going to be chatting abit here on my blog this week about the good folks who are part of the Venture Expeditions family. love this video they’ve produced to engage our interest. i only cycled 803 miles…but it radically changed how i see what i can do to make a difference. what motivated me was simply wondering how to keep the needs of those impacted by the destruction of tornadoes in joplin and tuscaloosa. crazy what God did in my willingness to be present and ride a bike. the idea that my willingness to engage i s something larger than myself can be used to bring a sense of justice, humanly speaking to those that lost so much. i thought having to raise $5,000 in a couple weeks would be impossible, but my risking leveraged everything. craziness. how that is impacting my role as a pastor to students is still tracking in incredible ways.
(See the UPDATE below the video) its amazing the conversations i get to be a part of with students each week as i’m in and out of area schools. today i was blown away by a student that i’ve gotten acquainted with only in the school setting. he wanted me to check out this video that he said really spoke for him. said the dude in the video nailed an understanding of his current faith journey…he said he was done with the “church”…mostly because (a typical excuse) of the hypocrites. he pulled up this video on his phone and we watched with a couple other students…
i told this student how i wholeheartedly agreed with this “spoke word”. the conversation that follow was good and thoughtful about how empty religion is. i was impressed by the heart of this young man and his peers. together the small group of students and i talked about how they can leverage making their faith real…an encouraging conversation. discussions of what practical ways they can take in making a difference for justice in the world and moving from simple religion to lasting impact. i simply love what God allows me to be a part of.
UPDATE:its interesting how this video has gone viral. when i posted yesterday thursday -1/12, it had about 2.9 millions views and in 24 hours it was well over 6 million. later today, a youth pastor friend rj gruewald posted a link on his facebook to this article does jesus hate religion? kinda, sorta, not really from the gospel coalition’s kevin deyoung. its a long but a worthy read…and yet i’d suggest that there’s probably room in the middle for some dialogue. the book of james 1:26-27…
this video, for a number of reasons has touched a nerve. its clarifying and its a great tool to begin deeper theological conversations for all of us. i’ve seen a number of exchanges with students i know on facebook trying to hone out the details. the theological art has been lost in many of our contemporary churches and i’m hoping this video and the response may spur on teaching that is needed in our churches and student ministries to disciple our charges in the truth and impact of believing in what james calls: “religion that is pure and undefiled before God…”
i’m truly grateful to the folks at Passion and this is such a cool and inspiring video of what a group of 45,00+ youth adult (18-25 year olds) can do when given the opportunity. i was watching some video on monday from the event in Atlanta when Louie Giglio announced their goal of $1million. i thought…wow that’s ambitious…then 24 hours later he announced they had raised $550,000. Last night i heard they were over the goal of $1 million and then today to hear that final amount is more than $3 million raised to help end sex trafficking and the slavery of some 27 million indivuals around world…even here in the USA. so cool that CNN helped leverage the story all the more. in time when there is so much darkness…it is a blessing to see this.
although practical politics is something i’ve stayed away from for a few years after a decade and half of serious engagement at the national and state level. one can’t help be be engaged by the current exploits. its interesting to see how things are beginning to take shape…and i’m impressed by this guy from the keystone state. particularly i like how he walked through his win yesterday. thanking his helpmate…thanking his God…and sharing the story of the “why” of his effort. grateful for his willingness to engage. wonder what the race will look like when it gets to ohio?
here’s some video from the amazing work my bride melinda did the kitchen for new year’s eve.
so wish there was a way to share the aroma of the effort. although we rang in the new year with amazing food and the company of some good friends i pray you’ll give consideration to this list of resolutions Jonathan Edwards penned many years ago…ponder just this first one:
Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved, so to do, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
praying your new year’s eve was blessed and that many blessings come your way in 2012.
welcome to the blog of tom roepke. follower of Jesus. husband to melinda. father to sarah, jedidiah and emmah. pastor of student ministries at new hope community church. much like my friend, samwise, i am just trying to find my place in the Story.
