Echoes in the Hall

REFLECTION

2008-04-20T18:07:00.001-05:00

It has been a while since I have posted anything on here period, but especially anything about Tricia Reitler. A couple of years ago I posted a blog really hitting home to the heart of the matter about my feelings on that subject. I have resisted writing anything else because I felt strongly that I had said it so well that I didn't want to do anything to trample on that memory.

This year, on March 29th, I was really busy with a work-imposed activity and wasn't able to take a day away like I usually do to reflect on my time with Tricia, my time at IWU, and just my life in general. I guess it has taken me a month, and the occurrence of Tricia's sister's birthday to jog me out of my own personal issues to remember the lessons from Tricia that we all need to be reminded of daily:

Appreciate life-If you talk to members of Tricia's family, you will hear about a wonderful young woman that loved to laugh and appreciate life.

Appreciate all that you have because every second is precious and you never know when it all might change (This isn't just something to learn from Tricia-it's so impactful that Jesus talked about it as well.)

Make sure to learn from the past so that you are not doomed to repeat it.

College is such an exciting, dynamic time. It offers the possibility of new possibilities. Students go off to college thinking that they can change the world and that they have it all figured out merely because they got acceptance in a letter. The burden on all of us and what I take away from this year is that we need to help students realize that they do not have to be in such a hurry to grow up and take responsibility. We need to come along beside them and share in the wonder of it all. We need to help them see that they can slow down enough to actually look around and enjoy the ride that they're on! So much of college is preparing for the future that oftentimes, students forget that they are not even 20 years old and that they might never have an experience like the one they are going through now.

On this, the 15th year since Tricia's disappearance, I take away the fact that I want to continue to have the zest for life of a 19 year old--tempered by the experience of a 35 year old--so that I can help a whole new generation of Tricia's learn about possibility and responsibility.

For anyone interested in getting a 2008 update to help focus your prayer time for Tricia and her family, see the article and link below to the Marion Chronicle piece that was published in March. I hope that it encourages you as much as it did me, that we are not the only ones that still think about Tricia from time to time!

Posted: Apr 1, 2008, 06:32 AM

http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/articles/...1f825909537.txt

Mom: Please help us find Tricia! IWU student’s disappearance hard on family

BY MISHELE WRIGHT

“It’s just not fair,” Donna Reitler said about the unsolved disappearance of her daughter, Tricia.Tricia Reitler, a 19-year-old Indiana Wesleyan University student, disappeared 15 years ago today. March 29, 1993, the college freshman, originally from Ohio, walked a half mile to Marsh Supermarket, 4512 S. Adams St., and bought a root beer at the pharmacy next door.She never made it back to her dorm room at Bowman Hall, though. Her clothes were found in a field between Center Elementary School and Seybold Pool. Suspects and leads have come and gone, police have said. Still, there are no answers, no charges and no Tricia.After 15 years, Donna Reitler said not knowing what happened to her daughter still is painful.“It’s hard because there’s someone out there who knows where she is,” she said. “There’s not anything we can do, but it still feels like we let her down.”Although Tricia would be 34 years old now, her mother still thinks of her as she was then.“It’s crazy to me, because she’ll always be 19,” she said.Reitler said it’s difficult seeing Tricia’s friends, who are grown with families of their own. She thinks about her own daughter and what may have been. She also realizes that Tricia has been gone for almost as long as she was with them, she said.“She was such a wonderful person,” she said. “She just had so much to offer. She was caring and loving.”The hardest part for Reitler, however, is not having her oldest daughter with her and the rest of the family, she said. Her other three children have grown, and she now has grandchildren — who have never met their Aunt Tricia.Every year on the anniversary of the disappearance and on Tricia’s birthday, each member of the Reitler family takes off work and spends the day together, in remembrance of Tricia.“You have to,” Reitler said. “It significantly changed our lives (when she disappeared).”“We all know life goes on,” she said. “We talk about her and what would have been. You never forget. I just wish we could find her.”Reitler, who is in contact with the Marion Police Department about once a year, still has hope that her daughter will be found, but she said she knows chances are slim after all the years that have gone by. Her fear is that people will stop looking, she said.Deputy Chief Cliff Sessoms said the case will remain open until it’s solved, but it’s going to take a witness coming forth with new details to solve the mystery.“It means a lot to a lot of us,” he said. “I was a detective at the time, and I remember getting a page for a missing person.”He said the officers worked hard on the case and followed every lead they got, and they haven’t forgotten about Tricia.“There was a tremendous amount of follow-up on this case,” he said. “I’m confident that, as a department, we followed up on every lead. It became personal for many (of the officers).”Last year, the police department entered Tricia’s dental records to the National Dental Image Repository, a program set up for missing persons. If another agency were to find remains, they could check the dental records with Tricia’s to see if they match. Sessoms said the department also is working on a DNA profile of Tricia, using her parents and siblings’ DNA, which will be entered into a large national DNA database.Sessoms said he’d like to put closure to the case, especially for the family, but there just isn’t enough evidence. He compared solving the case to putting together a puzzle, where all the pieces must fit together. In Tricia’s case, pieces of the puzzle are missing.“I’d like to believe there’s someone out there who knows something,” he said. “For whatever reason, they haven’t come forward. Some people think their information isn’t significant. The worst thing somebody can do is have that one key and not come forward. That could be the one piece that breaks the case open.”Over the 15 years, police department has maintained a bulletin board with information about Tricia. The board contains a map and a timeline of what happened that evening and pushpins with string, connecting what witnesses heard or saw that evening. Sessoms said the board remains up as a reminder to the officers that Tricia still is out there.“We haven’t forgotten about this case, Tricia or her family,” he said. “We’re going to continue to press on, and we’re confident the case will be solved. The person who holds the key is still out there, and that’s who we need to hear from.”Sessoms said it’s important for people to remember the case and to know who Tricia is and who she was back then.“When I drive down 45th Street, there’s not a time I don’t think about this case and wonder what happened and where she’s at,” he said.Reitler said she knows Tricia’s case touched many hearts.“From day one, we knew that (the police in Marion) cared for Tricia, too,” she said. “There was no doubt they wanted to find her.”She said she understands that police don’t have anything else to follow up on, especially as time goes on, but she doesn’t want people to forget about her daughter and to quit looking.“I’ll always be grateful for the police department and the city of Marion,” she said. “The people were wonderful to us.”Alma Caldwell, Swayzee’s town clerk/treasurer, has kept Tricia’s picture hanging up at city hall since the young girl disappeared. When the flyer gets worn and faded, she makes a new copy to hang up.“I probably won’t take it down till I’m not the clerk anymore,” she said. “I just don’t have the heart to take it down, because if it were my daughter or my son …”At the time of Tricia’s disappearance, Caldwell had a son and daughter who were headed to college soon.“How devastating is that?” she said. “You send your kids off to college, and you expect them to come back. It brings it close to home.”Every time Caldwell hears that a body has been found, she thinks that maybe it’s Tricia, she said.“There’s no closure for that family,” she said. “I was hoping she would be found eventually, but it’s been 15 years. I just really feel bad about it.”

What do we think about Starbucks?

2007-12-16T23:05:00.000-06:00

I must admit, I am reeeeally behind on this story, but since it is still within the pulse of our times, I feel obligated to 'blog' about it. I just had a friend, who is a former Marine, share with me that he doesn't go to Starbucks because they don't support the war on terror or the troops. This story has been bouncing around for a couple of years, I guess, in that a Marine wrote to the Starbucks corporation asking them to send some coffee to some troops serving in the Middle East. Allegedly, Starbucks sent an email reply that told the Marine that 'Starbucks didn't support the War on Terror, or anyone having anything to do with it'. I have done a little research and Starbucks defends themselves by saying #1 that they did not reply in this language but that they do not give to religious groups or political organizations, choosing to focus their resources in their local communities, and therefore would have denied the request from this Marine based on this corporate policy.

True to a big corporation, Starbucks goes on to take credit for the good that its employees do on their own, by saying that many of Starbuck's employees donate their free pound of coffee to shipments that do indeed go to soldiers overseas. There is also a retraction from the original Marine Sergeant that posted this story saying that he didn't do proper research in the beginning to find out if Starbucks had actually sent this email.

What do you think? Does anyone have any first hand info as to whether or not Starbucks is anti-military or just guilty of bad business etiquette?

A NEW YEAR!

2007-09-06T10:40:00.001-05:00

I have been sitting here reflecting on the first month of my time back in Texas, which included working 22 straight days, and marveling at how something as simple as an attitude change can impact your world.

I had a roller coaster summer in terms of searching for what God's will was for my life this year: Would I pursue a job and be hired to work at a school back in Iowa? Would I begin a Doctorate out in Virginia? Would I return to Texas? Obviously those questions have been answered, for now, but I came away with a new, fundamental understanding of myself and a new motivation:

I don't want to be negative.

I have found that I allow myself to wallow in my ineffectiveness at times; hoping that something will come along to lift me up out of my indecisive nature. What I have come to realize is that I now want to be part of the solution and that I don't have the time or the energy to BE negative or WORRY about those that are choosing to be stuck in their own runt of apathy. IF I talk about anything or anyone that is negative, it has to be in the context of relating the problem because we are now talking SOLUTION!

This simple attitude shift has made a world of difference so far in my time management, my effectiveness in dealing with judicial situations, and in my role as a leader and mentor to my RA staff. I am prepared for meetings. I have a clear vision for what I want to see from myself and others..........it even has me working out almost every day of the week because I want a better vision of myself and my physical health. This is infectious! This whole attitude came out of the fact that I love my family and any time that I would get depressed, I would get angry and default into the whole, "Why ME?" model because I wondered why I couldn't find a ministry closer to those that I love.

The motivation that I have now has everything to do with living for someone else. My little nephew, JJ (in the picture above), is almost 10 months old now and he is everything to me. I want to live a life that he can someday be proud to say that I am his uncle. I wonder if this is what people feel as they get married and start families. It is a very sobering thing to know that your actions will now affect and be crtiqued by others. I truly want to live a life that means something to not only myself.

I encourage all of you to look at your life and ask yourself two things:

1) "Is it really worth my time to be pouring energy into those people that are negative and probably aren't going to change?" Wouldn't it just be better to acknowledge those people for who and what they are and take care of the things in your own life that need work?

2) "What kind of life and witness am I projecting when I merely perpetuate the problem and do not become part of the solution?" I find that focusing on the goal helps me to create strategies that build the foundation upon which any vision can stand.

People shouldn't give up on people but there comes a point in every person's life where they have to live in the consequences of their own choices and we cannot force someone to change. We have to be consistent in who we are-What is the point in griping about others when we have so much to do ourselves?

LAST DAY!

2007-05-31T12:18:00.001-05:00

I am sitting here taking a break from moving furniture-the inevitable result of having people in your buildings all year and then renting them out for conferences all summer-thinking about the year that was here at McMurry and Abilene, Texas since this is my last official day under contract until August 1st.

As any of my friends know, I tend to do this ALL the time=reflect on things and try to find application or perspective for the days to come. This last year has been a very full one, full of ups and downs. As is always the case with time at college, the year seemed to just fly by. All in all, I had new friendships, new relationships that helped me feel more at ease with issues of the heart, I finished my Masters degree (finally!) and went through my usual questioning if McMurry is the place for me for another year. I definitely tested the waters a little, as a job opened up back in Iowa that would have brought me closer to my family (which is the ultimate goal in the next 5-10 years) but I am thankful that it didn't work out (I haven't heard anything from them at all) because I didn't really feel like it was a fit for me and I would have been bitter and unhappy there.

The thing that I have learned over the years and during my various travels is that I now have a greater foundation of trust in God. No matter what I struggle with, or how much I still worry, I can always come back to the fact that God has always provided for me. When I think about how much I would miss people or things here in Abilene, or wherever, I am reminded that just 2 years ago I didn't know any of these people and that God has brought them into my life as a blessing and wherever I end up, He will provide those relationships again!

I now enter into the fun part of my year as I get the next 2 months off to do a little traveling and hanging out with family and friends. It is always such a rejuvenating time for me that I look forward to it every year. I am sure that I will have stories and pictures to add to my blog and hopefully I will get to see some of you during my journeys!!!

14 Years

2007-03-29T14:26:00.000-06:00

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/r/reitler_tricia.html

Please look back at what I wrote last year at this time-I don't think that I could say it any better than that.

I will never forget!

http://williamshall.blogspot.com/2006/03/i-will-never-forget.html

MARCH MADNESS!!!

2007-02-26T16:45:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know that you can't really see this but, you can here: http://www.ncaasports.com/basketball/womens/brackets/viewable/2007/DIII

The only thing that you REALLY need to know is that my school, McMurry has qualified for the Division 3 National Tournament for the second straight year, which is only the THIRD time in school history!!!

McMurry actually gets to travel up to Newburg, Oregon (Having schools travel in D3 is almost totally unheard of, so is a big priviledge for us!). The host school is George Fox University and the draw is favorable for us because we don't have to see our nemesis this year, Howard Payne, until a potential matchup in the Sweet Sixteen. I have every confidence that our ladies will have a great trip and come back and crush Howard Payne and get our revenge as we end their season.......BUT first things first--The team we play, Puget Sound had a good year and tied for their regular season crown with George Fox but lost to George Fox in the Conference Tourney Final. Our conference has been much tougher this year, as we have had 4 teams ranked in the top 25 for most of the year, and 3 teams in our DIVISION were ranked in the top 15 almost all year!

I just wanted to say publically that I am soooooo proud of our Lady Indian Basketball team this year and I can't wait to watch as they show the country what they are all about!

Fun in Texas 2

2007-02-12T21:51:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to make sure to write a quick note to all of my friends and family up north who are struggling with the nasty weather. I heard on the internet radio from Cedar Rapids that they are under a winter storm advisory, could get up to 8 inches of snow, and the wind chill is down around zero AGAIN. I just want everyone reading this blog to know............IT WAS AT LEAST 65 DEGREES DOWN HERE IN ABILENE TODAY!!!

This is for all of you that made sure to call me last fall when we had gotten snow and none of you had--PAYBACKS!!!

PS-I have finally updated my myspace account so please come and add me as your friend if you have a myspace account!!!

Pardon me while I go put on a light jacket because the temp has dipped down to 57 degrees and I just got a chill! =)

HOORAY for college life!

2007-02-02T10:06:00.000-06:00

I have been having a renaissance recently in regards to my love for the college life. I have been remembering all of the wonderful experiences that I had in order to bring me to this point in my life. I have started to remember what it was for me to be a college student and all that wonderful possibility that laid out before me. Having the excitement, wonder, and feeling like anything was possible is what makes college life so amazing! It's the hope of something more. I am reminded that THIS is my role as a college professional=it is to play a role in shaping the dreams of students. So often I get bogged down in the negative decisions that some of my students are making that I forget that they too are just trying to figure out who they are and what can be done with this new found freedom that they have. The real problem is that a lot of these same students don't have enough of a foundation to have a real skill set to make good decisions; They have been thrown in the deep end of the pool and told to swim with barely a beginning knowledge of the 'doggie paddle'.
I was encouraged by a colleague recently that said, "How can we be asking our students to go out and live and function in the real world, if we ourselves have not done so?"-This statement was her pitch for working at non-Christian institutions. It made a lot of sense to me. As I am constantly reflecting on my life and what God has in store for me next, I am able to think back to the amazing experiences that I had in Williams, and I think that I can now add White's AND McMurry to that "Hall of Fame" for different reasons.

As a side note, another reason that college is such a buzz is because of some of the rivlaries that occur on the sports field. McMurry's arch rival is Hardin-Simmons because they are both here in Abilene. After a men's basketball game 3 years ago, someone was STABBED!!! A close second to HSU in terms of intense animosity is Howard Payne. The YellowJackets are located in Brownwood, Texas which is about an hour up the road (imagine a Taylor/IWU rivalry) but this year for our Basketball girls, the feud is especially powerful. Last Saturday, Howard Payne came into our gym and was ranked #6 in the nation. We rallied from 19 points down to beat them by a point-To ratchet the intensity up even further, they didn't drop any spots after their first loss, and we play them in their building again on Saturday. We are taking a hoard of people down and it should make for a very interesting afternoon of college hoops!

FUN IN TEXAS!

2006-12-01T10:01:00.000-06:00

I have to say that amidst all of the wondering in my life about what my purpose is, what is next for me, and where that next thing is, I have really enjoyed living down in Texas. I have enjoyed being able to explore a state that I had very little experience with before moving down here in August of 2005. My only other direct experience with the state of Texas was when I took a missions trip to Austin during high school to help a couple of missionaires who worked with the international student population at UT that our church sponsored. I guess because of that experience I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Texas.
So far in the last year and a half, I have had the opportunity to vacation/spend time in Abilene, Buffalo Gap, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Denton (University of North Texas), Mercedes, Padre Island, San Antonio, and back to Dallas for a RA conference at UT-Dallas. All of these experiences can be divided up into either time spent with family OR time spent related to my role as Hall Director here at McMurry.
The best times have definitely been with family, although the most rewarding times have been getting to know my RA's at the various conferences (UNT & UTD) as I get to see them outside of their "university persona" and spend time with who they really are and watch them grow and question their own realities.
Fun times with family have definitely been capped off by what has become an annual Fall tradition=Jeremy coming down to visit me around Halloween. For those of you that don't know, Jeremy is my oldest and dearest friend on the face of the planet. He and I figured out that we have now been friends for over 20 years! Those kids of friendships don't come along that often in this world. When he came down to visit last year, we did all of the touristy things that Abilene had to offer and so this year we were looking to find something uniquely Texas to take advantage of my living in this state.
Well, we found true Texas flavor in picking San Antonio as our destination. Jeremy flew down late in the afternoon on a Wednesday afternoon and so we got up and headed out for San Antonio early in the morning on Thursday and headed straight to the Alamo. For many Texans, I think that they get overwhelmed with Texas history and so the Alamo has lost some of its aura but it was inspiring for me to see it in person. We hear about the sacrifice and the heroism that happened there but to see the building in person and actually be up to your ears in history was awesome! The only unfortunate thing about the Alamo is that a lot of the original mission land has been gobbled up by government buildings and tourist traps.
On Friday, we got to experience SeaWorld San Antonio! We paid a little extra and got to enter the park early and go on a tour of the parks behind the scenes with some of the trainers!!! I got to feed dolphins and sea lions; got to pet stingrays and sharks and get front row drenched by Shamu!!! I also got to see penguins, beluga whales, and flamingos up close!!! We started our day in the park at 8:30am and didn't leave the park until after 5pm!!! It was an exhausting day but it was totally worth it and an experience that I will never forget. On the ride home, we stopped and got to interact with some Indian pictographs, but that is a story for another day....
You can see all of my pictures online on my Facebook account=Shoot me an email at feltzy@hotmail.com and I will send you the link.
12/1-It has taken me a while to finish this post but it will be worth it to add some pictures of SNOW in Abilene, Texas. I actually think the wind chill right now is down in the teens! I thought that I had left all of this weather in Iowa=Special thanks to my brother Joe who made sure to call me yesterday to rub it in that THEY did NOT have snow! Well, pay back is ayou-know-what, so I will make sure to be calling him the next time they have a blizzard and we are back up in the 60's!!! Enjoy!!!

Why I Do What I Do......

2006-10-20T12:06:00.000-05:00

The Road I'm On............

2006-10-10T17:38:00.000-05:00

The military personnel of the United States of America
are forever obedient to the duties assigned by their commanding officers.

Even in the face of fear and adversity, they walk out onto the battlefield to defend the honor and freedom of this country,without hesitation and disobedience.

Those who are in The Army of The Lord, have the same duty

to the will of The Almighty God.

Christians should always look towards the physical army,

for a very clear example of what God expects of using the spirit.

I GOT A NAME..........

2006-09-10T23:06:00.000-05:00

Like the pine trees linin' the windin' road
I've got a name, I've got a name
Like the singin' bird and the croakin' toad
I've got a name, I've got a name
And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I'm livin' the dream that he kept hid
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life wont pass me by

Like the north wind whistlin' down the sky
I've got a song, I've got a song
Like the whippoorwill and the baby's cry
I've got a song, I've got a song
And I carry it with me and I sing it loud
If it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life wont pass me by

And I'm gonna go there free
Like the fool I am and I'll always be
I've got a dream, I've got a dream
They can change their minds but they can't change me
I've got a dream, I've got a dream
Oh, I know I could share it if you want me to
If you're going my way, I'll go with you
Movin' me down the highway
Rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life wont pass me by........."I've Got a Name" by Jim Croce

I have to be honest to say that I have been struggling with motivation and direction lately. Most of the excitement and energy that I gained from seeing friends, family over the summer and hanging out with Student Development types has been soaked up in the bog of check-ins, emergency room visits, and tons of changes here at McMurry. I have also been struggling spiritually-really feeling exhausted and attacked in my spirit.

Jim Croce is a man that died in the summer of 1972-before I was even born-but his music has always spoken to me and I have always felt a connection to this man that never really experienced any commercial success before he died. The song, "I've Got a Name", has always comforted me and is my own personal anthem as I seem to always be called to walk down this road alone. But I am alone only in the sense that there is no one physically sharing all of my adventures-GOD is with me and always has been and will always be there. And like the fool I am and I'll always be (maybe part of the reason that I alone) I have been given a dream of reaching out to others. I am thankful that God has always provided those friendships and experiences that are "goin my way" so that I can roll along with them. The only thing that gets me through feeling unsettled in my spirit=like being a misfit to my family, and a poster child for what not to do in dating=is the fact that God continues to use me in spite of me. I know that God has not given up on me and that gives me the strength, perspective, and insight to have the energy to not give up on the students put in my charge.

I would ask for prayer that I continue to find new ways to seek and glorify God in all that I do as well as asking His direction for my future-wherever that may be. If I am to stay in Abilene, help me to find the strength to accept that charge and be an agent for change!!!

I'm still Alive!!!

2006-08-29T23:25:00.000-05:00

I have been reminded over the past few weeks of the joys and hardships involved in devoting your life to pouring value into other people. I have been running on the ragged edge the last three weeks: working 7 days a week and getting only 4-5 hours of sleep per night.

I have been thinking a lot about my beginnings in Residence Life that date back to the "Glory Days" in Williams Hall, to my time with the boys at White's, to now my second year in Texas at McMurry University-the home of the Indians, no matter what the NCAA may say!

I was finally able to attend my hometeam Bible study tonight and they have been going through a study called Discovering God's Will and the discussion this week centered around pinpointing those people that we turn to for advice in different areas of our lives like Career, Finances, Family, and other major decisions. This discussion was great for me because I was able to think about a bunch of people that have impacted my life (in no particular order)-Dr Voss, Fetz, JMak, James Swanson, Brian Day, Pete Dupont, MOM, Joe, Jeremy, all of my broken hearts/unanswered prayers, Kirk Statler, and many others. Some of the most influential people in my life have been my RA staffs-both the ones that I served on and those that I was priviledged enough to lead-Guys like Matt Hare, Matt McKee, Darren Campbell, Rob Dawson, Jason Benjestorf, Peter Damaska, Jon Allen, Stacy Brown, Eric Nentrup, Todd Bushong, Brian Bradford, Troy Yeager, Seth , Josh Hall, Bobby Fannin, Jake Burns, Josh Kramp, and Dave Wingfield.

I feel like I am in a state of flux because there have been so many changes here in my working life at McMurry that I just don't know what God has in store for me beyond this year. Is there a future for me in student development in Abilene beyond 2007? Does God want me to give up on my dreams for working with students in order to open up an opportunity in another area?

These are the kinds of questions that haunt us all at some point or another and I have come to learn that the reason that I am allowed to struggle with these things is so that I can have the understanding I need in order to minister to college students who are struggling mightily with who they are in God's universe. What I DO know is that God has always been with me and I am so humbled that He has brought into my life friends that have stood the test of time. The picture at the beginning of this blog is a picture that I took this summer of a lamp that stands on the Indiana Wesleyan campus at almost the exact spot where the front of Williams stood. I will always look back on the lessons learned in Williams to light my way for the trials to come. Thank you God for providing a haven like Williams Hall for me to be able to grow and learn the lessons that I needed in order to become the man that I needed to be today.

Back from Louisiana........

2006-07-31T00:24:00.000-05:00

Ok let's face it=I have been back from Louisiana for a little over a week now but it has been a hectic week of sharing what God did on the trip, fixing up the Jeep, and resting.

I think that it will take me a while to truly grasp all of the lessons that God taught me during this week. It was an amazing time of hard work, humbling reminders, and basking in God's presence. If you want to take a look at some pics from my trip to Louisiana or the rest of my 'Summer 06' adventure, click on my picture above!

We arrived in Baton Rouge on Saturday night so that we could go to worship on Sunday as well as have the day to recover from the 12 hour van ride from Abilene to Baton Rouge. The church we were partnering with-Fellowship Church in Prarieville, LA-was about 20 min away from our hotel and it was amazing to worship these people and see their heart for ministry and to feel God's presence in the room. It was a very moving service.

Monday brought about our first day on the jobsite and the beginning of what would have been problems for anyone other than GOD. Rain and overall wet weather in Louisiana (it was unbelievably humid and in the high 90's all week!) had led to the concrete slab not even being poured before we showed up. We walked on site to see the concrete crew pouring the slab. We were informed that this was not a problem=we would just build all of the walls on the ground and then lift them into place-keep in mind that this is a 15,000 square foot facility!

I walked around for a little bit not really knowing what to do, only knowing that I wanted to find a way to serve. (It is good to note here that the main theme from this trip is that the most important thing in serving God is to just be AVAILABLE!) I ended up latching on with a guy and his two sons-the Chaffins: Lawrence, and Spencer and Matt. We began to pound together the walls and I ended up helping to carry a lot of the heavy supports for the windows, doorways, and corner. I didn't find out until about 3/4 of way through the day that the reason these guys looked like they knew what they were doing is because they did=Lawrence builds houses and Matt and Spencer had been roofing for him all summer. They killed me on the first day. I ended up having some medical issues (too personal to mention here) and ended up taking Tuesday morning off.

When I returned to the worksite on Tuesday afternoon, I was really frustrated because I really believed that my attitude was one of just wanting to serve and I couldn't understand what God was trying to teach me as I watched others work. In my mind I could see things that I knew I could help with but had to accept the reality that physically I couldn't. In this time of humbling, I got my teaching lesson in the form of four guys who were working in the Wood Shop-Jon, Roy, Dewey, and Derek. None of these guys had ever worked in the Wood Shop before-they walked on to the site and found a way to serve. It didn't matter to them where they were serving or if they were even recognized for doing it. People needed boards cut to attach to the structure and they met that need-keep in mind that 3 of these guys are in their 70's! I was able to work along side and learn from these Godly men. I count myself honored to have served with them. I cannot wait to see them again next year wherever ChurchBuilders goes to serve next year.

I challenge each of you that reads this to pray about ways to serve-whether that be in the communities that you live OR by accompanying me to ChurchBuilders next year. Texas ChurchBuilders goes to serve the third week in July and has done so for every year for the last 30+ years. I hope to see you all there next year!!!

Back to Abilene.....

2006-07-10T16:56:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I make my way back down to Abilene. I was talking with my brother Joe on the way back from seeing Pirates of the Caribbean and I was thinking about how much is uncertain during this next year and how much potential for change is on the wind. It's also amazing to me how my time off so far has seemed both short and long all at the same time. When I think of going back to Abilene, it seems like its been forever since I have been there but it also feels like my time here in the Midwest has flown by. It has been an amazing summer-one that I will treasure always for the experiences as well as for some of the things that I learned about myself.

To recap: during my time at home, I got to watch my brother Joe finally marry the girl of his dreams; I have spent time with friends at White's; friends who used to work at White's; been to an amazing Student Development conference where I not only got fired up for ministry but also put to rest some old demons from my past; I got to party with Jeremy, the Indians, and Toad the Wet Sprocket in Indy; I was able to spend time with brothers Ben and Andy and take a day trip with my dad that many wish for in traveling to the Field of Dreams and then on to the Mississippi River Museum. I came home from time up north with my dad to find out that I will soon get to begin the new adventure of being an uncle sometime around Thanksgiving=Thanksgiving indeed!!!

During my time away from Texas, both my staff and my reality for this next year have changed but I know that somehow this is going to be a year to remember in terms of opportunities for growth and new experiences. I look ahead to it all with anticipation but cannot help but feel the butterflies of uncertainty as I say goodbye to my family in Iowa.

Goodbye Iowa...........................Hello Abilene!!!

Are the Pacers the new Knicks?!?

2006-07-03T23:28:00.000-05:00

Today the Indiana Pacers completed the Ron Artest saga by getting nothing in return for his services. Peja Stoakovic agreed verbally to a tender offer from the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE TEAMS IN INDIANA?!?

Indiana and Indianapolis have a rich history of putting together respectable, contending teams who fight for post season berths every year and give their fans hope that they will put all of the pieces together and bring a title to a proud, but title-starved state. This off-season, Indy has lost Edgerrin James AND Peja AND Ron Artest. It's funny and a little sad that the only way that the Pacers can hope to salvage any of this mess is to go after a player that they sent packing a couple of years ago: Al Harrington. Right now Indy has some attitude issues-they do not seem to understand the reality of today's sports market: the DOLLAR still reigns supreme.

IN CLOSING:

We need to take a moment of silence for the city of Detroit who were just shocked in their arrogance as Ben Wallace signed with the Chicago Bulls!!!

And now that that moment of stupidity is over-You HAVE TO take your hats off to the Bulls and the Hornets! Chicago is getting Ben Wallace-Shipping out malcontent Tyson Chandler and getting PJ Brown and JR Smith-and they are probably not done yet.
The Hornets just signed Peja, are getting Chandler AND signed Bobby Jackson (ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLAYERS!!!) away from Memphis to a 3 year deal=all in the span of 3 days!!!! The Hornets have Byron Scott as coach and the best up and coming guard in the league in Chris Paul! WATCH OUT!!

Take heart Indiana......................At least...................You have the Pacemates!!!

DAY TRIP!!!

2006-06-29T00:36:00.000-05:00

Today was a fun day for me. I have been spending most of the last week hanging out with my dad and family here in Cedar Falls, Iowa. One of the things that we made sure to plan this year was some kind of day trip. We had talked about different things like Canoeing, Movies, and other things but we really wanted to try to do something that was uniquely Iowa as well as a special experience for the both of us. We found it.

Today, my dad and I made the two hour treck to the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. I had watched the movie in preparation for our quest and it did not disappoint. Now I know that some of you may think="What's the big deal? It's just a baseball field, right?!?" To think this way is an indictment on the state of America today. To take from the movie, "Baseball has stood the test of time. Baseball is what has spanned the generations." Plus, I LOVE the movie. There was something spiritual about sitting on top of the bleachers along the first base line with my dad; Walking out to left field where Shoeless Joe Jackson had patrolled during the film; it was great for me and my dad to pose at home plate, bat in hand, as if we were ready to take a shot and wink at the picture just before our triumphant moment in the sun. It was an experience that I will take with me and treasure for the rest of my life. I hope that I will be able to go again someday and will definitely take the time to take my kids if I am blessed.

We also went on up the road to Dubuque, Iowa to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. We spent almost 4 hours exploring the grounds and what an amazing time we had here as well! It was fun to go through and learn about the great river, its history and its animal life. We also got to learn about some of the riverboat history and got to walk through and interact with a dredging boat that helps to maintain the speed and efficiency of the Mississippi. I, of course, picked up souvenirs from all of these places and look forward to sharing pictures.

Next on the list: Superman Returns, Friday at the IMAX theater in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and then on to Fourth of July happenings with my mom's side of the family.

SUMMER TRIP-DAY 17!!!

2006-06-17T23:43:00.000-05:00

I am finding that one of the hardest things to do is get in front of a computer each day to write about some of the amazing things that I am doing. For example, in the last week since I have written, I have gone through another 3 days of an amazing Student Development Conference at IWU that has hopefully inspired me to greatness=God give me the strength to follow through on even HALF of the ideas that I have floating around in my head and it could be a great year. As I was leaving the conference, I ran into my old desk manager in Williams=Nate Lamb!!! He is such an amazing man of God that has really devoted his life to his family. I am humbled that I was allowed to have any kind of role in his development. It was great to reminisce about some good times in Bill Hall!!! If you think of it, please send up a quick prayer for him as they just added a member to their family=Lauren (she's such a cutey!) as well as for Nate as he is beginning Grad School!
Last Monday night, I got to go to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game-which was a ton of fun=my first Triple A game! Tuesday night had a barbeque with some great friends in Indy-Wed I got to have lunch with my great friend Brian Day in Kokomo and tour a couple's AMAZING home that has been a continuing project over the last 10 years, and then THURSDAY=I got to see Toad the Wet Sprocket in concert at a great club in Broad Ripple called the Vogue!!!

This was a great moment for me to have some time to hang out with Jeremy and listen to some great music. Toad hasn't really toured together in about 2 years and it was at least 4 years before that-choosing to each focus on solo careers and other things. Toad has always been a band that I have identified with and actually play their Greatest Hits CD, P.S., to relax to and even as background music to clean my apartment. There has always been something inspirational and soothing about their music. It was a great time and I am so thankful that Jeremy and I got to share it.

As many of you know, I am inclined to reflect on things, and this post is no different. As I was spending some QT in Indiana, I realized that I have no idea when I will be back in Indiana again. I spent so much time hating the state and resisting the "Hoosier" label that it kind of grew on me. I mean, I spent over 9 years of my life there. I still have a large group of friends there who some could be called family (I hope that you know who you are!). Also, Indiana provided a good starting point to visit friends in Michigan and Ohio and it was a pretty sobering thought to not have any idea when I might be seeing some of those people again. Next year marks the ten year anniversary of my college graduation, which is traditionally celebrated at Homecoming. The problem is that I don't get a lot of vacation and I am pretty busy with my own college schedule responsibilities and so I doubt that I will make a trip to IWU next Fall. We shall see. At this point, no one is really talking about it. So, here's to Indiana=God has used this state to shape me and teach me things that make me the man that I am today and I am thankful for all of it! To everyone still behind, know that I take with me the memories and lessons in my heart and thank each and everyone of you for the part that you played in my life!

To quote one of my favorite Toad songs: "I will not take these things for granted!"

ACSD National-DAY ONE

2006-06-06T14:52:00.000-05:00

Monday marked the first official day of my journey inside the Association for Christians in Student Development's 2006 National Conference at my alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan University. As you might expect, I have been flooded with all sorts of different emotions regarding my return to this campus, as I have both worked here & been shown the door here with a pink slip in hand, as well as having been a student here for 4 and a half years. I also have added to the mix that I spent 2 and a half years working just 20 min's up the road-So I have spent a considerable time of my late 20's and early 30's involving this little patch of corn in rural Indiana and it has actually been fun to relive some of those memories and share bear hugs with some of the great friends that I still have here. I am sure that there will be future blogs regarding some of my memories and reflections on my time here in Indiana but for today, I want to reflect on the first day of the conference and some of the things that I took away from the opening night keynote speach by Dr. John Maxwell.
I ended up taking two legal-sized pages of notes so I will not overwhelm anyone with all of those thoughts but I will try to break it down. Now, it needs to be said that I generally do not care for some of Maxwell's stuff. He has some great ideas but I just feel that he really could have stopped at one book instead of how ever many he has put out because they all feel like regurgitated ideas from the first book. That is just my opinion-This is my blog and I am entitled to it!

Anyway, he did have some good things to say that inspired me to reflect on my ministry at McMurry and it was fun to be sitting with the folks from Abilene Christian University during the speech. Here are some snipits of what I came away with:

"Leaders make the position-A leadership position doesn't make a person a leader."

Leadership equals Servanthood=How can I lead through service in my current
position?

[ ] How can I better serve my RA's? Have I changed enough to be ready/credible to make a difference & be an Agent for Change at McMurry?

[ ] Can my vision/Passion allow me to stay in Abilene long term?

[ ] Can I stay in Abilene and still be involved in the ministry of Student Development?

[ ] What new opportunities can I explore this Fall? This Spring?!?

"We teach what we know, but reproduce what we ARE....."

[ ] Do what have managers or leaders at McMurry?

Managers=Manage the Status Quo
Leaders=Prepare Way For Change
Pursue Excellence

Climbing Ladders OR Building Bridges

Self/Competition --- Relationships
Steal from Others --- Add Value

POSITION=If you're not enough without it-You'll never be enough with it.

These are just some of the things from DAY ONE which was only a HALF day-just think about how much more I am going to be learning now that we are into the seminar portion!!!

JOE & ANGIE'S WEDDING DAY!!!

2006-06-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

Today was a very long but amazing day for me. I got to see my brother Joe get married. I would have to say that Joe and I are the closest of all of my brother's and it was a great thing to see him so happy. I have been blessed to be a part of many weddings and I feel honored that I seem to be the guy to have the "gut check" conversation with the groom right before he walks down the aisle. I was able to do this with Joe today. I enjoyed being able to talk with him through his nervousness, excitement, and joy. As times like these always do with me, I just found myself thinking a lot about times with Joe in the past, ways that I've seen him grow into a man that I love and am proud of, as well as being thankful for the many blessings that God has allowed me to be a part of in my life. This wedding was a blessing and I am so proud of the commitment that Joe and Angie have made to each other today. I have to admit that I teared up a little when the pastor shared some of the reasons that Joe and Angie said they loved each other. All in all, today made me so thankful for my family, my friends, and the possibilities of deeper friendships and opportunities to come!

For Fun

2006-05-28T00:13:00.000-05:00

9 things
Current mood: A little sad to be leaving Abilene for 6 weeks

9 lasts
last place you were: movies
last soda: Coke
last beverage: Nestea
last kiss: never
last movie seen: X-Men 3
last CD played: INXS-Switch
last bubble bath: Christmas at home
last time you cried: today watching The Patriot-the scene where Mel Gibson's little girl tells him not to go

-----------8 have you evers.
have you ever dated someone twice: nope
have you ever been cheated on: not really
have you ever kissed somebody and regretted it: see above
have you ever fallen in love: not yet
have you ever been depressed: yes
have you ever hit another person: yes

------------7 states you've been to:
1. Iowa
2. Indiana
3. Michigan
4. Minnesota
5. Wisconsin
6. Florida
7. TEXAS!

-------------6 things you've done today.
1. Took a shower
2. Laundry
3. Did some homework
4. Talked to my best friend
5. Watched a thunderstorm
6. Spent time with friends

--------------5 favorite things: no special order
1. Possibility
2. Friends
3. Joe
4. Mom
5. Watching a storm roll in and smelling the rain

---------------4 people you can tell anything to.
1. Jeremy
2. Fetz
3. Ma
4. Joe

----------------3 things you wish you had.
1. Financial discipline
2. 15 min face to face with God
3. Courage

-----------------2 things you want to do before you die
1. Visit Wrigley Field
2. Find a place to call home

------------------1 thing you regret
1. Williams Hall.............and the Cove.

Motivation

2006-05-26T21:34:00.000-05:00

I have to confess that I have been struggling with motivation when it comes to finishing my Masters degree. I am enrolled in two classes right now (which may not seem like a lot but it is double the workload that I normally have) and I am dreadfully behind in one of the classes=Finance. I have no idea if I will even pass the class which would mean more expense and could delay my graduation until December instead of August. Why can't I seem to find the motivation to finish? Why do my grades and learning not matter as much anymore? Where and when did I lose my desire to excel in my academics? Coming into my last 2 classes, I was carrying a 3.95 GPA and now that has taken a hit as I have had to retake a class and may now have to retake Finance (anything lower than a C equals a failing grade at the Masters level). Why can't I find the courage and dedication to finish the race?!?

***I posted this picture because two of McMurry's track athletes are performing really well and this guy, Han Ollison-who lived in my hall this year, has a chance to be a national champion in 4 different events!!! I am really proud of him! Check out his results here.

NBA DRAFT!!!

2006-05-24T17:52:00.000-05:00

Last night, the Toronto Raptors secured the 1st pick in the 2006 NBA draft. Now, while I wholeheartedly believe that college hoops are SOOOOOO much more fun to watch, I like to have fun with trying to predict where some of these players that I have watched over the last couple of years will go. It is also interesting to see if you favorite team can fill some needs and get back to the playoffs or even to the Championship (A quick thank you to the Mavericks for ridding us of the boredom of watching Tim Duncan whine his way to another title!)

Anyway, who will it be? Who will go #1?!?

LaMarcus Aldridge?

Tyrus Thomas?

Adam Morrison?

Or Andrea Bargnani from Italy?!?

The concensus (today) is that the Raptors will go with Bargnani because their GM, Brian Colangelo, knows him well and would feel comfortable with taking the risk-seeing that Bargnani could be the next Dirk Nowitski.

I want to know what you think! THINK YOU KNOW COLLEGE BASKETBALL?!? Go to ESPN.com and try their DRAFT MACHINE to see how you stack up against the experts.

You can also see how I did by going here.

GOOD LUCK AND LET THE TRASH TALKING DEBATE BEGIN!!!

Air Show

2006-05-22T00:05:00.000-05:00

I had an amazing day today. The weather down here in Abilene was amazing (Clear Blue Skies and around 95 degrees) but today was special because it was Abilene Appreciation Day at Dyess Air Force Base and I got to see the Fabulous Thunderbirds airshow (www.airshow.com, http://www.nellis.af.mil/thunderbirds/index.htm)!

I had enjoyed church in the morning, as I usually do, and we have been studying Philippians for the last few months now and the main theme for today was Phil. 3:12-14:

Pressing on Toward the Goal

"12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I was struck with the reality during the sermon that I too often let those things-sins-of my past chain me to that life instead of embracing the grace, forgiveness, and NEW life that Christ has offered to me. I never seem to want to accept that God can forgive me when I can't seem to forgive myself. I have to learn to forget what is behind and press on....otherwise I will be of no use to myself, God, or anyone else.

I say that this was the theme because I was confronted with this singular focus that Paul must have had as I watched the Thunderbirds perform. If you haven't ever seen them I would highly recommend it.
They do some amazing things and maneuver within feet of each other because they are focused on the task at had, and the goal of precision is what drives them. I encourage us all to think about what is important in our own lives as we remember our service men and women who hold the line and tell those who would steal our freedoms and security, "Not on my watch" and they pay for those freedoms with their lives. I have a friend who is getting deployed to Kuwait on June 1st=for me the sacrifice on the military just became real.

I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me...

I also need to remember the goal of living for Christ and learning to forgive myself.

Reflection

2006-05-09T14:51:00.000-05:00

The past couple of weeks have definitely been a roller coaster as we prepare for the end of the school year. Tuesday is officially "Dead Day" at McMurry where there is nothing scheduled on campus the day before Finals start so that students can finish up projects, papers, or in some cases, community service. I find myself reflecting on this year as I will be saying goodbye to some of my students.

At this time last year, I was struggling with direction and focus at White's in Wabash, Indiana because the management had taken a different direction and I felt in my heart that it was time for me to move on. It was a hard decision because even though my heart has never left collegiate ministry, there were a few students that I would be leaving behind that I still cared about. If there is one thing that has been reinforced by God this year, it's that He is always with me, every step of the way. All of the concerns that I had about my students, and my own direction for that matter, were answered. The one student that I was really worried about ended up getting placed in foster care will one of my best friends and his wife, who are some of the greatest, most loving people to set foot on God's earth. I am excited because they will love and care for this kid in a way that he has never had but deserves.
I also had most of my prayer needs answered once I got to Texas as well. I interviewed all over the country, having campus visits in Florida and Minnesota, as well as phone interviews in Mississippi, Massachusetts, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, California, Oregon, and Washington state! Once I got down here, I realized that I had never really committed to any of my 'stops' along the way because I seemed to always be looking to the next move or the next opportunity. Some of the things that I prayed for when I got down here was to find a quality church home that I could worship in that challenged me and motivated me to live out my faith. I wanted to be able to make friendships that would nurture me and provide that fellowship that I needed. I really wanted to try to find a home. I didn't want to keep looking back to Iowa and not living in Texas. I have found all of that. I have not felt this connected and excited about church since I was in youth group back in Iowa when I first became a Christian. I feel welcomed and challenged to get out of my chair and live for God all at the same time. I am involved in a Home Team Bible study on Tuesday nights that I really enjoy being a part of, with a group of people that I enjoy getting together with and enjoying their friendships. I truly feel blessed and encouraged to be included in their lives.

I also have this little thing called the RD job that I do here at McMurry which I will talk about tomorrow..............

God is with us

2006-04-14T21:41:00.000-05:00

My home team Bible study group has been doing a study called "Giving-Unlocking the heart of good stewardship" by John Ortberg. Essentially the study is about studying the importance of giving of oneself to others and to God. The first couple of weeks were about stewardship, God's provision, and how to set the groudwork to pursue spiritual transformation in an area of your life. I was a little worried about entering this study because titheing is something I have never really gotten into and I have really dreaded. I have always struggled with discipline in my money spending choices and so titheing always seemed like something I could never afford to do. Titheing was always too much of a "chore" or "inconvenience" for me to be bothered with. Titheing actually fell in line as one more area of guilt that I couldn't find it in me to forgive myself.

Taking all of the above into consideration, it's really amazing that someone signed me up to lead our discussion of this week's session entitled, "Titheing:
A Training Exercise for the Heart". As I led the discussion and asked everyone what was the first thing that came to their minds when I say 'Titheing', they responded as I did initially: obligation, discipline, etc.=everything that leads us to view titheing as a chore that we don't want to do. The thing that encouraged me is that this "CHORE" mentality is not at all how God sees titheing. He views this discipline as an extension of the relationship that He wants to have with us. God loves us all so much that He has provided for our every need and by giving back to Him, we are paying tribute to His provision in our lives.

The 3 scriptures that we read were: Psalm 106, Matthew 6:19-24, and Malachi 3:8-12. The coolest thing in all of these is the fact that in verse 10 in the Malachi passage is that God actually issues a challenge! God says, "Test me on this." God wants us to test His promise and see if He will "throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it."

Please join me in reflection this week on these issues:

Everytime I tithe, I remind myself that God is on the throne.
Everytime I tithe, I reinforce that all I have is from Him. He is the Owner, I am
the steward.
Everytime I tithe, I make a declaration, "I will trust you, God"--even when
trusting doesn't feel easy or natural.

I need to tithe to show my devotion and test God's promises in order to strengthen my trust in Him. Have a Great Week!!!

I WILL NEVER FORGET

2006-03-29T15:21:00.000-06:00

Tricia Lynn Reitler

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: March 29, 1993 from Marion, Indiana
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: February 9, 1974
Age: 19 years old
Height and Weight: 5'3, 105 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Brown hair, blue eyes.

Details of Disappearance

Reitler was a freshman at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana in 1993. She was last seen at approximately 8:00 p.m. on March 29, 1993. Reitler walked to Marsh Supermarket, which was approximately one-half mile from the university's campus. Reitler purchased a soda and left the store, intent on returning to her dormitory in Bowman Hall. She never made it there and has never been seen or heard from again.
Reitler's bloodstained jeans, shirt and shoes were discovered in a field near Seybold Pool and Center Elementary School, which is located between Marsh's Supermarket and the campus. Investigators said that 6 to 7 unidentified people were playing basketball in the Center School playground adjacent to the pool at the time Reitler disappeared, but none of the possible witnesses have come forward with information regarding her case. Authorities believe that Reitler was taken against her will while walking back to campus. Foul play is suspected in her disappearance.

March 29th, 1993 is a day that will be forever etched into my memory. I remember it like it was yesterday and I just get this empty, hollow feeling about losing Tricia Reitler. I remember all of the fear that surrounded our campus and how everyone had this overwhelming need to do something, anything to try to help bring back Tricia, and along with her, our sense that we lived in a safe, secure world free of the evil that had done this.

We were all wrong. I still think about Tricia from time to time. I worked with her in the cafeteria but I am ashamed to say that I didn't really know her. I had only been at Indiana Wesleyan for a couple of months and so I was still trying to get adjusted to everything. I remember seeing her working and saying Hi to her a couple of times but that was it. I remember Tricia as a reminder and motivation for everything that I do in my life now as a Residence Hall Director. I use Tricia's memory to remind me of how self-centered and naive we can be when we are young. I use Tricia's memory to help motivate myself and others in the world of Student Development to never forget her so that this kind of thing will never happen again-that the sacred trust that we take on as the surrogate caretakers for parents will not be forgotten.

I take this time to honor the memory of Tricia Reitler by making a pledge to her parents and all those that were affected by her disappearance to say that I have not forgotten about Tricia and I will make sure that no one else will either because the lessons learned from Tricia will continued to live on through the lives of the students that I, and others, minister to on a daily basis.

Please take a moment to say a prayer for Tricia Reitler and the Reitler family: her parents, Gary and Donna Reitler, and her sisters Melissa and Sarah, as well as her brother Garry Jr.

SPRING BREAK!!!

2006-03-15T01:48:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to post a quick note since I realize that I have not written a whole lot on this Blog recently. I am currently down in "The Valley" of South Texas enjoying Spring Break with my dad, my stepmom, and my dad's parents. We flew down here on Monday and have been having fun not doing a whole lot of anything. We have just been playing things be ear so that we make sure to maximize our 'being lazy' time-as it should be during any kind of Break! Anyway, it was 75 and breezy here today so it was wonderful. We went and saw the original Iwo Jima memorial that they took a cast of for the one that resides in Washington, DC. I did not know that until recently. It was amazing to reflect on all those that have given their lives for the protection of our freedoms. It will be something that I will never forget. Tomorrow we are going down into Mexico to do some shopping and on Thursday we may try to find some beach front area that isn't overrun with drunk college students down near Padre Island.

Thanks for visiting and I promise to write again soon!!!

MARCH MADNESS-LADY INDIAN STYLE!!!

2006-02-28T12:08:00.000-06:00

I am so excited for our Lady Indian Basketball team! We won the Conference Championship over the weekend and now we are headed to the D3 Dance! We get to host the first two rounds in our own gym and when we get to the Sweet 16, we may be awarded the next two rounds as well! The Final Four is in Springfield, Mass in a couple of weeks! I am so proud of these young ladies-I have 10 of the 14 members of the team in my women's hall-

GO L.I.B!!!

TOP TRIBE NEWS

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
McMurry set to host first two regional rounds of NCAA tourney

(Feb. 26) It's dancing time for the Lady Indian basketball team and McMurry will start things off Friday in a familiar place against a familiar foe.

Just one day after winning the American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship, the Lady Indians received word from the NCAA that they would play host to the first two rounds of the NCAA Division III national tournament. Their first opponent: Hardin Simmons.

Another Cowgirls vs. Lady Indians battle will take place at Kimbrell Arena Friday at 8 p.m. following Trinity and Howard Payne's matchup at 5 p.m. Howard Payne and the two Abilene universities are the only three teams from the ASC to reach the national tournament.

Though the Cowgirls lost three of their last four contests, they received an at-large bid and will come to Kimbrell where they lost to McMurry Dec. 12 73-65. The season series is split, however, as Hardin Simmons made sure to pay revenge to McMurry Jan. 30 on its home floor beating the Lady Indians 63-54.

McMurry is coming off of their first outright ASC West Division title and its first ASC Tournament championship after beating Mary Hardin-Baylor Sunday in Clinton, Miss.

If the Lady Indians advance past Hardin Simmons for a second time this season, they'll play the winner of Howard Payne and Trinity at 6 p.m. on Saturday. If the Lady Indians were to win both games they would gain their second Sweet 16 appearance under the helm of head coach Sam Nichols.

The NCAA requires that tickets be sold on a day-to-day basis during the tournament. There will be no all-tournament passes. Fans can attend both of Friday's contests on one ticket, but if they want to return for Saturday's game, they'll have to purchase another pass. Tickets will be $6 for general admission and $3 for students, children and senior citizens.

All of McMurry's games will be broadcast on KZQQ 1560 AM. The pre-game show brought to you by Kit Kimbrell and Leon Rawlings, Jr. will begin Friday at 7:40 p.m.

Bubble Watch

2006-02-26T00:50:00.000-06:00

SEC striving for six; MVC picture muddles Change Bubble Watch Version: 2/24/2006 2/21/2006 2/17/2006 2/13/2006 2/10/2006
By Andy Glockner
ESPN.com

The Missouri Valley may still be in good shape to get five teams in, but which five may have changed from just a week ago, as rampaging Missouri State and Bradley are putting huge pressure on slumping Southern Illinois.
Elsewhere, the SEC continues to look strong and could land a previously unthinkable six bids.

On to the current distribution ...

Figuring in locks and teams likely to be in, and taking the relative status of the current teams on the bubble, the best current power conference estimate looks like this:
• ACC: 4 bids
• Big 12: 4
• Big East: 8
• Big Ten: 6
• Pac-10: 4
• SEC: 5

Making the fairly safe assumption that the automatic bid winners in each conference will come from the pools of teams below (and therefore not potentially "steal" an extra bid for the conference), the six power conferences are taking 25 of the 34 at-large spots (31 total projected bids minus six auto bids).

That leaves nine spots open, although the power conferences probably will grab one or two more as things shake out. That still leaves seven or eight at-large spots available for everyone else, assuming teams like Bucknell and Gonzaga win their conference tournaments so the Patriot and WCC don't get an extra team. Memphis very well could be in that mix, too, unless UAB strengthens its case.

Who looks best set to fill that void? As mentioned, the Valley looks like a near lock right now to get four bids (three at-larges) and could even get five. The A-10 could grab an at-large, and the CAA is looking very good to get two in. The MAC still looks as though it's in for another one-bid season; will the Mountain West follow suit?

(Note: Starting Tuesday, Feb. 28, Bubble Watch will be updated daily through Selection Sunday. Records are D-I only.)

Atlantic Coast Conference
Work left to do: Maryland, Florida State, Virginia, Miami

Four are locks. Can the ACC grab one more from what looks to be a very soft bubble? Florida State just beat Virginia and Maryland and probably is next in line.
Work left to do:

Maryland [15-10 (6-7), RPI: 49, SOS: 8] Terps have entered serious jeopardy phase after falling at FSU. The profile is still devoid of any real heft. Very strong SOS doesn't mask very questionable at-large RPI and 1-6 against the RPI Top 50.

Florida State [17-7 (7-6), RPI: 57, SOS: 119] Huge 11-point home win over Maryland gives 'Noles back-to-back bubble Ws. Huge opportunity at home against Duke awaits, but can FSU sneak in by beating Va Tech and Miami and notching an ACC Tourney quarterfinal win?

Virginia [14-10 (7-6), RPI: 59, SOS: 40] Big upset of BC keeps the Cavaliers in the hunt, but they still have a lot of work left to do. It won't be easy with two road games (2-8 away record) and no soft touches left. Would getting to 9-7 be enough for UVa? It at least would keep the Cavaliers in the mix heading into the ACC Tourney.

Miami [15-12 (7-7), RPI: 66, SOS: 23] Beat VT, but probably need four more in a row (two in ACC tourney) to think about an at-large.

Big East Conference
Work left to do: Cincinnati, Syracuse, Seton Hall

The league has six, and looks pretty solid for eight. Could it get all nine? That's probably up to Seton Hall.

Work left to do:

Cincinnati [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 25, SOS: 6] Would have loved the W, but the near miss against Nova reflects well on the Bearcats. Probably only need to win one of their final two (at Seton Hall, WVU) to have a very legit claim. RPI is solid and SOS is great, but Bearcats are only 3-7 vs. RPI Top 50 (7-2 vs. 51-100).

Syracuse [19-8 (7-6), RPI: 26, SOS: 9] Back off the mat with an impressive rout of Louisville and an upset of West Virginia after the Orange had dropped six of eight. Still only 2-8 vs. RPI Top 50, but 6-0 vs. 51-100, which can't hurt the 'Cuse cause. Big shots left at G'town and vs. Nova.

Seton Hall [16-9 (7-6), RPI: 51, SOS: 37] Bad loss at St. John's puts Pirates back in bubble trouble. SHU needs to get the next two before a shot at Pitt in the season finale. 9-7 in conference play may be enough, barring a first-round exit in the Big East tourney.

Big Ten Conference
Teams that should be in: Michigan
Work left to do: Indiana, Minnesota

What looked like a lock for seven bids has completely unraveled with IU's struggles. Wolverines are still in good shape; Hoosiers are not. Can Minnesota continue its miracle rally?

Should be in:

Michigan [18-7 (8-6), RPI: 21, SOS: 43] Huge home win over Illinois more than likely ices a bid for the Wolverines. Still only 3-6 vs. RPI Top 50, but 7-0 vs. 51-100.

Work left to do:

Indiana [14-10 (6-7), RPI: 42, SOS: 20] IU barely scraped past Penn State to end its skid at five, but the Hoosiers are still in pretty deep bubble trouble. Must beat Purdue and probably Michigan in the finale to get to 8-8.

Minnesota [14-10 (5-8), RPI: 62, SOS: 19] Gophers are still alive after beating Purdue. They probably need to win out to have any chance (barring a miracle Big Ten tourney run); the trip to Wisconsin could determine things one way or another.

Big 12 Conference
Work left to do: Colorado, Texas A&M, Nebraska

Past the top three, the Big 12 is trying its best to play its way out of additional bids. I would imagine, when all is said and done, that the Big 12 will get four bids, but it's not a good idea to keep pushing things.

Work left to do:

Colorado [17-7 (7-6), RPI: 50, SOS: 110] Ugh. Getting blasted at Nebraska puts the Buffs in very dicey shape. Getting the final two home games might still be enough. Very well could come down to the Big 12 tourney.

Texas A&M [17-7 (7-6), RPI: 67, SOS: 131] Edged Missouri on the road to set up what looks like an elimination game at home against Nebraska. Being only 1-4 against the RPI Top 50 and having a brutal nonconf SOS don't help, but A&M has two winnable games and a home shot at Texas left to add to its current four-game winning streak.

Nebraska [17-9 (7-6), RPI: 97, SOS: 93] Playing the Monty Python "We're not dead yet" card with home rout of Colorado. If they win their last three, the Huskers have a chance, but their RPI is terrible. NU is 2-1 against the RPI Top 25 but 1-4 vs. 26-50.

Pacific-10 Conference
Teams that should be in: Arizona
Work left to do: California

We'll move Washington into lock status after the Huskies manhandled Stanford. Arizona looks to have settled its bubble doubts. Stanford falls off the watch after its recent slide. Cal scraped past Wazzu and now takes aim at Washington. A win there could be enough. Expect four from the Pac-10.

Should be in:

Arizona [16-10 (9-6), RPI: 18, SOS: 5] With three home games left, hard to see Cats not getting to 11 wins, which would be more than enough. Frankly, one more is probably sufficient.

Work left to do:

California [17-7 (11-4), RPI: 60, SOS: 120] Big win at Washington State keeps Bears on track. Would like to see a big road win at Washington to help settle things.

Southeastern Conference
Work left to do: Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Vanderbilt

Getting two of Kentucky, Alabama and Arkansas wouldn't be a shocker. Could all three make it and get the SEC six?
Work left to do:

Kentucky [18-9 (8-5), RPI: 37, SOS: 28] Cats are finding their A-game at just the right time. Smushed Ole Miss in a must-get home game to set themselves up nicely for brutal final three (at LSU, at Tennessee, Florida). Still a terrible 1-7 vs. the RPI Top 50, with ugly blowout losses to IU and Kansas to keep in mind, but one more SEC win probably is enough to justify a bid.

Alabama [15-10 (8-5), RPI: 39, SOS: 7] Very tough loss at Arkansas puts a slight damper on the monster home win over Tennessee, but with Auburn and Miss State still remaining, Bama looks to be in very good shape.

Arkansas [18-8 (7-6), RPI: 53, SOS: 88] Rallied from 18 down to stop Alabama in a game that featured one of the most exciting final minutes of the season. Wins over Miss. State and Georgia would get the Hogs to at least nine SEC wins, with a shot at Tennessee left, too. RPI and SOS are middling but improving.

Vanderbilt [14-10 (5-8), RPI: 69, SOS: 34] Loss to LSU probably leaves the Commodores needing to win five straight (including SEC tourney) to have a chance.

Other at-large contenders
Teams that should be in: Nevada, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Bucknell
Work left to do: Missouri State, NC Wilmington, Hofstra, Bradley, Western Kentucky, Utah State, Air Force, Southern Illinois, UAB, Wisc. Milwaukee, Houston, Temple, San Diego State, Charlotte

The Valley weakened a little this week, with rampaging Mo State and Bradley really putting the heat on fading SIU, and Northern Iowa dropping out of mortal lock status. A couple of other teams (UAB, UNCW, Air Force) are getting some help and keep winning, which is helping their causes.
Should be in:

Nevada [20-5 (10-3), RPI: 27, SOS: 92] Have a hard time seeing Nevada not make it at this point, but will stop just short of calling the Pack a lock. That would come if they win at USU. No huge win (1-2 vs. RPI Top 50) but lots of solid ones (6-1 vs. 51-100).

Northern Iowa [20-7 (11-6), RPI: 28, SOS: 49] I still think UNI is fine, but losing three of four, including two at home (one by 22 points) is not what the Committee wants to see. As long as UNI doesn't lose its next two games, the Panthers probably are in, but it's not the absolute lock it was just a few days ago.

Creighton [19-7 (12-5), RPI: 32, SOS: 65] Creighton is now clearly in the top three in the MVC, which should be enough for an at-large, even though SIU swept the Bluejays. A win at Missouri State locks it up.

Bucknell [21-4 (13-0), RPI: 35, SOS: 153] Gave away the game at UNI, but bounced back to beat second-place Lehigh. If the Bison can survive the boredom of back-to-back home games against Army, that should wrap up a berth.

Work left to do:

Missouri State [19-7 (11-6), RPI: 23, SOS: 48] Searing hot Bears have a big shot at Creighton to close the MVC regular season. A win there and one MVC tourney win and the Bears look to be in extremely good shape. Even one more win gives them a very valid case.

NC Wilmington [21-7 (14-3), RPI: 34, SOS: 85] Should be in position to gain at least a share of the CAA crown by beating Georgia State at home. Barring a first-round CAA tourney flameout, UNCW should join George Mason in the NCAAs. 10-6 road/neutral record helps, but two sub-150 losses and a 1-3 mark against the RPI Top 50 don't.

Hofstra [21-5 (13-4), RPI: 38, SOS: 177] Pride dumped George Mason into a first-place tie with UNCW in the CAA and gave themselves a chance to force their way into the picture. Probably need to make CAA finals, but in a league that should get two, that could be enough.

Bradley [17-9 (10-7), RPI: 41, SOS: 58] Braves made the Valley statement of the week by hammering Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls to get a season sweep of the Panthers. Braves are now 6-5 vs. RPI Top 50. If the Braves win their last MVC game and make the conference tourney semis, they have a very legitimate chance.

Western Kentucky [19-6 (11-2), RPI: 44, SOS: 95] Loss to MTSU was very damaging for modest at-large hopes, but WKU is still in line to win the Sun Belt, which gives them a lifeline. Probably needs to get to tourney finals and lose a tough one to South Alabama to have a chance.

Utah State [18-6 (9-4), RPI: 45, SOS: 126] Escaped feisty NW State in BracketBusters and at Boise State to set up big home game against Nevada that could give USU a season sweep of the Pack. Sweep at hands of New Mexico State doesn't help cause, but profile has improved.

Air Force [20-5 (10-4), RPI: 46, SOS: 175] Got help from BYU, which beat SDSU, to bring the Falcons within a game of SDSU. Air Force just needs to keep winning games and hope a gaudy record overshadows the SOS problem. Another team that might finish second in a solid conference and will be sweating heavily on Selection Sunday. Having no RPI Top 50 W's hurts more than the 4-2 mark vs. 51-100 helps.

Southern Illinois [18-9 (11-6), RPI: 47, SOS: 72] We said SIU should be concerned after BracketBusters; that concern should be five times greater now after an inexcusable loss at Evansville and sizzling Mo State and Bradley right on its heels. 4-3 vs. RPI Top 50 and 8-7 on the road are both big pluses for a mid.

UAB [18-5 (9-2), RPI: 54, SOS: 189] Helped by UTEP's loss at Memphis but still zero RPI Top 50 W's. Blazers might need to win against Memphis on March 2.

Wisc. Milwaukee [18-8 (12-4), RPI: 55, SOS: 102] After home loss to Mo State in BracketBusters, UWM no longer appears to be a viable at-large team. Panthers had better win the Horizon tourney.

Houston [17-6 (8-3), RPI: 56, SOS: 116] Two big Top 25 wins and two big C-USA chances (vs. UTEP and at Memphis) put Cougars in the picture for now.

Temple [15-10 (8-6), RPI: 61, SOS: 67] Temple smoked Richmond, but it may be too little, too late. Have to beat Duke to have an at-large chance.

San Diego State [16-8 (11-3), RPI: 65, SOS: 99] Couldn't afford a loss at BYU, which brings three others just a game back in the MWC standings. At-large claim with a two-game margin in conference much stronger than if they eke it out by one. Huge game at New Mexico on Saturday.

Charlotte [17-9 (10-3), RPI: 96, SOS: 152] One-point escape at UMass means the 49ers likely will have won eight of nine entering the game at GW -- what could be a must win. RPI and nonconf SOS are still very weak, but the 49ers still could finish second in what should be a multibid league. Strange case.

Today's Sign of the Apocolypse

2006-02-24T14:07:00.000-06:00

In my effort to start the "Hype-Machine" for the March Madness Tournament, I will be trying to take a look each day at some of the teams and games that will have impact on the Dance.

Today's look will be self-serving as I look at the University of Northern Iowa who are ranked #25 in the AP Poll.

UNI struggled on Thursday, losing 71-49 to Bradley and will face Southern Illinois this Saturday at 1 on ESPN2. Even thought UNI lost this game, it is significant to spotlight the Missouri Valley Conference due to its significance on the national scene. It has long been debated in college basketball expert circles where and how to rank the "Mid-Majors" and at what point does a Mid-Major get elevated to 'Major' status in terms of National ranking.

The MVC is comprised of UNI, Wichita State, Bradley, Creighton, Drake, Evansville, Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Southern Illinois. The men's conference in basketball has 6 teams that have 17 or more wins and a couple of teams (UNI and Wichita State) that have been in and out of the Top 25. Some of these teams should be very familiar to those obsessed with March Madness, sending Southern Illinois, Creighton, and Northern Iowa to last year's tournament. Southern Illinois made it to the second round last year and played Oklahome State tough, losing 85-77. Both Creighton and UNI played well in their opening round games but the Blue Jays got Pintznoggled and lost to West Virginia by 2. UNI lost to Wisconsin 57-52.

It will be interesting to see how the year finishes out in the MVC Conference Tournament during the first week of March. Depending on how the tourney goes, the MVC should probably get in at least 3-4 teams again, sending Wichita State, Creighton, UNI, and either Missouri State (formerly SW Missouri State) or Southern Illinois.

I really don't know how the committee will look at these teams since UNI is the only team that has any kind of quality win, when they beat then ranked 13 Iowa. Wichita State lost by one to then ranked 14 Illinois but could not come away with the win on the road. In the end, I think that the MVC will send 3 teams: Wichita State, UNI and Missouri State, who is finishing strong with 4 straight wins at this point.

TOMORROW: I will preview the Big Ten and the GREAT matchup on Saturday between #22 Iowa and #8 Illinois.

SUNDAY: Look forward to a possible Final Four preview, in the GAME OF THE WEEK, as #2 Villanova travels to #4 Connecticut.

THIS WEEK'S SIGN OF THE APOCOLYPSE:

I watched American Idol last night.

TIME TO GET CRAZY!!!

2006-02-22T16:32:00.000-06:00

IT'S TIME FOR THE MADNESS!!!

I have to say that the next few weeks are probably my favorite time of the year as the games start to matter and then we start gearing up for Championship Week (March 6th through the 12th on ESPN and its sister networks!)with all of the Conference Tournaments and then FINALLY Selection Sunday (March 12th @ 6pm on CBS). I love to convince myself that watching all of these games will help me to predict every game in the Tourney and win tons of glory as I correctly predict all of the Cinderellas and Bracket Busters. Speaking of brackets, check out this great site:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

DISCLAIMER:This site is only for the HARD CORE-ADDICTED COLLEGE HOOPS FANS!!!

The most exciting thing is that while I was doing some research for this BLOG, I found an article that is totally AMAZING to me! The NCAA and Sportsline.com have partnered to bring FREE access to all of the March Madness games so that you can watch your favorite team. Check out the article below:

CBS Sports, CBS SportsLine.com and CSTV Team up with the NCAA to Provide Exclusive Live Out-of-Market Video Streaming of 2006 NCAA® Division I Men's Basketball Championship
CBS Sports, CBS SportsLine.com and CSTV (College Sports Television) have teamed up with the NCAA to provide the exclusive live video streaming rights for out-of-market game coverage of the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

For the first time, NCAA March Madness on Demand will be offered free of charge. Beginning March 16, 2006, fans will be able to watch live CBS Sports broadcasts of the NCAA Tournament from outside their viewing area via NCAAsports.com, the official NCAA website, produced by CBS SportsLine.com. NCAA March Madness on Demand will be supported by advertising sales.

The game of primary regional interest will be shown exclusively on the local CBS affiliate. NCAA March Madness on Demand will feature the out-of-market games being played concurrently.

This is great! So if you have a computer and a reasonably fast connection, you can check out all of the great #1/#16 Seed matchups you want!!!

And on that note, GO NORTHERN IOWA!!!

If you want to catch the madness-Just look for me curled up in my favorite chair with a Big bowl of popcorn and a soda ready to accept all of my glory as I claim the title of Bracketologist of the Year!!!

Check back here everyday from now until Selection Sunday for my Daily Rants on teams and trends leading up to The Big Dance!!!

SURPRISE ME GOD

2006-02-08T00:46:00.000-06:00

This week my church started a journey called simply, "Surprise Me God". The easy premise is that each day you begin by praying, "Surprise Me God" without any expectations of where that might take you. You enter into this time with nothing more that an expectant heart and a willingness to be open to whatever "Surprises" God might challenge you with and then you reflect upon each day in a journal. My life has been filled with a lot of challenges (as has everone's) and I feel like this next 30 days can be something that I look back on as a turning point in my life-but especially my relationship with God. I have created a new blog page to act as my online journal for this experiment and I hope that you all will partner with me through encouragement and prayer. Thanks!!!

6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!!! OH NO!!!

2006-02-02T22:28:00.000-06:00

Phil Says Six More Weeks of Winter!

Today is Ground Hog Day and Phil once again saw his shadow indicating 6 more long weeks of winter. I just wanted to say that I so upset by this prediction. I mean 6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!!! I do not know if I can handle that! I mean, it was 68 degrees today and the low tonight is supposed to be 48. The highs for Friday and Saturday are only going to be in the mid 60's. I guess we do get a break on Super Bowl Sunday a predicted high of 76 but it is going to be WINDY!!! I just thought that I would share my frustration with all of my friends in the North!!!

Here is the official prediction from Punxsatawney Phil:
Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/06 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Around the country there are many imitators of me.

In Harrisburg there is Gus who appears on TV
working for the lottery.

Then all around town,
Cute groundhog statues abound.
They all look like me, I found.

Today on the Knob as I'm doing my job,
I don't like this likeness of me.

It's my shadow I see. Six more weeks of mild winter there will be.

GO INDIANS!!!

2006-01-30T12:32:00.000-06:00

I thought that I would include this since the McMurry Lady Indians are currently 18-0 and ranked #13 in the D3Hoops.com National Poll & #12 in the NCAA/WBCA poll (I have 8 of the 13 members of the team in my women's hall). This is going to be about as big as you can get in Division 3. McMurry plays Hardin Simmons tonight-Both schools are located in Abiline. McMurry Indians....Hardin Simmons Cowboys. This has all the feel of Ohio State/Michigan or Red Wings/Avalanche from the late 90's. Both schools are having great seasons and we already hated each other before there was something to play for.

HSU, McM duel for more than pride
By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
January 30, 2006

Rivalries are always a little extra heated when more than just pride is on the line.

That'll be the case tonight at Hardin-Simmons' Mabee Complex, when the McMurry and HSU basketball programs turn the page on yet another chapter of their crosstown series.

Both the men's and women's games will be full of playoff implications.

McMurry will take the court with the edge in the standings in both the men's and women's games, meaning Hardin-Simmons will technically have more to play for in each matchup. But that's not to say these games aren't important for the Indians.

The No. 13 McMurry women need a win to keep their dream season alive. The Lady Indians are a perfect 18-0 on the season with a 15-0 American Southwest Conference record that includes a 73-65 win over the Cowgirls on Dec. 12.

Since that meeting, the No. 20 Cowgirls have regrouped to go 10-1, including their current nine-game winning streak, and now sit at 15-2 (13-2). A win would put HSU just a game behind McMurry for the division lead, while a Cowgirl loss would tie the team with third-place Howard Payne in the loss column.

The teams come into the game as the first and second-place teams in the ASC West. Both teams have clinched postseason berths in the top-heavy women's side of the ASC West standings, but the game is still important for seeding purposes.

Six regular season games will remain for each team following tonight's game, and HSU currently sits seven games ahead of fourth-place Concordia.

An interesting storyline to spice the game up is the return of Maigen Sawyer to the Mabee Complex. Sawyer, a deadly outside shooter, transferred to McMurry from Hardin-Simmons after last season.

Sonya West, the Cowgirls' leading rebounder and double-digit scorer, is a former McMurry player. She scored 11 points and grabbed just two rebounds in her return to Kimbrell Arena.

The men's game will follow the women's, and the stakes are just as high, if not higher.

The Hardin-Simmons men enter the game in fourth place - the last spot in the standings for a playoff berth - with a 9-6 record in conference play. The Cowboys have a two-game lead on Sul Ross State thanks to their current three-game winning streak.

The Cowboys were outscored 126-104 in their Dec. 12 loss at McMurry, and a win would go a long way to solidify their hold on the final postseason spot.

McMurry has rebounded from a two-game losing streak earlier in the month with a four-game winning streak it will put on the line tonight.

The Indians are tied with Mary Hardin-Baylor for second place in the ASC West. A win would keep McMurry within striking distance of first-place Howard Payne, while a loss would drop the Indians to within a game of Hardin-Simmons for fourth place.

On the court, the men's game will be the battle of the Jean brothers, as HSU's Mardochee and McMurry's Dan, a Hardin-Simmons transfer, will battle in the post.

Mardochee Jean plays a much larger role for his team, but both are looking forward to their time together on the court.

Tipoff for the women's game is slated for 5:30 p.m. with the men's game following at 7:30 p.m. from Hardin-Simmons.

DETAILS

Hardin-Simmons vs. McMurry

What: College basketball

Where: Hardin-Simmons

When: Women at 5:30 p.m., men at 7:30 p.m.

Women's records: HSU 15-2, 13-2; McMurry 18-0, 15-0

Men's records: HSU 10-8, 9-6; McMurry 12-6, 11-4

Radio: KAGT 90.5 FM

Getting Even

2006-01-17T12:38:00.000-06:00

Never pay back evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.
Romans 12:17-19 NLT

It has been an interesting couple of days for me as students began returning to campus over the weekend and then began classes on Monday. We had just finished RA training and I felt pretty good about the team chemistry that we were able to create. I had had some mini-successes with addressing some areas of concern for my RA staff and things were going along pretty well....until Sunday. For some reason one of my RA's has made it her mission in life to bust my chops. And apparently, she doesn't see how some of the things that she is trying to "help" me with are the very same gripes that she and the other RA's were just complaining about. I apparently made the mistake of sharing that I had been looking around at other people here at McMurry who are in the same job description as I am and aren't doing near the same amount of work as I am BUT are getting paid the same. I don't normally do that but, like I said, I have had a rough couple of days.

Why do we as people do that? Why do we look around and want equal treatment? Why is it so important that I feel like I need to be doing LESS?!? Isn't that really what I am saying? Do I really want them to be doing more or do I really want ME to be allowed to do less?

I receive an email every day entitled God's Daily Promises and it is once again a testament to God's timing that today's message was exactly what I needed to hear today. If things really were equal I would be going straight to HELL.

Here is an exerpt:

In our cry for fairness, we should not forget the frightening consequences of justice. As sinners, God could justly destroy each of us today for missing the mark of perfection. When we remember that God's patience and mercy block his judgment towards us, we will more likely show others patience and mercy.

WISE WAYS Before you rush to judge another person, ask yourself whether you would be able to endure the same standard.

Today, Lord, give me strength to replace judgment with mercy.

Now, I still really have no idea what to say about my RA-probably because I have never really had any answers for women-but I do know that my attitude and perspective were off center and the only thing that I need to be frustrated about is the fact that God has given me enough experiences in my life that I should know better than to lose focus or hope. I know that life isn't fair and I am SOOOO thankful for that because Jesus paid the price for me!

Have a Great Day!!!

3 BULLETS

2006-01-11T21:21:00.000-06:00

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to
eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided
that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game
for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at
the rabbit and missed it.

The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the
squirrel and missed it.

The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood
tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey
in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high
and stay focused".

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a
better kill.

He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But,
then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to
bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further
to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, Aim
high and Stay focused?

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and
shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer.

The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the
head and killed it.

And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a
pond.

When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all
his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his
family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man
listened to God.

Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, Aim and shoot high
in your goals, and stay focused on God.

Never let others discourage you concerning your past.
The past is exactly that, the past.

Live every day one day at a time and remember that
only God knows our future and that he will not put you
through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the
doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in
your favor.

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and
everything else will follow.

Far From Home

2006-01-06T23:14:00.000-06:00

I spent a significant portion of my day today reflecting upon life, its direction, and how various things, like friends. have affected the way my life is playing itself out.

Without friendships in my life, I wouldn't have a concept of Jesus and His love for me. I wouldn't have nearly as many laugh lines that are sure to form around my face as I get old(er). I also wouldn't have the people now to lean on in my times of trouble or doubt.

It was during a discussion today with one of my most cherished friends as we were lamenting about the absence of some of our oldest friends in our lives that it hit me: God really does provide for me the things that I need. Even as I struggle with trying to pursue God's direction for my life down here in Texas-God honors that effort. The will to be greater than we are for HIM is what is the most honoring thing to God. It is the heart of that great book, The Ragamuffin Gospel: We have to be willing to learn from our mistakes and lean upon God's Mercy in our darkest hour. This truth is at the heart of many of our most quoted Christian posters and themes="It was during your times of struggle that I carried you" and yet we seem to forget during those very times when we struggle to see above the water.

"It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground." Mark 4:31

I know that it is hard during those times of struggle and strife to keep your eye on the Son but He has been there for us before and we need the faith to believe that He will continue to be there for us now! There is always hope just beyond the horizon because we already have the victory!

'NUFF SAID!!!

2006-01-05T15:08:00.000-06:00

I am so glad that we no longer have to hear about how great USC is-How they are a dynasty-How great Reggie Bush Is-How much better a quarterback Matt Lienart is than everyone else.

TEXAS DID THEIR TALKING ON THE FIELD. HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!

'Tis The Season

2005-12-19T12:05:00.000-06:00

Since all of my students are gone, and I spent LAST week catching up on paperwork, I am going to take this dead time to reflect on my year as well as my upcoming trip home to Iowa.

As I think about 2005, I remember it starting out back at White's and toasting the New Year in the cottage supervising 12 troubled teenage boys. We were all depressed because we were stuck in a place that we didn't want to be and we all toasted to the goal of "Not sitting here in the same place again on NewYear's Eve 2005/New Year's Day 2006". The depressing thing for me at that point was that I had been sitting in that EXACT same chair the year before supervising the cottage.

So, after that rousing start, 2005 has been "The Journey Back to Life" for me. I had set out personal goals of sticking with my Masters program, Following the Candidate process of Student Development through to the end (wherever God would lead me), sticking with a workout program, and making sure to tell my family that I loved them every chance I got=

Well, 3 out of 4 ain't bad! I spent the first 8 month of 2005 pursuing every Hall Director position at every little rinky-dink Christian College around the United States and Canada. I am thankful and proud to say that I feel that I was truly diligent to going wherever God wanted me to go. I look at this search process and am humbled by God's mercy in so many ways: I had phone interviews at school's in Mississippi and Florida-I even got a campus visit down at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida=Both of these areas were hit hard by the hurricanes! I had a campus visit to a school outside the Twin Cities in Minnesota-This visit taught me that since God made me and my desires, strengths, and abilities, that it is totally ok to look for the things you want in a job while trusting in God to lead you there. I finally got an offer from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, and while this hasn't been my 'ideal' job, the opportunities to come in and help build a great Student Development program are here: the people want it and there are some good people here. It will just be hard to change a culture that has been content with mediocrity for so long. We should all be able to grow together!!!

I am excited to say that I am on track to finish my Masters Degree in May!!! Just in time to go to the National ACSD at IWU and gloat!!! Just kidding-I am so amazed that somehow I have been able to stick it out and had the ability to do really well in this program (I didn't do so hot with my undergrad grades!)

Now, to the most important goal that I met this year (You can all forget about having me say that I stuck to an exercise program! Like any of you did either=Put down that Fudge!):

LOVE. I think that one of the biggest reasons that I struggle in my daily walk is that I feel unworthy of God's love sometimes. This has nothing to do with self-worth or self-esteem, I am thankful for who I am, I just really feel the weight of my failures driving the nails into Christ. I am so thankful for His mercy that at times I cannot believe that He only requires me to accept the Gift of Salvation and Walk On.

It doesn't take much for my heart to break
And you have done it For what seems like the millionth time
Whenever I hear Of your saving grace
And how you gave your life In exchange for mine

Sometimes I wonder why you even love me
And why you ever chose to call me child
Then I remember It's by Your sacrifice
I can say that I am yours and You are mine...."You are Mine" by Third Day

Lord, I never want to miss an opportunity to say I love you to my family, my friends, Or most importantly to You God. I want to put my life into the perspective that I have hope to share with others. I am definitely a Ragamuffin=Someone who has fallen/tripped up so many times and all that I can do is get up and testify to Your saving grace. Help me to remember that I am indeed blessed and that the only reason that I have the blessings of family, friends, and life is because you first loved the world so much that you came into this world and were willing to give Your life for me.

Thank you all again so much for the love and joy that you have brought into my life and may you all have a Blessed Christmas Holiday and a very Happy New Year!!!

GOALS

2005-12-12T23:19:00.000-06:00

As part of my Masters course work this week, I have been required/challenged to"Develop and articulate my personal vision, mission, core values, and primary goal(s) and contrast them to the organization for which I currently work; And then to ask if there is a gap".

Now, if an individual is to take this assignment seriously, clearly this is going to take a little bit of time. How does a person even go about establishing what their life goals and values are and then apply them to a life that is not yet determined or planned out? The only thing that I can say is that whatever conclusion we all come to in terms of OUR plans for our lives-There has to be an escape clause that says ".....unless God decides otherwise because, ultimately, I don't have a freaking clue how to run my own life.....I only have the best intentions, and since I don't really want my road paved to Hell=God feel free to take over at any point and right my ship!"

Those of you that know me, know that I have been working on my core values and mission statement as a part of my growth during my Masters journey for a while now. Everything that I am cries out to be an effective minister within the realm of Student Development. It is my heart's passion to find a way to be greater than I am and have an impact with students. I was blessed to be humbled by my work at White's Residential and Family Services for the last 2 and a half years but now have found my way back into the Collegiate ranks again.

Here is what I have managed so far:

MISSION: To develop people within a Christ-centered Residence Hall Community who are community focused, principle driven, and fit: mentally, spiritually, and physically.

CORE VALUES:

I-Influence Others
M-Model Servanthood to the city community
P-Practice Integrity
A-Accelerate Positive Change
C-Create community focus within the Residence Hall
T-Teamwork is our Leadership Model

These have been the basic mission and Core Values that I have had established for over 5 years now. In any great undertaking, application and results are always the most difficult thing to establish. It is one thing to have an idea or direction for HOW to get somewhere but it is a totally different thing entirely to make that direction personal and real. I do however have some personal goals/dreams that I have thrown out for myself to try and stay focused:

1) Research doctoral programs and be ready to enroll by the time I am 40-with a plan on how to pay for and complete the program by the time I am 45=Right now I am leaning towards a Ph.D in Organizational Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

2) Research ways to improve my credit and be ready to settle down into a house by the time I am 40.

3) Actually commit to living in Abilene:

-Commit to a church home
-Establish a role in a Sunday School class of people my own age.
-Join a Bible study
-Start and actually stick to an accountability group
-Find a local doctor, insurance agent, Vet, Bank, etc.
-Find my 'favorite' restaurant

4) Be the Associate Dean/Assistant Director of a Student Development program by the time I am 35.

5) Run my own Student Development program someday.

6) Settled down closer to my family.

I am still trying to figure out just exactly why God brought me to Abilene and even whether it was God's direction that I was following. What I do know is I am committed to pressing on towards the goal of finding the answers to those questions. Please take the time to consider looking at your own life and goals and writing them down and sharing them with those closest to you so that you can get the most out of the desires of your heart that God has given to you.

Favre you too!!!

2005-12-07T20:40:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know that this post is not going to measure up to my normal "introspective" posts but I am feeling a need to be a "homer" and defend my man Brett Favre.

There has been talk swirling around, mostly by the the liberal media, that Favre is going to retire, which just puts even more pressure on a team that is struggling with identity and injuries this year. I want to put this thing to rest because Favre is NOT going to retire this year and probably not for the next 2 or 3 years. Let's take a look the facts and stats:

FAVRE'S 2005 STATS vs. 1996 (MVP YEAR & WON SUPERBOWL)

In '96 Favre threw for 3899 yards, 39 TD's, 13 Int's, and had a QB rating of 95.8.
In '05 Favre has thrown for 2991 yards, 19 TD's, 21 Int's, and has a QB rating of 75.9.

Now, while he is on a similar pace in yards, the TD's, Int's, and therefore, QB rating could be a result of all of the injuries and inexperienced receivers that Favre has had to work with but let's take a second to compare Favre with other QB's this year to see if he still has value in the NFL or if he really does need to retire.

According to the Fantasy point totals on Yahoo!.com, Favre is the 10th ranked QB in terms of overall Fantasy Points earned to this point in the season behind Carson Palmer, Brady, P. Manning, E. Manning, Brees, Collins, Bledsoe, Hasselbeck, and Plummer.

The final, and most important point, is that who other than these teams WOULDN'T WANT FAVRE?!? I mean, even Dallas would have to admit that they would want Favre over the statue of Bledsoe. Anyway, I have selected 5 teams that could use Favre to improve their offense. I did not select teams that had established starters, even if those starters are struggling (see Jake Delhomme!).

Here are the leading contenders in order from 5 to 1:

5) The Baltimore Ravens-Who wouldn't love to get rid of Kyle Boller and pair Favre's gunslinging ability with Ray Lewis and that great defense? Favre handing off to Jamal Lewis to establish the running game which then opens up the field to throw to quality receivers in Derrick Mason (11.9 per catch w/o Favre?!?) and Mark Clayton? Baltimore is currently4-8 and 4 games out of the playoff race but with Favre, who doesn't think that he could erase at least two of those losses-like maybe the loss to the Jets in Week 4, the Detroit game in Week 5, or maybe even the Week 7 loss to the Bears when Baltimore could only manage 6 points and lost 10-6? I think Favre makes up for at least 5 points a game which makes the Ravens 7-5 and in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race.

4) The Miami Dolphins- Favre hands off to Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown-NO WAIT!-He's got Chris Chambers/Marty Booker open on a fly pattern down the sidelines for 6!!! Ok, play-by-play machine I am not, but the Dolphins have NOTHING at QB right now (See Gus Frerotte/Sage Rosenfels) and are still only 3 games out of playoff contenders. If they win in Week 2 against the Jets, or pick up 7 points against the Bills in Week 5-they are now 7-5 and with their remaining schedule of games against San Diego (struggling), NY Jets, Tennessee, and New England=the Dolphins are a playoff contender at 9-7 and Favre would give them that.

3) The Washington Redskins-The presence of Joe Gibbs gives this team a chance each week and with Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, and James Thrash on offense-Favre would have some weapons. Washington also has a decent, if aging, defense led by LaVar Arrington. Now, I may have broken the rules here because Mark Brunell has had a good year in stretches but even with his league-leading 21 interceptions, Favre is still having a better year than Brunell. Sticking to formula, if Wash picks up 2 points against Denver in Week 5, 1 POINT against Tampa in Week 10, 3 points against Oakland in Week 11, and even 6 points against San Diego in Week 12, and the Redskins are 10-2 and challenging for the #1 seed in the NFC=TAKE THAT PARCELLS!

2) The Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Tampa is a very interesting situation since they currently sit 5th in the NFC at 8-4 and are winning with Chris Simms. It's hard to look at this team and see where they could be better but compare Simms to Favre:

In '05 Favre has thrown for 2991 yards, 19 TD's, 21 Int's, and has a QB rating of 75.9.
In '05 Sims has thrown for 1781 yards, 7 TD's, 8 Int's, and has a QB rating of 80.3 in the 7 games that he has played in this year.
Projected over 13 games, like Favre, Sims' stats would be:
3302 yards, 13 TD's, and 15 Int's-not bad, but Tampa Bay is pretty much healthy with Michael Clayton, Joel Galloway, and promising Rookie tight end Alex Smith-Favre would have more talent and depth and therefore would improve his numbers and help Tampa to improve on its standings in the conference and actually help the Bucs overcome the current 1 game lead that Carolina has in its division.

And coming in at the #1 team that could use Brett Favre at QB:

1) The Chicago Bears-Now, since everyone knows that I am a Packers Fan this may seem like a crazy pick but it totally makes sense from a purely football perspective.

The Bears defense is the best defense to march out on to the field in the NFL since the last great Bears team was doin' the "SuperBowl Shuffle". (We are the Bears, Shuffling Crew-Shufflin' on down, doin' it for you-We're so BAD, we know we're good-Blowin' your mind that you knew we would-We're not here to start no trouble, we're just here to do the Super Bowl Shuffle) Ahem-sorry about that!

The Bears defense is so impressive that they have won 9 games with KYLE ORTON at Quarterback! Do I even need to say more? These Monsters of the Midway could bring back Jim Harbaugh at quarterback and go to the NFC Championship game but once they get there, they will have to beat Seattle and to do that, you have to have an offense that can score and a QB that can get the ball down the field and stretch the defense with Muhsin Muhammad, Justin Gage, and TE Desmond Clarke. The Bears even have a decent running back in Thomas Jones to keep the defense honest.

OK, so this was a really long post but the point is that there are numerous, CONTENDING teams that could use the services of Favre, not only this year, but for many more years to come.

Thank you and GOODNIGHT!!!

How do you lead when your boss is not a servant?!?

2005-12-01T19:02:00.000-06:00

For those of you that know me, I have been struggling with direction probably ever since I was let go from Indiana Wesleyan. I have recently made a change into the world of Student Development down at McMurry University. The problem is that I don't really work for McMurry=I am employed by Century Campus Housing Managment, who is basically a landlord for properties at colleges and universities around the country. They are very disjointed in thier follow-up and leadership and they embody the very essence of corporate greed shrouded in good intentions.

This brings me to my working relationship with my supervisor and the question that began this blog: How do I continue to keep a positive attitude and motivation for my vision of students when I have a boss that hates her life and translates that angst on to me? I have been struggling with the question that I think we all have when we are trying to find God's voice in our lives-'God, is this the place for me? Did I really make this decision based on your leading, or was I so desperate for a change that I convinced myself that this was Your Will for my life?!? I still very much feel like I am on the edge of the slippery slope of despair but I recently found a devotional book given to me when I was an RD at IWU that has given me some direction.

The book is called The Leadership Lessons of Jesus by Bob Briner (the man that co-wrote Roaring Lambs). The Week One devotional is entitled Who Speaks for You? and the scripture verse is as follows:

And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie."---Mark 1:7

I will not take the space to share the entire devotional in this column but I do want to share a little bit and show how it has impacted my attitude toward a bad situation.

"Who speaks for you? Who talks about you? What do they say? These are vital questions for every leader and every potential leader to ask continually, both of himself and of the quality of his leadership. What are others saying--to you, for you, and about you? It is safe to assume that if no one is helping communicate the message of your leadership, then no one is following you. If a distorted message is being disseminated, the quality and precision of your communication need attention.......From time to time a leader needs to assess the way his public--whomever they might be--perceives him."

Here are some thoughts on this devotional:

What is the message I am sending when I cop an attitude and become petty worrying about the way my boss treats me? Won't she have to answer for her actions at some point? Why do I always have to want vindication? How can I select a messenger before first selecting a message? What is the life-long focus/message that I need to be sending? Do I always speak truth? Do I engender the kind of commitment from others that led John the Baptist to never cower in the face of opposition? Do I do enough to publicly honor my staff?

What should our focus in the face of a nasty work situation be? Should we continue to question God's direction or should we look to the guidebook that He gave us and realize that He gave us helpful information for every situation?

May God Bless you and keep you in this time of celebration of Jesus's glorious birth and give you the strength and wisdom to witness in the middle of a not-so-perfect situation!

Bowl Championship Survey

2005-11-26T19:34:00.000-06:00

I was watching College Gameday (as is my normal Saturday wake-up routine) and I actually had to rewind the live TV because I could not believe what I was hearing: Nearly all of these guys that I love to listen and laugh to each week, had suddenly lost their minds. Corso, Herbstreit, Fowler, and even Desmond Howard all were coming out AGAINST a playoff system?!?

Here's the gist of their argument: They were saying that the system works-That despite early problems with the system, the last two years the BCS has pitted #1 against #2. They were also saying that the fans would never be up for flying to one bowl one week and then have to follow their team again the very next week in order to pack out areas that seat over 100,000 people.

Here's my take: Did they forget about Auburn so quickly?!? Herbstreit especially has been all aboard the Auburn bandwagon last year when they went undefeated and did not get the opportunity to play for the National Championship. He is so enamored with them that he was actually lobbying for them to get into a BCS bowl game instead of Oregon, who's only loss this year so far has been to #1 USC.

Now, back to why I bring up the Auburn scenario. The 'analysts' were saying that if College Football adopted a playoff, it would only move the controversy down to the debate over who would get into to the playoffs as the #8 seed. I say-"WHO CARES?!?" I say that if you win all of your games, you as a team, have done all that you can do to stake a claim at the National Championship. Auburn last year did everything that it could do: It won all of its games, coincidentally in the very conference (the SEC) that most analysts-including the guys on Gameday-like to say is the toughest conference in the country.

Wouldn't it be better to have the debate center on those teams that had not won all of their games instead of on those who do not have strength of schedule issues, who won all of their games, and did all of their talking on the field?!? As much as everyone likes to talk this year about the 'feel good' story of JoePa and the Penn State Nittany Lions-they still did lose to Michigan and noone can deny that fact. It doesn't matter that people didn't like the fact that the refs added time on to the game and that is why people feel that Michigan won. The result of the game was a W for Michigan.

I would much rather not have to worry about rewarding those teams, like Auburn, last year that had put in the effort to win all of their games than worrying over who I might offend because I kept them out of the playoffs when they didn't even win ALL OF THEIR GAMES!!!

So, now that my rant is over, and as Tony Kornheiser of the great PTI always says: I WIN!, here is what I propose for the "NEW AND IMPROVED COLLEGE PLAYOFF SYSTEM:

1) Let the BCS or whatever system 'they' want determine the rankings for the Division 1-A football teams.

2) The top 8 ranked teams in the country in the final BCS poll get invited to participate in the playoffs to compete for the National Championship.

3) The first round games will be hosted by the higher ranked team-so right now, this year- USC would host Notre Dame, Texas would host Oregon, Penn St would host Ohio St, and LSU would host(?) Virginia Tech.

4) The next round of games could be rotated each year between the BCS Bowls-the Fiesta, Orange, Sugar, and Rose Bowls-with the National Championship game rotating sites each year just as it does now.

5) Here's the last and most important point for those that like to look at the "revenue" aspect of the BCS-I propose that the semifinal games be played on their normal New Year's Day schedule with the National Championship game played the weekend in January between the NFL Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl. I think that this would take advantage of a week off in the football calendar and allow the teams to prepare for the matchup and further tie college football ratings into the NFL's.

Well, that's my rant-What do you think?!?

On this time of Thanksgiving.....I eat Crow!

2005-11-23T14:56:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, I have been working frantically to finish up my Masters degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan. It has been typical to my experience with IWU-I have had to do all of the work to follow up on enrollment and financial aid. It has been an amazing time of growth and learning how to persevere to see this thing through to the end. I am now on course to finish all of my coursework in May!

I as started my new class, the professor gave me a reminder as to WHY I am pursuing this degree and WHY I try to be deligent to my mission field of Student Development with his devotional entitled, "Servant Leadership". I hope that it speaks to you as much as it did me.

Servant Leadership

Two of the most vivid illustrations of Servant Leadership are found in the books of Matthew and I Peter.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, “You know that the leaders of the Gentiles exercise dominion over then, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you, let the LEADER be your minister; And whosoever will be CHIEF among you, let him be your SERVANT: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and GIVE his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-8).

“Be leaders of God’s people that are under your care, serving as overseers – not out of a sense of obligation, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to all” (I Peter 5:2-3).

Both passages clearly illustrate the continuum from theory X leadership to theory Z leadership; from authoritarian leadership to transformational leadership. There are seven Servant Leadership principles that can guide each of us in our various leadership roles.

1. We are only qualified to lead to the degree we are willing to serve.
2. The more we serve the greater we become.
3. Serving is a cheerful giving of love.
4. Love is the great commission for all that choose to serve and lead.
5. Love is the passion to benefit others by the giving of self – from self to service.
6. There is a price to pay in Servant Leadership, but the benefits are enduring.
7. Servant Leaders know that perseverance will outlast persecution.

Lord, I pray that during times of stress and trial that you will help me to remember that: The more we serve-the greater we become! Thank you so much for the priviledge of working with college students. --Jason

Perspective

2005-11-21T13:12:00.000-06:00

It's interesting to me how we are all so focused on ourselves that we fail to see how are actions affect others. I have been working down here in Abilene, Texas for almost 3 months now and I am still blown away at our capacity to think only of ourselves. In the last few weeks I have had to deal with putting out a fire caused by someone smoking in their bathroom, students climbing out on roofs trying to get into the opposite sex's room, and just recently, I spent over 5 hours waiting in the emergency room for someone who had overdosed on morphine pills.

Why do we all continue to punish ourselves in these ways? Why do we as a people insist on finding new and exciting ways to make ourselves miserable. I myself am finding that I am feeling the weight of this Thanksgiving holiday. I have so many things in my life and things that I have overcome that I should be rejoicing over the opportunity to share a day of thanksgiving with others. What am I doing instead? I am brooding over not being able to go home to Iowa to spend this holiday with my family. I know in my heart that I should be thankful for my life, and I am, it's just that for me-this pain is real. I know in my heart that stacked up against the losses that the people in the Gulf region have endured, my pain is nothing, but for me my pain is real. In spite of having multiple options for where to go for Thanksgiving dinner, I still feel sorry for myself=The pain is real.

This is where I live in terms of the lessons that I try to teach to my residents. Ours is not to continue to dump on ourselves with guilt for feeling bad-Ours is to learn from these things so that they allow us the ability to walk in other people's shoes. If we truly learn about ourselves and become comfortable in our own skins, we will gain the perspective to reach out to others in their pain withour needing to defend our own.

This year, I am thankful for the gift of Jesus. I am thankful for my family. I am eternally thankful for the friendships that God has brought into my life=without some of you available on the other end of the line, where would I be?!? I am also thankful for the hurts in my life that God carried me through in order to help me be the man I need to be to be effective with my residents.

Have a Great Thanksgiving!!!

Strange Fruit

2005-07-02T12:55:00.000-05:00

ISAIAH 55:1-11:

As I was reading Isaiah this week, I was reminded how hard it is to be productive when I am distracted with other things. Isaiah gives the helpful reminder that God provides for ALL of our needs. It is only those times that we look away from God that we struggle. I read through this passage and I realized that I have been longing for all of the things that the Lord promises He will bring: Security and solid emotions; Forgiveness from guilt; Health and Wholeness; Peace of Mind about my job situation; and His strength to make it through working a two week vacation for my houseparents in which I will work 10 out of 14 days.

2005-04-12T22:55:00.000-05:00

Croce

Introspection

2005-04-10T19:37:00.000-05:00

What do you do when you are forced to come face to face with the potential death of a dream?

We all have to face this at some point in our lives. For some, it is the death of bachelorhood as they face the daunting task of establishing a family. For others, it is the death of that perceived "perfect" romance or the imagined missed opportunity of asking for a waitress's phone number.

For me, I have been faced with the real possibility that God may be asking me to give up on my dream of working with college students. For anyone that has been neck deep in the middle of a job search, you have an idea of what I am dealing with now. The sick feelings as you try to wipe away the anxieties of the day so that you can go to sleep at night only to be haunted by the regret of yesterday. Why didn't I pursue that contact? Why did make that stupid comment in that interview? What is it that they are looking for? Why not me? Where does my value lie now that no one wants me to work for them?

It is an unsettling reality to have the ground that you were so sure of drop out from underneath you, forcing you to look at who you are and what is important to you. Inevitably, there is always a great period of growth that happens on the backside of these moments in our lives but it is what we do during these times that forges who we will be once we have come through to our new reality.

The only thing that I have come up with during this time is the thing that we all inevitably come up with: you try to find a way to make the best of what you have in your current situation while passionately seeking the answers to the questions that plague you. For me, I have been focusing on the search; On the race, as it were. What can I continue to do today to make an impact? What amazing things have I been missing out on right here in my current situation? If God asks me to stay here, in what ways can that be a positive?

It is so easy to get caught up in looking ahead that we miss out on all the great things that we have going for us in our lives now. Looking back, the only true things that I have gaining from my current period of introspection is that: Regret is the worst thing in the world to have to live with and I know that I have enough strength to handle today-and that's enough for now.

Prayer

2005-04-06T14:47:00.000-05:00

Don't Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,

"Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he worked it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow - You may succeed with another try.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.