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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Dad speaks out in support of bus driver OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs Medford looks to improve stretch of Foothill Road Soroptimists' garden tour set for Saturday in Medford, Jacksonville Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso Crime, Courts and Emergency Services OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso Emergency services Two arrested after pursuit through Jackson County UPDATE: School bus driver killed in crash near Rogue River identified Politics and Elections Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Education Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Ashland High's Michelle Zundel heading to Medford district Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Environment OR-7, mate may be adding to their pack Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Why is Bear Creek so muddy? Blame Emigrant silt and winter storm Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster State News Lawmakers seek authority to impeach Government releases wildfire plan to protect struggling bird in West Bill would press Lane County doctors to take Medicaid patients Senate panel passes medical pot rules Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Nation - World Uh oh .... Apple Watch demand is weak There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Death Notices Barbara Ann Simmons William Odell Emmens Clarence Allen (Al) Swearingen George Frederick Christensen Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Ducks down Beavers in 11 innings, 3-2 Martin, Raza advance in Open qualifying NFL to change extra-point kicks to longer distance Wu, Challenger boys win state crowns Crater’s Giles shares state title in Class 5A Varsity 541 College Sports Ducks down Beavers in 11 innings, 3-2 Raiders prepare for NAIA national meet Holmes heads SOU recruiting class Golson undecided, could visit other schools Oregon track sweeps at Pac-12s Pro Sports Martin, Raza advance in Open qualifying NFL to change extra-point kicks to longer distance Warriors rally to take Game 1 from Rockets Timberwolves win draft lottery, Lakers No. 2 Marlins fall in Jennings' debut Community Sports Business Latest Stories Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Two Crown Markets planned for Talent Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house People In Business People in Business Transportation Allegiant Air resumes flights to Arizona Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Hillary and the press Landgren cartoon: College loans and graduation Robert DeWitt: WWII veterans are pieces of living history Letters to the Editor, May 20 Our View: Renovating the Capitol is important but costly Editorials Our View: Renovating the Capitol is important but costly Our View: Take it easy on hunting and fishing fees Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 20 Letters to the Editor, May 19 Letters to the Editor, May 18 Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Columns Kathleen Parker: Unswaddling the bab(i)es on campus Michael Gerson: War lessons for the GOP George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Study finds family rules about screen time, eating seem to work Gift of time: Instead of presents, share experiences with kids Reading can keep young minds fresh over summer break Linda Cobb: Time to make a list of spring garden chores Page H. Onorato: Saturday brought treat for supper Food Page H. Onorato: Saturday brought treat for supper Taste of Alba Wine by the keg, growler, box and ammo can Potluck: A Gooey Butter Cake to cherish Community blog: Pucker up for quick rhubarb-celery-berry pickle Home and Garden Linda Cobb: Time to make a list of spring garden chores Dear Monty: Novice homebuyer’s first attempt disappointing Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Health Donna Knight: How to lessen your risk Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories SOU presents Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Theater SOU presents Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' OSF commissioned plays tour throughout country 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time Music Interview: Country mainstay T. Graham Brown reflects on career Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: Cast keeps laughs coming in ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess Dining Wine by the keg, growler, box and ammo can 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs ... Medford looks to improve stretch of Foothill Road ... Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso ... OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs ... Medford looks to improve stretch of Foothill Road ... Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso ... Shayne Looper: Escape from the 'Big Me' culture By Shayne Looper More Content Now MailTribune.com By Shayne Looper More Content Now Posted May. 19, 2015 @ 8:13 am By Shayne Looper More Content Now Posted May. 19, 2015 @ 8:13 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> New York Times columnist David Brooks recently released a new book titled “The Road to Character.” In an interview for Christianity Today with Jeff Haanen of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work, Brooks talked about what he describes as today’s “Big Me” culture. He cites a Gallup survey from 1950 in which high school seniors were asked, “Are you a very important person?” In 1950, 12 percent of those surveyed said yes. Gallup asked the same question of high school seniors a few years ago, and 80 percent of the respondents said yes. Psychologists sometimes have people fill out a questionnaire known as “The Narcissistic Personality Inventory,” and social scientists use similar instruments to ascertain the rise of narcissism culturally. Brooks points out that the median score on such tests has risen 30 percent in just 20 years. Along with this rise in narcissism is a concomitant fall in the awareness of personal sin and weakness. As the language of sin has fallen into disuse in educated society, the very concept of sin has fallen out of favor. The combination of narcissism on the one hand and a total lack of the self-awareness of sin on the other, has created a “Big Me” culture in which self-promotion is not just tolerated, but expected – and, in some cases, required for success. Our church is getting ready to call a pastor for a newly created staff position: The Pastor of Family Ministries. I’m part of a team that is receiving applications and reviewing resumes. We’re looking for candidates who understand and live in the way of Jesus, and have the ability to help parents enter and lead their children in it. To date we have received about 30 resumes. Many of the applicants are simply looking for a church ministry position and are sending out applications in a shotgun blast pattern, hoping they’ll hit something worthwhile. They seem to think of church ministry as a career to pursue rather than a calling to heed. That is disconcerting enough. But worse is the appalling self-promotion of many of the resumes. I realize that these people are merely following advice they found online for composing a resume, but it is disheartening to read. We are looking for humility, which is for us the indispensable virtue, but what we get are brag sheets and shameless self-aggrandizement. There is a reason humility is so important: It opens the door and allows a person to work together with others, including God. Pride closes the door, leaving the person nothing to give beyond his individual abilities and experience. The humble person can actually accomplish more than the proud one because he or she does not work alone. St. James, in a reference to the Old Testament book of Proverbs, writes: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” How crazy would it be for a church that’s trying to do God’s work to call a person to whom God is opposed? It is important, however, to understand what humility is and what it is not. Humility is not the same thing as low self-esteem. Humility does not belittle or disparage one’s own gifts, any more than it would someone else’s gifts. It does not draw attention to itself, whether to boast about one’s accomplishments or to despair over one’s sinfulness or incompetence. C. S. Lewis was right: “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” The best way to escape the “Big Me” culture that Brooks laments is to become a “Big God” person. Without a big God, a person has no choice but to become (or try to appear) a big person. Without a God who will justify you, you’ll have to justify yourself. It’s the person with a big God who can risk being small. It’s the person who has been captivated by the greatness of God and by the value of his fellows, who is set free to be himself; that is, who can be humble.   Shayne Looper is the pastor of Lockwood Community Church in Branch County, Michigan. Read more at shaynelooper.com. By Shayne Looper More Content Now MailTribune.com By Shayne Looper More Content Now Posted May. 19, 2015 @ 8:13 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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