YMT #2: Desire

You want to avoid burnout or irrelevance? Then you must find the desire to move forward. Everyday is another chance for you to improve, grow, & stretch yourself and the influence of your ministry. Yesterday is over. Take what you can learn- the good AND the bad- and use it as fuel for your journey today.

Rolling Stone just posted an article from The Edge asking him what the future looks like for U2. Truth be told, while Bono may be the face of the band the heart, soul, and mind of U2 is The Edge. (Check out the doc “It Might Get Loud” for a glimpse into The Edge’s work ethic) U2’s last album was one of the best selling albums of 2009, they are currently touring the planet on the world’s largest concert stage, and they are undoubtedly the world’s biggest band. And yet, the desire to move forward, develop, and excel is pronounced.

Rolling Stone: What do you foresee for U2 in the next decade?
The Edge: I can’t think that things will change radically for us, because we are already enjoying being in the band. It matters to us that we still make music that connects, and we are still capable of potentially doing our best-ever album. It’s not a foregone conclusion that our best work is behind us. That still makes it really exciting.

Remember, U2 has experienced unprecedented sustained success for 30 years. There have been missteps and mistakes, hubris and humiliations. Does this sound like a man that is burned out and ready to give up? No. This is a man on fire! In fact, that’s a big joke in the U2 fan community. Anytime a journalist asks Bono about the upcoming album he says (without fail) that “The Edge is on fire.” That fire must come from a desire to learn and move on.

What makes ministry exciting is that your best days are not behind you. Find that desire to move forward.

At what may seem like the apex of success or at what may seem like the pit of despair there is a choice. You can get bitter or you can get better. The choice is yours. Getting bitter is the easy choice. You get to complain and people will stroke your hair and sing “Soft Kitty” over you. And you will die inside a little each day.

But.. you choose to get better and there is hope. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2Corinthians 4:16) There’s your promise. We serve a God that takes our dark yesterdays and gives us bright tomorrows.

Do not lose heart. Your best day is not behind you because God’s best day is not behind Him!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:24-27)

Bible Major Geek Out! Shroud Edition

Archeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a first-century burial shroud. The find seems to be extremely significant and pretty cool as well.

Jerusalem (CNN) — Researchers said Wednesday for the first time they have found what they believe to be pieces of a burial shroud from the time of Jesus. The find is of importance because tests on the shroud and the body it wrapped revealed the earliest proven case of leprosy in the Old City of Jerusalem. And in addition, the weave of the shroud raises fresh doubts about the Shroud of Turin, which many people believe was used to wrap the body of Jesus. According to researchers involved in the excavation and subsequent testing, the recently discovered shroud lends more credible evidence that the Shroud of Turin does not date to Roman times when Jesus died but from a later period.The latest shroud was found in a tomb complex on the edge of the Old City of Jerusalem. “This is the first time that we have a shroud from the time of Jesus,” said Shimon Gibson, the excavation director.

In my opinion the article places way to much emphasis on the Shroud of Turin (If I’m honest, I could care less about the Shroud of Turin). This new shroud however, is a collossal find on it’s own merit for a couple of reasons.

First, this find seems to corroborate a specific element of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He called such a find in the Jerusalem area unique because the high humidity levels in the city do not normally allow for the preservation of organic material. Gibson said the remains of the man covered in the cloth consisted of different wrappings for the body and the head, which was consistent with burial practices of the era. He also said research had shown that the weave of the cloth was a simple one, much different from the more complex Shroud of Turin’s.

John 20:6-8 says, “Then Simon Peter came along behind (John) and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.” This is just a little throw away detail about the resurrection of Jesus and yet it is these details that often underscore the larger truths. If the authors get the details right- the thought goes- then it lends greater credibility to the whole. Jesus’ body was wrapped and then a head cloth was placed over his face- the exact practice verified by first century traditions.

Secondly, it gives us a better idea as to what the tomb of Jesus may have looked like.

Based on the tomb’s location and the style of the shroud wrappings, researchers have said the shrouded man was an affluent member of Jerusalem society.

Jesus was buried in a tomb donated by a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin named Joeseph of Arimathea. It is very possible that this tomb would share some of the same characteristics. I look forward to filing these pictures away for use as a visual aid in my teaching classes. Let’s hope the archeologist took some great pictures. Hey guys, post those pics on Facebook! Kidding. High Res shots would be much better.

Finally, this find means that we could be close to understanding that age old skin condition known as leprosy. Now maybe we can speak with authority instead of basically making things up.

Because of the unique nature of the find, the remains of the shroud and the bodily remains were subject to molecular and DNA testing. Researchers said they were surprised to find that the shrouded man suffered from both leprosy and tuberculosis. The discovery of leprosy was found in DNA samples taken from the skeletal remains and is the earliest proven case of the disease, according to Hebrew University professor Mark Spigelman. It is likely the shrouded man died from tuberculosis, Spigelman said, and its presence in other remains found at the site suggest “the significant impact social diseases such as tuberculosis had on society from the low socioeconomic groups up to the more affluent families, such as Tomb the Shroud in first-century Jerusalem.”

Leprosy? Are you kidding me! (Allow me to slip into Bible teacher mode) This could mean that I can stop saying things like, “Well… we don’t know exactly what leprosy was…” or “Leprosy could have been a simple skin disorder…” NO MORE! Leprosy can be leprosy! Yay!

I’d encourage you to read the article and to check out the pics for yourself (first century corpse- you’re welcome!). It will be interesting to find out more about this latest find. As the weeks go on I hope that the researchers will release more of their findings so we can find out all we can about the times in which Jesus lived.

Story at CNN.com

Book Review: Primal

One of my favorite authors, Mark Batterson, has a great new book called “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity.” I got my hands on an advanced copy and finished reading it earlier this week. I want you to know that this is Mark’s best book yet.

The challenge of “Primal” is to get back to the basic element of Christianity. Len Sweet once remarked that the best picture of the church is that of a swing. The power of a swing comes from the point where we lean back and kick forward. In order for the church to make an impact in the future we must be willing to lean back- past all church traditions and dogmas- all the way into the arms of Jesus. When we do that, we can then move powerfully into the future with the Gospel message. For Mark, the essence of the Gospel message– the most basic element- is living out the call of the Greatest Commandment. That’s the heart of the Gospel. Well.. the heart, soul, mind, and strength of the Gospel.

If Jesus said that loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the most important commandment, then doesn’t it logically follow that we ought to spend an inordinate amount of our time and energy trying to understand it and obey it? We can’t afford to merely good at the Great Commandment. We’ve got to be great at the Great Commandment.”

The book divided into 4 sections to highlight the different facets of the Greatest Commandment that Jesus brings to our attention. Mark “reimagines” these elemants as follows:

The heart of Christianity is primal compassion
The soul of Christianity is primal wonder
The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity
The strength of Christianity is primal energy

Mark’s power as a writer comes from his ability to weave his heart and passion for the things of God into every story, every bullet point, and every conclusion. You become enthralled in the quest because Mark is enthralled with the quest. Mark Batterson is the real deal. He is a loving husband and father who loves his church and wants to introduce everyone to his Savior. You will not be disappointed by this book.

Here’s a great challenge for you. Make “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity” the first book you read in 2010. As we start a brand new decade begin by working out your heart, soul, mind, and body to reconnect to the Gospel of Jesus. Start 2010 as a part of the primal movement to rediscover the Greatest Commandment for your life.

Disclaimer:This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Youth Ministry Tips #1: Hospital Visits

2010 will mark my seventh year in full-time ministry. There is nothing on planet earth that I would rather do then minister to teens and families. Although I have been doing this for a few years I am learning something new every single day. I want to begin a new feature on the blog featuring Youth Ministry Tips. I hope that you find these tips helpful and feel free to add tips in the comment section. Today I want to start with tips on making hospital visits.

Know Where You’re Going
Hospitals are a bit like snowflakes- everyone is different. Take some time and get familiar with the hospitals in your area. Which hospital do most of your families turn to in times of need? In most towns you probably have 2 or 3 choices. Spend an afternoon getting to know the layout of those hospitals. Find out where the parking is. (Do they have clergy parking? Is there free parking for clergy? Do you need a clergy pass?) Find out where the surgery, ICU, and observation rooms are. See if you can pick up a campus map for your files so you’ll know how to get around. Knowing your way around the hospital will give you more time to spend with the people you came there to see.

Bonus: Schedule your visit around lunch time. Many hospital cafeterias have good food at rock bottom prices. Some hospitals around me even have a Starbucks.

Call Ahead
Sometimes being in a hospital is a boring affair. Often family members are waiting around for results, checkups, and for improvement. Sometimes they are just…waiting. If you are planning on visiting, think about calling ahead to see if you can bring anything– magazines, schoolwork, movies, coloring books etc. I would advise against bringing food for a patient but sometimes mom and dad could use a burger or coke.

Don’t Rush
Your class for Wednesday night can wait and you can make those calls for the lock-in later. When you’re visiting a student or parent in the hospital they should be your only focus. Spend as much time as needed to visit, share, and pray with the family. Think about turning off your phone as well. Everything you need to get done will get finished. Don’t rush your hospital visit.

Watch for Cords
I’ll never forget the time I visited my grandmother in the hospital. Her sister came in and sat down on the hospital bed next to her. Next thing you know my grandmother started acting funny and losing color in her face. My grandmother’s sister had puller out the IV when she sat on the bed. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t sit on the hospital bed!!! Be very careful around the patient you’re visiting. Don’t cause more trouble than you have to.

Always Leave With a Prayer
I never leave a hospital room without offering to pray for the family I’m visiting. One of the greatest gifts you can give a family that is worrying and scared about the situation they find themselves in is to pray for them. Praying over the family gives them hope, peace, and comfort in an often chaotic time. At times when the situation isn’t dire praying for the family is a common bond you can share. Walking together into the throne room of God puts everything into perspective. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to pray with those you visit in the hospital.

Conclusion
I count it as a privilege to be able to visit families in the hospital. Ministry happens when you share your time and attention with those who are sick and hurting. Now it is your turn. What tips do you have to share concerning hospital visits?

16 Christmas Tips for Dads

This Christmas will be my first as a dad. The last 7 months have been a mixture of great memories, tough lessons, and many, many changes. As I look to the future, I want to the best dad I can be. Right after Hewson was born, a friend gave me one piece of advice about being a parent. He said,

“Parenting is a Verb.”

He’s right. If I want to be the best dad I can be I have to be INTENTIONAL about it. Parenting doesn’t happen through osmosis.

As a dad, one of the things I want to do is create lasting spiritual memories for my family. The best time of the year to create these memories might just be the Christmas season. Over at The Resurgence Blog, Mark Driscoll offered dads a 16 point Christmas blueprint for making lasting memories this season. These challenges will help dads step outside of the poor expectations that this culture has for us. If you want to grow your family closer to your Heavenly Father and to one another, try a few of these tips.

My son will be a little over 7 months old this Christmas. I am challenging myself to modify a few of these suggestions this year for my little family. I have the holiday music on the iPod and I have a few thoughts about Christmas eve and morning but I’m going to hold off on the cider for my little one this year. What about you? What are you doing this year to create spiritual memories for your family?

16 Daddy Christmas Tips by Mark Driscoll

Dad needs…
1) a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
2) to check the local guides for what’s going on to make fun holiday plans for the family.
3) to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is your calendar ready for December?
4) to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
5) to give experiences and not just gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
6) to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
7) to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt and bless?
8) to schedule a big Christmas daddy date with his daughter. Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy daddy date?
9) to schedule guy time with his son. Dad, what are you and your son going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
10) to help Mom get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
11) to ensure some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, and can you smell cookies and cider in your house?
12) to snuggle up and watch some fun shows with the kids, especially the little ones. Dad, is the DVR set?
13) to take the family on a drive to see Christmas lights while listening to music and sipping cider. Dad, is it mapped out?
14) to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do the little kids get lights or a small tree in their room?
15) to read about Jesus and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
16) to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?

Link

Grasping This Truth

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15 TNIV)

I have been wrestling with this passage for the last few days. It is such a beautiful and profound truth- the foundation of the Gospel. I also love that “having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them.” Christ’s death took the power of Satan and evil away and showed them for what they truly are- powerless beings who grasp at straws. Sin has no hold over us. Satan was declawed and thrown down! Christ is King! Amen!

Thank you Jesus for making me alive. Thank you for freeing me from sin and death. Help me to understand this truth and to, more importantly, own it and live in your power. Thank you Lord.

5 Alternatives to Album of the Year

The Grammy Awards—or Grammys—are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry.

Behold the consequences of abandoning your mission. This year’s Grammy nominations are in and they are horrible!!! Sure there are some good nominations across the board but I am dumbstruck by the mediocre choices for Album of the Year. Surely, surely they could have come up with some more deserving alternatives to nominate for the big prize. Instead, we have a hodgepodge of noise being passed off as credible “achievements in the music industry.”

If I were choosing this year’s Album of the Year my choices would look decidedly different. Here’s a look at my choices for Album of the Year. (For recordings released during the Eligibility Year October 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009)

The Resistance // MUSE (over I Am… Sasha Fierce // Beyonce)
Why reward a bloated double album of pop standards when you can reward a single bloated album of rock genius? You might not yet know who MUSE is but you soon will. These guys are huge across the pond. 2009 brought us The Resistance, MUSE’s biggest release yet. This space-opera-concept album, is full of haunting lyrics, driving beats, and even a three part symphony. The first single, Uprising, should be nominated for song of the year too. A very fitting anthem for 2009.

Day and Age // The Killers (over The E.N.D. // The Black Eyed Peas)
If you award the BEP with Album of the Year, then Autotune wins. Is that what you want? Is that the kind of world you want your grandchildren to inherit. Like Beyonce, BEP are the “big name” nominees. Sure they’ll bring in the viewers and put on a lavish light show but you aren’t supposed to awarding lasers. Remember, Autotune or saving humanity. The choice is yours.

For some good dance beats, strong music, and real voices try to sit still listening to the latest release from The Killers.

Nails on a Chalkboard // 1000 Angry Cats (over The Fame // Lady Gaga)
I would also rather listen to Fran Drescher sing the complete works of Frank Sinatra than to sit and listen to this crap. If you feed it, it will hang around. I say starve this Fame Monster and put us out of our misery. Too harsh?

Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King // Dave Matthews Band (over Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King // Dave Matthews Band)
Way to go Academy. This was a good nominee for Album of the Year. 1) The album is DMB’s best release in years and is a fitting tribute to their fallen founding member, LeRoi Moore. 2) The music is tight with every arrangement perfectly balanced. 3) There is an epic quality to sound. Hands down this my favorite DMB album since Before These Crowded Streets.

Backspacer // Pearl Jam (over Fearless // Taylor Swift)
I’m not a hater. I like Taylor Swift, her music, her lyrics, and her eye makeup but I am unwilling to say she deserves to win the big prize. Give her a songwriting award or a pop award but not Album of the Year. Instead, look to Pearl Jam for a solid and self-produced album. This is a big step forward for this Seattle band. The songs are driven by great music but the strength of these tracks come from the lyrics and vocals. Listening to Backspacer sounds familiar and brand new all at once.

(Obligatory Statement) U2’s No Line on the Horizon would be my real choice for Album of the Year. Yeah, yeah, yeah- I know. I might be biased (Who I am I kidding? I most certainly am biased.) but musically, lyrically, sonically NLOTH is leaps and bounds, over and above any of the real nominees for Album of the Year. It may not be the “best” U2 album but it is an awesome listening experience and a classic album. 20 years from now I will stand by that statement.

20 minutes from now you’ll be asking “Who is Lady Gaga?”