Meet a Friend Monday: Brandon Grissom

Monday is for meeting new friends.
Today I want to introduce you to Brandon Grissom. He's on staff at Willow in Chi-town. I've known Brandon for around 13 years.
He is an amazing musician and writer. But he's an even better guy. Brandon's originally from Prague. That's Prague, Oklahoma. He's one of my two tallest friends. Both come out a Prague. Brian Bergman is the the other. He plays with Charlie Hall. Brian is another post.

Brandon works with Axis at Willow and was formerly the worship leader for the Jr high ministry.

Lyrically he is growing into some amazing company. There just aren't that many worship leaders who write about the Kingdom of God. Brandon is growing into this in wonderful ways.

check out Brandon's myspace. buy his music. You'll not only get amazing music you will want to sing with your church, but you'll also be supporting a genuinely great guy.

Rob does it again.

I love this post from my friend Rob. There's so much power in this little story.

I really thought Tom (my boss and workout partner at a gym) would share my excitement, not get angry. And the worst part was, I didn’t understand what he was so upset about.

It all happened some 25 years ago when I found my very first deer antler in the woods. You may know that a difference between horns (think bulls) and antlers (think bucks) is that animals with antlers drop them each year in the winter and then grow new antlers again in the spring. Animals with horns, however, keep their horns all year around.

Knowing this, every winter when I went in the woods I looked for dropped deer antlers. Given all the time I spent in the woods watching deer and learning their habits, you would have thought I would have easily found an antler or two. But even after years and years and years of looking for them, I never did (part of that is that animals like squirrels and mice eat deer antlers on the ground as a source of calcium).

Finally, when I was maybe 23 years old, I found one (and, ever looking, I haven’t found one since until this year, when I found two!). Finding that antler was one of my life’s great thrills, the culmination of so much time, effort, and tightly focused seeking. Immediately I thought of my little brother, who I would take hiking with me one day every week. “I bet he’d love to find an antler,” I thought to myself.

With that in mind, I put the antler back down in the woods, hiked with my brother to that spot, and then let him “find’ it (he didn’t know I’d found it first). Well, it was telling Tom this story that got him so worked up. “You ruined that for him,” Tom said. “He didn’t spend years longing to find an antler. He hasn’t spent years searching for one. He has no context in which to fully appreciate the accomplishment, and by your making it so easy for him, he never will.”

I was so happy with myself for giving my treasure away to share my joy with brother. Why couldn’t Tom understand that? I didn’t get it.

I do now. There are things that are not ours to give, no matter how desperately we might want to do so. There are things we cannot give, no matter how much we might wish we could. And when we do give them, the danger is not that our gift will not be appreciated or fail to meet our desired ends, but that it will take something even more precious away from the one we seek to love.

I think parents in particular would do well to remember this. We all want to make life easier for our kids, and often have the means to act on our desire. But the truth is, in the end we might just be doing the opposite.

Link

I'm a fan of Craig Groeschel

Just for the record, I'm a fan of Craig and while I don't completely understand what he's doing, or why he's doing it, I'm a fan of the guy.

Just want to be clear on that.

Jimmy on Rollins Quote

Jimmy chimed in on the Peter Rollins quote from last week with this beauty on my facebook account.

"The general idea of resurrection for 2nd Temple Jewish culture was centered around vindication--that God will stand behind the lives of those who have been defeated by the world, yet have stood faithfully for God. Specifically, belief concerning resurrection for the righteous martyrs in Jewish history, for example, was that their persecutors were not ultimately the victors, but that YHWH and his faithful would win-out.

Jesus' resurrection is also vindication. In the resurrection God backed-up the words and life of Jesus. He _is_ the Son of God, Messiah and Lord. It shows that Rome, power, and death did not win. That the values of the kingdom are ultimately true: that the meek, the downtrodden, truly will inherit the land; that he first _will_ be last; that the kingdom _is_ at hand. If I act contrary to these words of Jesus, even if I think Jesus walked out of the tomb after his death, I think I do deny the essence of the resurrection."

This is Jimmy at his best.

Rob Merola Quote

My friend Rob lives in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington D.C. A really nice part of the country to live in. Rob can also put a few words together as you see below.
This is the kind of thing that seems to pop up in my conversations with friends recently. He just says it better.

"Sometimes, even right here in some of the nicest places in America, there are people suffering such anguish that it is a very real question of whether or not they will survive.

It’s not something I think any of us expect in our civilized world where most people’s lives look so neat and well kept. Maybe it didn’t seem so foreign in past generations when people faced death on a regular basis. Maybe it doesn’t seem so foreign today in those places where life is lived out in the midst of war. I really don’t know. I only know I feel a distinct incongruity between the insulation and comfort of modern life and the knowledge that a person not unlike you or me might not make it to see another day.

It happens more frequently than you might think. Eating disorders, addictions, and depression are all some of the things that can bring a person who on the outside seems to have everything to the place where inside they have nothing left. Sometimes, despite love and prayers, they do not make it through.

Our ability to affirm goodness in life is such a great gift; seeing it absent in the life of another makes us realize anew how fortunate we are, and what a mistake it is to take that fortune for granted without being deeply grateful for it."

-Rob Merola


You might consider reading Rob's blog. Link

Happy Birthday to John Raymond!

Happy Birthday to John Raymond!
I thought I'd include a picture of John from years ago. John's on the right. Can you name to other member of the team standing to his left?

John if you're reading this, spend the day listening to Elvis Costello, Green Day and U2.
Love ya man! Happy Birthday! See you in February at NPC!

Following the Bible or Following Jesus

My friend Wade has some thoughts:

Link

I’ve been thinking a lot about what Jesus means in Matthew 5:17-20. He calls his disciples to a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees.

How is this possible?

I think it’s possible by following Jesus and his interpretation of Scripture as articulated through is words and embodied by his deeds.

What is the difference between a disciple of Christ and a Pharisee? A disciple follows Jesus as He embodies the ultimate intent of scripture. A Pharisee follows scripture without following Jesus. The difference between the two is massive.

We can take scripture so seriously that we miss Jesus. That’s what the Pharisees did. But if we take Jesus seriously, we will also take scripture seriously in the way that God intends for it to be taken seriously.

I was talking to a church leader recently about what kind of church he leads, how they operate, their philosophy of ministry, etc. He said, “We keep it simple, we follow the Bible.”

I understand what he means by that, but I wonder if it ultimately points us in the wrong direction?

Are we called to follow the Bible or are we called to follow Jesus? If we follow Jesus, he will teach us how to read the Bible the way God wants the Bible to be read. If we take the bible more seriously than Jesus, our desire to follow the Bible will land us in the same pit with the Pharisees.

Advent and Suburban life - For Eikon

This is for my friends within eikon and who I hope we will be and remember. The rest of you all are welcome to comment and provide your thoughts as well.

The suburban life I live is not normal. Most people don't live like this. But as a suburban person I see myself needing to resist the constant gravitational pull of believing that the way i live everyday is the only and best way to live.

It is not, on both counts.

I must also fight against the constant pull to look down on others in some capacity because they are unlike me. They don't live in a house, in the burbs. They don't dress like me, or share my preferences about grooming, how to spend their money, or their time.

I assume this kind of thinking happens in other neighborhoods as well. they talk about me, or my neighborhood.

This is flawed thinking from us all. The self-proclaimed redneck, the suburban soccer mom, and the hip urban dweller have more in common than we;d like to think.

Arrogance is at the core and an inability to be compassionate toward others is the issue. If we are unable to see the world through the eyes of another, we are doomed to isolation in our little ackwardly and perhaps sinfully separated neighborhood.

Until myself, and my friends in the suburbs are able to understand the details of the pain and humiliation of others, we will fail to live out the kingdom of God in the world in the ways we are called to.

Surely the homeless man feels differently than I do. He somehow deserves it, the thinking goes. He or she suffering on the street from mental illness, or a bad break, or bad choices is somehow acceptable to us.

Did I just write that? Tell me it's not true. That it's acceptable that people suffer. that we simply write off people as being different than we are.

My friends we will understand the heart of God when we engage the pain and suffering of others. Until then, we are holding tightly to something else. Something other than the gospel. Until then we will always be able to write them off as homeless, prostitutes, exotic dancers, trailer trash, alcoholics, druggies, unbelievers, homos, cut-throat corporate executives, or senior pastors.

Advent is about Jesus coming and engaging in our pain, humiliation and suffering. It is the way of Jesus to live this way.

May we be a people who become sensitive to the reality of others.

Update: Just for clarification. I believe that Eikon does this better than any other community than I've ever been a part of, but it's something I need to remind myself of and hope we can keep before us.

An unbelievable proposal

My buddy Brandon put this on his blog. His buddy proposed to his girlfriend. Pretty much how I proposed to Pam 16 years ago. (not quite)

Today I am a Jayhawk

Today I stand with my Jayhawk friends, especially Dan Mayes, and I'm pulling for a win against Texas. It doesn't need to be to be a big win. One point will do.

Rock Chaulk Jayhawk!

Jimmy on the AntiChrist

My buddy Jimmy has written some on the anti-christ. I would venture to guess that he's thinking about the subject because, in our neck of the woods, people are asking if Obama is THE anti-Christ. He doesn't say so. It's my take. And while you might write off such thinking as nutty, or completely out of touch with reality, it is in fact some of the very talk one might have seen popping up on facebook status on the eve of Nov. 4th. Or in a church near you this coming Sunday.

Here's Jimmy's take. on the anti-christ.

If you are a left behind fan, someone who thinks about the end times alot, or are a Kirk Cameron fan, then you really need to read what Jimmy wrote.

Come Hang with me in Tulsa in April

April 27-29th my friend Jonathon Reitz (of the Leadershed fame) will be hosting a Leading Church B conference in Tulsa. So much of leadership presented by publishers, conferences and speakers is based on a leadership style few people actually have.

This is Leadership for the rest of us. This is NOT for everyone. Everyone is a participant and you will experience a fundamentally different way of leading people.

If you want more info let me know and I'll send you some info on it!


mark

Band name meme

Bevan has an entertaining game to come up with your hypothetical Band’s name, album title and cover art for your first album.

You do that by:

1. Band Name: Random Wikipeda Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

2. Album Title: Random quote generator (take the last four words from the quote) Link: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
3. Album Art: Flickr Interesting Photo: http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/

To cool.
My Band name: Blackwater
My Album Title: except death and taxes
Cover Art:

I'd love to see what the band names and titles might be for other friends of mine.
Marko would be the kind of music you play on a pink guitar,
Dan Mayes would probably be named after Amy Grant,
Todd Littleton would likely be some kind of college music,
and Dan Kimball's band would be a rock a billy band that covers elvis...
I'd also like to see Brandon Grissom's band name. That is if it weren't named after himself. :-)
and though I don't think he reads my blog, I'd love to see what Zach Lind would name his band if it were to be changed from Jimmy Eat World.

Toying with an idea

I'm toying with an idea. My good friend David Welch recently suggested this idea and I've been tossing it around and thought I'd get your input.

Folks email me questions pretty often these days wanting some outside perspective to various issues and I respond to every email I get. I give my take and I try to get the takes of others I know. When appropriate I might even spend some time talking with them you) on the phone.

Still others invite me into the church and I partner with them in their own context.

David suggested that I answer some questions that people ask me via video and post them in a video blog post.

What do you think?

I'm really asking here friends. What do you think?

High Noon

A friend of mine, Andy Mullins, has developed some pretty cool software. It's build for his Marketing and T-Shirt company to better care for his customers and increase pace and quality. If you own a creative company this might be a good solution for you.

Check it the software out here.

Here are some of his ventures. here. and here.

Educating my friends

For Bevan and Ryan who haven't heard of Dimitri Martin.
I think of Dimitri as the Sufjan Stevens of comedy.

Brandon Grissom's Brighter

People are starting to notice. Brandon Grissom is the real deal.

Link

I liked this part in particular:

There a some seriously horrible worship albums out there. I want let you in on a secret. A diamond in the rough. His name is Brandon Grissom … and he’s the the real deal.

Living in the Chicago area, I get to meet some very creative and talented people. Living in the back yard of Willow Creek Community Church–I am friends with many young, shiny faces that come to Willow from around the world because of their gifting. Often these folks, while talented, seem to be on the fast track to become minor “Christian celebrities” and, to be brutally honest, lack a collaborative heart. The bright lights of the mega church (and the notoriety and salary that come with it) have drawn them like moths to a flame … and some hearts just get burnt up.

Grissom seems to have escaped all this nonsense. Why is all this important for a music review? It’s really simple, if you are going to make real worship music what’s in your heart is 99% of the battle.

Out of a man’s heart flows his music. Out of a man’s heart flows his lyrics. You should investigate Brandon Grissom’s heart.

Great job B!

Uke Shaft

In honor of Marko, who loves uke music.

Bevan on Spiderman 3

Bevan's a new friend who is also part of the eikon community. He loves movies. Today he writes a personal letter to Spiderman 3. Feeling the need to get his feelings off his chest. Freakin hilarious. Read it here.

My personal favorite part:

The problem is that I ended up pretty much liking Black Spiderman about 1000x better than normal Spiderman. Let’s review the major “evil” choices that “evil” Spiderman took:

1. He was mean to his landlord. This seems like fair play to me, that dude was always yelling at him. And while we’re on the topic, why does Spiderman have rent concerns? Doesn’t his inability to make even a small financial arrangement with the New York for his living conditions hinder his ability to fight crime effectively? Isn’t Spiderman just hurting New York due to his love of personal poverty?
2. He jazz danced down Broadway. Don’t even get me started with that damn scene.
3. He ate too many cookies from the landlord’s daughter. Was never quite sure while this was “evil”, she seemed to enjoy the whole thing.
4. He exposed a fraud whose lies endangered their mutual employer. The movie never even touches that it is a just thing to right a wrong, it only deals with emotions. “Oh, you hurt my feelings because you exposed me for the fraud that I am.” Batman wouldn’t deal with that crap.
5. He told whiny Harry the truth about his a-hole dad. Seemed like fair-play to me, the kid needed to know the truth. Especially since enabling his lie made him your mortal enemy and endangered your crime-fighting operation.
6. He was mean to Mary Jane by jazz dancing (again?!?) at her jazz club. This is the Mary Jane who brutally broke his heart by acting like she had an affair with his best friend. Seemed necessarily cathartic to me. She is a selfish girl who can’t sing well. She ain’t the Queen of Sheeba.

Faith, Disbelief, and @$%holes

Warning: If you are easily offend by the use of "cusswords" then don't read any further. Below is an fairly accurate example of a real conversation I had today.

I met Susie today at a coffee shop while talking to my old friend Jon. Susie heard me talking about eikon and thought I was talking about an old club downtown. Sitting, separated by 5 or 6 feet of space we started a conversation across the coffee shop. We talked a bit about the old teen club ikon, that was downtown in the 80's and then we started talking about eikon, the community we are living into in these days.

Susie told us about being raised Hindu in Tulsa and then we dove into a discussion about faith, religion etc.

Here's a few quotes as I remember them from our conversation.
Susie: "In Hinduism, Islam and Christianity there are fundamentalist. In every religion there are a couple thousand assholes who ruin it all."
Jon:"I'm an asshole."
Susie laughs.
me: "Me too. Maybe if you declare yourself an asshole in advance it somehow keeps the asshole factor down and keeps you from being a fundamentalist?"

Susie: "My father taught me that faith is the suspension of disbelief. I think he's right. People who watch movies are having faith in movies. They choose to suspend disbelief and have faith in what they are watching."
Jon: "Yeah, like reality TV. All those people play a role. But we still watch it. It's faith in the show in some way."

We talked for 30 minutes about faith, Jesus, arranged marriage, and my family.
I look forward to more conversations with Jon and Susie.

Sprint just a little longer

I'm Spring customer and I'm often having to apologize to my friends for all the dropped calls when I hit dead zones around town. I'm on my third Sprint phone and will be moving to a new carrier in November. (I hope. It's what I want for my birthday.) Anyway, it seems my phone is officially dead and I don't want to re up with Sprint.
Does anyone have an old Sprint phone lying around the house that they'd be willing to send me? I'd be happy to reimburse you for the shipping! And I can send it back when I'm done.

Thanks!

Peter Block

So I bump into my friend Wade on a weekly basis at a coffee shop we both frequent. Last week he introduced me to a book by Peter Block and his ideas.

Listen. You can't let the sun go down without buying a reading the link below by this guy or buying one of his books. It is brilliant.


Link

If that link doesn't work try this one. Then download the Civic Engagement file. Page 6 is my favorite.

After you read it. Come back and thank me.

My Man!

I stumbled across this amazing pic of Scot McKnight and my buddy John Raymond on Scot's blog. yeah baby!



Link

What are you captive to?

I think I'm captive to assumptions I've made about myself over the years. Perhaps you are too?

Can you imagine a world beyond your self-hatred?
Can you imagine a self in which you are more generous than you've been in the past?
Can you imagine a self that doesn't struggle with lust?
Can you imagine a heart that doesn't believe the world is after you?
Can you imagine a self who doesn't have to be right?
Can you imagine a self who is comfortable in your own skin?
Can you imagine a self who is patient in the face of frustration, distrust, or feelings of being attacked?
Can you imagine a self who doesn't objectify people as cogs for your purposes?
Can you imagine a mind being consistently renewed by God?
Can you imagine a less reactionary, less cynical you?
Can you imagine yourself being vulnerable?
Can you imagine a heart that is soft and able to live within a world full of pain?
Can you you imagine such a thing about yourself? Where you are truely a different person, more human, more whole, more ...you.

If you can't imagine it, if a new you is outside the realm of possibility, then what?

What happens then? How do you become unstuck? Does it just happen?

Is this something you work out yourself?
Do you pull yourself up by your proverbial bootstraps?


My friend..
You are an unfinished masterpiece of God. A work in progress, cracked, broken, and lacking. But do you have a glimpse of what God is doing in you?

Take a moment right now and think about it.

Chiggers

This song is fun. not what i was expecting when he got in the car. He's good.

thanks to Paul

Bringing the past into the future

There a lot of interesting things about writing for public viewing. I got an email a few weeks ago from a pastor in some far away place who had read something I had written about 7.5 years ago. The essay was the first thing I had written years and it was the beginning of me turning the corner in my detox from church. 7.5 years ago Jaden was weeks old and keeping me up at night as infants do. During one of my many times up to help his get back to sleep, I laid him down, but instead of going back to bed myself, I pick up a pen a journal and started writing. What came out was a mix of anger, a desire for holiness, a catharsis, and sleeplessness. The title I affixed to this was, "Pastors or Prostitutes" and the article I published online is pretty much word for word what I wrote down in my journal that night. it was the beginning of a long list of rants I wrote in 2001-2003.

When someone emails you and tells you that something you wrote is meaningful to them it's a confusing feeling. Especially something from almost 8 years ago. So the first thing I wondered was, what did I say? So I went back to read it. As I read it, I still like the content. I think I was on to something, but today I don't like my attitude so much. The anger, the reaction, the chip on the shoulder I can do with out today. But I wouldn't edit or change it. It's a good reminder to me about a lot of things. I say I was on to something because, at the time I wrote "Pastors or Prostitutes" I wasn't sure if I was right. I was writing, publishing and daring anyone to agree or disagree with what I wrote. I was searching for truth more than proclaiming it. (Though you'd never know it at the time.)

Here's a link to one of the places the article was published.
Tell me what you think.
Link

I could use some prayer

This has been a tight summer financially for my family. It's a summer of in-betweens. I finished up some work with some great clients in May and June and have been investing all my additional time into launching eikon, the new Jesus community here in the Tulsa area.

I need wisdom as to how to balance all of my current activities and make a living without it taxing my family too much.

Here's some details if you are the praying type.
I'm tweaking the Riddle Group a bit. We've been around for just over 3 years and I love coaching church leaders. I hope this will continue to be a significant revenue stream for two reasons. 1. I feel the work I'm doing with the RG is unique and kingdom building. 2. so that I don't have to be full time with eikon.

When it comes to eikon, I'm beginning the work of seeking partnerships to make eikon go financially. A part of partnership will be to invite friends to come alongside Pam and I (and the kids) as we invest our hearts, time, money and energy into the people of Tulsa. I'm hoping to raise a part time salary to keep the time I'm spending on eikon from taxing my family in unhealthy ways. We are excited about what God has already done in our little community and what he's going to do.

So friends, I need prayer as I work in both of these areas.

thanks!

AK-47

My friend Chris is in the Middle East. His posts are good to read. His last one is a prayer that he would be able to "empty the clip of an AK-47". I thought I'd share it with you. Enjoy.

Link

Church Basement Roadshow

The Church Basement Roadshow is coming to Tulsa this Tuesday (July 15) at Braden Baptist Church at 7:00 pm.

The Roadshow appears to be a cross between a book tour and period theater for the three 'players' - Pagitt, Jones and Scandrette.

Everyone is welcome to join us to experience, share and connect. There's a $10 suggested donation.

Brandon Grissom

If you haven't heard of Brandon Grissom, it's time for you to pay attention. He's a good friend, musician, song writer, worship leader and pastor in Chicago. (On loan from Oklahoma.)

Check this video out and then go buy his album on iTunes.

Church Basement Roadshow: Tulsa

July 15, Tony Jones, National Coordinator of Emergent Village; Doug Pagitt, Lead Pastor of Solomon's Porch; and Mark Scandrette, Poet and co founder of ReImagine in San Fran will be coming town.

I will be there and I'd encourage you to bring your friends as well.

It's a book tour of sorts, but with the guys dressed up as 1908 revivalist preacher. Evidently they stay in character the whole time.

I'm looking forward to it.

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Trying to find rhythm again

I let Pam sleep in this morning as we recover from our vacation.
It was a great trip.
1 day travel to cali
1 day Sea World (10am - 10pm EST)
1 day at beach and out with friends
3 days at Disneyland and California Adventure
1 day at Legoland.
1 day travel to tulsa.
= a great time and tired feet.

Today I'm trying to find rhythm again. It will probably be a few days before I find it frankly. I was able to take a good solid vacation. I was more "off" than I thought I would be, which is good news. There was an emergency appendectomy within the Eikon community, but he's recovering very well, and the community seemed to take care of things well for the family. Also there I had a client with a need for advice on a bit of an emergency situation that had come to their attention. But this was solved in a phone call. So I really didn't work much while on the road.


I downloaded the new Alanis Morisette this week and am listening to it right now. I've loved Alanis' music for a long time. I'll let you know if I like it.

I'm sitting in Joe Mommas working. Free WiFi and good people around. (no pizza for me though, back on the diet i go.)

I've got a long list of things to do this week. Occassionally someone will ask me what it's like working for myself. They'll ask something like, how do you go to work, or get things done without deadlines from outside yourself, or sometimes they'll ask, "is there a temptation to be lazy and procrastinate?"

Of course the answer depends on the day. But today, there is a list of things that don't have to get done today, but actually do, if you know what I mean. Emails that need to be sent, that if I don't send them, few people will notice. Reading that needs to be done, that no one will notice if I do it or not.

This kind of thing isn't fun, or easy for me to do. I've got Eikon stuff, Riddle Group stuff, and a bit of "Inside the Mind of Youth Pastors" stuff to do in the next couple weeks.

so I'm off to see if I can find the beat....

Vacation Day Four

Disney.
We drove into garden grove late wednesday night, stayed at the Marriott Suites.
It was a nice hotel with a nice room, and a free buffet (thanks again to all the churches who I've traveled to see this year for marriott points)

We packed up and changed hotels. We are now staying in the Disneyland hotel. (which is great.) with Pam's parents.

We did a lot today.
In fact I'd say we attacked the park.
Highlights for Zach, California Adventure's California Screamin' his first roller coaster with a loop. and Tower of Terror.

Jaden liked Splash Mountain.
Mikayla liked Buzz Lightyear.

So tired. need sleep.

I did discover that I have wireless internet in the new hotel about 11:30 PST. which is cool

Chris Folmsbee gets it

Chris has an amazing post about youth ministry and parenting.
absolutely brilliant. short and sweet.

If you know a teen, or work with teens are have a teen in the house. His very short post is worth the read.

The title of his post is "5 Dangerous Things" go now and read it.

Link

Jimmy Freaking Doyle blogs again

After a two year hiatus, Jimmy Doyle of Liquidthinking.org fame is blogging again at jkdoyle.com

Add him to your blog roll. You will learn something.

Crossfit is spreading

Wade Hodges, Lead Minister of Garnett Church here in Tulsa is now doing it.
Maybe one day he'll blog about it.

Today for his first real workout he did 50 pullups (with rubber band), 50 pushups, 50 situps, and 50 squats. I think he did it under 18 minutes. pretty good...

anyone else want to join.

Links to Friends

My friend David in Tulsa on Myanmar. David and Jeff support pastors in southeast asia.

My friend Chris in Chicago/ KC writes a bit about expectations for youth pastors.

My friend Andy in Chicago can put 24 middle school students in a VW Beetle. I'm getting old, because as I watch the video all I can think about is how they might hurt the car.

My friend Rob in DC likes nature, but not this much. Read Rob's blog. He's a gifted story teller.

My friend Jim in San Deigo is not a Republican. But he's got a fun video about the new republican slogan.

My friend Dan from Santa Cruz is a loyal PC fan. Dan has good taste in music, but bad taste in electronics.

My friend Tony in Minneapolis filmed a series with Trucker Frank, from his new book. The series is worth watching.

My friend Wade in Tulsa, asks, "Is a good reading of scripture better than a right one?"

My friend John is quoted by Scot McKnight here.

Riddle Group church in the News

First Christian Church is located in Duncan, Oklahoma. The Riddle Group walked beside FCC, a church of 250 folks for a little over a year as they did the hard work of taking responsability for the spiritual nurture of their teens. After about 14 months they hired a youth pastor, Ryan. 3 months after Ryan started, Ryan and the youth leadership team decided to buy a local building to add youth space, and to add a contemporary worship service. Most of the folks on the youth leadership team (who are the people ultimately responsible for youth at FCC were looking for a new kind of experience in their church.)

This is a church where youth ministry is sustainable and it impacts the church as a whole.

They just made their local news with the opening of their new service. Pretty great stuff. The people have worked very hard and have great vision for youth ministry. Their youth ministry is not focused around a youth pastor, and Ryan is given permission to do what he's good at, while not needing to fake it in other areas.

Great Job my Friends!

Link

The Well, a ministry of First Christian Church, is the new name of what has, until now, been known as the church’s South Campus. The ministry is housed in what was once the J.C. Penney building at 913 W. Main. Shoppers who once frequented the store wouldn’t recognize the place now, though.

Since the church purchased the 20,000-square-foot building last summer, many yards of old carpeting have been ripped up, tile has been laboriously chipped from the floors, and walls and partitions have been knocked down. Once only a hollow shell was left, the restoration began, with many volunteers from the church and community working toward a common goal — that of turning the building into a large community outreach facility.

A stage and sound booth have been constructed, theater-type seats put into place, overhead video screens hung, bathrooms added, offices built ... the list of improvements is mind-boggling.

It goes on to say,

And change is important, especially for Duncan, the group agreed.

“So many parents have expressed joy that this facility will be available for all people, all denominations. We’re here as the family of Jesus — brothers and sisters in Christ. You can leave your baggage at the door. I’m inspired that our church had the vision, leadership and support to undertake this endeavor,” Hunt said.

“You could call The Well a sort of restoration or resurrection, and we’re hoping that God will resurrect some more,” Talley said.

Dan's Movie meme

My friend Dan's a pastor up in Iowa and invited me to a meme he created.

Here are the rules:
" a list of my top ten favorite films (in no particular order). The only rule, if you're tagged, you've got to post and tag 3-5 other people."

Mark's top 10 Movies of all time:
American Beauty
Tombstone
No Country for Old Men
Fight Club
Heat
Crash
Gladiator
Saving Private Ryan
Pulp Fiction
Good Will Hunting

Ok. I tag you.

Tomorrow: Deck of Cards.. who's in?

Ok. so tomorrow is one of my favorite workouts. anyone want to join me? I'm going tomorrow at 11am.
I've started doing crossfit 5 days a week. We'll see if my body can handle it. right now my shins and feet are killing me from jumping rope on monday and the "clean and jerk" today.

Here's what the deck of cards is:
"Deck of Cards"
Start with a fully shuffled deck of cards. Each card requires a set of pushups (red) or squats (black), depending on the color. Perform reps of the following:
Face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) have a value of 10. Aces will have a value of 11. Number cards will be face value (ex. 7 of spades = 7 squats).
Jokers are burpees, and are set to a value of 15.
Work through the entire deck as fast as possible and don't forget that card games are fun.

Unguarded Moments of Weariness

My friend muses on is relationship with his eldest daughter off at college for her birthday. Rob is a gifted writer and Scot McKnight once wrote me saying that Rob had insights into the people like few do. Here's my favorite part of Rob's reflection.

Today is my older daughter’s birthday. How I tell her that I love her is between the two of us; it is her choice to share those words if and as she chooses. But how would I tell you how much I love her?

I’d tell you about worshipping with my little girl (who is now neither little or a girl) yesterday. She’s a kid who burns the candle at both ends, and does so long into the night. Between her studies, her activities, her friendships, and now a boyfriend as well, she pretty much always has something going. She is tired, and in unguarded moments the weariness shows for those who know how to look for it—and sometimes even to those who don’t. But she makes time for her old man, and for the Old Man (to use an ageist and sexist reference to our Creator that I hope you will grant me the grace to pardon), and both are gifts I do not take lightly.

She is also old enough now to have learned the hard way at least a little bit of something about life’s disappointments, heartache, sorrow, and loss. She has learned these things because she has cultivated the ability to care deeply; to be mindful of others, of what is important in the world, and of how the two intersect in her relationships. Ours is one of those relationships, and though our relationship could easily take a back seat at this stage in her life, she is careful (care full) to do more than conveniently work me in as she can, making the effort and sacrifice necessary to share her life with mine and allowing me to share mine with her. Is there any greater privilege one human being can give another than that?

The line, "She is tired, and in unguarded moments the weariness shows for those who know how to look for it" made my eyes swell. I can picture this for my kids. Can you? A busy room might not notice the fragile subtleness of our children, but a caring father does. Here is a father who knows his daughter because he's watched her for years and has insight only a father can have. In a world where kids are ignored, or abandoned because of over involved and over committed parents, this is a nice change of pace.

Here's Rob's whole post.

What did you learn today?

All of us are on a journey.
What did you learn today?
Post a comment.

Congrats to Tony Jones

This is very cool. I'm very excited for Tony. I read the book last week and recommended it to several folks already. "The New Christians" is the book to read when it comes to learning about Emergent Village and what it is hoping to accomplish.

thanks to Doug for the pic.

San Diego - NPC

San Diego was a good trip. I met with about 15 Pastors from all over the country for an hour each on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm humbled to meet with these folks. It's good for me. I was telling Scott Kail, the other consultant onsite and general rockstar, that I hope that I have the thirst for insight and direction that these folks have when I get into my 50's and 60's.

I ate off diet twice. Uno deep dish pizza was soo good. So was California Pizza Kitchen. Hanging out in John Raymond's suite I grabbed a handfull of M n M's but was immediately spotted by Tony Jones who called me out and then Doug Pagitt (sitting next to me on the couch) reached out his long arms and demanded them. It was good accountability. Doug ate them for me.

I'm looking forward to being at NPC next year.

Twas the Day before the Diet

Twas the day before I started eating better
Superbowl Sunday to be exact,
when Mike brought over the 10 lb snack.
Custom baked bun.
Smoke and grilled to perfection
A larger burger than I could ever imagine.
And it was tasty.

A New Kind of Memory

This past October my friend Bill Wiseman died in a plane crash. He was apart of a local cohort and he was a local priest. I have memories of Bill serving us the Eucharist and always giving us his take on scripture. He loved the mystery of the Q source. I several good memories of Bill. But more than memories in my head, Bill lives on in another kind of memory. Bill was not only my friend in real life, but also my friend on Facebook and Bill's name also appears in my Entourage (outlook) address book. So when I send an email to my friends named Bob, or Bill, or Brandon, or Brian, it has a feature where it suggests each of their names. Bill Wiseman's name appears as a suggestion too. It gives me pause. I think about him. This has happened a few times and I've not yet removed him from my address book. After a while, I began to wonder if I sent Bill and email who would get it. On facebook his image and profile still exist. I assume this is because his family doesn't know his password and can't take it down. Or maybe they don't even know that he had such a thing. Or that the family and friends he had aren't technologically inclined. Regardless, Bill is remembered on facebook and in my email account. I also assume that Facebook has considered that a member might pass away and how they might handle this. Perhaps there are policies in place to handle this kind of thing. I wonder who decides if and when a profile is erased... and what does that mean for people who knew Bill. In the case of my email account, I haven't erased him yet.

Here's Bill's profile.
I'm not certain you can actually view it... but I'll give it a shot.
It creates an interesting situation. Has this happened to you?
What does it bring to you mind and cause you to wrestle with?

A Subversive Blogger

Matt Cleaver nominated me as a subversive blogger.
Thanks Matt.

I'll suggest 5 bloggers you should be reading, but probably aren't.

1. Letters from Kamp Krusty - He's on a blogging Hiatus, but look around. Then add him to your RSS feed.

2. Wade Hodges - Wade is a good friend, a great thinker, an average Guitar Hero player, and very good teacher. When he speaks I'm listening. But then again, he like Qdoba more than Chipotle. How smart can a guy really be?

3. Rob Merola - An Episcopal priest, an avid fisherman, a true missionary to Northern Virginia and DC area. Rob's a better writer than he knows. When he reflects on life, fatherhood, work and... well anything else... pay attention... because it's touching and often humorous. He could kick my butt in halo too.

4. Paul Littleton - A friend and pastor in the Tulsa area. Paul is an OU season ticket holder, deep thinker, great writer and he and his wife are foster parents for at risk kids as well as parents of their own kiddos! Also, you may have heard about the Emerging thinkers in the Southern Baptist Church who are ruffling more than a few feathers in the SBC. There isn't a better guy, with amazing integrity to do the ruffling.

5. Jim Hancock - I can't say enough good things about Jim. Writer, Filmmaker, owner of "The Tiny Little Company Called Me"

That's my list of folks you probably aren't ready, but should.

NYWC - Atlanta

Had a great time in Atlanta this weekend. It was busy.
Thursday night I arrived really really late at the Westin on Peachtree.
Friday I woke up and wrote and went to lunch with David Welch of YS.
I met some new folks and then went go give my seminar (with marko) on expectations. It went great.
Grabbed some dinner and changed my shoes, because my feet were killing me.

Then it was off to the omni to hang out with Chris Folmsbee, Mike King, Ginny Olson, and Jim Hancock. This was our third get together (one in each city). I other cities Kara Powell, Steve, Argue, and Damien O'Farrell all came together to talk about what the future of youth ministry in North America. Pretty great conversation in each city. more to come on this.

Then off to Marko's where I got to talk briefly with Scott Rubin. then to bed.

Saturday
Woke up around 8:00am.
Started consulting at 9:30am and continued until 12:30. Met some great folks.
12:30 I had lunch with Rick Heltne of People Management.
2:00pm I stopped by Chris Folmsbee's Sacred Stories seminar and listened to him for a bit.
Hung out a bit with Brock Morgan who is doing some great stuff in Salem Oregon.
3:00pm - Did more consulting.
Dinner- Went to Fire of Brazil with Folsmbee, Len Evans, Doug Jones and a few other friends. Man dinner was good.

Then we popped up to Scott Kail's suite (and were joined by Rick Heltne again) in the Westin and watch the first half of OU getting crushed by Texas Tech. This is the part of the evening when everyone enjoyed giving me a hard time about being from Oklahoma and my football team.

Then we all walked over the Marko's again and met some great people.

Sunday
8:00 - I woke up and walked a the long road to convention HQ.
9:30 started consulting
12:30 Met Andy Jack for lunch. This was my first time to meet Andy, who I've heard a lot about and was excited to meet. I look forward to future conversations with him.
2:00 - I was consulting again.
4:00 - I had a break. I found a corner to sit in and not talk for a while.
5:00pm I went to dinner with Charley, Bryan, Mark Matlock and several other great folks from IBC and other Irving Texas churches. They were great and are dreaming big, God sized dreams. They bought Folmsbee and I dinner (we both had the Cashew crusted Tilapia with the Jamaican butter sauce!!! wow!)

then Mark Matlock and I went to the 4th Floor of the the Omni that overlooks the park and talked for about 3 hours.

Monday
7: 30 - Woke up
9:30 - Consulting
11:00 - Met up with Matlock, caught a cab and went to the airport.
While we ate, I saw my buddy John Gilstrap having lunch at the On the Border.
Then met up with Charley from IBC, and the Skit guys for a bit.
Then Matlock and I (who were sitting next to each other in the exit row) had an exciting conversation about the future of the world, creative innovation, and halloween.

Got home around 7:00 and grabbed some pizza with the kids.
Put the kids to bed and then I crashed.

It was an amazing weekend. I met some great people that I can't mention, or failed to mention here. It's amazing how each conversation teaches me something. I"m greatful for being a part of what God is doing through his church at NYWC.


See ya next year!

This is just plain cool.

I wasn't there. but this sounds really cool.
My friend Bobby over and life church and his team developed an interactive element to worship for the catalyst conference.

The cool factor for this is about a 10.

Link

Here's Bobby's description of what they did:

"Here is a quick post to describe who/what we used and explain a little bit about the technology involved, and also get ideas/feedback from all of you.

1. What is SMS?

SMS or “Short Message Service” (wiki) allows you to send short (160 character) messages to and from mobile phones. SMS is often referred to as “texting”.

2. What did you do with texting at Catalyst (for those of you who were not there)?

• Thursday morning we introduced YouVersion.com and asked that people text Bible verses (ex. Hebrews 13:17) about leadership to a 5 digit number (it’s called a “shortcode”). We then displayed in real-time the full verses that were submitted on the screens in the arena.
• Thursday afternoon we had people text (a,b,c or d) to the shortcode to vote on which song was their favorite “reverb” song. We displayed the results and the band played that song.
• Friday morning we asked people to text words that they felt described Craig’s session. It could be a word that described how it made them feel, or a words that were “take away” words from the session. We then displayed a tag cloud of the words people submitted at the end of the session.
• Late Friday morning we asked people to text their names or email addresses if they were committing to pursue radical integrity and grace. It was in association with the Deadly Viper book that was launched at the conference."

Tim Keel's Intuitive Leadership

I'm really digging Tim's book on leadership. I'm not done. But I like it so far.
It reads like a familiar voice.
It feels like someone is writing the words I've felt for sometime.
Some of the things he's writing I've put words to.
Some I haven't.

There are some chunks of the book that are rich. Think the quadruple cholocalate cake rich. Think intensity of flavor.

It's a book on leadership that a lot of folks won't read unfortunately. The reason they won't read it?

Because the first two chapters are simply Tim's Story. This breaks the mold of traditional leadership books. Hearing the author's story to some will feel as if the author is self-indulgent. they will be looking for principles. 21 irrefutable principles. or 7 habits or maybe a purple cow.

Leadership is always subjective. It's always contextual. principles are fine. but today's pastor's need to learn to listen to their lives and their context.

Tim doesn't come out with principles blazing.
He starts with his story. Then he talks about being a leader out of your story.

I'm going to keep reading.
Go buy it.

Mindi's Online Dating Tips

My friend Mindi has some dating tips listed on her website.

Link

Here's my favorite part:

"every so often, i get my nerve up and dive into the online dating pool. obviously, it hasn't been successful yet. but it has been a learning experience. here are a few things i've learned:

on photos:

1. glamour shots/commercial headshots shouldn't be used. anyone with sense knows those have been retouched. and in most cases, that look is not what you'll be seeing when you meet up at the coffee shop.
2. if it looks like there's any possibility, the pic could show up in a mug shots book or be on a post office wall, don't use it.
3. please make sure your photo is from this decade. that also goes for your hairstyle.
4. if you're going to have an animal in the pic with you, it should be cute and alive. no dead fish, no dead deer, no insects of enormous size. and no pics of your dog (cute) with a dead bird in its mouth (yech!)."

Wink

Dino's See You @ the Pole Alternative - I dig it!

Dino has written about his frustration with what SY@TP has become. So he's proposing an alternative.

Here's his suggestion:

I still find it odd and perplexing that many still insist that Jesus’ diatribe on prayer in Matt 6 is out of context when applied to SYATP.

So I have come up with a challenge for youth pastors (including myself), youth workers and volunteers, parents, and students especially. The challenge is this (in the spirit of Matthew 6) to ask students NOT to attend SYATP this year. But rather get up early and find a closet to go into and pray specifically for your school, your communities, teachers, friends, national leaders, world leaders, nations, world peace, ect. They can go by themselves or they can ask one or two friends to pray with them. No more than three though. They can meet at someone’s house or in a room at school, or a quiet remote place with no one else around. They are to tell nobody what they are doing or where they are at. Then they continue to meet and pray in the same place once a week for a month or more.

So who is up for the challenge?

Here's the Link.

A Priest walks into a Bar

My friend Father Rob wrote this on his blog today. Being with people makes a difference. This is a powerful story to me on many levels. It's power for what it doesn't say as much as what it does. We need more stories like this.

"Last night I sat at a bar for a couple hours, nursing a drink.

I realized it is the first time I’ve ever done that.

It’s not that I haven’t been in bars before, but that I don’t think I’ve actually sat at the bar, where the hormones of the men and women gathered there flow like the alcohol they are drinking, and where the air is opaque with smoke. I don’t consider myself a particularly sheltered soul, so the realization was rather startling.

I sat there with a person who had a very difficult week; who had seen a good friend die, and who indeed had pulled a blanket over his head so that the dead man’s wife and kids who were also present (it was their wedding anniversary) wouldn’t see what had just happened.

What I was drinking was water, but after hearing his story, I was sorely tempted to switch to whiskey instead."

Thanks for telling us this story Rob.

Adoption

I've lost count. Pam and I have so many friends who have adopted children, or are in the process of adopting kids into their families. Friends in Michigan, friends in Colorado, friends in Oklahoma. Kids originally from Michigan, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Korea.

An example of this is Jay and Jen's site which tells the amazing story of their journey to parenthood.

I read somewhere (maybe Shane Claiborne?) who said, if you are really PRO-Life then you need to be about all that that means. And that's going to mean that somebody's going to be adopting some kiddos along the way, not just voting conservative republican.

I'm really proud to be on the journey with these friends, several of which Pam and I would consider family. Amazing stories and amazing people. People who are uniquely living into the restoration of all things and the establishing of the kingdom of God.

For the readers of the blog, who are yet to be friends, we are all proud of God's redemptive work in you and your great love for your kids.

For those of us who are not presently adopting kids, it is upon us to come along them and support these folks and walk with them as they raise all their kids in the way of Christ.

Let us be a people who live with an awareness of our responsiblity here.

Prayer my friend Jimmy, his dad and his family

My good friend Jimmy got news last night about his dad. Please Pray.
Here's what Jimmy wrote today:

"Tonight my family received the news that my dad has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Sometime soon he will go in to see if it has spread to his bones and other parts of his body.

I don't know what to say about this. It's hard for me to feel hopeful right now. Many of you know that my mom died of breast cancer two years ago and it was a devastating experience. I was hoping that the news would be better this time around, but with the news I feel like I'm experiencing the worst kind of deja vu. Saying the same prayers, "God...please don't let the cancer have spread", and finding it hard to be in the presence of my children without crying-- knowing how much they love and are loved by their Papa. And their asking, "what's wrong?" with no words to tell them, especially since for them cancer means what happened to Nana. It was all the same routine before, and it didn't turn out good.

It's also crazy the thoughts that run through your head like, "Why him? Why not someone else? He's a good man and takes care of himself..."

This is one of those things that is too overwhelming to deal with right now. Amy asked me not long ago who my heroes were and without even a hesitation I answered, "My dad." The thoughts that moments like these bring...thoughts of the possibility of loss and suffering for someone you love...is a emotion that you feel physically; and it's all around, suffocating and paralyzing. You can't run from it or make it go away.

But in the midst of it I'm trying to have hope...even little pockets of it. That's why I'm writing this, I guess. I'm hoping for good news from the scans that will be taking place in the next few days. Generally speaking, prostate cancer has a high 5-year survival rate if it hasn't spread to other parts of the body (94%). So I'm asking you to please pray for my dad and for my family. Pray that it hasn't spread. Pray for a miracle that it just goes away. Pray for us to have strength."

Did I loan this to you?

Did I loan this book to you?
I really want to read it but I loaned it out.
If I let you borrow this book, please let me know.
If you have grown attached to it, I'm sorry it's mine and I really want to read it again.
hmmm

A Great Post from John Frye

"Imagine that the 5000 "men" and the 4000 "men" that Jesus fed with bread and fish each had a wife and, let's say, two children. That would mean that Jesus fed to complete satisfaction some 36,000 people. The disciples picked up a total of 19 basketfuls of leftovers (I know there are two different words for "baskets" in Mark 6 and Mark 8).

Soon after these two startling miracles the disciples fuss about not having any bread in the boat. In an exasperated, classic understatement Jesus asks the Twelve, "Why are you talking about having no bread?"

Jesus goes on, "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear" (Mark 8:18)?

These questions are bracketed between two miracles: Jesus heals a deaf (and speech-impaired) man and Jesus heals a blind man (see Mark 7:31-35 and 8:22-26)."


Link

A New Journey begins for the Howvers

The is Chloe & Noelle Howver - their mom & dad are going on a plane early today, a long distance, to bring them to their new home.

This has been a long road for Jay & Jen - may they be protected in this exciting leg:

O God, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we
find wherever we go: Preserve those Jen, Jay, Chloe, Noelle
and all those who travel, surround them with your loving care;
protect them from every danger;
and bring them in safety to their journey's end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(thanks to Bob C. who wrote this post)

Links to some Friends

Heather asks Where are the Women?

Maybe my friend Rob isn't as smart as I thought he was? This is funny. Link

Will Samson find the old Hank Hill visits a MegaChurch video.. I love this one.

Rick has a excellent list of the Deadly Sins of Kid Culture. Something every parent should read.

Praying for you

How can I pray for you? Is there anything going on in your life that you'd like prayer about? I'd love to pray for you over the next few days.

If you'd prefer to email me go ahead mark@theriddlegroup.com or simply leave a comment.

Thanks for the opportunity.

Rick's Observations on Changes in Middle Schoolers

Rick's has listed a few things that have changed in the 8 years since he's been on a youth ministry trip.

His Observations:
1. Christian T-shirts, while still "Christian t-shirts" are less offensive and some are borderline cool.
2. Text messaging
3. Parents wanting kids in constant contact
4. Energy Drinks
5. Trading myspace accounts instead of addresses and phone numbers
6. Energy Drink slushies
7. Christian "cock rock"
8. iPods
9. Worship music as radio friendly genre
10. Digital Cameras
11. Sophistication of middle school students

Congrats to Dan Mayes

Dan Mayes has a new son!
Congrats Dan and family!

Emergent Village Tulsa Cohort on Facebook

Hi Gang, if you are in the Tulsa area and are interested in conversation about being a missional people in Tulsa, join the facebook group.

Here's the Link.

YouVersion

A week or so ago I had coffee with Bobby Gruenwald of Lifechurch.tv and he told me about what is now named "YouVersion"

This is the Bible with Web 2.0 capabilities.

He explains more here

Here's some of what he says:

"Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1450. Four years later, he printed the first copy of the Bible using this new moveable type system. This accomplishment began what is known as “The Age of the Printed Book.” Over the following centuries, this technological advancement revolutionized the surrounding culture by making it possible for the Bible to be accessible to nearly everyone.

Currently, we are in the beginning of another revolution that is defined by the ability for almost anyone to publish content and quickly distribute it worldwide using the Internet. This revolution is at the center of what is called “Web 2.0.”

At LifeChurch.tv, we are working on several initiatives to leverage this revolution in our effort to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Today, we are revealing one of the most significant and far reaching of those projects:

We’d like to introduce you to YouVersion.

YouVersion is a free online Bible that allows users to associate video, audio, images, text, tags, and links to other websites with any verse or series of verses in the Bible. Each piece of contributed content can be labeled as public or private, so the application can be used both as a personal study tool and a public expression of user-generated commentary. In addition to contributing content, Scripture can be organized by assigning user-defined “tags” to any verse of the Bible.

For users who are skeptical about whether the Bible has application for their lives, YouVersion provides a platform to learn from the experiences and perspectives of others from around the world in a non-threatening and easily navigated environment."


My thoughts in the next post

Today's Links while I'm at Scout Camp today

If you've never heard of the Simple Way, you need to visit their site. It's community of people who live simply among the poor to minister to them in philly. Yesterday there was a 7 alarm fire that destroyed most of their spaces for ministry and homes. visit their Website for Details


Do you know someone who is Always Late?

A great site for technology for educators and the rest of us.

A Youth Pastor's Story

One year ago today Jeff's wife and kids were in a car accident.
Here are pictures of the car. Everyone lived, but it was a long recovery. Here's the story. Say a prayer for Jeff and his family.

5 things I dig about Jesus

Doug tagged me for a meme.

I'll start by saying, that Doug is borderline cheesy, but I'll do it for you bro.

1. I dig that if you made a list of things I dig about Jesus it would be an impossibly long list. Something akin to a list not being contained in all the books in the world.

2. Facial hair - I've been sporting the goat for about 15 years now.

3. Obedience to the Father - Jesus always did what God wanted which is pretty dang hard and very diggable.

4. Jesus enjoyed a good glass of wine with his meal. I personally don't drink wine because I think it tastes bad, but I've always been a bit jealous of folks who get to broaden their palette during a meal with an appropriate glass of wine.

5. Jesus was wicked smart and super quick with a response to folks. While I'm not sure where to draw the line between his human DNA contributing to his brainpower and his divinity, he was quick minded.

I'm not tagging anyone for this one though. sorry Doug.
Feel free to tag yourself in the comments and I'll add you here to the post.

Links to Friends

Rick Bennett posts about the Bead for Life Party

Mike Homan posts about Expectations

Dan Kimball worries about wearing black converse allstars on stage at Willow. I hope he did.

Michael Novelli pimps macs

Marko talks about the teen brain Here and here and a few other places I'll let you find.

Oklahoma Weather

In Michigan if you are under a Tornado Watch and you look at the radar and there is nothing, not a cloud in the sky, you ignore it. Shoot, you ignore if Tornado Sirens go off frankly. Ask me about the time they went off in northern Kent County with completely blue skies and I turned on the TV to hear the weather man say, and I kid you not this is a direct quote, "If you know something, call me!"

In Oklahoma, they put a Tornado Watch on the TV and there's not a cloud in the sky, anywhere in Northeastern Oklahoma, you pay attention. Weather is getting ready to occur. Soon on the radar there will appear big storms. I know this because like all Oklahomans I can read a radar.

In fact, I think living in Oklahoma for over 5 Springtimes actually certifies you to be a News Weatherperson anywhere else in the US. If not, it should.

Skype

My friend Chris introduced me to Skype a few weeks ago. I really really like it. It useful for overseas phone calls, but I really like it's video conferencing features.
Now when I travel I can see Pam and the kiddos when we talk.

join and make me your buddy.

riddlegroup is my skype name.

Echo the Story

My friend Michael Novelli's of Sonlife fame has been working on a project for a while. It's calld Echo and it seeks to rediscover the art of storytelling. Now he's decided to make it available for free.
Get it now before he changes his mind.

Here's the Link

Mike King in Africa

Mike King spent a couple weeks in Africa and has stories to tell!

He tackles topics like African society, genocide, post-colonialism, evacuation theology , a safari, a visit to equator. All with an incredible number if pictures.

Marko Gift Ideas

My friend Marko is having a birthday this week. I think he's approaching 60. I'm not sure... I only know that he is WAY older than me.

This Pink "hello Kitty" Guitar Strap to match his pink guitar.
One of these
This Book

A FREE IDEA:
Most people don't really know this, but Marko is a huge origami fan. He absolutely loves origami. You should send him some. Here's some ideas and designs you can make

Here's his address:
300 S. Pierce St.
El Cajon, CA 92020

If you are a youth pastor, Marko loves you. Love him back with Origami.
Wouldn't it be great if Marko received a few dozen of his favorite things for his birthday?

Or just make something, snap a photo and email it to him. Marko@youthspecialties.com
I'm sure he'd love to see others share in his love for origami.

Today is Lurker Appreicate Day

There is a lot of you out there reading this. Today I want to let you know how much I appreciate you visiting the blog and reading even though most of you don't come out of the shadows and say anything. Because so many of you are so quiet, I don't know who you are. This makes me sad. A couple times a week I loose my bearings a bit when someone starts what feels like midway into a conversation when they think of a post I have written. It's really cool and a bit weird. so even though I don't know who you are I appreciate you none the less.

Quoting Damien

"I’m reminded that a revolution is what’s needed.

I cannot bring it.

I cannot own it.

I cannot be it.

But I can feel it’s invitation so loudly that I get sick to my stomach… overwhelmed."

- Damien O'Farrell

Advertising

I was thinking recently about a dozen or more conversations I've had in the last year about advertising for the Riddle Group. Most of the conversations were with clients who already use the services the Riddle Group provides. As the subject comes up, we talk about my personal thoughts about advertising. I don't want to advertise the Riddle Group. I love being a company that works almost exclusively by word of mouth. But here is what my friends (who happen to be clients) have to say.

"People need to be able to find you because they need what you are offering."

"Churches need to know that you exist."

"Advertising will let people know about the cool stuff you do."

This makes sense to me. I feel like we are offering something significant, but I'm seriously wondering about the cost of doing so especially for a very very small business. I'm also wondering about the medium.

Those of you who no me understand that I'm not a big fan of selling myself. But I'm wondering about more letting people know about the Riddle Group.

Any advertising guru's in the house? anyone who gets what I'm talking about?

Guitar Hero

On the Youth worker training retreat I led with WCC last week I was introduced to Guitar Hero. I had never played.

It was fun to play, especially for the songs I knew. I graduated to Intermediate after the first song or two. Way fun. Any other guitar hero's out there?

My favorite song was... Monkey Wrench.

Which Accent do you have?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
The South
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

(ht to Michael novelli)

Blogger Thinking Award

I missed this post by Marko in which he awards me with a Blogger Thinking Award.

That's very nice of Marko. It's also cool that Damien O'Farrell was awarded as well. Damien has done some consulting with The Riddle Group. I'm supposed to tag five others for the award now.

Here are my five:
Dan Hughes a friend in Dallas who I once saw present the history of the church in detail from memory on newsprint that covered an entire large room. Dan makes a living working in the tech security industry. He's something of an activist and is someone who I listen when he speaks. He doesn't use many words on his blog... but he doesn't need to.

Todd Littleton Senior Pastor and Riddle Group consultant. Todd has a doctorate and spends a lot of time with academic types rethinking higher education.

Michael Novelli A great thinker, with a not-so-thinker blog

Doug Jones I met Doug last fall in one of the NYWC cities. I recently discovered his blog and appreciate his writing.

Jim Hancock at first glance might be taken as a hip videographer but in getting to know Jim has been a treat over the years. Jim isn't a "big name" in the sense that many folks may not be able to tie his name to how they know it. Jim is one of the most creative folks I know and he is wise. Two qualities that you don't often find frankly. And his Ten Things you should never say to kids (a free book by the way) is one of the greatest youth ministry resources for Parents ever created.

Skype

So I'm now officially a member of Skype. My friend Chris introduced me to it.

My skype name is riddlegroup

Find me and let's talk.

The Morning, the Afternoon and the weekend

I spent the morning with a great group of folks in the Emergent Village Tulsa Cohort. Then we went to Joe Mommas for pizza and an energetic conversation on the need for theology to be rooted in space and time and that there is no truth other than God outside of time and space. And Pete Rollin's thoughts that right belief is not as important as believing in the right way. Good stuff. I'm not sure anyone agreed with me though. If they did they weren't speaking up! Fun non-the-less especialy with such good thinkers.

I wrote three chapters for one of my YS books (is this the first time I've mentioned this on my blog?) Working Chapter titles: How to dig a Mud Pit; How to Scare Kids into the Kingdom; and How to get a volunteer to stop sending you FWs.

I've spent the afternoon with last minute preparations for a youth worker retreat with Westmoore Community Church. It's always great to hang out with such "messed up" people. (their words, not mine) I've been begging for a WCC t-shirt that says, "the church of the messed up" on it... but to no avail so far. WCC is a fun to work with and I'm pretty sure it's the only church I work with that is a Blue Collar mega church. If my count is correct they average between 2,000 and 2,500 in attendance on Sunday morning and they have less than 10 staff people. (There isn't a paid youth staff person by the way)

So, I'm excited about my time with such amazing folks!

I'm off to spend time with the family before I leave for the weekend.
Talk to you soon.

My new Macbook Pro

It came in the mail yesterday and I'm finding my way around it. I'll spare you the details of how great it is... except for Jimmy, I want you to know how great my it is and how much better it is than your HP. :-)

Colorado Springs

I'll be in Colorado Springs in the not to distant future. I'll be doing an assessment a church there. I have lots of memories from Colorado Springs. I attended a Leadership Network/ YS large church youth ministry forum in 1998 and while I was there I had my first Jamba Juice. I remember Darrell Pearson taking a few of us to Yakatori as well. Then Darrell took us to meet the great Jim Hancock who was famous to me because he was the mastermind behind EDGEtv, the precursor to what every semi-modern church does now in their services. Jim is a true artist whose stuff you must read.

This trip I'm looking forward to meeting new friends and hoping to hang out with Jen and Jay However. Jen who among other things gives significant leadership to YMwomen: A network for women in Youth Ministry and Jay who is the gatekeeper for all things publishing for at YS.

This trip the second consultant will be Jonathan Reitz who I just discovered (via an obscure website) is considered by someone to be a Famous Lutheran! Who knew?

Billboard

I'm not a fan of churches using billboards. There's nothing sinful about it, but I have my reasons. I'm also not a raving fan of some of the ecclesiology of my friends at Lifechurh.tv . But this made me laugh.

I'm driving down the highway here in Tulsa. I drive past a church who has recently had a billboard saying "Exit here - God" for people to come to their church.
Lame.

Then today I read this red billboard.

-------------------------
Boycott LifeChurch.tv

- Satan

--------------------------

Hilarious. Only in Tulsa. I laughed out loud for at least a mile.
Totally creative. Completely original. and very very funny.

The People Formerly Known as Pastor

A breath-taking post from my former co-worker and pastor John Frye. Link

You need to know Wade Hodges

We Can't Do Megachurch AnymoreWhat happens when an "attractional church" is compelled to go in a different direction?

This Article was published in Christianity today.

My good friend Wade Hodges is a gifted communicator and leader who is doing the hard work of leading his congregation through change.

A few highlights for me:
"Was it time to plant an emerging type church? Or could I help an existing modern-ish church position itself for ministering to the next generation by developing some emerging sensibilities?

Rather than giving up on existing churches, which is what the prospect of church planting felt like to me, I wanted to believe that an existing church could make the transition. So I came to Garnett Church of Christ and set the transition in motion.

The results have been astounding.

850 members in 2003.

550 members in 2006.

Everyone told me that church planting would be hard, but I don't know if anyone warned me how difficult making this kind of church transition, with its epistemological, cultural, and sociological elements, would be."

"Our facilities were built with a megachurch in mind. With a 3,000-seat auditorium built in the center of forty acres, Garnett was positioned in the mid-eighties to grow exponentially like the oil-boom neighborhoods that surrounded it.

It never did."

"To relinquish our rights as members to a church building that we are no longer able to pay for by ourselves. The Garnett Church of Christ building is becoming the Garnett Event Center.

Already, several other churches are using our facilities on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon: a Messianic Jewish community, a charismatic Hispanic church, a rock church called Rolling Stone, and a new church plant.

Throughout the week, a number of other events, some church-related and others not, are held at our building. Not only is the rental income from these events helping to pay the bills, but it's also giving us a hospitable presence in our neighborhood.

But not without some difficulty. Everyone, myself and all ministry staff included, must reserve any classroom or meeting space equally with those in the community who are using or renting space.

The way we're trying to see it: this building no longer belongs to us. It belongs to our community. This isn't easy to explain to a charter member who's been helping to pay off the building for 20 years!

We've started a bi-lingual preschool that has grown to 50 students, half Anglo and half Hispanic. We've projected beyond our ability to speak Spanish, putting "Bienvenito" (Welcome) on the front doors and asking Spanish speakers to help us translate for different events."


Check out Wade's Blog.

No Words for this

No words for this. humbling.

I'm going to record it here on the blog so I can refer to it in the future. Such a great sermon and call to live by.


From Ted Ferris' sermon preached at an ordination service on May 9, 1971.
Because the church is where it is today—at the cross-roads—the younger he is the better able he will be to lead in into another chapter. People of my age and generation are too emotionally attached to the past to even see, let alone dare to make the changes that will almost inevitably be a necessity of survival. We may like to think that we are broad-minded and flexible, but when we get down to brass tacks, to the sticks and stones of the buildings we love, to the words and phrases of hymns and prayers that we know by heart, to the organizations we’ve given our time and energy to create, to the budgets and cash balances that we are accustomed to—then we know that we’re not quite so fluid as we thought we were. Perhaps we’re not yet frozen, but we’re pretty well fixed...

Whom did our Lord ask to start a new movement of the Spirit at a time when the spiritual temperature of the civilized world was far below normal—a group of elderly men who had been through the gaff, knew all the pitfalls, and could spot the crackpots a mile off? Not at all. None of them was much more than thirty—not even Jesus; or Paul, or Peter, or John. They were young, inexperienced, open to new ideas, sensitive to new visions, willing to try anything, ready to pay any price.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not yet ready to turn the whole church over to the teen-agers, or even to those in their twenties. What I am saying is that when it comes to the kind of rebirth which the church now calls for, the lead will come from young men like the one before us now—intelligent, serious, flexible, imaginative, gentle but firm, and fearless; ready to break new ground, not tied body and soul to any particular organization or way of worship; with preferences, obviously, but not prejudices and preconceptions.

All I ask of him is that he go about his work remembering Jesus: he was outspoken, he made no peace with legalism or narrowness of any kind; but he carried no battle-axe, and he made his greatest gains when showed people something they had never seen before—the royalty of service.

Operation Turkey Vulture

My friend Fr. Rob Merola is working with his daughter in Northern Virginia in what they have dubbed, Operation Turkey Vulture. It's a hilarious series. Rob is a great writer and an avid outdoorsmen. He's a good friend of Scot McKnight from the old days, before emergent and the blog. I've heard Rob speak at his church a few times and he is a great communicator. This series shows both Rob's sense of humor, his love for his daughter and his enjoyment of life. Can you tell that he used to be a paid youth pastor? After you read the post, add Rob to your Blogroll.

Post 1: Creating a Love of Learning

Post 2: OTV Phase III

Post 3: OTV Proceeds as Planned, sort of

Post 4: Yeah Baby

Post 4: Unintended lessons

UPDATE:
Check it out!!!!
The Eagle has landed!!!