samwise the brave

go okgo!

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:08:32 +0000

these guys are so creative. can’t wait to see the new effort. craziness!

etiquette for a super bowl party

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:09:16 +0000

trip and tyler have done it again…just in case you’re wondering what’s proper…

the gathering roadtrip

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:45:46 +0000

so i headed out for a road trip with some of my students last nite to an event in north canton hosted by a Kingdom ally – Joel Daniel Harris. i intentionally asked a few students who are prospective leaders in our student ministry. the evening was billed as a…

night for middle school and high school students to come together for worship, to meet new people on a similar journey in Christ, to pray for one another, and to connect with God. Joining youth from across NE Ohio, The Gathering is an opportunity to have a night of worship to remind us that we are not alone but are joining in this journey with Christ together, no matter our church.

one cool aspect while waiting to enter was "photo boothes" with photographers snapping fun pictures like this one of our team: in front - Maddie & Sara and back row, Mitch, me and Jamie.

The theme was “Who Are You?” and Joel and his team did a great job of making the evening an amazing time. for the students i took it was a good investment of time. All three were really encouraged by the time of worship and teaching. the biggest surprise and blessing for me was these three students answering the challenging question for the night…who are you in Christ. Two of the students responded “leader”. in both cases i know these students have the capacity and i’ve been trying for awhile to encourage them to step up and lean into that calling. last night was a huge confirmation.

another area youth pastor tim beck and his students made this video as a set up for the message.

and here’s a nice little wrap up.

The Gathering happens regularly…you can find out more about it at facebook.com/330gathering

Justice is about transformation

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:17:44 +0000

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.

Venture Expeditions from Park Bench Pro on Vimeo.

why i hate religion…

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:07:15 +0000

(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…

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…”

do it now…45,000 reasons change is coming

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:37:26 +0000

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.

the hands of freedom

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:28:47 +0000

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?

cooking with melinda 2011

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:44:36 +0000

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.

How big is your but?

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:17:40 +0000

there are all sorts of reasons that we give for not doing many things….and i’m guessing its the big but thing…that keeps many of us from living radically for Jesus. i’m going to work on shrinking mine…

2011 buh bye!

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:01:52 +0000

with the new year just a few days away…always enjoy the good work of the folks at jib-jab to put ithe past year in perspective…enjoy. praying 2012 is blessed!