Bethany and I have had our dachshund for close to two years now. This weekend we’re also watching my parent’s dog while they’re out of town. Going from none dog to one was a change, but the craziness from one dog to two dogs is something crazy different. I suppose it’s good practice for when we bring Angus (our basset puppy) home in a few weeks.
I wonder if having kids is like this, too…
It’s been a crazy week. One of those where time really did speed by, and while I felt pretty productive this week, it wasn’t near where I would’ve liked it to be. A highlight this week was definitely getting a quick crash course in video editing on Final Cut Pro. Sweet program & something I really enjoy, but not something that can really be a priority right now. I also got some on the job training in Adobe InDesign yesterday & today. I’ve never had a need for good desktop publishing software before, but I redesigned a registration form for our middle school spring retreat. I wasn’t a huge fan of what we’d been given by the folks putting it on, plus I needed to add a bunch of our own info, so I started from scratch. For a first try, I was pretty happy with it.
The real test is going to be tomorrow night. The hottest wife ever (mine, of course) will be joining me in a pinochle tournament at a friend’s home. It’s sweet to be invited to something. I like hanging out. I suck at cards. The last time I played pinochle was the summer I met Bethany…summer 2002. We’ll see if Wikipedia can teach me everything I need to know by tomorrow. Doubtful but hopeful.
So for most of the morning, some of the afternoon, and multiple days last week, I got to catch up on my favorite show, LOST. And on the clock. I helping with the message this Sunday as we near the end of our series – guess what – LOST. In the midst of that, it’s been imperative that I find just the right clips for this weekend’s message. I love my job.
I’m in our church’s little tech office finishing up everything for our middle school programtonight, and realized I haven’t posted since last week. So I’ll post a general bringing-up-to-speed.We kicked off the spring semester last week with a series called “Kickin it Old School”, lessons from old testament heroes. Started with Jeremiah, tonight is David. I’ve been editing and piecing together different video clips for some fun, so here’s a link to our closer tonight. You’re welcome.
I’ve spent the better part of the morning reading the current “Young Life evangelism ruckus”. I’ve been a part of Young Life formally for the better part of 5 years as both an attending student and a volunteer leader in college.Being a part of YL really helped me grow spiritually, so when I saw this blog post by Marko, it was news to me and thought I’d check it out.
After pouring through the original paper and everyone’s responsive articles & posts, and the subsequent responses to those responses, this is where I’m at…knock it off! Sheesh. What it’s becoming is another giant example of people (and a lot of youth workers) getting all up tight about a method. The list of “non-negotiables” is a method for how their organization communicates the Gospel. Is the Gospel communicated? Yes. Can kids find life in Christ other than YL’s spoken model? Sure. Does that nullify that kid’s decision? Certainly not; and I doubt you’d find a YL staffer that would argue with that. This is simply how YL functions as a large organization.
All that aside, I’m getting tired of so many people arguing about methodology. Not discussing – arguing, whining, complaining – instead of doing and building up. I was a part of a message board for youth workers once (actually, I’m still registered), but I hardly ever go anymore, because everyone comes off as whiny & upset, under the guise of helping one another. I can’t stand it.
I miss my crew of youth pastors in State College. Every Thursday morning Stacy, Matt, Kim, Zac, Tony, Keith, myself and others over time would get together over coffee, grow relationships with each other, pray for the city and its kids, we’d do some events together, etc. It was one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of in ministry, and I long for something like that in my new town. We came from different churches/denominations/experiences/distinctives, but seeing kids far from God find new life in Christ was the center of it all. Everything and anything else was secondary to that.
I don’t rant often, and maybe this is just that. I just feel like when something like this blows up we’re all too quick to huddle under the pomegranate tree and pontificate instead of being called to action. Too often we’re called to action and just sit around and talk.
I like guest bloggers every once in a while. Today’s guest is smart, witty, hot, and my wife. Nice.
On Christmas I decided to take an unannounced break from blogging, both writing and reading. Sometimes it’s just good to have a little change – a fast if you will. A fast to take a slight change in focus and grow a new appetite for this whole thing. That means there might be a smattering of seeming randomness for a few days. That’s ok, roll with it.
First up: it’s my birthday. A certain pop/blues artist once wrote about a quarter life crises. I guess I’ll see this year if it’s true. If not…karl – 1, pop/blues artist – 0.
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