Setting the Compass

This is an expanded version of an article I posted on Crux - a blog for those in campus ministry.

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I'm a collector, of sorts. I collect compasses. It's not a very big collection. I only have about six of them. And though some of them look pretty cool, none of them are too expensive. But I do like compasses. I have a couple setting on my desk at the office. I have one on my desk at home. I have others sitting at various spots throughout the house.

A compass is all about direction. It's not so much about where you are at this moment in time, but about the direction in which you are heading to get to the place where you want to be. I need that reminder. In a world ruled by full inboxes, crowded calendars, and over-flowing "to-do" lists, it is easy to lose sight of where you want to be and wander from the direction that will get you there.

The longer I am in campus ministry, the more convinced I am that destination and direction are vital. One reason is that they can keep us from the comparison game: Is my ministry as big, as cool, or as effective as another? Many of us will never have large ministries with hundreds of people in attendance. But effectiveness in ministry isn't always determined by numbers. Though healthy ministries usually grow, there are many factors that influence the size of a ministry. A clear sense of destination and direction will help us focus on that to which God has called us.

Destination and direction are also more important than what is happening at any given time or in any specific year. If you have been in ministry very long at all, you have experienced the cyclical nature of the work. Some years you grow and some years you don't. Some years your leaders step up and do a great job and some years they get distracted or lazy. Some years you baptize people by the dozens and some years it seems that all the students you share the Gospel with have hearts of stone. Some years you will feel like you have this whole thing figured out and you should write a book about how to really do ministry. Some years you write about a half dozen different letters of resignation. But if I am more about destination and direction rather than the success or failure of the moment, I am better able to navigate the roller-coaster of ministry. I will be able to say "no" to the temptation to re-invent the wheel every year, trying to find the right formula. I will be able to express a clear and compelling vision of the purpose and progress of our ministry. And that vision will help me communicate to students, supporters, and potential supporters what the end goal is and how we are going to get there.

So how are you in defining the destination and direction of your ministry and casting a clear and compelling vision of it? What is the primary purpose of your ministry? Can you state it in a sentence that will excite and stir the imagination? If you fulfill God's vision for your ministry, what will that look like? What strategies will help you reach your destination? Are the programs and activities you are now doing moving you in the right direction? How will you know if you reach your destination? How will you know if you accomplish your purpose? What kind of qualities will let you know that you are fulfilling the mission to which God has called you?

So set your destination toward God's vision and purpose for your ministry. Keep moving in that direction.

And maybe put a compass on your desk.

Interesting News on Religious Life in America

Interesting data from the Ivy Jungle Report:

Less Religious in America: A widely reported study by Trinity College (Connecticut) shows the US becoming less religious with 15% of Americans reporting no religious affiliation. Those without religion are the only group to have gained numbers in every state in the union. For the last 20 years, the percentage of Americans who consider themselves Christians has continued to drop. Denominational affiliation has taken an even greater hit. Now more than 8 million Christians claim to be non-denominational; up from 194,000 in 1990. The decline of religion can also be seen in the fact that 27% of the interviewees did not expect to have a religious funeral and 30% said their wedding was not a religious service. (collegenews.com March 12, 2009)

Creating Their Own Religion: A recent Barna update shows that Americans are more likely to create their own religious beliefs than follow an established set of beliefs from a church or denomination. By a margin of 3 to 1, (76% to 24%) respondents said they choose from a blend of ideas to describe their faith. This often leads to contradictory positions. 82% of those under 25 take this approach. Among "born again" Christians, 61% say they do so. (Barna Update 1/26/2009 quoted in Mission America Update February 2009)

Paths to Eternal Life: 65% of all Christians say there are multiple paths to eternal life. According to the Pew forum survey, a majority of Christians believe other religions such as Judaism, Islam, or no religion at all can lead to salvation. (Christian Post December 08 quoted in Mission America Update February 2009)

25 Years of Spring Break Trips

I'm home and my suitcase is unpacked from another Spring Break Mission Trip. From the first Christ on Campus trip in March of 1985, we have taken at least one Spring Break trip every year for the past 25 years. This was at least our 13th trip to Vida Nueva Ministries in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

This year's trip provided some unusual difficulties - especially a US State Department warning against traveling to Mexico! The University of Arkansas "helped" our cause by forwarding that to UofA students. All of that prompted some understandable parental concern. But after reading the warnings and talking with friends in Piedras Negras, we were confident that we were not taking any undue risks. The decision, however, did prompt some coverage by the local newspaper.

So why go? Is the cost, effort, inconvenience, and occasional risk worth it? Here are some of the reasons we feel these trips are important:

1. Some admittedly inexperienced help to the mission. Though we can't always accomplish much, we can provide manpower to advance some projects.

2. Some personal experience with an impoverished culture. Though Piedras Negras is in much better economic shape than it was fifteen or twenty years ago (thanks to NAFTA), as soon as you cross the border you realize that things are completely different than in the US. Driving through the outskirts of town to the ministry site provided a first-hand glimpse of life in poverty. Even though it is a short glimpse, and not close to what much of the world endures, it does begin to open the eyes of students to those in need and allows them to evaluate their standard of living.

3. Extended time away to focus on God and what he is saying to us. The highlight of this trip was the nightly times of worship and the devotions that students shared at lunch and each night. Removed from the distractions of classes, work, facebook, and television, we were better able to worship and listen and share and refresh ourselves spiritually, even while we were wearing ourselves out physically.

Most of the time, we breeze through our daily life and weekly worship and Bible study times without much thought. We don't reflect and we don't apply. We just go. We are most open to what God is saying and doing when we are taken out of our usual context and begin to look and listen in fresh ways.

These trips provide those opportunities. Over the past 25 years, students have been touched by God in dramatic ways. Some have accepted Christ. Some have changed their career goals. Some have gone into ministry or missions. Some have made choices to sacrificially use their resources to care for those in need and advance the work of Christ.

Students this week made some significant decisions that will affect their lives and the Kingdom of God for years to come. That's why we go. That's why we will continue to go.

After ten years away ...

This week I'm back in Vida Nueva Ministries in Piedras Negras, Mexico for Spring Break. I first brought students here in 1987 when there was nothing but an empty field. We came back every year through 1999, digging and building and loving the people and the work they were doing.

But for a number of reasons, this is the first year we have been back since 1999. And so much has changed: more buildings, more children, a clinic, a school. But every where I turn on the campus, there are memories. Those who made decisions for Christ while we were here. Those whose hearts were opened to ministry and missions while we were here. Those who served with us here as students and are now with the Lord.

This year's group got here with some fear and trepidation. The US State Department didn't make it easy by posting a travel alert for Mexico. The University didn't help by forwarding it to our students. I dealt with several phone calls and emails from concerned parents (and understandably so). But we are in a safe place with people I trust completely. And God is blessing the trip. The weather has been great. The group has worked hard and have a great time together. This is the 25th year I've led a Spring Break mission trip and I can promise you that those aren't always the case.

Keep praying for us. Pray for our safe travel. Pray for the work of Jair and Norma Castillo and Vida Nueva Ministries. And pray for God to work in the hearts of our students as he has done in this place so many times in the past.

Making the Cut

I always hated those days when my girls were in junior high and high school. There may be no more "cruel" process than how most schools handle cheerleader and pom squad tryouts. The winners (and losers) were revealed on a list posted on the gym door for all to see. I can still remember the faces of those crushed by not being chosen - some of them year after year. Most of the time by girls made it. But not every time. And my heart hurt for their broken ones.

The daughter of a friend of mine experienced that last week. She had worked hard for years as a dancer to make her college's dance squad. And she is a great dancer - one of the best in the state. She had worked hard to be in the best possible condition. Everything was geared for success. But her name wasn't on the list.

While that drama was being played out last weekend, a series of Last Chance track meets were held around the nation. They serve one purpose - to give track and field athletes one last chance to qualify for the limited number of spots at this weekend's NCAA Indoor Championships at Texas A&M. They do the best they can, wait to see how everyone else does, and then wait some more to see who makes the cut and whose names are on the list. When the list came out on Monday, many discovered that their best wasn't good enough. They weren't on it. Some missed the cut by one-hundredth of a second or one centimeter.

These kinds of things make me appreciative of the grace of God all the more. No limited number of winners. No missing it by just a little. Because it isn't about how good I am or how perfect I become. It is about how perfect Jesus was and his death for me. It isn't about pleasing a God who is looking to only accept a few but about drawing near to a God who desires none to perish and all to be saved. Christianity isn't about what I do to be perfect, but about what Christ has done for me. It is about the grace of God expressed to us in Jesus. It is about my trust and faith in him, my obedient submission to him.

There is no cut to make. Just a gift to accept.

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I'm not going to take my computer with me over Spring Break, so there probably won't be a blog post for a week or so. But I will be posting to Twitter, so look for me there!

The Appreciation File

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

In the lower left hand drawer of my desk there is a file labeled "Appreciation." It contains an interesting assortment of notes, cards, and drawings that I have kept over the years. The thing they have in common is that they are items others have given me that express thanks and appreciation.

I know that, to some, keeping such a file sounds like an attempt to stroke one's ego. But the truth is we all need to be appreciated and that we live in a culture that doesn't express it often enough. So much of our lives are built on competition with one another - grades, scholarships, sports, jobs, promotions, and even relationships. Many people feel that their contributions aren't noticed or appreciated. So it is refreshing when someone steps out of this tide of competition or self-absorption and lets someone know how they have encouraged them and added to their life.

I flipped through my appreciation file today. Some of you might be surprised to know that you are in there. I have items from almost thirty years ago. But each of the items, and the person who gave it, are special to me and have been used by God to encourage me and build me up. And there are times when I'm discouraged or tired when that file is one of the things that keeps me going.

In the passage above, Paul calls us to say only those things that encourage others and build them up. Does that describe your speech? When was the last time you made a point to encourage someone? When was the last time you expressed appreciation to someone who influenced your life?

Be like the Biblical character Barnabas, who was known as the "Son of Encouragement." Or like my friend T.Ray, who has the gift of encouragement. You are encouraged any time you are in his presence.

Make a point this week to say "thank you" to someone who has touched your life. Look for a chance to encourage someone.

And start an appreciation file of your own.

Out of the Overflow of the Heart

"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

I spoke this morning from James 3 - a passage on the power of the tongue. I referred to the passage above during the talk. The words that come out of our mouths are a barometer of what is in our heart. They reflect our character and our spiritual condition. The implications of the verse are sobering.

When I complain, what does that reveal about my heart?

When my words are sarcastic, what does that reveal about my heart?

When my words are sharp and angry, what does that reveal about my heart?

When my words "modify" the truth, what does that reveal about my heart?

When my words are negative or pessimistic, what does that reveal about my heart?

When my words are such that I couldn't imagine Jesus saying them, what does that reveal about my heart?

What do your words reveal about your heart?

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If you haven't seen this picture, you need to spend some time checking it out. I need to get me one of these cameras! Adrian, can you find you and Shallon in here anywhere?

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I'm always a sucker for these kinds of stories. It is so encouraging to read about kids who understand the things that are really important in life. This young man's parents and coaches have done a great job in raising him.

Video Games and College Students

A couple of news items regarding college students, thanks to the Ivy Jungle Network's Campus Ministry Update:

Video Games and Behavior: A new study has shown a correlation between college students who play video games and several undesirable behaviors such as drinking and drug use. The study, published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, showed that most men played video games at least weekly. Women did not play much. Of all who did play, regardless of gender, the study showed a correspondence to higher use of alcohol, drugs, and to poor quality relationships with family and friends. Men who played violent video games showed a greater tendency to violent acts as well. The author of the study would not state the relationship as causal, but sees warrant for listing video games as a risk factor for young adult development. (LA Times January 27, 2009)

Dropping Out for Video Games? FCC Commissioner, Deborah Tate has drawn attention after stating, "One of the top reasons for college drop-outs in the US is online gaming addiction." Tate made the statement in a speech in December, citing the 11 million people who now play World of Witchcraft. Video game makers have objected to her statement and continue to push for a source to back up her claim. (Wired December 11, 2008)

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Our Enemy never ceases to find new ways to add to the dysfunction of people's lives and to drive wedges between people. His has the ability to take things created by God or by man and pervert them into things that separate us from one another and from God. He has done it with sex. He has done it with religion. And he is doing it with technology.

Some of the most powerful images of the Church in Scripture are those of the Family of God and the Body of Christ. Some of the most significant factors is spiritual transformation are the relationships that we build with others who are following Christ and who can sharpen us, teach us, protect us, and hold us accountable. Spiritual maturity doesn't come just through the accumulation or knowledge, but also through those with whom we connect personally.

No wonder our Enemy is finding new and creative ways to isolate people. More and more we deal with students who are more comfortable living behind their avatar than dealing with other face to face. Because of this, they often lack significant relationships that can help them grow and develop and learn how to interact with the world.

I'm not a gamer, but I do enjoy technology. I text and check email on my phone. I talk to my daughter in Nebraska via Skype. I use Facebook. I Twitter. I am connected. But none of that takes the place of personal interaction, of face to face conversations, of personal accountability. We who are in leadership need to be finding ways to help people interact with one another face to face and not just through technology. We need to encourage relationships that are real and open.

One of the cutting edge developments in church life are "internet campuses" - church services that are broadcast online and can be observed at home. I've not had a chance to "take part" in one of these, but I want to. The idea is interesting to me, especially when it come to reaching out to those who are distant or far from a church. But part of me wonders if it might also feed the isolation of our technological world. Or maybe it will draw those folks in. I guess we will see.

The Distortion of Passive Christianity

Somewhere, somehow, someone distorted what it means to follow Jesus. Today I was reading I Peter 1:13, "Prepare your minds for action," and I was struck by how little that verse reflects most of the Christianity I see today.

According to Peter, the expected "posture" of following Jesus is one of action. It is to be an active way of life, that has noticeable, observable affects on our relationships, our budgets, our conversations, our use of time, where we invest our lives. But somewhere along the way, following Jesus has taken a passive posture in our lives and is certainly seen as a passive religion in the eyes of the world. Following Jesus isn't synonymous with action, but with going to meetings, reading and reflecting, listening to someone else talk, praying quietly to yourself, and singing songs to the back of someone's head. Of course, all of these things can be important part of our faith. And the reading and reflection on Scripture and prayer are essential disciplines. But their purpose should be to draw us to God who can then propel us into action. They are not to be walls that we can hide behind so that we don't have to take action or engage the world. The ending question of any time of reading, reflection, prayer, or worship should always be: "Thank you, Father. What do I do now?"

Real faith that God's Word is true and that Jesus is who he claimed to be should always propel us to action. A lack of action reveals a great deal about our faith.

When we start to live out our faith with an active posture, then preparing our minds for action because more essential. As an athlete prepares his mind for competition or a soldier prepares his mind for battle, we prepare our mind for active obedience to God and for the steps of faith that will require. If my conviction is that I am going to act on my faith today, then I will be more motivated to prepare myself for the challenges that will bring.

One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes is about Elaine's reaction when she finds out that her boyfriend believes she is going to hell, doesn't seem to care and doesn't take any action.

Contrast that with this clip that has been circulating around. In it Penn Jillett, a professed atheist, talks about his reaction when a Christian gives him a Gideon's Bible after one of his shows.

The take-away: Even a non-Christian world will look with respect at a faith that results in compassionate, sincere action.

Busy Doing Church = Too Busy for God

One of my "four words" for 2009 (see one of last month's posts) is Reflect. This speaks to my need to slow down and build time for reflection and extended prayer into my life. It sounds great, but it's easier said than done. The responsibilities of life and ministry, and the resulting "to-do lists", never leave room in life for reflection and extended prayer. If they are going to happen, they will happen because I make them happen - because I make time in my schedule and guard it jealously. Most who are in ministry and leadership can relate to the struggle.

Most ministries and churches suffer from the same issue on a corporate scale. We have let ourselves become convinced (duped) that the most important part of the Christian life is knowledge and content. We need another sermon, another lesson, another seminar, another conference, another book. We schedule one more meeting and listen to one another talk. Rarely do we make time to corporately come before God in prayer - to be still and seek Him and listen to Him and know Him. I'm convinced that we have done the Church a disservice in this.

This school year we have set aside a Tuesday each month to do that - to spend an hour with no singing, no teaching, just praying. We set up prayer stations and provide prayer guides to those who want them and then turn our students loose to just pray: for themselves, each other, our campus, our world, and more. Some are a little skeptical at first. But once they have experienced it, they love it and look forward to those weeks.

Last week was to be our prayer night, but the ice storm canceled all activities. So tonight we faced a decision that tested what we valued. Do we go ahead with our scheduled apologetics series (which is an important area for any Christian, but especially college students) or do we cancel the teaching and make up the prayer night?

As the one teaching, part of me wanted to get to the subject matter. It's important stuff on the nature and character of God. But the truth is that our students need time with God more than another lesson from me. So we postponed the regularly scheduled programming and spent the night praying together.

It was the right choice. It is always exciting and humbling to be in a room full of college students who spend an hour praying for their campus and world.

Too often I let our ministry get too busy to do that. I think my words are more important than their personal interaction with God. My guess is that your church probably does that, too.

Build time in your life to reflect and pray.
Build time in the life of your church or ministry to reflect and pray.
Jesus did it on a regular basis.
In fact, he didn't start his ministry until he had spent 40 days doing it.
Maybe he was on to something ...

Ice Storm 2009

We're beginning to thaw out here in NW Arkansas. If you're not from here, you might not be up on the ice storm we've faced this week. The weather started to turn bad on Monday night and by Tuesday morning, things were pretty much frozen solid. It was kind of eerie, sitting in the house and hearing trees cracking and collapsing all through the neighborhood. Some sounded like gunshots. Others sounded like thunder. We would hear the noise and try to figure out where it was falling - and praying that it wasn't falling on someone's house. By the time the sleet and ice stopped falling on Wednesday, roads were pretty much impassable, tens of thousands of people were without electricity, thousands of trees were devastated, and homes and automobiles were damaged. Even today, the grocery stores in our area were still closed and thousands will be out of power for at least a couple more days. Temperatures should get above freezing tomorrow, so the thaw should start.

We have been fortunate at our house. Our power was out for an hour or so on Tuesday night and a couple of hours today. The cable (and internet) was out for a couple of days, but overall we didn't suffer much. We got to spend a couple of days together, watching shows we had DVR'd and playing cards and dominoes. The trees in our yard (and we have several) did suffer quite a bit of damage. At least one is totally destroyed and others may be irreparable harmed. But we are safe and warm and blessed.

One of the greatest blessings came on Wednesday afternoon. There was a knock on the door and a group of our neighbors were there to help with cleaning up our yard. (Ours was probably hit the worst on our block.) So 9-12 of us, with a couple of chain saws, spent a couple of hours cutting up branches and stacking them up to be hauled away. We chat with our neighbors occasionally, but we don't know most of them very well. So for them to take the initiative to help us out as they did really warmed our hearts. We are planning another work day on the street on Saturday. The temperature should be in the 50's so we should get a lot of work done.

Reflecting on the Inauguration of President Barak Obama

Did you make time today to watch the inauguration ceremony of Barak Obama as President of the United States? I hope you did. In fact, I wish schools across the country would have dismissed classes and required their students to watch the ceremony. As I said in a post last November, this was a significant day in the history of our nation. Whether you voted for Barak Obama or not, I hope you appreciated the significance of the day. Here are some of my thoughts as I watched the inauguration events:

* The crowd that gathered on the mall in Washington DC was amazing. Millions upon millions of people who couldn't get close enough to actually see the event, but who wanted to be part of history. I had friends there, but I never saw them on TV!

* Aretha Franklin's hat.

* The musical piece by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and crew was amazing.

* I thought Rick Warren did a great job with his prayer.

* Either I'm not smart enough to appreciate good poetry, or that wasn't good poetry (or delivery).

* President Obama's Inaugural Address was inspiring and just the right length.

* George Bush handled himself with class throughout this transition.

I found myself with a sense of optimism today. But it wasn't an optimism necessarily based on President Obama. I didn't vote for him and am still not sure what kind of president he will make. I think my optimism is based on a couple of things.

One is the progress our nation has made in the last 40 years. When Barak Obama was born, there were restaurants in our country in which he couldn't eat and hotels in which he couldn't stay. Now he is the president of the United States. We still have a lot of problems to face and a lot of differences to overcome, but we have overcome a lot, as well. I can only imagine the pride and joy felt today by those who fought the civil rights battles a generation ago.

The other is the fact that ultimately it is God who establishes nations and those who rule them. It is God who directs history. The future of our country is ultimately in His hands. I may not know what kind of president Barak Obama will make but I do know the kind of God I serve.

Trends on American Campuses

Here are some items from the Ivy Jungle Network's "Campus Ministry Update." Thought you might find them interesting:

The Crime of Evangelism: A student from Yuba Community College has received representation from the Alliance Defense fund after the school threatened to expel him if he shared his faith on campus again. Earlier this year, the student handed out tracts and engaged students in discussions about Christianity. He was stopped by campus police for distributing material without a permit. Three weeks later he received notice from the President of the school notifying him that he was under investigation for a campus crime and could be expelled if he engaged in the activity again. The case is now pending in a federal court. (OneNewsNow November 23, 2008)

College Becoming Too Expensive for Most: Between 1982 and 2007, the median family income rose 147%. During that same period the cost of college tuition and fees rose a staggering 432% - nearly triple the increase in income. A report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education fears that the cost trajectory could pose a big problem for students in the coming years. If students can't afford degrees, the economy may take an even bigger hit as the Baby-boom generation (the best educated in history) retires and fewer qualified workers exist to fill their ranks. (CNN.com December 4, 2008)

The World of Twitter

Some time last fall, I began using Twitter. If you're not up on the latest in technology, Twitter is a free social networking service that lets people send and read other users' updates (known as tweets), which are posts of up to 140 characters that answer the question "What are you doing?" Usually the posts are read online, though you can set the posts (or select posts) to be sent to your phone as a text message. I can decide who I want to "follow" (whose updates I want to read) and others can choose to "follow" me. Currently, I follow 207 people and 134 people are following me. Of course, just because I follow someone doesn't guarantee that I have time to read all of their posts. But when I do, there is usually something interesting going on.

It is an interesting community. I don't personally know most of those I follow or those who follow me. Some people post frequently - several times a day. Others post far less often. Most of the posts aren't significant. Tonight, during American Idol, there were a lot of posts regarding various contestants (good and bad). Others, however, provide insights that are insightful and thought-provoking. There are a lot of very sharp thinkers using Twitter. Some posts provide information that is helpful - even information on local situations or conditions.

One of the most interesting parts of Twitter is the diversity of those who use it. Unlike Facebook, the Twitter "demographic" is older - people 30 and over. Most of those I follow (and who follow me) are people you have never heard of. Many of them are involved in Christian ministry. But not all. And there are some interesting folks who Twitter on a regular basis. On the list of those I follow (and some of whom follow me) are actors (Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Penn Jillette), musicians (Natalie Grant, Dave Matthews, Sheila Walsh, Deidra Hughes), athletes (Jerry Rice, Lance Armstrong, Natalie Gulbis, Shaquille O'Neal), politicians (Mike Huckabee, John Boozman, Barak Obama), and authors (Ed Stetzer, Mark Batterson, Thom Rainer, Leonard Sweet, Donald Miller), and more.

So after three or four months, what do I think? I think I like it. I enjoy the "dialogue" - listening in on the thoughts of others, learning from them. I like the way that answering the question "What are you doing?" makes me more aware of what I am doing, being more purposeful and focused.

If you decide to check Twitter out, be sure and look me up (@michtarm) and I'll follow you!

Some Interesting Reading

Here are some things that have been setting in my inbox that I found interesting. Maybe you will, too:

* From the BBC: "100 Things We Didn't Know Last Year" - As you read these, remember this is British. Some of the references I didn't recognize and the money is listed in pounds. And a lot of the things I already knew!

* From FastCompany.com: "The 12 Most Creative Minds of 2008" - I don't think I knew any of these people, but they are doing some really interesting things! Bonus question: Who is the most creative person you know? How do you define creativity?

* From Amazon.com: "Top 2008 Albums for $5" - You can download some of last year's best albums from a variety of genres for just $5. I purchased a couple. Can you guess which ones?

Now that the inbox is a little less cluttered, I'll post about something more substantial next time.

Three (or Four) Words

There are two kinds of people: Those who make New Year's Resolutions and those who don't. I have always been a "goal-setter", so I naturally fall into the camp of those who make resolutions. Of course, I also fall into that camp's large subset of those who make New Year's Resolutions but don't succeed in keeping them!

Over the past couple of days, however, I have seen several people mention this blog post by Chris Brogan. He writes about a different way of setting direction for the new year - thinking in terms of three "words" that set the direction for the year rather than specific resolutions about what you are or are not going to do. When I read the post, I found that his ideas resonated with me. Over the past couple of years, I have been thinking more in term of a compass than a clock. A compass makes sure you are heading in the right direction (or at least in the direction you want to go). A clock measures where you are right now, without regard to the direction you are heading. The older I get, the more value I see in the compass than the clock. (In fact, I have even started collecting compasses - though the collection isn't very big yet.) In my mind, the "three words" idea is like a compass - setting the direction for the year.

So I have been thinking of my three words for 2009. But I couldn't settle on three, so I have four. My words for 2009 are:

Discipline - In all areas of my life, making sure I'm doing the things that will get me where I want to be and eliminating the things that hinder: spiritually, physically, financially, and more.

Focus - I often let my life get too scattered by saying "yes" to often and "no" too infrequently. So I want to narrow the focus of my life and ministry so that I can be most effective in the places that are more important.

Reflect - I need to do a better job of slowing down and spending time in spiritual and professional reflection. That means setting aside specific times on a regular basis for reflection, as well as just slowing down in my daily life to really see what is going on around me and recognize the doors for ministry that God opens.

Lead - I believe that organizations - including a campus ministry and the Church - rise or fall on leadership. God continually gives me opportunities to lead in a variety of areas, but I feel a need to be more proactive in those opportunities.

Those are my words for 2009. What are yours?

Another Gem from Rick Reilly

One of my favorite sports columnists is Rick Reilly, formerly of Sports Illustrated and now of ESPN. Here is one of his latest columns. It's a great story of a coach, a team, and a town who looked beyond themselves and the score to what was best for their opponents - an athletic model of Matthew 7 and Philippians 2.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12



"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4

Christmas is upon us ....

This post has been delayed a few days because of blogger problems ...

The celebration of Christmas is often attacked from folks on both ends of the cultural spectrum - from those on the religious right who feel that it is too "secularized" and distracts from the real message of Christianity and from those on the liberal left who feel that the religious trappings of the season are inappropriate in our pluralistic culture. Here is a very good column by Michael Medved on the issue.

Have a very merry Christmas - regardless of what the Scrooges among us say.

To add to your Christmas season, here are a couple of Christmas-related links:

Many folks claim that their favorite Christmas movie is "A Christmas Story." I don't necessarily share that sentiment, but here are "Twelve Things You Might Not Know About 'A Christmas Story.'"

And here is my daughter's (Stacy) favorite Christmas song.

A couple of heroes and Christmas in June

I recently drove to Nashville, AR for the funeral of Ralph Posey. I came to know Ralph shortly after we moved to Arkansas in 1982 and he served on our Board of Directors for several years. Ralph was, to me, a great model of ministry and influence - especially in rural America. Through the years, Ralph preached in churches in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, and Wyoming. During many of those ministries, he also worked as a welder, truck driver, farmer, police officer, and more. In fact, the program at his funeral listed at least 20 other jobs he held while serving in churches. As I drove the four and a half hours home from his funeral, I thought a lot about that.

One of my frustrations with many who are entering "professional ministry" is that they are often more interested in a position than in a ministry. The ideal job is on staff at a large church where they can have a salary and benefits and a professional-development budget. They aren't necessarily looking for the place with the greatest need or greatest opportunity. They aren't interested in a ministry that might require sacrifice, raising support, or working a part-time job. As one who has raised support for over 26 years and often seeks to add staff or open new ministries, I run into this often.

Ralph Posey was called to the ministry, not to a position. If he served in a church that could provide his financial needs, that was great. But if it meant that he had to work as a welder in order to preach the gospel, that was great, too. Ministry was what he was called to, not a position. (That sounds a little bit like the Apostle Paul to me.) And the benefit was that working as a welder, logger, or police officer put him in contact with those who needed to see and hear the gospel most of all. An overflowing church of people gathered to celebrate his life was testimony to the effectiveness of God's work through him.

I don't mean to sound cynical. I just think that we all fall into the trap of wanting a Christianity and a ministry that is easy and convenient, of thinking that the call of God will always result in a position where every need is met. You don't have to read very far into the Bible to find that isn't true. I'm thankful for the thousands of unknown men and women like Ralph Posey, whose only desire to serve God wherever he calls them, regardless of the sacrifice and work that it might require.

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Some other items of interest for you ...

Read about the researchers who have identified the bright star that appeared over Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. Are you ready to move Christmas to June?

Here is an article on some of the things that celebrities require in their contracts when they make appearances. All I want is a Diet Coke!

Finally, I love this story about US sprinter Shawn Crawford. Regardless of what Sports' Illustrated might say, he is my Sportsman of the Year.

Another Engagement

Gina and I entered Thanksgiving Day tired. We were up late on Wednesday night, waiting on a phone call or a text message. It came at about 12:20 am on Thursday morning. Stacy was engaged to be married to Ryan Meier.

We knew that Ryan was going to propose that night. We just thought it would be closer to their 7:00 pm reservation at Bordino's than to midnight. But Ryan was (understandably) nervous and it took him a while to get the question out. But he did and she said yes. The date and details are yet to be set.

We are proud of both Stacy and Ryan. Stacy, our youngest, is 22. She's bright and sharp. A beautiful young woman who is committed to doing her best in whatever task she undertakes - her job, her schoolwork, Christ on Campus responsibilities, and more. Her commitment to the Lord is also evident in the values she lives by and her involvement in ministry and service. And we are happy about her engagement to Ryan. Gina has known Ryan's family for many years (she was his kindergarten teacher) and he has been involved with ConC during most of his college career. His love for Stacy is evident and he is tender and so attentive to her. His commitment to Christ is also clear. He got involved with our ministry even before he and Stacy started dating (though I have a suspicion that she was a factor in that) and has continued to grow and serve through his college career. Ryan will be accepting a job in Colorado Springs, where he and Stacy will be moving after their graduation next spring.

Both girls are now engaged and, most likely, will be married by the end of next summer. Our family will be heading for some major changes. And the changes are good. It is God's design that our daughters leave our home and cleave to their husbands, start their own homes, raise their own families. But the changes aren't always easy.

Today, Stacy and I went Christmas tree shopping. That is something that she and I have done together since she was a little girl. It has been part of our family Christmas tradition for many years. But today it was a little sad - at least for me - because it was probably the last time we will do it. By next Christmas (if the Lord wills) she will be a college graduate, a married woman, and living in Colorado. And I will be proud of her and happy for her. But I will miss shopping for Christmas trees with my little girl.

Examples of Character and a New Bible Drama

I pray that everyone will have a great Thanksgiving holiday - restful and delicious and full of appreciation for every good and perfect gift from the hand of God and those people in your life who help to make it rich and full and joyful.

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I am always moved by stories of character and integrity. Here are a couple that have come to my attention lately:

Randy Cope is a newspaper man. I met him a few times when he published our local paper. His daughter attended a couple of camps that I spoke at and I often read his brother's blog. But Randy and his wife have developed a passion for those caught in the web of human trafficking. They have started a foundation - Touch a Life - that is working to free children in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Ghana. They are people with a passion who are making a difference in the world. Be sure and watch this video on the children of Lake Volta in Ghana.

When Kathy Cox (Georgia state schools superintendent) won the one-million dollar prize on TV's "Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader" (the only episode I have actually ever seen), she promised to donate the money to two schools for the deaf and one for the blind in Georgia. Little did she realize at the time that her husband's home-building business would fail in the midst of our nation's housing crisis. But rather than go back on her word and use her winnings for personal needs, she kept her word and gave the money to the schools. She and her husband have since filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You might be able to debate the wisdom of her decision, but you have to admire her willingness to keep her promise.

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Finally, check out this play put on by the drama department at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. It is based on the "terror texts" of the Bible - rape, cannibalism, bears eating children. I can see children's ministries across the country performing this over the next year!

Birthday Weekend

This was the weekend of my fiftieth birthday.

50 years old. That has an "old" ring to it.

It's interesting how we picture ourselves. I tend to "see" myself still in my late 20's - though my body lets me know quite often that's not the case. Fifty is for old men and I don't see myself in that category. Maybe it's from working with college students for over 26 years. Maybe that has kept me "younger" and more immature than other men my age. And I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing!

50 sures puts me past middle-age - unless I plan on living to be over 100!

But it is also a natural point for reflection and evaluation. Most likely, over half of my life is past now. And over half of my time in ministry. Am I content with what it has been? How do I want to adjust its trajectory from this point forward? Though my physical strength is on the decline, I don't believe that has to be the case spiritually and personally and in ministry. I do believe that the my greatest years of service and ministry are ahead of me. And I am excited about them.

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There have been a few celebrations over the past week. On Tuesday night, our students all wore black to our Encounter service. Since it was three days before my birthday, I didn't catch on until they started to sing "Happy Birthday" - I guess the mind starts to slip a little at my age. They also brought a coffin-shaped cake and some pictures of my face on the body of a hamster (that's another story).

On Friday, the Carter clan came over for dinner. We always have a great time playing with our god-children.

We spent Saturday and Sunday with our girls and their men in Kansas City. We ate and played at Dave & Buster's, played cards, watched the new James Bond flick, did a little shopping, and just hung out together.

And, of course, a birthday wouldn't be complete without presents:


* A new leather recliner
* A beautiful painting that Gina had commissioned featuring one of my favorite verses of Scripture - Ephesians 2:10 - and done by one of our alums, Lisa Miller. If a students has been around ConC very long, they have heard me talk about it at least once.


* The traditional box of Cap'n Crunch cereal

Interesting Trends on the University Campus

Here is some information about trends on the university campus - thanks to the Ivy Jungle Network's Campus Ministry Update for November.

And why should you care about these things? Because the American university is one of the most influential institutions in our world - training the generation of leaders in government, business, education, science, medicine, and more for countries all around the world. What happens on our university campuses now will influence the direction our world will take in the future.

So support your local campus ministry.

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College Students and the Lockbox: Research by the Fuller Youth Institute shows that 70% of youth group graduates do not find college a place where professors and peers reject their faith outright. On the other hand, it also shows that students are not nearly as "spiritual" as we like to think. For the majority of students, college is a time where many personal and religious connections are stored in an identity "lockbox," tucked away for the collegiate years; unexamined and protected until reclaimed at a later time. This compartmentalization explains why so many youth group kids join the cultural mainstream of campus life, seemingly "walking away" from their faith. The report explains, "emerging adults seem to care more about fitting into society than about exploring who they might be." Certainly, there are some who engage their minds and look into the box. These are often both Christian and non-Christian students seeking to know more about and grow more deeply as people and in faith. The article encourages religious workers to pursue those who are looking into the box and help them grow. In addition, youth ministers would do well to help students prepare for a faith that grows and changes as they mature and encounter new ideas and people. This will help them continue to look into the box and press on in their walk with Christ. Read the article and interview with Tony Jones at http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/2008/10/the-lockbox-theory's-implications-for-your-students/

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More College Students: In 2008, more than 3.3 million high school students graduated from high school, the highest number ever. Graduates are expected to top 3.2 million for the next 8 years. Colleges are feeling the effect, with 75% saying that they have seen their number of applicants increase for the third year in a row. This is due to both more graduates, and the fact that 19% of students now submit 7 or more applications. However, colleges report a steady acceptance rate of 68% of all applicants nationwide. That rate has not changed much in twenty years. More than 2/3 of all applications are now received online. (A Scribe Newswire September 25, 2008)

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Wi-Fi over Beer : Most students expect wireless internet access almost everywhere they go on campus. Nearly all say they check Facebook or send emails during class. When forced to choose, almost half (48%) say they would give up beer before they would give up wi-fi. (Inside Higher Ed October 8, 2008)

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Now for something a little more lighthearted. Check out this video of Justin Timberlake's "Why I Love Sports" from the 2008 ESPY Awards. Yes, I know they were a long time ago. But I never watch the ESPY's. And this video is funny whenever you see it.

A Significant Moment in History

I didn't vote for Barak Obama. I wasn't excited about John McCain and I was disappointed by his selection of Sarah Palin as a running mate. But I couldn't bring myself to vote for Barak Obama. The radical positions he has taken on abortion were more than I could overcome.

But regardless of how I voted, I can't help but be struck by the significance of Barak Obama's election. Yesterday was an historic day, a significant day in the history of our nation. Please don't miss that, regardless of what you think of Mr. Obama or his politics. It was only 40 years ago that Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis. An African-American president would have been unthinkable then or in several years following that. But today Barak Obama is our president-elect. His selection says much about how far we have come as a nation.

I don't want to miss that or the significance of his victory. Even if I didn't vote for him.

We have made great strides, but there are still so much to be done in the area of race relations. If you walk through the dining halls on campus, you can't help but be struck by the "voluntary segregation" that goes on. And "integration" is a concept that has failed to hit the Church in any significant way. Because of this, I believe we are missing out on a powerful witness to our world - that Jesus Christ really does change hearts and heal wounds and reconcile people.

In God's wonderful way of working things out, I will be preaching from Acts 10 this Sunday - Peter and Cornelius and the gospel's work in breaking down racial barriers (as well as talking about the big sheet of animals in the sky). God's "dream" for his people on earth is that we reflect the reality of heaven - where people of every tribe and nation and language gather before his throne to worship him.

We have been blessed to have more diversity than we have ever had in our ministry, particularly in our Sunday morning services - students from around the world, as well as of different ethnic backgrounds. But there is still much to be done.

Yesterday's election was a big step. But there are a lot of more steps that need to be taken. Both in our country and in the Church.

On Election Eve ...

Tomorrow our nation will select a new president (as well as decide on hundreds of other offices and issues). From all indications, the voter turnout will be huge. Arkansas has been doing early voting for the past two weeks that the numbers have been large. I probably should have voted early, but I didn't. So I will try to be there early in the morning.

The "Faith & Reason" page of USA Today posted an interesting question today: "How Christian must a candidate be?" The column reported on a debate between two Christians on the issue. One took the position that he wouldn't vote for anyone (from dogcatcher to president) who wasn't a conservative Christian. The other said that he would first look at a candidate's policy positions before looking at his personal religious faith. The article linked to a video of the debate. I didn't take time to watch it, but the question is an interesting one.

Character is a huge issue in politics. But what is the balance between convictions and competence? Between religious faith and "governing" experience? Between being able to quote the right answers to a religious test and being committed to Biblical values such as justice and a true "pro-life" platform that goes beyond just the issue of abortion? It seems to me that we, as Christians, have often been easily swayed by candidates who "speak our language" but don't truly hold to Biblical convictions. And that sometimes we, as Christians, don't have a very deep or broad understanding of the Biblical values that are truly important to God.

To be honest, neither of the year's presidential candidates gives me much confidence. But the good news is that my confidence rests in the one establishes presidents and nations. I hope yours
does, as well.