The Jungle Book

by David K. Wheeler

One year ago a remarkable thing happened. In the cold turn of October, a railroad turned the corner from somewhere to elsewhere on the sky gray cover of Contingency Plans, my debut poetry collection. You can buy it in stores. You can find it on the internet.

That day also underscored a tension for me. A writer and bookseller, I’m fiercely independent, liberally minded, and altogether outspoken about the influence of one particular sales giant. To have my book generate income for them gave me the most curious pause. Never have I experienced elation and disgust in such unison.

I make liberal use of the word hate in discussions about Amazon, and it has to do with their being themajor competitor to me and mine, but it goes deeper. The announcement came last fall that Amazon will compete as an actual publishing house—creating what CEO Jeff Bezos considers an “end-to-end service.”

For me, the homogeneity is disconcerting enough. One house—with remarkable sway—procuring, editing, printing, promoting, and selling books, all from within. No outside agents, editors, publicists, or booksellers guiding the process; a flow chart linking writer to reader with a great big AMZN.

I understand Amazon’s prerogative to expand, but quality seems to suffer under their heavy hand. I’ve cited examples on my blog. But consumers keep going back. Probably because Amazon prices are so low. It feels like a scam when I tell a customer I’ll charge them an easy ten dollars more than Amazon—but whose scam? Customers will opt to order a book online if I don’t physically have it on my shelf—even when I can have what they’re looking for the next day!—because Amazon makes books appear on their doorsteps. What’s there to do?

A Glove to Fit the Hand

When I’m not selling books, I go to the old home game. I like to watch the Mariners with my friend Bobby; he knows things. With him it’s Baseball 101. Seattle was playing the New York Yankees earlier this season, and I needed some clarity.

“Why does everyone hate the Yankees?” I asked. “Is it because they win all the time?”

“That’s part of it.” Bobby then taught me a valuable lesson about how money plays a role in what many consider a sacred game: People that hate the Yankees hate the Yankees because the Yankees don’t appear to care about anything but winning.

Maybe that’s true; maybe it’s not. But from the standpoint of many, the hallowed game of baseball—sportsmanship itself—has been sacrificed in Yankee Stadium to a big hungry god of their own design. Technically they play by the rules—technically.

Bobby elaborated and I discovered a glove to fit the hand. My beef with Amazon has to do with a modicum of decency as yet lacking on their part. To me, Amazon operates with no respect for its competitors and only vague awareness that its customers exist. Blatant greed has them seeking to cut out all entities mediating them and their profits. Those entities are people and services that raise the quality of products delivered. That attitude affects jobs and livelihoods in many ways more than just beating out the competition for a sale.

I’m suspicious about endeavors to omit positions, especially in a market suffering unemployment, debt, and economic disparity.  

But it’s foolish for me to blame Amazon alone. It is symptomatic of a greater national, buffet-style consumerism. Some of that is necessity, resultant of circumstances being protested this very minute through the Occupy Movement, but enough of that is also selfish consumer entitlement that probably started with business models like Henry Ford and Harry Gordon Selfridge pervading the American mind.

Amazon, like all businesses, responds to a market. We have done most of its work for it.

Adding-to-Cart

Beauty from messes is one thing left I believe in. I edit for T. S. Poetry Press, the very publisher behind my book. Our books are print-on-demand through a subsidiary of Amazon because its prices makes what we provide possible. Our primary focus is poetry. A niche press is hard to imagine working right out of the gates in traditional publishing.

I edit even while my hatred of Amazon boils because I believe in the T. S. Poetry project. Beauty from messes—it’s what God does; it’s what grace is. It’s how I describe my poetry in the book that resides within the jungle of tension, titled to imply the full flux surrounding it, Contingency Plans.

For me, there’s no question when I find projects and people whose beauty shines in the jungle, but when we’re tempted to add-to-cart, we must ask, Are we tempted because something’s beautiful, or because it is cheap?

Image by Moominsean. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by David K. Wheeler, author ofContigency Plans.

Christian Investment Newsletter Among 2011's Top Five

SALAMANCA, N.Y., Dec. 30, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Dec 26 Peter Brimelow of MarketWatch published his annual Top 10 list of Investment Newsletters. Placing in the top five out of the 196 Investment Newsletters currently tracked by Hulbert Financial Digest whose data he cites was The Christian Value Investor that he first profiled in his column Nov 21. His headline for that column was: "Christian letter among 2011 top performers. Commentary: But it's based on established investing theory."

Following the New York dateline of his company -- one member of the family of financial firms that include the Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, Barrons and Hulbert Financial Digest -- the sub-headline reads: "Praise the Lord! A new letter is among this year's top-performers. It's explicitly Christian." The full text of that article can easily be found by entering The Christian Value Investor within quotation marks into Google or other search engines. 

It was indeed exciting to the founders of Faithful Servant LLC, the company that publishes The Christian Value Investor to have as well known and respected a financial analyst as Brimelow -- whose biography is likewise easily searched -- not only credit a newcomer to this field for their success, but also to give credit to their newsletter's Christian principles. Brimelow clearly acknowledges there is a worldly bias against such entities that he terms Christophobia, illustrating this contention with the erosion of "Merry Christmas" greetings into "Happy Holidays."

He paraphrases from TCVI's Mission Statement that announces their model portfolio's avoidance of "sin stocks" such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling casinos, pornography etc. likening this moral position as rather like the various environment-conscious funds that avoid alleged polluters.

About their investment strategy he states "Certainly the Christian Value Investor editors have a bold and incisive investing technique." A refreshing feature of this piece in a secular column is his parallel credit to one other overtly Christian letter among those Hulbert rates for having consistently edged out the market over the last 15 years despite being somewhat down this year.

To learn more about The Christian Value Investor or its two sister publications that focus on the Utility and Transportation segments of the market one can visit the website that combines the publication's initials and the fact that they're always available intowww.TCVI-24-7.com. 

The Christian Value Investor's prayer for 2012 is that you have a joyous and prosperous New Year and tithe your good fortune.

Why I Don't Ask God for Money

by Ed Cyzewski

I’d like to think I’m an expert at the “Low Checking Account Balance Prayer.” I also call it the “Money Prayer.” We’ve moved and changed jobs enough that I should be able to proclaim a few prayers to settle things down with a suave confidence that emanates from my spiritual authority over low balances.

We just passed through such a time recently. My wife moved into a new job, and for a few months our financial security rested entirely on me and my fledgling business—something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. We did all right, but I finally hit the point where I felt the need to pray the “money prayer.”

There are two basic ways to say the money prayer. I have a feeling that God only likes one of them, but I’m usually willing to give them both a shot just in case.

The first version of the money prayer involves a simple formula: Hi God + we have no money + please help us = waiting for a response.

The second version adopts a slightly different approach: Hi God + use me to bless others + please give me what I need to do that = response.

The more I ask for my own provision, the less I see happening. The more I ask to be used as an instrument to bless others, the more I see God doing both for and through me.

Saying that God wants to use us to bless others isn’t exactly breaking new ground. If I tried to teach a seminary course based on this premise, I’d meet a room full of vigorous nods and then a rash of yawns.

The difference for me is that I sometimes compartmentalize my work and paycheck from “real” ministry. God wants my customers to feel cared-for, he wants my colleagues to return home with a greater sense of peace, and he wants to support life-changing ministries with the money I earn from my work.

As soon as I started asking God to send what I needed in order to bless others, my work changed. I discovered ways to connect colleagues with the help they needed. Prayers for provision that could bless others turned into extra work that enabled me to increase my generosity.

Only asking God for provision is like asking God to replace himself. My self-centered prayers are really something like this: “Dear God, life is hard, and I need money to take care of me. Please send money to provide the security you can’t provide.”

Asking God to use me to bless others puts us both in the right place. This places God in charge of my needs, the needs of others, and the overall direction for my life.

When I need more money, I really need more of God. I need to stick myself right at the center of his will. If God can use me, then I’ll never lack anything I need.

The provision of more money will cloud my vision of God. The provision of more God turns everything in my life into a tool that God can use as he pleases.

The trouble is that some days I still think prayer would be a lot easier if I had a bit more money.

Image by Velo_City. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by Ed Cyzewski.

Are You Up and Down With the Dow?

Over the past few years, the economy has been a roller coaster that's left most people screaming, "I want off!" As if that's not enough, news about the world economy all over the media has given us more reason to feel afraid and out of control. 

Staying armed with truth will ward off the panic for you and the people in your church, promoting peace no matter what's going on with the Dow. Keep spreading the word to your congregation that market volatility doesn't have to mean mood volatility!

Here are some things to keep you calm and peaceful no matter what the market is doing:

Where is your security? First things first. When your investments are bouncing around like a pinball machine, it's a good time for a gut check. Take a look at how much it's bothering you and remind yourself that security lies in God, not money. No amount of money can give you security, but you can be secure in Christ no matter how much or little you have. A loosened grip on your wallet or purse strings might bring some much-needed peace back into your life.

Maintain a long-term perspective: Like Dave Ramsey says, the only way you get hurt on a roller coaster is if you jump off! Investing is a long-term process, not a get-rich-quick attempt. Unless you are retiring tomorrow, you don't need to be concerned if your 401(k) looks more like a 201(k). The market always bounces back, and you'll make yourself sick if you stress over it. Keep investing just like you would in any other economy. Over time, you will win!

Imagine yourself debt-free: Think about it—how much do market fluctuations really affect your day-to-day life? And how much less would you care if you were completely debt-free with a fully funded emergency fund? If you are already there, congratulations! If you're not there yet, keep at it. Your hard work will be so worth it! When you are in complete control of your personal economy, what's going on in the nation and world economy just doesn't seem to hold as much weight.

Speak out against the hype. The sky is not falling. Encourage your congregation to keep working their way through the Baby Steps and striving to be excellent stewards of all that God has given them. You can't go wrong with that!

Learn how to start an FPU class in your church.

Stewardship Ministry: A Tale Of Two Churches - daveramsey.com

Stewardship Ministry: A Tale Of Two Churches - daveramsey.com: "Gunnar Johnson, Stewardship Pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, leads a stewardship ministry that serves about 3,000 people a year. As a result, hundreds of church leaders contact him every year to ask his team how to start a stewardship ministry. In general, churches that reach out fall into one of two categories."

Read more...

Christian Charities Look for Cyber Monday Donations

(AP Images/Paul Sakuma)

It’s Cyber Monday. That means millions of consumers will flood the Internet looking for online bargains in what has become the busiest Internet shopping day of the year. By some estimates, Cyber Monday revenue will top $1 billion again in 2011.

But virtual shoppers can give back while cashing in on Christmas deals—and Christian charities are hoping they do.

The charitable giving trend is expected to continue despite another holiday season faced with a struggling economy, according to a Harris Interactive study. Of survey participants, 51 percent say they're now more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present this year. And 80 percent of adults say they'd prefer to receive a "meaningful gift" that would help someone else instead of a traditional holiday gift like clothing or electronics.

International Christian humanitarian organization World Vision is proving this study out. More than half of the $32 million contributed through the organization's annual holiday Gift Catalog were funds raised through its online catalog.

The virtual store features more than 250 untraditional holiday gifts including cows, chickens, mosquito nets and microloans that are purchased on behalf of families living in impoverished communities.

"This year, World Vision is issuing a challenge to all Cyber Monday shoppers to consider items in the Gift Catalog," says Traci Coker, national director of the World Vision Gift Catalog. “We know times are tough but we also know shoppers are looking for gifts that are impactful. As long as you're going to be doing some shopping online, why not include a meaningful gift?"

Givers can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member or business associate. World Vision sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact on people in areas where extreme poverty is a reality.

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog helped provide assistance to more than 800,000 people around the world. Since launching the catalog in 1996, World Vision has raised more than $162 million.

Dear God, Thank You for This Crummy Job

I remember the days when I bounded out of bed, ready to seize the day.

Back then, work was a joy. My coworkers banded together as we found new solutions to fix problems. My chain of command was empowering. My duties were challenging and fresh, engaging my mind and abilities.

That was yesterday.

These days, the workplace has a certain sense of gloom. The economy hasn’t treated my company well. When I enter my building, it seems as if half the lights are dimmed, probably to save electricity. But it certainly doesn’t help the atmosphere.

Many of my coworkers have left through early retirement or have been forced out through downsizing. Those that are left have the duties of two or three, with no other resources to call on.

All the managers are stressed, trying to keep the fiscal boat afloat while still delivering a valuable product. At times the duties are creative and challenging, but I mostly find new ways to tell a continuing saga of sagging revenues, depressed demand and a bleak future. It’s a crummy position to be in, for sure.

I sense that I’m not alone. As I talk to friends, I’m finding that many of them have gone from the rolls of short-term unemployed to long-term. Others are underemployed, finding work as temps or part time workers, benefits trimmed or stripped outright.

And for those that are still working, they have to do way more with way less.

Rather than let my employment challenges drag me down, I’ve decided to take back the workplace for God’s glory, and I’m doing it through an attitude of gratitude. The seed of thankfulness was first planted by scripture, “In all things give thanks.” It was watered by The High Calling editor, Ann Voskamp, with her book, One Thousand Gifts, where she dares me to “live fully”, right where I am.

So, I’m putting the challenge into action. And it’s working.

First of all, I’m thankful I even have a job. When I think about my friends Steve and Becky, and a host of others stuck in pervasive unemployment, my complaints just feel wrong.

I’m thankful for the challenge, and even the frustrations. Through fire and trial, I’m becoming God’s man.

I’m thankful for the out-of-control schedule, the 117 unopened e-mail messages and the drop-everything-projects. I think there’s some patience to be gained in all this.

I’m thankful for my coworkers, and I often find myself saying this sort of prayer: “Lord, bless them in the stress.” We’re in this together, and using a calm voice of reason might just work wonders.

I’m thankful for every penny that my employer sends my way. I haven’t always earned it.

In every way, I’m grateful for this crummy job.

Image by Ben Fredericson. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by David Rupert.