The Spring semester starts this week! I am pumped. I really miss the students when they are gone and the enthusiasm and energy they bring to campus and our lives is incredible.

It will be a great four months but it goes too quickly.

April heads back to grad school this Friday (this semester, she is taking a classes on Modern Political Theory, Epistemology , and (are you ready for this?) Boethius). She’s still very grounded and she hasn’t developed that philosopher’s twitch . . . yet.

Alex had Army Reserve this weekend and we are actually waiting for him to return at this moment. He survived his first semester and appears ready (note: appears) for the Spring.

Someone asked the other day if we had any “problem students.” I think I know what he meant but I told him that many times the problem students (so-called) become the greatest servants of God later on in life.

Speaking of problem students, there’s a web-site that seems to indicate we have a problem president (that would be me). Because I encourage people to read and evaluate the views of nonchristians from a Biblical perspective, I am endangering our students.  I was informed that we only need to know what is true in order to detect error (the old counterfeit money illustration). But that is only half the battle. The Lord is clear that we are not only to recognize error but we are to give an answer by understanding and answering the thinking of others (1 Cor. 9:19ff; Acts 17:16ff). This is part of true engagement.

I promised to explain some ideas about resolutions. When it comes to making resolutions for the year, trying to use someone else as an example might have its downside. Dave Barry says it best:

I bet you know somebody who always looks terrific; somebody who manages to devote plenty of time to both family and career; somebody whose house is spotless, whose children are well behaved, and whose dog does not smell as if it sleeps on a bed of decomposing raccoons. You wonder how that person “does it all,” don’t you? Well, stop wondering and do something! Get up off the sofa, put on some active sportswear, and kill that person with a crowbar! No, seriously, you need to make some New Year’s resolutions so that you can become a better you – a more attractive you; an organized you; a you that is . . . well, less like you.

For me, I like to set goals that are more qualitative and then determine strategies to meet them.

For example, because of my position, I want to grow in wisdom and understanding. So, I am cataloging every verse in the book of Proverbs by theme. Hopefully I can finish in a year.  I am also reading a good book on wise leadership. Further, I have purposed to talk to a number of wise “elder statesmen” this year to get their insights on life in general and some specific issues I am dealing with.

I also want to express gratitude more so I am pledging to regularly write notes and make phone calls just for the purpose of thanking those who have been an encouragement in one way or another.

I want to maintain good health so. . .  regular workouts and no sugar. Self-control, self-control . . .

I want to continue growing in my mind and my spirit so I am reading books on apologetics and philosophy as well as a book from a nonchristian or antichristian worldview.

I want to stay positive and upbeat so I am regularly reading Dave Barry (actually, this is easy since my daughter gave me a “Dave Barry Everyday Calendar”). I am also reading P. G. Wodehouse (my favorite). Getting involved in a number of helping ministries will help round out the strategy and keep me focused.

There are a number of other strategies I won’t mention, some are personal and others relate to the family. But they are all derived from a desire to grow as a certain kind of person. Using the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.) is a good place to develop goals.

One of my goals is to read Boethius so I can keep the conversation going with my daughter. This one may be a stretch.

Have a blessed week!!