital ID Wallet
Jesus Return 2033
2024 — Birth of the Digital ID WalletThe second beast was given power to give breath [life] to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13:15-17)
“We are looking at a massive advancement in how people use their identity and credentials in everyday contact with both public and private entities, and in how they use digital services.” – Ivan Bartos, Czech Deputy Prime minister for digitalisation
EU Digital ID Wallet to Release in 2024“Authentication and revocation of wallets should be free of charge to natural persons. However, when wallets are used for authentication, services relying on the use of the wallet may incur costs, e.g., the issuance of the electronic attestations of attributes to the wallet.” (You pay to prove who you are.)
“A possibility has been introduced that electronic attestation [evidence or proof of the individual] of attributes [ID characteristics] . . . be issued to the wallet directly by the public sector body responsible for the authentic source [entity that issues and verifies the ID] or by . . . a public sector body responsible for an authentic source (third party). That identifier may consist of a combination of several national and sectoral identifiers.”
Convenience Leads to Adoption of Digital ID Wallet“The EU Digital ID wallet will give any EU citizen or business the ability to prove their identity or any entitlements quickly and reliably. For example, with the EU Digital ID wallet you can:
Request access to a public record such as birth certificate, medical record or land registryOn-board a customer to a digital serviceSign a business contractOpen a bank accountFile a tax returnApply for a university place anywhere in the EUClaim a medical prescriptionProve ageRent a car or register a company car fleet contractCheck in to a hotel .HR departments will be able to verify quickly the identity of a job candidate and authenticate any documents they submit to support their applications. They can also insert payslips into the wallet app.(Conversely, without your EU Digital ID wallet you may not be able to: apply for a job, check into a hotel, rent a car, prove your age, get your medical prescription, apply to college, file a tax return, open a bank account, sign a business contract, buy a home, rent a home . . . perhaps even buy groceries.) – Eddie
“The work of purchasing and procurement teams [will be] much easier. They will be able to prove the company’s identity by sharing a verified registration certificate with suppliers. Treasury departments will also benefit. They will be able to file and complete tax returns much more quickly.”
(Conversely, without your EU Digital ID wallet you may not qualify as a government contractor or be able to file your tax return.) – Eddie
“Most users will access the EU Digital ID wallet in the form of a smartphone app. EU citizens will be able to download the wallet app from the major app stores and have their identity verified with high level of assurance to onboard to their wallet. Once done, they will be able to request their key identity credentials and electronic attestations from official institutions (ex: driver license, health pass, vehicle card registration, diplomas, etc..) and from private service providers (ex: IBAN bank credential, verified utility bill, etc…). When these credentials are approved and installed, they will be listed clearly on the app. Later, the user may be able to add more credentials from other enterprises with trusted data such as airlines and insurance companies. With the app installed, the user will be able to select the credential needed to complete a transaction, and authenticate using a password, PIN, biometric or similar.”
(12 percent of U.S. and U.K. adults do not own a smartphone.) – Eddie
Belgium’s Digital ID Wallet“Belgium plans rollout of digital ID wallet in 2023. Belgium’s myID.be wallet will be enhanced to contain more digital verified credentials including the national citizen card to carry out transactions and access to services. Brussels are reportedly piloting their own “digital identity system”, which has been described in less than glowing terms as a “Trojan horse” which will allow the government to steal personal data.”
https://identityweek.net/european-rollouts-overview-biometric-touchpoints-at-munich-airport-digital-identity-program-in-brussels/
“Munich Airport, Terminal 2 [plans] to install the best-performing biometric systems on the market at the central security checkpoint. The works are set to be completed by Autumn 2024. Travellers will get to experience super streamlined processing of baggage as well as verification of their identity and immigration status.”
(Examples of Biometric Security: voice recognition, fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, iris recognition, heart-rate sensors. “right hand, forehead”) – Eddie
Growth in Digital Id Acceptance“The number of users joining digital ID is growing. According to a Juniper Research report, this number will increase by more than 50% over the next few years, from 4.2 billion in 2022 to 6.5 billion in 2026. In that way, accessing government services will likely be essential in this construction. The future of digital ID is getting closer, and it’s moving toward a global adoption with enormous benefits for society, contributing decisively to reducing fraud and simplifying people’s lives.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/06/07/what-does-the-future-of-digital-id-look-like/?sh=1b6ec7cf266b
“This bill establishes the Improving Digital Identity Task Force to establish a government-wide effort to develop secure methods for governmental agencies to protect the privacy and security of individuals and support reliable, interoperable digital identity verification in the public and private sectors.”
Will U. S. Adopt a National Digital Id Wallet?“Most Americans eschew the idea of a government-issued national ID perceiving it as an overreach of the state. At the same time, many Americans are more than happy to use their identity credentials within their ApplePay or GooglePay e-wallets. The next frontier in payments will focus on creating a superior and seamless digital-first consumer experience. That means having a seamless application, onboarding, issuance, and payments experience that doesn’t require manual intervention. If your identity CAN’T be verified across borders and on different platforms in different countries, then it won’t be as useful to citizens in the first place. Additionally, with innovation, comes new risks. A breached password does not even come close to a breached biometric. You can always replace your password, but not your unique genetic code.”
https://thepaypers.com/interviews/digital-id-wallets-and-their-broader-adoption-the-us-model-vs-the-eu-way–1259002
Scytáles AB has won the contract to build the European Digital Identity Wallet. The EU Digital Identity Wallet is planned for a 2024 release, after the legislation underpinning it is passed in spring of 2023.
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202212/scytales-wins-eu-digital-identity-wallet-contract-council-reaches-consensus-on-rules
“The legislative process could be completed by next spring, setting the stage for the wallet to go live in 2024. Under the plan, EU member states will have 12 months to issue their wallets once the regulation is adopted.” – Romana Jerkovic, a member of the European Parliament and member of the EU’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
https://www.biometricupdate.com/202211/eu-says-it-can-have-a-digital-id-wallet-by-24-regardless-of-challenges
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December 24, 2022
Wreck of the Asklepia
Offered Up as a Prisoner
Much to my relief the Asklepia did not sink.
Though the fire in her cargo hold spread quickly, forcing us to press against walls in order to escape flames, the pilot acted with daring boldness. While waves bashed against her stern, the pilot guided the Asklepia onto a shoal, running her aground in a most violent manner. With her keel stuck fast, great swells began to beat against her bow. For a few frightful moments I thought she might break apart and scatter us into the sea, but a gradual shift in the Asklepia’s position on the shoal’s slope proved fortuitous. In but a few moments the inundation of water rushing into the great ship doused the fire in the cargo hold. Only then, while water sloshed over the port railing, was the crew able to gain the advantage. Soon the fire on deck became but a damp, smoldering heap of charred timbers.
All this I witnessed from the cargo hold, for it was easy to see straight up, so large was the gapping hole from where fire had caved in the deck.
The fact that none of the men and women in the ship’s hold chose to escape served a testimony to the respect they had for Onesimus. Though one or more suggested slipping away to gain their freedom, Onesimus assured them such reckless actions would only lead to a slow, prolonged death preceded first by flogging.
“By the time your tortuous death arrives,” Onesimus said to the man who muttered the suggestion, “it will be a blessed relief. The crew will want to make an example of any who seeks to run.”
“So we are to remain captives until we can be sold? You think that is preferred to the chance of escape?”
“If my bearings are sound, and I believe them to be so,” Onesimus answered, “this shore on which we have fetched upon is but a league long at best and half that in width. I recall spying this island at a distance before we prepared to sail. To escape now would be to find yourself soon captured and forced to choose: escape out to sea or surrender to a horrid death. No, the wise course is to remain with this vessel until such time as a larger body of land comes into view. Only then should we attempt to swim to safety.”
“And when might that be?” asked a man who spoke Aramaic.
While the crew above us surveyed the damage on deck with the lit lanterns, I realized that the man who speaking in Aramaic to Onesimus was an individual named Titus. I suppose Titus thought by speaking in his native tongue others might not know of his proposed plan. Or perhaps he merely meant to draw to himself those from the area of Assyria and build a faction that would support his plan, for was he who proudly boasted of his importance at the city gate. It was he who had declared his intent to use violence against the ship’s owner. And it was he who now suggested that, though it still dark out and we without weapons or lanterns, escape.
“Once repairs are complete and this vessel again underway,” Titus continued, “what is to prevent the crew from sailing to open water with haste.”
In the lanterns’ illumination I saw that Titus was a white haired man with a white beard and eyes dark as coal. His skin had the color of bark from cypress trees, suggesting that he came from the region east of the mountains of Galilee, for his countenance reminded me of the men I had met while traveling with the apostle Paul.
“My hope is only that we survive long enough to escape to a friendly shore,” said Onesimus. “Should some wish to act otherwise, that is for them to choose.”
“I choose to act with boldness and trust the gods to reward me for my courage.”
From the way those around Titus nodded at his words, I gauged that our group had become divided into two factions — one supporting bold action now, another inclined to follow the advice of Onesimus and hope for a more favorable outcome some days in the future.
Sensing that I might gain a much-needed alley, I asked Titus, “Are you familiar with a man called Saul from Tarsus?”
“My village is Maaloula, a two day walk from Damascus. It would take nearly a week to walk from my village to Tarsus.”
“He traveled to your region some days back. Perhaps you heard him speak?”
Onesimus said, “We should offer to help the crew.”
“For what purpose?” Titus countered. “To speed the sale of our souls?”
“This man Saul,” a young man said, “I have heard of him. My uncle lives in Damascus. He spoke of how a man called ‘Saul from Tarsus’ carried with him letters from the high priest of Jerusalem. He passed through their village with the intent of presenting such letters in the synagogues. My uncle warned that should any be found who belonged to the Way, whether man or woman, this Saul wast to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem to be put in prison.”
“He has changed,” I replied, “for on the day he was to arrive in Damascus he saw a great light.”
“I venture we too will see a great light in but a few hours,” Titus interrupted. “And when we do, we shall be forced to repair this vessel and be on our way. I say we act now, one and all, and flee while we still can.”
“With your permission,” said Onesimus, speaking to the group, “I shall propose to the owner of this ship that any among us who have wives or children may be allowed to depart in the morning with crew in order to find timber on this island. Their families will remain aboard. If the man does not return, his family will suffer harm.”
“Your words are those of a madman,” said Titus, his voice rising. “Help this crew? Never!”
“His plan is sound,” I said, coming to the defense of Onesimus. “We should love our enemy. Pray for those who treat us with contempt. Do good to those who hate us. Bless them. Do this and it will be as if we are heaping burning coals upon their heads. Do good to our those who persecute us and we might yet be set free without harm.”
“Set free indeed,” Titus replied. “Very well, let us offer the two of you as ransom for our lives. Should we offer to do as you suggest and go with the crew to fell trees for timber . . . and fail to return . . . then let our blood be on your head.”
“Though your suggestion carries merit,” said a voice I had yet to hear, “I offer this alternative incentive.”
And older woman stepped forward. The lanterns’ light fell across her face. With a shawl draped over her shoulders and face veiled I saw only her eyes and in them I perceived a hint of bitterness and evil.
“For the opportunity to explore the island and fell trees, we shall present to the owner evidence that this lad has contrived to take the life of the owner’s aid, his relative. For this information we will ask that one of us be left on this island when we sail. What say all to this?”
I supposed all thought they might win the opportunity to remain ashore, for with one voice the crowd shouted, “Surrender the Hebrew! Surrender the Hebrew!”
Stunned by how quickly the crowd turned on me, I watched Onesimus to see if he might come to my defense. Instead, he eased away to join the woman. Clasping her hand, he stood by her side, nodding in agreement with the chant of the crowd until at last his lips parted and he too began to chant, “Surrender the Hebrew! Surrender the Hebrew!”
All at once the warning from the Teacher took on new meaning. “If you forgive a man when he betrays you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive him, your Father will not forgive your sins.” With the crowd’s chant growing louder, I found it difficult to breathe.
A moment later the crowd gave me up to the sentries.
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We Repair the Asklepia
I Travel to an Exotic and Interesting Island
Much to my relief the Asklepia did not sink — at least not right away. Though the fire in the cargo hold spread quickly — sending us against walls and scurrying onto each other to escape flames — the pilot acted with daring boldness for with waves bushing us forward he ran the ship onto a shoal.
With her aground at the edge of open water, great swells began to beat against the hull. For a long while I thought the ship might break apart, for the crashing of waves against her stern soon began to fill the cargo hold with cold, sea water. I suspected the owner’s cabin might also be in danger of destruction, but when the force of the waves shoved her stern up the steep slope of shore, my fears proved unfounded. The shift in the Asklepia’s position at the waterline proved to be our good fortune. In but a few moments the inundation of water rushing into the great ship doused the fire around us. With water sloshing over the port railing the crew gained the advantage and soon the fire on deck became but a damp, smoldering heap of charred timbers.
All this I witnessed from the charred remains of the cargo hold, for to look up was to see straight to the stars and witness all the activity on deck.
The fact that none in the ship’s hold had escaped was a testimony to the respect they had for Onesimus. Though one or more suggested slipping away to gain their freedom, Onesimus assured them such reckless actions would only lead to death preceded first by a long, prolonged lashing of a whip.
“By the time your tortuous death arrives it will be a blessed relief,” Onesimus said to the man who muttered the suggestion. “For it my bearings are sound, and I believe them to be so, this shore on which we have fetched upon is but a league long at best and half that in width. To escape now would be to find yourself trapped on a lee shore with only the prospect of swimming out to sea as your final option. No, the wise course of action is to remain with this vessel until such time as we spy a larger body of land. Only then would it be wise to attempt to swim to safety.”
“And when might that be?” asked a man named Titus.
With lanterns lit to help the crew attend to repairs on deck I could now put faces with voices. I now saw that it was Titus who spoke Aramaic. He, who proudly boasted of his importance at the city gate, huddled near Onesimus and me. He, who declared his intent use violence against the ship’s owner, had white hair, a white beard, eyes dark as coal and skin the color of bark from cypress trees. From the way others in the hold nodded at his words, I gauged that our group had become divided into two factions: one supporting swift and perhaps deadly action now, another inclined to follow the advice of Onesimus and seek a more prudent course of action.
“Once repairs are complete and this vessel again underway,” Titus continued, “what is to prevent the crew from sailing to open water with haste.”
”
Perhaps this is our only chance to escape. If so, here we remain discussing a future opportunity that might never present itself.”
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December 22, 2022
The Magic Paragraph
Reality Coaching for Writers
Are you familiar with the Magic Paragraph? Today on Reality Coaching for Writers, Eddie and Diana discuss how to invite the reader into your fictional dream.
Your magic paragraph will vary depending on the point of view you choose: first-person, third-person or omniscient. The third-person POV has no apparent narrator.”
Maintain & Establish the Scene’s Main Character’s POV
1. Signal which head to enter: “I” or a character’s name.
2. Twang a sense or start a thought process
3. Show what the character experienced.
4. Show an appropriate reaction to said emotion, (touch, smell, sound, sight), or thought
5. Start the character thinking or show the character reflecting on what they just saw.
6. Repeat as frequently as necessary
Ron Benrey: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Christian Fiction
#realitycoachingforwriters #writingCommunity #storytelling #showversestell
Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers.
For more information, check out: https://writerscoach.us
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December 14, 2022
Your Perfect Christmas Gift
Looking for that perfect gift to give someone special this Christmas? If you’re a writer there is no need to stress with delivery dates, out of stock items, pricing, or if your gift will fit or be returned. Your best gift to give may already be in your hands.
Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers.
For more information, check out:
https://writerscoach.us
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December 13, 2022
Slogging Through Blogging? Perhaps It is Time to Wax Your Sleigh
Hey, nonfiction writers and bloggers- today’s episode of Reality Coaching for Writers discuss the why behind your writing- the benefits of blogging, and what you need to begin and stay the course.
Resources and sites mentioned in today’s episode:
WordPress.org
problogger.com
Bloggingbistro.com
Tribes by Seth Godin
Eddie Jones and Diana Flegal offer personalized coaching for writers. For more information, check out: https://writerscoach.us
#realitycoachingforwriters #writingcommunity #writingtips #nonfictionwriting #blogging
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Hauled Before the Supreme Council
Mark 14:55-65
The captain’s chief officers, the slave elders, and the whole crew looked for evidence against me so that they could put me to death. However they did not find any.
Many of the crew testified falsely against me, but their statements did not agree. Further none could present evidence as to how I had gained access to the ship and captain’s cabin. Yet still their lies filled my ears.
The Supreme Council — for that is what the band of accusers called themself —had gathered near the main mast. Though pressed upon by so many, the moon’s light provide illumination enough for me to see the faces of some of my accusers.
One of the guards who had hauled me forward gave this false testimony against me: “I heard him say, ‘This vessel made with human hands will be destroyed and raised again.’ Impossible, I say. No man can raise a ship.”
Another said something similar, then a third. And yet none of their testimony agreed, for one claimed I made such a statement while still near the ship’s stern and another claimed it was after I had been bound and about to be thrown in with the rest of the cargo.
“Is this true?” asked the crew’s foreman. “Did you come aboard with the intent of killing captain and sinking this ship? Was the life of Rastus but the first of many you intended to take?”
I remained silent. I knew to speak was to give credence to their lies and I refused to do so.
Then Onesimus stood, for he and several other slaves had been asked to testify as to the words I spoke while in their presence. “Are you not going to answer? Do you not hear the allegations these men are bringing against you? If you are innocent defend yourself, for it not, your silence confirms your guilt.”
Once more I remained silent. Though I had not expected any of the slaves to come to my defense, I had expected one or two might have found my words of freedom in the Lord to be an encouragement.
“A vessel will be destroyed,” I said, “but as to the destruction of this ship I cannot say.”
“He speaks in riddles so as to conceal his guilt,” said one of my accusers.
“The vessel I speak of is my body. Though you may kill and toss me in the sea, my body will be raised again, though not by human hands.”
The crew’s foreman tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard his foolish talk. The lad is possessed by a demon. What do you think?”
As one they all shouted, “Death, death.” Many began to spit at me. Another tied a linen strip over my eyes, leaving me blind, while two more held me upright so the crew could take turns hitting me with their fists. When at last they had finished, guards dragged me before the rest of the crew. There, unable to protect myself or see from where the blows came, the men beat me until I could not lift my arm to protect my face.
Only then, as I lay face down on the deck with my cheek in a pool of blood, did I sense my spirit begin to ebb. A moment later a great weight was lifted from me. The pain I felt, faded.
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