American Pie + Grand Rapids = Awesome

In the immortal words of Liz Lemon...I want to go to there.

Brilliant.

How Dogs Sleep

I don't know about your dog, but our dog, Foster, sleeps like this more often than not.


Words that come to mind are...how? ouch! What the?!

How does your dog sleep?

Why I'm a Comment Voyeur

Is it a sign of getting older or more lazy? Maybe it's my love of people watching. But I almost enjoy reading the comments on an online article more than I enjoy reading the article itself. I find myself skimming the post or article so fast that I barely get the gist of it just so I can get to the comments faster.

I think the bottom line reason for this is: the comments tell me a lot more about people in general than the article ever will. The comments tell me hopes and fears. Ideologies and theologies. Purposes and passions. Loves and hate. What makes people tick and think. What makes them zig and what makes them zag.

Take this interesting short blurb of an article on Stephen Hawking's take on the afterlife. It's short, sweet, and to the point as to what he think of previously published views of God and science and current views of the afterlife and what will win. All interesting stuff.

But look at the comments...all 19,343 by the time I wrote this post. They are fascinating! They tell us so much about people and their views of religion, the religious, God, His people, and their experiences with all of the above and then some.

If you have a hard knowing and/or understanding where people are at in regards to spiritual things (whatever the article is about i.e. politics, culture, parenting, education etc), skim the article and READ the comments. If you have a hard time thinking about how people think about God, Jesus followers, the church, etc (as well as America, Republicans, Democrats, Lady Gaga, teachers etc) then graze the article and devour the comments. They are a treasure chest full of insight as to how people think, feel, and believe. And if we know that stuff, we might - with God's help - just be able to better love, engage and serve those that are far away from Him (or whatever is we might believe).

Young Adult Book Review

One of the great thing about my job when I was a youth pastor and now as a guidance counselor is that I get to be a cultural exegete. I get to dig into the culture (probably sub-culture) of teenagers and see what it says, figure out how it impacts teenagers, and use it as a means to tell a story whether it be about motivation, reconciliation, character, courage, forgiveness, empathy, bullying, boundaries, hope, dreams, meaning, purpose, friendship, community, etc. I use music, movies, books, fashion, language, places/spaces, etc to help understand the world of teenagers for me, them, youth workers, teachers, and parents.

So with my new position, I've been very intentional about asking good exegetical questions about the students world in my building. What are you watching, listening to, and reading? Where are you going/where are you hanging out? Who are you going with? What are you doing? All of these questions and more.

One of the worlds that I've always talked about tapping into is the literature of teenagers...specifically the books that they are reading. Two books I have read over the past year have been The Hunger Games Trilogy and Unwind. Both books are Dystopian books (think opposite of utopian).

Even though I'm late to the game, here's my attempt a review:

The Hunger Games Trilogy:

Great series! Loved this book about post-war America that is divided into 13 districts and rules by a central government. There is lots of death (grim and gruesome), propaganda, war, violence, a love triangle (nothing sexual), addiction, courage, self-discovery, sacrifice, and lots of twist and turns that affect those coming of age. It is an amazing non-stop ride of action, adventure, and suspense with lots of character development along the way. This is not your momma's young adult book, but well worth it. My wife even loved it!

Unwind:

This is one intense book not only in the plot but also in it's content. This is post-Second Civil War which is fought under the umbrella of the abortion issue. This book deals with the cultural, familial, relational, political, and spiritual dynamics that affect the meaning and sanctity of life. This book and it's issues are not for the faint of heart. Bring your thinking cap as you wrestle with the themes that are laid out in the story of three kids on the run from perceived meaning to real value. You will dig this book, it's themes, and how they make you take stuff of things that matter in life.

(bu to my good friend/mentor, great thinker, book devourer, and adolescent guru, Marko, and his many book reviews for inspiring me in this area)

Shot Rings Out in the Memphis Sky

As America watches college men play for a basketball national title, may we take a moment to remember a man who lived and died for so much more. May you and I remember the humble and passionate Martin Luther King Jr. who gave his life for something greater than himself: his God, his country and his people.

Takers Not Makers

It's a sad stat and state we find ourselves in as Americans: we take more than we make. An editorial article in the Wall Street Journal by Stephen Moore outlines this fundamental shift in values. Now I know he is talking about some seemingly archaic industries, but trend is alarming none the less and raises the question...where are we going as a nation?

Here is a taste of the article:

"More Americans work for the government than work in construction, farming, fishing, forestry, manufacturing, mining and utilities combined. We have moved decisively from a nation of makers to a nation of takers. Nearly half of the $2.2 trillion cost of state and local governments is the $1 trillion-a-year tab for pay and benefits of state and local employees. Is it any wonder that so many states and cities cannot pay their bills?"

Read the rest of the article here.

But you know what else I find interesting...this is true in the Church. Our American culture, ecclesiastical consumerism, and church values have led to this. We'd rather sit in our pews, chairs, or theater style seating and take in a message and music without having to give sacrificially out of time, money, and/or talents. We leave it to the pastors, ministers, and priests to do the works of ministry where all of us should be making, creating, and creating ministry opportunities. Francis Chan in his book, Crazy Love, talk about the characteristics of takers in the Church or as he puts in, Lukewarm Christians (Chapter 4).

(bu to David S via Facebook status update)

Love Story Meets Viva la Vida

I dig Coldplay. My 8 year old daughter, Sarah, digs Taylor Swift. So when a friend tweeted the link to a video "Love Story Meets Viva la Vida", well, I just had to listen.

It brought a smile to my face...

...and a tear to my eye.

His story/his version of the song (in this link here) and it's inspiration is tender and sweet and about the connect to music and the heart between him and his little girl.

This video version of the song is for my Sarah. I love you, baby!



Check out his music of "Pachelbel's Canon in D Meets U2." Very cool...now I want a do-over for the song that Kelly's walks down the aisle to at our wedding...

(bu to Kiel K)

Dysfunctional Ramblings

I'm not quite ready to move. Thought I was, but...

I was thinking over this thread and am going to wonder "out loud" with you all. We are all in this place together like it or not. We have a part to play, a script to speak.

I wonder if we've become unsafe to each other. Time and distance can dull our hearts to trust and empathize with each other. I've known that to be true in my journey, but it's become more real for me with us, too.

I wonder if we've become judgmental in how we view each other: how we follow Jesus, how we parent our kids, how we handle our marriages. Judgment puts me in a position where I draw lines that communicate I'm better than you, I'm right and you're wrong, and somehow my shit don't stink.

I wonder if we have some unconfessed sin in our life towards each other that keeps us from living authentically. This one is working on me, I must confess. Still trying to unearth what God wants to reveal to me here.

I wonder if we have some unshared hurt, pain, wound, pivotal piece of our story that no one else knows about (save our spouse) that keeps us from drawing close to each other. And even if we've shared those issues with someone else do we feel like we've truly been heard.

I wonder if resentment, bitterness, jealousy, etc. blocks our paths of truly being connected to each other.

I wonder if we don't like what the other has become. Have we placed some internal or external expectation on one another as to what we should have become? And in those expectations have we fallen short of what we thought you should be or do?

I wonder if we will ever have the courage and humility to listen to each other, share with each other, comfort each other, apologize to each other, speak truth in love to each other (outside of Facebook).

And, lastly, I wonder with you (reluctantly) this...where is Jesus in all of this? Is he leading you, me, us? Or is he here, but standing back waiting for us to acknowledge his presence with us in this mire? Are we praying for each other? I'll be honest...I haven't been until now. We might even have to start praying for each other as...dare I say...enemies? If that's the only command that will get us to pray for us...I say yes. I wonder what some outsiders who know us and love us would say if we brought them in to look, listen, and share with us their insights?

No need to respond. This is just me writing some thoughts down for myself, but also for you and since this pertains to us and our future, I share it with you as well. Just thought I'd share it with you.

Now I might be ready to move on. Maybe...

On the Rise?

This was one of my favorite commercials from the Super Bowl...



But...

30 Days Homeless

Since I haven't been blogging consistently for 1.5+ years, I miss opportunities to highlight some really cool things that cross my path, make me think, challenge my living, etc. I really should have highlighted this earlier in the month, but just wasn't thinking that way. Shame on me. Better late than never?

Anywho, the church we attend has been highlighting this month a pastors pledge and passion to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless here in Dayton. Ryan Riddell is bringing light to a very dark place and giving names to those men and women who live on the streets of the city I live in. He is doing this by living homeless himself for 30 days in the month of January. Some really powerful stuff as he brings the homeless statistics to life by interacting with the very people these numbers represent.

You can follow Ryan and his buddy's journey at www.30dayshomeless.tv by watching video journals, interviews, and sketch work art. It's pretty radical and powerful stuff. I'm not sure what to do with it yet. We are tapped in regards to where/how much we give. Is there a time element that God wants me to give away? Is there a relational component that he's asking me to invest in? Is there a prayer piece that he's calling me to partake in? Something else?

I wonder what is going on in your city to bring to light a very dark, depressing, and desperate world. Is your church doing something? Is your small group reaching out? Are you engaging the issue spiritually and practically and financially?

I know for me this is an issue/these are a people that sometimes I'd like to wish did not exist. It's a scary place to enter into with the violence, drug use, and mental health issues. Plus sometimes it doesn't fit my "pull yourself up by your boot straps or self-reliant" cultural/political ideologies.

It wrecks me. Jesus wrecks me.

What Keeps You Working Where You Work?

This is one of my favorite articles in the year. It's about the best companies to work for in America as rated by employees. I've been reading this article for about 4-5 years now.

But this year an employee quote really got me. Got me thinking. Got me wondering. Got me looking (not for another job or employer). Got me listening. Here's the quote:

"People stay at SAS in large part because they are happy, but to dig a little deeper, I would argue that people don't leave SAS because they feel regarded — seen, attended to and cared for. I have stayed for that reason, and love what I do for that reason."

People don't leave...they feel regarded. Seen. Attended to. Cared for.

Wow...that is deep...vocationally, emotionally, communally, and spiritually deep. It speaks of value both for the individual and to the team. It speaks of value that who I am and what I do matter to the company, to the culture, and to the coin (or bottom line).

You can hate what you do even though you love what you do because you are not valued. It doesn't mean you don't become a slacker and not work hard or do the right thing. Even though your boss (bosses) is an ass, egotistical, aloof, etc. can play a HUGE part in what you feel about what you do that doesn't mean you pass that on to your staff, students, clients, and/or team.

But it's a reality that how we value people matters...and not just with words, but with some jack/perks/schwag/etc that is creative, thoughtful, and intentional. This article is filled with all sorts of value-added perks that make people feel regarded and, thus, love doing what they love doing, simply like doing or maybe even hate doing.

Makes me what want to lead, serve, and be apart of creating a culture of seeing, attending, and caring for those that work for me and with me. Makes me wonder what I'm doing to make that happen right now in the school in which I work. Makes me what to take account of my work/ministry culture by asking and listening to the heart of those in the trenches with me.

What Living Life Together Should Look Like

Love this story. Brings tears to my eyes. Did you see it? If not go here and check out the full length article from Time via Yahoo!. A Southwest Airline pilot teaches us so much and modeled for us what Martin Luther King Jr. meant when he said, "It's always the right time to do the right thing."

Here is part of the story that I just just grabs me by the collar and says, "This is what living in community is supposed to look like! This is what friendship is supposed to look like! This is what leadership is supposed to look like!"

"According to Nancy, he struggled to hold back tears as he pleaded with TSA and Southwest Airlines staff to fast-track him through the lines that were moving like molasses. Even though missing his flight could mean missing a final chance to see his grandson, no one seemed to care.

Too much was at stake to simply roll over and cry. When he finally cleared security - several minutes after his flight's planned departure - he grabbed his computer bag, shoes and belt, and ran to his terminal wearing only his socks. The pilot and the gate agent were waiting for him.

"Are you Mark? We held the plane for you and we're so sorry about the loss of your grandson," the pilot reportedly said. "They can't go anywhere without me and I wasn't going anywhere without you. Now relax. We'll get you there. And again, I'm so sorry."

For the Rev. Martin Luther King...SING!

The Original Music Video

Advent and To Know You to Know Me

Christer. Is that you...attend church only on Christmas and Easter? If so, I get it. The Church typically hasn't been a real safe place for people asking spiritual questions, seeking spiritual direction, and looking for the source of true spirituality. I would hope that's changing, but still doesn't make it easy to find?

So have you found a place in which to experience it? Have you found somebody/ies with whom to experience it? If not, go to the church on the corner of your neighborhood, find a place that has multiple services and attend one, ask a friend that you know goes to church if you can tag along, ask a friend that you know who might want to tag along....but go. Because I believe the truth of the story, the message of the narrative, the centerpiece of this historical event is something you should see, hear, experience, get to know...for God so loved the world that He gave His son to you, to me, to the world to know, to love, and to follow to the way peace, hope, love and life.

Here are two videos to spur some thought and maybe move you to place of seeing, hearing, and experiencing the meaning of Advent: To know You because You know me.

Christmas Mystery from DanStevers.com on Vimeo.

Advent. from Spirit Juice Studios on Vimeo.

Advent and the Wait and the Watching

Christmas. It's a season of watchfulness. Watching for sales and deals. People watching at the mall. Watching which checkout line will go fastest. Present watching to see how many and what size will end up under the tree.

It's also a time of watching family watching...who is coming over for Christmas dinner? Personal watching...how will I handle the stress of the holiday season again? Spiritual watching...is there something more than the go-go-go and get-get-get of Christmas?

Lastly, it's a time of advent watching. Angels and shepherds? Wise men and stars? A baby and a barn? What is God showing us? What is he point to? What is He asking me to look for and at? What will change? How will I act on what I see?

May this advent liturgy video again invite us to go a little deeper as to the part God is inviting me to watch in the nativity narrative.

Advent and the Awaiting the Christ Child

What are you waiting for this Christmas season? Santa? Family? Presents? Hope? Peace? Meaning? Wonder? Beauty? Healing? Relief?

What about a child...the Child? May this little video, it's message, music, and images draw you to place of reflection where you see and sense what Christmas is all about.

Digital Story of the Nativity

Super creative telling of the nativity story through a visual medium. The use of online tools and apps is outstanding.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The Cost of a College Education

Some interesting stats and figures on the rising cost of a college education.

Mint.com Personal Finances

Ummm...Yeah

This is going be good...really good.

Amazing New Band - Mumford & Sons

This newly discovered band out of the indie folk scene in England, Mumford & Sons, has real potential to be one of the coolest bands I've heard in a long, long, long time. Different style. Quality musicians. Amazing lyrics. That = trifecta. Here is the video and lyrics for their song, The Cave. Stellar.



Lyrics:

It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears
And all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see
But I have seen the same
I know the shame in your defeat

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth
Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears
I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

So come out of your cave walking on your hands
And see the world hanging upside down
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's hand

So make your siren's call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be

And I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again