I debuted in on #9 in the standings for men this week! My sweet wife is still #5 for the ladies!
Marko has dropped to #16. Riddle is still amazing.
Pretty sweet seeing my name up there. Of course, I could just be #9 because other people didn't get thier weights in on time....DANG! I didn't think about that! Well, I'll enjoy it while it lasts!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Church urges hanky panky among members
In an article posted today "Relevent Church" encouraged thier congregants to have a 30 day "Sex Challenge."
Some quick thoughts:
~I'm not an expert on church names but if you have to name your church "the relevent church" I'm guessing that you really aren't.
~I wonder how many men struggling with sexual addiction will now have a better reason to force thier wives to have sex. "But honey, the pastor told us to!" In a very real way, for men struggling with porn, 30 days of sex is the LAST thing they need.
~That being said, if you are in healthy relationship it could make Lent a little more fun.
~Is this what you really want your church or your pastor to be known for? I suppose some would see it as being cutting edge or provoctive. I see it as gimmicky and shallow.
~I do think it's funnyt that the 30 day sex challenge is only for married folks.
~They should have added 10 more days and published a book, "40 days of purposeful Sex."
Some quick thoughts:
~I'm not an expert on church names but if you have to name your church "the relevent church" I'm guessing that you really aren't.
~I wonder how many men struggling with sexual addiction will now have a better reason to force thier wives to have sex. "But honey, the pastor told us to!" In a very real way, for men struggling with porn, 30 days of sex is the LAST thing they need.
~That being said, if you are in healthy relationship it could make Lent a little more fun.
~Is this what you really want your church or your pastor to be known for? I suppose some would see it as being cutting edge or provoctive. I see it as gimmicky and shallow.
~I do think it's funnyt that the 30 day sex challenge is only for married folks.
~They should have added 10 more days and published a book, "40 days of purposeful Sex."
150 visitors!
Ah, I've finally made it! On Sunday I went from having 8 regular visitors to 150!
too bad they were all searching for pictures of teen boys....hmmmm........
too bad they were all searching for pictures of teen boys....hmmmm........
Moving on up...
Well, the standings are out...I started out at 19th place last week and now I'm two places up...17th!!! woo hoo!
My friend Dan, who I grew up with, is 11th! and the dude isn't even fat!!!! I'm so jealous!!!
Then there is Mark Riddle who is going to be an American Gladiator doing exercises like this. He will easily win this thing.
The only thing I got going for me is momentum...I'm 6 weeks in and have a rythm. We'll see how everyone keeps it going...but it isn't looking pretty...
My friend Dan, who I grew up with, is 11th! and the dude isn't even fat!!!! I'm so jealous!!!
Then there is Mark Riddle who is going to be an American Gladiator doing exercises like this. He will easily win this thing.
The only thing I got going for me is momentum...I'm 6 weeks in and have a rythm. We'll see how everyone keeps it going...but it isn't looking pretty...
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Great blog post by Marko
A challenge by a middle schooler
Since I work at a United Methodist Church one of my jobs is to lead confirmation. I really enjoy this because I went to a really great Christian College that I feel really prepared me with a good base to teach with, even though I still am learning a lot about this tradition of Christianity.
I think I do a pretty good job with it as we focus on the most important issues for students with regard of what the UMC believes and how other traditions believe, etc.
My sweet wife is one of the mentors for a girl who is a really great student, a pretty solid kid. So Jen asked her what she is learning. And this student rattled off some stuff and then said something like, "It's good information...but it doesn't relate to my life."
Of course I'm thinking, "We've talked about the Bible and why you can trust it, the Trinity, God's amazing love, the life of Christ and grace, and today we talked about the role of the Holy Spirit!"
But really, for a middle schooler and all they deal with, what does any of that matter? I mean, I know it matters...but how can I relate to a student about why it really does matter to them NOW.
And if I'm honest, I have to question how well I'm teaching. How can I make teaching about these issues really matter to students today? How can I give them a reason for listening or wanting to know? and next week is church history!!!!! yikes!
I think I did a good job on the intro to the series...but I think I've been relying on my knowledge of the subject instead of on how to make it come alive to them.
maybe I need to focus more on introduction and set up and give them a reason why it does matter to them, in the midst of thier sports, in the midst of thier relationship problems, in the midst of thier parent's problems, in the midst of thier acne, I've got work to make these issues relevent to them.
I think I do a pretty good job with it as we focus on the most important issues for students with regard of what the UMC believes and how other traditions believe, etc.
My sweet wife is one of the mentors for a girl who is a really great student, a pretty solid kid. So Jen asked her what she is learning. And this student rattled off some stuff and then said something like, "It's good information...but it doesn't relate to my life."
Of course I'm thinking, "We've talked about the Bible and why you can trust it, the Trinity, God's amazing love, the life of Christ and grace, and today we talked about the role of the Holy Spirit!"
But really, for a middle schooler and all they deal with, what does any of that matter? I mean, I know it matters...but how can I relate to a student about why it really does matter to them NOW.
And if I'm honest, I have to question how well I'm teaching. How can I make teaching about these issues really matter to students today? How can I give them a reason for listening or wanting to know? and next week is church history!!!!! yikes!
I think I did a good job on the intro to the series...but I think I've been relying on my knowledge of the subject instead of on how to make it come alive to them.
maybe I need to focus more on introduction and set up and give them a reason why it does matter to them, in the midst of thier sports, in the midst of thier relationship problems, in the midst of thier parent's problems, in the midst of thier acne, I've got work to make these issues relevent to them.
McCain seals his fate
In an article posted tonight on sfgate.com McCain vows that during his administration he will not increase taxes. And with that...he has sealed the deal that I'll be voting for Obama.
With our economy in this poor of shape and with Bush giving out BILLIONS of dollars, how can ANYONE vow that they will not raise taxes. You know what, that ploy was used before by Bush Sr. and it came back to bite him.
I still feel unsettled. Huckabee wants to get rid of the IRS, McCain does as well, but also won't raise taxes and he will go to the gates of hell to get Osama. I simply do not trust Hillary even though she CLEARLY has the experience. And Obama...well, it is hard to not get behind him. If he only had more experience...
With our economy in this poor of shape and with Bush giving out BILLIONS of dollars, how can ANYONE vow that they will not raise taxes. You know what, that ploy was used before by Bush Sr. and it came back to bite him.
I still feel unsettled. Huckabee wants to get rid of the IRS, McCain does as well, but also won't raise taxes and he will go to the gates of hell to get Osama. I simply do not trust Hillary even though she CLEARLY has the experience. And Obama...well, it is hard to not get behind him. If he only had more experience...
Friday, February 08, 2008
Who do your students think would best represent them?
We are in the middle of creating an identity, or brand, for our middle school ministry. Last Sunday we gave a survey to our students with nine great questions about the middle school ministry. One of the questions that I found really interesting was, "If you could ask a teen celebrity to be the celebrity host or MC of the First Church middle school program, who would you choose and why?"
Ryan Sheckler
Cole Sprouse
Because I only work with middle school students, it's interesting to see who they picked. (This question was really hard for some of my guys) The boys each had a different guy. The girls, other than one person, were very united on who they think best represents them. You can guess who she is.
Here's who they picked and thier explanation (if they had one).
Ryan Sheckler
Cole Sprouse
Jesse McCartney
Toby Mac. He’s modern.
Toby Mac. He’s modern.
Zach Efron (idk)
Hannah Montana, because she is about our age and had not gotten into trouble.
I think I would pick Miley Cyrus because she is a great role model.
Hannah Montana; cause she doesn’t get in trouble and she’s not a bad influence
Of course, it wouldn't be a complete middle school survey without having these answers:
Spongebob because he’s awesome and he’s square
Lindsay Lohan
Monday, February 04, 2008
I am so humbled...
Every once in a while you get one of these glimpses into God doing something through you that you had nothing to do with.
I was on facebook and saw a student that was not one of my middle schoolers, but was a kid in high school at the first church I had a full time gig at. He was the son of the children's minister and was a totally solid kid. Again, I didn't know him really well or anything. But, I remembered him so I "friended" him on facebook.
Today, I look at my messages and I see this from this former HS student:
I have been telling this story for almost a decade now about you and now I have your name. I am always asked when did you really start following God since you came to Christ early in life? I say it was this intern during my freshman year that just said one thing to me. I really didn't know him that well but he asked why did you miss church camp this summer and I said I was in sports camps and working. I really thought it was weird for him to ask me since I really didn't know him. The way you said it made me realize that I have more important things to do in the summer like God. I just want to say thank you for saying those few words which changed my life.
Talk about humbling...
I was on facebook and saw a student that was not one of my middle schoolers, but was a kid in high school at the first church I had a full time gig at. He was the son of the children's minister and was a totally solid kid. Again, I didn't know him really well or anything. But, I remembered him so I "friended" him on facebook.
Today, I look at my messages and I see this from this former HS student:
I have been telling this story for almost a decade now about you and now I have your name. I am always asked when did you really start following God since you came to Christ early in life? I say it was this intern during my freshman year that just said one thing to me. I really didn't know him that well but he asked why did you miss church camp this summer and I said I was in sports camps and working. I really thought it was weird for him to ask me since I really didn't know him. The way you said it made me realize that I have more important things to do in the summer like God. I just want to say thank you for saying those few words which changed my life.
Talk about humbling...
Friday, February 01, 2008
The Writer's Guild Strike
While I don't watch a lot of TV, I have learned a lot about this whole writer's strike going on. I'm amazed at how much writing really goes on to make talking heads look so good and funny.
Which really got me thinking, "Why don't we write sermons and lessons like this?" I mean, why don't we have staff memebers who are good writers, writing for a talking head, at a church?
I'm sure this is already going on. I remember going to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville and learning that Bob Russel had a team of guys, including his son, who put messages together. And Bob helped, but it was a communal effort, and I'm pretty sure it's worked for him.
At the time, I guess I felt like Bob was cheating the system. I mean, there was nothing wrong with it, to me, it simply seemed at it's best to be insincere or at it's worst, to be fraud.
Of course, that was 10 years ago....
Nevertheless, wouldn't all of our messages be better if we could write them with two or three people that we loved and respected and could take their life experiences and wisdom and put messages/lessons together?! How fun would that be!
Ah....the power of writing...
Which really got me thinking, "Why don't we write sermons and lessons like this?" I mean, why don't we have staff memebers who are good writers, writing for a talking head, at a church?
I'm sure this is already going on. I remember going to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville and learning that Bob Russel had a team of guys, including his son, who put messages together. And Bob helped, but it was a communal effort, and I'm pretty sure it's worked for him.
At the time, I guess I felt like Bob was cheating the system. I mean, there was nothing wrong with it, to me, it simply seemed at it's best to be insincere or at it's worst, to be fraud.
Of course, that was 10 years ago....
Nevertheless, wouldn't all of our messages be better if we could write them with two or three people that we loved and respected and could take their life experiences and wisdom and put messages/lessons together?! How fun would that be!
Ah....the power of writing...
The Really Big Game
As this weekend draws nearer (Let's go Giants!) there will surely be church's advertising about having a "Super Bowl" party. Because the phrase "Super Bowl" is actually a registered trademark, it is actually illegal to use that phrase to advertise an event. Thus, our church is advertising a "Really Big Game" Party.
My friend Kirk has a great post about Fellowship church captilizing on the Superbowl last year. I wonder how other churches are utilizing this event to reach those seeking. TechnoPraxis™: Super Results
Speaking of the "Super Bowl" do any churches still do these parties for thier students? I had less and less students coming to it, to the point of 5 years ago, not hosting one.
My friend Kirk has a great post about Fellowship church captilizing on the Superbowl last year. I wonder how other churches are utilizing this event to reach those seeking. TechnoPraxis™: Super Results
Speaking of the "Super Bowl" do any churches still do these parties for thier students? I had less and less students coming to it, to the point of 5 years ago, not hosting one.
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