If you are TC (technologically challenged), you’ll be the able to sympathize with some of the problems below. The following is an excerpt taken from a Wall Street Journal article:

1. Compaq is considering changing the command “Press Any Key” to “Press Return Key” because of the flood of calls asking where the “Any” key is.

2. A Compaq technician received a call from a man complaining that the system wouldn’t read word processing files from his old diskettes. It was found that the customer had labeled the diskettes, then rolled them into the typewriter to type the labels.

3. An AST customer was asked to send a copy of her defective diskettes. A few days later a letter arrived from the customer along with photocopies of the floppies.

4. A Dell technician advised his customer to put his troubled floppy back in the drive and close the door. The customer asked the tech to hold on, and was heard putting the phone down, getting up and crossing the room to close the door to his room

5. Another Dell customer called to say he couldn’t get his computer to fax anything. After 40 minutes of trouble-shooting, the technician discovered the man was trying to fax a piece of paper by holding it in front of the monitor screen and hitting the “send” key.

6. A confused caller to IBM was having troubles printing documents. He told the technician that the computer had said it “couldn’t find printer”. The user had also tried turning the computer screen to face the printer – but that his computer still couldn’t “see” the printer.

7. An exasperated caller to Dell Computer Tech Support couldn’t get her new Dell Computer to turn on. After ensuring the computer was plugged in, the technician asked her what happened when she pushed the power button. Her response, “I pushed and pushed on this foot pedal and nothing happens.” The “foot pedal” turned out to be the computer’s mouse.

8. An IBM customer had troubles installing software and rang for support. “I put in the first disk, and that was OK. It said to put in the second disk, and had some problems with the disk. When it said to put in the third disk – I couldn’t even fit it in…” The user hadn’t realized that “Insert Disk 2” meant to remove Disk 1 first.

9. Another customer called Compaq tech support to say her brand-new computer wouldn’t work. She said she unpacked the unit, plugged it in and sat there for 20 minutes waiting for something to happen. When asked what happened when she pressed the power switch, she asked “What power switch?”

It seems to me a lot of these problems could have been solved by looking in the instruction book (What? You don’t read it either?). And not to even know where the power switch is!

We’re not much different spiritually. So many of our times of confusion are caused by not spending enough time with our “instruction book” (the Bible) and not knowing the source of our power.

When the Sadducees asked Jesus a question about the resurrection, he rebuked them with these words, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)

It’s not too late to add one more New Year’s resolutions to your list. Resolve this year to spend more time with God’s Word, looking to God as the source of power in your life. There may still be times you’re uncertain what to do next. Fortunately, the tech support line (prayer) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don’t hesitate to use it.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith alansmith@boone.netwww.TFTD-online.com