We're neck deep in getting prepared to take a pile of our students to Creation Festival. Sure, we can talk about the Christian subculture bubble until we're blue in the face, but I'll gladly cave on my feelings in exchange for the relational time that comes out of a week like this.
We've got an interesting group too. Middle school, high school, regulars, newbies...the mix is all over the map for this one.
But consider this: - 4 grads that came on last year's trip have worked with our student ministry over the last year
- 3 of those former-grads-that are-now-leaders are coming on this trip
- We have a student to leader ratio of 2:1
- A regular driving tradition of playing the first 30 seconds of "Bullet the Blue Sky" by U2 (which we affectionately referred to as "track 4") began last year and has continued on every trip so far (one van listened to that 30 second clip for over an hour straight)
- We had 10 tickets donated to our group for this trip
- I was removed from food prep detail after a fiasco last year involving spam, chili and mac & cheese
- I had 4 dozen hot dog confiscated at the border on the last trip
- One of our leaders fell asleep with his feet on our remaining hot dog buns (and there were toe marks evident in some of the buns come dinner time)
- 4am Wednesday will come WAY too early
A while ago I posted about some video clips and notes that had been showing up on Mark Driscoll's blog that deals specifically with the area of burnout in ministry. Here are a few more of the additions:
- Part 4:
- Part 5:
- Part 6:
- Part 7
Here's 2 books that I was able to finish up over the vacation time.
Obsessed by Ted Dekker was my latest foray into the world of fiction. All in all, I don't think fiction is my thing. Or maybe I just keep choosing the wrong books. After reading Lamb a few months ago I thought I'd try this book that my wife had lying around. And I'm left with the feeling that it was the author's attempt to be rated R in a PG setting. Does that make sense?
I felt that the book for the most part was just missing that next bit that would have made it a really good book. And other parts were completely cheesy with random "super spiritual" moments that focused on being obsessed. It was just too much of a stretch. So I'm looking for suggestions as to what could be my final attempt at fiction. Any ideas?
This next book by Dan Kimball was very typical of the whole "emerging" line of thought. Today's generation likes Jesus but they don't necessarily care for what Christians have turned the church into. Unless you live in the stone ages, this book probably won't hold any new revelations for you. But still it's an ok read. I found some of it fairly repetitive but it's reinforcing stuff I've already been witnessing or experiencing.
The big question is what are our churches going to do with this information? And that part has me more intrigued, curious, excited, hopeful and confused than anything else.
Above all else in the book I was hit smack in the face with the reminder that I need to start spending more time with people outside of the church. I've got a few ideas, but I'm not entirely sure what this will end up looking like.
Your thoughts...
So, what do you do to stay connected to people who don't know Jesus?
Oh what fun. I got tagged by Adam and Patti on this one. Here it goes...
Rules to play:
1. players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
2. those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
3. players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been tagged.
And now for the randomness...
1. My first car was a 1982 Honda Civic. It was a stick and cost me $250.
2. I don't profess to any "man crushes" but I will admit to have taking a liking to Miss Jennifer Love Hewitt at one time in my life.
3. I once went to a Crash Test Dummies concert.
4. I love Disneyland. In fact, for our honeymoon we had the chance to go almost anywhere in the world and we chose Anaheim so we could visit Mickey & Co.
5. I got my first guitar as a gift for graduating from high school.
6. I bought a new Bible last week.
7. I just started watching UFC and am immensely enjoying it.
8. I almost pass out...for most anything that requires being stuck with a needle.
And now I'm tagging these 8 people:
1. Jon K
2. Jon and/or Angie
3. Erin
4. Bryce
5. Steve & Bonnie
6. Mike
7. Nick
8. and YOU, the random passerby that just took the time to read all of this.
I know you're excited about this. Another post from vacation without pictures. You'll have to trust me that I really am on vacation and not just hiding in our basement.Bryce and I are currently killing time before we head out for another stellar movie. We have a habit of picking out some of the strangest and worst movies ever created. I contemplated creating a a blog post of all the terrible movies we've seen, but then I knew that many of you would lose what little respect you still have for me.And to those of you who are allowing us to eat your food, sit in front of your fan and sleep in your back yard, we are thankful.
A few random things for your viewing/reading pleasure (don't expect too much):
Yeah, I had high hopes of getting a wireless signal somewhere and doing some diligent blogging over this vacation. So far I've had to settle for using the internet at my folks place. I've done some reading, listened to some podcasts, hunted wild butterflies with my new airsoft gun, and even got a little sleep.I know it doesn't sound like much, but that's what is so great about vacation. But tomorrow that may change as we get ready to head into the big school reunion weekend. Maybe if you all behave I'll post some pictures eventually of what's going on.I know my wife has a picture of the welt I got after she shot me in the back with the airsoft gun. You may want to stay tuned...
I'm officially on vacation. I have a pile of books to read. Am I allowed to read them if they mention Jesus or the Church? Or is that classified as work?
I was tagged by Adam and I wouldn't want to be the one who doesn't respond to a tag. I hear it's bad. So, without cheating, here are the next 10 songs that ended up in iTunes shuffle:
- "Funky Tonight" by John Butler Trio
- "Fred Jones Pt 2" by Ben Folds
- "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan
- "Landed" by Ben Folds
- "Dear Slim Pt 2" by KJ-52
- "The Maker" by Dave Matthews Band
- "Atmosphere" by TobyMac
- "Sunny Days" by Jars of Clay
- "Wandering" by Ben Folds
- "Stuck On Rewind" by Thrift Store Romance
I'm a little amazed by the Ben Folds favoritism. I didn't even know I had that Dylan song. And no playlist is complete without Dave Matthews.
And now I shall tag Erin, Bryce, Nick, Mike and Tammy & Blaine. Pick the next 10 songs on random/shuffle and then post them. But don't cheat!
It's not the coffee...
I sit in my office on a Wednesday morning and brew. I'm trying not too as I'm only 2 work days away from a vacation. I need a break. It's been a while since I've had more than 2 days off in a row. I think the last time was February when I took 4 days off for a wedding and spent 2 of those days driving.
I don't do this to pat myself on the back or somehow show how good of a worker I am. I'm an idiot. It's a wonder I'm still sane.
My eye started twitching yesterday. That can't be normal.
We're neck deep in getting prepared to take a pile of our students to Creation Festival. Sure, we can talk about the Christian subculture bubble until we're blue in the face, but I'll gladly cave on my feelings in exchange for the relational time that comes out of a week like this. 
