Da Vinci Debate

The much anticipated Da Vinci Code finally releases today, and I've noticed a couple of things:

- There is absolutely no 'buzz' about the movie within my junior high ministry. This doesn't mean none of them plan to see it, but I don't know of any of my students who have read the book or are planning to see the movie. I'm sure the interest increases with high school students.

- More and more media outlets are giving it poor reviews and being fairly objective in treating it as fictional. I've read numerous articles and watched a show on the Sci-Fi channel last night that made it a priority to point out the flaws and mis-representations in the book and film.

- I'm surprisingly unconcerned about the whole thing. A movie was produced by Hollywood that puts the Church in a bad light....what's new about that? Is it damaging? Probably a little. But I believe this movie gives us an open door to have wonderful spiritual conversations with those who are seeking. I also believe that truth wins and that the Gospel of Christ is more powerful than a movie starring Tom Hanks.

$10 well spent

I bought this book and have had a fun time browsing the various web sites it lists.
WARNINGS:
1) This book will result in a waste of mass quantities of your time.
2) Please don't hold me responsible for content on some of the sites!

Huh?

I just read an interesting comment on marko's blog by somebody who was 'repulsed' at the idea of a bunch of junior high 'power brokers' discussing the future. I don't get it:

Repulsed? Why can't a group of peers get together to talk about middle school minisry? Talking about the future (which we did very little, if any of) is a whole lot different than dictating the future.

Power Brokers? If that room was full of power brokers (I'm not even sure what that means exactly, other than the image of those mystery guys controlling president Logan on '24), we don't know it! I've known most of the people in that room for several years, and I think we are all humbled and in wonder by the fact that God would even allow us to represent him in ministry to young teens. Besides 'junior high power brokers' sounds a lot like 'jumbo shrimp'.

Things at which I'm no good

In the past few days, I've discovered several things at which I'm no good. I never knew I was no good at these things until this trip.

-Drinking on an airplane: On my trip out as I was putting my stuff in the overhead compartment, I dumped a large coke from McDonalds all over the guy sitting behind me.

- Fly fishing: I've tried and tried over the past few days, but just can't get the technique figured out.

- Walking up long hills at high altitudes: We are at almost 8,000 feet and I've gone for a walk two times and both times mandated that I hike up a hill...which resulted in breathing like I just finished a marathon.

- Sitting in a crowded hot tub full of men: No explanation needed.

- Music: We had a short discussion about music but I kept my mouth shut because as people shared the quality music they have on their iPods (music by artists I've never even heard of), I realized that all I have is goofy pop stuff that my daughter has loaded for me. Stuff that I really like but am afraid to admit!

- Paying attention: This is not a new discovery, but the fact that I'm blogging during discussion time is a good reminder!

So You Wanna Be a Postmodern Youth Pastor?

Before you commit, you might want to take a tattoo out for a test drive.

Contest Time

In a few weeks, we're doing a 'water games' event. The problem is that we are playing on an asphalt parking lot and I don't have a ton of ideas. Here's the deal: Submit your most creative, fun, unusual water game and if I use it at my event I'll send you a free copy of 'Race This' from Simply.

Get Real

This morning, we spent a few hours sharing about some significant happenings in our lives this past year. While most of us chose to stay at the surface, two decided to get real and share some pretty heavy experiences. I was suprised and disappointed at my initial reaction to their 'realness'. My initial thoughts of 'Too much information" was quickly replaced with a sense of longing to be more real myself. Why is it that most of us are so uncomfortable allowing others even a peek into our struggles, hurts, failures and set backs? More importantly, why am I so uncomfortable with the idea?
Could it be that we feel we have too much to lose if we get real? Could it be that the truth is we have much more to lose if we refuse?

Colorado

I was born in Grand Junction, Colorado and lived in Aurora (a suburb of Denver)until I was in 5th grade. I've only been back a couple of times since then and, frankly, I've forgotten how incredibly beautiful this place is. We are at a private ranch near Estes Park. There's a one-acre pond stocked with trout plus kayaks, mountain bikes, a massive jacuzzi overlooking the pond, an outdoor fire pit and a bunch of other stuff. Eventually, we'll have to be disciplined enough to actually talk about young teen ministry!

Eric V.

If you're name is Eric Venable and you are reading this on Sunday night....you are a dork! :)

kj

Off to Colorado

I'm heading out to Colorado tomorrow for a junior high summit. Each year, about 25 career-minded junior high Pastors get together to hang out, laugh and strategize about young teen ministry. Normally, the summit is held in San Diego but this year it's at a private ranch in Colorado. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to connect with old friends and to learn. The discussion is always really rich and stimulating, so I will try to blog a few times while I'm gone.

Gotta get in shape!

So I knew I was out of shape...thus the motive behind my sweet tea fast...but I didn't know it was this bad. This morning I got up early to surf which I haven't done in a while. To get to our spot requires a 15 minute walk in a wetsuit while carrying a 9 foot longboard. By the time I walked to the surf, tip-toed across the rocks and paddled into the line up, I needed to rest for about 15 minutes before I had enough strength to paddle for a wave! Totally humiliating. The long walk back to the truck reminded me again of my need to get in shape. Of course I forgot all about that need 20 minutes later as I ate a massive plate of eggs, sausage and biscuits covered in country gravy. Somebody please pass the Lipitor.

It will never be the same...

I'm on my way to lunch at Chick-fil-a which happens to be my absolute favorite lunch spot, but only partly for the delicious chicken sandwich. What I love most is their sweet tea. Unfortunately, I don't love the spare tire I've developed which is forcing me to take drastic measures. Today, for the first time ever I will replace a large sweet tea with a 'skinny arnold palmer' which is 50% unsweet tea and 50% diet lemonade. Chick-fil-a will never be the same again....that is until next week when I decide spare tires are okay on 40 year olds.

OUCH...

I hate when this happens!

One more reason I don't do High School ministry

There must not be much to do in Chesterton, Ind! I love the quote by the kid at the end of the article

Almost summer...

Each Summer, we pick a theme that carries us through the weekend programs. Our summer calendar, weekend lessons, stage decorations etc. all refect the theme. Our theme this year is 'IN MOTION'. For some reason we've had a tough time landing on a good way to integrate that theme into our weekend. We've gone back and forth, but finally landed on the idea that God is not a passive, uninterested God but is in motion in the world and in each individual life. We are going to take a different Bible story each week that demonstrates the 'in motion' nature of God. It's always a challenge to carry a theme for 10 weeks but I think this one will create some of momentum.

I've got my 8th grade guys small group tonight, but I'm also supposed to go to an estate planning seminar with Rachel(which I find funny because our 'estate' amounts to so little that I don't feel the pressure to plan it!). I've missed my last two small group meetings with my guys and we only have a few more times together before they graduate. I think my estate will have to wait another month or so.

I'm Hooked on Deal or No Deal

I'm addicted to Deal or No Deal online game.

In fact, the first time I played it I won $1,000,000.00 - I've got to get on the real show!

Check it out!

kj

Jack Bauer VS. Ethan Hunt

I'm a big '24' fan. I've been watching every episode since episode one of season one. I think Jack Bauer is the man! This season, his 'manness' has increased even more due to that amazing bag he's been carrying around. That bag, which I call the 'jack pack' has everything in it! With Jack and his pack, there's no problem too tough.
I'm not a big 'Mission Impossible' fan. I've seen the first two movies and didn't like either one, so I went to see the new M.I. a couple nights ago feeling less than enthusiastic. Man, was I in for a suprise. I really liked it!
So, while we were watching '24' on Monday night, I mentioned that I thought if Jack Bauer were to face off against Ethan Hunt that Ethan may actually be able to take Jack out. After I realized the heresy I had just uttered,I quickly corrected myself to avoid the ridicule of my family and friends.

But I must wonder. Jack....or Ethan....?

I'm a poor speller and other stuff...

Got an email from my buddy Scott Rubin pointing out that I spelled PILATE wrong in my previous post. I guess I got Pilate mixed up with the PILOT who was flying over the scene when Jesus was arrested...his story doesn't get told very often since it was left out of the gospels.

I'm currently reading two books. Leading the Team-Based Church by George Cladis is an easy, interesting read. I especially like the opening chapter concerning the trinity. I'm also reading The 22 immutable Laws Of Branding by Al and Laura Ries. Not sure how it translates to my ministry setting, but I find the whole concept of branding really intriguing, and this book has been fun to read.

As you can tell, I'm technologically challenged so I had trouble getting the book covers in the right spot and can't figure out how to move them around!

Two in one day.

I have a buddy who just celebrated his one-year blogging anniversary. Turns out in his first year he had almost 600 posts! While I have no intention on posting that many times, I figure It can't hurt to get the ball rolling by posting twice in one day.

Dang, it just hit me...since I'm not totally comfortable with my lesson for this weekend, I should be tweaking and fine-tuning my message instead of posting again!

My cute braceface daughter

It's happened...It's been painful on her mouth and on our pocket book. On Wednesday my daughter, Kayla, got braces. I must say she looks extremely cute and is suprisingly okay with the idea of having braces. The first day was rough...lots of pain and poking of her cheeks by numerous wires. Her teeth weren't terrible to start with so she'll only wear them for a year or so.

At church, we are teaching through topics that students requested in our annual survey. This weekend we're looking at peer pressure....I'm going to use Pilot as my example of a guy who knew what was right and knew what he should do, but went along with the crowd anyway. I don't feel super confident in this particular lesson, and I know it's a HUGE deal for my students so I'm hoping the Holy Spirit fills in the gaps I'll be missing.