but there’s a tension that becomes apparent when one studies the list in the photo of questions recently submitted by the 4th graders at a local elementary school of questions they want answers to that they are afraid to ask their parents about.  wow.

in a recent email from a Kingdom ally the following thots were posed…

What is our generation’s legacy?  What do we want it to be?  As a generalization we’ve given to the world:

Divorce is an easy, acceptable, pragmatic even preferred option.
The family structure as optional, “Hey, the kids are strong. They can handle it.” Right.
Selfishness justifies anything.
Science trumps wisdom (when in truth it validates it).
Godlessness trumps truth.
Youth, ripped, endless sex, rock and roll, and money are our Gods.
Self-indulgence is foundational: It is our right.
Abortion is an assumed right. It is the foundation of any compassionate, rational human being.
Abstinence is impractical, foolish, it is downright uncool. Holiness is ridiculous.
The world is to be worshipped (mother earth) as infants are murdered.
Terrorists are terrorists unless they kill Christians, then it is not newsworthy.
We deserve everything. We are accountable for nothing.
We wil never age, nor lose our sex appeal, nor die.
It is better to know more about the Khardasians, Survivor and other reality shows than it is to know our God.
Good is bad, and bad is good.

my friend goes on to ask:

Why are the kids the way they are? Who has guided them? Who will guide them?

and then offers this word from God:
“He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” [Rev 21:7-8]

and then states

The “cowardly” . . . Thanks to all that have turned and are walking with Christ to make a difference.  Forgive me for when I don’t.  Who will stand and say, “The legacy must change!”  Who is still so trapped by the world that they are no earthly good because they are too encumbered by this earth? I am not throwing stones; I am letting you see the questions exploding in my own heart.

wondering now in my own mind where to chart the course to helping 4th graders ask different questions.  your thoughts?

its been a few weeks…actually about 4 since i’ve been here. i’m still processing much that prompted me to jump off and go a bit silent in the interwebs.  but i wanted to get back to it.   i had the pleasure to spend some time today with Dr. Walt Mueller at Malone University. The admissions folks at Malone hosted an enjoyable lunch conversation for the 330 networking group. Walt has been doing some amazing things over the past couple of decades through the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. Recently they launched an excellent tool for parents and youth workers.  according to Walt the site’s purpose is to…

offer information and tools that will help you lead the kids you know and love into living safely, wisely and to the glory of God on the emerging digital frontier.

the site is loaded with all sorts of helpful information to better understand the digital age and its impact on youth and families.

the 330 network prayed for Walt Mueller and his good work thru CPYU.

our lunch conversation was great and although some of what we talked about concerning the culture was troubling…mostly because technology and its impact seems to be snowballing and its not clear where its going to end.  that being said, our discussion with Walt centered on what has become almost the central theme of my thinking lately.  Our (parents & youthworkers) presence matters more than our being culturally relevant.  Although being aware of the culture is important (and the Digital Kids Initiative will help with that so visit it-bookmark it and share it!)…our willingness to be present, literally in the lives of our families and our students matters more.

i’m tired of the mess we have weaved for our children. i’m tired of being in schools the day after a young person has taken their young life…i’m tired of trying to be present in an ER with a young person who’s taken an overdose because the mess of their family leaves them, in their mind, no other recourse. i’m tired of those in the Kingdom not realizing the places we’ve created called “church” where community is anything but. i’m not sure the solution, but the process of restoration is going to be long and hard for our culture.  we’ve got to return to God’s blueprint. in the video, jeremy shares the wisdom of a friend who decided to begin anew. leaving behind the mess of their past, they said “you have to start from here…“  jeremy also shares that…

the trees with the deepest roots grow the highest…

so i’m going to rethink some things…some root things…i told my students this week i was going silent til Easter on the internets…i.e. facebook-texting-allthingssocialnetworks-etc. if they want me i’m available…ring me or come see me in the office or when i visit their schools. i’m going to use the margin to study, pray and learn. see you in april.

Venture Expeditions from Park Bench Pro on Vimeo.

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…

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

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…”

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.

• its amazing to me that in a day when we are so connected via the social media platforms, many are disconnected and even hurting and yet go unnoticed.
• this school year i’m spending three days a week inside our local schools.  i’m amazed at the impact my presence has made.  last week i was late to a middle school during lunch.  as i entered the building the principal wanted me to know that the students had asked if i was coming.  the principal said that i had “arrived”…i.e. earned the right to be their friend.  i have no agenda during my school visit, but to be present (there’s that bike ride thing again).
•  the conversations at the schools have turned to deeper things.  especially with the older boys.  a perplexity as they know of the deaths of these other young men.  they wonder/ponder  the proverbial “why”.
• the teachers tell me many of the boys are missing healthy relationships with their dads.  in almost every conversation, even those that are casual, the weight of that truth becomes apparent.

i’ve been very intentional about talking about the deaths of these young men during our weekly big group time at EVO…wanting these teens story to be told…wanting to give some lasting presence to their short lives…to encourage our students to risk deeper friendships with each other.

following my friend from his rehab facility to the ER for some late night patchwork on a blown hematoma. i had stopped by for a short visit and ended up supporting him through an 8 hour ordeal.

this past week i also shared with our students the story of another young man who is a friend and a freshman at university and was hit by a car while crossing the street near campus. he was injured and is still in recovery some 3 weeks later. he developed compartment syndrome on his lower right leg and had a fasciotomy (basically he has open incisions on both sides of his right leg from his ankle to his knee.) he is in incredible pain. he will need skin grafts to close the wounds. it is painful, but with time, good meds and incredible support of family and friends he will get through. i used his story to remind that there is pain in life (physically and emotionally) but it can be overcome. we sometimes don’t know why the pain comes our way but we can move through it.

as we move into the Advent season we do so with the expectation and waiting for the coming of our Messiah and King. We all want and need Hope and Jesus is truly our only hope. I found it interesting this week as i participated as a member of the crisis response team for the most recent death, the number of students i know that approached me and wanted just a simple hug.

our culture is too fast paced and our human interactions…being present are too few.  so in these remaining days of Advent consider how you can be present and offer Hope.