Archive for February, 2005
God of Wonders
Those of us in youth ministry, know the real deal. Sure, we get teased for playing video games and calling it outreach, watching movies and calling it research on the student culture, and dressing in jeans and T-shirts and calling it “fitting in.”
But we also know the darker side of youth ministry. The irritable, bonehead, couldn’t find his way out of paper sack student that at the end of the day you either want to choke or hug. Sometimes both. These are the students that spend years with you and you seriously question if you had any impact on them whatsoever. In fact, thinking about them causes you to be frustrated.
Iago was one of those kids. He was a foreign exchange student that lived with Steve and Beth. If he wasn’t in trouble, he was in space. I can’t tell you how many mornings, Steve would come in and just shrug. “What the heck do you do?”
We took him to Colorado. He broke a window, lied about it, then spent an hour arguing about it before we got our suitcases in the room. I about put him on a bus home…but Brazil is a long way away.
Iago had a “God moment” at the Getaway but didn’t know what to do with it. He felt something but he didn’t have anywhere to put it in his life.
Beth sent me this email last week:
Hey Beth,
Have you ever seen the movie Boat Trip?
It’s a very good comedy, where 2 guys go on a cruise trip thinking that it’s gonna be the best trip in their lives with tons and tons of girls, but, when they are in the middle of the ocean they find out that they in a gay cruise and the the fat screams “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!” as the camera gets further and further…
So, something very very similar happened to me when I went to a Christian camp last week…
I rode a bus with about 40 other teenagers and, after some hours I noticed that the kids weren’t making or even cursing at each other like usual… I was thinking “Ann, that’s kinda weird…” and when we were getting there someone said something like “I was reading the Bible and, did you know that when (…) Jesus said that…” Then is said “What the %$@ is going on here” And they stared at me while a girl replied, questioning back “I know this is a religious trip, don’t you?”
Poor fat guy, now I know exactly how he felt…
And just like the movie I ended up liking it (ops… told the end, sorry)!
Now I’m gonna buy myself a Bible and go to a Christian group every Wednesday where I’m gonna see many of my new Christian friends.
Next time I go to that camp I’m gonna gonna be part of the “working group”. That means I’m gonna pay the same thing everybody else does but I’m gonna work most of the time. Did I become crazy?
Beth emailed him back asking him – how’s your relationship with Jesus?
This is what he wrote…
It’s good to read your message.
My life really changed after I made that decision. Now I understand
what you mean by relationship with Jesus! Mine is great, I’m talking
to Him all the time (he he… really). I got some funny wishes
realized… One time I was going to school and I was late (no, I’m not
always late anymore ;->), so I asked to get to watch the first class.
The rules of the school say I can’t. So I got to school and came to
class just to give a floppy disk with a work to the teacher, and he
said “You know what… Come in!”. It’s the kind of thing that I’ll
never know if it would happen or not if I haven’t asked. But, if I
think of all the thing… What are the odds of such thing?I’m kind of worried, because my mom didn’t like that I became a
Christian… She says that Christians are all blind and things like
that, and that I’m way too young to make a decision like that. She
asked if I don’t question things anymore, and gets angry when I talk
about the subject. She does not even like that I’m going to the
Christian group that I told you about!What should I do?
Holy Cow. Forgive us God for believing that you can move mountains but doubting you can still change hearts. And thanks for allowing us to have a piece of Iago’s journey!
“Brother” Brian Welch?
If this is true – man, there are going to be some incredibly confused Korn fans. Can you imagine the conversation when Brian tried to explain to them why he was leaving the band? I haven’t heard his talk yet but I am planning to download it and listen to it.
Withdrawals
We went to Memphis and did the Picture People thing yesterday. You can see the cutie above and it was a great trip.
We get home, slap the kids in bed, Amy is tired and that means – HALO 2, on live!
Minor Problem. Cable connection was out. I call Comcast and a guy answers – “Yeah, we’re down in Little Rock but should be up in a couple of hours.”
A COUPLE OF HOURS!! I HAVEN’T BLOGGED TODAY! I’VE GOT TIME TO PLAY HALO 2! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE!!!!
The withdrawal didn’t kill me but I am glad we are back to normal.
How in the world did Jesus do ministry without high-speed internet?
No More Rights
This slayed me today. This is probably the 4th time I’ve gone through My Utmost For His Highest and it’s like I’ve never read it before. The two sentences that killed me today:
We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires.Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help Himself to our lives.
In Stu’s World – we call this being expendable.
Thank you God, for allowing me to serve in a place where the egos are small, the hearts are open, the vision is big, the walk is real and You’re the hero.
Moss a Raider?
Could it be true? Moss to the Raiders!! This would be awesome for me. You know why?
I hate the Raiders. I hate Oakland. I hate Al Davis, John Gruden, and whatever the figure head coach is this year. I don’t like their fans.
And I think this completes the deal for me. Moss!! How lucky can a guy get? I mean, the player I despise the most in the NFL getting traded to the team I hate the most???
Dreams really do come true!
Minor MisUnderstandings and Stupid People
***WARNING***Today’s blog is random!!!!!!
BTW – Wouldn’t the title of this post be either a great band name or an album title?
As a pastor – but not a real one, I just play one on TV – I realize that I am expected to act, speak and appear a certain way…and I pretty much fail in every one of those areas.
Met a new family at Grace last week, wonderful family, very friendly. As I am giving them the 50 cent tour of Grace, I look at their oldest and say – “what grade you in? 10th?”
No, 9th – but the 10th comment makes him feel cool so that is good. The dad says – “So you volunteer in the youth here?”
No – I get paid. I’m actually the student pastor.
Oh.
How much white space in a blog constitues a long pause??
You know, I never thought an earring or facial hair was that big of deal. It could of been my Ron Jon T-shirt…or was I wearing my Memphis Hard Rock Tee? Love All, Serve All, baby. That’s my motto.
It’s not a big deal – the long pauses – but it’s funny. And I’m sure in the South it’s a strange church that has a former bar band guy as their worship leader, a rebel with a cause as their student pastor. We all just a bunch of loved misfits.
On the other hand – stupid people, particularly those working in the Little Rock Public School System, are not just an annoyance to our world but they are consuming precious oxygen.
Coop threw up at school today. We get a call – come get him. I get there – the school secretary is filling out a pass for a kid and says wait. I’m slightly annoyed but figure if there is no ambulance or EMT crew – Coop can make it another 2 minutes.
I tell who I am, who my kid is. She leaves, she comes back. He’s not sick sir. Yes, he is.
Well he isn’t with the nurse.
Great – I get a call saying my kids is throwing up and the nurse doesn’t know about it.
I finally got Coop – he was with his teacher – but the whole thing angered me because the secretary had this aura of “If I don’t know about it, it doesn’t exist.” She also insisted that I filled out the paperwork correctly to get Coop out of school.
I didn’t. On purpose. I put my name where Cooper’s name should be, I put daughter as my relationship to Coop and Dominoes Pizza’s number as our home phone. Okay, I didn’t put the Dominioes number down, but I did the rest.
I am glad we have anal retentive, up tight people in the world. Let them do our paychecks, taxes, and bridge designs. But get ‘em out of the elementary schools…
Baby Got Book
Just when you thought you seen all the white boy rappers you could handle – this comes out.
It’s actually quite funny – I could see Wayne and I Want It All doing something like this…okay, maybe not.
Sappy Jesus
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 – Jesus made a way to Heaven!
Red, yellow, pink, and blue – Jesus died for me and you!
From Cayden’s Miss Pattycake Video. I was sick, Cayden was home, watching a video is easier than playing with a 2 year-old when your sick…at least that is what I thought. Then we watched it – then I got real sick. So much syrup, I should have had pancakes with it.
Cayden is 2. I’m not extremely worried that this version of Jesus is going to stay with her forever. She lives with me so I can pretty much guarantee that it won’t. But I struggle with the way Bible stories are presented to kids. The velvet board Jesus not only always kinda hangs in the middle of the air, he doesn’t look like he could handle the Care Bears – let alone the evil one, AND somehow, someway WE end up being the point of the story as opposed to God.
The Rich Young Ruler comes to mind. Matthew 19:16-22 tells the story. This Velvet Board Jesus jams a prestigious visitor. Someone everyone else thought had “it.” You know, the whatever “it” was to be a follower of Jesus. And Jesus just humilates him really. Everyone in the scene is guilty – particularly the disciples.
Everyone thinks the point is to be “moral,” to behave correctly so people will look at us and say “Man, ain’t he spiritual.” “Man, doesn’t he have ‘it.’” We’ll never say that out loud – we’ll say we are trying to be a good witness.
Jesus’ answer to that is to show up and to ask us to do the very thing we couldn’t do – sell all you have, break off the relationship, take in this orphan.
It’s as if Jesus meets the unspoken sin of pride head on and says – “I am going to ask you to do things you have no power of doing. I am going to continue to put you in places where you are humilated until you get it – it’s not about you. It’s about me.”
“Then when you do get it – I’m still going to put you in places where you have no power to do anything……then I’m going to show up! Trust me. Follow me.”
Marinate on that…
The Top 5 Villians of My Time, Movies
I stuck with Movies for my theme…mainly because that is my favorite medium.
So here are the top 5 villians I would never want to meet face to face in the dark, middle of the day, with my mommy and a blanket….
1. Hannibal Lecter. 
I was in Officer Basic when I saw Silence of the Lambs. I slept the next couple of nights with my lights on. There is no good in this man. The other movie sequels were not near as deep and good as Silence but he still scared the bejeezus out of you.
2. Darth Vader. 
The quintessential villian. The uniform (I know, God wired me this way) is untouchable – black cape, helmet, eyes….Good night, what a bad guy. As a seven-year-old, he scared the H-E-double hockey sticks out of me. Pllllllleeeeeeasssse, George Lucas – don’t screw up Vader in Episode III!!
3. Jaws. 
I couldn’t swim in the ocean until I was 20 because of this movie. “But he’s not a villian!” Yeah, tell that to Roy Scheider.
4. Predator. 
The Ultimate Killing Machine. The Alien vs. Predator movie turned him into some sissy, good guy – save the human woman, skirt wearing hero. The Predator movies got it right – a ruthless warrior that recognizes a fellow warrior.
5. Agent Smith 
I know, I know, I know…there are probably a handful of other villians that could take this spot. Hal from 2001, Alien, Dr. Evil from Austin Powers come immediately to mind. But throw me a friggin’ bone, here, people!! I like Agent Smith for his intelligence and interaction with the hero and audience. I love the tone – the ruthlessness of both action and words. And yes, I thought the last two sequels in this trilogy were in dire need of help.
Now, jump on over to MCF and post your own list!
Our Own Oscars?
This years Oscars/Academy Awards are pretty atrocious. It’s partly the Academy’ fault – they are picking movies that are so out of touch with most of the world. It’s partly the producer’s fault – they’re were a handful of good storyline movies this year. You add that up – it’s all Hollywood’s fault.
To the rescue comes Mr. T. His idea? Our Own Oscars….click here for more details and to participate!
In Whom I’m Well Pleased
My son’s school had a book fair and with his “reward” money – this is what he bought…
Excuse me for a moment…I am so proud…sniff, sniff.
If you want to see some sweet pics of the original bike – click here.
How To Have A Life Group That Rocks
At 5.36 we’ve been walking through how Christ is formed in us. And we’ve thrown out big words like “Spiritual Transformation” and “Spiritual Disciplines.”
Tonight we enter the “community disciplines” as they are called by bigwigs. That is – those spiritual practices that must take place in community in order for spiritual transformation to take place.
I’m amped about it – but I’m re-titling the whole thing. “How To Have a Life Group That Rocks.” I thought about being negative the whole time and titling it “How to Have a Life Group That Sucks” but I don’t even think I can take that much negativitiy.
Then my whole Po-Mo self kicked in and went – “We don’t need another ‘how-to’- we need experiences, man!” So that then would mean we would title it “A Life Group That Rocks (or Sucks)” Because it’s possible to be a Po Po-Mo or a Neg Po-Mo.
Which of course is another rant altogether. Using the Neg Po-Mo stance would allow me to use to its full depths my gift of sarcasm – a must for youthworkers.
However, discretion is the better part of valor – which does anybody know where this quote originated from?
The Halo Rants
As a service to our Halo addicts out there – I have decided that I would link all of my rants about Halo in one place….
And that place is here…..
I’m gonna need a weapon.
Things I Learned While Sick, (How to Make Halo 2 Better), Feb 16, 2k5
Is Halo A Game Christians Should Play?, Jan 21, 2k5
Halo 2 Survival Guide, Jan 14, 2k5
Missing The Point, Jan 8, 2k5
Video Game Ratings, Part 2, Jan 4, 2k5
Video Game Ratings, Part 1, Jan 4, 2k5
Blog Party?
Well, I am officially inviting all readers to a Blog Party. It’s not my idea originally – it was this guy’s idea. Mysteriously Cloaked Figure, aka MCF. Pretty funny site, I think he’ll become a regular read.
Back on subject, here is the official invite, but the gist of the matter is this…Monday, President’s Day, blog about “Your Top Five Villains of All Time, from Comics to Cartoons to Television to Film.”
I think I am gonna join the party. Not sure how it will all work but that is part of the fun of blogging!!!
Why I Do What I Do The Way I Do It
If there is a better article explaining the answer to the above question, I would have written it myself. But I didn’t – so I give you Walt Mueller from CPYU article called Feeling Like the Elephant Man.
For years I have said the great mission field for the North American Church is in our own basements and we are losing that war daily.
Warning – the article will chap some of you. That’s cool. Just leave me a note and if your really nice, I’ll respond! 
Never Been Called That!
Wanna see something really funny? Especially for those of you who know me well?
Go here. Scroll about halfway down the site, look at the right hand column. You’ll see the title “Fundie Blogs.” Now look down that list.
There you go. Now before you fire off an angry email/comment at Eric the Preacher (the guy who runs the Evangelical Underground Blog) observe the post at the top of the page. He means it as a compliment. I think! haha.
I’m going to email a screen shot of it to all my wonderful friends who think Christian pastors who have an earring, listen to U2, Sting, and anything made in the ’80′s, play Halo, and are okay with tatoos (but would never get one because he is a pansy) are liberals.
It’s actually a pretty good discusion. I love much about the Post-Modern movement. The openness to spirituality, the deconstruction of long held traditions/beliefs, the stress on experience. Post-Modernity has rekindled my love for Jesus – in a good way.
Yet, Jesus’ claim to bring division and Paul’s assertion that He would be a stumbling block to the wise – has proven to be just as “universal” or cross-cultural as His redeeming act. There are points in Jesus’ story that trips up both the Modern and Po-Mo.
And it seems to be it is exactly at that point where He stands and waits.
And Your Point Is?
Which brings up an obvious question – Does anybody care? For me – it’s now 4 times faster to get to basketball highlights on ESPN.
Things I Learned While Sick
aka “How To Make Halo 2 Better”
Since I’ve been sick, I’ve learned that I’m seriously degrading in my Halo skills. We ran last night and I played like a girl. Which I hate because on Halo 1 – I was pretty good. So in my insomnia/bitterness/sick ridden subconscious, I have come up with some things Bungie should do to make the Halo 2 experience better.
1. Class System.
- NO LIFE Classification: Mainly teenage boys who don’t have a freakin’ life. They don’t have girlfriends, hobbies, parents, or friends. They are fed by an IV tube and have a catheter. So, all they play is Halo. I realize this sounds like a bitter beat-up victim…and my mature response to that is – so what?
- COLLEGE LIFE Classification: See above except with added ‘responsibility’ of maintaining appearance to parents they are attending class. More experienced members come home once every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain the image. The above two classifications could play against or with each other.
- MARRIED with no kids: The tweener group. Depending on rank could play with either NO LIFE’s or COLLEGE LIFES. Most of the time they have better things to do with their time than play Halo…most of the time.
- MARRIED with small kids: My group. Games are often marked by players just standing still on a map. Players in other categories who have no life or responsibilities fail to realize that perhaps the player isn’t stupid but maybe saving their child from choking to death, getting her a drink of water, or pulling her to safety from the tub after playing with the toaster. Players would be equipped with Rockets all the time and a sign to hang around their neck saying “I’m standing here to help my kids, not so you can jack slap me!”
- MARRIED but wife either loves Halo or is never around: See also NO LIFE or COLLEGE LIFE except with bills. Could also be Bungie employees.
2. In Game Mute/Eject button. It’s cumbersome to go back to the Friends list to turn off some foul mouthed 9 year old. (By the way – who the heck lets their 9 year old play Halo online during the school week until 11 o’clock?) I would add to this an In Game Boot Button. Only MARRIED classifications have this feature. If we don’t like you or your annoying or if you so good we really don’t want you around – we’re gonna look at you, hit the black button and your gone.
3. Bring back the slap! In Halo 1, when it got close quarters a good friend of mine showed me the button configuration that toook my game to the next level. Hit a button, punch your offender and he was out. Not in Halo 2. You might as well spit in the wind. The problem is old habits die hard. I still find myself punching, the offender looking at me like – why are you break dancing at a time like this – then dropping me with one pistol shot to head. I like the old melee attack.
I think these few minor changes would make Halo 2.25 a great video game.
Back to The Halo Rants.
Our Most Romantic Valentine Day
I’m leaving the house this afternoon – partly because I’m getting stir crazy, being sick, staying home – mainly though because I am part of the 67% who don’t plan ahead for Valentine’s Day.
As I am getting ready to leave, my wonderful bride of 13 years, starts the interrogation.
“Where are you going?”
“Out.”
“Where?”
“Not here.”
“Where are you going? You are sick!”
I realize at this point I don’t have the physical, mental, or emotional reserves to withstand this attack. I am sick and thus extremely vulnerable. I decide to punt.
“I’m going out to buy your Valentine’s present.”
“Oh honey, please don’t get me anything.”
Now at this point, I’m thinking – what a cool woman I got. We’ve been saving money like crazy for Brazil and she is just “on the team!”
Then she says this….
“If you aren’t going to get me diamonds, there is really no point in getting me anything.”
I had no response.
Open Letter To Stu’s Crew
To Stu’s Leaders:
This week you’re probably getting ready to take your life group down the fasting path! How much fun is that? (Can e-devos properly communicate sarcasm?) I thought this would be a good time to remind us all of a couple of things.
1. Spiritual Disciplines often become outside markers that other people use to determine inward maturity. The rub is – if we ‘model’ and teach these disciplines like Jesus did – no one should know that we are praying or fasting or marinating on God’s word. Jesus said if you do that in public for man’s approval, you have received your reward.
2. Lifewalk students where you have been or are going. Overflow ministry, remember? I got some great insight from a friend this week. “How wise is it to teach on a discipline that isn’t working for you or you’re not doing?�? Short answer – it isn’t. Plus, authenticity is going to go further than doctrinal purity. Trust me on this one.
3. Keep focusing on the point of disciplines – Jesus. Great – another Sunday School answer. Yes, but it’s true. The danger of the culture we live in is that the “Disciplines” become the focus instead of the encounter with God. That is idolatry at worse, pride at best. Keep running with your crew to the “thin places.�?
Why am I bringing all this up? I’m recalling a recent conversation with a youth pastor friend. When he heard we were going through some spiritual disciplines, his response was “Man! That is awesome! You really are leading your youth group to be deeper and not just a program!�?
I cringed. I didn’t really know how to respond other than to say “yeah, something like that anyway.” I wish I could have that moment back. I think I speak for us all when I say the point is not to have a “deeper youth group” and to run a ministry that baffles the program-aholics. (Although, I do admit that the latter might be a noble goal!)
The point really is to ruin people with Jesus. The point is for my shallow, pitiful example of Christ to pale in the experience of the real thing. Hence, the disciplines.
I’m Sick, Amy’s moving furniture
I have no idea why people stay at home on Sunday morning. At least during this time of the year – no football.
I’m sick. My body aches. My voice is gone. My kids are getting cabin fever.
And Amy is moving furniture and cleaning out closets. She’s got like 50 bags of clothes to take to Goodwill.
We are one weird family.
Fasting, Part 2
Appreciate all the comments on fasting. Here is what finally came out!
New Blog Added
New blog added!
Mr. T – aka Turner, aka The Drummer. Cool kid. Funny. Real. Read his blog – WHEN he posts – it’s normally fairly entertaining. ha ha ..
All you who are waiting on the edge of your seat concerning my response/talk about fasting? It’s coming together.
Writer’s Block
Okay – I am officially bottomed out.
I’m supposed to preach at 5.36 tomorrow night about the spiritual discipline of fasting and you know what creative ideas I have right now???
That’s right. Actually – nothing would be better than what I have right now. So I’m shutting the books, closing the journal . Maybe the time in Blogdom would clear my head.
Here’s what I know about fasting – most of us hate it. The Jews used is as a badge of maturity, Jesus publicly only did it once. (I’m guessing he did it more, but he sure as heck didn’t talk about it.)
Which supports what he jammed the Pharisee’s about in Matthew 6 – when you fast – keep your hair washed, your teeth brushed, and your mouth shut. (GE’s paraphrase.)
So is it a spiritual discipline that HAS to happen in order for Christ to be formed in us? I’m saying no. Is it a good practice? Yes. Does it give clarity and insight? No. The Spirit will do that with or without fasting. Casting out demons? Jesus says that some only come out by prayer and fasting.
Is it on the scale of prayer, worship, meditation of God’s word, and service? I’m changing my mind. I don’t think so anymore. Jesus again jammed the religious people telling them his disciples don’t fast because they are with the bridegroom. When you are with the bridegroom – you party. You gorge, you don’t fast. Implied in that statement is the hunch that once the bridegroom leaves – there will be a time for fasting.
So I’m sitting on the eve of a service researching and reading, and changing my mind on the position of fasting. Does this ever happen to anybody else??
Here’s what I think…I think it is important for all to practice the principle behind fasting. That is – you create space in your world to hear and encounter God. If a fleshly pursuit – ala eating – is getting in the way of that – cut it out. Or gouge the eye, cut off the hand. Get rid of the noise in your world to be ready to hear from God.
But is the actual act (or non-act) of fasting a required discipline for Christ to be formed in us? No. It can’t be.