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.

Clive Banks of RB Concepts commented “The big thing is audience participation and this means bands can relate more to the audience, it means there is a lot more audience participation, as opposed to it being static”. Coldplay were so impressed with the wristbands they bought part of the company. RB Concepts have high hopes for the technology in the future and may even be used at the Olympics. via ac labels

gonna ask santa for a gross or two of these for evo and camp…may a few more for big church.