What's Going On You Might Ask?

Hollowness!

2011-07-17T11:55:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I look in the mirror and don’t even recognize the man that stares back at me. I remember coming into this job with assuredness and confidence; now I feel like a hollow man. I taught on the flood this morning. A type of baptism. When the topic of baptism came up one of our elders shared his opinion that baptism was not necessary for salvation. I disagree, but it doesn’t really matter because I said nothing. I think there is a pretty strong leg to stand on when it comes to baptisms necessity for salvation; but that is beside the point. The point is: I said nothing. I shrank back.

When a man comes to the point where his convictions become obsolete what happens to the man? When what a man believes ceases to move him to action; does he really believe them?

I have a friend whose favorite statement is this: “I am not accountable to the church; but to Christ!” Sounds good to me but I wonder what happened to my backbone. I miss it. I am turning into the very person that my friend refuses to be!

It spills over to the other aspects of my life. The youth ministry under my leadership is suffering because I am not the man who will stand up and say something. Those that are counting on me to tell them about Christ are hindered because of my passivity. I am turning into the man I never said I would become.

To think that my belief is now dictated by those who I admire and look up too is scary. I’m sure God wants more out of me than this!

KNOW SWEAT DETAILS

2011-06-23T09:36:00.004-05:00

In a week or so we will be heading to Denver Colorado and the Campus of Colorado Christian University for CIY:Know Sweat. If you are checking here for details here they are:

Departure time: 7:00 a.m. on Monday Morning; July 4 from CPCC

Return time: 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 8 to CPCC

What to Bring: 5 days worth of clothes (especially clothes that can get dirty; Shorts must have a 6" inseam [CIY rules]); 1 pair of old shoes or work boots (you cannot wear sandals at the worksite); Toiletries/towel; swimsuit to wear under clothes for rafting; medications; Sun screen; a water bottle; sleeping bag/pillow or blankets; Bible; notebook and pen; Money for 3 meals on the road.

A couple things for you to think about:

--Boys, we are asking the girls not to wear tank tops or cut offs per the rules of CIY; therefore I think it would be upright and fair for us to not wear them either. I know you own 5 shirts with sleeves so please bring them! Let's try to serve our sisters in Christ by not causing an issue over wearing sleeves (seems like a small price to pay)!

--I have packed alarm clocks (15 of them) so you don't need your cell phones to wake you up in the morning. Any equipment that you bring has the opportunity to be lost or stolen. I am setting up this week so that you don't need to bring them. Please do so at your own risk!

Love Wins Chapter 2

2011-05-30T00:38:00.006-05:00

So I actually read this chapter a couple weeks ago but I was really struggling with it. I wanted to postpone blogging until I had a better grasp of it.

I feel a lot more confident about my position now so here it is: I felt like this chapter was Bell using two terms interchangeably that weren't meant to be used interchangeably! Eternal life and heaven have a lot in common; but to use them in place of one another seems to be shaky ground.

The title of the chapter is: Heaven! This chapter doesn't really touch heaven too much though. He starts off with the story about the Rich Young Ruler questioning Jesus about how to obtain eternal life? (Matthew 19)

I think Rob is dead on when he says that eternal life is not just life that goes on forever; but a quality of life that is to be lived now. "Eternal life is less about a kind of time that starts when we die, and more about a quality and vitality of life lived now in connection to God." (59) I think you catch glimpses of that in Jesus conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4.

Rob does bring up that fact that this Young Ruler was not instructed to Accept that he's a sinner, Believe in Jesus, Confess him as his savior, and Demonstrate his obedience. This bothered me for the last week! He's right it doesn't say that this man must trust God for his salvation; but it does! He's trusting his own wealth; not God...but to say that it doesn't say anything about Jesus is not really reading the whole of this conversation. THIS observation becomes really scary when Rob (apparently) takes this conversation as the rule. On page 52 he makes this statement: "Heaven, it turns out, is full of the unexpected."

To illustrate his point, he offers this example: "Think about the single mom, trying to raise kids, work multiple jobs, and wrangle child support out of the kids' father, who used to beat her. She's faithful, true, and utterly devoted to her children...She never goes out, never takes a vacation, never has enough money to buy anything for herself. She gets a few hours of sleep and then repeats the cycle of cooking, work, laundry, bills, more work, until she falls into bed late at night, exhausted. With what she has been given she has been faithful. She is a woman of character and substance...She can be trusted. Is she the last who Jesus says will be first?"

The question I have is this: "What about Jesus?" Circumstances don't get you in! Works don't get us in the party!" In the illustration, he never mentions Jesus changing her life and her decision to trust Him. This may be reading too much into it...but never the less it can become a slippery slope.

Frustratingly...this chapter really raised a lot more questions than it did answers! I am still getting used to his writing style! He doesn't so much have an outline when he writes, but I think he just lets the argument progress...It was a real struggle to outline this chapter. His view of heaven is rather cloudy it seems and he seems awful reluctant to come down on a correct translation of the greek; a certain view of Old Testament passages; and a certain picture of heaven. I think he is using the argument between "transcendence" and "this worldliness" of heaven to hide behind. Heaven is a deep topic; one in which I don't have a ton of research on outside of Alcorn's book and a couple other articles. The fact is: Jesus brought God's Kingdom to this earth. I agree with Bell on this point...but I don't really know where he is drawing the line.

We will see what he does with Hell?

Love Wins Chapter 1

2011-05-06T23:47:00.004-05:00

Some of you will call for my head! Others will look to me for a judgement! Others still will denounce me as a heretic, but for you, my adoring fans, I am writing this for you!

In the face of current and past warnings, I am reading the book "Love Wins" by Rob Bell.

I got the emails (21 of them to be precise) warning me of this heresy! I have read the blogs that warn of the dangers of this book so I thought I would check it out myself.

I want to blog after every chapter just to make sure that I am interacting with this book. So you will get to see my thoughts here. I am going into this with an open mind so I am asking for some latitude from you if I don't denounce this book quickly enough.

The Theme of chapter 1 is this: Rob Bell is confused and he wants the rest of us confused as well!

Rob is not really asking any new questions. My jr. high students every week fill out cards with prayer requests and any questions they have so that I can pray for them and answer their questions. Not one of the questions Rob posses in chapter 1 is something that I don't see on those cards! Do babies who die go to heaven? Do people who have never heard the gospel go to heaven? Can you fall away from the faith? Are you saved by faith or deeds or a combination? It all centered around a high school atheist who died in a car accident. Upon his death someone said that there was now no hope for him. Bell countered with "No hope? Is that what Jesus offers this world?" (3) I think Rob took the question too far...Jesus offers hope to the world but we just have to accept it...while we are alive!

The other confusing aspect to Rob is: How exactly are you saved? baptism? sinners prayer? righteousness? Rob brings together texts from all over the New Testament showing salvation in various ways (speech [Luke 7; Luke 18; Luke 23]; being born agian [John 3]; being worthy [Luke 20]; forgiving others [Matt 6]; do the will of the father [Matt 7]; Stand firm [Matt 10]; saying what we will do [Luke 19]; someone else's faith [Mark 2]; being married to the right person [1 Cor. 7]; or giving birth [1 Tim 2]; asking the right questions [Acts 22]; being born to the right nation [Romans 11]).

Im not real sure that all of these texts are talking about "salvation" issues necessarily, but it is awful early and he said he would explain them later. What bothers Bell most is that Salvation seems to not be as cut and dry as he would like it (which a study of conversion in Acts will show you that it is difficult to put it into a formula but has some major themes to it). When I was interviewing at CPCC the longest discussion we had during the process was about baptism. I grew up in a church where baptism was a necessity. When one of the elders was reading through the bylaws of the church the question of whether baptism was needed for salvation came up. I thought so. We discussed for probably 15 minutes about it. The thief on the cross was the dominant point. I would argue that he was more an exception that the rule. I think we just moved topics letting that one rest.

Bell's goal is to raise questions about these issues: How are we saved and who gets saved? Rob is frustrated...and as his way he wants the rest of us frustrated too! My mind is still open and he promises to answer these questions in the next couple chapters!

Upcoming April 2011

2011-03-21T21:10:00.001-05:00

A couple cool Opportunities Central Park Students and Parents::

April 13 – Family Fun Night for Jr. High Students and their parents

April 17 – Bike Night! This is an outreach for the neighborhood where we will invite kids to bring their bikes over to the church to air up tires; learn bike safety; and make sure their bikes are in working order for the summer. It is an opportunity for our high school students to give back a little of their time. I am accepting any old bikes or trashed bikes that anyone in the church has to part out and also donations to get intertubes and other necessary items to make this work!

April 22 – Seder! – The Passover meal was the ultimate picture of what Jesus did for us on the Cross. Come to the church on Friday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. and we will reconstruct and experience our own CPCC Passover meal…(caution: Not a full meal; Eat first!)

April 30 – Jr. High Boys Boot Camp – Meeting at the church at 10 am on Saturday morning and doing guy stuff! We should be done by 8 or so!

The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make

2011-02-28T13:40:00.002-06:00

The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make by Hans Finzel

Leadership has always been one of my short comings. When I was in High School we had a great group of leaders our youth group. Travis Mckinley, Jason Colvin, Lindsey McClellan and Aaron Brent were really good leaders because the set the tone in youth group and led by their examples. Once that class of about 12 seniors graduated; it was mine and my classmates turn to lead the youth group. Needless to say it was a few dry years for leadership (the likes of which it still hasn't quite recovered). As a youth leader myself I still find it difficult to lead my group of sponsors. I really struggle with what to do to train and lead them. We have such a strong and Godly group of Sponsors here at Central Park, that I almost feel as though I should be learning and being led by them instead of the other way around. So I read this book to try to become a better leader.

Since leadership is all about influence; essentially this book marks the 10 mistakes that people make to lose any influence they have.

(1) The Top-Down Attitude: the domineering, autocratic leadership style in use; in contra to a servant-style leadership model. The use of knowledge to keep people in line and in place. Though top-down leadership is easiest to exercise; it breeds contempt and distrust.

(2) Putting Paperwork before Peoplework: Viewing people as opportunities instead of interruptions. The higher we ascend in leadership, the less time we have to invest in people. Experts actually say that effective leaders spend most of their time with people doing people work.

(3) The Absence of Affirmation: Breaking news: people like praise!

(4) No Room for Mavericks: Penning in creative thinkers with rules and regulations. Essentially legislating out the creative process. He points out that the mavericks were the creators of facebook and google. There is a reason college graduates wanted to work for Mac over IBM or a new .com company over a mom-and-pop run organization. Younger generation employees want the room to explore and act. "Mavericks are messes by nature--but good messes-messes that institutions need." He also tracks the lifespan of an organization and shows where mavericks are needed most in the life cycle of an organization.

(5) Dictatorship in Decision Making: Understanding that the major players on a team should have a say in the direction of the organization.

(6) Dirty Delegation: "Overmanagement is one of the cardinal sins of leadership." Giving people tasks and letting them run with it is a chance for them to show their creativity and to feel excited about the path of the organization.

(7) Communication Chaos: Not knowing whose in charge of what and when. Keeping people in the loop.

(8) Missing the Clues of Corporate Culture: Embracing the culture at the organization. Changing the culture when it needs to be changed.

(9) Success without Successors: training up other leaders to replace you. Knowing you wont be here forever.

(10) Failure to Focus on the Future: Not looking ahead. Turing into kodak in a digital camera world.

When I read through this book I realized over the last year I was guilty of at least 8 of them. I still on a weekly basis find myself struggling with these things. But I am trying to practice at least one of them a week so as to further myself in leadership ability.

I don't believe leadership is a natural trait in humanity; but I think it can be developed. This book helped me realize how.

The Purity Dinner

2011-02-21T15:19:00.018-06:00

A couple weeks ago we had our Jr. High girls purity dinner. Twenty girls and their fathers came to the church for a Hawaiian dinner and a devotion by Julia Bruns. They made lei's and bracelets; but hopefully they talked. As I look at society as a whole the father figure has probably taken the largest amount of abuse.My great uncle (Hugh Beaumont) played WardCleaver in the popular television series Leave it to Beaver (just look atthe nose and you will see the similarities). I cant think of a time when Ward was made the butt of the joke or was shown to be incompetant. Cosby started it; Home Improvement franchised it; and Everybody Loves Raymond perfected it. The idea of theAmerican Male Head of Household being an imcompetent and lost individual. It is a perception that I fear is creeping into the American Church as well. But on this night, I was able to see fathers and daughters sitting and talking. Dads hugging their daughters and hearing about their dreams and their hopes. Julia did a fantastic job of letting the Girls know exacltly who they are in Christ. It was a great night.

Here is a big Shout out to Linda Bohlender and Bobby Sapp for decorating and to Julia for a wonderful message. Thanks Dads and Daughters for your involvement and you support. A huge thanks goes to our high school boys that served too!

The Me I Want to Be

2011-02-11T23:16:00.003-06:00

The Me I Want to Be

by John Ortberg

You wanna know what a life caught up in the Spirit of God looks like? You wanna take a distant look at the life you live?

In this book John Ortberg wants to get one single point across: Jesus came not to make you something different altogether; but to redeem you! Jesus wants to take our gifts and abilities (pre-conversion) and use them to honor him (post conversion) Its something that I see in youth group all the time. A lot of teens think that there are only a couple ways to really worship God. You have to be able to sing or play guitar! But God gave them the gifts that they have to worship him. Why try to be something your not! That is where this book starts. It starts with the frustration of trying to be something he never created me to be. But once we get in tune with the Spirit. The Spirit is our guide to becoming this version of yourself. The version that God has redeemed and saved.

Parts 3-6 are all about the journey that you take, with the Spirit as your Guide, to become the version of you that God really desires. He talks about changing the way that you think; allowing God to ignite desires in you life and removing the worry. He talks about how we spend our time by filling it with Prayer and removing the things that steal our time. The Spirit deepens our relationships with God and with the people who help with the flow of the Spirit. Finally our experience needs to be transformed. From work to suffering to family. All of these things come in flow of our existence; a flow that is meant to be with the Spirit.

Ortberg's book was a great read. Though it wasn't as strong as some of his other books; the two chapters on work (19-20) were worth the price of the book! He really makes you think about your giftedness and the things that help you feel a connection to God. His goal is to bring you into a close transforming relationship with God through the very means that God has already given you!

Plus with this book, you get to take a personality test online via monvee. It is something that really makes you think.

Book 2 of the new year!

2011-01-14T00:11:00.008-06:00

The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs

In the Spirit of full disclosure: “I must confess that I did not read all of this book.” I skipped a full 2 and a half pages as he was describing his twin sons’ circumcision. The rest of the book was awesome. A.J. Jacobs is a Jewish-born-agnostic author who takes an entire year and devotes it to living out the commands of the Bible. He doesn’t shave (in keeping the command not to cut the corners of his beard [Leviticus 19.27]); he wears white clothing in accordance with Ecclesiastes; and he refuses to touch or sit where a menstruating woman was [Leviticus 15.18]. He attempts to follow the Ten Commandments and he starts tithing. It is an interesting social science experiment.

The book was great. He does some great research on the background of a lot of the Biblical laws. What really made the story great were the people who he was in contact with during his time. There was his eccentric ex-uncle Gil who is a former cult leader turned orthodox Jew who holds a Judaism study weekly in Jerusalem. There was Mr. Berkowitz, the orthodox Jew, who comes to his house weekly to make sure that he didn’t have any mixed fibers in his house [Leviticus 19.19]. Then there is the Jehovah’s witness who came over to meet with him about the Bible. He had to leave after 3 ½ hours of discussion. Jacobs mused that he out talked a Jehovah’s Witness about the Bible. He made a trip down to a snake handling church in Tennessee and met up with Jimmy the snake handler. That seems like something that I need to explore! There was the Pastor to Pasture, the atheist club, and his neighbor Nancy. This Biblical journey was by no means individual.

Finally there is Jacobs wife: Julie. Julie is the most interesting character. She has opened her life to this guys antics. When she found out that he couldn’t sit where she had; she sat in every seat in the house so he couldn’t. She is patient as he refuses to jaywalk anymore and as he builds a tent in the living room to celebrate the festival of booths. She allows him to write about her in vitro fertilization. She puts up with his trumpeting every first of the month and she even allows him to describe the birth process as she gives birth to the aforementioned twins.

As a youth pastor this book had a lot of things that made me think. He devoted much of his day to study; as an agnostic. I could definitely eek out a couple minutes. He also strove to live according to the commandments. He kept God at the forefront of his mind. He prayed for 10 minutes 3 times a day; all of these things that should be central to my own life.

He is admittedly a liberal guy; but one thing that I appreciated about this book was his ability to show both the fundamentalist and liberal views of scripture. I felt like he was able to walk

that line very well. If you need something to read that will make you think and laugh! The Year

of Living Biblically should be on your list! Devotionally I even got a lot out of this book.

I grew my beard the entire time I read the book (12 days) and this is all the further I got!

Death to the BCS: The Definitive Case Against the Bowl Championship Series (1)

2011-01-05T00:16:00.005-06:00

Finished my first book of the year and it was a good one. Death to the BCS: The Definitive Case Against the Bowl Championship Series was really well done (A brief summary of the book can be found here). I have read Josh Peter before in Fried Twinkies; Buckle Bunnies and Bull Riders (another great book) but honestly Death to the BCS was an even better read.

The authors put forth a complete case for a playoff system based upon solid arguments and research. And in bringing foreword a case; the authors don't cease from importing history and story into their argument. We all want to know why Boise State has blue turf or how College GameDay came to be a national tailgate party (K-State gets a shout out). Everyone wants to know how the BCS came about; but I also wanted to know that the Big Six (a precursor to the Big 8) was one of the first conferences in the nation; Rutgers and Princeton shard the national title in 1869; and Les Miles wife coined the phrase "undefeated in regulation" to argue LSU's title contentions in 2007. You meet a guy who has formulated the national champion based on algorithms all the way back to 1869 and a guy who thinks he has found a way to bring the whole system down.

The book shows: the ineptitude of voters; the flawed formulas; the fraudulant and underhanded contracts; the instability of the system; and the greed employed by commisioners in the entire system. As large as all these things are, the book paints a clear picture of the injustice done towards college football fans with the entire system. This was a phenomenal book that really shows how a college football is messed up; but it also gives a view of the problems that constantly face the game today (like conference realignment and a lack of quality teams playing each other regularly). The whole BCS can be summed up in two words: Greed and Control. I didn't know much about the BCS prior to this; but this book was a phenomenal read that explained in detail all the inner workings of athletic programs and the men behind the most confusing system that we have in the world of Sports!

If you are thinking about reading this book check the summary (linked here again) and get ready for a couple hours of really thought provoking stuff. It was a pretty easy read; but highly entertaining.

Leave it to Linus

2010-12-17T13:50:00.010-06:00

“My trouble is Christmas, I just don’t understand it.” – Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown was a symbol of ineptitude and futility. He was a subpar pitcher; a horrible field goal kicker; a horrible salesman; and a mediocre trick-or-treater! His incompetence gave rise to perhaps his most famous saying: “UGGGHHHH!” Christmas, the hap-hap-happiest time of year, could even be screwed up by Charlie Brown.

In A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown laments about his problem with the Christmas season: “My trouble is Christmas, I just don’t understand it.” Just as with Thanksgiving and the football debacle shows, the self-ascribed psychologist Dr. Lucy proves to be no help. Her idea of Christmas is attaining and trading real-estate. Charlie’s best non-human friend (and frankly more successful canine pal) has his own image of Christmas. Snoopy is out to win this year’s decoration and lighting contest with cash prizes. Sally, his loveable little sister, lays out in pen that she is out to get old Santa Clause to give her the presents she rightfully deserves!

Linus is always the voice of reason. In perhaps the most famous Christmas words since “God bless us, everyone!” Linus gives his Christmas speech, quoting Luke 2.8-14, reminding the Peanuts gang of the point of Christmas.

When I think of Christmas, I think John put it best in John 1.14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” When all is said and done on that night in Bethlehem, God was dwelling among us! That is the point of Christmas.

As I read through the Gospels the point takes on more clarity. Taken just from the book of Mark, Jesus is: tempted (1.13); angry (3.5); deeply distressed (3.5); rejected by his family (3.21); being laughed at (5.40); spitting (7.33); disrespected and ignored (7.36); hungry (11.12); Mocked and insulted (15.20); forsaken (15.34)! The humanity of Jesus jumps off the page at you, and this list wasn’t even complete. I counted many more. That night in Bethlehem; God took on flesh and remained!

Christmas wasn’t just one night in Bethlehem; but 33 years in Israel, where God walked and experienced among us! It was God undergoing the frustrations and sufferings of humanity!

That is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown! But every year it is good to be reminded by Linus of how we should not only live at this time of year; but every day! “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4.15)

The Grinch Redux

2010-12-08T13:39:00.004-06:00

“How could anyone not want Christmas to come!” The Grinch sure hated it? Was it the shoes that were too small? The head screwed on wrong?

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! 

Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. 

It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right. 

It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. 

But I think that the most likely reason of all 

May have been that his heart was two sizes too small. (Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 1957)

Whatever the reason, he hated the season! (unfortunate rhyme)

It was before the commercialism and the unfortunate accident with the reindeer that befell Grandma! It was prior to the rise of fruitcakes and that dreadful “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas song”! I have written previously about Herod’s feeble attempt to stop Christmas from coming; but the greater question is “WHY”?

During Jesus Ministry there were numerous times when people didn’t want him around. Think of the people of the region of the Gadarenes. Jesus shows up and heals the demon-possessed men and they pleaded (parakaleo) him to leave, just as the demons pleaded (parakaleo) with Jesus to send them into the pigs (Matthew 8.28-34). I guess seeing power in practice can frighten some people! (unfortunate alliteration)

The Pharisees tried to get rid of him after he healed a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Matthew 12.9-14). I guess seeing love trump law would alienate some people! (unfortunate alliteration)

When Jesus returned home and tried to teach in the synagogue, the people took offense (skandalizo) at him (Matthew 13.53-58). Skandalizo is the word from which we get our English word scandalize. It usually implies a removal of the offender (Matthew 5.29-30; 18.9; 24.10). The people in his own hometown wanted him to go away. Just three verses prior they were amazed at his teaching; now they are offended. I guess seeing a native prophet (hb. nevi if you want to continue with the theme) can offend some people! (unfortunate alliteration)

But what was Herod’s deal? During Jesus’ ministry, he was not shy about telling people to make a decision about him. He knew who his family was (Matthew 12.46-50)! But this baby; what was really polarizing about him? It was usually when Jesus taught that some people would get angry; but now well before he told his first parable, or gave his first sermon, Herod was angry!

I have very few Christmas songs that I enjoy. The North Point’s iBand is a nice change of pace for me (check them out here); but I really only like a couple Christmas songs. My personal favorites are “Hallelujah He is Born” (Sawyer Brown does a great rendition here) and “Little Town of Bethlehem”. There is one line that stands out to me in “Little Town of Bethlehem.”

“Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; 

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” (Phillips Brooks, 1867)

Herod saw the possibility of his throne being usurped. He wasn’t the only one who would be scared. On that night the world met the Savior and was force to decide what to do with him: To Worship or to Worry! (the alliteration is just flowing now)

John said it best:

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1.10-11)

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3.19)

He came, though men would try to stop Him from coming (Herod i.e. The Grinch) and men would argue and rebel (the Pharisees); and now we must decide how to receive him. Will receive him as the Magi and Shepherds did offering praise; or as Herod a threatened politician whose only thought was: "I must stop Christmas from coming somehow!"

The Misfit

2010-12-01T13:22:00.004-06:00

As I was watching Rudolph the other night, the plight of an anthropomorphized reindeer wasn’t at the forefront of my mind. Instead it was the words that one of my professors spoke in college about Mark 15. Mark Scott, in summing up the crucifixion, said: “there he hung; between two criminals. Just like his ministry, he spent time with losers.” I would take it one further: just like his ministry and his crucifixion, so to was his birth.

Jesus ultimately came as a misfit; to save misfits! As I read through the story in the book of Luke (with a little help from Matthew); the misfit motif permeates the story. It really started in the 8th century B.C. with the words of the prophet Micah. Micah 5.2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me on who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.” The smallest clan! O little town of Bethlehem would be touchdown for the greatest Extra-Terrestrial visit of all time. Even Micah seems to down play Bethlehem. Fast foreword to Matthew and we see a family of Misfits. Matthew 1 lists the genealogy of Jesus. All the men and women in there have problems. You don’t even get out of the first verse of Matthew without seeing 3 of the 10 commandments broken! Every one of them has issues!

Looking at Luke 2 we see more issues. We have Bethlehem reappearing. Nothing more than a village in the foothills; sitting under the watchful eye of Jerusalem and under the watchful eye of the self appointed king Herod, 6 miles away. In verse 7, we find them in a barn. They couldn’t even spare a room in the inn. Misfit! Finally, look at who came to see him. The shepherds came. Like Charlie Brown, these were the guys whose invitation to the party was usually lost. Shepherds the unclean profession. Shepherds were on the Rabbinical lists of unclean professions! They were looked down upon by the upper class and were thought to be thieves. Fits in pretty well with the theology of Luke! He seems to have a special place in the text for those the world looks upon with contempt.

How does Rudolph fit in? Rudolph and his elf/dentist friend Hermey are outcasts of society; ostracized by the jolly man himself: Santa! The world viewed their place in society with disdain. Jesus felt the same derision! When Jesus bursts on the scene in John 1.46 what is it that Nathaniel claims: “Nazareth, can anything good come from there?” Sure enough the origins of Jesus brought problems! He would be arrested and condemned to die in place of Barabbas, another “misfit.” The “misfit” whose cross he took; possibly between two of Barabbas’ men.

And so ends Jesus life. Hung on a cross; between two criminals (Luke 23.32). Luke even puts words in the mouths of the criminals that hung there! Just like the advent; just like his ministry; so to his death! He spent time with Misfits! He became a misfit; to live amongst misfits; to save misfits! Aren’t you glad we have a great high priest who was tempted and lived as we do (Hebrews 4.15) who suffered daily as we do (Phil. 2.5-8).

The greatness that took place that night in Bethlehem is that our salvation; our worth; our purpose; and our chance to no longer be misfits came that one night in a little Judean town. Jesus put on flesh (John 1.14) and visited our own little island where misfits abound. Therefore we are no longer “misfits” but citizens (Ephesians 2.19); no longer “misfits” but children of God and heirs with Christ (Romans 8.17)!

sometimes you hop into a fight you cant win

2010-08-23T15:43:00.004-05:00

I love fighting bulls! THere are times when you hop in there and know you are going to get hit! The shots that hurt the worst are the ones you don't expect.

Up the road from the church is a middle school: Robinson. As I was heading home from work, I saw two girls yelling at each other in front of the school. One girl called another girl a name and I saw the book bags drop. In the time it took me to take of my sunglasses Girl A had a hold of Girl B's "nappy fro" (I use this term simple because Girl A used it to describe Girl B's hair). A couple sharp rights by Girl B had put Girl A in a backpedal; but if you have been paying attention Girl's A hand was stuck in the locks of Girl B's hair! So the girls are intertwined in a flurry of nails, dreds, and fists! They hit the ground with a thud and rolled down the embankment toward the street falling off the curb.

At this point I had pulled off my hat and sunglasses and pulled my truck over. I shut the truck off and hopped out. I bolted across the street just as the two girls were pulling hair and rolling down the hill into the street. Girl A slammed Girl B's head into the concrete just as I put Girl A into a head lock! They each got to their feet at the same time and I positioned myself to make a "pick" on girl A and take her away from Girl B. I still had Girl A in a headlock as i turned my body toward her to take a position between the two. I didn't quite make it all the way! Girl A threw a haymaker that did not land where she had hoped! It was her intention to land her shot in the face of Girl B; however, it landed on my Zygomatic arch just below my eye! I just held on until the principals showed up!

At the end of the day; I would rather deal with the bulls than the rough shot by a 80 lb jr. high girl! I kind of like working in the hood!

Rodeo Bible Camp 2010

2010-07-17T19:34:00.008-05:00

I spent last week having the most fun doing ministry I have ever had. The problem is; I'm not sure why?

Theory 1: The people I was doing ministry alongside. Most of you probably remember Zac Sanger (the man I introduced you to last year in the newsletter and on this blog). I got to spend another week with him. He prefers to do ministry one horseshoe at a time. We talked a lot aboutshoeing horses (something I know nothing about) and ministry (something I thought I knew a lot about). Zac is the type of guy who will have a conversation about God with anyone and he will be the first to tell you that it has more than once cost him a client. Part of my job is having conversations about God; yet sometimes they never happen. Boldness is a quality he has in abundance. Another guy that I had the pleasure of serving

alongside was Seth Reynolds. He is the same type of guy as Zac. Willing to talk about Jesus with whomever, whenever. I had met Seth a year ago at a Rodeo Bible camp and had no idea he would be in Colorado this week. Two guys whose love for Jesus spills out of their lives. That is something that will make it fun to serve. Seth and Zac both took the time (outside of their assigned duties) to speak truth into the students lives. They have a passion for God that expands the time card. There are a ton of things I took away from that week!

Theory 2: Rodeo. It is always fun doing rodeo! Always fun fighting bulls!

But if I hadn't been rodeoing at the time; I still think that I would have had fun and enjoyed serving! Theory 1 is the winner!

What I learned this week; or should I say was reminded of this week was that ministry is about the people. The people you come into contact with and the people that change your life. Zac and Seth are two guys that changed the way I do ministry and changed my relationship with God. You wanna have fun serving God; find people who are passionate about Him and surround yourself with them! There is never a dull moment with Zac and Seth and they are livening up the Christian lives of anyone they come into contact with: this guy included!

Jr. High Camp

2010-07-15T23:50:00.003-05:00

I just realized that I had not updated my blog to show the video from jr. high camp!

We went to King Solomon Christian Camp this year in Solomon, Kansas. As you can see from the video; we kept the kids fairly busy! One of my favorite parts of camp was the maze. We placed all the kids in a maze blindfolded. What they did no realize was that there was no way to get out the maze. We roped off the entrance after they had entered. The only way out was to surrender. It was a great illustration of the Christian life and accepting Christ! It was a great week of ministry that ended with our group growing much closer to each other and God!

Dino Day

2010-06-17T17:38:00.010-05:00

Dinosaurs for years have been used (unintentionally, I believe) as the perfect example of how the Genesis account of creation is a myth. In my opinion churches have often not stepped up to give an answer to the question of Dinosaur origins and a biblical precedent for their existence. Too often, we as churches have spent our time letting the Institute for Creation Research; Creation Truth Foundation; Foundation for Advancing Christian Truth (FACT); or Answers in Genesis to answer their questions for us; however, God has given the local church the daily contact with people's lives in order to answer the questions that they have! The goal of Dino Day was to give our kids a biblical look at dinosaurs. They excavated a 18' T Rex, made their own fossils and are now in possession of an actual fossil that Colby and I picked up over at Calhoun Bluffs. We talked about Genesis 1 and when Dinosaurs were created. We discussed Job 40 and the animals that were discussed there: Behemoth and Leviathan. We ended the day with the Extinction of the dinosaurs and the role of the Flood of Genesis 6 in their disappearance.

It is our job as the local church to answer every question that our kids might have! Interestingly enough, it was the youngest kids who already knew that dinosaurs live 65 million years ago...church we are behind the game! Its time we start listening; start studying; and start answering!

A Good Man is dead because he was Good

2010-05-04T13:36:00.003-05:00

The downfall of Uriah the Hittite was his loyalty and righteousness! Years ago a shepherd boy (David) was more righteous than God's annointed leader (Saul); and now we have a Hittite man (Uriah) more faithful than the King of God's People (David). As I read through the story of Uriah I can't help but see how his faithfulness and loyalty sealed his death.

After David had called him back from the front the first time; Uriah refused to sleep with Bathsheeba. Instead he slept on the steps to the palace because he was to be afforded no comforts while his men were at battle (2 Sam. 11.9-11). The whole predicament happened because David was affording himself comforts while his men were off at battle (11.1). Score one for Uriaih!

David would get him drunk the next day. Propositioning Uriah to go home, even in his drunken state the Hittite would be more righteous than the King of Israel was just weeks prior! David is covering his tracks and Uriah is too dependable to falter!

"In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, "Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die." (2 Samuel 11.14-15)

Uriah carried his own death sentence. A man with lesser integrity would have checked the message that he was delivering, but not the man who refuses to rest while his troops were out in battle! Uriah was known by David as a fiercely loyal man. He had probably ran and hid with David and stood by him during Saul's chase. You don't get to the place in life that Uriah had attained with out some honor and dignity.

I hope someday that my integrity and loyalty will be the death of me as well!

Q: You find yourself in a deep hole. What is the first thing that you do?

2010-03-26T00:22:00.003-05:00

A: Drop the shovel.

I would like to tell you about the last couple weeks; but in this short space I cannot fit it all here. I will give the best of it and if you want the rest you will have to look me up!

During the third week of March, I was reading through the book of Jeremiah. I came to the complaint sections of Jeremiah. If you don’t know much about the book of Jeremiah, he has a couple sections of him complaining to God about the trials in his life. As I studied them I found some really interesting stuff. A couple minutes of meditation in Jeremiah 12 led me to pray about this section. During that prayer the pride that had taken over my life reared its ugly head as I began to thank God that I was not like Jeremiah; arrogant and questioning of God. Jeremiah’s arrogance had shown up in his questioning God’s justice and God rebuked him. My arrogance showed up without the mask of justice and conversation with God. The audacity of my prayer life is absolutely exquisite. It was then that God laid the hammer on me. Pride and arrogance let me ruin relationships and hurt a lot of the people that I come into contact with regularly. The pride in what I did and accomplished, had ruined the joy I found in it. Pride stood in the way of promising relationships and any hope of a intimate relationship with God. The realization (shown by God that fateful morning) of the toxicity of my arrogance and hubris set me on the path to a lot of humbling conversations and many more to come. These discussions have been at times awkward; at times intimidating; but every time liberating! Now I have this last thing to say: “You, Church, deserved better from me.” One more difficult to type statement; but liberating! God's work in our lives is never complete. I am thankful for a God who points out our shortcomings and works with us through them! A God of so much Grace is he!

Believe Conference Tales!

2010-02-08T22:31:00.005-06:00

If you deal with Jr. High Ministry: Believe is the one conference you need to go to. CIY has taken the liberty of making almost all the plans for you and centered the conference around your students. Seriously, as a youth pastor all you have to do is worry about getting your kids down there and back and feeding and housing them! The teaching is centered around middle school students; you are never doing the same thing twice; there is never a dull moment on stage; and you are involved in everything! It is a Jr. High ministry dream come true!

Small Groups: This year Believe hid all of the small group questions in fortune cookies. The black fortune cookie held random questions like: What is your favorite outfit that your youth minister wears?; or what is your favorite thing to eat at Taco Bell? (seriously this was really a question). The other questions were in three different colored cookies. Each small group session was a different colored cookie. Kids would read the questions in the group and answer them; there was absolutely no prep work (which if you have gone to MOVE is one of the most time consuming prep things to do). It was a great way to do small groups!

Worship: Worship was led by Johnny Scott, Hetti Marie, and Foundation Red. They were awesome! Did some Fee stuff and got the kids fired up. Mike Miyahara on guitar was melting some faces! They brought out Eric Samuel Timm, the painter (who played God this weekend) as an artist during worship! One key to Jr. High Ministry is keeping their focus! With all this stuff going on the kids were definitely focused. It was great worship.

We stayed the night at a church down in tulsa; playing dodgeball most of the night! We were still able to sleep for 5 or 6 hours. We took 18 students who had a ball. We also took 7 high school students who worked for Believe during the weekend. They had a blast and really enjoyed working for Shawn Miyahara (she mentioned me in her blog so I mentioned her back) and Nikki Palmateer. It was an awesome weekend that changed my kids lives. If you are on the fence about believe; I would rank it as the most productive Jr. High thing that I do (even above a jr. high camp during the summer).

A COOL STORY:

Right before our kids at pizza on Saturday afternoon; our boys were explaining to the Town and Country boys that girls were the first to eat. That was pretty sweet; our guys standing up for chivalry and the girls in their youth group! That is a good feeling.

Special thanks to Town and Country for letting us mooch rides down with them and letting us hang out all weekend with them. James Wright is doing a great job with their ministry and is a great asset to Town and Country Christian Church! I couldn't be more proud of my high school kids. They were a great asset to me and the Believe Staff. They had a great time working alongside the CIY team; and I think they got a lot out of it.

"This successful life we're livin' got us feuding like the Hatfield and McCoy's" -- Waylon Jennings

2010-01-31T21:19:00.005-06:00

This was war! Every war had a beginning! KU-MU: the boarder war, started with Quantrill's raiders attacking (killing 200 citizens) and burning the town of Lawrence. Once the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri began lacing up the hightops, the war has taken shape on the basketball court. As a Jayhawk fan, I want to be honest with you readers: we hate losing, but if the choice was between KSU and MU, I would much rather lose to KSU than Mizzou! The Hatfield and Mccoy Rivalry of the mid to late 19th century began over the killing of a Union soldier after he had returned from the war. In the prologue of Shakespear's Romeo and Juliette, we learn that this is an "ancient grudge" between the Capulets and the Montagues. One can only assume what started that war. Was it wealth? power? fame? a car wreck?

The point is this: Every war had at least on triggering factor. What if it was a person? What if you were the Helen of Troy? The reason for the fighting. Homer's Illiad (with huge nods to other ancient historians) recounts the battle of Troy as Paris, the Trojan Prince, has taken (Sappho claims she came willingly others would argue she was taken by force) Helen, the beautiful wife of King Menalaus. This war was massive. Men from all over the world would fight in this war. How would you feel if you were the cause? If you were Helen?

This is the very dilemma that John Mark (know as Mark from now on) faced in Acts. Though his decision would not cost any lives, he did cause a schism in the team of Paul and Barnabs (or should I say Barnabas and Paul?).

Mark was from Jerusalem. He had seen Christian Church from its infancy. His mother's house was a place of prayer and worship (Acts 12.12). Once his cousin Barnabas (Colossians 4.10) had taken a bigger role in the ministry of Jesus, Mark knew he wanted in. Barnabas was the one who had brought Saul into the mix with the apostles (Acts 9.27) here in Jerusalem. Now years later Barnabas and Saul ask this man, Mark, if he wants to be part of the first missionary journey! That's like being asked to go to the moon, or if you wanted a pulitzer? Its not something you scoff at or hesitate on. You jump at the first opportunity, just as Mark did.

The honeymoon period for missionaries doesn't last too long. Soon the newness wore off and Mark had a problem. What that problem was we can only speculate. Perhaps it was the reallocation of power between Paul and Barnabas (notice the names are now reversed, with Paul taking a leading role for the rest of the book) probably didn't sit too well with the cousin. Maybe it was fear. They were headed to a place (Pisidia Antioch) known for its bandits. It could have been sickness or a family crisis. For whatever reason, Mark leaves (Acts 13.13) to return to Jerusalem.

This action doesn't sit too well with Paul. When the idea came up about returning to all the places they visited on the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas began assembling a team (Acts 15.36). The subject of Mark came up. Barnabas wanted him, Paul didn't (Acts 15.37). He had deserted them in Pamphylia (Acts 15.38). The greatest team of missionaries to the date was now split up by the disagreement over Mark. Barnabas took Mark to his home of Cyprus and Paul took Silas (Acts 15.39-40).

That had to be rough on Mark. To be the one who is fought over. The one causing the dispute. Chronologically this is the last we will hear of Barnabas. He isn't mentioned again. How would you feel if you were Mark? The dispute had to have some kind of lasting effects. Paul was probably just as disappointed in him as he was that Barnabas wanted to take him. These are the kinds of wounds that linger for some a lifetime.

Though Barnabas fades away, Mark resurfaces. Nearing the end of his life; perhaps just days or hours before his execution, Paul asks for Mark to come to Rome with Timothy, because he is helpful to his ministry (2 Timothy 4.11). Paul mentions him from an earlier imprisonment in Colossians 4.10, and we have to wonder if the instructions were about his rehabilitation for Paul? It matters not, at the end of Paul's life, he wants Mark to come to him! Paul just spent time telling Timothy about those that have deserted him: Demas, Crescens, and Titus. We aren't sure of all the circumstances here or whether they left on good terms, but needless to say, Paul is alone (aside from Luke). Bring Mark!

So many times our arguments are final. All to often our differences are relationship ending. We harbor resentment and anger; hatred and aggression. Paul, during a hectic first missionary journey, was deserted by a guy he thought he could trust! Like the rope that is holding a mountain climber, often the resentment and anger are the only thing that still attaches us to relationships. I don't know what Mark did to get reinstated or whether it was Paul's grace and mercy towards an old friend, whatever it was it is an example.

We can't hold onto our petty ministry differences any longer. No longer can resentment rule the attitudes of our heart. We may not agree on everything, but no matter how great the wound, forgiveness and understanding can fill it. Ministry philosophies and ministry dedication differs; family troubles are handled differently by all; and some people are just hard to get along with. They will abandon, infuriate, and tear down. They will act apathetic, lethargic, and illogical. Paul felt all these from Mark, but in the same way that Jesus felt and bore all these as well, Paul found ability to forgive.

Bring Mark, for he is helpful to my ministry (2 Tim. 4.11)! The original title for Mark was: "helper" (Acts 13.5). Good to know he ended the same way he started.

"What we fear is what we’re subject to; our fears define our master." -- Erwin McManus

2010-01-23T23:01:00.004-06:00

I am scared of a couple things. When I first started fighting bulls, I was pretty scared. I saw a guy get runover pretty good and I had a difficult time putting that out of my mind. Only the person who did my laundry that night could tell you how scared I really was! Now, I am able to put that out of my head to do my job in the arena. There are however a couple fears that I have trouble getting through. I am claustrophobic (scared of small, closed spaces); paedophobic (fear of babies); and aquaphobic (fear of drowning or water). The fear of new born babies comes from a recurring nightmare that I have about me reaching up to catch a foul ball at a baseball game (a personal goal of mine); the problem is that I was holding a baby prior to lifting my hands. I look down just in time to see the baby liquify on the ground. It is a horrible nightmare that I have about once a month or so! I dont fear water so much as I fear swimming in places where I cant see my feet and putting my head under water. The claustrophobia is more a fear that the elevator doors wont open. I have so many problems.

When I read through Acts, I noticed that fear seemed to play a specific role in the book. Fear in all but 1 case (Acts 9.26) is a literary device used by Luke to differentiate which side of salvation and faith a person falls on. Like a black hat in a western of the ability to see both eyes of a person in a manga book, depending on what a person fears is the signifier of their relationship with God.

In cases of fear in believers the object of their fear is always God (aside from Acts 9.26). The church was gripped with fear because of the actions of God when he killed Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 and in Stephen's speech as he relates Moses' interaction with the burning bush in Acts 7. The Church feared God himself as well (Acts 9.31; 10.35; 13.16) and Cornelius was scared silly by the messenger God sent to him during his vision in Acts 10.4 (which if you are unfamiliar with Luke's writings is a common place when God sends a messenger).

On the other side of the great dividing line of fear is the fear present in non-believers. They fear the punishment of men. They are commonly afraid of the men in power over them. Twice a leaders of the Roman Army is fearful because he has been keeping Paul, a roman citizen in chains (Acts 16.38 and 22.29). Not only are they afraid of people who are in charge of them; but they fear the people under their jurisdiction. Non-believers are shown to be in fear of being stoned by crowds if they take the apostles away (Acts 5.26). The men without a relationship with God were also fearful of spirits at least once. After the seven sons of Sceva were beaten and bloodied they were scared of the spirit that did this act. Finally, the non-believers are fearful of death. In an interesting sandwiching of fear near the end of Acts we see the sailors fearing death not once but twice during the soon to be shipwrecked. Paul, during the night an angel came to him and told him to not be afraid (Acts 27.24). So in the midst of a fearful ordeal; God reminds his followers that he is in control.

Perhaps the funniest events of fear in the non-believers in Acts, is them fearing for the one who should be fearful! In Acts 23 Paul is placed before the Sanhedrin. Paul does what Paul does and he starts an argument between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. While they are arguing, it became so violent that the Roman commander was afraid Paul would be ripped to pieces (Acts 23.10). Paul apparently was unavailable for comment, but seemed unfearful.

The believers in Acts had plenty of reasons to fear. Paul says that he has "been in dager from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers." (2 Corinthians 11.26) Paul was no stranger to danger, but did not fear. The early church was in constant danger, but did not fear.

I fear a lot of things: uncertainty; bills; the upcoming lessons I have to write; etc. Fear has become a constant in our lives. Looking at the early church, fear was something that they did not deal with. Fear is something that they did not do. When God is in Control: fear is not present! Great in principle; tough to live out. Paul reminds us in Romans 8.27-29:

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Next time fear comes, think back to the early church and the unfamiliarity they had with fear? Great in principle, tough in practice!

"Love is the highest goal to which man can aspire." -- Viktor Frankl

2010-01-20T22:30:00.006-06:00

Everything Jesus took, was an act of love! Jesus said: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13.34-35)

I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT WORD MEANS! The word love. I have said it to people not really understanding it. I have proclaimed it to women without the foggiest idea of what it means! Jesus understood it very well and gave us a perfect picture as he lived his life. I believe that in 3 chapters of John we see a clear picture of what Jesus meant in his love.

Love: Serves -- John 13

Jesus put a towel around his waists and, taking the job of the lowest slave in the house, washed the feet of the disciples. The purpose: to "show them the full extent of his love."(John 13.1) In this picture of his love, he sets an example that we should do as he has done for us. (John 13.15) Love, Serves! "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10.45)

Love: Thinks of Others First -- John 14

Jesus tells his disciples: "If you love me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I." (John 14.28) Love: Thinks of Others First! Jesus left the comfortable confines of heaven alongside his great and glorious Father to walk the earth; and now he is ready to return. If these guys loved him they would glad to let him go! I understand the reluctance, but I also understand what Jesus is claiming. Earlier, he had told them that if they loved him they would obey him (John 14.15). Obedience is placing the will of others above the will of self.

Love: Sacrifices -- John 15

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15.12-13) Jesus constantly sacrificed for those around him. His life was constantly interrupted; he was constantly queried and probed by those who didn't deserve the time. He taught the things of God to people who didn't understand and connected with people of all classes.

All of these conditions of love ultimately came together in his work on the Cross. It was there that his service came to fruition! It was there where he bore our sin and our iniquity! It was there where he was sacrificed and he laid down his life for ours! The cross is the quintessential act of love!

When I look at my own life; I have misunderstood "love." Love is not something to be gained; but something to be poured out. It is ultimately the emptying of oneself. Here in lies my problem with love: selfishness. I love me! Service is a reordering of vision from inward to outward! I stand in my own way of serving. Why would I think of others, when I enjoy thinking of myself so much? Its hard to sacrifice when I value myself above all others!

Apologies are in order for some of you. I had no idea what love was when I said it. I had no idea of the depth to which it goes! Alexander Dumas was wrong in his book The Three Musketeers, when he said: "Love is the most selfish of passions!" True Love is the most selfless of all passions as Jesus showed us.

I just cant believe that for so many years I lived by Dumas' philosophy instead of Jesus!

The Twenty Taco Challenge

2010-01-17T23:37:00.004-06:00

Notice there are only 17 wrappers!

Pride and arrogance have no place at the table. Hubris and over-confidence shouldn't make an appearance either; however, as I sat across from one of my high school students tonight, these were the traits he was relishing!

Last night after the purity dinner, Tyler Ward, Kosten, C.J. Spence, and I went to Taco Bell and Dairy Queen. As we were ordering, Tyler became enamored with the Grande Meal. Apparently he has never looked that closely at the menu. The Grande meal is a mix and match meal consisting of 10 items of either hard tacos; soft tacos; or bean burritos. Tyler wanted a meal like that.

I informed him that there was no way he could eat 10 of anything. In a brash reply, he told me that he could finish not one but two Grande Meals. For those of you keeping count that is 20 items. In a bet only to be surpassed by God and Satan of Job 1; I took his wager!

Tonight was the night where this would be tested. AFter youth group Ireland, C.J, Aaron Jones, Austin and I headed to Taco bell to see if Tyler could complete the Herculean task of twenty tacos in the course of one meal. The argument rose as to how long a meal lasted. Was it 45 minutes? an hour? hour and a half? How long was a meal? We gave him 45 minutes!

He started off well.

First couple tacos went down well. Then the T-Bell staff came out and let us know that should he complete the task he would get 5 free tacos. One night of abdomen problems apparently has a price of $3.50 in store credit? But now the stakes were raised. They were taken to a whole notta level!

Around 8 tacos in (15 minutes) I began to get worried. He was going well and had a good rythym going (in no large part to the coaching of Austin and CJ; and the ever present optimism from Ireland). Meanwhile Aaron Jones regaled us with tales of battles and fights from his childhood with a brief shout out to the "fire thumbs."

13 tacos in (32 minutes) he began to slow down. He had started too quickly. There is a feeling; a notion that only people who have been around sports can recognize: its the look in the eye of the athlete when they realize the loftiness of their dreams; and the pain it will take to get there. Tyler had been wounded with the 13th taco!

At 17 1/2 tacos the deal was done! He was finished! Like Paul in 2 Timothy, he had fought the good fight and had come to the end of his race; it just so happened that it came 2 and a half taco shells short of where he had previously envisioned the line.

It was a valiant effort. A stunning display. When coming off a loss like that you never really are the same man; gastro-intestinally for sure; but psychologically and mentally as well. I have seen men never come back from something like that.

The Purity Dinner

2010-01-16T22:43:00.009-06:00

Psalm 45.11: "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him for he is your Lord."

Its tough to be a girl. At least that is what I hear! Tonight we had a purity dinner for the jr. high girls in our youth group. Natalie Holdren from Northland CC did a great job exhorting our girls to strive for a pure life. Each girl received a plate with our theme verse on it and a white rose. Apparently different color roses mean different things; red means love; yellow means friendship; and white

means purity, hence our use of the white rose.

It was a great night. The main purpose was to give our girls a night to be doted upon. Our jr. high girls had a good time I think. We had a couple high school girls there to answer questions and hang out; we had some younger girls there in order to show that the jr. high girls are examples to them. It was a really good night.

I will tell you the most exciting part for me however; involved some people who really had no business being there, but came anyway. Tyler, Kosten, CJ, Jason and Aaron were the guys who really brought the night together. The first three of these guys are students, and the last two are sponsors. Without those guys this night would not have happened. Like I said earlier, each girl was given a plate with the verse on it. These guys took the plate to them and presented it to each girl. It was an image of how guys are to serve and protect the boundaries and purity of the girls in their lives, regardless of wheter they are in a relationship or not. But it was also to give the girls ownership of their own decisions and boundaries. Guys: its our job to protect the boundaries; Girls: its your job to know and protect your own boundaries as well. We will do our part; you do yours. The biggest problem I see with relationships are times when girls dont know their own boundaries and don't have the confidence to state their boundaries.

We have a great group of girls who I hope will set their standards so high that a man will have to really prove his worth to be with them! Girls: Don't Settle! Don't settle for a guy who wont serve or protect you! Don't settle for a guy; expect the best and always remember: "the King is enthralled by your beauty, honor him for he is your Lord."

Very Special thanks to the guys for serving and to Lynda Bohlender for doing all the decorating!

A Life in the Spirit is gonna look a little bit peculiar!

2010-01-13T17:12:00.015-06:00

There are times when the Spirit of God takes over and you have to ask the question: "You're gonna do what?"

Going through the Scriptures it happened to a lot of people:

Gideon with the narrowing down of his army from 32,000 men to 300 in order to fight the Midianites in Judges 7; a lot of people

would probably call him crazy.

Ananias in Acts 9 was called to go to the man who had persecuted and killed in order to share the gospel with him.

Peter in Acts 10 is following a vision to go to the Macedonians to proclaim the Gospel.

Our high schoolers made some renditions of some of the more interesting examples of people

who lived in the Spirit of God; speaking, acting, and showing people God!

This is Hosea and Gomer. The propehts (nevi'im) of God were God's spokesmen to the people.Not only did they carry the message of God; but often they were called to act out the very message that God had for his people. Hosea was called to marry an adulterous woman. Notice the fishnet stockings and strapless top; also there is an allusion to Nathanial Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter with the "A" emblazened on her corsett. The message of Hosea: No matter how many times we turn our backs on God and are unfaithful to him; he remains faithful to us and welcomes us back into relationship with him.

Ezekiel was another one of the prophets of God. He had a couple differnent instances where God told him to act out his message. In Ezekiel 24.15ff. Ezekile is told that his wife will die (God refers to her as "the delight of your eyes"). Ezekiel was not allowed to shed any tears about her death. He was not allowed to mourn the death of his wife. The point: Everything that they hold dear, the Temple ("the delight of their eyes") and their very relationship with God will be gone soon and they will do just as Ezekiel did and live without weeping our mourning it. Notice the use of the tombstone on the left. Apparently Ezekiel looked like Tommy Pickles from Rugrats with bling; an earring; and a Grease throwback jacket.

A second weird act from Ezekiel (mind you that is not an all

inclusive second act; there is a ton of weird stuff in Ezekiel so this is not all inclusive) is the action in Ezekiel 4. Ezekiel is told to draw the city of Jerusalem on a tablet; place an iron pan between his face and the tablet and lay siege to it. He was to lay on his left side for 390 days (one day for every year of Israel's sin) and 40 days on his right side (one day for every year of Judah's sin). The Point: You and the people will be deported for not to long because of your sin (Ezekiel 5.5-10). Nice use of the flaming catapult!

Jeremiah was another one of God's spokesmen. He had a couple cool object lessons in his book (the linen belt [13]; the Potter and the Clay [18]; the Broken Flask [19]; the Yoke [27-28]; the Scroll in the Euphrates [51]). This is a representation of the yoke that Jeremiah made and wore around Jerusalem. Throughout the book of Jeremiah (especially in chapter 28); Jeremiah was faced with men speaking words that made people feel good but were untrue. Jeremiah spoke for God; these men spoke for their own desires. Jeremiah made the yoke to tell God's people to submit to Babylon; or else face the punishment of Babylon. Tough words for a nation that had grown accustomed to doing what they want. I like the gigantic clock hanging from the yoke.

How does this apply to our series through the book of Acts? In Acts chapter 2 we see an interesting scene unfold. Men have the Spirit of God given to them; empowering them to speak God's message. Men who have no business being the mouth piece of God are now speaking not only different languages; but dialects (like boston english; and texas english)! Men with no formal training are speaking out about the love of God and the gospel. Acts 2.12 showed some men approved; Acts 2.13 showed some men made fun. "They are drunk!" was the theory they made. God instigated this by acting (pouring out his gift of the Holy Spirit) just as he did with the prophets earlier (he spoke). Now, once again, the men whom he communicated too are acting peculiar. If our lives are live in constant normality, the question must be posed as to whether we are living in the message of God? This is coming from a guy who has tried to fit in for most of my life; and if we have seen anything in our study of Acts and Scripture as a whole it is this: the message of God and the Spirit of God refuses to live within the rules and confines of our minds and our boundaries!

New Creation in the New Year!

2010-01-11T14:30:00.006-06:00

Many times I am drawn to the writings of Paul! Sure some of them can be very difficult to understand and often times can be difficult to apply (what in the world does most of Romans mean); but for the most part he lays it out (there is a reason that the Roman Road is a very common evangelistic method).

Ephesians is one of those books that on the surface is so simple: Why and how you live and love like Jesus. But on the other hand, it can make your head spin with predestination talk and womens roles. Paul has a way of writing (or should I say God has a way of writing) to challenge the wise old believer and encourage the newest convert. Speaking to the left and right; the old and young; both sides of the coin.

In order to do this Paul has a way of using metaphors in Ephesians, in order to explain the two sides of being saved (those who are and those who ain't).

Some of the metaphors:

Before Christ we were dead in our transgressions and sins (2.1); but Christ made us alive by his grace because he loved us (2.4-5). Dead vs. Alive.

Before Christ we were foreigners and aliens; but Christ has now made us citizens in God's people (2.19).

Before Christ we were darkness; but Christ has made us light (5.8).

But perhaps the most intriguing (and hardest for me to understand) is the metaphor in the middle of chapter 4.

Ephesians 4.22-24: "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Old Self (before Christ); and New self!

The juxtaposition of Old vs. New gives me this problem: can you be old and new at the same time? For as a new creation; my old tendencies come up an awful lot. For being new it sure seems like the old!

For the next couple verses (4.25-5.7), Paul give the deeds of each life:

OLD SELF: anger (26,31); stealing (28); unwholesome talk (29); bitterness (31); rage (31); brawling (31); slander (31); malice (31); sexual immorality (3); impurity (3); greed (3); obscenity (4); foolish talk (4); coarse joking (4).

NEW SELF: speak truthfully (25); work hard (28); sharing with those in need (28); build up other (29); kind and compassionate (31); forgiving (31); imitators of God (5.1); live a life of love (5.2); thanksgiving (5.4).

We are a new creation in Christ; a sentiment Paul echos in 2 Corinthians 5.17. The old has gone. If the old has gone, why is it so present? If the new has come, why does the ways of the old self seem to sneak in an cause havoc?

What scares me is how quickly the manners of the old self creep into my daily life. When im tired they show up. When I am stressed out they show up. When I lose my head they arrive. Unknowingly I turn the corner and find them waiting there!

Old vs New: the battle is on! I am a person of habit, however. Old is comfortable. I wear clothes that I got in high school still. I have used the same kind of deodorant since 7th grade. I have bought the same exact hat every six months for the last 3 years of my life. I don't try on jeans because I will only wear one specific kind (cinch white lable) in one specific size. I am a creature of habit! Old is in my wheelhouse! Old is what I like!

But what better time to devote to NEW! New is all the things that God stands for and New is what God makes things! I am ready to be new; how about you?

What ever happened to Contra!

2010-01-06T15:30:00.007-06:00

Since we cancelled youth group tonight I decide to go ahead and watch some youtube videos to catch up on what I have been missing in the real world. I first heard about Call of Duty 6: Modern Warfare 2 from some of our kids. I have now began to wonder how exactly this game can even be sold!

Watch this clip and tell me what you think. (Click here to watch the Clip)

Not only is the entire video disturbing, but especially the part at 4:40 where he walks up to an injured man and blows his head apart! Come on people! This is not warfare this is genocide! Hitler killed cause of race; now the game kills cause of, what, proximity? wrong place at the wrong time? Oh yeah because its a mission on a game that is fun to watch! What was I thinking?

I am the last person who would get up on a soap box and attempt to protect our kids in a vain attempt to sheltering them from the world around them; but this video game (and I am making a judgement about the whole based on the part) is disgusting.

Parents: You can argue with me if you want...I don't care; but this game should really not be in your kids games systems. I have held my peace on a lot of things and honestly not as careful as I should have been with what games are played here at the church; however, I am making the decision to start being a little more with it when it comes to games and media and I think that you should make the same decision.

It doesn't really matter how much attention you have taken in the past; start now! If you never took the time to do your research on games in the past; make an effort now!

If you purchased this game for your kid...I will pay you for it! If that is what is holding you back from getting it out of your kids video game library! I feel that strongly about it!

Some Stats:

The Game sold 4.7 million units in the first 24 hours and made $310 Million!

By comparison the final Harry Potter book made $220 million in its first 24 hours!

The Game made $550 million in the first 5 days of being offered!

Please let me know what you think by commenting below!

Is it a Christmas miracle or that which will doom February to the doldrums of the year?

2009-12-08T22:22:00.006-06:00

Today as I was driving into the church, I found myself relishing in the fresh powder that was all over the place. For just an instant I was warmed by the illusion of warm fires, hot chocolate, family, friends, stockings hanging from the mantle, presents, the smell of mint, and presents of gold, myrrh and frankincense.

It came to an abrupt end as I was forced to slam on the brakes as some soccer mom in a minivan was completely disillusioned by the presence of snow on the

road. Apparently, green lights are only applicable in dry road conditions! This pericope brought to mind the attitude that Kansans take toward snow. Most Kansans that I have spoken with associate snow with family gatherings; gingerbread cookies; and various other Yuletide amenities; but what happens when there is no light at the end of the tunnel? Where does this affinity for the flakes go when the hope is gone?

It is my contention that the only thing that makes snow suffer

able is the understanding that Christmas comes directly following it. Where is your Christmas carols in February? Where are your presents in January? And during the final unexpected snow in March, to what portly man in red pajamas will you turn? Rest assured the man you wish was there, Old St. Nick, has abandoned you and left you with a cheap imitation known as the Easter Bunny (other than as slippers; he owns no heart warming capabilities!)

Understanding that snow is a great idea now and an inconvenience in February does well to hedge our emotions now. So if you run into me and expound on the beauty of snow; the crispness of the air; and the joy of catching snowflakes on your nose; chances are good that I will remind you of all the negative aspects of snow during your spring break (swimming suits + snowfall = frostbite); slipping on the ice and busting your face; or I will remind you the back breaking shoveling that comes with it?

Persecution in Central Park

2009-12-03T20:27:00.002-06:00

For the last couple weeks in Jr. High Youth group, we have been studying thankfulness (see my last post). Two weeks ago we discussed how Paul was thankful for the community that he was a part of.

This week we discussed Paul's thankfulness for salvation. I think Paul had a little bit better grasp on salvation than we do. Why this is I can only speculate; however, I think it is because getting saved by God was an every day occurrence. If you read through Paul's list of tribulations in 2 Corinthians 11.24ff.:

Five times lashed by the Jews

Three times he was beaten with rods (Acts 16.23)

Once he was stoned (Acts 14.19)

Three times he was shipwrecked (Acts 27)

He was in danger from Jews (Acts 9.23ff.; 9.29; 13.50; 14.5;

He was in danger from Gentiles (Acts 14.5)

He was thrown in prison or under guard (Acts 16.23; 23.35)

Paul seemed to be saved by God a lot during his work. I wonder if that is why Paul seems so much more thankful for the work of Salvation. Salvation, for Paul, is a constant occurrence.

This is what I wanted our jr. highers to understand when we talked about being thankful for salvation. On Wednesday night, our jr. high students met at the north end of Central Park Park. Each group 0f 4 or 5 students was led by a sponsor or parent. Their job was to make the perilous trek 800 yards to the south in to the back room of our church. The room has no windows and only one entrance. Their enemies were 8 of our high school kids with the mission of persecuting our jr. high kids to no end (purple nurples, chest taps, noogies, whatever it takes). Once our students entered the back room I spoke to them about being thankful for their salvation, not only for their evading the persecution, but for their eternal salvation.

I played some gunfire in the background and the muslim call to prayer to let them experience what other Christians are going through around the world. It was a lot of fun. We took communion to end the night; as a celebration of what Jesus did for us to save us from our sins.

Thanksgiving and the Epistles

2009-11-02T13:50:00.006-06:00

What was Paul thankful for? On what occasion did he find to give thanks to God? And what does it matter to Jr. Highers?

Tough questions that will all come to a head in the next couple weeks of Jr. High youth group.

Paul was thankful for all these things and it was very clear that he understood the place of thanksgiving in his life (the attitude not the holiday). It is a constant attitude and action. Paul mentions it third in his list of continual actions in 1 Thessalonians 5. It isn't the only time that he looks for thanksgiving in every action. Colossians 3.17 says: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Paul not only saw thanksgiving as an attitude for life but also an integral part of prayer life. It is interesting how often thanksgiving is attached to our prayer life. Paul reminds us in Phil 4.6 to present our prayers of thanksgiving to God. All to often our prayer lives return to our needs and concerns; but time is rarely spent on thanking him for the work he has already done. But what did Paul really have to say about thanksgiving and what was he thankful for:

(1) Paul thanks God because of the community he is in. In many of the letters that Paul writes he affirms the community of believers with thanksgiving for them. Granted, he upholds different aspects of that community in his thanksgiving (to the Romans he is thankful for their faith [1.8]; to the Corinthians it is the grace God has given in his dealings with them [1 cor. 1.4]; to the Ephesians he is tankful for their faith and their love for one another [1.15]; to the Thessalonians not once but twice [1.2; 1.3]; to Philemon [1.4-5]) but ultimately it is the chance to be in a loving community to of faith that Paul is drawn to. He instructs Timothy to pray and give thanks for all people during the course of his worship (1 Tim. 2.1-2).

(2) Paul is thankful for the gift of salvation. Romans 6.17-18: "But thanks be to God that, through you used to be slaves to sin...you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 7.25 seems to echo that same sentiment. Thankfulness for the gift of salvation is rampant through the works of Paul. The life that he was saved from through his encounter on the Damascus road is a gift that he is thankful for.

(3) Paul is appreciative of the grace that God has lavished upon him (2 Cor. 9.15). Paul is no stranger to the grace of God. He refers to himself as the "worst of sinners" (1 Tim. 1.12ff.). He holds himself up as an example of God's patience and grace. The same can be said of us. We have tested and expended the grace of God...and if God weren't all that he is our lives should have ended by now. Paul understands that the gesture of grace and the gift of grace is a call for thanksgiving.

Paul's thanksgiving was foundational to his contentment in life (Philippians 4.12) and it is key to our own contentment. If we are able to give thanks where thanks is due, it shows that we understand who is in control which allows us to recognize the provisions of God. Contentment lies in knowing the effort; love; and lengths to which God has striven for us. This isnt just a problem for Jr. Highers but for all of us.

My Sister and Jared

2009-10-17T00:10:00.003-05:00

My Sister and Jared are now in Okazaki, Japan (and have been for 2 weeks) working for Mustard Seed Global Fellowship. If you want to keep up with them here is their blog....

http://thefareastforus.wordpress.co m/

There is a link to the right for it as well. Check it out for some cool pictures and video of Japan.

"YOU...

2009-10-07T13:03:00.002-05:00

follow me!" Its an imperative command that Jesus gives to his disciples. He might not use the word "you" but we all know who he is talking about.

Mark 1.17: "Come, Follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

So much has been written about these verses. Some would argue that it was a massive struggle for these guys to drop their nets and follow him. Others contend that it was a great honor to be called to follow a teacher.

Some point out that Jesus wanted these guys to follow him based on their specific skills; others think Jesus picked them explicitly because of their lack of skills.

I don't know about either of these contentions; however, I do know that Jesus called these guys to follow. But Why? Not "why these guys?" but "why follow?" So much learning today is passive, sit in a desk and listen up. So much of the learning then was passive, set in synagogue and listen up or copy this (until later in life when they would learn from a rabbi). Why does Jesus give these guys in-life training? A couple reasons:

(1) Discipleship is a journey. When you look at the book of Mark much of Jesus teaching comes on the way. Life isn't lived at a desk. Theory would only take these guys so far and definitely not through the trials that these guys would face later on. The only way to expect that these guys would come through the trials in life later would be for them to follow someone through their own. Theory just ain't gonna cut it. Mark continually mentions things on the way: his three passion statements in the book of Mark (8.27-9.1; 9.30; 10.32) come "on the way"; he asks the disciples who he is (8.27); he even healed people on the way (10.46). Disciples move and discipleship is a journey.

(2) Discipleship is a reordering of life. It is a placement of his ideals and vision above your own. Take up your cross is a command to relinquish your own desires and personal security to embrace that which is called of you.

(3) Discipleship has no end. A disciple can expect no better than his teacher. His demise will to be yours. And for many of the disciples it was. Discipleship is continuous expectation for the rest of your life...there is no terms and there are no release dates.

The False Worlds We Create (if you don't have time to read it all, just read the last paragraph)

2009-09-20T20:49:00.005-05:00

"Today's youth want to be challenged" -- Wayne West, Jr. High Sunday school teacher, bullfighter

In the last three years as I have been in youth ministry, coached athletics, and worked at bull ridings for adults and youth, I have come to basically the same conclusion.

However, this conclusion has now come to fail me. I find that as I look at many of the situations around me, challenge is not the word I would put with it. Today, many people want security, a quality that we continually provide for our children (often longer than is needed). Here are a couple examples:

My soccer team has actually been in some games this year. I have pushed these kids harder than they really needed pushed, but for the first time in 3 years they are actually a decent team that has a chance of winning when they take the field. Some of these kids have taken me yelling at them as a negative. This year many parents have taken yelling at their precious suzy or timmy as "too aggressive" and "not very nice." Kids are complaining to their parents; parents are complaining to each other. It is not a good situation.

When I was growing up, I played all kinds of sports, excelling at none of them. I have been yelled at many times and in a couple different languages. Why? Because my coach knew I could be better than I was playing. Expecting the best out of people is the only way that you can get the best out of them. Me aiming low is not helping any of these kids get any better at soccer. Me patting tommy on the head and telling him that he is good at soccer isn't helping me, the team, or our chances of winning. If we want to eliminate competition lets get rid of everything that is laborious: instead of "hide and go seek" with its hiding and searching, we could let every kid run free in search of himself. What about instead of "tag your it" we could play "tag your special" with no designated tagger allowing each kid to remind himself or herself (we are going for equality here) that they are special in everyones sight.

That is one of the reasons I love being around the sport of rodeo. If you aint any good...you know pretty quickly. There is absolutely no way of hiding it. If you don't want to try...then you lose every time. And when you lose there is no one back there pointing out moral victories. Yesterday I saw a dad tell his kid to get up and walk out of the arena after being stepped on by a calf. Why is this? Because him lying there in the arena wasn't doing him any good and wasn't doing anyone else any good either.

What worries me is this idea that in sports everyone deserves a chance to play and everyone deserves equal playing time, and no one should get yelled at! We have spent so much time creating these false worlds that protect our kids from all aspects of real life. Upward! basketball and other places where everyone plays equal amounts are for those learning the game and should remain outside the box of common thinking when high school sports comes into play. Pissing and moaning about Johnny getting to play more or a coach yelling is not the correct way to go about anything.

The correct way is to get your butt in the gym, put on a game face, and figure out how far your heart will take you. If it is a matter of skill, a coach can help out, but if it is a matter of the heart then the ball is in your court.

I refuse to say bad things about a coach for this very reason: I have not been at their practice all week to see if little timmy has an ounce of fight in his blood for the ball. I have not been to practice all week to see if he has any kind of coachable spirit. I have not witnessed whether or not my kid has any kind of respect for his teammates or coaches. Therefore I will keep my mouth-shut.

People may disagree with me on that; but as I have seen both sides of coaching and parenting (at their best and at their worst); I cant help but feel uncomfortable about how many people have an opinion about the way coaches handle their business. If you look at them as people who are trying to achieve their own acclaim through the accomplishments of others you might be right. But also remember that they are preparing your student to work hard for everything that they get; to be part of the team even when it is hard; and to find the depth that they have to reach to excell at something. If you ask me, in this no-child-left-behind-world where many graduate and still cant read, sports seems to be the final real preparation for that hard-to-get-along-with-boss, the unfair workplace; the disappointing grade on a college test; or the rejection that comes with life. We don't need less sports; we need more.

PBR Questions

2009-09-09T20:45:00.005-05:00

This might be my fault but I doubt it.

My association with the PBR is small, but my interest in it is great. My home page on my computer is www.pbrnow.com. I get e-mail updates about recent activity within the organization and during competition. This may be my fault for being on the ground floor of all the pbr information.

But I do not know when the PBR became so much like the WWE. One thing that bothers me is the amount of trash talk during the World Cup of Bull Riding. The CEO, Randy Bernard, talked bad about team Canada; JW Hart (team USA's captain) talked bad about Adriano Moras (team Brazil's captain); Team Brazil and team USA talked trash to each other; Cody Lambert talked bad about everyone. It was crazy.

One thing I have really liked about bull riding is the understanding that they are not competing against each other necessarily; but against their bulls. I fought in a freestyle contest the other day, a couple of the guys were talking trash to each other before hand. Not the playful stuff, but the getting in their face and talking smack. Both of them got run over (I refuse to talk trash because Im not good enough to back it up). There is the unwritten rule in my mind that "if you cant beat your bull, you cant beat anyone else." The trash talking didn't need to be there in my mind.

Something else that bothers me about the current state of the PBR is the Television contract with Versus. PBR fell into the same trap as the NHL. Each of them signed a more lucrative contract at the expense of viewership. The PBR would have been better served to take less money and less televised events for the opportunity for greater exposure. To be bumming around on Versus when less primetime, but greater exposure (without having to pay extra for it) is the smarter move.

Other things that bug me is the talk about coaches and the big deal that comes with it. There is nothing wrong with having some one coach you (I would actually endorse it, thanks to Bennie Bob), but the whole discussion came about because of a reride controversy by JB Mauney. He was awarded a reride on a bull, that was a questionable decision by the judges. With the instant replay rule, anyone can hit the button to have a replay viewed. This replay could have overturned the reride option. Having a coach to make the decision for a rider to hit the button seems to be a little to much micromanaging. Bullriding schools have furthered the sport (I was helped out a ton at the bullfighting school). Older riders mentor younger ones all the time, but when it comes to competition, your ability and decision making in competition needs to be all your own.

I think the PBR is the best bullriding in the world. As much as the CBR wants to rival it; the PBR has the best bulls and the best riders in the world. The CBR is on the right track to gaining equality by not bogging themselves down in the trash talking crap; and video replay controversies; and sponsorship for every single aspect including the bells ringing on the underside of the bull.

A thought..

2009-09-04T22:41:00.002-05:00

I was trying to get to soccer practice the other day. I hadn't eaten anything all day, so I decided to stop and get some sustenance at my friendly local Dillions Market. I walked in and grabbed a box of fruit snacks; 2 pizza lunchables and a gatorade.

As I approached the lines at the front of the market in order to pay for my items, there seemed to be a bottle neck at both of the lines that were manned by humans. Each line was filled with 4 or 5 people. I am currently reading a book called Are We Unique? which lays out the differences between human and animal intellect; the last chapter of which lays out the inadequacy of Artificial intelligence. With or without the book I still do not like using the self checkout lanes for four reasons: (1) There is nothing that beats reading the name tag of the high school girl that sacks your groceries and watching her face freak out wondering how this creeper in line knows her name; (2) I saw the Matrix (and in the off chance that robots do actually take over the world, I want to be on the ground floor so you can say that you read it here first), I think that by checking out at the unmanned lanes is simply leading to a machine dominated world; (3) Many have hypothesized that I do not get enough human interaction anyhow, so secluding myself even farther from society is not a wise decision; (4) cant beat human interaction.

Since I was on a deadline and had to be somewhere, I decided to forgo my addiction to human operated conveyor belts and lazers and go with the readily available self checkout lane. As I walked up to the only open lane (should have been my first clue). The nice lay who did the voice overs continually reminded me that I should remove all items from the scanner. After a couple minutes of muttering to myself quietly to myself, but also loud enough for the attendant to hear that the scanner was clean, I decided to move over to one of the other occupied lanes. I move to the only line with one person in it. As a quick reminder underneath the title "Self Checkout" reads the subtitle "Express lane," meaning quicker than others.

The woman in front of me scanned her items in a timely fashion. The problem lies not in her speed of scanning but the fact that she possessed a coupon for every item that she had purchased. Her need to scan each and every coupon that had not been sorted from a coupon book roughly the size of the unabridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo is really what slowed the whole process down. Half of them didn't scan, so the number had to be typed in manually. The 10 minutes that this was going on the whole world, meaning every line around me, was all moving in the direction I desire; my line remained stuck. Luckily after all the waiting she was able to pay for her groceries. Swipe a card; nope. She started placing coins and bills into the slots until she had covered the cost. I did the math in my head. All the time wasted saved her almost 30 cents. Book the cruise and make the down payment on the BMW.

My transaction with 10 less items lasted a total of one minute: the definition of express.

The Struggles of Jr. High Ministry:

2009-09-02T15:45:00.002-05:00

Every now and then a great idea for a series comes into my head. I feel like this series on community is a good one. The thing is, during these series there is usually one lesson that is extremely difficult to teach.

One thing I have realized in my work with Jr. High Students is that they have trouble comprehending really abstract thoughts. How do you explain faith; or hope; or love to Jr. High students?

As a matter of fact: how do you explain them to me?

Word studies just wont cut it. Most of the kids could care less that I can conjugate "elpis".

Its a different world in the days of Middle School ministry.

Long Day

2009-08-25T00:07:00.003-05:00

No matter how much you shove into a day...there are those that expect more than can be alloted for in 24 hours.

Perfect example:

I got crap done this morning at a leisurely pace. Around 11:45 this morning my day got much more hectic. I met Josh Woodard for lunch at Taco Bell where we discussed Oasis conference and the upcoming fiasco that it will inevitably be. I look foreword to working with those guys with it, but trying to do a conference in a place that you cant visit right now is a difficult proposition; especially in this case where those that above me in the ladder have not put as much thought into it as I have and are not in as big of a hurry to get crap done.

Left that meeting to head into the church where I really didn't accomplish much; aside from plugging in my computer and answering questions that I didn't really know the answer too.

Soccer practice started at 4:00 this afternoon. I arrive half an hour early and answered more questions that I didn't really know the answer too. Coached soccer (or what at least could be mistakened for soccer if your eyes were crossed in just the right way) for a couple hours and then went to a coaches meeting.

I was told then that I needed to design a hooded sweatshirt; grade kids for soccer; and that some families had complained that I did not go to meals with the team last year. To this last one I reply that I do not have the money to spend $30 every time we have a soccer game. McDonalds, Taco Bell, or Arbys all fall into my price range and if they would like to accompany me there I will gladly oblige.

After the coaches meeting, I was supposed to stay for the parent meeting. I walked in and introduced myself and then left. The meeting hadn't started yet but my schedule was becoming ever-looming so I decided to speed along the process.

Left there and gassed up my truck. Then went to Tractor Supply to get some 2-4-D broadleaf weed killer to kill weeds at my land. Since it was going to rain tuesday, wednesday, and thursday this week tonight was going to be my only chance to spray this week, seeing as I have to Manhattan on Friday and Joplin on Saturday.

Got the weed killer and drove home. I was home long enough to go to the bathroom and pick up the chainsaw. I drove to my grandma's house to get a sprayer for my weed killer. Tested all of her sprayers and shot the bull for a couple minutes.

Showed up at the land at 7:15 and sprayed weeds until 9:00 p.m. I don't know if it is illegal to spray past dark, but I did. Don't know if it said anything about it in the directions but who knows. Found an infestation of poison ivy, bind weed, lespediza, and johnson grass up there. Killed the first three; but need to get round up for the johnson grass.

I decided to go see my girlfriend at this time. Ate a frozen pizza (my first meal since noon) and watched a half an hour of CSI: Miami. That dude who says the serious stuff all the time is a real piece of work. Left her apartment at 10:30ish to arrive home, where I was promptly questioned about: my whereabouts; my financial ability; my current agenda; my mail; and many other things, which lead me to believe that although I had a quite busy and, in the grand scheme of things, successful day, there are those who would believe that more was to be asked of me. Long Day!

God should have made the day longer like he did in Joshua 10. His was a little more action packed though!

Fredonia Rodeo

2009-08-24T00:15:00.004-05:00

This last weekend was the Fredonia Bullriding.

It was the last chance for a while for Quentin and Colby to ride so we took advantage.

For those of you that were wondering why I was walking funny at church, in the middle clip you can see the calf shove his horn into my stomache and slam me agianst the slide gate; hence the limp and purplish bruising all over my lower back. If you don't understand what you are watching, here is what happened: when Quentin slid down on his calf, it laid down in the chute, and upon returning to its feet he slammed me into the slide gate. End of story.

It was a good time. I cant wait to get my arena built so we can practice up for next season. The Central Park Rodeo team has done well so far without the practice, so I expect great things when we can do this weekly.

Thank you very much to the Kansas Jr. Bullriders Association for all that they do. If you want to see results or a schedule of upcoming events, go to their website at www.kjba.org. It is a great organization for kids to get experience with rodeo. It is a rough stock only organization that puts on shows all over the Central and eastern part of Kansas. If you are interested in rodeoing and from around Topeka, give me a call or shoot me an email and we can make it happen.

Thanks. Great job Colby and Quentin!

A buddy of mine now

2009-07-23T00:37:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago, I was in Falcon, Colorado at Rodeo Bible Camp. Most of you are shocked that they even have one of those things. Yes, it was a legitimate bible camp. Throughout the day each student would do chores; attend worship service, study and practice their rodeo events, and spend quite time with God. Looking back on the things that we had to get done; it is easy to see why I was up 5:15 or 5:30 in the morning to do chores. I wasn’t even aware that God was up at 5:15; but that hour or hour and a half before the kids were up was a blessing to my life that I would rank second amongst his blessings that week. The first was a conversation that happened between the other bullfighter and a student.

The students name was Cody. He actually wasn’t a student. About 3 weeks ago, a bull stepped on his ankle, crushing it. Goodbye rodeo scholarship; Goodbye professional rodeo. He will be out for about 2 months, until he will receive a full ankle replacement at the age of 18. At one of Grandma Jeanie’s four course dinners at camp, Cody was attempting to glorify his injury. The last statement he made was this: “If that bull had killed me that day, dying in the arena doing what I love. I am glad I knew where I was going.” Zac, the other bullfighter called him on it.

“Really?” Zac asked. Cody said yup. “You are really sure you knew where you were going?” Cody was unsure of the follow up question. “Are you positive?”

Zac was like a shark with blood in the water. Zac would be the first to tell you that he didn't always live the Christian life. One fateful night he met the God of this universe very intimately. Since that life-altering night; Zac has been on fire for God. He shoes horses now, and is one of the best farriers in SE Colorado, but there is no question about what (or should I say whom) he has really given his life too.

Cody’s faith had really been circumstance and fluff up to that point and Zac called him on it. He could tell that Cody was fooling himself with his own false bravado. Zac shared his faith with Cody that night. I sat at that table for an hour and a half without saying a word. Cody went foreword that night, was baptized later that week. Talking to him later that week, there was an assurance to his voice about where he was going and whom he was living for.

Zac is one of those guys whose passion has challenged me to rekindle my relationship with God. Funny how you go somewhere to teach and end up learning!

The Mulvane Rodeo

2009-07-20T11:39:00.003-05:00

Colby and Quentin rode down in Mulvane this weekend as part of the Kansas Jr. Bull Riders.

Colby rode his sheep for a score of 64 points. Quentin got bucked off of his holstein calf. It was a pretty good time.

Invocation was given by Jess Pope who also took it to a steer later on with score of 81 points.

Soccer Camp

2009-07-07T21:41:00.002-05:00

Soccer Camp is happening at Boswell Park. In a couple weeks (July 27-31st) there we will be putting on soccer camp for grades k-5. Cost is $15 and each student will receive a soccer ball and a shirt.

Burlington Rodeo

2009-05-28T11:33:00.006-05:00

Colby, Trey, and Quinten Rodeod in Burlington this weekend here's the video.

Restore: Hope

2009-05-28T11:24:00.006-05:00

Today was a very good day. We started it off at morning wake up, with underwear races. The kids were significantly better at it than the sponsors; but we held our own. The band once again was awesome and did a great job of leading worship. During d-group each student was told to write down some pressure, stressful thing in their life, or a sin on a piece of tile. They were told to carry the tile around with them all day. At night in closing his message, Cody challenged them to bring foreword their tile and lay it at the front of the stage, like they are giving it over to Jesus. Cody once again did an excellent job of challenging them from Nehemiah 4. We ended the night by beating each other up on the hanging log.

Restore: Vision

2009-05-26T17:16:00.003-05:00

We are in the middle of our first full day of camp here at Horn Creek. We arrived yesterday at 11.30. The kids are having a blast. So far this has been a great camp. The worship last night was phenomenal. The kids are doing awesome and I think that they are having a lot of fun. Our group is growing very tight so far, this is a great thing.

The first nights theme was Restore: Vision. They were challenged to see the world around themselves and to open up their eyes to the suffering in the world around them. It was very powerful. Ben, Storm, and the band led some rocking worship to start the night off. Cody came in and really challenged them from Nehemiah 1 and 2. Then we hiked up to the tubing hill where we looked up at the stars. It was a great night.

RESTORE: Jr. High Camp 2009

2009-05-21T23:37:00.002-05:00

I am ready to go. I finished the book today. Finished my sign and mosaic last week. Now Jr. High Camp is a short 12 hour bus trip away. WOO HOO!!!

Do you ever get that feeling...

2009-05-06T21:52:00.002-05:00

Its not really of discontentment or regret; dissatisfaction or of worthlessness; but more a curiosity about life. The last couple weeks seem almost like an out of body experience for me. It is almost as if I have been watching my own life unfold like a television show. You can watch the highs and the lows, hearing the music subtly rise and fall with the change in energy level.

I have been able to take a vacation and fight bulls; seen a lot of kids activities; taught some lessons; and even get ready for the summer; over the last couple weeks. Still there is a question of unfulfillment surrounding everything that I do. I reading the other day and one thought kept running through my mind: "I don't even know who I am anymore." So many things have been happening that are out of my element, it seems as though my personality and who I truly am have been swept aside in the currents and rip-tides that life seems to hold.

Hear me on this; this is not a crisis of confidence or a question of belonging or worth; but simply a look into the depth of soul. Charlie Brown is the only other person I have heard voice these thoughts. It cant be just me and big headed charles brown!

Along the Dividing Lines of Hostility

2009-04-29T13:29:00.006-05:00

A school not to far from the church is having an end racism rally this next weekend. I really don't know why, but they keep sending stuff to me. Its not that I don't care about racism or that I am racist, I just find it interesting that schools, by whom most are attempting to free from all relgion, would ask me to come to an end racism rally.

Here are my thoughts on this issue. Any school that teaches the merits of evolution and attempts to free itself from religion, should see the repercussions of racism via this teaching. Race was a vital factor within the rise of evolution. Hear me on this, I am not trying to absolve the church from any wrong doing in the manner of slavery during the 1800's. I know that many churches in the south preached slavery from the pulpit and defended it with the biblical text (some have even gone so far as to suggest black skin as the mark by which we can identify descendants of Cain in Genesis 4.15). However, when you look at the movements for equality and civil rights, it is impossible to distinguish them from religious movements during those times. The civil rights movements of the 60's and 70's were championed and birthed from the pulpit (and possibly stunted and starved by social groups like the black panthers, who based their movement upon Marxist philosophy, and other religiously unaffiliated groups).

My point is this: The only equality that can ever be found, arises in our relationship with God. Only when we view all people as created by God, can we ever begin to put aside the petty differences that we have between men. The ACLU cannot provide equailty; neither can Legislation. Marches and hearings can only change things, if the views behind them are equally founded. The issue at hand is not of rules or actions, but of world-view.

So any school that would like to end racism or any other problem for that matter; please make sure that your own teachings with in the walls help your cause, not hinder them.

The only reason to ever view each other equally, is if we all began at the same point, in the same image, with the same purpose. Without an equal beginning, we will never live in equal living. Only when we we realize that we ALL were created in the image of God (Gen. 1.27); that we ALL have sinned and fall short of what we were supposed to be (Rom. 3.23); and that God desires to have relationship with ALL of us.

Generational Gaps

2009-04-19T08:25:00.003-05:00

I would argue that the world cannot continue to change at its current pace. Interestingly enough the generational gaps are widening, while the generations are narrowing. A look over the last 15 years has brought remarkable change to technology, relationships, and life as we know it. While I do think the rate of change can quicken, I believe that at some point the pace will cease to be improved upon, such as the natural limits for a sprinter in the 100 meter dash (The record can still be improved upon, but will never be 7 flat). Along with technological advances, generations have been mutating faster than we could ever have imagined. From the 1830’s to the 1930’s roughly the same style of dress was worn and the same values adhered too. Likewise, there was little change prior to 1830. Fashion and values have change greatly over the last decade, at constantly increasing rates. Technology, in the same way, has slowly been changing quicker and quicker over the last decade. Cassette tapes held on for 20 years, CD’s are becoming obsolete after 15 (kind of makes you rethink the $300 you dropped on your new ipod, knowing that it might be obsolete in 5 years). VHS tapes went strong for a long while until usurped by DVDs, only to be supplanted by Blue Ray (if you don’t know what that is, ask your kids).

Why the sudden influx in advances and the constant need for change? Walt Mueller in his book Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture, would attribute the change to a fateful day, November 22, 1964, when Kennedy was assassinated. Between the atom bomb and Kennedy’s assassination, the world (and most prominently America) no longer believed in the rise of civilization and the upward trend of humanity. He accredited the rise of postmodern thinking to this twenty year period in America.

I say all this for this very reason, the generations are changing at an ever increasing pace due to a lack of respect for truth and a constant Technological advancement. If the church is unable to keep up and stay applicable; our churches are one generation from dying. The search for answers; hope; and meaning are what the very church was created for.

Just something to think about.

Trey's first ride

2009-04-13T15:39:00.005-05:00

This was Trey's first ride on 1604.

Soundtrack is provided by the PBR Allstars.

We drove to Kingman, Kansas for the Kansas Jr. Bullriders Association on Saturday.

It was a pretty cool experience for him and for me.

Next up: Burlington, Kansas at the end of May.

The kids aren't my whole life...

2009-03-11T21:20:00.004-05:00

so I have decided to write about other things today.

NEW STUFF IN THE WORLD OF TRAVIS!

I am trying to buy a house. My uncle wants me to buy his house in May, but I was looking elsewhere until then. I found one that I thought was cool. It was on three acres in North Topeka. It was 2 and a half acres of pasture with a barn. The people who live it now had horses back there. The house was fairly small but that is all I really need. My Realtor and I were concerned about the sagging of the plaster ceilings. Someone else put a bid in on it this week. I was pretty disappointed. Overall Im sure the decision to wait was a good call, but now I am on to "plan B." My uncles house is here in town. Not sure how much I would like living in town.

My plan was to live in the house I was looking at for 10 or 11 years then move to the Alma pasture. My Family has pasture down there. I would like to buy it from my parents and build down there. If I was to move in town, I think I will try to expedite the process and move down there in 7 years or so. I have to have room to breathe.

As for the relationship status that rocked the world (at least it did in my youth group), I am dating Tricia. Most of you probably bet against me dating someone, so in your face. Don't really have much to say about that.

The house; the relationship; what else?

Went to the PBR in Kansas City on Sunday and got in for free. Good stuff.

Getting ready for our High School all nighter this sunday night. I'm looking foreward to it. Should be a good time.

That is pretty much all that has been going on. Not really much. I played bass in youth band tonight. Its good to have new challenges.

There is nothing like being convicted

2009-03-01T21:52:00.004-06:00

Conviction has a weird way of coming and going. Conviction is not universal. It doesn't even happen every time that something that comes up. You can be perfectly fine with something on Sunday, but convicted on Monday or vice versa. Tonight I was convicted. Though I don't know whether my conviction is in regard to a sin or not, I guess it depends on whether you would call it a sin.

I am herby repenting of "hurry." I had this same feeling a couple weeks ago (see here), but tonight's conviction was worse.

I have succumb to the idolatry of hurry. I call it idolatry for lack of a better term. The symbol could be a watch or something (we already have them in gold, so it would save us the time of making one: dang it I did it again). Sure others might have it worse, or struggled with this type of idolatry longer, but I have now made a life of it.

We talked about hurry tonight at youth group. John Ortberg in his book The Life You've Always Wanted says this: "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day." If there is one group that struggles with it more without noticing it, I think it is High School Students. Trying to balance a social life (both friends and more-than-friends); athletics; work; family; and school; their life can turn into post-it-note calendars and be reduced to reheated meals. Without noticing, my life had turned into this mockery, where I bowed to nothing but my calendar. 24 hours in a day just wasn't enough.

My biggest problem was this: I didn't realize what it was doing to my relationship with God.

After reading through some of Luke, I saw two stories back-to-back that can explain the effects of hurry. In Luke 10.30ff. Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I wonder about the Priest and the Levite. Did they pass by because they were on their way somewhere and didn't want to be bothered? Did they pass by to protect themselves? Why did these men skip this guy? It doesn't really matter, I guess. They skipped him because to stop would have been to waste time. They had better things to be doing. The Samaritan; however, apparently had time to kill. He came to the man (33); bandaged him up (34); poured oil and wine on his wounds (34); took him to an inn (34); apparently spent the night with him; came back the next day (35); and apparently came back one more time to see him because he said he would (35). Serious time invested in this guy for no better than he new him. I'd say he pretty much cleared his schedule to be with this guy. Ortberg says: "Love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love always takes time, and time is one thing hurried people don't have." When you look at Jesus in the book of Luke, he is constantly interrupted by people. I am not sure, but I can't think of a single time Jesus hurried. Not once did he not have time for people, or rush through something. Everything seemed to happen at his pace.

If the Samaritan had been me, my agenda would have come first, and that guy would still be lying there. Hurry gets in the way of us loving people.

Second thing hurry does: takes our focus off of God. The never next story is about Martha and Mary. Martha is distracted by all the preparations that had to be made (40), but Mary is was sitting at Jesus feet (39). A person hurrying is a person missing the presence of God. Hurry makes us buzz through the blessings of God. Hurry makes us miss the work of God. Hurry preoccupies us from seeing God's movement, feeling God's heartbeat, and hearing God's words.

2 stories with remarkably similar people: some who were too hurried to see God and his work; some who sat aside their own agenda for his sake.

Sadly enough, I know which one(s) I am in these stories. But in the words of Dan Aykroyd's character in Tommy Boy: "The first step is identifying it the second is washing it off."

Celebrate Jesus, Celebrate

2009-02-22T11:53:00.002-06:00

"I am joy impaired." John Ortberg first said it, I live it. Sure enough my joy level is not what it should be. Augustine said the "Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot." I have a little celebration in my right pinkie but thats about it. As I have been preparing for our youth group lesson tonight, I found something interesting.

Any contact that you have with the trinity has as a byproduct: joy.

Luke 15 tells the story of the wayward son. When he reunites with his Father, joy leaps off the page.

John 15 has Jesus explaining the purpose of his statements. He told the disciples this so that his joy in them might be complete.

Galatians 5 lists the fruits of the Spirit. Joy is the second one mentioned.

This finding raises some questions in my own life?

Is my lack of joy due to the limited contact I experience with God? If joy is really a byproduct of that realtionship, what's wrong with my relationship?

BELIEVE CONFERENCE

2009-02-11T21:21:00.008-06:00

Last weekend, 19 of our kids and 4 of my sponsors took the long trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma for Believe Conference.

It was a great weekend. Our kids love going on trips like that. Believe is a 24 hour event that is solely devoted to teaching to Jr. High Students. Everything from programing to material is centered around short attention spans. I love it because I think like a Jr. High student, and learn like a Jr. High Student. This year they studied through Jeremiah 1, and the call on his life. The theme was "Speak." Following Jesus was easier for me in Jr. High than really doing anything with it, so I thought it was an awesome theme.

What the kids got out of it, I cant be sure. Call me pessimistic, but I think most of my kids have heard most of it before. A majority of my kids had grown up in church and Christian school, so this was nothing new to them. I was really challenged by it, but many of them seemed almost immune to the fact that anything was going on. The worship was really good and they liked that. I don't really know a good way to prep for a conference like this, so Im not sure how this stuff really effected them.

Honestly, I felt my high schoolers who went to help got more out of it than anyone. They seemed to have grown closer and talk about this experience constantly. I have one who wants to be Brent the Stunt guy, and another who is a little "Eric the Painter."

Between Jared Hall the illusionist (who was awesome), the Rubyz (good stuff too); and the aforementioned it was a great weekend. I thoroughly recommend it for everyone.

It was a great week, and our kids came back fired up to worship, but I am not sure how fired up they were to "Speak."

The Political effect on Jr. High Ministry

2009-02-04T21:57:00.002-06:00

I knew it was coming; however, this soon was a surprise. Party affiliations are just one thing that has now crept into Middle School ministry. Didn't see that coming. I thought we were going to have a fight tonight about it.

Every now and then you have one of those, What-on-earth-am-I-doing-with-my-life-moments, in youth ministry...just another one happened tonight. They arn't as often now as in the beginning, but still so hilarious.

Here at Central Park, we are somewhat diversified congregation on Wednesday nights. Every other day of the week we are a middle class white congregation. Wednesday nights bring in families with money, without money, or somewhere in between. We have hispanic kids, white kids, and black kids under this roof every Wednesday night. For a brief glimpse, the Church looks like the ethically-barrier free, non-culture-bound entity that it was made to be. It is awesome.

Tonight we discussed obedience, out of Daniel 1. The purpose was to show them how obedience in small things allows us to become more obedient in larger things. Daniel 1 practices Daniel for the Lions den in Daniel 6. Daniel 1 sets the stage for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.

The question was simple: What is obedience? They answered swiftly and correctly.

Is there anyone who is difficult for you to obey? Suddenly a more conservate student raised his hand.

"Caleb, lets hear it." I said.

His response was fitting considering his infatuation with war and history. "Obama!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

I began to laugh. "Why, Obama?"

"Because he wants to take our guns and distribute wealth."

I composed myself briefly, in order to move on. Question time at jr. high youth group, is always and adventure, that I try to move through as quickly as possible. But in less time than it took you to read the last statement, one of our more "fiery" (for lack of a better term) neighborhood girls named Mykayla shot a glance his direction that slightly resembled the way Frodo looked when possessed by the ring, shot her arm over the back of the pew and yelled, "Don't you be talking about my Obama." I thought she was coming over the pew at him. In rage and in muscle, I think she had the upper hand.

I would have been worthless protecting him, because the second the words came out of her mouth, tears came out of my eyes. I fell onto the floor, writhing in my own laughter. For the life of me, I don't remember what I said in response, but whatever it was, it came in the spurts of breathing. I don't know where the lesson went from there, I honestly cant remember, but I am sure it wasn't good.

Afterward we had cinnamon rolls and shot army men with rubber bands. Fitting.

Post Script:

Watched all 3 Lord of the Rings films this last week on the advice of a couple of my high schoolers. I have one question: the stares between Frodo and Sam seemed awful seductive? It seemed like every time they looked at each other, it was awful long and awkward.

Started reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. It is a phenomenal book. Great story and great apologetical study. I love it and can't wait to finish it tonight.

Super Bowl Party!

2009-02-01T22:09:00.005-06:00

The day of the Superbowl was only more busy for the men who suited up tonight. It is fitting that my last blog was on hurrying, because that is what I felt like I was doing all day. Did Kurt Warner have to build sub sandwhiches before church? Did Troy Palumalu pull his groin playing flag football?

This morning we as a youth group made 144 sub sandwiches in order to raise money for CIY and Jr. High Camp. I showed up later than I wanted, and did not have enough tomatoes. Stress level 8.5

I was counting money right after church, waiting for the last person to leave, so I could deliver the only 2 subs I sold. Stress level 6

I drove home (15 minutes) and dropped off two sandwiches (taking 3 minutes) and then drove back into town (15 minutes). Stress level 7

I stopped at Walmart to get a couple things for the party and to grab a football for our youth group superbowl football game. Stress level 3 (the people at Walmart get me)

Football went well; however, trying to spread the ball around to 12 people on your team is difficult. Stress level 2

The party was ok; we moved a couch into the balcony, since our seating is gone. We kicked empty two liter bottles at a make shift field goal assmbled on the stage. We tailgated in the balcony...it was awesome. There are times when I don't connect well with some of our kids. I don't know what to do about that. I want to do my job well, which stresses me out. Stress level 9

After most of the kids left, I was able to hang out with someone I have grown fond of. After talking to her, I felt alot better, plus it was much anticipated on my part. I needed that. Stress level 1

All in all it was a good day.

Hurry up and read this!

2009-01-30T16:12:00.003-06:00

I have been reacquainting my self with an old friend. I first read John Ortberg's book, The Life You've Always Wanted, my sophomore year of college. If you are looking for a solid book on the spiritual disciplines, that is a pleasure to read, this is the perfect book for you. He takes a real simple approach in showing the effect that spiritual habits have on your life.

I have been reading a couple books on the disciplines in preparation for an upcoming series in both Jr. and Sr. High Youth Group. I was reading the chapter on "slowing" last night. Ortberg lumps this idea of slowing down into the realm of a discipline. I was first greatly intrigued that he would put something like this in there. First I was confused, then I was convicted. Jesus often withdrew and I can't think of a single example of him rushing through something. Ortberg makes three great statements about hurry:

"Love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love always takes time, and time is one thing hurried people don’t have."

"Following Jesus cannot be done at a sprint. If we want to follow someone, we can’t go faster than the one who is leading.”

"Hurry is not just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart."

My life is hectic, by no other fault than my own. I realized this as I swung around the fourth straight car on Topeka Blvd. for no other reason that she was going 2 mph under the speed limit. As I muttered under my breath at her, my thoughts went back to this chapter.

Ortberg gives homework in this book. One of the tasks for this section was to deliberately drive in the slow lane and stay there. Making a conscious effort to slow down is a task that is easier said than done.

Jeremiah and the middle schoolers

2009-01-28T21:03:00.002-06:00

Worship was a bit different tonight. Instead of having our youth band lead us it was a hodgepodge of different sights, sounds, and sanities. We started out tonight with a little kids worship dvd with all the smiling people. Second we moved on to Shackles; a song about the freedom we have in Christ, in not so big of words. Lions and Romans 16 rounded out the worship set. Singing Romans took me back to King Solomon Christian Camp with Harold Pittman on lead vocals.

In our small groups, the kids looked up different passages of scripture that talk about one aspect of the word of God. Its like a sword (Hebrews 4.12); its like lamp and life preserver (Psalm 119.105-107); its like food from God (Deuteronomy 8.3); it is eternal (Matthew 24). Exodus 4.11-12 is God telling Moses that he will speak for him.

Jeremiah is an interesting character, who has a conversation with God about the words he will take to his people. The words that we speak when we are performing God's will are the words that God has given us. That amazes me! The words that we speak when performing the tasks of God, are the words that God speaks through us. If you look at the life of Jeremiah, he faced some issues that face middle schoolers. Peer pressure and bullying in Jeremiah 28. Ostracization in Jeremiah 38.

Afterward we played flour Jenga. Essentially you build a sand castle out of flour, with a sweet tart on top. Each kid sticks a toothpick into it, trying not to demolish it. Which ever kid knocks it over, they have to pick up the sweet tart with their mouth. We made a mess of the sanctuary, and many of the kids' black shirts, but all in all it was a success.

BTW: We still need a gym or large area...or a big warm front.

Advocacy: Who's side am I on?

2009-01-27T15:25:00.004-06:00

I have always seen my job as a cultural go between, with the hope and ambition of working myself out of a job.

I understand that this is a mouthful, but as you break it down, it makes more sense. The way I see my job as youth pastor is not as a go between from parents and teenagers, but as a cultural bridge builder, whose purpose is to understand both cultures and teach both the methods and techniques to relate. The working myself out of job is my hope that as adults and youths learn how better to connect so that I will become unneeded.

Of course the other half of my job is leading kids to fall in love with Jesus, but for the time being I would like to focus on the previous statement.

Part of my job is to understand facebook, the social hierarchy of middle school, the appeal of halo, and exactly why punching is flirting in Jr. High.

Part of my is also spent informing parents on facebook, the struggles of high school, teenage relationships, and other things that their kids are dealing with.

So it begs the question: If the parents don't know these things, is it because the kids don't want them to know?

I am not talking about any particular circumstance at all, but the overall understanding that parents have of the teenage world. It is just like when your parents came to your grade school when you were a kid. For all you knew, they didn't have a clue what went on there; but suddenly the world where you can be your own person, smashes headfirst into the world where you will always be a mama's boy. See what I mean? The teenage world is very mysterious (and way overblown in movies) and I wonder if that is how the teens like it?

Last week, Jason Hildebrandt and I gave a workshop for parents about FaceBook (very few showed up, but that is a different article for a different time). I was reprimanded by a couple students for teaching their parents this teen-only tool.

Part of the teenage appeal, is that fact that parents will shake their head in frustration as they try to understand.

So who's side am I on?

I don't really know!

Infamous and famous mean the same thing

2009-01-16T13:47:00.002-06:00

My students have an inflated view of me. Those surrounding me at the church are in the same boat.

Once and for all, I would like to set the record straight.

Last year was my first year on the Oasis Conference planning board. As we were looking for a speaker, I had mentioned something about Steve Carter from Mars Hill. Some how, word got out that I knew Rob Bell (from the Nooma fame).

I do not know Rob Bell; have never met Rob Bell; and cannot ever see myself meeting Rob Bell.

This whole puffed up view of me as a person was only continued at CIY. This year at CIY, we had Matt Bayless as our band. Me and Matt got to spend a whole summer together a couple years ago, working for CIY. He's a great guy, who is very talented.

My kids would see me talking to him and immediately understand me as cooler than I really am.

Most of my girls at CIY had a crush on a guy by the name of Brandon from St. Louis Christian College. In order to embarrass them, I walked up to him to point my girls out to him. As I reached him, I ask, "Are you Brandon from St. Louis?"

He answered, "Yes, how did you know?"

To which I replied, "You're kind of a big deal!"

At this point, Tommy the drummer walked by and shouted "Hey, T-Long!"

Brandon looked at me and asked, "Are you T-Long?"

I said, "Yes, how did you know?"

He answered, "you're kind of a big deal!" We proceeded to have a pretty good talk after that.

Why do I tell these stories? Because last night I was trying to defend my anonymity. I reassured someone that I fly under the radar most places I go.

We walked into Starbucks and a guy from behind the counter yelled out my name. I hadn't seen him in a while so I talked to him for a minute. I chalked it up to random chance.

We left there, because the saxaphonist sounded like he was dying, and went to Barnes and Noble. As I approached the counter to pay for my books, the woman behind the counter, whom I have never seen before, said, "Who are you? I see you at every Seaman event, and people are always trying to talk to you?"

These two events did not help my anonymity defense. For my kids that read this...I assure you that most of the world is oblivious to my existence. Though you have seen me rub elbows with some of the finest people alive, I promise you my life is relatively small compared to the greater existence of the human race.

To all those concerned:

2009-01-14T16:09:00.003-06:00

As I write this, there is a countdown timer inside my head ticking ever faster until six o'clock tonight. What happens at six o'clock you might ask: a convergence upon Central Park Christian Church by all ages; young and old alike. Jeff's childrens celebration downstairs is a Wednesday night dinner and lesson for area kids from 5th grade down to pre-school. He has at his disposal the fellowship hall and 3 class rooms. Our fellowship hall is the only large room we have in our 80 year old building. In the balcony, the womens bible study will meet in one of our class rooms. Across the street, the mens bible study will reside in one of their class rooms. Sandwiched in the middle of this mayhem will be me, alongside 25-30 rowdy jr. highers. I say middle because it is literally the middle of the building. Our second floor consists of offices; a parlor (a long narrow room with carpet); and an 80 year-old sanctuary, that looks as though Martin Luther could have graced its pulpit. As Churches are prone to do, our people protect our sanctuary. There is to be no running, eating, puking, drinking, aerobic exercises, smelling, pinching, or any other acts of non-reverence.

Paul talks about contentment in Philippians. I doubt the coveting of a gym was really in Paul's mind there, but I guess it applies. I am not saying the church needs a gym; however, for the sanity of the youth pastor i.e. me, a large room or any structure where energy can be expelled would greatly prolong my mental capacities as well as my patience.

To all those who are considering a $500,000 offering this weekend and still setting on the fence about it, I hope this plea finds you. Just know that you will not only be furthering God's kingdom, but saving me a butt-load of psychiatric bills and anti-depressants in my old age.

My Beat Down (redux)

2008-12-16T13:01:00.004-06:00

In this egotistical, pride filled, and self-righteous society of ours it is very rare to find a man that admits his own short comings. I am not one of those men: I am weak. In my defense I have always been muscled-challenge. I knew it all along. In grade school they used to make us do chin ups in front of the whole class. I never did a chin up until my 7th grade year. Every year it was zero chin ups for me. In Jr. High we used to lift weights, I was unable to participate in the bench press because the bar was 45 pounds, which was way too heavy for a boy of my size. I didn't participate in the bench press until my sophomore year of high school. But it was then and there that I found me a sport that does not need any upper body strength at all: long distance running. Here were 100 other guys who could no more fill out their tank tops than I could. Sure enough I never had to lift a heavy object again. One summer I did get to the point where I could bench 120 lbs 10 times in a row, for 3 sets. I almost looked as if I had pecks, but soccer season came and I reverted back into my weakling stage. I was merely an ugly duckling in this mean swan filled world (the swans being muscular and strong).

Why do I bring this up you ask? Well it all hit the fan the other night.

A couple years ago, a couple friends and I were setting at Cheddars restaurant. We noticed this large, behemoth of a man setting at the table next to us. Lucas Littles told me to challenge him to an arm wrestling match. As previously established my upper body strength is not something that anyone would desire. The way I see it, there is just too much time involved to make myself look anywhere near a normal weight for someone my height (plus it is embarrassing when you are straining to bench press 80 lbs down in the gym, when surrounded by guys who have no purpose in life other than to lift heavy things that don’t really need to be lifted). This guy would have killed me. I decided that it would be advantageous for me to back down from the challenge. You can call it cowardice. You can call me a panzee. I don’t care, what am I going to do fight you? I backed down. Then the idea was purposed (I believe by Josh Brown, but can’t be quoted) that I should arm wrestle the waitress.

Any guy who has been in this situation knows that it is a no win situation at this point. There is no way to gracefully beat her; because if you do you will be labeled a jerk. However; if you let her win, the five guys surrounding me will never let it go. As it was, they had all of their cell phones out recording the grudge match. Behind our table there was a table of a couple guys who had been at the restaurant the entire time we had been there. I had lost count of the number of margarita's and beers that their table had consumed, but it was well over the amount that any self respecting adult should partake of in public. One of the guys at my table turned to them and informed them that I would be arm wrestling the waitress. The leader of the group (I deduced that he was the leader by the fact that he was the first to speak, the most drunk, and the most incoherent) began to speak to me in what sounded like a Cajun accent. Sure enough it could have been simply a southwest Missouri accent, but he was so inebriated that your guess is as good as mine. This man began threatening me with embarrassment should I lose. He threatened to hang me upside down from the rafters, like a piñata, if she was to beat me. This in fact would be where my nickname from him would come from. For the rest of the night he would refer to me as piñata.

The waitress made her way over to our table and promptly informed us that she was having a rough night. She was responsible for all of the tables on the patio, which judging from the quality of the people that I had observed there, seems to have been quite the ordeal. Upon setting at our table she let me know that she had a lot of pent up rage from the night. This posed a serious problem for me. (1) She was kind of scary. (2) The rage that she was carrying was apparently at this point allocated in my direction. At this point in time no clear cut solution presented itself, so I proceeded on with the match. We grabbed hands. Just as our hands met, moron #2 from the drunken table walked over and placed his hands on top of ours. He had appointed himself referee. Suddenly this has taken a turn for the serious. We got the paparazzi made up of all of my friend’s video taping with their cell phones. We have the hecklers, meaning the drunk guy that is affectionately calling me “piñata” at the top of his lungs. Servers and bus boys are taking breaks to watch, and I wasn’t sure, but I think I heard it announced over the intercom. Plus there is the referee, who now has my hand and her hand in a death grip. There was no backing out now. Why is it that we feel it necessary to maintain our pride in front of complete strangers?

I really felt good about my odds. That is until I heard the word “go.” At that point, as opposed to letting go of our hands and allowing us to fairly arm wrestle, he slams mine and her hand in the direction that she was aiming for and declared her the winner. It was over in less than a second. Now this story is completely true, but is currently lacking the video evidence. If you look really closely at the video tape, you can see glimpses of him helping her out. But the tape hides it quite well. I am not lying to you here. I was cheated. Now without any pride, and any dignity, I stand before a broken and dejected man. For I know that I was cheated and am unable to prove it. Part of me wants a rematch. Part of me wants to forget being beaten, even if it was cheating.

I guess this does save me the embarrassment of actually losing. But I still think I could have taken her.

Why do I tell the previous story; because the other night at youth group,

I WAS ONCE AGAIN BEATEN UP BY A GIRL!

Where as the waitress was in her twenties, I was dominated at youth group by a 15 year old girl who will never be in the position to have to lie about her weight. She might go 75 pounds on a good day. I was watching the Cowboys game in the fellowship hall when she snuck up on me. She approached me on my six; while I was unaware (I would like to let all people know that this was an unprovoked attack). Her next move was to strike me with a fun noodle in the back of my head. She did this twice. I grabbed the nearest fun noodle and went to pummeling her. During the course of this epic battle (which I was winning), I knocked her weapon out of her hand. It had landed behind her on the tile floor of the fellowship hall. Understanding that upon her retrieval she would once again use the noodle to attack me, I had to win the race for retrieval. Throwing caution to the wind, I threw myself, head first, at the motionless noodle. My hand graced the foam, just as my shoulder hit her calf, throwing her off balance and into a sitting position on my head. Her landing on my head drove my orbital into the tile floor, opening a nice gash above my left eye. Blood poured down both sides of my eye. The bleeding finally stopped. It could probably use a couple stitches, but I don’t really want to deal with the hospital to get them.

Earlier in my ministry one of my sponsors broke his nose on a kids shoulder while playing a game. At the hospital he was more concerned about how Jake felt, the owner of the shoulder that broke his nose. In that same position, I thought Ramsey was going to cry. I felt bad for her because it wasn’t her fault, but she was really concerned.

Here is what my eye looked like, post bloodshed.

I fear that in an effort to be cutting edge,

2008-12-03T21:47:00.004-06:00

we have ignored the foundations and subsequent learning’s of others.

In the past week I have read two books. The first was a book about hymns and the stories that surrounded many of the hymns that were sung years ago. The other was a book called the Barbarian Way, by Erwin McManus. I am not new to McManus. I have read Uprising and Seizing Your Divine Moments, which were written by him as well. While reading this, I found his overall distaste for any kind of establishment and tradition to really turn me off of his whole idea. I might be reading to far into it; however, I think you find the same overtones within uprising.

I went to a Bible College where many traditions are age old and conservatism is more prevalent than some others. There were some rules there that I did not understand. We could not have long hair (which I have been told has now changed). We could not smoke or drink. We could not wear shorts to class. We had to be in the dorms by a certain time. Some of my class mates took offense to these rules. Some chose not to follow them, for the simple reason that they were outdated and traditional. The same attitude is given to religion as well. Oh wait, I am not allowed to say that word. "Religion" has become synonymous with traditional and lackluster. What is a religion? A set of beliefs or practices. From the root word "rely."

I can't count the number of facebook pages that say

“Religious Views: Its not a religion, its a relationship.”

So what you have there, trendy and cutting edge individual, is a relationship based upon no belief, no trust, and no practices if it is not a religion. This is not about semantics, nor do I wish to imply that there is no substance to the fact that it is a relationship; however, at least understand the meaning of religion before giving it a bad repoir.

It is called a religion because it is a set of beliefs and practices that have evolved over the years, in a manner that has greatly affected the generation before you. There are a great number of men and women, who are respected that were brought up in this “religion” that many are quick to trash should the word religion take on a negative connotation. Many were raised singing hymns and dressing up for church.

Challenging the status quo is not something that I do well or often. I tend to swim along with the current on most things. One thing I have noticed about may of those who take a stand to be different and cutting edge, who cut down the traditions and beliefs just because they can, do it for that very reason. They can! It really isn't about a rededication to the original gospel, to get to know Jesus, or even to deeper commune with God, it is the understanding that they will get attention. McManus does it to sell books. Some preachers will go up on stage and say something to challenge everyone, not for the purpose of better communication, not the betterment of their congregation, or even that they believe it, but for the purpose of attracting attention to themselves. If you make a statement, that you have to spend the next 40 minutes explaining, then it was probably better served not to make it.

As for the rules and traditions at school, Jesus called you to a life of submission. How can you submit to him, if you are unable to follow completely arbitrary rules that have no bearing on your own devotion to him. You are not growing your hair long to get to know him better, you are not willing to cut your hair because you don't want to. John has some words for that: "he must become greater, I must become less."

Often times our own rebellion to the status quo is just that, it is "our" own wants and desires that are really placed before anything else. I don't condone doing church as it always has been done, just think before changing it: "Is this for me, or is it for the advancement of His kingdom."

My advice to all those who desire to write a cutting edge book that challenges the way everyone thinks and challenges many traditions that church members hold dear: understand them before changing them. If you can't understand why something was done a particular way (for example the reason a set of beliefs is called a religion, or why a church sang hymns), then you have no business changing it. Should you begin to understand why, ask yourself the reason for the change.

This blog’s purpose is simply this: I work with youth. I have been a youth most of my life, and acted like a youth most of college. The negative light upon which tradition and religion, has been shone, is done by people who either do not understand, or do not wish to relinquish their own ego to acknowledge. There are times to be cutting edge. There are times when proper respect needs to be given to how thing have evolved. In our effort to be trendy and current, let us not neglect the foundations upon which the church was built. There is a mid way point I fear some have passed in an effort to be cutting edge. It is a line that is easily bypassed in youthful exuberance and narrow vision.

In every party there is a party pooper!

2008-12-01T13:19:00.005-06:00

The shepherds made it. So did the heavenly hosts. Mary and Joseph were there. And of course the guest of honor had arrived. He lay there in his feed box, minding his own business, soiling his own swaddling clothes. We don't know when Herod found out about this potential usurper (could have been 2 years later), but when he did he was distressed (Matt. 2.3). Herod was not a nice guy. When he was getting ready to die, he had many leaders of the people locked up in the hippodrome to be killed upon his death. Why? So that people would mourn his death vicariously through the death of their loved leaders.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is a tale that has survived through generations.

Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Who down in Who-ville beneath
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.

"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer.
"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming!"

I cannot speak to whether Suess had this story in mind when penning his words, but they definitely seem applicable. Herod hated everything about this time. He hated the fact that his kingdom was being challenged by this infant. He hated that he was duped by wise men. And he tried his hardest to keep Christmas from coming.

Without the intervention from God, he would have succeeded. Without the dream to Joseph, to go to Egypt, we would be in a world of hurt. Without the intervention of God, there would be no joy in who-ville.

What did Paul pray for?

2008-11-17T14:16:00.003-06:00

What ever he prayed for, I can guarantee you that the prayer life he cultivated was far from the "God bless my family, keep me safe, and be with the starving children of Darfur." that has infiltrated my prayer life. As an American people, our recent prayers have been for the nation, the economy, for peace, and for prosperity. For along time, I have really wanted to study what it was that Paul devoted his prayer life too. If there was ever a guy who seemed to have the attention of God, it would have been Paul (second only to Jesus probably). So what was it that Paul prayed for?

Throughout the letters of Paul, he is constantly praying for the recipients of his letter. As I studied his prayers for the church, I couldn't help but notice that mine seem so shallow in comparison. Something, be it depth or outlook, seems strangely absent from my prayer life.

Two things that Paul prayed for seemed to come to the fore front yesterday. Two items seemed at this time of the year to shine brighter than the others.

1. Paul gave thanks for the people in his life. It is of no coincidence that many of Paul's prayers found themselves in the midst of his thanksgiving. Holidays are a stressful time. Tensions run higher, schedules are more hectic, and we find ourselves in close contact to the people around us. Paul takes his relationships with people to God, and gives thanks for them. A healthy habit for us to partake of near this time of year. That is what this holiday is about, giving thanks for the people around you.

2. Paul prayed for power and love in the recipients of the book. This weekend was Persecuted Church Sunday. Stacy talked about her friend in China and the way that Christians live over there. I talked a bit about my friends in North Africa. We talk constantly about missionaries who go to persecuted countries, but overlook the fact that their children go through the same things. We prayed for them. That their love may increase and that God's power will take them over. On Persecuted Church Sunday, we talked about Paul's continual prayer for the power and love of God to come upon people.

Do you now see how a prayer life like mine can pale in comparison? I offer up egotistical prayers for self preservation and blessings for those who wish to aid and abed me. As for praying for your enemies, not so much. Praying for others to know Christ, falls behind my own prayers for my own comfort and security.

I found myself greatly convicted by this study. As for the high schoolers that studied this as well, I cannot be sure what they were thinking. It is my hope that prayer lives have changed, as I know mine has.

Anatomy of Gray

2008-11-14T13:27:00.004-06:00

Last night, I was given the privilege, nay the pleasure of watching the Seaman High School play. I was really there to watch a couple of my kids star in it; but still it was a great way to spend a Thursday night. Becca Sells was one of the lead roles; June Mouldon. If you have seen the play, and know Becca; the acting part could not have been very difficult for her. Her character is really just a portrayal of who she is off of stage. One point during the show, had the doctor limited her character to only one question a day. This is a strategy that has crossed my mind with Becca as well. The day dreaming, the questions, the overall disposition of her character was simply Becca. She did phenomal. Nathan was a townsperson. He was actually the understudy for a character named Homer. If you knew Nathan, his disposition would be better suited for the Doctor; however, he would have made a fine Homer. He did a fine job of entering and exiting on cue.

A couple things I learned about plays:

1. It is common to bring the leads flowers for their performance. I took flowers to Becca for the Nutcraker last year, but was unaware of this tradition in theatre as well.

2. I do not pay good enough attention during key parts of the play. Relying on the rewind button on my DVD player gets me through movies. There is no rewind on theatre.

3. I am not made to understand the end of plays.

SPOILER ALERT (due to the nature of this section the ending will be given away)

When I was in 4th grade, I watched Seaman High School put on DAMN YANKEES. During the final act there was a bomb threat on the school. I have never got to see the end of the play. Does he get his soul back? What happens to Lola? I still live in constant turmoil over the ending.

Anatomy of Gray ended with two healthy people and a baby sailing off down the river. The doctor then finds the problem with the water. End of play. I have never been more angry with an ending in all my life. I have a healthy respect for those who tie up all the loose ends. If I wanted to imagine an ending, I would make up my own story. Leonard (the author) is telling me a story then leaving me hanging, which is rude.

Overall I loved the play, enjoyed hanging out with Clay in the back, and loved getting to see my kids act.

The Capital Journal wrote about it here: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/111308/lei_355452739.shtml

“The last of human freedoms is to choose ones attitude in any given situation.”

2008-10-15T21:09:00.005-05:00

Vicktor E. Frankl penned these words in his book, Man's Search For Meaning. He was discussing his own imprisonment at the hands of the Germans. His home had become a concentration camp with thousands of other Jews, who really had no hope. Frankl noticed a difference between those surviving and those who were dying. The one's who were most healthy were the ones that decided that they still had some kind of control over their futures. A simple decision of what to eat first on their meager plate was enough to keep some sane. Those who were dying by the day, were the ones who had given up and conceeded all hope and most of all, all choices. They essentially were the walking dead.

Most of you know that we have been discussing the relationships we have with our parents during Jr. High youth group. You might be asking yourself what Vicktor Frankl has to do with getting along with parents. No, their lives are not like concentration camps. However, the attitude that they chose to address this relationship with, will determine the outcome; just as Frankl noticed a connection to attitude and survival.

In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us that our attitude should be the same as Jesus. He goes on to explain the humble and service oriented attitudes that Jesus displayed. The word translated attitude was used back then to mean the "diaphragm." The muscle that cause the lungs to inhale and exhale. The diaphragm determines the nature and strength of the breath and hence the human spirit and its emotions. Therefore, our very nature, our very essence, should be the servant attitude displayed by Jesus in John 13, when he washed the disciples feet and ultimately his work on the Cross.

I challenged the Jr. High kids to take this servant attitude home to their parents, as an example of who they are following. Easier said than done.

Then we threw Marshmallows in the air and tried to catch them. The guys caught 66 from Ian (who washed his hands first), but the girls didn't do as well.

Spiritual Fatigue

2008-10-12T21:28:00.005-05:00

Many years ago, I was blessed to have been able to run with some good guys on the Seaman Cross Country team. I stunk at it. I have since seen video's of myself running then that makes me question their friendship. If they were truly my friends, they would have told me to take up something that would fit my athletic ability a little bit better, like competitive cup stacking or something. To this day they are some of my best friends. On our long runs as a team, I remember getting so tired that throwing myself under an 18-wheeler looked appealing. We used to have discussions about the proper entry angle so as not to kill yourself, but at least limit the use of your legs so you wouldn't have to finish the six mile run.

Last weekend, I was able to go watch the MCC-Ozark Soccer game. Seeing a lot of those guys helped me to remember simpler days, where the theory of theology caused a lot less headaches than the practical theology that I face today. Relationships are difficult, and quite frankly more work than I had ever imagined. A couple of summers ago, I was faced with a difficult relationship as I worked with CIY. Nate Karnes taught me a lot about how to deal with it. That was 3 months of awkwardness and misunderstanding. But it was so much simpler knowing that relationship would come to an end...these now must go on indefinitely.

Relationships are hard work, needing constant maintenance. I am now starting to realize how much of your spiritual health affects the relationships you have and vice versa. When I am tired relationally...I notice that instead of running to scripture, it is easier to run away. When I am tired spiritually...I avoid relationships. Spiritual health is celebrated communally. It is shared communally.

Spagetti Dinner

2008-10-05T21:31:00.003-05:00

I serve a church of about 300 people. There are 4 full time staff members and three part time. simply stated, a little over 1 percent of our congregation is full time staff and a little over 2 percent are any kind of staff at all.

Under these circumstances, it is simple to see that a church without the support and input from a volunteer contingent would suffocate itself to death.

Tonight, we celebrated our youth sponsors; the people who do all the little things to make this youth group go. The people who spend countless hours teaching, praying for, and leading our kids.

We cooked them spagetti and had a dinner in their honor. We talked about Acts 6 and the idea of those being set aside to do specific tasks. I find it no coincidence that one of the servants was the first to be killed for his faith. The Romans knew what subsists the church, the servants, the volunteers, is what keeps the Church afloat.

Tonight I hope they were honored.

I am in love...

2008-09-30T22:54:00.006-05:00

I went to the Carrie Underwood concert tonight. The emotions that are welling inside of me are hard to explain.

During All American Girl, she brought a little girl on stage and had her sing the last chorus with her. It was a cute picture. I love it when she is compassionate and reaching out to people...that is my favorite quality about her. She is so tender and loving...and I love that about her. Not to mention it was a really cute picture...I didn't get a good look at the little girl, but Carrie was very cute.

Fast forward in the show about 20 minutes when my leg started buzzing. It was Tyler Ward (good kid). He sent me a text message:

"Hey broseph. You still our youth pastor or you run off with Carrie and get married."

At that moment...she came out in a beautiful blue dress. Before All American Girl, she asked the audience if there were any "all American girl's" there tonight. Before the next song, she asked if there was any Prince Charming's in the crowd. I could feel the connection we had at that very moment. She then lamented that she was still looking, but at the age of 25 she was still single. Coincidentally this is my age. At that very moment, I felt like the very Prince Charming she was talking about. According to the song, she is finding her companionship from a puppy that travels around with her. "The more boys I meet the more I love my dog." Apparently, she has been hurt in the past by guys. Carrie, those guys were idiots.

I felt bad for her, mostly because here she was bearing her soul, and me, the very guy who could comfort and assuage her was setting a mere 29 rows from her. Someday, perhaps by happenstance, we shall meet face to face. I am holding on to the fact that in that moment, I will be overcome with my prince-charmingness and my tender heart will show through. And we will think back to this night and reminisce about the time we were so close emotionally yet so far away physically. I will be there to comfort her and we will ride off into the sunset like her song "Ever After" talks about.

Not to take anything away from this youth group, but rest assured Tyler, had I proposed and she said yes, I would guarantee that you would never see me again.

I'm just kidding. Judging by our careers, mine seems to be going places faster than hers, so she could settle down, while I support our kids and her dog (jk).

I also caught some confetti tonight that now graces my desk here at work.

See You At The Pole

2008-09-26T14:46:00.003-05:00

This Wednesday night, 20 of our kids went to Topeka Bible Church for the city-wide SEE YOU AT THE POLE RALLY.

Many of them met with their schools that morning before school.
Jardine
Seaman Middle School
Shawnee Heights Middle School
Heritage Christian School
Robinson
Washburn Rural Middle School
These are just the middle schools that Central Park has kids at. We had a pretty good turnout there at TBC. Hannah Johnson was interviewed by the Capitol Journal, so that was pretty cool.

Fantasy Sports at the High School level...

2008-09-22T13:39:00.005-05:00

I coach soccer. It is something I love to do...and honestly I think I do a decent job of it.

I am also a youth pastor. I love doing this as well...I might not be real good at it, but I like it.

My dilemma lies in the understanding of how Christianity fits into the sports world.

I had a youth pastor growing up, who did not like the sport of hockey due to its retaliatory nature. I had acquaintances in college who were adamantly pacifistic, but were some of the most aggressive and physically dominating players (of which they were unable to see their own hypocrisy).

The other day during soccer practice, I taught our kids to body up and play aggressive. I showed them how a short tug on a jersey can give you an advantage and how putting your shoulder into a offender can bump him off the ball. Parents have called or emailed me concerning these teachings; upset with my desire for their kids to play aggressively.

Granted there is a major difference between playing aggresively and playing dirty. Swiping the knees, elbows to the head, and chopping ankles is not something I condone; however, aggresively is the only way to play the game.

We play high school soccer (we don't have enough high schoolers to play so we move some Jr. Highers up)! I treat them like high schoolers for this very reason: we play high school teams; at team will not ask you for your birth certificate prior to game and then decide to play easy on you.

Here in lies the fantasy aspect. In a perfect world everyone would get to play equal amounts; everyone would not have to work very hard; and everyone would have a good time. These are called rec leagues. This is high school soccer. The fantasy is over! Kids get run over in games. If you don't believe there is contact in soccer, why put shin guards on.

Society's mantra is this: "Comfort is our aim." Comfortable is believing that soccer is a non contact sport. Comfortable is telling your child that if he gets tired to set out. Comfortable is begging for playing time, when you aren't showing up to practice. Comfortable is telling yourself that you have no chance of winning just because you have Jr. Highers on the team. Comfortable is talking about how we at least did our best, when we weren't even close to trying our hardest.

Comfortable is an excuse to remain the same.

Christianity has missed the boat in the past concerning athletics. Phrases like "turn the other cheek" have become fodder for being a throw rug for opponents. I had a coach in college who wanted us to consider every opponent better than ourselves (even though the only one in our conference better than us was Manhattan) in lieu of Philippians.

It was obvious that Paul did not condemn sports...instead he used them as an example of work ethic and perseverance; aggressiveness and team work. You strive to take the uncomfortable out of sports and you cut the legs off of the very thing Paul was trying to say.

Excuses are like armpits...

2008-08-20T20:49:00.005-05:00

Everyone has them and they all stink.

Tonight we talked about excuses. The kids wrote down a couple that they would use if they had not finished a science project:

"my mom forgot to do it." -- Jordan

"My mom said she was going to die yesterday, so I spent the day with her, then she was miraculously healed." -- Jacob

"I was sucked into a space time continuem where my project was destroyed." -- Jason (a sponsor)

"I'm a cripple." -- Austin, who is recovering from a nasty cut on his wrist

"My little brother is teething." -- Hannah

"I got kidnapped, but now I'm back" -- Beetlejuice

The excuses we use can cause us to miss out on the great plan that God has for us. John Ortberg wrote a great book on Peter walking on the water called, If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat, that discussed the great life of adventure that awaits us if we trust in God. Moses, through his many excuses, attempted to miss all the great things that he was to experience.

His excuses:

"I'm a nobody. Who am I to go?" Sounds a lot like Gideon in Judges 6. A question Jr. High Schoolers face on a daily basis.

"What if they don't believe me? What if they don't care?" The message of Jesus often rolls off people's backs.

"I ain't got good speaking abilities. I don't know enough." A hurdle that many of Jesus current disciples let defeat them. David Ring, one of the greatest speakers of this generation, didn't allow earthly speaking abilities stand in the way of a heavenly message.

The excuses come to an end with an outright plea to pick someone else.

Excuses can stand in the way of a great adventure with God. The same excuses Moses used, are the same ones that stand in the way of our Middle School students. Jr. Highers have great power. Texting is a $50 billion dollar industry, because of teenagers. 50% of commercials on Television are specifically geared to this demographic. Excuses stand in the way of them realizing the world altering power they have...No excuses.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

Some of my high schoolers who set in on Jr. High youth group decided the Exodus 4 was cut short, so they adapted it and lengthened it in a manner that makes you really think about the future of this nation as well as humanity. This is exactly as they (Austin and CJ) have it written, blame our public school system for the misspelling.

Following verse 17 insert:

Then Moses said I would rather burn in hell than do this. The Lord said "I am who I am." Then using the powers of the Dragon, he schorced Moses face off. The Lord laughed and then watched the Office on NBC with Jesus. Moses spent the rest of eternity with no face. Until Chuck Norris put him out of his missory. Then the Lord stoped watching the Office and imediatly sent Chuck Norris and Moses to Star Wars times, where Chuck Norris became a master jedi and Moses became the leader of the Sith. Then 3 katillion years later, Moses and Chuch Norris were watching the Office and had a disagreement over who was funniest, Dwight or Micheal. Then they got into a huge light saber battle ending in a atomic force backhand by Chuck Norris ending time. Then the Lord said "I am who I am" again he reserected Moses because the Lord felt bad because he had no face. Then the Lord sent Moses, Chuck Norris (who can't die according to CJ), and Rambo to Lord of the Rings times where Moses was a hobbet and Chuck Norris and Rambo was a Dwarf. Chuck Norris and Rambo found the all powerful ring where they buit a huge continent called ChuckRamboland where everybody hated Moses. When ChuckRamboland had the pwoer to defeat Moses's crappy country of Nofaceland where Moses still didn't have a face. The people of ChuckRamboland invaded Nofaceland blowing it up off the face of the earth. So Chuck Norris and Rambo combined their powers and ended time where they contenued to make great shows and movies and watched the Office.

Sometimes there is no words to express the utter confusion that is found in the human mind.

Jesus saves us from worry...

2008-08-13T21:00:00.002-05:00

The brutal end of summer has arrived. Not 20 seconds ago, I said good bye to one of our graduates, who is heading to MCC for the school year. A little over 20 minutes ago I finally got to tell kids to go home because it was a school night. CIY and VBS, composed the last push of the summer and my last a3 weeks of insanity.

Tonight, Aaron Jones taught us about worry. He asked the kids what they worried about. It was interesting to hear their answers. I originally thought worry was an adult problem. It is something that many adults struggle with, but you wouldn't think Jr. High students would have a problem with it. Then I thought back to my own days in Jr. High School. Worrying about: whether anyone would set beside me at lunch; who do I set with on the bus; can I actually fit in my locker; do I have to shower in gym class. These thoughts coursed through my mind as Jr. High school approached. I laugh on them now, but it was a scary ordeal in those days. You might not know it now (and I do a pretty good job of hiding it), I suffered from a crippling shyness during my prepubescent years, an insecurity that followed me around until college. Jr. High is an anxiety attack to many kids. Aaron challenged us from Philippians 4 and Romans 8.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Aaron showed us that through prayer and a relationship with Christ, we can be free of the worry that traps us in our lives. He then took us to Romans 8 and showed us how the very things that we worry about are the things that Paul says that will not separate us from God's love. School, making the team, death, grades, money; all these things Paul has addressed in Romans 8. They are all part of creation; or challenges; or our future.

It makes me think about the things that I worry about, for I am convinced that our lives our filled with much more worry than Jesus ever wanted for us.

Its been a while...

2008-07-12T22:48:00.004-05:00

Sorry, I have been having some technical difficulties.

Pictures will come at a later date.

Last weekend, Dan Force led a combined youth group. He talked about how Jesus saves us from sin. The most important thing that Jesus saves us from is our own sin and aberrations. Dan did an excellent job. Essentially, he just shared the gospel; camped out in Romans; and explained our human position throughout the entire biblical narrative. It was really good. After youth group, we went to Trevor Keens house and swam for quite a while. Perhaps the best thing that took place that night was the fact that no one brought a guitar. It was good times.

Apparently, some of our girls attended a sleepover last week, in which they watched a number of Disney movies. It is safe to say that dreams and aspirations were on their minds as they desperately want to become part of their own fairy tale. This can be the only explanation for Ramsey and Rachel kissing a frog (technically it was a toad as I learned from an 8th grade biology project, but frog is what the fable proclaims). We got pictures, but I don't really know why? Apparently, Jr. High boys are not the only ones who occasionally don't think through their actions.

TUESDAY NIGHT
Chris and Aleesha got back, so now you can see pictures of Aleesha's room that the girls flipped while she was gone.

FRIDAY NIGHT
We took a bunch of the Jr. High boys camping. It was a good night. We played glow stick capture the flag in the pasture, which was really just an attempt to sprain every ankle out there. Jacob beat us to the point with his little stunt from the prior week, so he didn't get to play. Late that night, we played a game called: "Eat what Ed eats!" It is really a combination of "Fear Factor" and "Truth or Dare." That afternoon, I picked up a few of Ed's favorites: baby oysters, sardines, Vienna sausages, spam, whipped topping, and macaroni and cheese baby food. The last one was mine to pick up...I figured I liked Kraft mac and cheese, so this stuff couldn't be too bad. It taste like I licked a New York Statue after a pigeon infestation. If a couple kids, didn't want to eat what Ed eats, they had to share something personal. It ended up being an opportunity to eat a lot of nasty things. No one puked. I did, however, come awful close.

We sat around the campfire and drank root beer. You know, guy stuff. Jason H. and Aaron Jones came and helped out a lot. Aaron brought a potato gun. That was a lot of fun. They shot it across the pond to watch the potato skip. Good times. We had a blast hanging out with the guys, just doing life alongside them. They are a good group of kids. The fishing was pretty poor, but we did have guys on the canoe most of the time, making a lot of noise. Poor fishing was really to be expected.

It was a good night.

I'm not saying God made a mistake...

2008-07-03T15:56:00.014-05:00

but God might not have thought this element of creation all the way through.

In the beginning, God desired to partner with man in doing his work. Man's first task: name the animals. Simple enough. God brought the animals to him one by one, or two by two if that helps you. Adam started out with a desire to impress. He named the big animals, elephant, hippopotamus...and the little animals, platypus, and armadillo. You can almost imagine the angels rolling their eyes at God as if to say: "You created this thing with the ego, not us." After a long day, remember there are no extinct species at this point, man finds himself very tired.

God says to Adam: "hang with me, I have one more animal to name, only one little small animal, and you can rest." God brings the animal to Adam, and Adam racks his brain trying to come up with a good name for this creature. He finally settles on the name "dog." God is psyched, that's his name spelled backward. He decides that it will be man's best friend and he is glad to be done.

Adam feels around his feet another small, furry creature. He thinks to himself: "I thought God said that last one was it." He thinks about what to name this creature, he wants to go short and sweet. He racks his brain and comes up with "cat."

The commotion caught God's attention, and he says to Adam: "Wait a minute, I didn't create that thing."

It could have happened.

I am still staying at the Maddock's and their cat is still alive (I'll keep you posted on its whereabouts it the unthinkable should happen). I have never been fond of cats. This particular cat, has been one of the worst ones I have met. It definitely has caused me to hat their species even more than ever.

A couple reasons I hate cats:

1. At the risk of sounding anthropomorphistic, this cat is the most emotionally and physically needy individual that I have ever met. It has a constant appetite for attention and adoration. I could be in a room working, and the cat will paw at the door for the next 2 hours attempting to get in (a dog would have figured it out the second the door was closed). When it does enter the room, it will immediately rub up against your leg. There is no such thing as the other side of the room when it comes to cats...it is either on your lap or in the next county. It has no personal space and no ability to occupy and entertain itself. It is like a baby. It needs to get a life, or find some cats from the other side of the tracks and form a hooligan gang, rampaging through the streets; or it could make an attempt to jump off the roof and not land on its feet. Anything would be better than bothering me.

2. Have you ever looked at their eyes. They are the exact same eyes as snakes. And if you study Genesis, snakes are the devil. The narrow, vertical pupils are present in all things not containing souls. Check your mirror, see the rounded pupils, you're safe; cats on the other hand are soul-less creatures, bound to experience all 7 levels of Dante's hell; since they have 9 lives, I think it is 63 levels of hell. Still, I think they are getting better than what they deserve.

3. Cats shed their hair like an Eskimo sheds clothing during a heat wave. How do I know? I don't own anything with out cat hair on it. My new felt cowboy hat, looks like it is graying. My clothes look like their growing a winter coat.

4. The constant need to be heard. They sit right behind you and purr constantly. No other being is praised so highly for being so annoying. It is like that bothersome child that says your name constantly, at a level just loud enough for you to hear it. The constant purring, is like a dripping faucet, once you notice it, you can't ignore it. The only way to fix it is to smack it with a heavy metal wrench at the point of the drip.

5. It does not understand how humans walk. Dogs can "heel"; meaning they walk next to you, right at your knee. I have been kicking this cat as I walk, hoping that it will learn. It has a tendency to walk in between your legs all the time. It also stops randomly, directly in your path. I kick it a lot, not intentionally, but I don't hold back either. It will learn, actually it won't; but that brings us to reason (6) CATS ARE STUPID!

C.J. the Dog, I have had no trouble with. Played fetch, and ate steak...I like dogs.

Jesus saves us from anonymity...

2008-07-03T01:37:00.008-05:00

Same premise, different teacher.

Stacy Rexer, super-intern, taught the Jr. High group tonight. She did a great job.

Her lesson was based off of Galatians 3 and 4. Being children of God and how that affects the way that we think, live, act, and the way we view ourselves. It was more Biblical exegesis than they get from me...so it was really good. I think I might have to start doing more of this type of teaching, the kids seemed to like it. She started out by having a quiz. She wanted to know the name of the famous person on the screen, and what makes them famous. Aaron Jones knew a bunch of them. There was a lot of hooting and hollering when the Jonas brothers came up. I figured more people would know Travis Pastrana and Shaun White (both names that I gave her to use). It was a good lesson.

Mrs. Keen has been providing us with some amazing snacks for middle school youth group, it was the same tonight: Nachos and Sunny D.

We played the trashcan game after snack time...no one got hurt, unless you count the massive amount of blood that I lost through my blister that Dan Mitchell opened up. That was very unkind of him. In one of these pictures, near as I can tell, Jason Hildebrandt is meditating...not really sure.

Jesus saves us from anonymity...

2008-06-29T19:11:00.012-05:00

Zach Force...when you think the name, you think a lot of things?

He is a T-High grad, a great drummer, a good son, Eagle Scout, intern, friend...he hates musicals, has both ears pierced and desperately wants a Tatoo. I might have made that last one up...not sure.

But where does he find his identity?

Zach taught youth group tonight. It was good to have him back at CPCC for a night. He taught on Matthew 4, and Jesus calling the disciples. He showed how Jesus gives us and identity that saves us from being no one. It was really good. He connected well to the students and challenged them to get involved in ministry now, a point that I haven't impressed on the high schoolers like I have the jr. highers. Identity is the biggest problem that teens face. Who are they...where do they fit in? These are questions that haunt every aspect of their lives. Zach showed them where to look and who to go to in order to receive your identity! He did an excellent job.

A couple things were evident tonight:

1. Zach is a great teacher and a great guy...NCC should feel very lucky.

2. Sometimes the things you most dread turn out to be the best times. Both times I arrived at the church today, I spent 30 minutes working up the courage to come into the building. Part of the difficulty with working in a church, is when you begin to dread your workplace, where do you go. You can't avoid church. Each time that I forced myself in here, I became refreshed. These kids really make it fun to do my job.

The youth band started off the night with their rendition of "Take it al l" a song done by Hillsong. It went well...they have really grown together as a group. It is a blessing not to have to lead worship...since I lack the ability and know how. The kids have also expressed the blessing of not having to hear me sing.

Side note:

Played some home run derby on Monday with some high school kids. I pitched a while, now my arm feels like its gonna fall off. Tyler Ward hit 12 out...I think his girlfriend beat him though.

Why can't I grow up? Do I want to?

2008-06-27T22:34:00.005-05:00

My 9 months at Central Park, have been hands-off easy. No major problems to speak of.

It is a frightening realization to know that you are in over your head. Situations arise where there is nothing to say. Sitting in a hospital room, around a family that has given you support and care for the last 9 months, watching them suffer and grieve...what can you possibly say?

I have read the books on suffering: The Problem of Pain, Where is God when it hurts?, Disappointment with God. Gotta be honest: the books mean nothing in that room. A couple of the girls were crying...once a girl starts crying, I become worthless. I had nothing to say.

I felt like I froze. I don't know what I would have said. I don't know what I could have said.

One of my goals for this blog was to inform parents about the youth ministry; the other was to allow a place for other youth workers learn, comment, and grow, based on my own downfalls. I wanted a place like this during college, where I could read the exploits of other youth pastors, and see the ins and outs of youth ministry. I found myself in that place where advice would have come in handy.

Its times like these that I envy Jesus. He always seemed to know what to say. When hurting people came to him, he never had to call for a line. Paul advises us in Romans to "mourn with those who mourn." I wonder if he ever froze in his own ministry. Job's friends set with him in an ash heap for a week without saying anything.

Concerning the emotions involved in the last 24 hours, I don't know what the appropriate response was. I think the way of Job's friends is a good way to go...plus it doesn't get you in much trouble.

I walked back to my car with a couple people. My nature came out and stupidity flowed forth. The lack of serious response flowed from within me. At what point in time are emotions easy to show? Sometime I will grow enough to face emotions without sarcasm, a reason that I gave one of my girls as to why a guy she knew wasn't showing much emotion.

HUH?

The Gospel with working gloves

2008-06-23T14:24:00.017-05:00

At 7.00 a.m. on Saturday morning, Aaron Jones and his family led some of the guys in the youth group to Chapman, Kansas, site of the Kansas Auto Racing Museum and the path of an F4 tornado. About a week and a half ago, the town of Chapman was hit with a large tornado at around 10.00 at night.

Destruction was everywhere. If you look at this picture of the Chapman Elementary School, the missing wall in the middle top is the two second grade class rooms. From the looks of it, the tornado took a swath down the middle of the north side of the town. A lot of the new construction on the far north side of town was untouched. The older part of the town, north of the main business district (and I use the term "business district" very lightly). In the midst of town, the Salvation Army and the local churches set up feeding stations. The Methodist Church from Chapman fed us cheddar brats, and the Salvation army fed us Chicken ala King.

Our job consisted mostly of sorting through piles of rubble. We seperated construction materials from vegitation, and metal from housing debris. It was a mess. There were a few trees left standing, but they had no branches on them. Throughout the day we spent most of our time on two great big piles of rubble. We also hauled a lot of the piles to the road for FEMA to pick up later.

At one point in time in the morning, the guys found a Bible in one of the piles. It was completely untouched.

I don't think any of us shared the gospel with any one...we didn't preach the word, or hand out pamphlets; however, the gospel did put on working gloves that day. It was hard and tiring work, but the kingdom was furthered.

The guys did a great job.

Thanks Aaron for organizing it, and to the Hildebrandts for allowing us to use their van.

The Issues facing our kids...

2008-06-19T21:16:00.005-05:00

It is utterly amazing the lengths that some will go to in order to be loved. Undoubtedly by now you have heard about the pregnancy outbreak amongst the teenage girls at Gloucester High School in Massachusetts (article here). The outcries have taken the expected routes: "Media has glorified teenage motherhood via the Spears girl"; "Birth control needs to be more accessible"; "the sex ed classes weren't taught well enough"; "there needs to be a closer womens health facility(the nearest one is 20 miles away)."

The school authorities want to take a biological solution, offering contraceptives to students without parental consent. The parents want to hand out more knowledge. The girls want attention; and former students/now mothers want programs.

What do they need?

One girl named Ireland who is now 18 offered this explanation to explain the pregnancies: "They're excited to finally have someone love them unconditionally." Meaning their babies will love them, trust them, and depend on them. The unconditional love and acceptance of another human is what they crave...and they like much of society, have considered love to be a drastic measure that only surrounds dire circumstances. When love is not found, it is sought elsewhere, in this case through babies.

The lengths that some will go to in order to find love.

Sometimes we hear the problems our kids are facing and quietly relive the simplistic days of our own youth. The next time you sit and listen to your kids, quietly imagine the pressure and problems that they currently face.

Listen more, talk less.

Isolation and Ice Cream

2008-06-18T23:07:00.012-05:00

Ian left youth group tonight 75 cents richer, and all of us left with a little less appreciation of the intelligence that he claims to posses. We had ice cream for snack. Mrs. Keen provided ice cream and cones for all the students. Whitney dripped some onto the front patio of the Church. Jason posed a quarter to anyone who would take a lick of it. Ian was the only taker (as he usually is with most of our dares). How did he get 75 cents you ask; the camera wasn't ready on the first two licks. The third lick provided the photo opportunity that we so desired. Three licks, at a quarter apiece, you do the math.

Since it would be negligent and irresponsible of me to allow the kids to eat ice cream all youth group, we had a short lesson on Isolation. Jesus saves us from isolation by placing us in this community of faith where we are all useful and all cared for. Looking at Acts 4 it says that there was no needy people among them. The church cares for each other, emotionally, relationally, and economically.

The lesson went all right...the games too. we played chicken ball. The girls scored a 6 point goal to win it. The boys were mad. The fact there was no 6 point goal prior to that point is irrelevant. Oh well.

Highlights of the night:

Ian's escapade.

I got to play in the youth band...good times.

Ice cream was good.

Jayme's Goodbye

2008-06-17T12:43:00.019-05:00

"When you look at a plate of ham and eggs, you think sure the chicken was involved, but the pig was committed." -- unknown

Jayme is didn't want to be an egg, so he became the ham. Alright, the metaphor breaks down there (I assure that the choosing of animals in this metaphor was purely coincidental and was not a shot at Jayme's profession). Jayme took off today. After the impromptu press conference (story here http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/jun/16/officer_rides_nephew/) and a shaky embrace with his wife, he rode into the sunset. He left the Police Station this morning at 11.15 a.m. He was followed by Toby (his brother) in his Ride Support Truck. Here are some of the pictures I took. He does a good job of updating his blog (www.rideforgranton.blogspot.com) so be sure to check that out. You can order this shirt on there and send donations as well.

If you don't know Jayme, he is a bike patrolman with the Topeka Police Department. His nephew has some health issues. So Jayme is riding his bike to Bolivar, Missouri in order to raise money to help with medical expenses.

Just in case you think he is just a soft heart, I assure that his soft heart is surrounded by a lot of big muscles...I saw him tackle a guy once.

Pedal fast Jayme.

Rodeo and Religion...

2008-06-15T23:24:00.004-05:00

It has been a long and busy day.

I found myself with a predicament this morning. When I was in college, I was an active attender of Risen Ranch Cowboy Church in Carthage, Missouri. I started goin' cause Lucas Littles told me too, but once I got there it was a good time. While I was there I was able to meet a lot of good guys, that really shaped who I am now. One guy, Johnny Clem, really took time out to talk to me and discuss stuff. The guy trains horses for a living, but has one of the clearest outlooks on ministry that I have ever heard. This morning, as part of the State High School Finals Rodeo, they brought in a singer from Dallas. She was awesome. She sang and spoke from horseback. As she sang her last song, "I pledge of Allegiance to the Lamb", the great Ray Boltz song, she stood up on top of her saddle. It was great to see all the competitors there and their families. There were probably 200 cowboys there...then our 8 kids. I (and Tricia) took our Sunday school classes to Cowboy Church for Sunday school. I think that was the closest many of them had ever been to a horse.

After returning to Central Park, I headed back to the State Finals. This time I had a tag-along. Trey went with me. He had never been to a rodeo. He had three high points: 1) the bull riding 2) getting to talk to the state Runner up Team Roper: Ryan Domer...he was pretty impressed to be standing that close to a guy who was actually competing, 3) his rainbow snow cone that he got in the middle of the goat tying. Good stuff. I think he had a good time.

As for youth group...I led worship. Three songs, half heartedly sung well off key. Nuff said. Afterward we talked about how Jesus saves us from Isolation. We looked a David's isolation in Psalm 8 and 142. They took notes on the feelings that David expressed in these Psalms as I read them out loud. Now they have homework. Psalms has some really cool names for God. "Rescuer" "Provider" "Refuge" They are to find a verse that describes God that goes along with all the feelings they wrote down. We'll see.

We headed to Sonic to play some volleyball...the court was rained out. So we went to Target. Each pair of students was challenged to buy the weirdest thing they could find under 3 dollars. I stood at the front with my Church credit card as teams came up with their weird gifts: ties; medicines; band aides; microphones; baby food. It was interesting.

It was a good night. I was pretty happy with how it went, even though I spent the whole day/weekend at the Rodeo.

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

CSI: Miami might be the worst TV show of all time. Does that guy ever say anything like it isn't earth shattering news.

Jayme Green starts his bike ride tomorrow: Pedal fast Jayme.

I really wished I was able to fight this weekend...

High School Rodeo

2008-06-14T00:05:00.005-05:00

To the untrained eye, I took the day off. But to those who understand the intricacies of youth ministry, I worked my tail off. Honestly, my work output for the day fell somewhere between these two extremes.

I went to the State High School Finals Rodeo today. They had a show at 12.30 and one at 7.00. The first one was highlighted by Colin and Ryan Domer (two Seaman guys) finishing first in the team roping. I don't know either guy very well, but they seem like quality people. Ramsey, Ireland, and CJ went with me.

FUNNY IRELAND COMMENTS OF THE DAY:
-"I guess I really don't need a horse, I'll just take a cowboy instead." She planned out her life during the slow parts of the rodeo, bringing me more comic material than I will ever really know what to do with.
-"How do I become a Rodeo Queen...do I have to be able to ride a horse?"

The 7.00 p.m. show was a good one too. I took Gage. It was his first rodeo. I don't really know if he liked it, but I had a good time.

I was kind of disappointed I didn't get to fight. I really would like to fight at some of these high school events. I learned in Joplin how big of an out reach that is. I took my stuff hoping someone wouldn't show...my stuff slept in the car all day though. O Well.

I'm taking my Sunday School class to Cowboy Church on Sunday though. That should be awesome.

Boredom with ADD

2008-06-11T22:21:00.003-05:00

"It is amazing how God uses our mistakes and our decisions to bring us to where we are now."

Jayme Green told me this during our lunch today at Jersey Mikes. We had a pretty good lunch. He told me the story of how he and Meagan met, we talked about his upcoming bike ride to raise funds for his nephew Granton, and we discussed church relations prior to the Franco-Prussian War. We didn't discuss the third one, but the other two are completely legit. If I had lunch with Matt Bevens the third one would have made an appearance. 2 things became evident about Jayme from this meeting: 1) He is a popular guy, one of Jersey Mikes favorite customer 2) the guy has some wisdom.

Tonight's lesson was on boredom again. Once again we started by discussing our most boring experience and the things we do to discontinue the monotony. Then we played my favorite boredom stopping game: the dot game. Boys vs. Girls. Once again the guys were outdone, by a smarter, more gifted, group of girls. It was an inevitable outcome. The game was really decided well before it began.

My lesson was a lot of open ended questions, which were misidentified by the students as rhetorical. Needless to say, the main point was that Jesus doesn't want us to be bored in our faith. Something felt amiss. Call it lack of logical thinking, call it misapplied time: what ever it was our lesson gave the kids a new boring experience. That is probably melodramatic.

Highlights from the lesson:

Girls won the game.

Ian Keen made up a new word.

Aaron Jones, Jason Hildebrandt, Stacy Rexer, and Tricia Martens make this youth group a worthwhile experience even for me.

No one was hurt in our after party in the parking lot. The Trashcan game, football, and dodge ball were unhindered by injury.

Cool thing: Gage Casey is almost done with Pilgrims Progress, a book that I had trouble getting through as a college freshman.

Last Cool thing: High School State Finals Rodeo is here this week...a possible trip to Cowboy Church for Sunday school is in the future

"Our failures are known, our successes are not"

2008-06-10T22:48:00.004-05:00

Al Pacino said it best when he was addressing a new class of CIA recruits: "Our failures are known, our successes are not." He may as well be addressing the Church. For every psychopath out there holding a sign proclaiming God's hatred for people; there is ten more who are leading a crafts table at a small VBS. Which one will get their picture in the paper? For every pastor that is caught in scandal; there are ten more that are little league coaches or volunteering at a community center. Which will get the news paper write up?

I guess you could chalk it up to a society that is looking for dirt. We want the negative. We would much rather hear stories about the inevitability of a gas price hike, a scandal in a public office, or just another homicide. Society grasps hold with white knuckle grip to the reality that our hopeless conditions are only worsening. So society is not really to blame, because we look for the negative in all conditions. The purpose of this writing is not to place blame; but to give you a glimpse of the depth to which our failures go.

I saw how deep it goes tonight. I have seen it for a number of years now.

Growing up I attended a church here in North Topeka. I had been attending for about 6 years when I left for college. During my freshman year at Ozark, I received a letter describing a situation concerning my home church. Seems that there had been some misunderstandings amongst some of the leadership and some of the congregation. Without going into details, some were asked to leave the Church. It was pretty rough on me. Suddenly, my graduating class was split in half. Some left, some stayed. From then on, my relationship with a lot of the church was lost. Some of my best friends and I were divided along the lines that none of us were involved in making. Luckily, since then I have been able to reconstruct many of those relationships, some are still very distant.

I spent many hours discussing the whole situation with a couple men that I really admire: Mark Moore; Phil Maddux; and Jon Kehrer. In C.S. Lewis' classic book, the Screwtape Letters, Wormwood advises his nephew that the Church can be a very good hindrance to accepting of the faith. I would not go that far in this situation, but the Church could be taken to that extreme.

Recently there has been a death of a family friend. I was over talking to the family tonight. The conversation turned to this situation. The family in the midst of grieving, spoke of this situation. Friends still mention it. My family still attends the church, but there has been a questioning in their minds still 5 1/2 years later. Our CPCC basketball camp brought back a couple guys from the church and reunited them, which lead the conversation back to it.

The greatest problem comes in the reputation amongst the community. Some in the community have expressed concern to me. "Are you from that church that kicks people out?" People who have never graced the presence of a pew, have heard more about this church than anything that goes on inside one. Some have heard more about the outfall of this situation, than have heard about gospel.

Our failures are known, our successes are not.

Boredom...thy name is Christianity?

2008-06-08T23:36:00.009-05:00

How can the mundane become majestic?

Our summer series kicked off tonight. The overall theme sounds like it was stolen from a children's VBS; but it holds the summer together. Jesus: The Guardian.

There are so many things that Jesus saves us from...we will look at a couple things that his work of protection takes care of. Things like worry; isolation; boredom; doubt; and sin. Later on this summer Aaron Jones will teach us how Jesus saves us from worry, and Travis McKinley will teach us how Jesus saves us from ourselves.

We started the night by sharing the most boring times of our lives, and the best way we found to deal with that boredom. Our absentee member, Aleesha, posted a list that were some of her favorite ways to deal with it (you can see that here).

Tonight's lesson was on Jesus saving us from boredom. As Christians, there are times when our life reaches that point where it is meaningless ritual and common place habit. Church on Sunday, the 2 minute prayer before bed, the occasional chapter read: these are the things that makes up a life of faith.

I can't help but envy the life of the apostles. Miraculous things seemed to be a common place. Jesus hawking a loogie in a guys face in John 9, Paul's handkerchiefs healing people in Acts 19, Peter walking on water in Matthew 14; these are news worthy events that happened to the followers of Jesus, and made up their church bulletins and filled their doughnut talk time. How the mundane became majestic. What fills our time now? What makes news these days in the life of church goers?

Lack of parking spaces, luke warm coffee, catching up on the week. What has happened? I'm convinced that if we are bored, it is because we have not allowed ourselves to see whats happening. I challenged the students who felt bored in their faith to look at two things: Creation and others. Looking at creation will remind us of the power that God has and the majesty that he has. The second thing to look at is the lives around you. It is amazing to hear how God has worked and is working in those around. I am reminded of Phil and Elizabeth who are in North Africa as missionaries and the stories they tell. I recall my conversations with Dee Bowden these last couple weeks, and how God is working in a man that is already so close to him. I hear stories from our students at Jr. High Camp and how God is doing things in their life. In hearing these things I think back to the oral traditions of Israel and the campfire talks that Moses must have had about God's working, and I feel close to the life that I envy.

After youth group, we went to my house and watched "Enchanted." Most of you know of my infatuation with Carrie Underwood. Her song in that movie inspires me. In her music video she is actually animated as a Disney princess, thus combining two of my favorite things. Most of the guys played a nasty game of ultimate Frisbee in the mud hole that is my front yard. We came back filthy, but it was a great game.

Day Camp and Carrie Underwood

2008-06-06T22:54:00.006-05:00

I've spent the last week trying to make up for the last couple. Jr. High camp kind of took it out of me. This week has kind of been a make up week for me. I did get the opportunity to do some really cool stuff this week. A1C camp would probably top that list. I wasn't really invited; I followed the food. My eyes were opened to the rigors of diabetes. I was seeing kids as young as six, poke themselves in the finger 5 times during the afternoon to check their blood sugars. Some kids there had had the disease since they were two. To see kids eating healthy during snack time, and watching them check the carbs in each of their snack items was something that I had never seen. Most of the kids were very concerned with my own diet. Pushy kids.

I was also blessed to get to hang out with some really cool people this week. Trish Greer ran the camp and did a great job. Trisha Martens also helped. Pam did a lot of the food stuff. I also met a Washburn nursing student named Jessica, who had an uncanny resemblance to Carrie Underwood. It was really tough to see camp end. Seriously, really tough.

Some Random thoughts...

I just got done watching "the Cowboys" a great John Wayne film. I cant help but think I was born 150 years too late.

I had a milk shake today. It was chocolate; however, there were little pockets of resistance that tasted like strawberry and vanilla. It was really annoying.

Day 5 at the Maddock household, still I can't seem to force my self to bring more than one day of clothes over at a time.

Before the stoics of our day...

2008-06-04T23:28:00.018-05:00

Fresh off of our week of Jr. High Camp, our jr. high group got together again...this time under less stressful, and better rested circumstances. The night started out with a video that has become a craze to our youth group. At Jr. High Camp, Cody Waterman sang his praises about this video that has not only changed the spiritual depth of our meetings, but our view of vegetables as well. If you get a chance, click here to see the video. It really gives you the opportunity to think through a lot of different things. It certainly makes you think about proper nutrition, and the way you treat your friends.

The youth band led worship tonight. If you are unfamiliar with CPCC youth group, you should know that our youth services are led in worship by our youth band, that is made up, entirely, of high schoolers and jr. highers. Tonight Dillon sang and was backed up by Elena and Eric. Dillon also played acoustic guitar, along with Jake on electric, Trevor on drums. Cory was forced to play bass, because Aleesha decided not to be a team player and took off to Alaska (tear). They played well tonight. Dillon does a great job leading, for only his third or fourth time.

Tonight's lesson was on influencing your friends. We talked about this the last night of camp, but I wanted to rehash it for all of them. In Acts 17, Paul gives us a glimpse of how to share the gospel with unbelievers. The first thing I wanted them to understand, was Paul going to where the people are. We talked last Thursday about how this society is the most interconnected society in the world, but we are the most isolated. We can find ourselves hiding behind so many things, keeping our self so busy, that we never get out to meet anyone. This is something that I struggle with. I spend 98% of my time around church people. Some of our kids have that same problem. Paul went where people were and shared the gospel there,

The second thing Paul's speech in Athens shows us is an affinity to allow the gospel to spill out of daily life. Paul is walking around Athens only to find statues to unknown gods. He simply shows them this unknown god is the God that he knows. His method seems much like Jesus' in the gospels. His teaching was prompted much by what was going on around him. Paul grabs their attention and then cuts the gospel loose. He doesn't sugar coat it or beat it to death. He says what he has to say and then moves on. One thing that often frightens us is the fear that a question would arise that we do not know the answer too. I told them it was OK not to know all the answers. That really didn't seem to assuage their fears.

Finally, the speech before the Aeropagus in Acts 17 shows us event he best planned testimonies and presentations will have those walk away in anger. Some did come to Christ. Some did not. How we deal with those downfalls is critical. We have to understand that it is not our fault. Some will not understand, some will not listen. I finished with the parable of the Sower. Our attempts will end with the same results. Some will come to fruition, others will not.

After the lesson we played some killer dodge ball. For Beetlejuice's size, she is a heck of a dodge ball player. We also ate some ice cream sandwiches. I love summer time youth groups. Ice cream, hanging out side, trips to the pool, and kids to hang out with during the day.

After a week and a half of not partaking of one of the most glorious things known to man...one of the most painful fasts that I have ever been on was broke. I ate Taco Bell for the first time in almost 2 weeks. There were some mixed emotions and some tears were shed. But it was the best tasting Taco Bell ever.