Thinking Out Loud...

1) Braveheart, The Matrix, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade are currently rotating through my favorite movies of all time.
2) Antje Duvekot's "Merry-Go-Round", Ben's Brother's "Stuttering", and Yael Naim's "New Soul" are my top songs right now.
3) I strongly suggest reading "The Challenge of Jesus" by N.T. Wright and "The Shaping of Things to Come" by Frost and Hirsch.
4) I am sad that "The Class" and "Raines" have gone off the air, but I am slightly satisfied by "LOST", "Pushing Daises", and "Journeyman."

I wish we could change our view of the Kingdom of God being in this "I'll Fly Away" model of heaven to the view of the kingdom being "on earth as it is in heaven." Then, heaven is actually a more full expression of what we are trying (imperfectly) to accomplish here and now. The way I see it currently, we are not trying to accomplish anything here and now, so we are trying to give people tickets to heaven. But, what if Christians did not give tickets to heaven... what if we gave snapshots of heaven?

Winterfest 2008 and GACS 2002

I just got back from my 11th Winterfest experience. I have attended this "largest assembly of Churches of Christ" in four different functions over the years (student, chaperon, adult volunteer, and youth minister.) Youth minister was by far the most demanding, but it was also by far the most rewarding. I can honestly say that I have the greatest students in the world within my ministry. Jeff Walling changed gears this year in his subject matter and presentation, which is a blessing. He talked about missions and evangelism. For those of you who do not know, there has been a major shift in the expectation and the proclamation of the "Good News" in the last decade or so. It has mainly been spear-headed by Frost and Hirsh's book "The Shaping of Things to Come", the emerging church movement, the evolution of the already-not yet existence of the Kingdom of God, and the philosophical shift from modernity to postmodernity. In short the shift is from "telling people about the God they never knew" to "pointing where God is already active in people's lives." It was great to hear a respected leader from the Stone-Campbell movement speak about it.


Also, I just got through flipping through the profile pictures of my classmates who graduated from Greater Atlanta Christian School in 2002. It is great to see where people have gone, what people have done, and who these people have become. It was great to see pictures of beautiful little babies, little cousins, and wedding ceremonies. It was great to see so many finished up with college, working on Masters, and living all over the world. It was great to see the happiness and smiles of people with whom I spent seven years. It is amazing to see the growth (literally and figuratively) of those people. I am grateful for my years with these people, and I would not take it back for the world. That being said, I would not want to live it over again either. (And, the people who say that they would are either lying or were on heavy "medication" during high school.) It is a chapter of my life that I am grateful for and will never forget.

Walls, Buses, and Runs

I believe that I have hit a literary wall. I am currently reading three books. Two of these books must have papers written about them for the weekend after Winterfest (oh, joy...) And, one of them needs to be finished by Grad class tonight. All of this being said, I am finding it very difficult to motivate myself to read any more about telos and virtues... I know I must push on and "fight the good fight" or (insert your own spiritual over-used maxim), but I am finding it difficult to desire to read about philosophy and ethics. Maybe it is just me, but I think that the Spirit and Word either cause you to have a different ethic or you are shooting blanks in the dark.


On another note, I like short buses now. It is not that I find them as funny as I used to (although I do enjoy the occasional put down), but I have realized that special education has figured a few things out that "normal" (terrible word) education could truly learn from. We need to downsize classes, higher more teachers, be more relational, find individual learning styles, and care more about kids. I believe that we would be able to deal with and teach about more.


I have not been involved in any major running or sporting activity for far too long. As a result, I believe I am beginning to suffer from some kind of stomach pain and discomfort on a fairly consistent basis. I must learn some kind of exercise that can be accomplished from the comfort of your own home or very near by. Or, maybe more likely, I must actually find time and be more disciplined about working out in some way.

Random Trivia, Good Website, and Thoughts

1) In 20 games and two seasons, the last two NFL quarterbacks to beat the Patriots have the last name "Manning." (Last year's AFC championship-Peyton and this year's Super Bowl-Eli.)
2) "The Three Musketeers" is written by Alexandre Dumas (Not the pronunciation from Shawshank Redemption.)
3) The most published, printed, and stolen book in the world is the Bible.
4) Every 15 second someone will die as a result of drinking dirty water.


This (http://www.angryalien.com) could be the funniest site I have seen in a long time.


I am slowly reading through Yoder's book "The Politics of Jesus." In light of the recent climate of political propagation, I figure it would be at least interesting to figure out what Jesus may have to say about all of this (through at least one man's eyes.) Here is my new motto on politics and life: The less we allow God's word and spirit to steer the direction of all our decisions; the more we will be blown by the winds of culture. Take that however you want to.

At the very least, I ask all people who claim the name of Christ as their savior, model for example, and ultimate president/king/lord to remove harsh words of judgment toward any constituent of any political party. In the end, God is not a democrat, republican, or libertarian. For that matter, God is not white, middle-class American. He came as a middle-eastern, Jewish, construction-working peasant. And, if anything, God is a theocrat.

Giant's Tyree, The Shack, and Jesus

I watched an interview on ESPN yesterday in which a Giant's receiver, David Tyree, was talking about the Super Bowl and, in particular, his participation in it. Tyree, who was on the receiving end of what is considered one of the greatest plays in the history of the Super Bowl, made a statement that seems normal or expected on the onset, but it shows something much deeper. He said that "I feel like God has guided and directed all of his life for this one moment." Wow! I mean that is a cool statement. However, that is one heck of a downer. What do you do when you wake up tomorrow? What about next season? Do you wake up and replay the catch over and over to relive the climax of your life? Do you play seasons to try and recapture the magic of that one play?

Is that what we are telling our kids in Sunday School? "Listen, kids." the teacher says, "One day you will all grow up big and tall, and, if you really love and trust God, He will guide and direct you to do something truly great as the climax of your life. Like...catch an inspiring pass towards the end of a Super Bowl game at the age of 28. No, Timmy... not relieving oppression, not alleviating hunger and thirst, not salving hurts and sickness, not eliminating war, not promoting peace without violence, not forgiving and reconciling the most painful pains in the world, and not participating in the dynamic Kingdom of Heaven that is here on this earth as it is in heaven... No students, God will guide and direct you to fame, money, influence, and highlight reals. He will guide you to a 25 yard pass on a 3rd Down that needed 10 yards that will set up a first down and a game-winning touchdown 30 seconds later to one of your teammates in the biggest and last game of the season in a sport called professional football. Then, you will know that this was your purpose in life."

Do not get me wrong. I think that Tyree was speaking from his heart and competitive emotion, and I do not want to downplay (too much) his faith claim because it is important to hear that from sport stars (and anyone for that matter.) But, maybe God had guided him to that point and place, and he blew it. He had the stage and the opportunity to tell the world about his God, but he focused on the catch. He had the opportunity to tell about his faith, and (I fear) he did. However, I want no part of a health-and-wealth, immaculate reception, God-will-bless-you-if-you-do-good Gospel. If our faith is moving us toward moments that will become cool highlights, interesting statistics, or forgetful memories, I am out!

O, for a Faith that desires more than this world and this culture has to offer! O, for a God who guides us to moments of true greatness for His glory! O, for the Mindset that desires to become less so that God will become more! O, for 1000 tongues to sing of the great REDEEMER's praise (not ours) because of what we do in the world!


Also, I recently finished a book called "The Shack" by a man named William Young. This is a touching story about a father who loses his daughter at an early age. This fanciful and mysterious story has been heralded as the next "Pilgrim's Progress." It is a great read. It is emotionally tugging, and it has the amazing ability to have anyone project his or her self into the story. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure.


I am trying to become aware of any ways in which I can live missionally in ministry. Quite simply, the whole idea of the movement is a non-institutional, grass roots assembly of believers. And, I love and embrace that idea. But, I also have a heart for those in the "system" now. I want them to embrace it as well. I think it starts with me, so I am trying to see what I can do and who I can be.