I have been asked many, many times about my years in Youth Ministry and what has changed. The biggest thing that has happened to Youth Ministry over the years is technology and Social Media.
Back in the day when communicating with students and parents we had to call everyone on a phone that was tethered to a desk or wall. There was a rotary dial and it took some time, a lot of time, to make all the calls to the parents and students. Then it would happen somewhere your plans would be tweaked and now you have to call everyone back and explain the change. Argh....
We also used a lot of posters and snail mail. You remember mail right? We would actually make a letter, write it out, copy it, fold it, place it in an envelope and stamp it; then to the mail box. This would have to be done days and days in advance. Inevitably the students and adults would get the communication late! Argh...
Today we have Social Media and most of the time this is at the finger tips of the students and adults. No more having to wait until they get home and have to check email. Email, by the way, students do not use, so don't send them! Parents and grandparents are all over that though.
Social Media is like a firearm, in my opinion, now wait before you shut me out! When used properly, firearms are to help, protect, hunt and for safety. When used as intended there is no problem. However, outside the bounds of what it was created for there is a problem. Social Media is the same way. You can contact masses at one time with upcoming ministry information, send updates immediately, contact parents and students at the same time, photos and immediate updates! But when Social Media is not used properly there is a problem. It can be used to tear down, destroy, attack and maim individuals.
Social Media can be a wonderful thing but use it wisely. IF we do not use it correctly in ministry then we are part of the problem. Make sure you follow the rules and guidelines properly! If you don't do it well, it will be used against you.
Parents please have conversations with your students about how to use Social Media correctly! Parents have your student's passwords and check their Social Media often, and let them know you are doing it! Also don't let your students have a Social Media page until 13 due to Federal Requirements, yep the government.
Anyway, I welcome your comments about this monster called Social Media.
Showing posts with label Philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philosophy. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Monday, November 25, 2013
Alive or on Life Support
Alive or on Life Support is the first thing that came to mind when I read this article and then again when I saw the video clip that it refers to. Bottom line is that a former leader of a church organization says he sees the church not doing enough to reach teens, students and the youth. This is from the Church of England and the country of Great Britain.
Now before too many other denominational protestants, or Catholics, become smug thinking this is NOT your concern, that is a wrong assumption. You see the church has to always be willing to reinvent itself, not the GOSPEL, not the Christ we represent but the HOW we do it.
We have to be willing to move outside our comfort zones, the way we have always done it, and be willing to embrace things that help reach this generation of souls for Jesus Christ. You see we have been too comfortable for too long doing the same old things the same old way and expect new and exciting changes or results. We tend to embrace change in our lives in entertainment, communications, food stuffs, medical procedures, and even in the cars we drive plus all the comforts of home, etc. However, when it comes to our worship, we tend to stay with what WE like over what THEY who are not here NEED when we can get them to the church.
I believe in new and improved in the free market. Better laundry detergents, better food products, improved cell phones, thinner televisions that take up a whole wall, better sound systems, headphones, games, and the like. If we can't make the product better we improve the container that it is in so it looks better. Take bleach in a better pour bottle, it's still bleach but sales go up for the new container. How about grape juice in a new easier to handle container to minimize spills? It's still grape juice!
Church, we have to look at, focus on, and target/reach those that are NOT here. How do we do that? Maybe you don't know, maybe I don't know, maybe no one really knows for sure but we do know one thing for sure; what we have been doing IS NOT WORKING! IF IT IS WORKING IT'S NOT WORKING AS WELL AS IT USED TO!
I believe that when you see a church that is NOT catering to or coddling any certain group but is targeting, budgeting for and giving resources to the children and the youth; well that church is more alive. Take a mental inventory. Has your congregation reached a median age that is near retiring and there are not any or very many young couples, babies or teens there? I plead with us as church leaders, we have to not worry, fret and stress over those in our congregation that we may loose if we try to reach those that are NOT here. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost!
Kingdom work is hard and difficult. Bu we have to ask ourselves are we Alive or on Life Support!?
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/11/24/former-archbishop-canterbury-warns-christianity-as-risk-dying-out-in-generation/
Now before too many other denominational protestants, or Catholics, become smug thinking this is NOT your concern, that is a wrong assumption. You see the church has to always be willing to reinvent itself, not the GOSPEL, not the Christ we represent but the HOW we do it.
We have to be willing to move outside our comfort zones, the way we have always done it, and be willing to embrace things that help reach this generation of souls for Jesus Christ. You see we have been too comfortable for too long doing the same old things the same old way and expect new and exciting changes or results. We tend to embrace change in our lives in entertainment, communications, food stuffs, medical procedures, and even in the cars we drive plus all the comforts of home, etc. However, when it comes to our worship, we tend to stay with what WE like over what THEY who are not here NEED when we can get them to the church.
I believe in new and improved in the free market. Better laundry detergents, better food products, improved cell phones, thinner televisions that take up a whole wall, better sound systems, headphones, games, and the like. If we can't make the product better we improve the container that it is in so it looks better. Take bleach in a better pour bottle, it's still bleach but sales go up for the new container. How about grape juice in a new easier to handle container to minimize spills? It's still grape juice!
Church, we have to look at, focus on, and target/reach those that are NOT here. How do we do that? Maybe you don't know, maybe I don't know, maybe no one really knows for sure but we do know one thing for sure; what we have been doing IS NOT WORKING! IF IT IS WORKING IT'S NOT WORKING AS WELL AS IT USED TO!
I believe that when you see a church that is NOT catering to or coddling any certain group but is targeting, budgeting for and giving resources to the children and the youth; well that church is more alive. Take a mental inventory. Has your congregation reached a median age that is near retiring and there are not any or very many young couples, babies or teens there? I plead with us as church leaders, we have to not worry, fret and stress over those in our congregation that we may loose if we try to reach those that are NOT here. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost!
Kingdom work is hard and difficult. Bu we have to ask ourselves are we Alive or on Life Support!?
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/11/24/former-archbishop-canterbury-warns-christianity-as-risk-dying-out-in-generation/
Former Archbishop of Canterbury warns Christianity at risk of dying out in a generation!
FoxNews.com
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has a warning for Christian churches: Attract young people to the faith or risk losing it forever.
According to The Telegraph, Carey said Christianity is just a “generation away from extinction” in Britain unless churches have a breakthrough in attracting young people.
Clergy are gripped by a “feeling of defeat” and congregations are worn down by “heaviness," he said.
Carey said the public greets both with “rolled eyes and a yawn of boredom," according to The Telegraph.
Carey made his remarks at a Shrewsbury conference discussing how the church could be "re-imagined."
“So many people do not see the average church as a place where great things happen," he said. “To sit in a cold church looking at the back of other peoples’ heads is surely not the best place to meet exciting people and to hear prophetic words.”
According to The Telegraph, Carey cited a lack of youth ministries as one of the sources of the problem.
“So many churches have no ministry to young people and that means they have no interest in the future," he said. “We have to give cogent reasons to young people why the Christian faith is relevant to them.”
Sunday congregations in the U.K. have almost halved since 1970 to just 807,000 in the most recent figures, The Telegraph reported.
According to The Telegraph, Carey said Christianity is just a “generation away from extinction” in Britain unless churches have a breakthrough in attracting young people.
Clergy are gripped by a “feeling of defeat” and congregations are worn down by “heaviness," he said.
Carey said the public greets both with “rolled eyes and a yawn of boredom," according to The Telegraph.
Carey made his remarks at a Shrewsbury conference discussing how the church could be "re-imagined."
“So many people do not see the average church as a place where great things happen," he said. “To sit in a cold church looking at the back of other peoples’ heads is surely not the best place to meet exciting people and to hear prophetic words.”
According to The Telegraph, Carey cited a lack of youth ministries as one of the sources of the problem.
“So many churches have no ministry to young people and that means they have no interest in the future," he said. “We have to give cogent reasons to young people why the Christian faith is relevant to them.”
Sunday congregations in the U.K. have almost halved since 1970 to just 807,000 in the most recent figures, The Telegraph reported.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Married Couples, Unite!
Married Couples, Unite! Yep that's what I said, Unite!
What do I mean by this? Well you guys are in a marriage for a lifetime. Be in it. Be in it together, united in all you do. You will disagree, if you don't then one of you is not needed. The other thing, is have some fun in your marriage. Do stuff together, do stuff apart, but do things. Do things you like together. GUYS, she doesn't always have to camp, kill and gut something to spend time with you. Although as a guy I think that's a fun thing.
LADYS, stop making him get in touch with his feminine side; that's just scary. If you are looking for someone that has that warm fuzzy feeling always wondering how you are doing emotionally and wanting to cuddle on the sofa; well get a stuffed bear! Just kidding, not really, yes I am.
I recently was digging out some old papers and came across this that I know you have seen but I wanted to post it in a blog because it's true or funny or not. Read it with while thinking of Married Couples and be committed in marriage for the long haul! Your children need to see it how a marriage in love is lived through.
What do I mean by this? Well you guys are in a marriage for a lifetime. Be in it. Be in it together, united in all you do. You will disagree, if you don't then one of you is not needed. The other thing, is have some fun in your marriage. Do stuff together, do stuff apart, but do things. Do things you like together. GUYS, she doesn't always have to camp, kill and gut something to spend time with you. Although as a guy I think that's a fun thing.
LADYS, stop making him get in touch with his feminine side; that's just scary. If you are looking for someone that has that warm fuzzy feeling always wondering how you are doing emotionally and wanting to cuddle on the sofa; well get a stuffed bear! Just kidding, not really, yes I am.
I recently was digging out some old papers and came across this that I know you have seen but I wanted to post it in a blog because it's true or funny or not. Read it with while thinking of Married Couples and be committed in marriage for the long haul! Your children need to see it how a marriage in love is lived through.
The Rules
- The female always makes the rules.
- The rules are subject to change at anytime without prior notification.
- No male can possibly know all the rules.
- If the female suspects the male knows all the rules, she MUST IMMEDIATELY change some or all of the rules.
- The female is never wrong.
- IF the female IS wrong, it is because of a flagrant misunderstanding which was a direct result of something the male did or said wrong.
- If rule 6 applies, the must apologize immediately for causing this misunderstanding.
- The female can change her mind at any given time.
- The male mus never change his mind without written consent from the female.
- The female has every right to be angry or upset at any given time.
- The male must remain calm at ALL TIMES, unless the female wants him to be angry or upset.
- The female must under NO circumstances let the male know whether or not she wants him to be angry or upset.
- IF the female has P.M.S. ALL RULES ARE NULL AND VOID!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A Modern Day Parable!
A Modern Day Parable! OK, wait for it, wait for it, here we go. Parable an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. A parable is a story that makes you think. There may be different areas that you personally will pick up or out of the story that others will not see and yet the meanings are so much deeper.
Last night I was involved in a Bible Study with several of our students at a local Coffee shop that will go nameless, unless it's name is Purdy's Coffee Shop, but that is a story for another day. However, we were discussing scriptures and we end up talking about random things such as "what new flavor of coffee would you create?" Our next question was historical in nature, "What additional President would you add to Mount Rushmore if you could?" The answers were various from random choices to more thought provoking reasons. This was fun to hear their young minds move through history to make a choice.
So that made me think about history and scripture; how we see scriptures as a finished story on this end of history BUT we are making history right now. How we are making choices everyday affects history. Take this story for instance as it is unfolding.
"There is a country where the people rule. The rulers make laws, rules and try to interpret what the winds of popularity are of the people. There are understandings, hot buttons, hot topics and topics that once they are invoked it gets emotional responses but not necessarily thought provoking conversation.
The culture had set up this idol if you will about how sexuality should be viewed and anyone that dare oppose that idea or idol, would be dealt with in the most ugly fashion. Those that refused to bow to this idol whenever it was brought forth on the stage of conversation would suffer the consequences.
In this story there are 3 men, let's name them Dan, Tim, and Jeremy and they are all in different fields of vocation, stages in life, and all have similar beliefs; contrary to the cultural idol. One of these men is in the area of business, a very successful business, grossing sales over 4 Billion dollars a year with a very simple concept. One of the men is young and was successful when going to college winning many awards and accolades for his abilities. He was sometimes over the top with emotion even wearing his faith as it were, under his eyes of all places. The final young man played sports and did not get all the rewards and was considered by many a failure even sleeping on some one's sofa as he was down and out. However, he never denied or walked away from his faith or his beliefs, no matter what those around him would say.
Dan, Tim and Jeremy all stood strong for what they believed. Even when the culture traded them to other teams, ridiculed their abilities, and boycotted their businesses, they stood firm in what they believed.
One day because of the stance of Dan in answering a question about his beliefs that did not go well with those of the culture trouble began. The people were outraged and got politicians, leaders, and others involved and heated up the stage of debate 7 times hotter than it had ever been before. They called for picketing, boycotting and even demanding his business be closed in various places. They would show this man that you can't have your opinion, thought or belief system, after all that is intolerance of the culture.
(Side note, Tolerance is defined as: noun
Last night I was involved in a Bible Study with several of our students at a local Coffee shop that will go nameless, unless it's name is Purdy's Coffee Shop, but that is a story for another day. However, we were discussing scriptures and we end up talking about random things such as "what new flavor of coffee would you create?" Our next question was historical in nature, "What additional President would you add to Mount Rushmore if you could?" The answers were various from random choices to more thought provoking reasons. This was fun to hear their young minds move through history to make a choice.
So that made me think about history and scripture; how we see scriptures as a finished story on this end of history BUT we are making history right now. How we are making choices everyday affects history. Take this story for instance as it is unfolding.
"There is a country where the people rule. The rulers make laws, rules and try to interpret what the winds of popularity are of the people. There are understandings, hot buttons, hot topics and topics that once they are invoked it gets emotional responses but not necessarily thought provoking conversation.
The culture had set up this idol if you will about how sexuality should be viewed and anyone that dare oppose that idea or idol, would be dealt with in the most ugly fashion. Those that refused to bow to this idol whenever it was brought forth on the stage of conversation would suffer the consequences.
In this story there are 3 men, let's name them Dan, Tim, and Jeremy and they are all in different fields of vocation, stages in life, and all have similar beliefs; contrary to the cultural idol. One of these men is in the area of business, a very successful business, grossing sales over 4 Billion dollars a year with a very simple concept. One of the men is young and was successful when going to college winning many awards and accolades for his abilities. He was sometimes over the top with emotion even wearing his faith as it were, under his eyes of all places. The final young man played sports and did not get all the rewards and was considered by many a failure even sleeping on some one's sofa as he was down and out. However, he never denied or walked away from his faith or his beliefs, no matter what those around him would say.
Dan, Tim and Jeremy all stood strong for what they believed. Even when the culture traded them to other teams, ridiculed their abilities, and boycotted their businesses, they stood firm in what they believed.
One day because of the stance of Dan in answering a question about his beliefs that did not go well with those of the culture trouble began. The people were outraged and got politicians, leaders, and others involved and heated up the stage of debate 7 times hotter than it had ever been before. They called for picketing, boycotting and even demanding his business be closed in various places. They would show this man that you can't have your opinion, thought or belief system, after all that is intolerance of the culture.
(Side note, Tolerance is defined as: noun
1. a. fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices,race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.
2. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.
3. interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, practices, etc., foreign to one's own; a liberal, undogmatic viewpoint.
4. the act or capacity of enduring; endurance: My tolerance of noise is limited.)
If Dan did not retract his words or his beliefs he would burn in the furnace of popular thought and culture. If Tim and Jeremy want to be successful they have to compromise their ideas, beliefs, and thought processes because that is not tolerance to believe differently from the 'norm'.
The day came for the boycott, the taking a stance against this belief system and something happened. It started small and then it grew and then it swelled. Support for this belief system, faith, and freedom of speech. It came from all areas of the culture and country. Many who had been silent for so long arose to support truth and even showing love for those that didn't believe the same way that they do. They attempted to show tolerance for all people. Sure not everyone will agree but civility must prevail. Sure there are pockets of bigotry, and intolerance, but that happens on all sides and not not acceptable on either front."
In this story the days are being played out before us and how will it end? Well that is up to you the reader because you are in the story, a player, and participant of the final outcome. However, I know that NOT participating in the story is not an option because silence, failure to stand, and not participating IS participating.
So this is a story being played out before us and in history when our children and grand-children ask about this kind of thing in the culture, I hope you can tell them about truth and life and faith. That you can use this story A Modern Day Parable to help them understand.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
So Now What?
"So Now What?" is heard by so many when they are doing so many things and finally those things are about to come to an end. Take Camp for instance. This summer I have had the joy of being at more than one camp environment. I have been with hundreds, maybe thousands of teens, hard to count accurately in my sleep depravation, and I have seen and heard many things from our teens. So the question remains, "So Now What?".
I have learned things about our teens this summer. Many things that are new, some are reinforcements, and some I have seen for years.
New: Our students are more fascinated with sex than ever before. Well at least in my 50+ years of life. Boys still talk with great knowledge of the opposite sex, what the girls like and don't like; and like always, they are wrong.
New pranks involving Icey Hot, and other over the counter medications, some that you have to wonder out loud' "How did they think of that?" or "Why would you try something like that?"
Reinforcements: Students are more tethered to their phones and music than EVER before. It is unhealthy for a teen to isolate himself, or herself, from others by escaping into their headphones and music. These are not bad things but our student culture is the most "disconnected" connected generation we have ever had.
Students are insecure even when it comes to worshipping the Lord God in a worship service where the lights are low, people don't know each other and can't see you. Still they are afraid to let go and let God! So afraid of what others will think about them.
What I have known for years: Kids are kids even when they are teens. They are insecure and want someone to love them. They will do dumb stuff to impress the opposite sex and give up on values taught to them that make parents cringe. Students have more, or put more, pressure on themselves and worry like crazy. Students going into High School will never say it but they are worried. They are the youngest in a place where the guys are men and the girls are women. Middle School students are worried about grades and getting placed correctly when they go to HS.
Students are low in Self Esteem no matter how many participation ribbons and medals that they have amassed! Kids can't be kids because parents want them to perform at levels above them so the parents will look good, no matter that the kids just want to have some fun.
Kids are filled with anxiety because they can't go to the movies without fear of someone shooting, fighting, or picking on them. Predators are around every corner. Going on line can be dangerous. Going outside can be dangerous.
When it comes to relationships they are estranged from parents who are struggling with their own relationships. They see parents that struggle with many of the same issues that they do.
Spirituality is hard on our students. They are confronted about their faith from other religions, culture, paganism, and due to lack of learning, knowledge or even family experience, they will not stand firm on truth but pressure.
Students still want to know if SOMEONE will love them even though they see themselves as inferior products. Will they get dates, boyfriends, girlfriends, will pimples go away? What will the future bring to their lives? What vocation? Will I make money?
Will I be happy?
"So Now What?"
To parents, love your kids, teach them by modeling biblical truths. Teach them God's Word so they can better know what they believe and why they believe it.
To ministers, love the kids, teach them by modeling biblical truths. Teach them God's Word so they can better know what they believe and why they believe it.
To Youth Ministers, love the kids, teach them by modeling biblical truths. Teach them God's Word so they can better know what they believe and why they believe it.
The challenge is for parents and leaders because we have been where they are in ages and needs and the students this is their first rodeo. We know where to find answers, how to listen and how to lead them. That being said here's my question for us.
"So Now What?"
Monday, June 25, 2012
Teens Leaving the Church
Teens leaving the church is one of those blaring statements that not only concerns Youth Ministers but also parents, pastors and church leaders. Recently after returning from vacation I am going through my mail and I find our state denominational paper in my box. One of the headlines reads, "Southern Baptist Membership Continues to Decline". It talks about how we have gone from millions of membership to fewer millions in membership over the last few years. This is not good.
Why Teens Are Leaving the Church
Posted By Mark Gregston On June 15, 2012 @ 12:42 pm In boundaries,Finding purpose,fitting in,household rules,meaning of life,troubled teens
The Culture
On matters of religion and the family, our culture fosters confusion in our teens. In a society that craves entertainment, teens have an aversion to lectures. They would rather not sit and listen to someone preach for an hour every Sunday. Church is seen as “boring” or “lame.” It fails to offer fun or amusement. Once the Sunday school curriculum moves past puppet shows into a more serious application of Christian principles, many teens abandon the notion that the church holds any relevance to their lives.
Our culture also preaches that church is antiquated. The cynics have concluded that pastors and church leaders are incapable of understanding the new sexual norms, modern media, changing gender roles, or even recent scientific discoveries. The Barna Group revealed that 40% of 18 to 29 year olds believe the church’s teachings on sexuality and birth control are outdated.
Whether or not the church has done a good job refuting this view or not, the growing perception among young adults is that the church is no longer in touch with the modern world.
The Church
Another reason teens are leaving the church has to do with the church itself. Don’t misunderstand—the point is not to bash churches or assign blame. There are many factors to the departure of teens from their faith. However, like a doctor who identifies the disease before treatments, if we can diagnose why teens struggle with church, we can better cure what ails them.
For many teens, church has become judgmental and hypocritical. On our radio program this week, you’ll hear one of our students from the Heartlight residential program explain that he left church because he felt judged and looked down upon. Kids make mistakes and misconstrue, of course, and they may feel like church unfairly shines a spotlight on their weaknesses. But this is also the most inclusive generation in history. The way they embrace diversity is remarkable and inspiring. However, with that commendable sense of tolerance, young people today struggle with the exclusivity of Christianity. Why does the church act like it knows everything? Who’s to say they have the market on truth or right? For them, the church looks like an elite country club, where those who don’t fit the mold are denied acceptance. (We have to do a better job of explaining the why of things within the church. Why we do VBS as an example. Reason? More people come to Christ through VBS than any other evangelistic outreach of the church. Communicate the why so students and adults will know why we do this.)
Of course, we know this is a skewed view of the church. Not all Christians are hypocritical or judgmental. I have been in churches where the members have been the most loving and divergent group of people I have ever seen. But because your son or daughter may have an immature picture of religion doesn’t mean we should disregard their concerns. We can shatter this perception by celebrating Christian models that disdain hypocrisy. Point out to your teen those Christians who are living changed and transformed lives. Jesus unleashed His deepest anger at hypocritical religious zealots who twisted authentic Christianity.
Sometimes it’s healthy to get your teen exposed to Christian missionaries or volunteers who are building houses in third world countries, adopting children, or digging wells in Africa. Show your son and daughter the transforming work of the church right in their own backyard and around the world. If your teen is struggling with the church, perhaps you can find someone who will take your child under his or her wing and develop a friendship with them. (This fall at our church we will be moving more into small groups and mentor ships for our students and adults.) Interviews with rebellious young people who eventually persevered in their faith report having a friendship with an adult who was not their parent in the church.
David Kinnman, president of Barna Group, conducted his own studies on this issue and revealed that churches that integrate vocation and faith have a better retention rate among teens. Kids want to see how Christianity converges with their aspirations to become graphic artists, civil engineers, biologists, lawyers, or doctors. So, when somebody comes alongside them and says, Look, here’s how that vocation lines up with our faith, it debunks the notion that says church is irrelevant. (If we have a student interested in banking or business we need Christian business people to come along side of them and talk not only faith but vocational life.) If the church holds any hope of engaging with today’s teens, we must deliver the consistent message that our faith speaks to every issue in their lives.
The Teen
Sometimes it’s the culture, sometimes it’s the church, but many times, it’s the teen himself that makes the decision to shrug off church. Even in the best-case scenarios, it’s quite normal to find resistance from your teen on this matter of church attendance. Work hard at not taking it so personally, or as an affront to your success as a parent.
Start discussing this matter with your child long before he or she becomes a teenager. Start going to church as a family when the kids are small; show them that it’s not a duty, but a privilege; it is something your whole family is committed to. Then give your teen a timeline. I advise moms and dads to sit down and present a plan to their kids. It gives you a foundation to work from, and gives your teen a basis for freedom and responsibility for their own walk with God. It could look something like this …
• At 13, you need to go to youth group, church on Sunday, Bible study on Wednesday, and camp in the summer.
• At 15, you need to go to youth group and church on Sunday.
• At 17, you need to go to church on Sunday.
• At 18, we won’t make you go, but we would encourage you to go anyway, because church will equip you with life-skills, purpose and meaning. (I recommend that the last 6 months of HS, January on, to have them figure out what they can leave as a lasting legacy to their youth group. Passing of the baton so to speak.)
Just because more young adults are leaving the church every year doesn’t mean we need to keel to the trend. Some say, Relax, they’ll come back. But I’m not willing to be a passive onlooker as kids abandon the institution of the church. This is a battle that deserves a valiant effort that requires discernment, grace and skill. The community of believers is not only essential in a teen’s life, but in our lives as well. It won’t be easy, and it will take persistence, but with God’s help, we can instill values in our children they will one day pass along to their own.
Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder and director of Heartlight, located in Hallsville, Texas. For more information and helpful resources for moms and dads, check out our website. It’s filled with ideas and tools to help you become a more effective parent. Go to www.heartlightministries.org. Or read other helpful articles by Mark, at www.markgregston.com. You can also call Heartlight directly at (903) 668-2173. Hear the Parenting Today’s Teens broadcast on a radio station near you, or download the podcast at http://www.parentingtodaysteens.org/.
I hope you have enjoyed this conversation and have had some thoughts about how to better reach this generation. The church has to do a better job in stop the Teens Leaving the Church.
Everyone of those numbers represents a person and not just a number. Churches across the board need to look at "how we do business" and change what we need to change to reach and keep not only the youth but those demographics that we are not reaching. This means not doing things the way we have always done them, cause if you do you will always get what you always got! (Not an original line by the way!) Businesses do this all the time. Look at what you are doing and see if it is "meeting your business plan? Is it reaching your customer base? If it is not, what needs to be tweaked to meet those needs?" Sure this may mean NOT doing some FAVORITE things of the current customers but WE CANNOT ALLOW THE FEAR OF LOSING WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE TO KEEP US FROM REACHING THOSE THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE. This means that we can't allow us to fear losing folks in the pews when we have folks not coming to Christ because of the way we do things for ourselves. Spiritually speaking this is Pharisee ism to the degree of religion over relationship with Jesus.
I read an article from Mark Gregston, who operates a home for youth in Texas and is an author, speaker and director of Heartlight Ministries. It is one of those articles that I have read, copied, printed and digested. It's such a good article that I want to include it in its entirety for you to read. I have taken liberty to insert some italicized words for my own comments within the article and bold. Enjoy and join me in helping reach this generation for the Kingdom.
Posted By Mark Gregston On June 15, 2012 @ 12:42 pm In boundaries,Finding purpose,fitting in,household rules,meaning of life,troubled teens
How many times have you walked into your teen’s room on a Sunday morning, stepped over wrinkled clothes and half-eaten sandwiches, shook the snoring lump between the covers and informed them to get up for church, only to hear a muffled, “No thanks”?
If this describes a scene in your household, you are not alone. Teens are leaving the church in droves. According to a recent study by the Barna Group, close to 60% of kids leave church after age fifteen. Three out of every five kids in your church’s youth group will eventually shrug off the institution entirely. What’s the cause for this exodus? Why is this next generation leaving churches en masse?
The CultureOur culture also preaches that church is antiquated. The cynics have concluded that pastors and church leaders are incapable of understanding the new sexual norms, modern media, changing gender roles, or even recent scientific discoveries. The Barna Group revealed that 40% of 18 to 29 year olds believe the church’s teachings on sexuality and birth control are outdated.
Whether or not the church has done a good job refuting this view or not, the growing perception among young adults is that the church is no longer in touch with the modern world.
The Church
Another reason teens are leaving the church has to do with the church itself. Don’t misunderstand—the point is not to bash churches or assign blame. There are many factors to the departure of teens from their faith. However, like a doctor who identifies the disease before treatments, if we can diagnose why teens struggle with church, we can better cure what ails them.
For many teens, church has become judgmental and hypocritical. On our radio program this week, you’ll hear one of our students from the Heartlight residential program explain that he left church because he felt judged and looked down upon. Kids make mistakes and misconstrue, of course, and they may feel like church unfairly shines a spotlight on their weaknesses. But this is also the most inclusive generation in history. The way they embrace diversity is remarkable and inspiring. However, with that commendable sense of tolerance, young people today struggle with the exclusivity of Christianity. Why does the church act like it knows everything? Who’s to say they have the market on truth or right? For them, the church looks like an elite country club, where those who don’t fit the mold are denied acceptance. (We have to do a better job of explaining the why of things within the church. Why we do VBS as an example. Reason? More people come to Christ through VBS than any other evangelistic outreach of the church. Communicate the why so students and adults will know why we do this.)
Of course, we know this is a skewed view of the church. Not all Christians are hypocritical or judgmental. I have been in churches where the members have been the most loving and divergent group of people I have ever seen. But because your son or daughter may have an immature picture of religion doesn’t mean we should disregard their concerns. We can shatter this perception by celebrating Christian models that disdain hypocrisy. Point out to your teen those Christians who are living changed and transformed lives. Jesus unleashed His deepest anger at hypocritical religious zealots who twisted authentic Christianity.
Sometimes it’s healthy to get your teen exposed to Christian missionaries or volunteers who are building houses in third world countries, adopting children, or digging wells in Africa. Show your son and daughter the transforming work of the church right in their own backyard and around the world. If your teen is struggling with the church, perhaps you can find someone who will take your child under his or her wing and develop a friendship with them. (This fall at our church we will be moving more into small groups and mentor ships for our students and adults.) Interviews with rebellious young people who eventually persevered in their faith report having a friendship with an adult who was not their parent in the church.
David Kinnman, president of Barna Group, conducted his own studies on this issue and revealed that churches that integrate vocation and faith have a better retention rate among teens. Kids want to see how Christianity converges with their aspirations to become graphic artists, civil engineers, biologists, lawyers, or doctors. So, when somebody comes alongside them and says, Look, here’s how that vocation lines up with our faith, it debunks the notion that says church is irrelevant. (If we have a student interested in banking or business we need Christian business people to come along side of them and talk not only faith but vocational life.) If the church holds any hope of engaging with today’s teens, we must deliver the consistent message that our faith speaks to every issue in their lives.
The Teen
Sometimes it’s the culture, sometimes it’s the church, but many times, it’s the teen himself that makes the decision to shrug off church. Even in the best-case scenarios, it’s quite normal to find resistance from your teen on this matter of church attendance. Work hard at not taking it so personally, or as an affront to your success as a parent.
Start discussing this matter with your child long before he or she becomes a teenager. Start going to church as a family when the kids are small; show them that it’s not a duty, but a privilege; it is something your whole family is committed to. Then give your teen a timeline. I advise moms and dads to sit down and present a plan to their kids. It gives you a foundation to work from, and gives your teen a basis for freedom and responsibility for their own walk with God. It could look something like this …
• At 13, you need to go to youth group, church on Sunday, Bible study on Wednesday, and camp in the summer.
• At 15, you need to go to youth group and church on Sunday.
• At 17, you need to go to church on Sunday.
• At 18, we won’t make you go, but we would encourage you to go anyway, because church will equip you with life-skills, purpose and meaning. (I recommend that the last 6 months of HS, January on, to have them figure out what they can leave as a lasting legacy to their youth group. Passing of the baton so to speak.)
Just because more young adults are leaving the church every year doesn’t mean we need to keel to the trend. Some say, Relax, they’ll come back. But I’m not willing to be a passive onlooker as kids abandon the institution of the church. This is a battle that deserves a valiant effort that requires discernment, grace and skill. The community of believers is not only essential in a teen’s life, but in our lives as well. It won’t be easy, and it will take persistence, but with God’s help, we can instill values in our children they will one day pass along to their own.
Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder and director of Heartlight, located in Hallsville, Texas. For more information and helpful resources for moms and dads, check out our website. It’s filled with ideas and tools to help you become a more effective parent. Go to www.heartlightministries.org. Or read other helpful articles by Mark, at www.markgregston.com. You can also call Heartlight directly at (903) 668-2173. Hear the Parenting Today’s Teens broadcast on a radio station near you, or download the podcast at http://www.parentingtodaysteens.org/.
I hope you have enjoyed this conversation and have had some thoughts about how to better reach this generation. The church has to do a better job in stop the Teens Leaving the Church.
Monday, January 23, 2012
I Dare You To Step Over This Line!
"I dare you to step over this line!" is usually what someone hears between a couple of guys right before a fight breaks out. However, I think that the same words may be spoken by adolescents to their parents, when it comes to being a teen. Teens are different in case you haven't noticed. It's amazing what they think, or not, say or shouldn't say, or do, and you guessed it they shouldn't have done it. Raising a teen into adulthood can be a crazy ride! BUT we can't avoid it so let's learn about our kids before they get into this crazy time called adolescence!
The term adolescence is a relative new term being coined about 100 years ago in our culture. Back in the day a person went from being a kid into adulthood situations and grew up fast and were men and women. Why else do you hear stories from grand parents of them leaving home at 13 or 14 and striking out on their own? But now we have to look at what we are dealing with today.
Adolescence is about a time of transitions and changes. It is that transitional phase of life that connects childhood to adulthood. It is during this time frame that the students are going through the fastest time of change in their lives. They will be changing all kinds of ways, and all at the same time. There are the hormonal issues, neurological, emotional, social, and prayerfully spiritual. These all come at the same time and are like getting a drink not from a water fountain but from a fire hydrant!
So that being said, what are you to expect? There are several things that Dr. John Townsend has listed in his book, "Boundaries with Teens".
I know that during these crazy times your teen will drive you crazy to a degree, you will not understand them but remember it is necessary for them to exercise who they are, within your parameters, so they will be solid adults. So here's the fight for the next few years of parenting your teen, "I Dare You To Step Over This Line!"
BWT 69-73
The term adolescence is a relative new term being coined about 100 years ago in our culture. Back in the day a person went from being a kid into adulthood situations and grew up fast and were men and women. Why else do you hear stories from grand parents of them leaving home at 13 or 14 and striking out on their own? But now we have to look at what we are dealing with today.
Adolescence is about a time of transitions and changes. It is that transitional phase of life that connects childhood to adulthood. It is during this time frame that the students are going through the fastest time of change in their lives. They will be changing all kinds of ways, and all at the same time. There are the hormonal issues, neurological, emotional, social, and prayerfully spiritual. These all come at the same time and are like getting a drink not from a water fountain but from a fire hydrant!
So that being said, what are you to expect? There are several things that Dr. John Townsend has listed in his book, "Boundaries with Teens".
- Adolescence is normal and it is helpful to your child.
- Preparation for adulthood. Teens need a time to process in which to let go of parental dependence and move into adult independence; and it can't be done overnight or wait until they are 18 and moving away to college. Teens are under the control of authority until they are ready to take ownership of their lives. Eccl. 4:9-10.
- Dependence versus independence; students want independence but need parental input, even when the think they don't
- Badness versus Goodness; sometimes they will vacillate between doing bad and doing good. Star Wars reference, "follow the force!" the good side of the force, let go!
- Emotional versus Reason; do they know right from wrong? Probably so as you have taught them and then they feel they should do something diametrically opposite of what you have taught them.
- Internal barometer versus External Social Realities, self explanatory.
- Family values versus friends; "us versus them" mentality to a teen.
- Make connection with your teen. Them may seem withdrawn from you, and they might be, but YOU maintain that connection; you're the parent.
- Responsibility. I am a firm believer that you allow them less supervision in areas that you can so they can be successful. Celebrate those things with more responsibility in steps.
- Accepting reality, that is your student is not living in the video land, TV land, or other things such as perfectionism; remember this is real life and we have issues and skinned knees.
- Messing up is normal and not everything is a crises!
- Healthy is looking to the outside to their friends, and the outside world than being home with mom and dad all the time. Stay connected with them though.
- They make friends with other GOOD kids. Parents you may not approve 100% of their friends, but as long as they are NOT dragging your kids into crises, pick and choose here.
- Developing good values is important to them in morals, ethics, and spiritual beliefs. You may not agree with all the parameters they have but you can agree with the foundation.
- Challenging parents is normal and it is healthy. They are speaking their minds, maturing, exercising their own thought processes.
I know that during these crazy times your teen will drive you crazy to a degree, you will not understand them but remember it is necessary for them to exercise who they are, within your parameters, so they will be solid adults. So here's the fight for the next few years of parenting your teen, "I Dare You To Step Over This Line!"
BWT 69-73
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Youth Culture 101, Things That Students Are into TODAY!
"Youth Culture 101, Things That Students Are into TODAY" is what I would call this blog. I recently taught a conference that basically looked at our Youth Culture and then hopefully from that; how does the church reach students? Here is a copy of an article done on that conference taken directly from the Western Recorder, the KBC state newspaper.
"Steve Coleman, Minister of youth at FBC Richmond and one of our Kentucky Youth Ministry Coaches recently lead a workshop at Super Saturday on today’s youth culture. Below is an article written by Robin Bass of the Western Recorder on his workshop.
Elizabethtown—In some circles they are called “digital natives.” Others refer to them as the “stressed generation.”
Whatever the term used to describe today’s teenagers, experts agree these young people are living in a fast-paced world that is constantly changing, both socially and technologically.
“Do you realize that kids who are graduating and turning 18 this year were born about 1993? And when you say the first George Bush, they look at you and go, ‘There were two?’” said Steve Coleman, minister to youth and families at First Baptist Church of Richmond.
“I have kids in the sixth grade that are coming into my youth ministry this year that were not born last century. They were born in the year 2000,” he added. “We have this major shift coming our way and if we don’t know the culture, we’re in trouble.”
To emphasis his point during a recent Super Saturday workshop in Elizabethtown, Coleman provided a series of statistics and social trends facing teenagers.
Fact: 60 percent of children born in the 1990s will live without a father in the home for a portion of their lives. “We have so many single-mom families now. Dad is no longer in the picture,” Coleman noted. “Many times mom is the leader of the household because dad has abdicated that role.”
Fact: More mothers working outside the home.
Fact: The average father (when there is one) spends only two minutes a day in conversation with his teenager.
These trends have influenced how teenagers are forming relationships and where they are getting information. When looking for advice, Coleman said youth are 55 percent more likely to seek the advice of friends before anyone else.
Even more alarming is that 57 percent of teens say they have looked for advice from someone online they do not personally know. As for parents, teenagers seek the advice of their mothers 44 percent of the time, while dads come in the lowest at 20 percent. Boyfriends and girlfriends rank slightly higher than fathers at 23 percent.
When teenagers go out into the world seeking guidance and information via the Internet, who is there waiting?
“Our media wants their mind, their money and their soul,” Coleman said. Why else would corporations spend $16 billion annually convincing teens—and anyone else—to believe the individual knows best how to make decisions for himself. By the time a teenager graduates high school, he or she will have seen 36,000 commercials.
To get a true sense of what teenagers are exposed to in the media, Coleman recommended youth workers watch three programs: the Teen Choice Awards, the MTV Movie Awards and Super Bowl commercials to get a year’s worth of youth culture in just a few hours.
“Our kids are swimming in this cesspool all the time and it does affect them.What we have to do is find out where they are swimming and what they are being confronted with, and then we can find out how to reach them,” he added.
As for spiritual matters, teenagers are suffering from the MTDs, Coleman said—moralistic therapeutic deism. There are five key elements of this post-modern belief system:
• That God created the world and watches over it.
• God wants people to be good, nice and fair to each other.
• The central goal in life is to be happy and feel good about oneself.
• God is not needed except to resolve a problem.
• Good people go to heaven when they die.
In today’s youth culture, Coleman said there is no absolute truth. Many teens think it is judgmental or intolerant to believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, yet describe themselves as Christians.
Coleman’s first recommendation for youth workers and parents is to expand their personal libraries. Among the books he suggested were: “Youth Culture 101” and “Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture,” both by Walt Mueller; “Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers,” by Christian Smith; and “Generation iY,” by Tim Elmore.
Students basically want three things from youth workers, Coleman suggested. Teens want an adult who knows their names, they want somebody who will pray for them, and they want someone who is authentic and practices his or her faith.
Another recommendation is to use the technology that has permeated youth culture. Texting, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook are vital to maintaining social interactions with teenagers.
A simple way to get started is by creating a Facebook page for the youth group. Coleman also suggested using TweetDeck on a cell phone or desktop computer to send mass tweets to youth and parents. Youth event flyers, tracts or bulletins could have QR (Quick Response) codes that direct smartphone users directly to a website. Just be sure to update the website weekly, Coleman cautioned.
Since most students have cellphones with video capabilities, Coleman said youth workers could encourage them to record youth-group events and post the videos to the Facebook page. The next day, send out tweets and texts that will drive interest in the page. Youth likely will show the videos to friends who do not attend church.
“I know you don’t like it, but it’s not about us,” Coleman said, referring to technology and social media. “The reality of youth ministry is it’s one of the greatest times ever because they are open to the social part, they are open to the technology, and we can reach kids like we never have before. … Don’t look at it like we’re in trouble. Yes, we are in trouble, but sin is still sin and Jesus is still Jesus. Jesus is the answer.” (WR)
Western Recorder issue date: September 13, 2011.
"Steve Coleman, Minister of youth at FBC Richmond and one of our Kentucky Youth Ministry Coaches recently lead a workshop at Super Saturday on today’s youth culture. Below is an article written by Robin Bass of the Western Recorder on his workshop.
Elizabethtown—In some circles they are called “digital natives.” Others refer to them as the “stressed generation.”
Whatever the term used to describe today’s teenagers, experts agree these young people are living in a fast-paced world that is constantly changing, both socially and technologically.
“Do you realize that kids who are graduating and turning 18 this year were born about 1993? And when you say the first George Bush, they look at you and go, ‘There were two?’” said Steve Coleman, minister to youth and families at First Baptist Church of Richmond.
“I have kids in the sixth grade that are coming into my youth ministry this year that were not born last century. They were born in the year 2000,” he added. “We have this major shift coming our way and if we don’t know the culture, we’re in trouble.”
To emphasis his point during a recent Super Saturday workshop in Elizabethtown, Coleman provided a series of statistics and social trends facing teenagers.
Fact: 60 percent of children born in the 1990s will live without a father in the home for a portion of their lives. “We have so many single-mom families now. Dad is no longer in the picture,” Coleman noted. “Many times mom is the leader of the household because dad has abdicated that role.”
Fact: More mothers working outside the home.
Fact: The average father (when there is one) spends only two minutes a day in conversation with his teenager.
These trends have influenced how teenagers are forming relationships and where they are getting information. When looking for advice, Coleman said youth are 55 percent more likely to seek the advice of friends before anyone else.
Even more alarming is that 57 percent of teens say they have looked for advice from someone online they do not personally know. As for parents, teenagers seek the advice of their mothers 44 percent of the time, while dads come in the lowest at 20 percent. Boyfriends and girlfriends rank slightly higher than fathers at 23 percent.
When teenagers go out into the world seeking guidance and information via the Internet, who is there waiting?
“Our media wants their mind, their money and their soul,” Coleman said. Why else would corporations spend $16 billion annually convincing teens—and anyone else—to believe the individual knows best how to make decisions for himself. By the time a teenager graduates high school, he or she will have seen 36,000 commercials.
To get a true sense of what teenagers are exposed to in the media, Coleman recommended youth workers watch three programs: the Teen Choice Awards, the MTV Movie Awards and Super Bowl commercials to get a year’s worth of youth culture in just a few hours.
“Our kids are swimming in this cesspool all the time and it does affect them.What we have to do is find out where they are swimming and what they are being confronted with, and then we can find out how to reach them,” he added.
As for spiritual matters, teenagers are suffering from the MTDs, Coleman said—moralistic therapeutic deism. There are five key elements of this post-modern belief system:
• That God created the world and watches over it.
• God wants people to be good, nice and fair to each other.
• The central goal in life is to be happy and feel good about oneself.
• God is not needed except to resolve a problem.
• Good people go to heaven when they die.
In today’s youth culture, Coleman said there is no absolute truth. Many teens think it is judgmental or intolerant to believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, yet describe themselves as Christians.
Coleman’s first recommendation for youth workers and parents is to expand their personal libraries. Among the books he suggested were: “Youth Culture 101” and “Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture,” both by Walt Mueller; “Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers,” by Christian Smith; and “Generation iY,” by Tim Elmore.
Students basically want three things from youth workers, Coleman suggested. Teens want an adult who knows their names, they want somebody who will pray for them, and they want someone who is authentic and practices his or her faith.
Another recommendation is to use the technology that has permeated youth culture. Texting, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook are vital to maintaining social interactions with teenagers.
A simple way to get started is by creating a Facebook page for the youth group. Coleman also suggested using TweetDeck on a cell phone or desktop computer to send mass tweets to youth and parents. Youth event flyers, tracts or bulletins could have QR (Quick Response) codes that direct smartphone users directly to a website. Just be sure to update the website weekly, Coleman cautioned.
Since most students have cellphones with video capabilities, Coleman said youth workers could encourage them to record youth-group events and post the videos to the Facebook page. The next day, send out tweets and texts that will drive interest in the page. Youth likely will show the videos to friends who do not attend church.
“I know you don’t like it, but it’s not about us,” Coleman said, referring to technology and social media. “The reality of youth ministry is it’s one of the greatest times ever because they are open to the social part, they are open to the technology, and we can reach kids like we never have before. … Don’t look at it like we’re in trouble. Yes, we are in trouble, but sin is still sin and Jesus is still Jesus. Jesus is the answer.” (WR)
Western Recorder issue date: September 13, 2011.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Parenting Is A Life Sentence!
Parenting Is A Life Sentence! It is just determining how you want to serve your sentence! If you have been around my for very long, you will have heard me make this statement. You see even when your children are older, hopefully wiser, and in much more debt, you are still the parent. You see my father passed away at age 66 and his mother was still living when he passed away. She told me that he was born on a Saturday morning and he went home to Jesus on a Saturday. You see she was, and is, still a parent.
Lately my heart has been breaking over things I am seeing in our culture about students, disrespect, dishonor, lack of character, bold face lying, and thinking that their parents can't tell them what to do. I know this has probably been around since I was a rebellious teen many years ago, last century actually. But there is something different about what I am seeing now. You see I am seeing NO MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE STUDENTS AT THE LOCAL SCHOOL AND THE STUDENTS THAT CLAIM CHRIST AS SAVIOR!
I am heartbroken for many of our parents that seem so frustrated and want to throw up their hands in despair and quit.
So what can one Youth Minister do? Well I can support, equip, and write so our parents might have someone to help them, to walk with them, to hold them up in prayer and be there for the parent as well as the student.
That being said I am going to spend the next several blogs working on somethings in the area of parenting of teens. The direct audience will be the parents but there will be times that the teens might want to take a look at what I am telling their parents about them.
I am not an expert! I am a parent, I am a grand-parent, and I too have had my share, maybe more than my fair share of failures, but I know one thing for sure; we have to help each other as much as we can. I have listened to crushed parents and I want to help glue them back together. Parents that are cruising down the river called denial and clueless. Parents that think there is nothing they can do now because it is too late. I can tell you this, BUNK! You are the parent and you can make a difference. God put you in charge and you can do it.
So over the next few days, weeks, etc. I will try to post things to help you out and give you practical things you can do to move your teen into adulthood responsibly.
Remember I'm pulling for you because we're all in this together and "Parenting Is A Life Sentence!"
Lately my heart has been breaking over things I am seeing in our culture about students, disrespect, dishonor, lack of character, bold face lying, and thinking that their parents can't tell them what to do. I know this has probably been around since I was a rebellious teen many years ago, last century actually. But there is something different about what I am seeing now. You see I am seeing NO MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE STUDENTS AT THE LOCAL SCHOOL AND THE STUDENTS THAT CLAIM CHRIST AS SAVIOR!
I am heartbroken for many of our parents that seem so frustrated and want to throw up their hands in despair and quit.
So what can one Youth Minister do? Well I can support, equip, and write so our parents might have someone to help them, to walk with them, to hold them up in prayer and be there for the parent as well as the student.
That being said I am going to spend the next several blogs working on somethings in the area of parenting of teens. The direct audience will be the parents but there will be times that the teens might want to take a look at what I am telling their parents about them.
I am not an expert! I am a parent, I am a grand-parent, and I too have had my share, maybe more than my fair share of failures, but I know one thing for sure; we have to help each other as much as we can. I have listened to crushed parents and I want to help glue them back together. Parents that are cruising down the river called denial and clueless. Parents that think there is nothing they can do now because it is too late. I can tell you this, BUNK! You are the parent and you can make a difference. God put you in charge and you can do it.
So over the next few days, weeks, etc. I will try to post things to help you out and give you practical things you can do to move your teen into adulthood responsibly.
Remember I'm pulling for you because we're all in this together and "Parenting Is A Life Sentence!"
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
127 Hours
127 Hours the movie is the true story of Aron Ralston and his ordeal of being trapped in the desert and having to take unusual measures to survive.
Here's what the reviews say about the movie:
"127 Hours" is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolate canyon in Utah. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the last two people he ever had the chance to meet? A visceral thrilling story that will take an audience on a never before experienced journey and prove what we can do when we choose life.
In the movie Aron goes into his memory and tries to remember his life, family and his friends. The one thing that he remembers is his son and how much he loves him and wants to hold him. Here's the rub, he has no son; yet. You see his will to live is that he wants to have children, a son specifically. it is this love of the son that saves his life. It is the need to have this relationship with the son that keeps him alive.
It is just me or does this story kind of sound familiar to you? The relationship with the son is what saves people today. The Son is Jesus Christ and the relationship is with him in life change. It is that life change that causes us to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.
My friend Jeff and I were having lunch and talking about how difficult this movie is to watch, the blood, pain, and the ways that everything just came together in a coincidental fashion. When I think of Jesus Christ coming to mankind, I believe the scriptures talk about the fullness of time.
Oh well, once again the movies show us truth in Christ and this movie does the same; "127 Hours."
Here's what the reviews say about the movie:
"127 Hours" is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolate canyon in Utah. Over the next five days, Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he is finally rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the last two people he ever had the chance to meet? A visceral thrilling story that will take an audience on a never before experienced journey and prove what we can do when we choose life.
In the movie Aron goes into his memory and tries to remember his life, family and his friends. The one thing that he remembers is his son and how much he loves him and wants to hold him. Here's the rub, he has no son; yet. You see his will to live is that he wants to have children, a son specifically. it is this love of the son that saves his life. It is the need to have this relationship with the son that keeps him alive.
It is just me or does this story kind of sound familiar to you? The relationship with the son is what saves people today. The Son is Jesus Christ and the relationship is with him in life change. It is that life change that causes us to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.
My friend Jeff and I were having lunch and talking about how difficult this movie is to watch, the blood, pain, and the ways that everything just came together in a coincidental fashion. When I think of Jesus Christ coming to mankind, I believe the scriptures talk about the fullness of time.
Oh well, once again the movies show us truth in Christ and this movie does the same; "127 Hours."
Monday, January 31, 2011
"You Do For Family"
"You Do For Family" is probably not the best use of the English language. It is probably a slice out of the King's English, poor grammar, butchering some participle that I am dangling and 'ain't' even aware I done it. However, "You Do For Family" is a phrase that I strive to teach my children, who are both adults now with their own children and to try to live by it.
What does it mean? Sometimes it easier to discover and do than at other times. Sometimes it requires sacrifice and going out of your way to do things that may not make any sense at all. Going the extra mile or miles and sometimes you have to do that 3 or 4 times just to cover all the bases. Sometimes you have to be alone, pay an extra fee, pick up the check, or even spend lots of hours doing things you would rather not have to do.
Since November my wife and I have had to demonstrate and live the mantra of "You Do For Family." You see in October my brother was diagnosed with a very rare disease that has caused his muscles in his legs and torso deteriorate. He can seldom stand without help from a seated position. November my father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma after undergoing a surgery. He has been undergoing chemo for the last several weeks. The Friday after Thanksgiving my older sister was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pains, gallbladder was the early diagnosis until spots on the lung and then the liver were confirmed as cancer. I had my own bought with melanoma and it was surgically removed and so far so good. My bride of over 32 years now had gallbladder surgery in December and has improved so much from that surgery.
So what all of this have to do about "You Do For Family"? Well over the last few months we have made multiple trips to care of family. To visit, to sit through surgeries and making hospital visits. There have been trips to Georgia through the back roads of the mountains to pick and deliver things to help others get better. We have had the pleasure of picking up someones feet and legs just to ride in a car. Sitting through chemo treatments while the patient slept you get to watch vigils and pray during the time frame. There have been prayers, lots of prayers with and for people traveling through the valley of the shadow of death. During final visits I was able to serve my sister by helping carry her body from her home to the hearse as I was the only one who could emotionally and physically do it. As we were traveling to the funeral home our daughter-in-law called that she was in early stages of labor, weeks too early.
Now here's the neat thing about "You Do For Family" mantra. My church family has been amazing for and to me. Prayers, calls, txt msgs, emails, stopping in the hallway, cards and concerns have meant the world to me. You see we are family! Even today as we were about to begin the funeral of my sister Becky I see my Pastor walk into the room. He had driven over 3 hours just to sit with me and my wife through the service. This is something that "You Do For Family"
So through the last few months of what others would see as extremely difficult times, and sometimes they were, my God has sustained me, us and our family. Sometimes you may get down, short, put out and otherwise upset but Jesus has said he will never leave me nor forsake me. This has been proven over the last few months in my own life. Even now as I type these words my wife is with our son and daughter-in-law awaiting the arrival of a new life. I am home and she is there and we are separated once again but remember "You Do For Family"!
What does it mean? Sometimes it easier to discover and do than at other times. Sometimes it requires sacrifice and going out of your way to do things that may not make any sense at all. Going the extra mile or miles and sometimes you have to do that 3 or 4 times just to cover all the bases. Sometimes you have to be alone, pay an extra fee, pick up the check, or even spend lots of hours doing things you would rather not have to do.
Since November my wife and I have had to demonstrate and live the mantra of "You Do For Family." You see in October my brother was diagnosed with a very rare disease that has caused his muscles in his legs and torso deteriorate. He can seldom stand without help from a seated position. November my father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma after undergoing a surgery. He has been undergoing chemo for the last several weeks. The Friday after Thanksgiving my older sister was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pains, gallbladder was the early diagnosis until spots on the lung and then the liver were confirmed as cancer. I had my own bought with melanoma and it was surgically removed and so far so good. My bride of over 32 years now had gallbladder surgery in December and has improved so much from that surgery.
So what all of this have to do about "You Do For Family"? Well over the last few months we have made multiple trips to care of family. To visit, to sit through surgeries and making hospital visits. There have been trips to Georgia through the back roads of the mountains to pick and deliver things to help others get better. We have had the pleasure of picking up someones feet and legs just to ride in a car. Sitting through chemo treatments while the patient slept you get to watch vigils and pray during the time frame. There have been prayers, lots of prayers with and for people traveling through the valley of the shadow of death. During final visits I was able to serve my sister by helping carry her body from her home to the hearse as I was the only one who could emotionally and physically do it. As we were traveling to the funeral home our daughter-in-law called that she was in early stages of labor, weeks too early.
Now here's the neat thing about "You Do For Family" mantra. My church family has been amazing for and to me. Prayers, calls, txt msgs, emails, stopping in the hallway, cards and concerns have meant the world to me. You see we are family! Even today as we were about to begin the funeral of my sister Becky I see my Pastor walk into the room. He had driven over 3 hours just to sit with me and my wife through the service. This is something that "You Do For Family"
So through the last few months of what others would see as extremely difficult times, and sometimes they were, my God has sustained me, us and our family. Sometimes you may get down, short, put out and otherwise upset but Jesus has said he will never leave me nor forsake me. This has been proven over the last few months in my own life. Even now as I type these words my wife is with our son and daughter-in-law awaiting the arrival of a new life. I am home and she is there and we are separated once again but remember "You Do For Family"!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?
"What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?" used to be a commercial on television for the Tombstone Pizza brand. I remember it well from many years ago, check it out on Youtube etc. for the commercials as they are rather cheesy and funny. (Yes I just used the word cheesy while talking about pizza and yes it was a pun and it was intended!)
The premise of the question is true for all of us. "What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?" The movie "The Bucket List" is the story of 2 guys, both dying from cancer that strike up a friendship and decided to do things that they always wanted to do but couldn't due to everyday life getting in the way. So they decide to spend their final days doing the things on their list, the list of things they want to do before they kick the bucket. It is a bitter sweet movie.
In the movie one person who is cynical is turned into a better person because of his contact with the one that has his own list of things to do. At the eulogy, he says that this man, Carter, had saved him. He wept because of what Carter had done in his life. Isn't that the thing for all of us? We end up running into someone that impacts our lives and we will never be the same again?
I met someone like that when I was about 15 hears of age in Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, TN. It was on March the 17th and I have never been the same since that date. I guess you could say he 'saved me' that day. His name? Jesus Christ.
So what does the bucket list, being saved, and your tombstone all have in common? Many might think it's about death and dying. That is not true. It is fully about living. You see everyone dies but not everyone truly lives.
Me? I want to live life to the fullest; shoot, I want to live it to overflowing. I want to charge Hell with a water pistol for the kingdom of God. I want all of Hell to celebrate my passing someday because I will be out of the battle for the Lord Christ and the demons can feel it just got easier. What am I saying? I am saying for you to live your life FULLY for him. Life is precious and how we live that life here will determine what is on our tombstone someday.
So live your life by "What You Want On Your Tombstone!"
The premise of the question is true for all of us. "What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?" The movie "The Bucket List" is the story of 2 guys, both dying from cancer that strike up a friendship and decided to do things that they always wanted to do but couldn't due to everyday life getting in the way. So they decide to spend their final days doing the things on their list, the list of things they want to do before they kick the bucket. It is a bitter sweet movie.
In the movie one person who is cynical is turned into a better person because of his contact with the one that has his own list of things to do. At the eulogy, he says that this man, Carter, had saved him. He wept because of what Carter had done in his life. Isn't that the thing for all of us? We end up running into someone that impacts our lives and we will never be the same again?
I met someone like that when I was about 15 hears of age in Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, TN. It was on March the 17th and I have never been the same since that date. I guess you could say he 'saved me' that day. His name? Jesus Christ.
So what does the bucket list, being saved, and your tombstone all have in common? Many might think it's about death and dying. That is not true. It is fully about living. You see everyone dies but not everyone truly lives.
Me? I want to live life to the fullest; shoot, I want to live it to overflowing. I want to charge Hell with a water pistol for the kingdom of God. I want all of Hell to celebrate my passing someday because I will be out of the battle for the Lord Christ and the demons can feel it just got easier. What am I saying? I am saying for you to live your life FULLY for him. Life is precious and how we live that life here will determine what is on our tombstone someday.
So live your life by "What You Want On Your Tombstone!"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Family Ties
"Family Ties" was a television show from several decades ago for those that may not remember or know. However, we all have family ties in the body of Christ. As a child of God that allows me to be the brother to other believers. I am proud to be a part of the family of God.
Now I know that there are times when the family acts like a dysfunctional family but that is still family. I have been thinking about family over the last few months due to the fact my father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma, my baby brother has 'poly-myoscitis" and my older sister has terminal liver and lung cancer. In fact I am awaiting a call on her home going almost every day now. So family means a lot to me. You see I have been twice chosen so I love the fact that I can be part of the family of God; even if it's going to be a hard visit! : )
I came across this Parent Devo from Tyndale House Publishers, the owners of the New Living Translation, and it spoke to me today. Maybe because I am reflecting on life more, my age, grand-children; or the love of my life Sula. Anyway, take a look and let me know what you think about "Family Ties".
Loving Others like Family
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”Romans 12:10 NLT
The December 31, 1989 issue of the Chicago Tribune featured a series of photographs considered the best photos of the decade. Michael Fryer’s image of a rescue attempt was a dramatic fire photo. It captured a fireman and a paramedic carrying a fire victim away from the scene. The blaze Fryer covered occurred in December 1984 at Irving Park and Kenmore Avenues in Chicago. It seemed routine until firefighters discovered a mother and five children huddled in one apartment’s kitchen. Fryer said firefighters surmised: “She could have escaped with two or three but could not decide who to pick and chose to wait for firefighters to arrive. All of them died of smoke inhalation.”
The apostle Paul wrote, “Love each other with genuine love” (Romans 12:10). The terms he used convey a love that is “full of tenderness” or “affectionate.” Actually, his first term “love” translates a compound Greek word that literally means, “love of the family.” The word translated genuine affection is a familiar Greek word, philadelphia. It means literally “love of the brethren.” I find it quite intriguing that Paul employs two words--love of family and love of brothers--to communicate the need for commitment in loving.
The deep affection and abiding commitment made between natural family members, like the Chicago mother toward her children, should be expressed in the spiritual family as well. We are to love our brothers and sisters of faith, as we love our brothers and sisters of blood. Brotherly kindness is an affection that family members have for one another.
Jesus has given authority to the entire world to judge whether or not we are genuine believers on the basis of our love for fellow believers. Love is the badge that identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ. Any time we do not show love toward fellow believers, we forfeit our right to proudly represent Jesus Christ in the world.
People around us who are bored by doctrine and can’t fathom theology instinctively understand love. People look at Christians before they look at our creed. They form their opinions about our religion when they see how we behave. If they like the melody, they will listen to our words. If what they hear is discord, then the lyrics of our faith seldom register in their lives.
As believers in Jesus Christ we need to make a clear, unequivocal commitment to loving each other as a family, for our own sake and for our witness to a watching world.
Now I know that there are times when the family acts like a dysfunctional family but that is still family. I have been thinking about family over the last few months due to the fact my father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma, my baby brother has 'poly-myoscitis" and my older sister has terminal liver and lung cancer. In fact I am awaiting a call on her home going almost every day now. So family means a lot to me. You see I have been twice chosen so I love the fact that I can be part of the family of God; even if it's going to be a hard visit! : )
I came across this Parent Devo from Tyndale House Publishers, the owners of the New Living Translation, and it spoke to me today. Maybe because I am reflecting on life more, my age, grand-children; or the love of my life Sula. Anyway, take a look and let me know what you think about "Family Ties".
Loving Others like Family
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”Romans 12:10 NLT
The December 31, 1989 issue of the Chicago Tribune featured a series of photographs considered the best photos of the decade. Michael Fryer’s image of a rescue attempt was a dramatic fire photo. It captured a fireman and a paramedic carrying a fire victim away from the scene. The blaze Fryer covered occurred in December 1984 at Irving Park and Kenmore Avenues in Chicago. It seemed routine until firefighters discovered a mother and five children huddled in one apartment’s kitchen. Fryer said firefighters surmised: “She could have escaped with two or three but could not decide who to pick and chose to wait for firefighters to arrive. All of them died of smoke inhalation.”
The apostle Paul wrote, “Love each other with genuine love” (Romans 12:10). The terms he used convey a love that is “full of tenderness” or “affectionate.” Actually, his first term “love” translates a compound Greek word that literally means, “love of the family.” The word translated genuine affection is a familiar Greek word, philadelphia. It means literally “love of the brethren.” I find it quite intriguing that Paul employs two words--love of family and love of brothers--to communicate the need for commitment in loving.
The deep affection and abiding commitment made between natural family members, like the Chicago mother toward her children, should be expressed in the spiritual family as well. We are to love our brothers and sisters of faith, as we love our brothers and sisters of blood. Brotherly kindness is an affection that family members have for one another.
Jesus has given authority to the entire world to judge whether or not we are genuine believers on the basis of our love for fellow believers. Love is the badge that identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ. Any time we do not show love toward fellow believers, we forfeit our right to proudly represent Jesus Christ in the world.
People around us who are bored by doctrine and can’t fathom theology instinctively understand love. People look at Christians before they look at our creed. They form their opinions about our religion when they see how we behave. If they like the melody, they will listen to our words. If what they hear is discord, then the lyrics of our faith seldom register in their lives.
As believers in Jesus Christ we need to make a clear, unequivocal commitment to loving each other as a family, for our own sake and for our witness to a watching world.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way!
Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way! That's right Oprah has done it and she didn't even know she was doing it. You may be asking yourself, "How?" That is a great question to ask and if you are not looking for it you will miss it. You see there are spiritual lessons all around us and we miss them. We have our attention in other places, our ears listening to other things, and our eyes are looking the wrong way.
Imagine one day you realize that you are not who you think you have been all your life. Let's say one day you find out that you are really the child of someone else and all your life you have been raised as someone else. Suddenly you are given a wonderful gift and you are the child of someone famous, "royalty" if you will and you are part of the family.
Many of you know my testimony of being raise by a family that I had been given to as a baby. I was given to my 'mother' in a bar by my birth mother and raised by another. Imagine one day that you find out you are not who you think you are. You find out like one lady did just a month or so ago that your sister is Oprah Winfry who is extremely wealthy, royalty to many in our world today.
So when I look at this I see Jesus. Jesus you see said to you and me that to all that received him he gives us the right, privilege, the opportunity to be called 'sons' (and daughters) children of God. IF you are a believer and you have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord then you are a child of God. If you are child of God then you have a brother that is truly Royal, you see he is a prince, a Lord, King of Kings, and he loves us. When I see what has happened with Oprah over the last few weeks it is easy for me to see Jesus as the older, bigger brother, who gives us opportunity like we have never seen. We will never be able to repay him for what he has done for us.
This means that we can hold our heads high. We are the ones that have received an inheritance that will rival anything that Oprah or any king or queen could ever give us; eternal life!
So this week when Oprah found out she had a half sister that she was never aware of her sister can benefit from it because of who her big sister is. As I see spiritual examples in the world I like to call them out, talk about them and look at them closely. It makes sense to me.
So to Oprah thanks, and 'ain't it great' that Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way?
Imagine one day you realize that you are not who you think you have been all your life. Let's say one day you find out that you are really the child of someone else and all your life you have been raised as someone else. Suddenly you are given a wonderful gift and you are the child of someone famous, "royalty" if you will and you are part of the family.
Many of you know my testimony of being raise by a family that I had been given to as a baby. I was given to my 'mother' in a bar by my birth mother and raised by another. Imagine one day that you find out you are not who you think you are. You find out like one lady did just a month or so ago that your sister is Oprah Winfry who is extremely wealthy, royalty to many in our world today.
So when I look at this I see Jesus. Jesus you see said to you and me that to all that received him he gives us the right, privilege, the opportunity to be called 'sons' (and daughters) children of God. IF you are a believer and you have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord then you are a child of God. If you are child of God then you have a brother that is truly Royal, you see he is a prince, a Lord, King of Kings, and he loves us. When I see what has happened with Oprah over the last few weeks it is easy for me to see Jesus as the older, bigger brother, who gives us opportunity like we have never seen. We will never be able to repay him for what he has done for us.
This means that we can hold our heads high. We are the ones that have received an inheritance that will rival anything that Oprah or any king or queen could ever give us; eternal life!
So this week when Oprah found out she had a half sister that she was never aware of her sister can benefit from it because of who her big sister is. As I see spiritual examples in the world I like to call them out, talk about them and look at them closely. It makes sense to me.
So to Oprah thanks, and 'ain't it great' that Oprah Proves Jesus Is The Way?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The BIONIC Man Lives!
I know you are thinking, "The bionic man?" is that a remake of an old television show? Maybe a new movie that is coming out and I have missed the trailers? Nope, none of these. BIONIC is one of the many acronyms that I have used over the years. In fact, this one goes way back to the 70's, late 70's when being involved in youth ministry was mostly pizza blasts and big events with tons of prizes each week. We could bring in a crowd and then lose a crowd because someone else had a better dog and pony show down the street or a bigger "boom box" to give away or the new thing called a Sony Walkman CD/AM/FM combination to give away.
In the youth ministry that I was a part of we started doing things differently. We wanted to do things such as building relationships with the students. Not to build the relationship around the Youth Pastor/Minister only because he, yes I said he because this was long, long ago in a generation far, far away, and then to see the students implode when the he left for a bigger or another church. (Long sentence there and choppy, but you get the idea!) Anyway we decided to build relationships with the students with as many adults in their lives as we could get. So we came up with the acronym called B.I.O.N.I.C. which stood for "Believe It Or Not I Care!"
This phrase was one we said often to one another and we trained on it:
In the youth ministry that I was a part of we started doing things differently. We wanted to do things such as building relationships with the students. Not to build the relationship around the Youth Pastor/Minister only because he, yes I said he because this was long, long ago in a generation far, far away, and then to see the students implode when the he left for a bigger or another church. (Long sentence there and choppy, but you get the idea!) Anyway we decided to build relationships with the students with as many adults in their lives as we could get. So we came up with the acronym called B.I.O.N.I.C. which stood for "Believe It Or Not I Care!"
This phrase was one we said often to one another and we trained on it:
- Be available for your youth
- Initiate conversations with youth
- Operate Covertly with students but publicly. Conversations go well this way
- Never break confidences. (Unless immoral, illegal, or dangerous)
- Interest yourself into their lives, likes, dislikes, life and yes drama
- Care, really care about their spiritual growth
Now I know looking over this list you can say these are cheesy and you would probably be right. However, think about youth ministry in light of these. Isn't Youth Ministry about being their for the students, talking with them, being open and really caring about their life? Things they are doing and not doing? Above all isn't Youth Ministry about their salvation and their spiritual growth?
So after finding this old piece of paper in one of my files recently I am thinking back to all the students that I have had the joy of hearing back from over the years that I have been able to impact for the kingdom. The joy of a little girl in the 7th grade that was tall, lanky, awkward and loved basketball more than boys write me years later to tell me she was now teaching a 7th grade girls Sunday School Class. How that she remembered the things I had taught her. Wow, I did make a difference after all.
So now after all these years, in the good times and the bad times, the fun and the sad, I can proudly say, "The BIONIC Man lives!"
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Getting a drink and processing
I just returned from Catalyst 2010 or as I was told by someone that loves me and tries to keep me current, #CAT10, or something like that, I realized that I wasn't thirsty. I had been in the presence of God, along with some godly people, and some that I wasn't real sure about but I had been drinking from THE fountain; Jesus.
The men and women, Beth Moore was just one of the ladies that brought it, along with likes of T.D. Jakes, Seth Godwin, and some guy by the name of Andy Stanley, brought the word. I took notes, bought Cd's, received downloads, talked to vendors, watched some incredible things such as a human cannonball right in front of me!
So here's the thing, what do I do with all of this? I have been overwhelmed and feel as if I got a drink from a fire hydrant with the valve set wide open! I have talked to vendors about ministry opportunities, missions, finances, and causes that make me feel that I am a terrible Christian. BUT there are take aways that I have to look at FOR ME. Things that I believe that GOD is showing me from my notes, from his word, from the Spirit stirring within me.
The last time that I went to Catalyst, I don't remember the number or much of anything, I left with such a stirring in my spirit that I moved to a new assignment of God in less than 6 months! So today, tomorrow and the days ahead I will be processing the things that I have heard, learned and have been challenge about.
So here's the question for you. IF you went to #CAT10 tell me what you drank and what you are processing! Did you drink? And what did you get?
The men and women, Beth Moore was just one of the ladies that brought it, along with likes of T.D. Jakes, Seth Godwin, and some guy by the name of Andy Stanley, brought the word. I took notes, bought Cd's, received downloads, talked to vendors, watched some incredible things such as a human cannonball right in front of me!
So here's the thing, what do I do with all of this? I have been overwhelmed and feel as if I got a drink from a fire hydrant with the valve set wide open! I have talked to vendors about ministry opportunities, missions, finances, and causes that make me feel that I am a terrible Christian. BUT there are take aways that I have to look at FOR ME. Things that I believe that GOD is showing me from my notes, from his word, from the Spirit stirring within me.
The last time that I went to Catalyst, I don't remember the number or much of anything, I left with such a stirring in my spirit that I moved to a new assignment of God in less than 6 months! So today, tomorrow and the days ahead I will be processing the things that I have heard, learned and have been challenge about.
So here's the question for you. IF you went to #CAT10 tell me what you drank and what you are processing! Did you drink? And what did you get?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Play to the last second!
You know it's true when you are playing a game that you have to play to the final second of the game or Play to the last second! You know the routine of not giving up or quitting when you are down. How that you have to play every down of every quarter or sequence of plays or you can loose your momentum or your lead and lose it all.
On October 2nd, 2010, just a few moments ago, my beloved, or sometimes liked, Tennessee Volunteers Football team lost to the LSU Tigers in the last few seconds of the game. The VOLS were ahead by 4 points and the Tigers were driving and the VOLS were guilty of a penalty. This gives the Tigers another chance and they win in a last second play.
Now I hate that the VOLS lost the game but they weren't even in the same league as the Tigers. They fought valiantly but lost at the end. Now as I watched the game I was proud of them but in my heart I knew the out come was as it would be; and I was right.
Here's the thing about the game and learning to Play to the Last second. In the Christian life isn't that what we all want to do? That is to play, or live our lives to the very last second! To live our lives in such away that others will see Jesus Christ in us as we live and Play to the Last Second? To live in such a way that we might hear Jesus say, "Well done good and faithful servant!"
So here's the thing, go out there and live your life to the fullest and do everything you can to Play to the Last Second!
On October 2nd, 2010, just a few moments ago, my beloved, or sometimes liked, Tennessee Volunteers Football team lost to the LSU Tigers in the last few seconds of the game. The VOLS were ahead by 4 points and the Tigers were driving and the VOLS were guilty of a penalty. This gives the Tigers another chance and they win in a last second play.
Now I hate that the VOLS lost the game but they weren't even in the same league as the Tigers. They fought valiantly but lost at the end. Now as I watched the game I was proud of them but in my heart I knew the out come was as it would be; and I was right.
Here's the thing about the game and learning to Play to the Last second. In the Christian life isn't that what we all want to do? That is to play, or live our lives to the very last second! To live our lives in such away that others will see Jesus Christ in us as we live and Play to the Last Second? To live in such a way that we might hear Jesus say, "Well done good and faithful servant!"
So here's the thing, go out there and live your life to the fullest and do everything you can to Play to the Last Second!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Like Father Like Son
Yep, Like Father Like Son, is the phrase that you hear people say about someones child when they see the child, hear them, or watch them in an environment of their own.
Recently I saw a posting or blog of my son's posted on his church's website/blog. It had a lot to do about coffee cups that he owns (I can relate!). The two that mean the most to him are from Bybee Pottery in Waco/Bybee area of Kentucky, same location now 200 years! The other is from Tate Knob Pottery outside Berea, same location now about 30 years. He has other cups but these two mean the most to him, you can read below why in just a minute.
I want to take a moment to say that the phrase "Like Father Like Son" could have been said about Jesus from the New Testament. Jesus said that he and the father are one; if you have seen me you have seen the father. It is my prayer that for you as a believer that you too might have that said of you too. "Like Father Like Son Like You!" We are to become in the image of Christ so that others may see Christ in us and when they see Christ in us they may see the Father as well. SOOOOO....as you read the blog post of my son, enjoy, reflect and understand that my son walks with the Lord Jesus Christ, just like his dad does so I guess you can say, "Like Father Like Son!"
"I just counted, and my wife and I own somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 coffee mugs. They range from travel mugs from Starbucks, to a plastic mug my dad got before I was born. We have the 10 that came with our dinner set someone got us for our wedding. I guess we have 20 cups if you count the two 24 oz latte cups that I just use for cereal and soup. The point is, I love coffee and have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to drinking my favorite morning drink.
Nine times out of ten, I choose one of two cups. In fact, I’m drinking out of one as I write this right now. My two favorite mugs were made near where my parents live in eastern Kentucky. They live in Berea, which is the Artisan capital of the world. I love going there. In the same afternoon, you can visit a weaver’s shop, woodworkers’ shops, local craft shops, a chocolate-maker’s store (who was trained at Hershey as a kid), and multiple pottery studios. The mug I’m drinking from as I write this was created at Tater Knob, a pottery studio that is nestled among the tall hills of the region. You have to step over this huge dog to get into the shop, and see all these creations everywhere you look. The potters invite you back and allow you to watch them turn bowls, cups, and just about anything you can think of on their wheels. You feel like part of the family. Their hands made the cup I drink out of at home, and it is unique and beautiful to me.
The other mug I drink from came from Bybee pottery, which is also near my parents’ home. What amazes me about this company is that they have been owned by the same family and made pottery in the same building for 200 years. The floor in the “throwing room,” where the pottery is actually turned, is 18 inches higher than the rest of the building, because of the generations of clay dust that has settled there. I love the history, and the rugged craftsmanship of their art.
Why do I tell you about these cups? I have almost two-dozen cups at my disposal, yet I consistently drink out of only two because they are unique, individual, and special to me. I’ve met their creators, looked them in the eye, and seen how much they love creating their craft. They don’t’ do it for the money; they do it for the sheer love of creation. They do the exact same job as a factory produced mug, but their beauty is in their hand-made imperfections. They have character.
God is building you and building me. What makes us beautiful is not our perfect edges that we present to everyone. When we come to church or walk out our doors, we present this perfectly finished, polished life, but that’s not who we are. So, there are chinks in our armor. So, we’re missing a few polished places.
Perfection doesn’t make us beautiful in God’s eyes; allowing his handiwork to shine through does. You are unique, individual and loved by God. Not because of your perfect records you may cling to so dearly, but because you have been in the hands of the Maker. Let his fingerprints shine in your encounters and interactions today."
So there you have it, the words of my son, in whom I am well pleased!
Recently I saw a posting or blog of my son's posted on his church's website/blog. It had a lot to do about coffee cups that he owns (I can relate!). The two that mean the most to him are from Bybee Pottery in Waco/Bybee area of Kentucky, same location now 200 years! The other is from Tate Knob Pottery outside Berea, same location now about 30 years. He has other cups but these two mean the most to him, you can read below why in just a minute.
I want to take a moment to say that the phrase "Like Father Like Son" could have been said about Jesus from the New Testament. Jesus said that he and the father are one; if you have seen me you have seen the father. It is my prayer that for you as a believer that you too might have that said of you too. "Like Father Like Son Like You!" We are to become in the image of Christ so that others may see Christ in us and when they see Christ in us they may see the Father as well. SOOOOO....as you read the blog post of my son, enjoy, reflect and understand that my son walks with the Lord Jesus Christ, just like his dad does so I guess you can say, "Like Father Like Son!"
"I just counted, and my wife and I own somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 coffee mugs. They range from travel mugs from Starbucks, to a plastic mug my dad got before I was born. We have the 10 that came with our dinner set someone got us for our wedding. I guess we have 20 cups if you count the two 24 oz latte cups that I just use for cereal and soup. The point is, I love coffee and have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to drinking my favorite morning drink.
Nine times out of ten, I choose one of two cups. In fact, I’m drinking out of one as I write this right now. My two favorite mugs were made near where my parents live in eastern Kentucky. They live in Berea, which is the Artisan capital of the world. I love going there. In the same afternoon, you can visit a weaver’s shop, woodworkers’ shops, local craft shops, a chocolate-maker’s store (who was trained at Hershey as a kid), and multiple pottery studios. The mug I’m drinking from as I write this was created at Tater Knob, a pottery studio that is nestled among the tall hills of the region. You have to step over this huge dog to get into the shop, and see all these creations everywhere you look. The potters invite you back and allow you to watch them turn bowls, cups, and just about anything you can think of on their wheels. You feel like part of the family. Their hands made the cup I drink out of at home, and it is unique and beautiful to me.
The other mug I drink from came from Bybee pottery, which is also near my parents’ home. What amazes me about this company is that they have been owned by the same family and made pottery in the same building for 200 years. The floor in the “throwing room,” where the pottery is actually turned, is 18 inches higher than the rest of the building, because of the generations of clay dust that has settled there. I love the history, and the rugged craftsmanship of their art.
Why do I tell you about these cups? I have almost two-dozen cups at my disposal, yet I consistently drink out of only two because they are unique, individual, and special to me. I’ve met their creators, looked them in the eye, and seen how much they love creating their craft. They don’t’ do it for the money; they do it for the sheer love of creation. They do the exact same job as a factory produced mug, but their beauty is in their hand-made imperfections. They have character.
God is building you and building me. What makes us beautiful is not our perfect edges that we present to everyone. When we come to church or walk out our doors, we present this perfectly finished, polished life, but that’s not who we are. So, there are chinks in our armor. So, we’re missing a few polished places.
Perfection doesn’t make us beautiful in God’s eyes; allowing his handiwork to shine through does. You are unique, individual and loved by God. Not because of your perfect records you may cling to so dearly, but because you have been in the hands of the Maker. Let his fingerprints shine in your encounters and interactions today."
So there you have it, the words of my son, in whom I am well pleased!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Running Like A Dog On The Interstate!
Maybe I am more sensitive today than at other times because I just returned from a Men's Weekend retreat and have been praying, singing, worshipping, and seeking God; to make me more obedient. It could be that I am tired because you seldom sleep well when you are not in your own bed or in your own room. It could be that I was listening to sermons on the way home and was sensing God in my truck with me as I drove.
Whatever the reason I saw this crazy thing happening just north of Lexington, Kentucky. The traffic was moving along quiet nicely, and briskly (which is a nice way to say we were probably speeding) when I saw lots of brake lights coming on in the distance. There were cars, trucks, SUV's and big rigs swerving all over the place. Several cars started to exit the lane and pull over. This usually translates into a fender bender or a rear end collision. As I got closer I saw what appeared to be something Running Like A Dog On The Interstate! That's right it was a dog.
This dog was black and he was running across the two outside lanes and people were doing all they could to not run over this dog. People would pull way past the dog and try to get it to stop, to exit the roadway, or to even go into the treeline off the interstate.
Some people were not paying attention as they pulled upon this scene and had not slowed down, as they either didn't care about the dog, or had not seen what was going on. However, everyone was no longer traveling at a higher rate of speed but were well under the speed limit.
This happened less than an hour ago as I write this. It is fresh on my mind. It is also fresh in my mind as I think of the unsaved, un-churched, and lost people in our culture. How that each of us need to slow down, swerve to the left and to the right, to pull off and stop if we need to; just so we might reach one that is about to die. The dog on the interstate was running with glee, joy and was having fun in doing what it does best; acting like a dog. The day is coming and now is that we need to be aware of the lost and dying "Running Like A Dog On The Interstate!"
Whatever the reason I saw this crazy thing happening just north of Lexington, Kentucky. The traffic was moving along quiet nicely, and briskly (which is a nice way to say we were probably speeding) when I saw lots of brake lights coming on in the distance. There were cars, trucks, SUV's and big rigs swerving all over the place. Several cars started to exit the lane and pull over. This usually translates into a fender bender or a rear end collision. As I got closer I saw what appeared to be something Running Like A Dog On The Interstate! That's right it was a dog.
This dog was black and he was running across the two outside lanes and people were doing all they could to not run over this dog. People would pull way past the dog and try to get it to stop, to exit the roadway, or to even go into the treeline off the interstate.
Some people were not paying attention as they pulled upon this scene and had not slowed down, as they either didn't care about the dog, or had not seen what was going on. However, everyone was no longer traveling at a higher rate of speed but were well under the speed limit.
This happened less than an hour ago as I write this. It is fresh on my mind. It is also fresh in my mind as I think of the unsaved, un-churched, and lost people in our culture. How that each of us need to slow down, swerve to the left and to the right, to pull off and stop if we need to; just so we might reach one that is about to die. The dog on the interstate was running with glee, joy and was having fun in doing what it does best; acting like a dog. The day is coming and now is that we need to be aware of the lost and dying "Running Like A Dog On The Interstate!"
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I wish I was more consistent
Have you ever thought or said these words that you just wished that you were more consistent?
I know that I have. "I wish I was more consistent":
I know that I have. "I wish I was more consistent":
- Blogging each week/day
- Journal daily
- Writing
- Teaching
- Learning
- Studying more of the word
- etc., etc., etc.
As parents I know we worry about being consistent with our kids as we try to teach them, discipline them, and provide for them. But we sometimes MESS UP ROYALLY! Do not despair.
I came across this devo from Tyndale Publishers (the did the New Living Translation) and thought other parents might want to take a look at these words of wisdom and not be too hard on yourself saying, "I wish I was more consistent."
Parental Consistency
My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.
Proverbs 3:1
Most of us as parents struggle with the issue of consistency. This struggle shows up particularly in the area of discipline. But our perceived lack of consistency also cripples us in positive areas. From time to time, as we are evaluating how we’re doing as parents, we can be overwhelmed by our failure to be as steadfastly fair, loving, impartial, wise, firm, and fun as parents as we intended.
As parents of three grown kids, my wife and I have not been immune to these agonies. We often say, “If we only knew then what we know now . . .” Fortunately, listening to our children describe their childhood, we’ve had a chance to hear other opinions about our performance. Turns out we did worse in some ways and better in some ways than we thought. And now that these kids of ours are becoming parents themselves, we’ve noticed a marked softening of perspectives on the task of parenting.
Here’s the deal about consistency that amazes us. We confuse consistency with perfection. When we as parents try to be steadfastly fair, loving, impartial, wise, firm, and fun with our kids, every failure tends to be remembered by us as evidence of missing the mark. But it’s amazing to hear how our kids remember things. Our children talk about patterns and events in their early years with breathtaking summaries of consistency.“Mom, you always had a batch of homemade play dough ready for us to enjoy.” “Dad, you always took short-cuts on our vacation trips that always turned into crazy long cuts.” “Mom, every week you found something to do at school with our teachers so we knew you were around.” We know what they are talking about, but we know that “always” and “every” are not exactly right. We weren’t that perfect.As those perhaps farther down the road we would say to young parents, “By all means aim for consistency.
Discipline consistently. Train consistently. And realize that you will fail from time to time. In retrospect, your kids will remember your deliberate attempts at consistency as consistency, much to your surprise!”
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