Tron Legacy

The first Tron was great. The second Tron looks epic!

Bad Day? Watch This!

This will most assuredly put a smile on your face no matter the kind of day you had.

The song is "This Too Shall Pass".

These guys are sick! I wish I had an a fraction of the creativity they do...some of the most original videos on this planet. This one is no exception! Watch the video below first and then go here to see an alternate version of the song. I love that they do a lot of their videos in one take with one camera.



And if you have nothing better to do (and haven't seen it already), here is the video that started it all for OK Go...the best!

(bu to Curtis H. via Twitter)

The Downside of Talent

Talent. We all have one or some. We love it when we get to use them. We enjoy the praise that comes when others notice ours. We get frustrated when we don't get to use them.

We wish we had others. We admire those who have different ones than ours. We enjoy watching others use their.

At the end of the day, you and I will be held accountable for how we use them whether we believe that will be by our boss and/or our Maker in heaven. That will come at a review or a termination or a pay raise. Or at that face-to-face meeting we have have with God upon entering his eternal presence in heaven when we says, "Well done, good and faithful servant," or "You wicked and lazy servant!" (Matthew 25:14-30)

I started reflecting on this truth when I recently read an article about Michael Vick's reflection on his time playing football in Atlanta. He looks back with regret on his time in there because he was "complacent, lazy and settled for mediocrity." He relied on his legs - his talents - to get him by and it cost him, that organization and the fans.

Then this morning I read this article about Apolo Ohno and his run at being the most decorated winter Olympic athlete ever. It states how early in his career, Ohno, won on pure talent and sheer speed that at times won him victories, but at other times cost him gold medals. The article goes on to say what got him to the medal stand last night was not just his talent, but his willingness to prepare.

God is using both of these to convict, grow and guide me. I think for most of my vocational life, I have been relying on talent and living off the hype as a can't miss success with students.

Now don't get me wrong, I have worked hard and long hours. But that is very different than preparing in the little (but big) ways to get the "biggest return" on my talent especially when I was pursuing my dream of serving as a youth pastor. You see the downside of talent is I/we end up relying on it at the expense of not preparing well, listening to others, and, ultimately, not walking by faith in the area of work.

I don't know if I'll be back in full-time vocational ministry ever again, but through lots of personal reflection, I acknowledge like Vick, I have dropped the ball with my talent. But I hope live and lead out the second half of my career with the will to prepare and humility to seek God and trust him whether it be in education, ministry, or somewhere else so as to squeeze the most I can out of what He has graciously given me.

So the question I have for you: how have you been affected by the downside of talent? Where have you cut you or other short because you relied solely on talent and not the other "little" things to maximize what God has given you?

Valentine's Day Chance

For all my friends out there looking for love, wondering if Mr. or Ms. Right is out there, and not looking forward to another Valentine's Day, I give you hope...in a funny sort of way.

Worth, Value, and the Problem of Words

One of the cool things I get to do in my job is meet with students and their families to talk about life after high school. We gather together around the round table in my office for me to listen to their hopes and dreams, ask questions about who they are and what they are passionate about, and offer some insight and support to the process of figuring out this huge time of transition.

A tool we we use to help juniors figure out where they are at in relation to college readiness is a standardized test called the PSAT. It helps student and parents gauge what areas they doing well in, what areas need work, and how improve in those areas both in the classroom and on the test. In the midst of these conversations, I notice students and many times "feel" students equating worth and value to the scores on this (and other) test, as well as, grades, GPA, and class rank.

On a couple of occasions, I have had to halt the meeting for a redefining of personal worth and refocusing of why they are valuable. You see students (especially high achieving girls, I've noticed) start tearing up when they see their test score that might not meet their expectations, not high enough for college they are looking at, and be where their other friends are scoring. When I stop and ask what they are feeling, the answers of each student can be summed up in one phrase: "I'm not good enough."

Their value is so tied up in the personal, family, and institutional expectations that are project on them that they begin to define their own value and worth based on this educational data. It's so sad. Thus, the "timeout" to redefine self-worth/personal value.

I've struggled not with having these conversations (they are priceless and powerful), but with using the words worth and value to define how a person "measures up". So I've reworking the word "significance" into my vocabulary during these important meetings.

I think significance is ab better word But should I throw out the baby with the bath water and not use worth and value? The reason I ask, is because worth and value have the connotations of being linked with money, goods, services, and stuff. All the things that humanity uses to determine their place in this world (thanks, Michael W. Smith). If we are going to get people and especially students to think of themselves differently, I wonder if a change in vocabulary is in order.

Just some thoughts. What do you think?

Recognizing My Idols

I'm realizing more and more that I'm an idolizing person. I love me my idols. Now I don't say that with pride, but more with a sense of "Dang it...I don't want these..I don't want this to be me."

What's ironic is that we live in an country that glamorizes, even promotes having idols. Heck, we have a hugely popular reality show called, American Idol, don't we? It's hard for us, for me, to not have idols. And the rub is that God calls us to have no persons, things, stuff, gadgets, gizmos, money, etc. that supplants Him as the priority, that which satisfies our soul.

And so over the last few days, God's been working on me in a couple of areas. I haven't quite finished processing these issues in these areas, but here are some thoughts:

Emotional Arena: I've settled for being OK. I've worked towards health (personal retreat to SD, CA, organized church sabbatical, commitment to walk with God through times of quiet, serving my co-workers, praying for my neighbors, etc), but for some reason I still feel like it's OK to sometimes (maybe even lots of times) settle for personal frustration and disappointment with my life and with others. That's an idol I need to deal with.

Family Arena: This one hurts, but it flows from the personal arena. In light of some of my disappointment/frustration with myself (for whatever reason), I have not been very engaging with my family relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. I've made the choice to be pseudo-engaged by working on our finances claiming (defending/justifying to myself) that it is THE priority for our family in this current season. It's not good. I've got to enter the room of Grace and allow God to love and heal. I've got to acknowledge to myself, Kelly, Sarah, and Parker that I've fallen short by not giving them the best, healthiest me that they deserve.

Stuff Arena: Computer, financial managing (watch dogging), Facebook, music and others. I've got to set some boundaries that give me the space to engage God, my family, and my heart in meaningful ways. My friend, Charlie, recently talked about that with Facebook.

These are some of my idols that God is saying needs reorganizing, reprioritizing, and possibly even eliminating. I'm stoked I'm not going to be doing this solo. Jesus is there saying, "Together. You and me, son. Never alone. Me, you, and my all sufficient grace." My family will be helping me, too.

So...In light of that, I had better jump off the computer, stop blogging, quit idolizing myself and the gadgets that help me process/communicate and get my family outside for some serious play time, memory making, and laughfest on this awesome snow day!

Thanks, Jesus, for reminding me of my weak tendency to pursue and prioritize things that are not You. You grace is a healing balm that gives me hope and courage to reset and move past my idols. You and your grace are enough! Amen.

Championship Sunday - Head vs Heart

It's a good day to be a football fan, particularly a NFL football fan. Colts vs Jets. Saints vs Vikings. All sorts of great match-ups, story lines, and players/coaches are taking place today. I can't wait to watch.

The first game of the day is the one my heart is most into. Having lived in Indy for 4 years, I will be rooting for the Colts. They do have the better team overall and should win. But the J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! are confident, hot and on a roll. That worries me a bit. However, Colts have the most cerebral quarterback of his generation (along with made physical skills to back it up): Peyton Manning. He's already seen this defense once playing at it's best...huge advantage for Peyton. So at the end of the day, I'm going with my head based on his football head...the Colts. I'll miss you Rex Ryan and your awesome press conferences.

Second game of the day is much tougher to pick. I could go into all sorts of reasons for picking the Vikes or the Saints. But I am not going to bore you. So I am picking with my heart on this one. I'm hoping for the Saints. That team wants this. That city needs this. I think it would be awesome if they got to the Super Bowl. Nothing against Favre and the men in purple, but this is the feel good story that I want to see and hear about for the next two weeks. So Saints it is. Maybe you can make another run at it next year Brett. Or maybe not. Or maybe. Or...

Colts vs Saints in the Superbowl. Head vs Heart. Here's to some great games!

Preying on the Poor

I believe in a free market society. I believe that capitalism works. But this makes me wish I hadn't voted to support "advance check" businesses in my city and community.


budget planner – Mint.com

Santa vs the Current Fiscal Policies

So close it's not even funny albeit a little scary.

I Have A Dream

I've probably watched this 50 times in my life for one reason or another. It never grows old. Never gets tired. Never ceases to inspire me. It never stops capturing my imagination about social justice and racial reconciliation.

I'm in the Game. Are you?

I made a difference in the world and so can you!

I made a donation to World Vision to help someone overcome poverty and to help the relief effort in Haiti. It was easy to find the right donation opportunity with over 100 ways to give. It only takes a few minutes to make a difference in our world, specifically Haiti. I encourage you to go experience it for yourself today!

Simply click on the link below to see what you can do to help a child or family in need.

www.worldvision.org

This hits home for our family because we sponsor a child in the Dominican Republic, the other country that shares the same island as Haiti. The ripple effects are huge there, as well. But as we have been praying for the people of Haiti, as well as, the worker helping in the relief efforts, we knew we had to get in the game.

So as I have been praying, I knew I couldn't go, but I knew we could give. Trust me when I say the budget in the Rings house is tight. Every penny matters in this season of life. But we just had to get in the game in a tangible way. I am so glad we did. It matters for what it models to my kids to be apart of the poor and hurting. It matters to the Kingdom of God as we participate in God's plan of mercy and compassion. It matters to the people of Haiti where every dollar saves a life, provides food, and helps in the recovery/rebuilding effort.

So what will you do this in this time of devastation? Stay on bench or get in the game?

What Are the Outcomes

This gave me a chuckle this morning, as well as giving me some things to ponder...

Movie Trailers Rock

I'm just going to admit it: I LOVE movie trailers. I like 'em almost as much as I like the movies themselves. I hate missing movie previews in the theater. In fact, if I feel like I am going to miss previews, I try and find another movie time later in the day or another day all together so I don't miss previews. Kelly can attest to it...I'll probably be late for my own funeral, but I will NEVER be late for previews at a movie!

With that being said, when I saw this Yahoo! link to the most viewed movie trailers of 2009, I had to see it. But this movie trailer was the best and I TOTALLY missed it this year. How?! How did I miss the trailer AND the movie? Crazy. Needless to say, I am putting it at the top of my Netflix queue. Enjoy!

O Holy Night

Is there a more anticipated night in all the earth than the one on Christmas Eve? If there is, I can't imagine it. Kids wondering if Christmas morning will ever come. Parents wondering if there is enough time in the night to put together and wrap those last minute gifts. I pray that on this most holy and silent of nights that you and I would not forget Jesus gave up heaven for a barn and a life of poverty to show us a new way of loving, a new way of living...a trill of hope!

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Do They See What I See

I dig that Christmas carol that goes "Do you hear what I hear?" Cool tune which ironically I have not heard much this Christmas season. But the one time I did hear it, I got me to think about the other senses we use: see what I see, smell what I smell (could be gross), touch what I touch (could be awkward), and taste what I taste (could be yummy).

But I began to reflect on see what I see and a connection to my kids. I began to think about what my kids see in me and how that molds and shapes their views of Jesus. Good or bad. And to be honest, I've been a little shaken by that. What a daunting responsibility.

As I have been thinking of that during this past week, I've both critical of myself (that I fall way short and will never be the "model" my kids need me to be) and challenged to embrace my inadequacy with Jesus at work within me and point them to Him.

But like the New Testament writer and apostle, Paul, I do want my kids to "follow me as I follow Christ". So I began to make a list of the things that I perceive my kids seeing in my that they might think to be true of Jesus. Then I made a list of things that I desire my kids to see in me that honest pursuits of being like Jesus.

My perceptions list: discouraged, temperamental, sad, loving, "on my own time", disengaged, critical, frustrated (even angry), and maybe somewhat loving/nuturing. That's a pretty rough list and to be honest I've been struggling the past few weeks with some depressive feelings. Maybe it's not that rough, but that is my perception at the moment. But even in good times, I don't get it right all the time and there are somethings that I do because of habit, wiring, or learned that healthy spiritually, emotionally, and, thus, parentally.

My wish list: honest, humble, brave, dependent, gentle, just, servant, diligent, gracious, engaging, and loving. That's a pretty huge list where the bar is set high and sometimes, maybe most times, I feel as though uber unattainable. But God has been reminding me that even in the dark, depressive times it's not about me trying harder, working harder. Instead, it's about trusting Him more, choosing the way/life of Jesus more, living in grace more, asking for courage more, choosing joy more, and ultimately pointing to Jesus more.

So what do Sarah, Parker, and even Kelly for that matter see in me? A deformed Jesus? A sad Jesus? A passive Jesus? Or do they see an authentic, redemptive Jesus who makes old things new, desolate places full of life, scared ones braves, and jacked up people beautiful?

Just some thoughts I need to put down where I write the truth that I am working on stuff in my life with Jesus because he's working in/on me.

How about you? What is your perception (good or bad) about what your kids or others for that matter see in you that they project to be true about Jesus? I pray for God's grace as you trust and follow him so that 1) you see Jesus for who he really is and 2) you might be able to help other see and experience an authentic life pursuant of Jesus and then hopefully an accurate (or as accurate as we can model) reality of who Jesus is.

U2 360 Tour Highlights - Unknown Caller

I would pay to go see U2 again simply based on this songs live performance. My video doesn't do it justice, but it was awesome!

A New Addition to Our Family

After 14 years of wanting and waiting we have finally taken the plunge into puppydom. Ever since I graduated and got a full-time school counseling gig and we got Kelly home, we have been in serious talks about getting a dog. We knew what we wanted and after weeks of just looking and waiting, we finally found the right breeder, with the right dog, at the right price, and in the right location.

So on November 1st we packed up the kids for a surprise road trip to "search for an early Christmas treasure. We meet the breeder (who amazingly cared for 11 puppies from the litter), her two kids, her mom, and two of the puppies on the IN/IL border to discover our new puppy.

Long story short...kids were stoked when the puppy exchange took place. In fact so excited that Sarah was speechless with almost a sad look because she couldn't believe this was really happening. We hung out for about an hour and got to know each other (both puppy and people) before we packed the car back up and headed home for Dayton with our new puppy...Foster (named after the Australian lager).

Foster is a very good puppy. A bit shy and timid, but that is to be expected in the environment without his brothers/sisters and with new owners. We are working on positive reinforcement to boost his confidence as we play, walk, and train. Kelly and the kids are walking him to school each and everyday and everyone loves it! He does great with new people and new dogs (he has 3 new dog friends in our cul-de-sac...they play and play and play). He loves to play in the huge pile of leave I have in the front yard.

He is doing well on potty training with just a few accidents in the first couple of days. The last couple of days I believe we are accident free. He is even going all night without getting up (we are stoked about that!). Plus he loves his kennel.

We took him to the vet who said he was healthy and had no worms so that's great. Everyone who comes in contact with him adore and who are we to disagree! They love his markings, coloring and overall look. We are grateful for such such a cool pooch!

11/21 addendum: I would be the worst son-in-law ever if I forgot to mention my favorite mom-in-law. She was a big part in tipping the scales for Kelly in favor of getting a dog when she told her how easy it would be to train and care for a dog in the fall/early winter. Thanks, Mom!

Here are a few pics from our first day together as a fam:

A Taste of Oak Hills

Wow! It's been a loooong time between posts! Crazy how in some ways I really miss blogging regularly and in other ways I don't.

I need to finish my posts from the U2 concert as well as share about the new addition to the Rings family. But for now, I'll share a little news video done on the school where I work, lead, and serve. Enjoy!

The Saturday Morning Experience

I remember these days so well as a kid. I am now experiencing them as a parent. Life comes full circle in some funny ways...Saturday morning cartoons is one of them.

Little Soldier Girl

One of the more heart wrenching photo's I've seen in a long time. Here is a taste of the article which can be read in full here:

A family photo that shows a little girl beside her father and his fellow soldiers in uniform as they prepare to go to war has resonated well beyond the tight knit Bennethum clan.

Four-year-old Paige Bennethum really, really didn't want her daddy to go to Iraq.

So much so, that when Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum lined up in formation at his deployment this July, she couldn't let go.

No one had the heart to pull her away.

May you and I not simply pray for the soldiers, but also their families - wives, husbands, sons, daughters, parents - who have to live with the agony not knowing whether they will see their "daddy" ever again.

I can hardly imagine what that must be like.