Employees are happiest when they’re trying to reach goals that are difficult but not out of reach.

Daniel Gilbert, The Science Behind the Smile, Harvard Business Review, January-February 2012.

A Slice of Fresh Bread

Last week I was in Santiago de Campostela in Northwest Spain to attend the CCI-Spain national conference. Santiago de Campostela was a major pilgrimage destination during the Middle Ages and remains a significant site for pilgrims today.  It is believed to be the burial site of James the brother of Jesus.

To guide travelers on their way, the route is marked with seashells symbolizing the city’s proximity to the Atlantic coast. The background and symbolism of the shell is rather murky, but one explanation is that the shell reminds us that providing a drink or morsel of food to a weary pilgrim, even one that would fit within the shallow sea shell, would be rewarded.   

Whether that is what started the seashell tradition or not, it is a good reminder.  The world is filled with weary travelers. A gift, no matter how small, a smile, a greeting, a word of appreciation, or a prayer can lift the spirits of a beleaguered traveler on life’s challenging pathway.

Jesus reminds us of the importance of giving small gifts, If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42)

Don’t wait for a big opportunity to help.  Use whatever little gift you have to encourage a friend on the road today.

Prayer Requests

CCI-Spain held its National Conference, January 19-22 in northwest Spain.  Please pray that the information shared, lessons learned, and relationships built would be  key elements in furthering the effectiveness of Christian camping throughout the region.   

CCI-Russia holds its Christian Camping Leaders Conference January 29-February 2. Please pray for the planning and promotion of this conference that serves not only Russian camping leaders but people from many countries in the former Soviet Union.

In just over three months (April 19-24, 2012) participants from around the world will meet at Pinos Reales, a Christian camp near Madrid, for the CCI-Worldwide Summit.  Please pray for the preparations and funding for this major training and planning event. 

Many CCI associations are struggling financially.  Please pray for the financial support needed as we enter this new year.

No one ever told me that when I wear a mask, only my mask receives love.

John Lynch, Bruce McNicol and Bill Thrall, The Cure

A Slice of Fresh Bread

I received several very nice Christmas gifts from family and friends.  One came from Paul, the church custodian where I office. (My church provides CCI with a wonderful office, internet service, utilities, and they even have the Church custodian take out my trash.) 

I rarely stop for lunch and throughout the day I graze on my ABC diet: Apples, Bananas and Carrots.  Occasionally I splurge and add an orange, pear or plum to my workday menu. (I do enjoy a normal evening meal.) The waste basket by my desk regularly contains apple cores, banana peels, and plumb pits. Not a pretty picture. But Paul faithfully cleans up my mess and leaves a fresh clean trash liner.  Paul even provides a smile and a word of encouragement when our paths intersect.

I’m good at making messes.  But I’m in remarkable company; the Bible is filled with stories of people who made messes.  The first mess recorded was made by Adam and Eve and it also involved an apple.  They couldn’t clean up their mess and neither can I.

Within God’s big plan, fruit, messes, and clean-ups seem to be recurring themes. Paul reminds us, But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (I Corinthians 15:20-22)

Only God can clean up the messes we make.  Through Jesus, he redeems them for his purposes.

So what did Paul give me for Christmas? A fruit basket; more cores, peels, and pits. More messes and more cleanups along life’s way. 

Prayer Requests

CCI-UK continues to seek the help of another part-time staff member.  A short-term helper will be leaving at the end of February and the position needs to be filled in the next few weeks. Please pray for the right person to fill this role within the CCI-UK team. 

CCI-UK concludes its Conference for Christian Centre managers. Please pray that the things learned and the relationships that have been developed would strengthen the work of Christian camping throughout the UK.

CCI-Spain holds its National Conference this weekend (January 19-22) near Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain.  Please pray for a good time of learning, networking and encouragement.  Please also pray for two guests from Portugal who plan to attend.     

CCI-Russia holds its Christian Camping Leaders Conference January 29-February 2. Please pray for the planning and promotion of this conference that serves not only Russian camping leaders but people from many countries in the former Soviet Union.

Several Associations hold training meetings, board meetings, or planning meeting in the next few weeks.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance for CCI-Philippines, CCI-New Zealand, CCI-Canada, CCI-Russia, CCI-Ukraine, and CCI-Spain.

In just over three months (April 19-24, 2012) participants from around the world will meet at Pinos Reales, a Christian camp near Madrid, for the CCI-Worldwide Summit.  Please pray for the preparations and funding for this major training and planning event. 

Variable pay for performance, while it may seem attractive in theory, creates more problems than it solves. There’s no proof that it helps achieve its intended purposes, and other approaches not only work better but also strengthen employee loyalty.

Stop Tying Pay to Performance, Harvard Business Review, January-February 2012

A Slice of Fresh Bread

During the Christmas holiday, our family put together a jigsaw puzzle. Aunts and uncles, cousins and grandmother all helped find border pieces, parts of the fireplace, Santa Claus’ red suit, and the popcorn strings on the Christmas tree.

Eventually the 1,000 scattered and disconnected parts came together to form a beautiful, unified picture. It wasn’t always easy and at times it was frustrating, but eventually the completed picture brought satisfaction to all who worked on the project. 

I’ve always been impressed that the list of Spiritual Gifts in Ephesians 4:11 (It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers) is preceded by seven ones that hold us together (There is one body and one Spirit . . . one hope . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Ephesians 4:4-6a)

Our little part may seem insignificant, but without it, the puzzle would never be complete.  We may enjoy our unique design and feel it is more important than any other puzzle piece, but on our own we are of little value. God has created each of us with a unique design so that we can contribute our special part to the big picture He is creating.  Beauty and satisfaction are found when we do our part to add to the one, unified picture God is creating.

Don’t think too highly or too lowly of yourself.  Just make the contribution that God has designed for you and enjoy the big picture that He is creating. 

Prayer Requests

CCI-UK continues to seek the help of another part-time staff member.  A short-term helper will be leaving at the end of February, and the position needs to be filled in the next few weeks. Please pray for the right person to fill this role within the CCI-UK team. 

January 16-18 CCI-UK holds its Management Conference for Christian Centre managers throughout the UK. Despite economic pressures, every room has been booked for this important conference.  Please pray for a wonderful time of sharing, training and encouragement.   

CCI-Spain holds its National Conference, January 19-22 in northwest Spain.  Please pray that this would be well attended and be beneficial to all who attend. 

A small group of CCI leaders will visit camping ministries in Portugal after the CCI-Spain conference.  Please pray that this would be an effective time of encouraging and networking with the more than 30 Christian camping ministries that have been identified in that country.    

CCI-Russia holds its Christian Camping Leaders Conference January 29-February 2. Please pray for the planning and promotion of this conference that serves not only Russian camping leaders but people from many countries in the former Soviet Union.

In just over three months (April 19-24, 2012) participants from around the world will meet at Pinos Reales, a Christian camp near Madrid, for the CCI-Worldwide Summit.  Please pray for the preparations and funding for this major training and planning event. 

A major Christian centre in the Netherlands is studying the possibility of acquiring an existing camp site that may otherwise be shut down. Please pray for wisdom and guidance in this possible acquisition.

Adults age 45-84 who attend religious services or other organized religious activities weekly are 62% more likely to be obese than those who never participate.

Go Figure, Christianity Today, January 2012

A Slice of Fresh Bread

I stayed up until 11:00 PM local time on New Year’s Eve to watch the Ball Drop in New York City.  I’m not sure why. 

I am always puzzled by the excitement and enthusiasm associated with ringing in a new year.  I understand and appreciate the value of looking back, assessing the past, and learning from our mistakes.  I’m also big on peering down the road: planning, setting goals, and striving for accomplishment. 

The turn of a calendar does not make a New Year – it merely makes a Next Year.  Unless change, real change, God powered change, is involved, New Year’s Eve is just an excuse for a party to distract us from our problems and insignificance. 

Near the very end of the Bible John records, He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5)

The human effort of resolutions can help us lose weight, read more, quit smoking or save money.  Parties can distract us from our pain and problems.   But only Christ can make things new. 

Let’s resolve to make Christian camps around the world places where God makes all things new in 2012. 

Prayer Requests

January 16-18 CCI-UK holds its Management Conference for Christian Centre managers throughout the UK. Please pray for the planning and preparation of this conference.

CCI-Spain holds its National Conference, January 19-22, in northwest Spain.  Please pray that this would be well attended and that guests from Portugal might be able to participate as well.   

CCI-Russia holds its Christian Camping Leaders Conference January 29-February 2. Please pray for the planning and promotion of this conference that serves not only Russian camping leaders but people from many countries in the former Soviet Union.

In just over three months (April 19-24, 2012) participants from around the world will meet at Pinos Reales, a Christian camp near Madrid, for the CCI-Worldwide Summit.  

Please pray for the preparations and funding for this major training and planning event. 

Many CCI associations are struggling financially.  Please pray for the financial support needed as we enter this new year.