The End of TrueU.org
by Denise Morris on 12/03/2008 at 12:50 PM
Well, it's been ages since I've posted here! Shame on me.
The latest update is that my webzine, TrueU.org is no more. Focus on the Family had to do some major budget cuts, and TrueU was one of the many affected ministries. We published our final articles last week, and there will no longer be any new content.
Honestly, it's been weird. I moved to Colorado Springs nearly four years ago to help start this new webzine. As I wrote in my last article, I've learned so much through my process with TrueU over the years:
We started this webzine to help college students better understand and express the Christian worldview. I don't know if any of you have learned anything, but I certainly have. I've had to think through what it means to hold to a consistent belief system, even when it's difficult. I have a better grasp of what it means to listen to others — not just so I can fire back with my opinions, but so that I can truly understand where they're coming from. I've learned that the things I write about need to go beyond ideals — they need to be implemented into my life.
For me, TrueU has been much more than a webzine. It's been part of the path on my journey to being more like Jesus. The things I've learned, the conversations I've had, the articles I've written — they've all been part of me learning and beginning to attempt to implement what the Lord has asked all of us to do.
I really have grown in my understanding of who God is and what He requires of me. I'm so thankful for the time I had at TrueU -- it was a beautiful blessing.
So, right now I'm looking for a new job and trusting that God has a plan. I started a personal blog, and so did TrueU's assistant editor, Matthew John. We're keeping everyone updated with our job searches and such.
Anyway, have any of you been affected by the difficult economic times? If so, what have you found to be of comfort during this time?
1. Derek Wong said the following at 2:19 PM on Dec 3:
While I've only read a handful of the TrueU.org articles, I'm still sorry to see you go! I enjoyed what I did read, and I hope that everything goes splendidly for you.
Personally, I haven't been too affected by the economy's rough times. (At least not yet anyways.)
2. Joel O said the following at 3:18 PM on Dec 3:
What made me start reading Boundless a long time ago was "Office Hours" in my college years. I really like those articles, and still goes back reading it sometimes. When "Office Hours" move to TrueU, I haven't been keeping up, but I remain a Boundless reader since the articles more applicable to me (married w/ 6-month old daughter now). It is sad to see TrueU went away. I wonder if the articles are still going be published online or the domain will be shutdown?
I haven't been affected by the economy until yesterday when my wife's branch office is shutdown, so it'll be an interesting few weeks ahead for me.
3. BDB said the following at 3:31 PM on Dec 3:
I'm sorry to hear about this. The economy is really bad here, too, with unemployment about 9.5%.
What I noticed after a layoff is that while my work friends largely passed by the wayside, my church friends remained steadfast. It was a very visible reminder that it is worth investing in my local church.
4. Angela said the following at 3:42 PM on Dec 3:
With TrueU closing will "Office Hours" be moving back to Boundless? J. Budziszewski was one of my favorite writers...before TrueU started up.
5. Renee said the following at 4:52 PM on Dec 3:
Does this mean we can have Theolophilus and other academic subjects back on Boundless???? I think that would be swell! I've missed all of those.
6. HoustonGal said the following at 5:06 PM on Dec 3:
Denise, that was a great site and I'm sorry to see it go. I'm also sorry that FotF was not able to find another place for you right now--the bad economy is hitting all organizations extremely hard.
Before I read your post, I was taking a long walk through the park and listened to a podcast about developing your resume for today's competitive job market. The presenters really hammered on developing your resume to focus on two things: how your career accomplishments have added *value* and *strategic impact* to your employer(s). No bland run-down of your job duties and responsibilities--you really need to find an angle to differentiate yourself.
As for how the economy has impacted us, we let one team member go about three weeks ago. We don't anticipate further cuts right now, but I don't think we'll be able to hang on for the next several quarters *without* another RIF--unless some decent improvement in our numbers is seen.
7. BDB said the following at 5:12 PM on Dec 3:
Also, I encourage everyone to start looking IMMEDIATELY. Don't take a month or two off with severance for "vacation." The rule of thumb is that it takes one month for every $10,000 in income to find a new position. It might be faster if you are willing to move.
I highly recommend the book Fired Up! by Harvey Mackay. It is full of real-life stories of people who lost their job and it turned into a very positive turning point in their life. It really gets the juices going about what some new employment ideas might be.
8. HoustonGal said the following at 6:18 PM on Dec 3:
BDB (#7) makes great suggestions.
As a follow-up to my posting in #6, I happen to be off work this week, with use-it-or-lose-it vacation time. (My employer point-blank told us to take our scheduled vacations--taking it would not have any negative impact on job security).
Anyway, I canceled my out-of-town trip to save money and I'm using this precious week to do some hardcore preemptive planning: update/improve my resume, update my work sample portfolio, catch up on networking/personal references, do some financial "what-if" scenarios....basically preparing for the worst--and praying that I won't need any of it.
9. James said the following at 6:34 PM on Dec 3:
So does that mean that boundless is going to pick up the role TrueU held, as well as stick to what it's become?
10. Michelle said the following at 7:16 PM on Dec 3:
Denise,
Good to see you here, I checked out your blog the other day when I heard that TrueU was no longer. I've so appreciated your ministry and a personal email or two from you over the past few years that were a great encouragement to me.
I work in a national Canadian women's ministry and we are experiencing challenges due to the economy as well. In fact, last week, we had to layoff several staff members. At this point, I am still employed and am trusting the Lord with the future. It's an unsettling time as we continue to go through major restructuring and seeking God's direction for the future. Through it all, God has given us such unity and peace as a staff - it's absolutely all HIM, because it's beyond all human understanding.
Keep pressing on, my dear friend! You are loved!!
11. EKB said the following at 7:18 PM on Dec 3:
Will "Office Hours" with Professor Theophilus be published on Boundless now? J Budziszewski's writing has been incredibly valuable to my spiritual life.
12. Rebekah said the following at 7:43 PM on Dec 3:
I'm sorry to hear about TrueU being cut and about the loss your job (I've really enjoyed your work).
The ministry for which I work is also undergoing budget cuts. I wasn't cut but good friends were. However, during other recent trials, I've fallen back on the Sovereignty of God. Daniel 4:35 says, "All the inhbitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, What have You done?" Many days I have figuratively beaten my head against this verse, because I so desparately wanted to cry to God "what have you done". I did not understand why I had to endure such pain but I know God's purposes are always accomplished and had to conclude that my pain was within His will and His control.
I have also found comfort in Revelation. If I were on earth then I would conclude that Satan was ruling, but really he is only playing into God's hand. So no matter what I see, I have to believe that God is really still on His throne.
I know the tone of my words is (obviously) lost, but please don't read this as being said by the obnoxious Christian who says "Just give your troubles to God" before you've finshed telling them whats wrong.
I will definately be following your blog (and praying for you) to see what God teaches you and where you land next.
13. Dorene said the following at 7:47 PM on Dec 3:
It's truly sad to see True.org close. I was totally blessed by this site. I do hope and wish you best for the next endeavor God brings your way... God bless
14. Greg said the following at 10:03 PM on Dec 3:
Hi Denise, I'm sorry to hear that TrueU.org will be close down, and that you and Matthew John are affected by the budget cuts at FoF. Both your work and the many wonderful articles at TrueU has really helped and challenged me as a believer. May God bless you both in your search for jobs!
15. Valerie said the following at 10:11 PM on Dec 3:
I'm sorry, Denise! :(
Thanks for all your hard work!!
16. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 10:51 PM on Dec 3:
I'll keep praying for your job situation, Denise. I know too well the struggle to find a good job!
To answer the question in your post, I have had economically difficult times dating back to before this current recession. Having a physical disability, not being able to drive, and living in a city with mediocre public transit have all contributed to my career struggles. (They may be turning around soon though, Lord willing!)
What has kept me going, in the midst of these challenges and difficulties, is the knowledge that God is completely sovereign and in control. He ordained that I would be born with a disability, and He has designed every challenge for my life in a way He alone knows that I need. Without this knowledge and conviction, I simply could not face life on a daily basis. *With* this knowledge and conviction though, I can not only face life but also persevere in the midst of whatever life brings to me, as part of His sovereign plan!
17. Lady Akofa said the following at 7:12 AM on Dec 4:
Denise and Matthew, my heart goes out to you. Sorry to see trueU go... Will trueU still appear online as an archive so that readers can always go back to it?
All the best in the job hunt.
18. Sarah P. said the following at 7:39 AM on Dec 4:
I guess that there's "a time for every purpose under Heaven." A time to start webzines, and then a time to end them.
As a 2007 college grad who has been pouring her heart and soul into one place for some years now, my heart goes out to you, Denise. I identify with so much of what you wrote in your TrueU post. At some point, I will be moving on from my current job and community as well, and to say that will be painful and disorienting will be an understatement.
19. obewan said the following at 8:58 AM on Dec 4:
Very sorry to hear about the layoffs. I have been laid off 4 times in 20 years. It is becoming old hat for me. I take encouragement in that the search is a lot easier with the Internet available now. One thing that may uncover some obscure job listings is a simple Google of various job titles. That will bring up resumes of other people in the same profession as well as links to job databases that deal with particular specialties. It is worth searching through thousands of web hits and emailing hundreds of resumes. I probably sent 2000-3000 resumes by email before I got my current job. It was well worth the effort and long wait. It I had given up and not submitted just that one more resume who knows where I'd be now.
20. Nelima said the following at 9:56 AM on Dec 4:
Denise, I'm especially sad we never got to hear you on the Boundless Show! May God continue to be glorified in your life.
21. Bri said the following at 10:36 AM on Dec 4:
It can be really discouraging to think about the economic hardships that are going on now. I know of a lot of nonprofits that are having difficulties and just wanted to share a bit of encouragement. I work at a crisis pregnancy center and our biggest fundraiser of the year is an annual banquet. It was held in October and we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to make our goal since so many people around us were experiencing hardships. God is awesome though! We not only made our goal but we significantly surpassed it. In fact it was our most successful one yet. It just goes to show you that no matter the circumstances God is able to provide.
22. skeeter said the following at 1:54 PM on Dec 4:
Sorry to hear about the shut-down. Can we have Prof. Theo back here? :) We like to think about deep and academic stuff, too.
23. Marie said the following at 2:17 PM on Dec 4:
I'd just like to thank TrueU for being a very positive influence in my life. I'm still in college, and I will miss many of the college-relevant articles that TrueU had and that Boundless doesn't have. TrueU has been one of the single most influential resources I've had, being the only Christian in my family and a student at a very secular college. Through all of my difficult struggles of the past year, I would receive the weekly emails from TrueU and would almost always find a relevant article. While I appreciate Boundless a lot and will continue reading Boundless articles and getting the Podcast every week, I will definitely miss TrueU.
24. Nick said the following at 3:56 PM on Dec 4:
I agree with the previous posts regarding Prof. Theophilus and Office Hours. It was a joy to read the meatier philosphical and even cultural insight he offered. While I didn't keep up with those columns once they went to the new site, I would hate to think that they were no longer available, so if you decide to come back to Boundless, Prof, we would love to have you back!
25. Margaret said the following at 9:47 PM on Dec 4:
Prof Theo and Doc Leland would both be awesome on Boundless! Almost every article I've read on TrueU has inspired and challenged me in many ways.
26. Matthew John said the following at 12:52 AM on Dec 5:
Hey there, everyone. It's Matthew, the former assistant editor of TrueU. It's so great to read your encouraging comments about our (now former) Web site. Like you all, I'm sad to see TrueU go. But I am excited about what God has in store.
27. f-jen said the following at 4:47 AM on Dec 5:
One more request here for Prof (Budziszewski)Theo -
looking for his columns kept me hooked on Boundless in the beginning, and has kept me checking in to TrueU since the move. I've been peeking back & forth between both sites hoping for some news in that regard -- if not here then perhaps somewhere else?
28. Matt C. said the following at 5:54 AM on Dec 5:
I would also like to add my voice to those who would like Theophilus back at Boundless. J. Budziszewski is one of my favorite authors and one of the most edifying on either site. I'd hate to lose his two monthly columns.
29. rushncap said the following at 1:13 PM on Dec 5:
J. Budziszewski is my favorite. His semi-coherent ramblings, and his smug self-satisfaction would always brighten up my day. I would love to see him on this site.
30. IMO said the following at 2:04 PM on Dec 5:
haha Rushncap, your posts are always good for a laugh...awww, you always add such value to conversation. Please post more often!
31. Andy Oliveira said the following at 7:48 AM on Dec 6:
I used to visit that site quite often. The articles were really good and I'll miss it. I'm really sorry this happened and look forward to what's coming our way. God bless everyone who was involved with it in some way.
32. Leah said the following at 7:24 PM on Dec 9:
Fortunately, us in Australia haven't really been that affected by the economic "crisis". Oh, wait... oh yeah, petrol prices have plummeted. That's about it. As columnists and news outlets are finally picking up, to middle class Australians, there's really not much of an economic crisis going on. (They're finally realising this instead of running around like headless chooks bemoaning recession, defecit budgets and economic crises.)
So anyway, where's Prof Theo going to have his online office now? I missed him.
33. Lindsey said the following at 12:42 PM on Dec 23:
I was really sorry to see this go. Thanks for all the hard work.
34. Lizzie said the following at 12:57 PM on Dec 23:
TrueU's closing came as a surprise to me--I didn't find out about it until after it had closed! =P Thank you, guys, for putting so much work into it, and blessing and encouraging others through the articles. I prayed that you and Matthew will find awesome jobs!
And I echo other people's questions about Professor Theophilus--I was a reader of his articles even before he moved to TrueU.