Archive for August, 2008
The Tide Will Roll Again
This weekend will kick off the 2008 College Football season and once again my beloved Tide will take the field to attempt recapturing the glory of a storied football tradition. Last year they started like gangbusters then folded up like a cheap tent.
The LSU game last year ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it twice.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
8/30 at Clemson
So much for a cupcake opener. Clemson has quietly but surely built an SEC style team in the ACC. It’s fast. It can punch you in the mouth. They score points in bunches – defense, special teams, broken plays. And they are at home.
I hate this game. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. It’s not that I think Clemson is that much better than Alabama. It’s that it’s the season opener (‘Bama has traditionally played like junk the first game of the year) and it’s in the other Death Valley – a gruesome place to play.
I’m praying for an upset. It’s a winnable game if the youngsters can keep their cool but the edge has to go to Clemson.
(0-1)
9/6 vs. Tulane
Don’t set the DVR for this one. After the Clemson game, look for the Tide to blow this one open.
(1-1)
9/13 vs. Western Kentucky
Another sleeper game – right before the Arkansas game. Tide will win, won’t show much in the game.
(2-1)
9/20 at Arkansas
Close game – they always are – but ‘Bama wins this one. Hogs don’t have the McFadden/Jones connection this year and don’t even ask me why those two weren’t on the field in the final minutes against ‘Bama. The only thing that stopped McFadden on that day was Houston Nutt.
(3-1)
9/27 at Georgia
Call the medics…this one will be ugly. As ugly as UGA. Traditionally these two teams play close. Let’s hope the Tide learned from last year’s game but Georgia is focused on a National Championship this year. They won’t overlook Alabama.
(3-2)
10/4 vs. Kentucky
Kentucky has improved their football program considerably these past few years. It still sucks. Alabama will completely destroy this team.
(4-2)
10/18 vs. Mississippi
Ole Miss will now get to experience what Fayetteville had for many years. A pleasant, fun, motivating coach in Houston Nutt who forgets how to coach in the 4th quarter. Now he’s got a team with even less talent than he had when he started at Arkansas.
(5-2)
10/25 at Tennessee
There are not enough words to communicate the hate for this team. (Most of them had already been used for Auburn…but I digress.) I will never pick Tennessee over Alabama. Ever.
(6-2)
11/1 vs. Arkansas State
We interrupt meaningful football to bring you this game. They do have cool looking uniforms though. Someone needs to remind the team to be sure and eat at Dreamland BBQ while they are here.
(7-2)
11/8 at LSU
How we feel about Tennessee is how LSU feels about us. The Circle of Hate in the SEC. We hate Tennessee, they hate LSU, who hates Auburn, who hates us. Everyone hates Florida.
Back to the game at hand. If LSU rolls into this game undefeated, it will be a blow-out of mythical proportions. That would mean they would have beaten Auburn, Florida, and Georgia – two of them on the road. (Then they’ll go and lose to Arkansas…)
I don’t think that happens. I don’t think Alabama wins either. Death Valley might just be the toughest place to win in the nation.
(7-3)
11/15 vs. Mississippi State
Not going to happen twice in the same century.
(8-3)
11/29 vs. Auburn
The season. Right here. Auburn has owned us 6 years in a row. If they put up 7…I’m going to have to move to Canada, change my name, and put Cooper up for adoption.
Here are the cold facts: Auburn is deeper. Auburn is faster. Auburn will have title hopes on the line. All of that to say that Auburn sucks anyway and Alabama is going to beat the holy hockey sticks out of them. Forever and ever, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Time for an Auburn joke:
Q. What is the difference between an Auburn Fan and a puppy?
A. Puppies eventually stop whining.
Rammer, Jammer, Yellow Hammer – you know the rest….
(9-3)
Overall, a respectable season, should get a good Bowl game, one more great recruiting class then push for an SEC championship in 2009.
The Mac Is Back
Ahhhhhhh……..there is nothing quite as pleasing as the feel of a Mac on your fingertips.
Okay…that didn’t come out exactly like I wanted it to. In fact, I can name a couple of things that are more pleasing than my Mac.
We had some friends that would bring over this chocolate cake covered with fudge and caramel and they would call it “Better Than Sex” cake – which after tasting it, Amy stood up and shouted as loud as she could – “NOT HARDLY!!”
Okay…she really didn’t do that but she ask me after they went home if I was concerned about their marriage because while the cake was good…it wasn’t that good. If you know what I mean…
And neither is a Mac. I mean, c’mon.
Which reminds of one funniest moments in a Life Group history. My high school guys were talking about sex and one of them said to me…”Grant, I really wish you wouldn’t teach about this because it’s disturbing to think of you know….older people….you know….like that. Especially my youth pastor.”
“Dude, who do you think God made sex for? Us older, married folks or you?”
The room froze for a second. I just couldn’t stop myself…
“The next time you think about sex – which should be in about 5 seconds – think about this: You’ve got to worry about when, where, who, cleaning up, disappointment, pregnancy, disease, guilt, and one day telling the girl you married you didn’t love her enough to wait on her and all the emotional baggage that carries with it.”
“When I get home tonight…all I got to worry about is not falling off the bed.”
You can imagine the roar.
And I suspect those guys thought about that answer every time they thought about sex.
I think I’ll go back to finishing my sermon…
We’d Better Know The Difference
I’m not sure how I got to thinking about this…especially this week as busy as I’ve been. I’m speaking in a few weeks at a group of youth pastors in Kansas – maybe that’s why but something hit me yesterday as I was 40 feet in the air on an extension ladder hanging speaker wire. (Closer to God? Scared to death? Not sure…)
My first thought was this – what do you say to a room of youth pastors that they haven’t already heard? Maybe that’s not the point but I think it’s a valid question. I’ve sat through my share of boring seminars and talks – I don’t want to be that guy up front repeating what every other student pastor says when he gets asked to speak to a bunch of student pastors.
Then I started thinking – what do you need to hear? What’s been one of the most significant pieces of advice or insight that has shaped how you do ministry?
And I thought of Cindy Rhudy. Then of Mark Edwards. Then of Steve Boehm. And this made me think of other volunteers who became friends who became family that I’ve done youth ministry alongside. But those three came to mind because they were links in defining the single most important insight that has shaped me.
From Cindy Rhudy: Trust your volunteers. Learn from them. That’s a pretty good insight in and of itself, but it wasn’t the lynchpin. It did open the door for the next two people.
From Steve Beohm: If you can’t do what you want, do what you can. Steve and Beth wanted to be missionaries in China. That door got slammed in their face. Instead of being bitter about it – they brought the Far East to them – adopting foreign exchange students. They’ve had 4, putting a couple through college right now. All of them know Jesus.
From Mark Edwards: Knowing the Word is good. Doing it is better. Mark’s modesty will prevent him from saying this but he’s the genius that started the Under the Bridge project. He pushed, pulled, and poked me deeper into Christ just by walking in the room. His faith challenged me. It made me uncomfortable at times but I couldn’t ever resist spending time with him.
I had the noble aspiration to make sure students knew the Word of God. Not bad. But through the advice and insight of these three (and others) I learned…no…I EXPERIENCED something better than that.
It’s Jesus.
The real, messy, unpredictable Jesus. The real Jesus that gets in our mess with us… to redeem it and change us.
“They can’t know the real Jesus without knowing the Word.” That’s true.
But it’s equally true that it’s possible to know the Word and NOT know the real Jesus.
And as leaders of student ministries in this crazy phase of student culture – we’d better know the difference. More to the point, we’d better know how to connect the dots so that the knowledge doesn’t become the stumbling block of the relationship.
Well, what does that look like?
Looks like I need to spend some more time on some ladders…
In Our Backyard
This is what was in our backyard on Sunday. This is a movie taken by my across the street neighbor, Noel. Pretty amazing and humbling.
The First Tremor
One of the perks of having a season pass – a subscription to SKI magazine. It’s a beautiful reminder that ski season starts November 8th this year at Breckenridge.
Cayden McKayla, Stand-Up Comic
Cayden, precious Cayden.
As the youngest child of three, she has her moments of complete drama and babyness. But yesterday, she had the whole family in stitches.
Cayden on Music:
“He’s a Juice Box Hero…with stars in his eyes.” These are the words Cayden puts to Juke Box Hero by Foreigner. She sings it as loud as she can, with her eyes closed and head rocked back.
She also sings “Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi this way with the added feature of using a hairbrush or lipgloss as a microphone. The best thing to do is this – as the song is going to it’s loudest part, shut off the music. She will keep singing. She just doesn’t care.
Cayden on spelling:
“Dad…Dad…Dad!!! I can spell MOM with my eyes closed!!!! M….O …. M.”
What about CAT? C….A…T.
Is it harder to spell with your eyes closed?
Hands on hips…”YES!!!!!”
We spend the next few minutes throwing words at her seeing if she can spell them with her eyes closed.
Cayden on how AWESOME God is:
Cayden loves God, loves Jesus. She makes up songs to, about, and for Him. Below are some of my favorite lines she has composed.
“If it wasn’t for God….we wouldn’t have computerrrrrrrrrrrssss. And we wouldn’t be able to play Webkinzzzzzzzzzz.”
“I love Jesus and He want’s us all to be His children but not all people want to be His children but that’s okay because Jesus loves them anyway even though they aren’t going to Heaven.”
Cayden on Prayer:
I pray over the kids almost every night. 5 nights out of 7, I remember and do it. The other 2 nights, Cayden reminds me – “Would you please pray over me. I like it when you do that.”
When I get done praying – every single night of the past two weeks – Cayden has said when I finished – “Pray for China. You keep forgetting to pray for China.”
So I pray for China. The first night I did this, I used the term “Underground Church.” Praying for her leaders and participants, for safety, leadership, favor with the government.
Cayden: Underground Church?? They go to church under the ground?
G: No, it’s a term they use to describe their church. They meet in homes, businesses, secret places because the government of China doesn’t like them.
Cayden: How do they get underground?
G: They don’t meet underground….well, some of them might meet in caves but…that’s not important right now. It’s not legal for them to go to church so they have to hide it or they get arrested, beaten, sometimes even killed.
So now when we finish praying…I purposely don’t mention China because this is what I get to hear…
C: “And God, we pray for China and the Underground Church even though they don’t really go to church under the ground.”
Good times….
Chest Xrays and Prime Rib
I had a doctor’s appointment this morning. Dr. West. Pretty cool name, pretty cool doctor. I’ve been coughing like crazy and for the first time in forever, I had a doctor shoot straight with me.
“I’m going to make you take a chest x-ray just to make us all feel better but I have a feeling it’s going to come back normal.”
He asked me about a jillion questions – when, how often, when do I notice it most – stuff I’d never even thought of. Then he shot straight with me again.
“This could be a lot of things but let’s start simple first – like you have allergies but if I’m guessing right you’re not taking your medicine as often as you should…like everyday, are you?”
Busted.
So I get the speech on how allergies work, keep the drugs in my system for two weeks and see if that helps. If not, we escalate to plan B. Then to Plan C. Then we start amputating lungs.
Okay he didn’t say that but it was a refreshing conversation to have with a doctor. I had a doctor in Emporia, Kansas like this. Dr. Todd Detwiler. We go fishing a lot together. It’s weird fishing with your doc, especially if he’s lanced a boil on your butt.
But I digress…got the chest xray and then I had to call the wife to give the obligatory report.
“I’m going to die, hon.”
Long pause.
“Well, probably not today or anytime soon but it happens to us all.”
“No, that’s not at all what the doctor said but I thought you should know.”
As I’m talking I head out to the parking lot to run the rest of my errands this morning. I can’t find my car. It’s gone. Some one not only stole my awesome yellow Nissan Xterra but some jerkweed has parked a silver Sequoia in my parking place!!!!
Wait a minute.
I didn’t drive the Xterra today. Amy did. I’m in the silver Sequoia. Idiot.
Fortunately, all of this happened inside my head and I never said any of it out loud. Mainly because Amy was telling me how we needed to go to Costco today since it’s the grand opening.
And go we did.
We are now members of Costco. Since it was the grand opening here – there were about 50 of those free food stands. Lunch was AWESOME and FREE. I had a beer brat, prime rib, pork loin, bacon, granola, protein bar, crackers, ice cream, bison roast, and some kind of cheese spread. I was stuffed after walking up and down all those aisles.
We’re home now enjoying our 600 ounces of Goldfish.
Hard Draft Day Lessons
Like I said earlier, I dropped one league this year to do two others. This one was painful.
It’s a salary cap/auction draft. Players are put on the blocks and you can bid to have them or not. You only have $120 cap for the draft ($200 total cap room) and 14 roster spots. Choose wisely.
What I Wish I Understood Before The Draft:
1. You have $120 BUT it’s prorated.
You have to be able to put at least $1 for every roster spot you have and you have to draft every spot. There’s no – “I’ll spend my $120 on the best 6 players I can get, then pass on the draft and hit free agency when I get more cap room.” I KNEW this…but didn’t understand how that practically plays out.
It practically plays out this way – you have a maximum bid you can make every pick according to how many roster spots you have left minus the money you have left. So you may have $45 dollars left but you can only use $9 of it one round because you HAVE to pick all 14 of your spots.
2. Be Careful Who You Put On The Block…Because You Just May Get Him.
The thinking went like this – I’m going to wait until the later round to pick my sleeper picks because right now, I don’t have the money to outbid certain owners for them. So I’ll put up a decent player, get the bid going then bail out. Stick another team with a player I didn’t want at a price I’d never pay.
It almost worked. First round backs were going for on average $23 to $27. I had my backs, didn’t really need another one but I didn’t want to get in a bidding war over a WR just yet. So, I through on the board Marion Barber. He’s a top 10 pick in most mock drafts. Bidding is cruising along, there is a Cowbay fan in the room…I bid $20 just knowing that the Cowboy fan – who has a boatload of money – would bid $21 and I’d quit. He didn’t bid $21. I got Barber. My third running back, no WR’s and I’ve spent the money I wanted to spend on a WR on a RB.
Dumb Rookie Mistake #1.
3. Be Careful About Taking Bargains…Because You May Just Get Him.
Selvin Young is sitting there at $11. That’s cheap for a starting running back…but I need a WR…yeah, but $11 for a back that could go nuts and be a keeper??? But I need a WR….he’s been freakin’ awesome in camp….But I need a WR.
I got Selvin Young for $11.
Dumb Rookie Mistake, #2
Next round I still need a WR. Actually, I need 2. Keep this in mind. Here is Marvin Harrison at $9. Cheap. Right? Yes, a great bargain…if you already have a starting WR’s and you only need 1 more. I need 2. Instead of waiting for my sleepers and getting two or three at better prices…I jump on the bargain.
Dumb Rookie Mistake #3.
4. If you can’t bid with the big dogs, let your sleepers stay on the porch.
I’ve always been good at taking some risks with some sleeper picks in the middle rounds. Rookies that nobody is quite sure what to do with and the like. I got Derek Anderson and Marshawn Lynch like this last year.
But…if you’ve drafted 3 straight running backs and only have 1 WR…everybody in the room knows what you need. They also know you can’t pay for them because of rule number one and your maximum bid is like $2. So no matter what name you put on the block – just know you’re never going to get them. Of course I knew this, so you start putting names up there that you normally wouldn’t pick (see rule #2).
This is how Jeremy Shockey got on my team for $2.
Dumb Rookie Mistake, #4 and #5
5. In a Keeper League, make at least one pick that is ridiculous risky.
I actually did this. I picked up Eddie Royal, rookie WR here in Denver in a late round for $1. That night, he started as the number 2 WR across from Brandon Marshall. He had 3 catches, look sharp and in the press conference after the game, Marshall said he’s going to be a great #2 WR for the team.
Who know? Royal was seen as a project and kick returner. Potentially a 4th WR. If he pans out like he did against the Cowboys…I got the steal of the draft. If he doesn’t – I only blew a $1.
I’m not too proud of it but here’s what my team looks like:
Peyton Manning, QB
Marshawn Lynch, RB
Marion Barber, RB
Selvin Young, RB
Pierre Thomas, RB
Michael Clayton, WR
D J Hackett, WR
Marvin Harrison, WR
Derek Mason, WR
Kevin Walter, WR
Eddie Royal, WR
Jeremy Shockey, TE
Matt Stover, K
Tennesse Titans, DST
The 3 C’s at REI
Friday was a free day.
Kids were free from school.
I was free from work.
We had free tickets to Elitches…but it poured down rain all day long.
We had free zoo passes…but it poured down rain all day long.
What to do?
We joined REI this year. $20 for a lifetime membership. Get a minimal discount on their high priced gear BUT it’s free rock climbing. One trip rock climbing would have cost us $50 so it’s more than paid for itself. REI in downtown Denver has The Pinnacle – 47 feet of sheer climbing bliss or terror depending on your perspective.
Camber tackled the backside of the rock and made it to the top.
Cooper has tackled the rock climbing thing a couple of times now. The first time he went, we learned that he’s scared of heights. I’ve seen a lot of people just punt the whole thing after that. They tried it, it scared the life out of them, it’s over.
Not Coop. He keeps putting on the harness, getting tied in, and attempting to climb. Today – he had his best climb ever. Here he is just an arm’s length from the top. When I showed him this picture, he said – “Is that really how close I was?” Yep. “I can definitely get it next time.” Gotta love that.
Cayden needs to grow about 3 more inches before they turn her loose on the Pinnacle in downtown. She had a great time playing on the playplace and running up and down the ramps. It’s the little things, right?
Afterwards, we had a kids eat free at Jason’s Deli. We love this place. We first discovered in Little Rock and it was a fam favorite. We’d probably eat there once a week. Of course, we can’t eat out as often now but when we do – we still love Jason’s Deli.
A rainy day salvaged.
And So It Begins
Fantasy Football, 2008.
I’m in two leagues so far.
My long-time league with my crew in Kansas. Last year I went 12-1 then cratered in the playoffs. Thank you, Peyton Manning and the Colts for sitting the last two weeks of the season.
And a new league at my church that involves auctioning and salary caps. That draft starts in 30 minutes. I’ll keep you updated. I’m expecting to get completely pasted in the draft since I’ve never done the whole salary cap/auction thing.
A Possible Shift?
There were 12 folks in the room. We were brought in by LifeWay to brainstorm about their new curriculum. Likes, dislikes, ideas for implementation and the like. We were from Boston, Denver, St. Louis, and of course Texas and Tennessee were well represented.
How I got here? Through Rick Prall who I ‘met’ on Facebook through Chris Ediger. Rick is the content editor for the new Known curriculum coming out of LifeWay.
I got the stuff about 6 weeks before the meetings.
First of all, Youth Specialities and Simply Youth Ministry for the most part own the youth ministry world in terms of curriculum. They are edgy, deal with the real hurts and issues students are facing and the design – pretty much flawless. Why? Because they have real youth pastors in real churches writing for them. And because they are privately owned – they can take risks that other publishing companies can’t or won’t.
LifeWay is one of those companies. Owned by the Southern Baptist Convention, they have their limits in what they can and can’t do. It’s a double-edge sword. They have the security of knowing that for the most part, the stuff they put out is going to be used by the thousands of SBC churches around the world. But the security doesn’t leave a lot of room for exploration or edginess.
There may be a shift coming. Enough of the history lesson, let’s talk KNOWN.
My Random Thoughts About Known and Lifeway
Up, In, and Out
For the first time in a long time, there is a focus from these guys about being wholistic in their approach. It’s refreshing. It’s not just about knowledge but application and serving. Up, In, and Out.
This was great to hear and actually see them map out how they wanted to make sure their curriculum doesn’t fall into one category more than another.
Death By ’70′s
It seemed every piece of literature published by a SBC entity would have graphics and art from the ’70′s. Is this a minor complaint? I don’t think so. In the digital age, the ascetic is 50% of the grade. We want both – practical and beautiful. You can blame Apple for spoiling us.
Fortunately, after I saw the first copy of the curriculum – this concern was answered. The books look sharp, written more like a graphic novel than a study book. HUGE improvement.
Out of Touch With Outside Bible Belt
The opening statement by the LifeWay guys the first night we were there was encouraging.
“We’ve been great at developing student ministries. Not so sure we’ve been that great at developing students.”
For me – that was a huge confession and one that most of us should do our own self-evaluation on. It opened up the communication lines.
During that dinner, we had a conversation on the underlying assumption that the ‘family’ is mom and dad and two kids. In the South/Bible Belt – that may still be the norm (at least of those that go to church) but for Denver, Boston, and St. Louis – not even close.
70% of the students that go to my church are from a divorced home. Last night at youth, of the 30 students there – I can name you 4 families that have the “mom+dad” formula. Plus, I have 8 different schools represented in my youth group. I don’t have the couple of local middle schools and the town high school or two. I have 3 counties, 5 cities, 8 schools. And we’re a smaller church.
We didn’t come up with any answers but at least we had the conversation. I was encouraged. Lifeway is trying to do some podcasts and extra session work that can be downloaded addressing these topics. I appreciate the attempt. It’s a great start.
The Shrinking Theological Box
A few of the lessons had statements that were extremely narrow in their focus. “Prayer can’t change God.” “Selfish Prayers are ineffective prayers.” Couple others as well.
It was good to see that LifeWay had brought in people who disagreed with them. We had some great conversations. We went back to principle – are we trying to develop student ministries or students? We asked for more options, more leeway in teaching theological themes that maybe the SBC didn’t agree with but were on the reservation.
I was encouraged with the conversations. I think they are trying to do that. The proof of course will be in the pudding when this stuff comes out in Summer ’09.
Scope and Sequence
They will have a 6 year scope and sequence for this material. That means that there is some educator in the building that is demanding this scope and sequence. The reality is this – so few of us have a student for 6 years. Part of that is because the youth pastor doesn’t stay. Part of that is because families move. It’s just part of life.
I wish they’d publish it as a stand alone series and let youth pastors choose what they need when they need it. I don’t see this changing any time soon. It’s a shame. Some of the topics they will tackle in the future – I’d like to see now. I’d like to use now. Another downside to this approach…once it’s over, they won’t publish it again.
Of course, this could change but as it stands right now – they’ll publish this in quarterly sessions then they will stop. I personally like YS way better. We’re going to publish some curriculum. If it’s good, it stays. If it doesn’t, it won’t.
Overall, I loved the experience. I’d go again. I met some neat new friends and partners in ministry. I learned a ton of stuff and I’m looking forward to what comes of this.
NashVegas
I guess Nashville is trying to capitalize on America’s fascination with Vegas but this term is everywhere in town. It’s in brochures, on billboards, tourist magazines…even the bellhops and locals are starting to use it.
I don’t really get it on one hand. There’s no audacious hotels, over the top shows, or legalized prostitution. Nashville actually has grass and parks and you don’t feel dirty walking down the street. Plus the food here is better.
Here’s the crew I’m here with. Ken (black guy in foreground) is from Boston, MA. He actually knows the pastor of the church where Kim and Greg go.
This is the deli that the Plunkett’s took me. New York style, meat hanging from the ceiling and a great Monte Cristo sandwich. Micah was quite the flirt. Great kid, lots of laughs.
Lunch yesterday we walked down to this sport’s grill in downtown. This sandwich was on the menu – The Melvin. It is 1/2 pound burger with pulled pork BBQ, covered with cheddar and blue cheese sprinkles, topped with onion rings. There are no words to describe the awesomeness of this sandwich.
Cool old Customs House in downtown Nashville. Huge building that would be awesome for churches or other non-profit entities.
Home of the Titans. There were no VY sightings this week.
I’ll actually blog about my conference later.
In Nashy-Ville
I’m at a curriculum writer’s conference here in Music City. Pretty cool – sitting around the table talking through lesson plans, ideas for implementation, wider theological concerns.
Walked around Broadway last night. Bars, honky-tonks, live music…great scene. Met a new friend (from Boston) and we ended up at a micro-brewery that served an awesome summer wheat.
Heath and Ann Plunkett are actually rolling up here to catch dinner with me tonight.
Then I’m back on the plane tomorrow after lunch.
I’ll post some more thoughts later.
The Croatia 2008 Posts
So many people to thank. My online community gave the bulk of the funds to go on this trip. Is that crazy or what? People who I’ve never seen in person gave for me to go on this trip. Testament to God’s Church.
Here’s all the posts of the 2008 Croatia Mission Project.
I’m Finally Here
More Travel Tales
The Basilica and Neptune Temple
Nekkidity, Easter Europe Style
Ultimate Adriatic Frisbee
Wheels Are Gone
Thursday, July 10
ATV’s and the Feeding of the 5,000
Pula and the Ruins
Croatia, July 13
Croatia, July 14
From Croatia To Hungary
Croatia: Trying To Get Home
What God Did To My Heart Through Croatia
What God Did To My Heart Through Croatia
I preached on most of this last Sunday (and the audio may be up, we’ve been having some issues with the church website) and I think it is fitting to end the Croatia posts with it as well.
A mission trip or camp experience is very different for the leaders of the trip. Often times the details of the trip, the stress of keeping everyone safe, the hassle of being “the point person” for every decision can get so overwhelming that you end up missing what God is doing. We don’t mean for this happen. In fact, we’ll try very hard for it NOT to happen. But sometimes it does.
That didn’t happen this trip for me mainly because I was traveling alone.
The other danger is to get complacent. It starts with actually believing what is in the brochure with your name on it – “Come listen to this guy from the states because you know he has it all figured out.” Part of that MAY be true – you may bring something or a message that needs to be heard. But it is equally true that God has you there to still listen and be molded by Him.
My biggest fear has been to lapse into this latter category, getting complacent with where I am, and all of a sudden one morning I realize that I haven’t talked or heard from God in a long time. That’s what a Pharisee is. Not some evil doing jerk, but a person who honestly loves God but has honestly quit hearing God and is still doing the same old things.
This trip was God’s wake up call to me.
The Big Ideas
Just do it, figure it out later
A missionary that had been kicked out of his country said this to me in response to my question of what he was going to do next. Great answer. “God’s wired me to tell these people about Jesus and disciple them. That’s what I’m going to do and we’ll figure out the rest of it later.”
There’s nothing wrong with a strategic plan as long as it moves you. I’ll take my unorganized mess over your organized theory any day.
How I Graded Out: F
The last two years I’ve spent more time planning than doing. I could give you a ton of reasons why but then I’d just undermine the whole point.
Level of vulnerability = depth of ministry
Teams that have high vulnerability see God do great things. Teams that don’t reach a certain level of work and plateau. Missionaries constantly came back to this reality over every other obstacle they face. I thought they’d talk about the falling dollar, the communist way of life, the difficulty of language and culture. Those are real obstacles as well but the one that hindered them the most was this one.
How I Graded Out: C
I didn’t know what to do with this one. On one hand, I’m pretty vulnerable to a fault. On the other hand, it’s hard to be vulnerable when you are too busy being strategic and smart. When I got back to the states, I got to sit down with my youth team and walk through this. It was embarrassing, humbling, and worth it. What amazes me about this whole process is that there was nothing “new” that I learned but rather a reminder of God what real ministry is.
Worship = trading what you have for whatever Jesus has.
This particle night rattled my cage pretty hard. We’re sitting around talking about the whole lack of vulnerability and all the possible reasons why this happens.
I leave that conversation to teach students on John 9 – the man born blind. The first three verses cut me to my heart. The disciples see the problem of the blind man and start asking how this happened, who is at fault. In other words – they start making a list of all the possible reasons why this happened. Jesus rebuked them for asking the wrong question and in the process missing the bigger question of “what can God do through this situation.”
In the course of 45 minutes God had spoken clearly. Trying to figure out the reasons is asking the wrong question. Focus instead on what God could do through this. That’s the punchline of the rest of the story – are you at a place where you are willing to trade whatever you have for whatever Jesus has. The blind man traded his dignity for sight. To put another man’s spit on your face was the ultimate insult.
How I Graded Out: F
The truth of the matter is that there is comfort and security with a plan, with a process. Here’s where God really drilled me. On the surface, our student ministry looks good. If you look at the process of the last 20 months, there is much to celebrate. Moving from 2 to 30 some odd students, a couple of retreats, couple of ski trips, starting Life Groups. Lots of changes with little stress or drama.
But at the core – and I have to own this – I wasn’t willing to trade that process for whatever Jesus had. I wanted the security and the plan more than I wanted to follow Jesus. Maybe it’s not that black and white. Maybe I was following Jesus as best I could in the context I was in. Maybe I followed Him a majority of the time but not all of the time.
Maybe all those things are true but as I came home trying to figure out what to do next in student ministry, I was faced with the real decision – do the next step in your plan OR trade whatever you have for whatever Jesus has. It’s a sinking feeling having to go to your volunteer team and your boss and say – “Ummm….hey…let’s punt everything we did last year and instead do this.”
“The Job” is following a Person, not a location.
Spend two weeks with people who have left their country, family, and friends to follow Jesus and you’ll get humbled pretty quick. Every missionary has almost the same exact story:
“How did you get Africa?” (Because all missionaries are in Africa….)
“I got on a plane and it landed here.”
In other words, we left and came here because this is where Jesus was leading.
I was in a church where a terrible split happened and many people got hurt. In the middle of that conflict the phrase was said “I love it here, I want to die here, this is where I want to finish my ministry career.” Great sentiment (maybe) that had some painful consequences.
As pastors – we don’t get to make that call. We can feel that way – content with where we are – but our job is following Jesus, not a location. And He gets to determine when and where and how we finish.
How I Graded Out: F
I love Parker. I love Colorado. I love my church. But I had to make a phone call when I got back to the states. A few months before I left for Croatia, I had said the exact words to a buddy of mine asking me to pray about a ministry opportunity somewhere else. I never really prayed about it because how in the world could Jesus want me to leave Denver???
No, I’m not leaving nor am I looking but it was a heart check from God. Would I? Would I follow him even if it meant leaving my beloved city and church? Would I follow Him even if it meant leaving the ministry all together? Was I more in love with my job and vocation than I was following Jesus?
I didn’t like the answer.
One more post to go to wrap stuff up…
Broncos Training Camp, 2008
David Baumgartner and I got up early yesterday and headed off to the Bronco’s practice facility. I’d never been to a Bronco’s practice so David was my guide.
We got there PLENTY early – like 7.30 for a 8.30 practice. I guess normally it would have been crowded but it was a Thursday and it poured down rain the night before.
Two jerseys you probably ought to retire:
#19 – Jerry Rice – he never played a game for the Broncos but he sold a few jerseys.
#84 – Javon Walker – why the Broncs every gave out Shannon Sharpe’s number in the first place, I’ll never understand. However, this jersey COULD be redeemed by just changing the name on the back.
It was fun but David and I both admitted a bit of disappointment when the players came out in only shells. (Helmet and jersey only.) We’re guessing that Shanny is resting the players for the Houston game as well as the Cowboys coming to town next week.
Couple of pics from the morning.
Love this shot, sun just came up over the roof of the pactice facility.
Champ has a sore hammy so he’s in shorts and a t and hangs out by Shanny most of the morning. (David thinks this is the favorite injury of veterans who just don’t want to practice. I think he’s right.)
Jay Cutler and DJ Williams cut up most of the stretching time. They stretched but they laughed the whole time through it.
Team spent a lot of time on Red Zone offense. They should given their performace last year. Everyone looked pretty good except #38 – Aldredge. He had a fumble and two dropped passes. Not thinking he’s going to make the team.
Practice lasted 90 minutes. It was over.
Couple of observations:
Ryan Clady is a house. He looks like a man among boys on the field. I hope he plays that well.
DJ Williams is going to be awesome back at the Will LB spot. He’s not thinking anymore – just playing. Good thing.
Eddie Royal is a freak of nature when it comes to speed.
Great morning that got even better as we were leaving. As David and I are leaving the practice area, I look over to the Bronco’s store and see a familiar face. A face I hadn’t seen in about 18 years.
That’s right – Paul Velakaneye!!! My best friend in high school who did NOT show up to the reunion but was in town for his sister’s wedding. We must have looked like two women – hugging, saying “how are you” in that higher pitched voice. His mom was there and I got a mom-hug from her.
We went and grabbed coffee afterwards. Paul has been married for 15 years and has 3 kids. A girl that is 10, a boy that is 8, a boy that 6. Sound familiar????? (Chelsie, Zack, and Cody if you are keeping score at home.)
We talked for 2 hours. It was way too short. But I did get an invitation to come visit them in Connecticut. May have to take him up on that.
Not A Great Start By Goodell
NFL season is on (finally) and it has NOT been a great start for its commissioner, Roger Goodell.
Exhibit A: Marshawn Lynch
Lynch was involved in a hit and run accident that left the victim wounded. In the new NFL, everyone thought Lynch was going to miss a game or two. Not so. Goodell said not enough there, not a history of bad decisions. No games missed.
If I’m involved in a hit and run accident, you can bet there will be a little stiffer punishment.
Exhibit B: The Favre Chronicles
He waits to reinstate Brett Favre hoping to avoid a media circus. I’m not sure what exactly he was thinking. So instead of reinstating Favre earlier and allowing the two sides to possibly sit down and work out a deal, he waited. In the meantime, stories came out about tampering, the Packers tried to buy off Farve from unretiring, and lots of verbal barbs were exchanged. Barbs it turns out that either side can’t get over.
Exhibit C: The Favre Chronicles, Part 2
Did Minnesota tamper with Brett Favre? Probably. Does every other team in the NFL do this? Yes. While Goodell made the right decision in not punishing Minnesota, once again he didn’t seem to have the sense urgency to make a decision. Dragging things out always makes them worse.
Exhibit D: Brandon Marshall Suspension
The worst kept secret in the NFL was that Marshall was going to get a 3 game suspension for his off-field actions that could get reduced to 2 if he does counseling. Again, Goodell waits 2 weeks to make an announcement and in the meantime, more drama and attention is drawn to the situation.
I’m not upset that he ruled that Marshall must miss some games. He should. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. By the same token, he should have sent Lynch home for a game or two as well.
It’s not that Goodell’s decisions (except maybe the Lynch one) were bad decisions. It’s that it takes him forever to announce them and in the meantime, more damage is done. Besides that, the media leaks inside his office are ridiculous.
Let’s hope the games get here soon so we don’t have to deal with a lot more of this.
20 Year Reunion, Part 2
We finished up the weekend with dinner at the Denver Aquarium and then a picnic today at a park.
I have to be brutally honest here – I actually enjoyed the weekend. No… I loved it. I wasn’t really sure what to expect or even if there would be anyone there to talk to. Instead, it was one great conversation after another.
The committee is actually contemplating doing a 25 year reunion on a cruise. If that happens, I’d have to go. This weekend has been that good of an experience. Amy and I now have some local friends to catch up with over the next few months.
So many names and faces that I reconnected with this weekend. Lots of laughter and memories.
Couple of highlights for me.
Senior Skip Day. Karen Willet actually reminded me of this day. We went downtown, goofed off (Paul and I were masters of this) then I got my Ford Tempo buried in mud in an off limits section of Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center.
Paul and I got out of the mud to push us out and we both sank up to our waists. My girlfriend at the time was NOT a happy camper as we had to call her dad to come pull us out with a 4 wheel drive. Of course, Paul’s dad got in on the act as every time I saw him after this day – he never failed to mention what a dork I was.
They had a slide show last night and about 3/4 way through it, I leaned over to Amy and said “Looks like I escaped.”
I spoke WAY to soon.
One of the last pictures was a close up of me and Margaret Bryan (we were dating) and I had the Richard Marks look going on – long, curly, permed hair in the back. On top of that I had the big, round, ‘lawyer’ glasses going on. The reaction from the class was brutal. And honestly, throwing down that look – I deserved it.
Today at the park, one of my classmates commented that Rangeview had drastically changed once our class left the building. I imagine every class feels that way but he what he went on to say actually made sense.
“We were the first 4 year class at that school, all of us lived in the neighborhood, almost all of our parents were blue-collar, no frills people. Yeah, we had our little groups but for a class our size, almost everybody liked everybody else.”
He’s right. I’m not sure why it all played out that way in high school. But for me to move into Rangeview the close to the middle of my junior year and to have as many friends as I did speaks volume of my classmates. Most of them had grown up with each other, through elementary and middle school. Yet, I never felt like an outsider.
Great weekend. So glad I went.
The 20 Year Reunion, Part 1
I drug Amy to my 20 year high school reunion mixer last night. We met at Jackson’s Bar right across from Coors Field. Tonight we’ll eat dinner at the Aquarium.
Confession 1: I was nervous and a bit anxious about going. In fact, a couple of times I thought about looking at Amy and saying – ‘Hey, let’s go rob a bank instead.”
But we had already paid for the weekend. So we were going.
Confession 2: I graduated with over 550 people in my class. 20 years ago. I hadn’t seen any of them since. Would any of us recognize each other?
Reality 1: There will be people at any reunion that either have super-photographic memories OR they’ve spent the last 3 weeks scouring over the yearbook. I am not one of those people. I had a few people holler my name, hug my neck and I had no idea who they were.
That of course led to the awkward moment of when I had to say – “You know…I gotta tell you, I’m not sure if I know who you are.”
Reality 2: Some of us never grow up – it’s a good thing. Lots of laughs, lots of ‘remember the time’ stories. I think the greatest compliment I got was – “You look exactly the way you did in high school.” The second greatest compliment was upon hearing that I was now a youth pastor. “Oh my gosh!!! That is so YOUUUU.”
Reality 3: Some of us never grow up – it’s a bad thing. There was one guy at the reunion that was really having a good time. Still being barely able to talk coherently after more than a few brews. He’s still funny. He still makes you laugh but in the back of my mind I wonder – is this the highlight for him? There’s got to be more there, right?
Reality 4: You’ll connect with someone at a reunion that you never connected with at high school. And it will be awesome. Met a guy that lives in Parker, loves Jesus now and in high school we might have said two words to each other. It was great. Another gal – actually his sister-in-law – that both of our families hit it off.
Reality 5: There are some friends that you can pick up right where you left off. Mike Greenwood, Paul Velakaneye, and I hung out all time. Mike and Paul roomed together at college while I left the state entirely. (I think Paul never forgave me for that.) Talking with Mike was awesome, still easy-going yet speak what’s on my mind kind of guy.
I’m very glad I went. I’m looking forward to tonight.
Greatest Verbal Exchange of the Evening:
“Grant, didn’t you move into Rangeview in the middle of your junior year?”
“Yeah…but sitting the bench on the basketball team, I actually made a lot of friends.”
“Did you play on the state championship team your senior year?”
“No. I got cut. Then half the team got ineligible. But that time I was doing the ‘thespian’ thing.”
[Long Pause]
“That must have been very rewarding for you.”
I don’t think we stopped laughing for five minutes.