#WWJP

One day I am going to do some serious research on a day in the life of my FB newsfeed.  I think it would be an interesting case study to document the types of postings, the reasons why the post was made and the attitudes that are generated from a simple status up date.  

Its interesting what pops up on my newsfeed.  Sometimes its discouraging and quickly gets my blood boiling. Other times it sautrates  my soul with joy, especially to see what God is doing in the life and ministry of many of my former students (at least the ones that let me see and still have me as a friend!)

Here are some of the samplings of the attitudes and things I read today:  cynicism; self promotion;  conspiracy theorist; snarkism; current health status; world travels; scripture verses; beautiful photos of God's creation; what people eat; pictures of kids playing, laughing, eating, napping; ads for products I have no interest in...etc.  The list can go on and does so.

The things that get to me are the salvationists who continue to make flippant comments about things pertain to SA ministry, whether its policy and procedures, uniform wearing or what not.  In the back of my mind I think if it troubles you so much why in the world are you still sticking around?  And for gunny sacks, why are you posting it for the world to see?  It really doesn't change anything other than allowing the person to vent. And worse, it makes them look really bad.  At least my perception of them is bent.

I have developed a love hate relationship with all of this social media stuff.  In 2006 when I came to the staff training college I was asked to develop a course that explored current trends.  We are now in our 8th year of this course simply called "Emerging Trends."  Back then I required all of the students to keep a 'Xanga' account.  It was one of the first major blogging sites.

Of course now its exploding with facebook, vine, tumblr, and, as my father likes to call it, 'tweeter'.  In a weird way I sort of regret that we have all of this and that I actually encouraged people to use it.  I am rapidly moving in the other direction now as I have seen too many negative impacts that have resulted from a sour posting from a person having a bad moment.

I have made a really concerntrated effort to post on the positive side of things here.  I don't want to be cheesy or come across as super spiritual - that is really nothing but hiding behind my false self and reeks of Phariseeism.  One needs to be very intentional and mindful of a posting because you never know who may read it or what sort of lasting impression it will leave.  

So here are a few hash tags I would love to see pop up: #endingthenegative #wwjp  #whatwouldjesuspost

Lets keep the negative buried in our hard copy diaries.  When we post for others to read lets do so with keeping the glory of God in mind.  My aching heart will thank you.

Blocked Blog

So just when I was getting into the rhythm of writing in this old blog of mine again I hit a snag.  I have been offline due to limited access and blocked access.  Sometimes 'websense' makes no sense to me but I am flattered that my blog was blocked by Salvation Army access.  Then I found out the yahoo maps was blocked as well so I knew it wasn't a personal thing!

We had a terrific National Training Seminar at the Eastern Territories College for Officer Training.   I will write more about that experience soon.  What a grand time that was.

We have also had the chance to get to spend time with our daughter and son in law, Laura & Adam Fyn who showed us all around New York City.

Cindy had been invited to give a Kroc Talk to the good folks of the Camden New Jersey Corps.  We will continue to pray for Majors Cain and their staff as this beautiful center is starting to rise from the ashes in a city desperate for something like this.

We have also had the chance to spend time with some of our favorite people on planet earth: Mark and Josephine Morton and their beautiful girls.  They are playing host to us as we spend a couple of days with them in their home and we plan to visit the countryside of Pennslyvian.

I am taking a few days to unplug and unwind, doing this thing called 'sabbath.'  Needing time to retreat a bit as a busy academic year awaits.

More entries await.  Thanks for reading and for your words of encouragement.  Happy Summer!

Kind

One of the lessons I have learned along the way is never write something in survey I would never be willing to say in person to either the organizers of the event or to the professor directly.

Part of my current position requires me (can I say 'forces' me?) to read the results of surveys of all kinds.  We ask our students for feedback for numerous reasons.  Its a good way to measure if we are being effective in the service that we provide.  Its also part of the 'evidence' that we collect to share with our accrediting institution.

The difficult part for me is that no matter how hard or to what great lengths we go to make sure everything works fine, there is always someone that is never satisfied.   98 percent of the responders can find good and there is always that slim 2 percent margin that finds it all wrong.  That, in all reality, is just life.  A small percentage can only see the glass half empty.

The unfortunate thing is sometimes I read some very unkind comments made by people who I truly believe are called to be caring individuals.  The only solace I take from those sorts of remarks is that everyone of our students is actually going into a line of work where they will be evaluated, criticized  and picked apart every single day of their ministry life.   I suppose its a subtle way of pay back that will come their way.

I am amazed at times how unkind supposedly transformed people can be at times.  The witness that we give is not platitudes of God speak, our witness wear or draping ourselves in doctrine and dogma. Our witness is simple kindness.  Whether it is responding in a survey, how we treat the gate agent when our flight is delay or cancelled, how we respond to a slow waitress or an erratic driver on the road.

The evidence of the holy life is not you saying you are but the reflection you give off.  Even when you are having a bad day and you need to vent.  Its still not an excuse to spoil your witness.

I have been pondering the words of Paul these past twenty four hours:  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  Ephesians 4:27

I am stuck on the word 'kind'.  I am doing a self overhaul to make sure I am reflecting this fruit of the spirit in all I do.  Whether if its in an email, a social media post or my personal interactions with others.  

Someone is always watching.  Someone will always remember.  Each moment is an opportunity to extend the kingdom or squelch the spirit.

God helps us to pursue kindness more and more each day.