The Gospel According to Glee

I'm not Gleek (a term to describe Glee fanatics of the show), but last night's episode was a telling snapshot of spirituality in this current generation. It all started when a character from the show, Finn, makes a grilled cheese in which suddenly he suddenly sees the face of Jesus in the bread. The "Grilled Cheesus". He begins to pray to the Grilled Cheesus, which is a whole misguided fiasco in and of itself. At the same time, Kurt, another student's father is lying comatose in a hospital bed. Kurt is gay and a self-proclaimed atheist. And while the other students share Finn's gravitational pull into spirituality through Kurt's crisis, Kurt doesn't share the same sentiment. Having sensed this, Sue Sylvester (the resident self-serving Cheerio coach) descends on Kurt in a vulnerable moment to get him to lodge a complaint againts the glee club for singing spiritual songs at school-their way of dealing with all thats going on with Finn, Kurt, and especially their way of trying to be there for Kurt. Another episode all over the place, but then all of them are.

Embedded in this episode are all kinds of indicators of the spiritual climate of our students today. Finn's prayers are all self-serving (from making quarterback on the football team again to making out with his girlfriend Rachel) and are steeped in the Moralistic Therapuetic Deism that is indicative of student cultute today. MTD's basic belief system is one we see creep even into the beliefs of our Christian students today - God created things and watches over us and the world; He wants people to be nice, fair, not fight and get along like the Bible and most of the world's religions would say (thus the Christianity confusion we see in alot of students today and the relative idea all religions lead to the same place); The basic goal in life is to be happy and feel good about one's self; God really doesn't get involved in things unless he needs to fix a problem or provide something for us we want (the brunt of Finn's interaction with Grilled Cheesus); and Good people go to heaven when they die.

On top of the examples of MTD, we also see in the episode the conflict with other faith systems (Judaism, Sikism, Islam), unbelief, and antagonism toward and disappointment with the God of the Christian faith. All Kurt's friends want to do is be there for him, and he eventually sees this and warms back up to their help and their prayers. He even agrees to go to church with Mercedes, a traditional black church in which she encourages members prayers that day to be interceding for Kurt's father. As the episode began to wind down, I noticed one thing. No matter where the different characters fell on the spiritual spectrum during the hour, in true Hollywood fashion toward the end of the show, they gravitated toward one thing everyone so desperately wants: Hope. Now understand me, the show was definitely not giving a nod toward Christianity. If anything, it applauded the religious pluralism and unity this generation is embracing. But, for us believers who work with students, we need to help them understand that Hope is the what the Christian faith is all about and what sets it apart from every other faith system and belief that is out there. A God who created us to be in relationship with him gives us hope. The cross and it's significance is all about hope. The resurrection more than anything bleeds hope.

I'm not saying Hollywood has turned a corner in their view or thoughts on God. They are still very propagandish (is that a word?). But shows like Glee, which students in your youth groups and mine are watching, are helping to educate our students, even Christian ones, in a false Gospel and a false hope. They are also great windows into the soul of our student's culture to help us stay on top of their pulse. Use them to start discussions with your students on the character, attributes, and mission of the one true God so they will be equipped to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). It's good homework for you to.

Were You Blessed on Father's Day?

Yesterday was Father's day and my family blessed me hugely! I had a typical Sunday morning full of ministry, but later we just chilled. My kids and wife took me to a movie and then out to eat. Just hanging out and having a lot of fun as a family. No better gift!

Which brings me to the thought - why do we place so much more importance and emphasis on Mother's Day as a society (and even as churches) and not Father's Day? Most of us Dads feel like we get the shaft overall on our special day. Even in our churches we plan and execute activities that take away from enjoying and being with Dad (like meetings and setting up for VBS). We wouldn't even think about planning anything of the sorts on Mom's day. Mom's and Dad's both need to be honored and appreciated. My family honored me significantly yesterday. Mom is invaluable, but leadership and responsibility-physically, emotionally, and spiritually-are all placed on Dad.

My buddy, Chris Stevens wrote some good thoughts on Dad. Here is a short snippet from his blog: (Thanks for the thoughts, Chris)

I wonder why Mother’s Day is a huge deal and Dad’s Day comes and goes without much fanfare? Dads, do you ever feel slighted? Sometimes I think of us guys like Archie Bunker. That is not how God sees dads. I have never thought about it before, but He calls us the same title He gave Himself – FATHER!!! That is a big honking deal, don’t you think?

No matter what happens this Father’s Day we must never forget the power of the father! There is a reason that God placed the dad as the spiritual leader of the home. If a mother takes her kids to church, about 15% will continue to go to church after they are grown. If the dad takes the kids, about 75% of the kids will continue to go after they are grown.

Dads can affect their kids’ lives forever, for good or for bad! That is how God designed it. Here is another amazing fact I found today while preparing for the message this weekend. In Malachi 4:6 we see the mark of a major move of God. “The hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers and the fathers to the children.” I could think of a lot of marks of revival and never would I have come up with this. God did! Dads can change the world!

Top Popular Songs of 2009

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

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.

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.

No Line On The Horizon

So I've been dissecting U2's new album to find some nuggets of noteworthy truth and ponderence. The album's not as upbeat as "Atomic Bomb", but it does have some sonic riffs and lyrics in it. The band is getting more and more gutsy in reflecting their faith as raw and blatantly as they do in this latest effort. Some classic soaring U2 sounds and anthems on the new record.

Here are some worthwhile nuggets so far . . .

No Line On The Horizon: Title song has a good and memorable riff that will catch you off guard. Not my personal favorite on the album.

Magnificent: So far, favorite song on the album. This could be a psalm. Soaring praise to the Creator. "I was born, I was born to sing for you/I didn't have a choice but to lift you up". "From the womb my first cry/it was a joyful noise." "Only love could leave such a mark/Only love could leave such a scar." "Justified you and I will magnify/The Magnificent."

Moment Of Surrender: "It's not if I believe in love/but if love believes in me".

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight: "Every sweet tooth needs a hit/every beauty needs to go out with an idiot/how can you stand next to the truth and not see it?". "The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear" (I love that one).

Get On Your Boots: Great song to bring out as the first single. Not as good as "Vertigo", but one great line: "here's what we're gonna need, love and community/laughter is eternity if joy is real".

White As Snow: The first few bars of the song is taken from the hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". "Who can forgive forgiveness where forgiveness is not/only the lamb as white as snow". It was written for a soldier that died in Afghanistan.

Breathe: Another great guitar riff in this one. "But I'm running down the road like loose electricity". "Everyday I have to find the courage/to walk out into the street/with arms out/got a love you can't defeat". "Walk out/into the sunburst street/sing your heart out, sing my heart out/I've found grace inside a sound/I've found grace that's all I've found/And I can breathe, breathe now". When the band did this live Monday night on the Late Show, Bono changed the last chorus to "Spirit, breathe".

Good Stuff.

Grammy's

Caught the Grammy's last night, even though I didn't get to watch them until about 20 minute into the program. Some notable and worthwhile performances:

Al Green and Justin Timberlake: well, not really Justin, but definitely Al Green.

Coldplay and Jay-Z: great live performance of "Viva la Vida". Great lyrics.

(can't believe I'm saying this) Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder: having a daughter that screams every time you even mention Nick Jonas, I was apprehensive. My observation is thus: If these guys could break out of the Disney contract and and really write meaningful songs and not have the stigma of screaming pre-pubescent girls at every live outing, they might be pretty good. They have good stage presence and perform well. But it did help having Stevie up there. "Superstition" was hands down the highlight of the set.

Allison Krauss and Robert Plant: bluegrass meet Zepplin? Gotta get that album.

and of course - U2: As usual, best way to start of the show (I believe this is the Irish quartet's third time in the last decade). I haven't been too keen on the new song, although I'm ready for the new album to drop. But after watching live it's grown on me. Kinda a of Dylan "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and Larry Norman "Reader's Digest" with a modern rock edge. They've done it again. That's why they are The Man. That's right.

Best line from "The Office" last night:
"Are you trying to hurt my feelings? Well you succeeded. Fortunately, my feelings regenerate at twice the speed of the average mans".

Stinky funny! Classic!

What's your favorite Dwight moment? . . .