Labels: Random
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Labels: Straight Up Funny, Students Only, Videos, Youth Pastors
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
The final key theme you'll find among today's students is what TruResearch calls "VIPremium."
We live in a world where you can easily broadcast yourself via the internet. In seconds someone on the other side of the world can connect with you. Students today believe that VIP status is within reach. In fact, 1 in 5 teenagers think they can be famous! Sure, it may be 15 minutes of fame... but its achievable. With tools like YouTube, 12seconds and other broadcast mediums, the internet is the grand stage and teenagers are headlining.
Go here for part one and here for part two.
(Themes: TruResearch)
Labels: Church, Culture, Issues, Resources, Youth Pastors
I've tried to remember the first time I started hearing churches apologize to the world. If I had to guess I'd probably say it began around the year 2000. It seems that more and more I hear those apologies. Sometimes I find myself apologizing. There are times we [as the Christian community] do need to apologize... (for being self-righteous, for being judgemental, for our non-responsiveness to the needs of our communities, etc) but that is for another post, another time.
What I've been contemplating over the last week is how we need to be celebrating what is right. We can turn on our flat screen televisions or surf the internet for a hot second and find all the bad news any day. What about the good stuff? I've seen crack-addicts turn their lives over to Christ as a result of the support of a church's recovery ministry -- that needs to be celebrated. A youth group who spends more time serving the community and doing mission work than having pizza parties and XBox challenges -- that should be celebrated. Senior ladies filling up a church's food pantry so that needy families can have food -- celebration anyone? It may be a bit easier this week to celebrate what is right because of the Thanksgiving holiday... but I encourage you to make it go beyond this week. Start thinking about 'how' we can celebrate these things too... (not to be proud... or even self-righteous) but because the church gets kicked around enough.
If you know how I run this site you know that I don't regulate the comments. You can say whatever you want, whenever you want. For this post [only] though I'd like to see some celebration going on. Give some shoutouts to things you are seeing in your church, your community, in other churches or para-churches, or even the Christian community at large.
Labels: Church, Culture, Hot Topics, Issues
And now, on to the research findings:
Change is very common in the area where I currently live. Its a military community. We have families move in... and families move out. The average military kid [or "brat" as they seem to embrace (which I've never understood)] is accustomed to change. As our society would have it though, everyone is now experiencing change. Maybe not moving in and out of cities repeatedly ... but our world changes so quickly now that today's teenager is convinced that change is essential. (Sounds like a good political campaign slogan, right?) What is striking about this is that they are becoming more and more comfortable with change... and the danger (as I see it) is that they aren't bound to take stock in too much of anything because change is coming! So the latest book recommends (yes, like the ones I mentioned earlier) will be in the trash can tomorrow and another book (that we ALL MUST READ because it will change our lives) will be suggested later this week. This theme is called "obsolescence."
Click here for part one of this blog series.
(Themes: TruResearch)
Labels: Church, Culture, Issues, Resources, Youth Pastors
So I want to know... WHO ARE YOU?
I want you to take a moment, write me and tell me WHO you are, WHERE you are, WHAT you do and WHAT you like about coming here to the blog. If you want to add a few extra comments (perhaps even including your website or twitter url so my readers can find you also) that is up to you. I want to connect with you... and I plan to respond to every single person that writes me. Additionally, if you include your mailing address you may even get a surprise in the near future in your mailbox (as I love blessing people with resources, freebies and random encouragement).
Note: If you wish not to leave your personal contact information here in the comments, please write me off the blog.
For 8 years scientists have been studying this medical mystery and just a few short months ago Price went public with her story. Since the world was introduced to her she has written a book and appeared on numerous television shows, including Oprah earlier this week, where she actually corrected research the producers of the show did on facts related to the accident in 1987 where "baby Jessica McClure" fell into a well and captured the nation's attention.
Labels: News, Television, Videos
One of things shared at the summit was a summary of 5 key themes found among today's teenager. I would like to share these with you (in a 3-part series):
Labels: Church, Culture, Issues, Resources, Youth Pastors
I've always liked that song.
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Click here to go to my facebook page \\ add me as friend. Click here to follow me on twitter.Click here if you are still on myspace.
Labels: News, Personal, Photo Gallery
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
"If you're not working your dream job, resign today!"
I'd like to offer some thoughts you should consider first before firing off that resignation letter. Hear me out...
FIRST: PRAY.
Don't ever make any move without prayer. So many people make stupid mistakes without praying a lick about it. Hello? God should be consulted before you make a move. I don't care what anyone says. No matter how much you respect them. You should pray first. We must rely upon the Holy Spirit to lead us in the way we should go.
SECOND: TRUST YOUR CALLING.
Every job that I've accepted I have felt called to. I agree with Perry, if you don't feel called to a position you shouldn't accept it and if you are currently "in it" [and don't feel called to it] you should resign today. But consider this... While I have felt called to every position I've held, there have been some jobs that never had the "dream job" feel to it. Ministry is tough guys! There will be days where you might even question your calling. You might feel passion-less. It happens! There is one thing that I'm sure of... every job I've held I've felt called to. Yes, I've already stated that. Its worth repeating. I've actually had a couple of pastor-friends along the way question my calling (lots who supported at the same time by the way) and even tell me that I should resign. I did not listen to them. While I appreciated their counsel, I believed one thing for sure... YOU HAVE TO TRUST IN YOUR CALLING. Here is a thought I want to share with you that God has taught me:
"You may not be called to a church (ministry, company, etc.) to change IT, you may be called to a church (ministry, job, etc.) that will change YOU."
I remember chatting with a youth pastor in a mega-church years ago who told me that he had written 4 (count 'em - 1, 2, 3, 4) resignation letters since he had been hired on. Four? Yes, four. Didn't I say that ministry was tough? Turns out that he was [called by God] to that position. In fact, he ended up staying on so long at that particular ministry that the church later called him to the senior pastorate. It has been absolutely amazing to watch God work IN his life.
THIRD: SEEK COUNSEL.
Even though you may occasionally get bad counsel, it is important to seek it out. The scriptures say "there is safety in a multitude of counselors." So true. I have never made a decision to leave a job without consulting a multitude of people first. The scriptures say "multitude" so I'd encourage you to seek out 3 or 4 (@ minimum) persons that you respect and trust (to not only confide in but persons whose counsel you respect).
If you do these three things, there is NO WAY you could ever resign today. Before you fire off comments or emails to me, I want you to know that I understand that I went in a bit different direction than what Mr. Noble was saying; however, his challenge messed me up too... made me think... and warranted this post.
This is my prayer for you: May God lead you by his Holy Spirit, dear readers, and when you look back decades from now on all the roles you've served in may you see they were all dream jobs - chosen especially for YOU.
Labels: Church, Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, Youth Pastors
AMEN. I'm ready to throw a party.
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Of course, this new "bible" is raising eyebrows and stirring some controversy.
That someone would want to embellish, or even illuminate, the text of Scripture is of no surprise, remarked John E. Hurtgen, dean of the Campbellsville University school of theology. That a non-church-related institution or group would do so is welcome, but also puzzling.
I have seen many ultra-contemporary editions (of the Bible), and I am not personally a big fan of any of them, said Paul Gutjahr, an associate professor of religious studies at Indiana University.
This looks like an issue of Vogue. There’s Coca-Cola, photos of soldiers helping poor foreign children, Gandhi. Uh! Can’t have a Bible without Bono said Marissa Gluck, marketing guru (Radar Research)
While the text is advertised as the Good News Translation, approved by the American Bible Society, verses are unnumbered (similar to The Message-style) and laid out in magazine-style format, with many key passages highlighted for emphasis."Bible Illuminated" was supposed to be released in the states by October 28, 2008 but a check of numerous bookstores on the eastern seaboard including South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia had not received the book. The book; however, is currently available on Amazon.com®.
Remarkably, the new Bible reached unprecedented sales in Sweden. Illuminated World increased the market for bibles by almost 50 percent without affecting normal bible sales according to one report.
The whole idea was to illuminate scripture for those who might not pick up the traditional copies. In this [new] work you'll not only find renown celebrities posing as biblical characters but you'll see them in different settings like post-Katrina New Orleans in the book of Revelation. So the word is... its coming to America. And you will most likely find this new bible-mag in non-traditional places that you'd find the scriptures, like news stands and hair salons.
Today, Illuminated World is financed and managed by a Swedish consortium, chaired by Dag Söderberg, former CEO of one of the largest advertising firms in Europe and Jan Carlzon, former CEO of Scandinavian Airlines and author of global management bestseller; The Moments of Truth (1987). The group has published an English-language version being released into 2008, the first of many projects around the world.
Labels: Church, Creative, Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, Marketing, Media, News, Resources, Youth Pastors
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Labels: Resources, Straight Up Funny, Students Only, Videos, Youth Pastors
Labels: Personal, Straight Up Funny
Footwear - it is a basic need that most of us take for granted every day. While most of the world does not have one adequate pairs of shoes, Americans have an abundance of footwear sitting idle in our closets. Your consideration of simply cleaning out your closets can make a significant difference in the quality of life of someone in need.
For us, comfort and style are the primary reasons for the footwear we select. For those without shoes the healthcare benefits is the most urgent reason footwear is so desperately needed. A quality pair of shoes protects their foot from scrapes, cuts, and contaminants that lead to potentially serious healthcare issues.
Today I am teaming up with hundreds of other bloggers in an unprecedented grassroots social media challenge:
Can we affect global change through our blogs and raise enough money for 50,000 SHOES IN JUST 50 DAYS?
How Does This Work?
We’re partnering with Soles4Souls* in this amazing endeavor. The campaign and companion website 50000shoes.com just launched yesterday and already nearly 3,000 has been raised!
A $5 donation buys two pair of shoes for a person somewhere in the world with none. Imagine, for a little more than what we spend on our morning coffee we can put shoes on the feet of two needy people. All of us can give $5, many of us can give more.
1. Give
A $5 donation buys two pair of shoes! Head over to 50000shoes.com and give generously and sacrificially.
2. Promote It On Your Blog or Website
Take whatever platform you've been given and use it to bring change and make a difference in the world. Regardless of whether you have 150 readers or 5, you have been given influence. Use that influence to make a difference.
Would you consider writing a post about this amazing event and spread the word? There are graphics and banners available for your blog. You can also join the Facebook group and encourage your friends to do the same.
3. Spread The Word
Utilize your Facebook, Twitter, Myspace or any other social networking tool you have at your hand. Your have friends and family that are just a phone call or email away. Set aside some time to reach out to some people and share this opportunity with them.
Finally, can you imagine handing someone their very first pairs of shoes? By purchasing two pairs of shoes for $5, you are also automatically entered into a random drawing to personally deliver the shoes you purchased to someone in need on one the organizations trips to Mexico! The winner and an accompanying guest will travel to Mexico and will see Soles4Souls in action. The more pairs you purchase, the greater your chances are of winning. Winner must be 18 years or older with a valid US Passport. Soles4Souls will pay for airfare, transfers, lodging, and trip related meal expenses for winner and guest up to $2000 value.
*Nashville-based Soles4Souls (TM) facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Since its inception, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 3.5 million pairs (or one pair every 23 seconds) to people in 61 countries, including Honduras, Romania, Thailand, and the Sudan. The charity has been featured on CNN Headline News, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, ABC News, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.
Labels: Site Shout, Social Justice, Students Only, Youth Pastors
Labels: Straight Up Funny, Students Only, Videos, Youth Pastors
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
Labels: Culture, Hot Topics, News, Politics, World Watch
I thought it was interesting that CNN is now using Hologram technology (apparently the first of any of the news networks now) to call the election. Very cool. Check it:
Labels: Creative, Politics, Technology, Television, Videos
The precinct where I typically vote had 3,600 registered voters last election. Only 1,700 showed up to vote. This year over 4,600 are registered to vote for this general election. Most of those voting probably showed up prior to my arrival. In fact, prior to my vote the poll workers state they had already seen an increase of 17.5 % of voter turnout than the last election. WOW. Even though I mentioned yesterday that 1 in 4 Christians will not be voting, more people are voting in this general election than ever before.
Today was different. I did not choose between two caucasian men for the office of the president. I chose between an African American and a caucasian man. History will be made today. Either our country will elect its first African American president or our country will elect its very first caucasian female as vice president.
If you voted today, thanks. Starbucks thanks you too.
So tell me your election day story. What was it like for you?
Labels: Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, News, Politics
Labels: Manic Monday Minute
From the 18th Century
"If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes."
--Daniel Webster
“When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty.”
--Noah Webster
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
--Thomas Paine
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
--William Penn
From the 19th Century
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
--Abraham Lincoln
From the 20th Century
“The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.”
--Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.”
--John F. Kennedy
"In a world that might say one vote doesn't matter..., it does matter because each person is of infinite worth and value to God... Your vote is a declaration of importance as a person and a citizen."
--Billy Graham
From the 21st Century
"We have a duty to our country to participate in the political process. See, if you believe in freedom, you have a duty to exercise your right to vote to begin with. I'm [here] to encourage people to do their duty, to go to the polls. I want all people, no matter what their political party is or whether they even like a political party, to exercise their obligation to vote."
--George W. Bush
“Our first civic duty is to vote. If you don’t vote, you are abandoning the biblical obligation to be a responsible citizen.”
--Chuck Colson
Sadly, while more Americans now have the right to vote, the number of Americans who exercise this right continues to dwindle. Today, less than one in four Christians votes. Near 30 million Christians aren’t even registered to vote! What a shame.
PRAY. VOTE. TOMORROW.