Matt Smay

Almost everyone I know is talking about the 18% drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average last week, which includes concerns about the safety of bank deposits, possible job losses, and diminishing retirement accounts. One of my hobbies is to track financial markets, which is why I thought I’d share a good article by Liz Pulliam Weston called, “How to survive the next depression.” The article does not speculate on whether or not we’re heading for another depression, but it does provide some practical advice on preparing financially for whatever happens to the economy. It also gives some perspective on the differences between our current market downturn (and likely recession) and the Great Depression of the 1930’s.

Here are some key statistics related to The Great Depression:

• It lasted 12 years – from 1929 to the beginning of WWII.
• Led to a 25% unemployment rate (we’re currently around 6%)
• Saw the Dow Jones lose 89% of its value between the peak of September 1929 and the bottom in July 1932.

Obviously, it’s a good time to re-evaluate our financial goals and get informed, but keep in mind that our faith can be tested in times like these.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

July was a month I took seriously as a time to be with family, catch up on some much needed R&R, and get geared up for the second half of ‘08. This included a trip to Montana for a week with my sister and her family, which involved 2 days of fly-fishing with my brother-in-law (and his TR Special – hand-tied flies). I’m happy to report that in the past month I’ve caught fish in some of the most renown rivers in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana; including the Gibbon, Firehole, Madison, Gardiner, Lava Creek, Blue River, S. Platte, and the Arkansas. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the entire month was getting quality time with Maren and Maegan. The memories made at rest-stops, hotels, city parks, Yellowstone, and the retreat house will not soon be forgotten. Besides the much needed rest, the time away gave me ample time to reflect on the year to date. Here are a few thoughts along the way:

• Finding balance between work (ministry) and family will be increasingly more important in the future.
• Rest is not an option – I’ve found a renewed peace and depth of vision since taking some time away from the ordinary routine.
• As one commercial states, “Take time to be a dad today.” One of my goals is to make this part of the daily job description.
• I’ve been in the process of becoming a ‘Family Man.’ While I’m already a husband and now a dad, I’m learning there’s something entirely unique about blending those roles, and doing it well.
• Building community takes time and a commitment to invest in long-term relationships, and individualism works in direct opposition to community.
• Discipleship is contrary to our nature and requires significant amounts of intentionality – it’s an uphill grind.
• Stability is based on faithfulness and is often perceived as maturity. Too much conflict, change, debt, or stress can drastically impact a person’s level of stability.
• Success is a matter of perspective. Everyone asks how the book (TK) and MCAP are doing, and I’m recognizing this is a difficult question to answer because I have nothing to compare them against – even though I’m thrilled by the progress of both.
• Diversity of personality, skills, and gifting is something to be embraced, and is too often viewed as a threat which creates standards of conformity and reduces the capacity for creativity and movements. This is a point where Alan Hirsch is absolutely correct – check out his book, “The Forgotten Ways” if you haven’t read it yet!

I thought I’d share some thoughts related to my Summer calendar. As I attempt to move into the summertime season of rest, relaxation, and fun – I’d like to take a minute to describe some of my dreams of a perfect summer.

Like many of you, I’m ready for a break and a time of intentional R&R. But I’m also aware that the summer can quickly fill up with things that were never part of the plan. So, when I imagine my perfect summer it involves several vital components:

• Focused time with the family – with Maegan turning two in July, and Maren due in November with our second kiddo, I’m realizing how fast time flies. So, I want to get a few special times away with the family this summer, which will include a week in Montana!
• Intentional community building with our village – I’d like to have more consistent and meaningful times with our village, which includes growing deeper in relationships, engaging our neighborhoods (we’ve already got 2 big block parties setup), and expanding the depth of our spiritual development.
• Rest – I just need to slow down a bit this summer. The pace that Hugh and I have been on the past few years has been overwhelming. Primarily, related to the ongoing growth of Adullam & Missio and getting the book ready for release. So, I’m planning to take seriously making up some much needed Sabbath times.
• Fun – I intend on scheduling some time that is purely devoted to having fun with friends and our community. This will include BBQ’s, some day-trips to state parks to let the kids play and parents relax, as much golf as possible, regular mountain bike rides, a few fly-fishing days on the Dream stream, Green River, or Frying Pan, and maybe even a few overnight trips into the mountains.

This may not be your dream summer, but I hope you begin to be intentional with how you’ll spend your limited amount of free-time. At Adullam we’re planning a number of park services, a few big State Park gatherings, and we’ll be focusing a lot of energy on getting our communities moving forward in the areas of:

Community~Communion~Mission

Being a newbie to the whole blog world, I must admit there are a number of thoughts that race through my mind as I consider all the possibilities of populating a site named after myself.  I’ve wondered whether this is a complete waste of time, if anyone will ever stumble across the site, if I’ll be able to post enough content to provide even a casual passerby a reason to pause and read a moment, and I’ve even pondered if this could really be the beginning of something significant – Not just for those that read, but for myself.

I’m approaching this site as an opportunity to take on a new spiritual discipline of sorts. I’ve never been much into keeping a journal, except for those occasional times when I go through a significant event in life or want to capture a specific season of life (like the birth of our daughter). There’s been a number of mentors and peers over the years that have challenged me to take the post-it notes out of my brain, (the way I refer to my own thoughts), and get them on paper. I sort of chuckle when I recall the half-dozen journals that I’ve purchased, or been gifted over the years, that sit in my nightstand. Each one contains just a few pages of writing, with the entries ending abruptly a week or so after the first.

I obviously jump into this blog universe with my own scepticism, fear, and hopeful optimism. Time will tell, but perhaps this will be the perfect venue for me to share my thoughts, my journey, or simply inspire a few failed journal’ers like myself to try once again to capture a few fleeting thoughts…