A Promise.

How's this for a legacy? (quotes from wikipedia)
"Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying older sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world's largest breast cancer organization and largest source of nonprofit fund dedicated to breast cancer."

"Since its inception in 1982, Komen has raised over $1.5 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world. Today, the Komen organization is recognized as the leading catalyst in the fight against breast cancer, with more than 100,000 volunteers working in a network of 125 U.S. and international affiliates. Susan G. Komen for the Cure received Charity Navigator's highest rating, four stars."

Formulas.

My car was looking pretty dirty the other day, so I took a trip to the local do-it-yourself car wash.

I had a couple dollars in quarters and figured I could get the car pretty clean for about $2.50. I put the quarters in the machine, turned the knob to "Super Soap Soak" and let 'er rip.

Throughout the process of washing the car, I assumed the power washer would produce the water pressure and suds I needed to get my car moderately clean (mainly just less bug-encrusted). I put the money in and got results.

Here's where I tie in the real-life example and the new found spiritual truth you're expecting (get ready): God is not a coin-operated power washer. (Surprise!)

I definitely don't buy into the prosperity gospel that has wormed its way into the Christian subculture. The view that we believers have a right to blessings of health and wealth from God isn't one that fits within the context of the Bible.

But just because I don't buy in to the sham doesn't mean my bed skirt isn't a little ruffled. I have tendencies that result in treating God like a cosmic ATM (relevant mag's words, not mine).

And it's the little lies that we believe, or half-truths that we let slide, that can be the most devastating.

I like equations. Math is always the same. Two plus two always equals four and I take comfort in that. The funny thing is, there are those equations in the realm of Christianity that are always true. God will always love me, no matter what I do (or don't do). I will find Him when I seek Him with all my heart. He will provide what I truly need - and if I don't receive it, maybe I don't really need it. It's funny how easy it is to doubt these things even though they are as true as two plus two. I hate these cliche type of sayings I just listed, but they really are true. Of all the times I complain about not being about to find God, I must admit I wasn't seeking Him that hard. Of all the times I complain about not getting what I want, I really do have what I need.

I suppose instead of asking God to bless the things I do, I should try doing things I know He will bless. I love to make all kinds of plans, especially in the realm of MPD, but things rarely seem to work out the way I want them to.

I expect results when I step out in faith. Sometimes I see exactly what I expect, while other times I don't see any immediate result. Regardless, it's my job to step out in faith. If you're truly living your life to glorify God, regardless of your occupation, you will have to take steps of faith, leaving the results up to God (helloooo witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit). Hm. I guess there's one formula that always works!

Future Strengths

I've blogged about my strengths before, but lately my thoughts have revolved around my future and so I've been thinking about my strengths a lot. Ok, fine- whether I think about my future or not, I'm often thinking of my strengths and how to use them differently, or more efficiently. God's been doing a lot of stuff in my heart/mind and I'm not real sure how that will play out in the coming months/years. At this point, I'm just grateful for where I am.

These thoughts have partially included the field HR and why I love it so much. I enjoy talking about and thinking about my personality and how I can hone my strengths to make me even better at what I am good at. Below are my top five thought patterns:

People strong in the Individualization theme are intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. They have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.

People strong in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.

People strong in the Significance theme want to be very important in the eyes of others. They are independent and want to be recognized.

People strong in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation.

People strong in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

A few thoughts on these patterns:
I'm surprised Connectedness didn't make it into the top 5 (having faith that there are links between all things/events). Maybe it was in the #6 spot. At first I was surprised that Achiever (great deal of stamina and work hard; taking great satisfaction from being busy and productive) was not in my top 5, but I'm kind of glad it's not!

Also, the Arranger theme can organize with a complementing component of flexibility; they like to figure out how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity. This pattern combined with Individualization would be key for HR.

People to pair up with: Activators. Hard core. I stink at finishing things.

Nomad June?

I was supposed to be heading to Chicago today, but instead I am heading back to Vermillion. I'm bummed that MPD stuff in Chi-town didn't work out. It's hard to maintain a sense of urgency in MPD, but I trust I'll get to Minneapolis when God wants me to. (Well, I'm hoping he wants me there August 1, because that's when I'm moving. But I do realize all my support might not be in by then- so I will at least be living in Minneapolis, just not reported to the Ops team. I digress).

Thankfully, God knows what's going on. It's not surprising that I can trust Him so easily with something so hard that isn't going very well. And when things are great, it's hard to relinquish control; especially in those areas of my life that go well when I manage them.

Advice to Seniors

I was digging through some junk the other day in my attempt to pack my stuff, when I happened to find a notebook of loose papers. I almost threw it away without checking to see what it was. Turns out, it was notes from a guest speaker in the Business School from my senior year of college.

As I glanced at the notes, I remembered that he was actually was a good speaker. I didn't write down his name, but I remember he was at that time the CEO of the Americas of HSBC. My notes are pretty basic:

-Love what you do. It’s all that matters.
-If you’re in a game you can’t win, you’ll lose.
-Know the boundaries of the circle of competence. What do I do well?
-What do I do when I don’t have anything to do? How can I make money doing it?

I remember appreciating his honesty; we heard so many people come through the business talking about money, politics, climbing the corporate ladder. But there were small glimmers of something different- "revolutionary" ideas that loving one's day job will bring you more happiness than money. (Shocking, isn't it?)

He also had a top ten list - advice for college grads:

1. Manage your own career (60% me, 20% company, 20% luck).
2. Excessive Job Hopping is detrimental to your career.
3. Maintain a keen sense of curiosity; don’t be too complacent.
4. Gain international experience/exposure; a second language is a plus!
5. DO NOT compromise your values and principles at work.
6. Take pride in all aspects of your work. Be responsible. Take ownership.
7. Be a team champion; don’t be a star.
8. Listening is an art and a hard skill to develop.
9. To be held hostage to your job is not a career.
10. Enjoy what you do and have fun!

Even though I'm in full-time ministry, I still want to have a 'career' of sorts. Maybe that's a bad thing. I've wondered at times whether I'll get (any) skill development on a professional level working for Crusade. Whether I will or not, the spiritual and personal development is a lot more valuable to me (and I think development in these areas would help my professional skills to stand out more, anyway).

Anyway, I know this list is just his opinion, or a rip-off of another person's opinion, but I was intrigued by his very first statement: you need to take change of your own career. I know I will get great opportunities professionally with Campus Crusade (definitely comparable to my fellow USD B-School classmates of 2008); but regardless, I must be responsible for my own career development.

I don't worry as much about other items on the list (#2, #4, #5), but the rest are really important. I definitely want to enjoy my work, fostering creativity and curiosity while being responsible for my contribution to the team.

If I haven't said it enough, I'm so excited for what is in store at the Regional Office!

Nomad June!

I've decided to become a nomad...at least for the month of June. The first day of June was spent at my place in Vermillion, amidst half-packed boxed and piles of stuff. June 2 was spent at the home of some dear friends (the Johnson's!) in Des Moines, and June 3 will be spent in the great state of Indiana. I'm looking forward to the nomadic lifestyle for awhile. I've become very used to taking every opportunity that comes my way. My job forces me to...but I've also found a sense of freedom in doing so. Sometimes a regimented routine leaves no room for the Spirit of God.

Campus Ministries Working Together

How does a ministry decide on which students they will focus? How do staff members who can limited time and resources make certain their resources are used effectively on campus?

I love the intense focus within Campus Crusade of winning students to Christ. Our organizational focus is evangelism and discipleship. This is what God called Dr. Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, to focus on when the ministry started in 1951, and this is still our focus today.

I've heard a quote from Bright stating his interest in helping a believer understand and live in the power of the Holy Spirit over bringing someone to Christ. His reason was strategic; the more believers that are actively sharing their faith, the more people that could potentially be reached.

So if we're about reaching students in college and training them to be life-long laborers, the strategist (is that a word?) in me says train them while they're in high school so they can jump right into ministry in college.

A good thought, but there's an alarming statistic to consider: around 80% of Christian high school students leave their Christian faith in college.

So what do we do? How do we balance what God's called us to as a ministry and the current needs of university students?

This issue has been in the back of my mind throughout my college days, and even more now as a staff member with Campus Crusade. Several months ago, a friend shared with this article with me from the InterVarsity website about the importance of the first 72 hours on campus. The story also highlights a great organization partnering with existing Christian ministries on campus. (I love hearing about Christian mission organizations working together. It just makes sense to team up in reaching people with the Gospel).

Youth Transition Network (YTN), was created by Jeff Schadt to help students transition from high school to college. Schadt, a former Campus Crusade for Christ staff, explains that freshman often assume the adjustment to life on campus will be easy, but they often find themselves overwhelmed.

YTN partners with more than 65 organizations, including InterVarsity and Campus Crusade, to help students transition well. "For the second year in a row, YTN is offering SUCCEED 2010 to give high school juniors and seniors and their parents an opportunity to attend a live simulcast that covers the social, spiritual, financial, academic, and time-management issues that students face. “We address their practical needs as well as their spiritual needs,” Jeff said." (From the InterVarsity website. The Article in its' entirety can be found here. More information on this simulcast is available at YTN’s parent and pastor website www.YTN.org).

I'm grateful I had a textbook experience, because the transition to college can be a tough one. My first 72 hours set the course for my college career, and totally changed my life. If my then-Christian roommate wanted to party hard the first few months of college, I probably would have tagged along, I desperately wanted to fit in at that point, so I was willing to take huge steps out of my comfort zone and experience new things. I'm so thankful the Christians on campus were putting themselves out there to meet new people and trusting God to work amongst the new freshman on campus.