The Personal Weblog of Travis Kaiser

I think every high school student should take an economics class. Economics has rooted in it the very fibers that make up life: supply and demand, utility, efficiency, marginal analysis, equilibrium, game theory, and who can forget opportunity cost.

It is that last one that I love the most - opportunity cost! I remember the day I learned that principle in class. The experience was like the rain of knowledge was pouring down on me. In short, opportunity cost is the giving up of something(s) in order to get something else. For us, it exposes the need to make choices. All choices involve opportunity cost because the decision of one option always means deciding against some other option(s). For example, if I go on vacation to Florida that means I didn’t choose Colorado, Spain, Cancun, or a whole slew of other things I could have done that week. If I were to list all the options I didn’t chose then the top item on my list is my greatest opportunity cost and all other items follow down the list according to their “cost”.

 A great Biblical principle can be learned from this gold nugget of economics. Jesus simply said to the diciples “Follow me”. The command was short but extremely difficult. It was a call to put off the old man (Col 3:9-10) and in being new creations to put on the new man (2 Cor 5:17). The same call applies to our lives when God draws us. Are we willing to put aside our selfish desires, our pride, the desire to want the attention, in order to follow Christ and allow Him to be Lord of our lives? It was unfortunate but the rich young ruler was given the same offer to “come follow” Jesus as did the disciples but chose his wealth instead. He weighed the cost but “went away sad” the Bible says. Opportunities cost!

I’ve seen this principle cripple people when mission trips are discussed. They sense God is calling them and in return they believe it means that He will provide a smooth ride. God calls us to join Him in His work. So sometimes when it comes to a mission trip we have to work, sacrifice, and be creative in order for us to make it possible with God’s help. I know people who have cut cable, stopped getting the newspaper, quit eating out, and other “outrageous” ideas in order for them to match up with what God was calling them to do. Just before I moved here I saw a 16 year old student work 60 hour weeks for two and a half months to pay for his own mission trip. Too much work? Maybe. But what I saw was the sacrifice of movies, theme parks, late night video games, and sleep in order for a teenager to fulfill God’s call. After his trip I heard that he said he would do it all over again. That’s challenging!

So… how are you doing in God’s economy? Are you choosing the “new man’s” cost of discipleship or are you in spiritual bankruptcy by following the opportunity of the “old man”?

Have choices to make? Just remember to factor in the costs!

I’ve heard all my life that words are powerful. In my favorite book of the Bible, James, there are many warnings about the power the tongue can wield. Yet, one of the biggest parts of my life that gets me into trouble is my mouth - just ask Mary Julia.

In a recent news report, a Wake Forest student has been kicked out of school for a posting he made on the popular website Facebook. In a particular post he stated that the would ‘blow up campus’. Campus security searched his room but did not find any weapons. Luke Caparelli, a running back on the football team, told campus security he had no intentions to hurt the school or anyone on campus. (Click here to read more).

My first reaction to this news was that it seemed like an overreaction by the school. But is it? In recent years our society has come to take threats more seriously due to multiple high school shootings, 9/11, and the most recent attack on Virgina Tech’s campus last fall. Words do matter. It would have been better if his last statement would have been his first. Unfortunately for him - words typed, written, or said mean something.

How are you words? They can either “blow things up” or they can bring restoration.

Here’s another picture of Ellie Claire. So many of you have asked how Mary Julia and the baby are doing and we are grateful for the love we have been shown. We brag to our friends and family about how awesome our church is and this proves to be one more reminder.

 So…what you have all been waiting for - the three movies every Christian must watch.

1. Luther (2003) - This movie portrays how Luther, a German reformer, was both a rebel and leader in the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500’s. Of all of the literature on Luther this movie is a decent portrayal of the historical account. Rated PG-13 for images of violence (namely self-floggings by the Catholics and aftermath of a war).

2. Amazing Grace (2006) - William Wilberforce was a rebel of his own in the 1700’s. He spent his entire life trying to fight for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. His greatest battle - ending the slave trade. Also recounts John Newton’s writing of the hymn Amazing Grace. Rated PG.

3. Les Miserables (1998)- Focus on the Family says “The moving story of Jean Valjean former convict who experiences the great injustice of the law only to wind up knowing the redemptive power of God’s grace and mercy. Rated PG-13

 These are some great date night movies for those of you who are married. So… go get some Coke, popcorn, and hit up the movie store.

Our precious Ellie Claire has finally arrived! She was born on March 8th at 9:31 am. She weighed 8 lbs and 1 ounce and is 21 inches long. I’m sure you will agree with me that she is the most beautiful girl ever born!

 Oh - and don’t worry, this won’t be on the only pic I post on here of our newest gift.

First let me say that my commitment to blogging has been renewed! Ater taking a blogging sabbatical many adoring fans have asked me to update the blog so here it is. There are so many topics I want to address but I’ll space them out to let your brain have a little rest.

 So here is today’s topic - The Lovely Ladies of Long Hollow. Often times the girls in our student ministry are complimented as sweet, God-fearing, servant-minded, caring, teachable, loving, compassionate, and gentle. Even those these are great attitributes, one thing I want made known about the Lovely Ladies of Long Hollow is that they are TOUGH. A prime example is this picture from last Sunday of our 9th grade girls taking each other out in a heated battle of LaserQuest. A quick glimpse at these ladies will sending your trembling with fear - at least I’m scared. Great event ladies - I hope you had fun. Oh…. and next time I want an invitation.

The New Year is here - 2008! I like the beginning of new things. It always brings about a sense of evaluation. I heard James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, speaking about being busy and said, “Every year you should cut out 20% of what you did next year. This will provide room for those new things you want to do.”

In an article on Family.org, Tim Geare and Tim Sanford try to help parents with their too-busy teens (http://www.family.org/parenting/A000000807.cfm). Below is a great checkup from their article:

Do a “too-busy” checkup:

• o List all the activities you’re committed to - daily, weekly, seasonally, occasionally
• o Divide them into 3 groups: essential, important and pleasurable
• o Beside each, write down something you must say “no” to in order to make that item a priority. Take your time and be honest.
• o Determine if you’re doing too much, and how you can adjust your schedule

If being busy is hurting your marriage here is great article from marriage teachers Les and Leslie Parrott - http://www.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/marriage/A000000825.cfm

You can also purchase “Parents’ Guide to Teen Health” by Paul Reisser - a guide full of practical advice from over 50 leading physicians, psychologists, and parenting experts.

I’m on vacation along with doing a little reading and writing. Check back on Monday the 14th for a new posting that I’m already working on!

Over the weekend I read a great article from The Courier Journal Newspaper. It was an interview with Steve Small who was the women’s basketball coach at Western Kentucky University from 1984-2001. Below you will find his 10 Commandments for Parents and Rules for Athletes.

10 Commandments for Parents:

1. Make sure your child knows that win or lose, scored or heroic, you love them and appreciate your efforts.
2. Try to be completely honest about your child’s athletic abilities.
3. Be helpful. Don’t coach on the way to the game or on the way home!!!
4. Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition. Don’t say “Winning doesn’t count,” because it does.
5. Don’t relive your athletic life through your child in a way that creates pressure (I’ve seen parents do this in many areas of thier child’s life.)
6. Don’t compete with the coach. Period.
7. Don’t compare your child’s skill, courage or attitude with that of other players.
8. Get to know the coach, his or her philosophy, attitudes and knowledge.
9. Remember, children tend to exaggerate, either when praised or criticized. Temper your reaction when they bring home tales of woe or heroics.
10. Make a point of understanding courage and the fact that it is relative. Courage is no the absence of fear but rather doing something in spite of fear.

Rules for athletes:

DON”T:

…..try to understand everything. Some things will just never make sense.

…..ever be reluctant to show your feelings. When you’re happy, give in to it! When you’re not, live with it.

…..be afraid to try to make things better. You may be surprised at the results.

…..take the weight of the world on your shoulders.

…..feel threatened by the future. Take life one day at a time.

…..feel guilty abou the past - what’s done is done. Learn from the mistakes you might have made.

…..feel that you are alone. There is always someone there for you to reach out to.

One final note that Coach Small adds is, “Whether you are the starter or the one sitting on the bench, the umpire, the mom, the dad, the grandpa, the grandma, the scorekeeper, the concession worker, where you are - be all there! Be the first one to practice, the last one to leave, make sure you look your coach in the eye, say yes sir, no ma’am. And remember this: A.S.A.P. - Always Say A Prayer.

I’ve talked with a lot of students and adults who desire to help others during this holiday season. I led some people to families within our church who are in need. However, after Happy Birthday Jesus, our children’s ministry provided for the majority of the families we knew about. Way to go guys!

 There are still plenty of people left in need. For some reason the Lord has been stirring my heart toward others’ needs for the past several weeks. It’s more than just the “Christmas is here so you should think of others Travis” feeling. I’m learning more and doing more. Giving can come through money, talents, time, energy, skills, and other resources.

In my conversations with some of you, you said that you wanted to know more about how you can help. Below are some great links to get you started (you can get to any of the websites by clicking on the highlighted words):

Food for the Hungry - This is a great place to start. You can join us in sponsoring a child from the Cochabamba region of Bolivia or you can check out their Christmas catalogue where you can purchase Bibles, food, animals, provide tools for a family business, or education.

Harvest of Hope has a similar Christmas catalogue. If you don’t have that special Christmas gift yet, you can always purchase some goats to help a family create income for themselves. Isn’t that right Gordon?

Vanderbilt’s Children Hospital has a list of toy and supply donations to help families in the Nashville downtown area.

Finally, check out www.kiva.org. I found out about this website from Bill Clinton pushing his “Giving” book (this is on my Christmas list). I don’t care much for all of his politics but he is on to something in this book. At Kiva.org you can help sponsor people to launch their entreprenurial dreams. Kiva gives the people a timeline in which they have to pay the loan back which will then give you “Kiva Credit” to help launch another dream in the world. To date Kiva has loaned over $10 million and 97% of the loans have been paid back in full.