The Source for Youth Ministry just released a very informative article on the top songs of 2009. Read it for a great window into Youth Culture as this year winds down . . .
Click this link here to go to it: Top Artists of 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody
One of my favorite classic rock songs by one of my favorite childhood programs! Enjoy!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Between the Divine and the Daily
In my back yard here in Houston I have stately Queen Palm that we planted right after we moved in a few years ago. It has grown very fast and very tall. Today is Monday and my day off, or as I'm trying to make it more and more, my Sabbath day. Today in Houston it is also remarkably cooler that normal and I'm sitting outside on my back porch spending my morning in reading, contemplation, prayer, and just general enjoyment of the day. And it's not hot. Or humid. Or sticky. Or put your least favorite Houston weather characteristic here. I'm watching the Queen Palm, and it's a little windier than normal. When the wind hits it just right, the fronds wave majestically toward its beckoning direction. When the wind is full force, it turns my back yard into a cathedral of sound that invites me to look up and listen as the pine trees weave a beautiful tune among their branches. (eek, I'm starting to sound like a poet). In this moment the wind is supreme above the din of the neighbors hammer, the lawn service's mower, and the occasional traffic on the street in front of my house.
For me this is an intersection of the Divine amongst the daily. I am naturalist, that is I can feel really close to God and seem to focus, pray, worship, contemplate best in the outdoors. Especially on a cool or cold day with my decaf chai tea or my favorite Starbucks blend, whichever I happen to feel a fancy for.
I am currently reading a book by Robert Benson on the discipline of the Daily Offices, or fixed times of prayer, if you will. An ancient practice that has it's precedent even from the pages of Scripture as we see in the prayer lives of David, Jesus, and other Biblical personalities. Jewish roots that have been passed down through centuries, kept alive in the early years and first centuries of the church, but practiced now by very few believers, and evangelicals at that.
I recently discovered this ancient discipline and began to learn about it on a recent sabbatical. I found a Book of Common Prayer at a close-by seminary and purchased it (and I'm not even Catholic or Episcopal). I am trying to make prayer a better discipline in my life, not just requests, but praying back Scripture to God and acknowledging prayer as a time spent in Abba's presence.
I'm convicted we don't pray enough. At least we don't really pray. Or maybe I'm just talking about me and you actually have prayer figured out. Please write a book if you do. We spend time asking things focused on what we want, but not enough time praying as a blessing to God. The Daily Offices have helped me be more focused for that purpose. Benson's book is one in a series on the ancinet practices that I've stumbled on and am currently trying to obtain the rest. I found it on the 5 for $5 rack at Mardel's. Best dollar I ever spent. He does a good job explaining the Offices for an evangelical like me, but really talks about the discipline as not getting into a routine of it, but learning to use it as a tool to live a life of constant prayer. Hence the name of the book, In Constant Prayer.
Laerning to live a life of constant and fixed prayer is new to me. The Offices are a huge blessing and help. Fixed times of prayer are becoming for me a time to re-focus at key times of the day to make sure I am about God's purpose whatever I may be doing. It also just gives me time with my Heavenly Father.
For me, on Mondays that are particularly cool in Houston, when the morning light and shadows dance around in my backyard in harmony with the wind, while reading more about the importance of prayer in our lives, the Divine has intersected the daily.
Where does that intersection happen for you? I'd be intersted to hear from you and find out.
For me this is an intersection of the Divine amongst the daily. I am naturalist, that is I can feel really close to God and seem to focus, pray, worship, contemplate best in the outdoors. Especially on a cool or cold day with my decaf chai tea or my favorite Starbucks blend, whichever I happen to feel a fancy for.
I am currently reading a book by Robert Benson on the discipline of the Daily Offices, or fixed times of prayer, if you will. An ancient practice that has it's precedent even from the pages of Scripture as we see in the prayer lives of David, Jesus, and other Biblical personalities. Jewish roots that have been passed down through centuries, kept alive in the early years and first centuries of the church, but practiced now by very few believers, and evangelicals at that.
I recently discovered this ancient discipline and began to learn about it on a recent sabbatical. I found a Book of Common Prayer at a close-by seminary and purchased it (and I'm not even Catholic or Episcopal). I am trying to make prayer a better discipline in my life, not just requests, but praying back Scripture to God and acknowledging prayer as a time spent in Abba's presence.
I'm convicted we don't pray enough. At least we don't really pray. Or maybe I'm just talking about me and you actually have prayer figured out. Please write a book if you do. We spend time asking things focused on what we want, but not enough time praying as a blessing to God. The Daily Offices have helped me be more focused for that purpose. Benson's book is one in a series on the ancinet practices that I've stumbled on and am currently trying to obtain the rest. I found it on the 5 for $5 rack at Mardel's. Best dollar I ever spent. He does a good job explaining the Offices for an evangelical like me, but really talks about the discipline as not getting into a routine of it, but learning to use it as a tool to live a life of constant prayer. Hence the name of the book, In Constant Prayer.
Laerning to live a life of constant and fixed prayer is new to me. The Offices are a huge blessing and help. Fixed times of prayer are becoming for me a time to re-focus at key times of the day to make sure I am about God's purpose whatever I may be doing. It also just gives me time with my Heavenly Father.
For me, on Mondays that are particularly cool in Houston, when the morning light and shadows dance around in my backyard in harmony with the wind, while reading more about the importance of prayer in our lives, the Divine has intersected the daily.
Where does that intersection happen for you? I'd be intersted to hear from you and find out.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Culture Window Worth Watching
One of the greatest windows into the current culture of your students is the annual MTV Video Music Awards. I wasn't able to watch Sunday night but caught them online today. Most everyone already knows about the Kayne West/Taylor Swift fiasco, but there were so many more key glimpes into the world of students. Of note especially was Lady Gaga and her performance. She is worth paying attention to since she is one of the main voices influencing your students.
But instead of taking my word on it and repeating what many worthwhile folks have already blogged, let me give you a link to go to. Walt Mueller is a foremost expert and culture guru in Student Ministry. I read him every chance I get. He gave a very thoughtful and insightful breakdown of the VMA's a couple of nights ago on his blog. I highly suggest it. Go to learningmylines.blogspot.com to get his take on the famous night.
I also suggest you watch a little bit of the VMA's yourself, just to begin to get a pulse on the worldviews out there. You can watch the entire program or each segment separately at www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009 .
As much as you may not like much of what's in it, the music and video industry is a mainstream window into the world of your teen. If we're gonna have a chance to redeem culture we need to see and understand it first (not necessarily agree with it). Catching glimpes afforded us by mogul giants like MTV help us see and hear the hearts and souls of a generation that is normally very guarded with us. Look for these opportunities and think through how Christ would use them.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jon and Kate . . . Not Doin' So Great
I stomached the premiere of Jon and Kate Plus 8 with my wife last night. Reluctantly. It was pretty sad.
First of all - who are Jon and Kate and why should I care?
I guess I care because they need prayer right now. I'm not a fan of the show, but my wife and kids are. I do know that alot of Christian couples have elevated them to a high place and now with a possible fall . . . well.
Instead of giving my extrapolation at this juncture, I have found a blog that really reflects where I am at with the whole thing. It's a worthwhile read to ponder. Go here to read it.
Why continue with a new season on the show? Why still go on book and speaking tours when your own marriage needs repair?
Why have your main focus on the kids when your spouse should come first? I know its only by God's grace it could be any of us and that there are extra stresses having multiples of multiples and that a whole lot of couples with multiples end up in divorce.
Hopefully they won't be another casualty of faith, fame, and fortune.
The Phoenix Has Risen
So I'm back from the dark regions of the blogging world. I'm not sick anymore and neither is my laptop, but is has been an interesting couple of months. Probably best to cover it in a Past, Present, Future format:
PAST:
1. Major laptop problems, so haven't been able to blog in a while. This coupled with having everything but the Swine Flu left me out of commission for a while. Glad to report both laptop and blogger have recovered fine.
2. My wife had a major injury that rocekd our household in early April. She fell in the middle of the night and broke her neck and jaw. We've had many weeks of recovery, she had her jaws wired shut for several weeks, and wore a neck brace for several weeks. She is much better now, but still can only eat soft food. It will take a few months for total recovery. She has tests coming up to rule out what might have caused her to lose consciousness. I did learn alot, though, about such things as servanthood, being Mr. Mom, and what's really important at the time.
3. Because of the above, I am soooooo behind at the church. There are a ton of new changes coming for the fall, major summer events and trips right around the corner, and Anna and I had to reschedule our long-awaited sabbatical week for the Fall. I have to be honest and say I feel like I am constantly spinning more plates right now than I can handle and I was at a pretty bad place a few weeks ago. It has been a hard year for us personally, and it all hit the wall and I lost it. In front of my youth. Last month. But God is gracious, and I think I'm moving to a better place now. Slowly . . . but surely.
PRESENT:
1. I'm back blogging. I'm mean, really . . . right now . . . I am typing this.
2. Last week I went home to Memphis to officiate the wedding of a former student. It was a blast seeing former students and old friends and what God is doing in their lives. My Youth Pastor's wife passed away and I was also able to attend her service and see him and friends from my youth group I grew up in. People I hadn't seen in 10-15 years. It was hard to see them under those circumstances, but good nonetheless. Boldly went to see Star Trek while I was there too.
3. Getting ready to graduate our seniors in TSMAC. Wow, another year has gone by this quickly! it's always bittersweet to see our seniors head to new chapter in their life. I'm grateful for how God has used them this last four years and hopeful for how He will use them as they move on to college. Many of our students that graduate use the experience from the years they were in TSMAC to in turn minister in the churches and campuses they move on to.
4. Going through 24, Heroes, CSI Miami, and Office withdrawl until September.
FUTURE:
1. Getting ready for a busy, busy, summer (see #3 under "PAST"). The economy has hit our participation (as it has everyone) in our summer trips and we've had to re-calibrate for it. Starting a new thing for summer with our Sr. High called TSMAC U. Mexico mission trip in July. We have a charge staff-wide in our church to simplify our ministries and church life and live into our new vision and have a whole new atmosphere at CBC come August 23. This is all a good thing, but who knew simplifying would be such hard work? I feel like my plates are spinning and I can't keep up with them. Ultimately I believe all this change will put us in a better place and that God will do some incredible things, but it's going to be a long hard summer to get there.
2. My daughter starts high school this Fall and moves up into my group. Talk about a different dynamic! I am excited about it but anxious as well. She is even more. If any of you guys out there have already lived through this-some help would be appreciated.
3. I think I'll have several kayak days in Galveston Bay this summer to chill from the busyness. Looking forward to that and some family day trips to the beach!
So there it is. l'm back. Be looking for more posts, more often. All two of you.
PAST:
1. Major laptop problems, so haven't been able to blog in a while. This coupled with having everything but the Swine Flu left me out of commission for a while. Glad to report both laptop and blogger have recovered fine.
2. My wife had a major injury that rocekd our household in early April. She fell in the middle of the night and broke her neck and jaw. We've had many weeks of recovery, she had her jaws wired shut for several weeks, and wore a neck brace for several weeks. She is much better now, but still can only eat soft food. It will take a few months for total recovery. She has tests coming up to rule out what might have caused her to lose consciousness. I did learn alot, though, about such things as servanthood, being Mr. Mom, and what's really important at the time.
3. Because of the above, I am soooooo behind at the church. There are a ton of new changes coming for the fall, major summer events and trips right around the corner, and Anna and I had to reschedule our long-awaited sabbatical week for the Fall. I have to be honest and say I feel like I am constantly spinning more plates right now than I can handle and I was at a pretty bad place a few weeks ago. It has been a hard year for us personally, and it all hit the wall and I lost it. In front of my youth. Last month. But God is gracious, and I think I'm moving to a better place now. Slowly . . . but surely.
PRESENT:
1. I'm back blogging. I'm mean, really . . . right now . . . I am typing this.
2. Last week I went home to Memphis to officiate the wedding of a former student. It was a blast seeing former students and old friends and what God is doing in their lives. My Youth Pastor's wife passed away and I was also able to attend her service and see him and friends from my youth group I grew up in. People I hadn't seen in 10-15 years. It was hard to see them under those circumstances, but good nonetheless. Boldly went to see Star Trek while I was there too.
3. Getting ready to graduate our seniors in TSMAC. Wow, another year has gone by this quickly! it's always bittersweet to see our seniors head to new chapter in their life. I'm grateful for how God has used them this last four years and hopeful for how He will use them as they move on to college. Many of our students that graduate use the experience from the years they were in TSMAC to in turn minister in the churches and campuses they move on to.
4. Going through 24, Heroes, CSI Miami, and Office withdrawl until September.
FUTURE:
1. Getting ready for a busy, busy, summer (see #3 under "PAST"). The economy has hit our participation (as it has everyone) in our summer trips and we've had to re-calibrate for it. Starting a new thing for summer with our Sr. High called TSMAC U. Mexico mission trip in July. We have a charge staff-wide in our church to simplify our ministries and church life and live into our new vision and have a whole new atmosphere at CBC come August 23. This is all a good thing, but who knew simplifying would be such hard work? I feel like my plates are spinning and I can't keep up with them. Ultimately I believe all this change will put us in a better place and that God will do some incredible things, but it's going to be a long hard summer to get there.
2. My daughter starts high school this Fall and moves up into my group. Talk about a different dynamic! I am excited about it but anxious as well. She is even more. If any of you guys out there have already lived through this-some help would be appreciated.
3. I think I'll have several kayak days in Galveston Bay this summer to chill from the busyness. Looking forward to that and some family day trips to the beach!
So there it is. l'm back. Be looking for more posts, more often. All two of you.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sick Again
So I'm sick again. My laptop is sick as well. So I'll start back blogging in a few more days while we both rest.
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