OK, as a peace offering to all my friends (and Canadians) who don’t share all my conservative Republican views, here is a tribute I think we can all agree with!
GOD BLESS AMERICA… ALL OF US! (even the weirdos) HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Thanks to Tannerman on Twitter for the link!
Over the last two years I’ve been going through my hundreds of VHS tapes from over fifteen years of children’s ministry as a children’s pastor and came across a video recently that I made TEN YEARS AGO around this time as a children’s ministry appreciation video. This was in my pre-Mac days and so I had a lot of help from the youth pastor at my previous church, Jim Crouter, in making this. It’s been nearly two years since I resigned from the Village Church of Barrington and they have recently hired a new children’s pastor. I’m very happy for the church, but it has made me sentimental about all the many happy memories I have from eight wonderful years on staff there. (Josh, you snagged up the best CP job in the country!) VCB was a wonderful church to work at with a great staff and awesome volunteers and, of course, super kids! I know some of my friends there follow my blog so I thought they’d enjoy seeing what their teenagers looked like ten years ago! I still know the names of most of the kids in this video. Wow, does time go by fast! I miss them all, but I am so blessed to have been able to be a part of their lives.
ENJOY: Celebrate Kids! featuring the children of VCB in 1998!
The Kidology Univeristy is coming THIS FALL! (And it will be bigger and better than ever!) In this ToyBox Tales inspired video, meet some of the speakers as Karl does some “man on the street” interviews with just a few of the presenters coming to Chicago this fall!
You can also download a higher quality QuickTime version of the video for promoting the event at your church. (19MB)
There are a ton of great conferences for children’s ministry but we truly believe you will be missing out if you skip this one! We have put together a Mega-Conference line up for a non-mega price! For our 10th Anniversary Celebration we have pulled out all the stops, and may never do a conference this size again.
Kid U 2008 is the year not to miss!
How many times have we prayed and asked God to bless our efforts… well, no more! Read on to discover why you should never ask God to bless your work!
We want God to look down from heaven, see what wonderful things we are doing for Him, and to bless what we are doing.
I was challenged to reconsider this common practice by my written mentor, Oswald Chambers, when he wrote: “Many a Christian worker has left Jesus Christ alone and gone into work from a sense of duty or from a sense of need arising out of his own particular discernment.”
This does not necessarily mean we are “sinning,” but that WE are generating the spiritual activity ourselves. Though as we get busy and drift from God, sin certainly can result! Oswald referring to our Christian activity, “There is no sin in it, and no punishment attached to it; but when the soul realizes how he has hindered his understanding of Jesus Christ, and produced for himself perplexities and sorrows and difficulties, it is with shame and contrition he has to come back.”
It sounded so spiritual, the old saying I latched onto as a kid: “God can’t move a parked car.” But in the end, this attitude of fast-paced service, disguised as a sense of urgency for the lost, is a deadly and unbiblical and has led many a sincere Christian worker to get going so fast and furious in their flurry of Christian work that they end up crashing due to a blind spot around a corner on the super service highway of spiritual achievement. What good is all your “work” if it takes you away from the very one you are supposedly serving so passionately?!? I know that I have been driven since a very young age to be “Busy for God” – and yet I am discovering that God is not in as big a hurry as I am. When I get stressed out I am learned to breath deep and release it all remembering, what God wants done will get done (with or without me) and what I never get to, He probably isn’t concerned about – as long as He has ME.
God has been at work throughout the ages, and is quite capable of accomplishing His goals and purposes without me being all stressed out. I get so worked up over all that “needs to get done” when God says, “It’s all done already, just walk with Me.”
Mark chapter eleven, in the Message, records Jesus saying, “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you.” When we are stressed, we are ahead of God. And He doesn’t hurry to catch up to us, I believe He often stops, and waits for us to notice we are alone, and to come back to Him, and then He will continue on with us at His pace. Jesus continued, (in the Message) “That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everyting, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.”
Oswald writes, “…get into the habit of steadily referring everything back to Him; instead of this we make our common-sense decisions and ask God to bless them.”
My challenge to myself first and foremost is this: Do not ask God to bless anything. If it is of God, it is already blessed! To ask God to bless it, is to hint that it may not be of Him to start with, even if it is a good thing.
Think about it, if God has asked you to do a thing, how silly to ask Him to also bless it! It may border on an insult to Him. And if He hasn’t asked you to do it, why would you want His blessing on it?
Instead, ask God what He would have you do, and then pray for the courage and strength and persistance to see it through despite any obstacles or resistance you may encounter as you obey. Now there is a prayer God can answer!
Why are Christians afraid of politics? Getting Christians to discuss politics is harder than getting non-Christians to discuss Religion. I know the old saying, “Don’t discuss politics and religion,” but that saying comes out of the fear that we shouldn’t talk about things of which we might disagree.
But Christians, of all people, are the very ones who OUGHT to MODEL talking about what we disagree about. I mean, don’t we celebrate how well different denominations can get along and often work together even though they have very sharp differences when it comes to theology?
So why can’t we discuss politics nicely? Every time I do a post about politics I get e-mails about them – and very few comments on the post. No one ever e-mails me in response to my blog posts (except a few relatives that don’t know how to do the comments – I love you guys, and its ok!) But when it comes to politics, I get e-mails. And I don’t mean all the e-mails are negative, most aren’t – but I find it interesting that they are sent privately via e-mail instead of posted live on the blog. If Christians stay silent, we surrender our voice!
I wish more Christians would be willing to talk about politics. And disagreeing is ok. If you didn’t like my last post, and want to vote for Obama – it’s really OK with me – that what makes America AMERICA. But the best thing FOR America is to talk about why we like or dislike the policies of those who make the decisions that effect our nation. Notice, it is the policies that concern me, not the people. I’d have lunch with Bill Clinton or Obama and probably enjoy it! But I’d also enjoy talking with them about their ideas for what is best for America. I’d hope to change their minds, but I’d also learn a few things too I’m sure.
Then there is the old attitude that the Hope of America isn’t Politics, it’s Jesus. Absolutely. Amen! But we do have to live here. And while I’m all for giving unto Caesar what is Caesar’s – it’s not bad to want Caesar to ask for less and regulate less and take over less of what the people can do better than bureaucracy.
Anyway – just wanted to ask a favor of my readers. You don’t have to agree with me. But don’t email me your comments, post them with your name and stand up for what you believe.
I’m not excited about John McCain. But as an American, I take seriously my role of learning about the candidates and making my vote count, as little good as a Republican vote does in Illinois, especially being Obama’s home town! But that is what America is – and it is the SUM of every American doing their small part that makes the grand experiment of Democracy work. Everyone must do their part responsibly, or they really can’t complain. I’m very very concerned with what the voting record of Obama reflects that he would do as President despite what all the wonderful speeches say and with his lack of understanding on how the economy truly works. I’m sure he is a nice guy and I’m proud that America has finally nominated an African American as a Presidencial candidtate – that we can be proud of.
But we vote for ideas and policies and philosophy – none of which seem to make the news or even campaign ads. Do your homework and VOTE.
And don’t be afraid to be part of the arena of ideas… that is what made our nation great! This is a critical election that will have a LONG LASTING IMPACT ON OUR NATION… I ought to have lots of comments on this post….
if you dare. (but be nice, I’ll approve disagreeing comments, but I don’t have to put mean ones live, its still my blog after all.)
Comment away…. it’s your country too.
It seems that I see a lot of Obama bumper stickers, so I’ve been thinking of getting one for myself so I can join the crowd, but I don’t see anything on the stickers that describes Obama’s political philosophy. Yeah, I know “Change” but he offers nothing of real change, only more extreme liberal solutions to problems that liberal “solutions” have created to begin with. (unless you only listen to the mainstream media who have forgotten how to research and report.) And can I just say, I LOVE to hear this man speak! He is the master at saying nothing so well! I always find myself agreeing with him since he says nothing of substance. How do people not see that he is hiding what he truly plans to do? It’s so obvious, it’s like a kid answering his parents questions truthfully when they are trying to get to the bottom of who broke the cookie jar.
“Yes, the Cookie Jar is broken. There are far too many broken cookie jars in America today! Something must be done about the lack of cookies in this house. Who is going to clean up the broken the glass? And what about the kids who never had a cookie jar to begin with? We must change how cookie jars are made and make new guidelines for where they are placed in kitchens!” (Um, yeah, but who broke the cookie jar?) “Um, well, I did.”
Liberals made most the messes we are struggling with, or they are simply results of a fallen world and things government can’t fix anyway. Some know this, and so are vague, others sincerely think they are the hope of the nation, and think taxes and programs will someday create utopia and can’t see how often these things make matters worse. And so much of the population seems to miss this obvious fact caught up in the sweet sounding substanceless speeches.
I want to help Obama clear up his message about what he is for, so I came up with a slogan that might work for Obama and you are welcome to print and use this to help spread his message of despair and gloom and doom for America, the country that his wife is only recently proud of now that her husband might be President. I sincerely hope this might help him get his message out:
I’m thinking of having these printed and selling them. Now THIS sticker would honestly describe what an Obama Presidency would be about! Defeat in national security, Decline in the economy by trying what fails everywhere it is tried and over taxing the economy and creating a a Dependency on foreign energy and a voting block that is dependent on the government for all its needs.
I’d much rather have a President who understands what made our nation great and who understands the true nature of freedom. Of course, I don’t agree with every position of any candidate, but I DO understand what it means to be a Republican. (On a side note, I’ve only met two Democrats who can even tell me what it means to be a Demoncrat, other than they hate George Bush, yeah, we get that already.)
Being a Republican means you believe in: Limited government, free trade, strong national defense, lower taxes, sanctity of human life, power to the states, and that the hope of our country is not found in government, but in the citizens who make up this great country. Republicans believe that government can’t solve problems, it creates them. It’s job isn’t to solve social issues, it is to protect us, preserve our natural resources, build and sustain infrastructure and provide public education. It isn’t to guarantee or redistribute wealth, it is to guarantee and spread freedom. That’s about it.
WATCH THIS INSPIRING VIDEO, Reagan had it right about what makes America great! Given our options this fall, I must say John McCain is currently our best hope to get American back on track.
UP-DATE: By popular demand (and a little bit just for fun) I did it:
OK, I’ve finally gone and done it. (by popular demand, I might add!)
Often when I am speaking somewhere (or anytime Star Wars comes up, which it does occasionally in my life) I mention that I got to go see Star Wars Episode II nearly a week early at one of the only fully digital theaters in the country (which had scenes not in the release for the general public since George Lucas kept tinkering with the film even after it was shipped off in film to theaters across the coutry and only digital projector theaters actually showed the version that you now see on the DVDs, not many people realize that.)
Anyway – what I often mention is that when we came out of the theater (and yes, I went dressed as a jedi with a friend) we were interviewed by two national networks, both of which aired that night across the country. We were only able to get a copy of the CBS report.
What did I finally do? I put it up on YouTube. (Again, only by popular demand, it’s rather embarrassing actually!)
Now, before you watch this I need to make a few disclaimers. First of all, I really truly am not a nerd. Honestly! Going to a Star Wars movie dressed as a Jedi does not make one a nerd! Having a custom costume made for yourself (and your puppet) doesn’t make you a nerd. (Thanks again Kim Bradley!!) Having a Star Wars Museum in your basement does not make one either, nor does going to a Star Wars Convention (complete with an 8 page online photo gallery) or meeting George Lucas in person. Dressing up with friends, altering pictures to make my bother and I fighting with lightning or having a massive Lego Star Destroyer doesn’t make you one either. This is perfectly normal adult behavior. Everyone enjoys Christian songs converted to Star Wars songs and envys churches that preach sermon series based on Star Wars, don’t they? Even though I’ve been known to do Star Wars themed birthday parties for friends’ kids, post Star Wars parody songs and even debated the moral capabilities of clones and questioned the wisdom of Yoda I insist I am a well balanced adult with only a passing interest in Star Wars. While I admit I have waited in line for midnight openings at Toys R Us for new Star Wars toys (where there was only one woman, and one child, the rest grown men), and have taught on reconcilation by having the Skywalker family reunite on a talk show, there are much more anti-social behaviors possible that are far worse than blogging about Star Wars cereal (twice) or Pop-Tarts, candy and toys.
And having a son named Luke doesn’t count, he is adopted and came with that name – even though I have been known to dress him up as Luke Skywalker for Halloween.
FINALLY – disclaimers related to the video you are about to watch:
The quote “$110 in tickets” was not because I was going to see it that many times, but was taking my Kids Church Krew when it opened in theaters.
The quote that got me the most grief was “Yoda kicks butt.” I know, as a children’s pastor, that is practically swearing – but if you’ve seen the film, we finally got to see the Jedi Master Yoda FIGHT at the end and it was an entirely new experience, so when I came out and was asked what I liked best, that was the first thing I said. Once they found out that I was a children’s pastor and my friend was a youth pastor (now converted to children’s ministry) they asked us a lot of questions about kids, culture, and the value of good wholesome films like Star Wars, but my “Yoda kicks butt” was the still the main quote they went with, though I kinda liked the line they coined, “these pastors by day, Jedi by night.” Not bad.
(I’m the one with my Jedi hood on the whole time because my hair was a mess and I was trying to hide my identity a little.)
Oh, and yes, it was Mother’s Day – we both ditched our Mother’s to attend this event. Also in this video is the boy who invited me and his mom and dad and his sister, and her friend, and so I must end by saying THANKS again to them for remembering that I was a Star Wars nerd and inviting me to join them and allowing me to bring a fellow Star Wars nerd with me.
Perhaps you’ve seen this popular video of a laughing baby… but have you seen what happens when you take the same video and slow it down:
Kinda creepy, huh?
Was checking out John McCain’s Website and enjoyed playing Pork Invaders! I thought this was a pretty creative way to get a message out – especially the fact that John McCain has a record of $0 in ear marked pork compared to over $740 million to Obama. That’s a slight difference.
Play it here on my site: (my score was 13,030. Put your score in comments!)
How does Luke survive looooooong drives in the car? By watching online videos of himself of course on his Mac.
That is, when daddy isn’t borrowing Luke’s Mac to do e-mail, twitter, or make videos of Luke while driving. (well, while mommy is driving that is!) But we are finally home and hitting PUBLISH as we pull into the drive way! Yippppeeeee!
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