What Does Your Internet Trail Say About You?

In his book The Next Story Tim Challies writes:

In 2006, America Online made an epic misjudgment. As part of a research project … the company made available to the public a massive amount of data culled from … the search history of 650,000 users over a three-month period. This totaled some 21 million searches.

Before AOL released the data, they changed all the user names into anonymous user numbers. But it didn't take long before those numbers were linked to real names. AOL realized its mistake and withdrew the data, but the search histories had already been copied and uploaded elsewhere on the Internet.
Challies offers the following summary based on AOL's mistake: 

It was possible to reconstruct a person's life, at least in part, from what they searched for over a period of time …. What is remarkable about these searches is the way people transition seamlessly from the normal and mundane to the outrageous and perverse …. One user went from searching for preteen pornography to searching for games appropriate for a church youth group. Others, spurned by lovers, sought out ways of exacting revenge, while others grappled with … cheating on their spouses. Our searches are a penetrating window into our hearts.

Challies concludes with some challenging questions: "What does your data trail say about you? Would you be willing for your spouse to see it? Your parents? Your pastors?"

Tim Challies, The Next Story (Zondervan, 2011), pp. 176-178

When She Opened the Door

Life-changing encounters often come unexpectedly by Gordon MacDonald

It was 50 years ago this month that a mentor-friend said to me casually, "I've met a woman that I think would be a great wife for you."

This was no small comment coming from a man who was older than me, certainly wiser, and far more grounded in his relationship to God. His counsel (and rebukes) had always been trustworthy and valued. So for him to say he'd met a woman, who would make a "great wife" for me, certainly caught my attention!

When I asked for a description of this mystery woman, my friend described someone who seemed a perfect combination. To borrow a famous line from Keith Miller, she sounded like a combination of Mother Teresa, Betty Crocker, and Elizabeth Taylor—a perfect woman.

When he finished his glowing description of this "goddess," I insisted that I must meet her, and soon! I feared that some potential suitor might meet her before I could. In fact, I pressed my friend so hard to schedule an introduction that, finally, to get me off his back, he made a phone call. Minutes later we he had arranged breakfast with her the next morning.

The next day, at the appointed hour, my friend and I stood at her apartment door and knocked. It is said that we tend to form lasting impressions of people within 45 seconds of meeting them (thank you, Malcolm Gladwell) and that could explain, in part, what happened to me 50 years ago when I was introduced to Gail Akerlow.

Below is my recollection of that day. I wrote these words, and, a few days ago, read them to Gail during a candle-lit dinner.

When I knocked that morning,
You opened the door.

When you opened the door,
I saw a vibrant smile,
Heard a cheery voice,
Felt a firm hand.
And instantly I knew that I was meeting The one whom I'd been seeking.

When you opened the door,
I smelled breakfast, lovingly prepared,
Heard beautiful background melodies,
Saw order and felt restfulness.
And instantly I knew I'd come under the spell
Of someone who knew what home was all about.

When you opened the door,
I sensed a partner
Who loved to dream,
Who longed to serve.
And instantly I knew that you were someone
With whom I could share my life.

When you opened the door,
I had this insight:
That I was face to face with a woman
Who could love me into maturity.
And instantly I knew
That I could love her just as well.

When you opened the door,
I was sure that Christ was right beside you,
That you were loyal to him,
That you were his follower.
And instantly I knew
That we would walk with him together.

When you opened the door,
I warmed to your welcome.
for at that door I met the woman
That God had promised if I'd trust him.
And instantly I was sure
That everything in life was going to be different.

Thank you for opening the door.

A month later I asked Gail to marry me. Five months later we walked the aisle.

Here are some lessons from my story:

• You never know when a life-altering event (good or bad) may emerge out of the most casual of conversations.
• Make sure you have friends with the gift of discernment. And if you're the friend, make sure you don't squander your influence.
• If the Holy Spirit is our guide, it is prudent to begin each day making sure that you are "guidable."

Even if they are schlocky, write poems for the people that you dearly love.

source unknown

Howard Stern Searches for His Father's Approval

In an interview that aired January 18, 2011 on Piers Morgan Tonight, host Piers Morgan interviewed shock-jock Howard Stern. At one point in the interview, Morgan said he had read that Stern had watched his father praise people that he really respected, and that Howard had grown up craving that praise from his father. Morgan commented that Stern seemed to be driven by the need to please his parents.
"How often does [your father] say to you, 'Great show, Howard'?" Piers asked.
"Rarely," replied Stern. "He said to me some years ago … and it really moved me, he said, 'You're a genius.' And I was rocked, because I never thought I'd hear those words. I didn't think I, was ever gonna earn that respect in my father's eyes."
"What had you done to earn it do you think?" Piers probed. "I think it was after my movie," Stern replied. "It was after many accomplishments. I think in many ways with my career I was searching for that approval from my father. And it's a very empty search actually, because when you get it, it's almost too late. It's like ooh, you mean this was what this was all about … this was what it was all for?"

source unknown

We All Need Others to Help Us Succeed

In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell tells the strange story of Christopher Langan, a genius with a staggering IQ of 195. (For some perspective, Einstein's IQ was 150). During high school, Langan could ace any foreign language test by skimming the textbook 2-3 minutes before the exam. He got a perfect score on his SAT, even though at one point he fell asleep. But Langan failed to use his exceptional gifts and ended up working on a horse farm in rural Missouri.
According to Gladwell, Langan never had a community to help him capitalise on his gifts.
Gladwell summarises the story of Langan in one sentence: "[Langan] had to make his way alone, and no one—not rock stars, not professional athletes, not software billionaires, and not even geniuses—ever makes it alone."

Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers (Little, Brown and Company, 2008), p. 115

John Perkins Reflects on the Uselessness of Fame

According to author and theologian Paul Metzger, one of his greatest living heroes is John Perkins, an African American Christian leader from Mississippi who was nearly beaten to death in the '70s for his work in racial justice. From all accounts, Perkins could enjoy the status of a Christian "celebrity," but instead he realises the fleeting glory of fame. Metzger relates the following story about a recent conversation with Perkins:

One evening in 2007 in Portland, Oregon, I was driving the now-elderly Dr. Perkins to a benefit dinner. He was to serve as the keynote speaker at the dinner, which was raising money for an inner-city community development ministry that brought jobs and housing to ex-offenders and youth. As we drove along … I asked Dr. Perkins what it was like for him now in Mississippi. Dr. Perkins replied matter-of-factly, "I'm kind of a hero now in Mississippi. It seems that every time the state newspapers write something about reconciliation, they quote me. It's as if I created the word," he said with a laugh. There was a pause in the conversation. And then as he was looking out the window, he [said], "But when I think about how many homes my fame has built for the poor in Mississippi, I realise that my fame hasn't built any homes for the poor. So I don't put no stock in my fame."

There were no television or newspaper reporters in the car—just Dr. Perkins, his daughter Elizabeth, and his young chauffeur (me). That young chauffeur almost lost control of the car. I rarely come across such a value system—in others or in my own heart. The Christian celebrity leverages the gospel for his or her own benefit. The saint asks God to leverage his or her own life and "fame" for the gospel and for people. The celebrity wants to be famous. The saint wants to be influential so that others might meet Jesus.

Paul Metzger, The Gospel of John (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010), pp. 50-51

Farm Workers Treat Their Manager and Fellow-employee to a Feast

For the past few years my friend Chris has worked for a nursery farm on Long Island. During the height of the growing season, about 28 other employees, mostly seasonal workers from Central America, also report to Chris. As a follower of Jesus he tries to share Christ's love and treat each of his fellow-workers with respect and dignity. In Chris's words:
In my broken Spanish, throughout the day I'll do my best to show genuine interest in their lives, getting to know them, and asking about their lives. Most of the guys send a lot of their earnings back to their families, so I also ask them about their wives and children. Sometimes I'll try to share Christ's love in practical ways by giving them a ride home or picking them up a fast-food sandwich. But we always end each day by looking each other in the eye as we say, "Gracias Dios por un dia más," or "Thank God for another day."
One day two of the men, Gonzalo and Daniel, wanted to show their appreciation for me, so they decided to splurge on a special gift. They pooled their resources and took me out for a special dinner—a $7 Value Meal at the local Burger King. By spending $3.50 a piece, Daniel and Gonzalo were giving me a sacrificial gift. The week before they gave me this gift, a storm had cut their work hours and their income in half. But that didn't deter their generosity. Honestly, throughout my life I've been treated to some special meals and I've received some expensive presents, but that was one gift that I'll treasure forever. During the meal in Burger King, Gonzalo and Daniel treated me like a king. I never knew fast-food burger and fries could taste like a foretaste of the heavenly feast.

source unknown

Whining Cats Illustrate Our Disobedience

The cats in my house sure live a cushy life. Recently, as my cats watched beautiful snowflakes falling from above, they wanted to go outside and enjoy it. I tried to tell them that they don't really want to go outside, and that it's in their best interest to stay inside. I tried to tell them that it's cold out there and they aren't used to the cold and eventually they'd freeze to death. But they sat there whining in such a pitiful tone that I, out of sheer distraction, let them out. In minutes, they wanted back in. Then, minutes later, they again noticed the snow falling and wanted back out. I call them the Yoyo creatures.
These cats pray to me, their lord and master, for what they think they just have to have. It's fairly clear that they think I exist solely to give what they desire. They covet the snow. And I explain to them: "You think you want out, but I know something you don't understand. Stay in here with me. It's warm and safe in here, and you will find rest for your souls. And while you're at it, stop fighting over the water bowl. I promise plenty of water for you."
In our relationship with God, aren't we just like those cats? As Isaiah almost said, "All we like sheep (or cats) have gone astray, we have all turned to our own way" (Isaiah 53:6).

David Shelley, Greeley, Colorado

Bride and Best Man Jump into the Ocean to Save a Life

In November 2010, a wedding party in Glenelg, Australia, was unexpectedly called into action right after the wedding ceremony. While they were posing for pictures on a scenic ledge, a woman unrelated to the wedding fell into the water and struggled to the extent she appeared to be drowning. Dressed in his tuxedo, the best man jumped in and brought the woman back toward shore. Then the bride, a trained nurse, waded into the water and started administering CPR. By the time the Surf Life Saving volunteers had arrived, the woman had regained consciousness. But according to one safety official, "[The victim] was very lucky that the bridal party was there and they acted quickly and got her to the shallows." After the daring rescue operation, the drenched but heroic best man and the bride happily rejoined the wedding reception and continued with the festivities.
In some ways, this unusual event serves as a great image for the calling of every local church: we're dressed up for a party (celebrating worship), but at the same time we're also prepared to dive into mission, even when it's inconvenient and dangerous. Worship and mission, loving God and loving others, praising and serving—these combinations aren't opposites; they form the dual nature of our calling as the church.

Best man jumps off Glenelg Jetty to save woman, News.com.au (29 November 2010)

Os Guinness Discovers God's Call

In the early days of his Christian life, Os Guinness believed that he had to prove his commitment to Christ by becoming a minister or missionary. So, urged on by his spiritual mentors, he worked for a well-known church, but he was miserable. God changed his heart and refined his calling through a random encounter at a gas station. Here's how Guinness described it:

[In the days before self-service gas stations], I had just had my car filled up with gas and enjoyed a marvelously rich conversation with the pump attendant. As I turned on the key and the engine to [my car] roared to life, a thought suddenly hit me with the force of an avalanche: This man was the first person I had spoken to in a week who was not a church member. I was in danger of being drawn in a religious ghetto … . Ten minutes of conversation with a friendly gas pump attendant on a beautiful spring evening in [England], and I knew once and for all I was not cut out to [work full-time in a church].

Instead, as Guinness continued to pray and seek God's guidance, he discovered that God was calling him to work in the world so he could use his gifts and build relationships with people who didn't know Christ. After God released Guinness from what he was not supposed to do, Guinness found the freedom to pursue God's true calling for his life.

Os Guinness, The Call (W Publishing Group, 1988), pp. 5-6