Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Kabul 24
Kabul 24 Tells the story of American and Afghan aid workers who were betrayed, arrested, and imprisoned by the Taliban; and the amazing way in which they experienced God's provision and work in their lives as they struggled to see the light at the end of their tunnel. If you're interested in the war in Afghanistan and the Christian response in a time of pain and struggle, this is an incredible book to read! In the list of current books about Afghanistan and the war on terror, this book stands out as both a first hand account of people on the ground and also as more than just a political, personal, or fictionalized autobiography. There are in this story real people, raw emotion, and the beauty experienced by God's intervention in their lives.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Trying to be in my story
I have to blog this right now: All Saints Day at 8:27 EDT in Cincinnati, OH before it's all gone in the mix and mess and measure of my brain and the upcoming day of activities and conference activity. Topic: Story.
Donald Miller (@donaldmilleris to his Twitter faithful) spoke during the main session today. It's the only official session yesterday that I went to at the National Youth Workers Convention. It was probably the only one I needed to go to. I walked into the open space room and I didn't want to just sit around and chat in a circle. I needed to be out and about networking on my on initiative and learning from people who are there to share their talent, passion, and joy with me. I was exhibit hall barfly if you will.
The elements of a story are very clear: Character, Conflict, Climax. It's something you learn in early grade school when you first have to write paragraphs about what you did over summer vacation or a dream you had or a pet you with you had or an invention you created. You did it without thinking about it when you learned how to speak and started lying. Even if you weren't lying, you were still telling stories about imaginary people or imaginary events or the world you wished for some day. Don's point was that our lives are also made up of these elements. You are the character; you are living in a constant state of conflict; and the climax hasn't been reached yet.
Let's begin with a look at these elements and move on from there.
Character: The person about whom the story is told. The person wants something--they have a mission. The character must be someone with whom you sympathize and want to achieve their mission. That means that they have to be someone who isn't a jerk. They've got to be broken (they can't be perfect or we won't care), but we want to see them overcome their weakness because we see that they are this sympathetic, lovable, courageous person. Question: If you are the character of your story, how are you doing?
Conflict: The character has been thwarted by something. Sin, weakness, failures, fears, etc. In the case of Adam, he is presented with a desire for something that doesn't even exist and God gives him the task of naming the animals! Talk about conflict! Wow. You cannot grow or develop your character without conflict. If you try to avoid conflict and avoid pain or unpleasentness, you stay stagnant. You're Rocky and you stay in the Italian restaurant forever and that's it. Close the story.
Climax: The point in the story when the conflict is all over. It's the point when "Frodo drops the ring in the Temple of Doom so that Darth Vader can't get it and blow up the Death Star." It's the moment that we've been waiting for all of our lives! From day 1 we want the quest to end and the conflict to be over and for peace and happiness to reign. We don't get the climax until the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
I don't have time to really develop this thought here and now. I'd much rather be talking about it with you. Because, as Don said, we don't encounter story by watching movies or TV or reading. We encounter story most by encountering others. Who are the characters, what is their conflict, and how are they living in it before the Act 3 Climax?
More to follow
Donald Miller (@donaldmilleris to his Twitter faithful) spoke during the main session today. It's the only official session yesterday that I went to at the National Youth Workers Convention. It was probably the only one I needed to go to. I walked into the open space room and I didn't want to just sit around and chat in a circle. I needed to be out and about networking on my on initiative and learning from people who are there to share their talent, passion, and joy with me. I was exhibit hall barfly if you will.
The elements of a story are very clear: Character, Conflict, Climax. It's something you learn in early grade school when you first have to write paragraphs about what you did over summer vacation or a dream you had or a pet you with you had or an invention you created. You did it without thinking about it when you learned how to speak and started lying. Even if you weren't lying, you were still telling stories about imaginary people or imaginary events or the world you wished for some day. Don's point was that our lives are also made up of these elements. You are the character; you are living in a constant state of conflict; and the climax hasn't been reached yet.
Let's begin with a look at these elements and move on from there.
Character: The person about whom the story is told. The person wants something--they have a mission. The character must be someone with whom you sympathize and want to achieve their mission. That means that they have to be someone who isn't a jerk. They've got to be broken (they can't be perfect or we won't care), but we want to see them overcome their weakness because we see that they are this sympathetic, lovable, courageous person. Question: If you are the character of your story, how are you doing?
Conflict: The character has been thwarted by something. Sin, weakness, failures, fears, etc. In the case of Adam, he is presented with a desire for something that doesn't even exist and God gives him the task of naming the animals! Talk about conflict! Wow. You cannot grow or develop your character without conflict. If you try to avoid conflict and avoid pain or unpleasentness, you stay stagnant. You're Rocky and you stay in the Italian restaurant forever and that's it. Close the story.
Climax: The point in the story when the conflict is all over. It's the point when "Frodo drops the ring in the Temple of Doom so that Darth Vader can't get it and blow up the Death Star." It's the moment that we've been waiting for all of our lives! From day 1 we want the quest to end and the conflict to be over and for peace and happiness to reign. We don't get the climax until the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
I don't have time to really develop this thought here and now. I'd much rather be talking about it with you. Because, as Don said, we don't encounter story by watching movies or TV or reading. We encounter story most by encountering others. Who are the characters, what is their conflict, and how are they living in it before the Act 3 Climax?
More to follow
Friday, October 30, 2009
now that i have time to talk
So I spent all of today wandering out either Cincinatti or the convention center. Here are NYWC reflections from day one, and why I'm not there listening to Tony Campolo right now.
I don't like the fact that the convention center wants to charge $12 a day for internet use. That's ridiculous. I'm not a fan, and refuse to pay. I'm a bit miffed now that I brought the laptop with me, but that's life. All of this to say that, it's stupid, and I am upset at the convention center, though not the convention itself.
I went to hear Mark DeVries speak this morning, and it was one more confirmation of the same message I've been hearing for the past three months: Get organized, create a system, recruit people for specific tasks, etc. I was really convicted, challenged, and encouraged. I need to buy the book. I want to be a good youth pastor. That's why I'm here.
Reggie Joiner is now my personal hero. First of all for keeping his old Mac Plus to show, but mostly for being so darn challenging. I'd be interesting to hear what he had to say about the role of tradition in the Church that is considered to be core. It'd be interesting. He was also incredibly challenging. It led me to ask two questions:
1. What will we change next year?
2. What is the mission that I'm working on/in/under?
I hope to come back and have an answer to these questions.
I'm not at the convention now because the baby didn't have a bottle, and we need to plan our next couple of days.
I don't like the fact that the convention center wants to charge $12 a day for internet use. That's ridiculous. I'm not a fan, and refuse to pay. I'm a bit miffed now that I brought the laptop with me, but that's life. All of this to say that, it's stupid, and I am upset at the convention center, though not the convention itself.
I went to hear Mark DeVries speak this morning, and it was one more confirmation of the same message I've been hearing for the past three months: Get organized, create a system, recruit people for specific tasks, etc. I was really convicted, challenged, and encouraged. I need to buy the book. I want to be a good youth pastor. That's why I'm here.
Reggie Joiner is now my personal hero. First of all for keeping his old Mac Plus to show, but mostly for being so darn challenging. I'd be interesting to hear what he had to say about the role of tradition in the Church that is considered to be core. It'd be interesting. He was also incredibly challenging. It led me to ask two questions:
1. What will we change next year?
2. What is the mission that I'm working on/in/under?
I hope to come back and have an answer to these questions.
I'm not at the convention now because the baby didn't have a bottle, and we need to plan our next couple of days.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Imagine a Life Without Fear
I recently finished reading Max Lucado's Fearless. This book was an incredible read, and a lot more than I expected it to be. In past books I found Lucado's insites to be a little fluffy and light, but not so with this book. It truly spoke to me in a way that no other book this year has done. I found myself relating to the examples, practicing the suggestions, and actually at the point of tears as I considered how my own fears had crippled me and how I too often had forsaken the call of Jesus to rest in His love and not to fear the things of this world. This book is truly an inspirationa, and I definitely recommend reading it.
For those of you unfamiliar with Lucado's writing style, you will easily learn that through stories are the best lessons taught. Though I am used to reading heavier texts on biblical application, this book truly met me where I was. There is no searching around for a thesaurus or dictionary. There is no deep research to be done to understand the point. Lucado simply takes passages from the Gospels and expounds on them in a modern setting. If you have fear in your life, read this book. If you know someone living with constant anxiety, read this book. When you finish, pass it on. Don't leave this on the shelf.
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Jesus Book, by Stephen Elkins is TRULY the ultimate question and answer book. Broken up very nicely in the five question words of Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. The book uses color coding as well as an easy to follow table of contents and scripture index for just in case your little one comes to you with a question about what you believe and why, or maybe you'd like to spend some family devotion time talking about who Jesus is and what He did for us on the cross and how we can better serve Him. Either way, this is a great resource. The book is definitely written for parents to read to their children or for young readers (say 5-7) to sit and read by themselves. The illustrations are colorful and very appealing. The book highlights key words in each section as well as giving Scripture references for each of the passages being referenced. I think my favorite resource (for older children, definitely) are the maps and timeline in the back, showing how Jesus fits into history and geography. I would definitely recommend the resource for families of younger children. I was a little disappointed that there are no stories. THIS IS NOT A STORY BOOK for little children. This is a family resources to be used in conjunction with family Bible time or devotions. If you're looking for a story book, I would go elsewhere, but if you want a very nice resource for teaching your children who Jesus is, what He did, why He died, and how they can love and follow Him, then this is an excellent purchase!
Friday, July 31, 2009
soundtrack
Ken Mansfield's "Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road" is a fascinating read. Mansfield--once the Beatles' rep in the US as well as producer for such artists as Waylan Jennings and other major names of the rock and roll scene in the 60's and 70's and former executive for Capital Records--sets out in an old van named Moses with his wife for a road trip to somewhere. Along the way, Mansfield relives important events in his--and rock and roll's--history and discovers that the God who sought him out in the midst of his wildness is the same God who loves him still and is still pursuing him.
At times the book drags. There are names, dates, places, and events that meant very little to me. There's a lot of inside story telling that doesn't really make a lot of sense unless you have a really good understanding of the classic rock scene or feel a lot of nostalgia for it. The highlights were definitely Mansfield's spiritual ponderings. God's love is painfully real in this man's life and it was really a blessing to read about his struggles, joy, falls and pick-ups again and again by an incredibly loving God! Definitely a book to read with your mp3 player of choice.
At times the book drags. There are names, dates, places, and events that meant very little to me. There's a lot of inside story telling that doesn't really make a lot of sense unless you have a really good understanding of the classic rock scene or feel a lot of nostalgia for it. The highlights were definitely Mansfield's spiritual ponderings. God's love is painfully real in this man's life and it was really a blessing to read about his struggles, joy, falls and pick-ups again and again by an incredibly loving God! Definitely a book to read with your mp3 player of choice.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Back in the Blogging Saddle
As it were.
I'm working on getting my thoughts and journey back onto the web. It's been a long time since I've updated, but let me give you the quick scoop update.
I've been translating and studying Colossians. I'm going to be teaching it this summer on Sunday nights. It's been fascinating. I've forgotten how much I love translating, and it's been good for my soul. Colossians is the perfect place to go after reading the Gospels. Very plainly the book is about what happened when Jesus accomplished salvation on the Cross: We were rescued from darkness and transferred into light. (I guess the trick is getting that second part figured out practically.)
I'm really excited to see how the kids respond!
Book I tried reading before being too discouraged to continue: Jesus, Interrupted, by Bart Ehrmann.
Book I used to replace it on my summer reading list: Selections from Spurgeon's Sermon Archives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)