Monthly Archives: August 2010

Life, Music, Playlists

Top 20

Music plays such a big role in my life. Recently I was in Barnes and Noble and I saw a book entitled “Music Listography: Your Life in (Play)Lists.” This book/journal is designed for you to list everything you love about music. Some the lists include “90’s Music,” “Favorite Shows You’ve Seen Live,” and “Musicians You’d Bring Back From the Dead.” When I flipped through the book I knew I just had to have this book and fill it with everything I love about music.

The first two lists in the book call for you to list your Top 20 favorites. Here is my offerings:

Your Top Twenty Favorite Bands– (In no particular order)

U2
Counting Crows
The Police
The Beatles
Coldplay
Dave Matthews Band
Matisyahu
Hillsong United
Ray Lamotagne
David Crowder Band
Bob Dylan
Pearl Jam
Elvis
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Jars of Clay
Muse
Weezer
The Killers
Jack Johnson

Top Twenty Albums You’d Bring If You Were Leaving Planet Earth In a Spaceship (Again, no particular order)

The Joshua Tree (U2)
Achtung Baby (U2)
Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd)
August and Everything After (Counting Crows)
What’s Goin’ On (Marvin Gaye)
Recovering the Satellites (Counting Crows)
Live at Stubb’s (Matisyahu)
Live at Luther (Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds)
X&Y (Coldplay)
Jesus Freak (DC Talk)
Continuum (John Mayer)
In Between Dreams (Jack Johnson)
Fumbling Toward Ecstasy (Sarah McLaughlin)
Illuminate (David Crowder Band)
IV (Led Zeppelin)
Rearview Mirror (Pearl Jam) – I know it’s a Greatest Hits collection. Who cares?
Jars of Clay (Jars of Clay)
Nirvana: Unplugged (Nirvana)
O (Damien Rice)
With Hearts As One (Hillsong United)

How about you? What are your Top 20 Bands/Albums?

General

Too Easily Pleased

Challenging thought of the day from C.S. Lewis:

Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

What are you too easily please by? What lesser thing do you choose over and above the infinite joy offered to you through Jesus Christ?

Father, help us to settle for nothing less than you.

Books, Discipleship

Who Do You Say I AM?

Last week I finished reading a new biography on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great Lutheran minister who stood toe to toe with the Nazis during World War II. He was eventually arrested by the SS and executed for opposing Hitler and standing for Jesus Christ. Take a second and read the words of the Nazi “doctor” who presided over Bonhoeffer’s execution. Dr. Fisher-Hullstrung wrote,

“Through the half-open door in one room of the huts I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer, before taking off his prison garb, kneeling on the floor praying fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved by the way this loveable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. In almost 50 years that I have worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a man who could answer the question “Who is God?” Bonhoeffer knew who God was and that belief directed his every step, his entire life.

I don’t believe that you and I or our children will ever have to face the Nazi gallows but everyday we are confronted with forces that, at best, trick us into apathy toward God and at worst, seek to separate and destroy our relationship with him.

The only way to confront these forces is to run directly into the arms of our big God who has a big love for us. This God sent his son so that we may have life and have it to the full. When we believe the truth about God we cannot help but follow His call.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxes

Faith in Action, Lauds, Mission, Prayer

God is God

Anyone ever ask you about God’s abilities? You know the classic question: “If God can do anything, can he create a rock so big even he can’t lift it?”

My question to them is “What is so big in your life- what is crushing you under its weight- that you don’t you don’t think God can handle”

“For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?” (2Samuel 22:32 NLT)

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17 TNIV)

“I love you, LORD, my strength.The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalms 18:1-3, 16-19 TNIV)

We do not serve a God that is ineffectual. Our God is not small. Our God is large and in charge for He is mighty to save. Call to him in your distress- HE HEARS YOU!

General

Grace Over Lunch

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School is officially back in session next week but today we started our new school year routine. Sandy went back for teacher in-service and I went back to using my desk full-time after a summer of using the youth room as my office. This year I have decided to pack a lunch and take my lunch time at the office as often as I can. Sure, I’ll visit schools and eat with students some days and I’ll have occasions where I’ll have a lunch meeting but if I can save a buck (or eight) here and there more power to me.

My hope is to watch sermon podcasts or listen to leadership lessons while I eat each day but today… I needed to rock out to the second (SECOND!) encore from U2360: Live from the Rose Bowl on DVD. My soul gets fed in all sorts of ways.

I listend to Ultraviolent (Light My Way) which dovetailed quite nicely with my morning scripture meditation from the Sermon on the Mount.

First from Matthew 5:

“Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here’s what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile.” (Matthew 5:29 MESSAGE)

From Ultraviolent:

Oh sugar, don’t you cry
Oh child, wipe the tears from your eyes
You know I need you to be strong
And the day is as dark as the night is long
 Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I’m in the black, can’t see or be seen

Baby baby baby light my way

It is impossible to overcome the foul stench of sin and unrighteousness we find ourselves in. Sin takes us for a joyride only to drop our rotting corpse on top of the trash heap. We are left exposed to the world- our sin, our humilation, our choices- open to ridicule and contempt. That’s when the grace of Jesus comes, picks us up, covers us with his righteousness. (1Peter 3:18)

Sin leaves me feeling like trash. Only Christ makes me clean. Light my way, Lord! Light our way!

Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry Tips

Gauging the Temperature Pt. 2

Today I want to talk about 3 Ways to Monitor Your Youth Group’s Temperature During The School Year. During the summer you have the opportunity to be around your teens for hours on end. Relationships are solidified during trips across the country and decisions for Christ are made while painting houses together. When students return to school your opportunities to connect with students and to check in with them can be greatly reduced. During the summer you can monitor their spiritual temperature more easily. How can you continue to monitor how they’re doing once math class, band practice, and homework come back on the scene?

First, the best way to check in with your students is through TALKING with them. The summer is filled with late night conversations about everything from choices, likes/dislikes, and even theology. During these convos hopes, dreams, struggles, and beliefs are laid bare. It is one of my favorite things about the summer. Unfortunately, the school year can put the kibosh on these meaningful interactions. The challenge then is to intentionally create moments where you can have sustained conversations with your teens. Offer to meet them for coffee before school once a week, build in discussion time during your midweek meeting, meet for milkshakes after the games. During these interactions don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper under the surface. The point isn’t to log hours talking about C.O.D. (Call of Duty, Noob.) but to understand where your teen is, where they are struggling, where they need encouragement.

Another way to gauge their spiritual temperature is through TECHNOLOGY. Facebook, Twitter, Text Msgs- they’re not just for wasting time anymore. You can harness the power of these social networking technologies to check in with your teens. I have a Twitter account set up for our youth group. I use it to announce upcoming events, brag on students who have done something amazing, and post thoughts for the day or week. I have also used it to take surveys and ask questions. The answers to these questons can be a great insight into what’s going on in the hearts and minds of your students. Twitter isn’t just a megaphone to blast information. It can be an invitation to conversation. Deep, I know. Right now, think of 3 different ways to use Facebook this week to check in with your teens.

A third way to monitor the spiritual health of your teens during the school year is by engaging in their TALENTS. In the coming weeks I know that I’ll be sitting in the stands watch my teens compete in sports or march in the band. My evenings will be full of choir performances big and small. If your teens are anything like mine they are talents and involved in many extracurriculars. When you show up to an event or performance you are engaging with them as they apply the gifts and talents given to them by God. Any encouragement you can give them, any time that you give them, any affirmation you can give them deepens your relationship with them. When your relationship deepens and goes below the surface you can truly understand what’s going on in their heart and soul.

By carving out intentional opportunities to TALK with your teens, by using TECHNOLOGY to connect them, and through recognizing their TALENTS you can begin to measure the spiritual temperature of your students during the school year.

God’s blessing on all of you who dedicate your time, talent, and treasure to serving teens and their families in the name of Jesus Christ.

Campus Ministry, Discipleship, Jesus is the Christ, Leadership, Ministry, Youth Ministry

Gauging the Temperature Pt. 1

I’ll let you in on a little secret ambition of mine. You ready?

I want to be the Bobby Flay of my sphere of influence.

I want to be known as a great cook. Not just someone who can prepare a good meal. No, something greater! I want to amaze people with the way I combine meat, seasonings, flame, and creativity. For my birthday last April my parents bought me an honest to goodness bar-b-que smoker and grill. I love grilling and had no problem using the propane side of my new toy. About a month ago, I gave the smoker an inagural spin. I bought a book extolling the virtues of Low and Slow grilling and followed the lessons to a T. What happen was that I was able to cook two whole chickens perfectly! The flavors of the marinade combined with the flavors of the smoke made for and incredible dinner and a lot of leftovers. I can’t wait to work my way up to slow cooking some ribs and pork shoulder. Believe me- it is on!

The most important thing that I’ve learned about this style of cooking has been learning to monitor the temperature inside the smoker/fire box. You don’t want to keep opening the lid each and every time you check on your food. The lid has to stay closed. 1.5 hours for my chicken and up to 8 hrs or more for pork shoulder. The only thing that gives me insight into what’s happening inside is temperature reading on the outside.

As the summer comes to a close I’ve been thinking about my students and their return to school. Right now many of them are running hot and on fire for Jesus. They have expressed excitement for their faith, concern for their friends, and many have made deep commitments to discipleship. Summer gives me the perfect opportunity to be among them on a consistent basis outside of their school year routine. When I am with them I get to monitor the temperature of their lives. As they head back to school I want to make sure that I find ways to monitor their faith, give them encouragement or direction, and help feed their spiritual fire.

Next: 3 Ways to Monitor Your Youth Group Temperature During The School Year

Thoughts

Tuesday Thoughts

Man… I really miss my wife and son. They are off living it up at the in-laws this week. I have managed to keep the house clean… including the kitchen! For a brief second on Sunday night I thought about sleeping on the couch or sleeping on top of the comforter so as not to mess up the bed. I hope they get home soon!

It is HOT!!! I mean, come on! 102? 104? Feels like 108? Seriously!?!?! Texas, I am always singing your praises but your testing my love for you this week.

I am super excited about walking my students through the book of Romans this fall during our HS Bible Study, CHIalpha (Christ First). Tonight, it is on like Donkey Kong! I can remember reading Paul’s letter to the church in Rome for the first time when I was a Junior in high school. I’m praying that my students have the same game-changing experience that I did.

I’ve been reading Eric Metaxes’ Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy this week. It is FANTASTIC! Mataxes has done an incredible job painting not only a vivid and real picture of this theological giant but he has also managed to paint a real picture of what was happening- politically, socially, and spiritually- in 1930-1940s Germany. I am transfixed and fascinated by this book right now!

I have been trying to work on some time-management principles this week. I’ve been adding some disciplines into my day to day to be more effective and more efficient. Starting a new discipline each morning and after lunch where I’m praying, “God, what is the best use of my time RIGHT NOW?” I am really praying that God will direct every minute of my day.

2 Conferences I can’t go to but would love to are David Crowder’s Fantastical Church Music Conference in Waco, TX and New Spring Leadership Conference in Anderson, SC. Anyone wanna sponsor me to attend either one of these events? Seriously. I am in full agreement with the Temptations here- I ain’t too proud to beg.

    Personal Leadership, Resources

    YMB: Fall Planning Pt. 4 – Weekly Planning

    What does your average week look like? Do you know?

    There is no such thing as a typical Monday-Friday for a youth minister. Some days it seems as though I’m trying to do anything to avoid twiddling my thumbs and other days have me working like a madman to complete projects and organize the ministry. Learning to manage my week- creating weekly touchstones- has made a tremendous difference in my sanity and my capacity to lead. Each day of my week has a theme that helps me manage my time effectively.

    Mondays are for Foundations. I spend Mondays laying out everything I need to do for the week. I map out my assault and then I rush in ready for the fight. On Monday, I begin lay a foundation for every teaching time I have scheduled. For my small group Bible study and Wednesday night classes I’m actually laying a foundation for the following week. Each day I build onto the lesson through study and prayer until it’s time to ship.

    Tuesdays are for Development. It is important for me to connect with my vision and the scope of the ministry each week. On Tuesdays I spend great deal of time scheduling events, planning, building, and dreaming about the things currently happening within the ministry.

    Wednesdays are for Relationships. On Wednesdays you can find me in schools eating lunch with the students or developing relationships in some way or another.

    Thursdays are for Wrapping Up. Thursdays are critical for me to finish the week strong. I want to make sure that I have Sunday prepared for, planned for, and wrapped up before I power down. There is always a temptation to put things of or to just say, “i’ll do it tomorrow.” I have to fight against this urge in order to protect my Sabbath.

    Friday are for Sabbath. Ahhhhhh.

    Sundays are for Influencing. Each week I get to stand before a group of people that God has entrusted me with and I get 52 Sundays to point them to the Way, the Truth, and the Life through dedicated teaching times. The way I have prepared through the week- studying, learning, connecting with God personally, connect with these people relationally- makes a huge impact on whether or not I can influence them for Jesus.

    What does your week look like?

    In the One Year Personal Growth Plan, Searcy encourages you to Withdraw Weekly. He suggests that you must do two things each week in order to grow and lead.

    First, you need to schedule your Sabbath. Not a day off, a sabbath. Sabbath isn’t just vegging out in front of the idiot box for a full day. A Sabbath is is day dedicated to rest and connecting to God. A Sabbath is a weekly recharge and reflection time on your relationship with God, your family, and yourself. My Sabbath is scheduled for Fridays this year. What day will you schedule yours?

    Secondly, Searcy challenges you to read a book a week. This is slightly more than my typical reading schedule. I am on track to read 40 or so books in 2010 and this pace works for me. I have tried reading a book a week and what I find is that I am more concerned with the deadline than the content. The point isn’t that reading 52 books (or 40 or 20 or…) this year will magically transform you into a leader who has everything together. The point is that you are intentionally filling your time with resources that will develop your capacity to lead. I have little tolerance for youth ministers who tell me that they just don’t have time to read. That’s false. You just don’t make time to read. Leaders are readers!

    Personal Leadership, Planning, Resources

    YMB: Fall Planning Pt. 3

    Before we continue talking about my fall planning sessions please, please, please understand this:

    I am NO ORGANIZATIONAL GURU. No way, no how.

    I am merely a guy who has lived for so long without planning, without organizing, and without thinking ahead that something had to give. If I didn’t get a handle on my calendar, appointments, projects, and ideas I would run the risk of living an ineffective life. For me, ineffectiveness is a fate worse than death. So, I offer these tips and I publish the resources that have help me because I want you to be as effective as possible. Everyday is the Lord’s and I want you to be a major force for the kingdom- each and every day!

    Last week, we looked at your calendar in a big 365 day chunk. Today we’ll break it into 12 parts as we seek to Measure Monthly.

    As we set goals and make grand organizational plans we need to set aside some time to regularly reevaluate and stay on point. Searcy suggests two important habits to start each month to help you measure your life.

    First, ask yourself this question: “Who will I be mentored by?” The answer to this question will be personal to you and your context. Will you meet with other local ministers? What about a network or even local conferences? Will you seek out a mentor in person or utilize technology to meet? How much time do you have to be mentored?

    These are a lot of questions to consider but wrestle with them. For me I am planning on meeting with a handful of local ministers each month. I also will be sending out a few letters/emails seeking to have lunch with some ministers I hold in high regard around our area. Searcy challenged me with this thought- “You are the average of the 5 people you hang with most often?” Very sobering to think about.

    The second part of Measuring Monthly is to set aside time to reevaluate and review your progress. Schedule some time away by yourself each month to reflect, make adjustments, and recommit to your personal growth. Go ahead and schedule this time for the end of August.

    So, you’ve planned for the entire year through Abandoning Annually and now you’ve begun to find time to Measure Monthly. Next we will Withdraw Weekly as we continue to plan for personal growth.