One Great Day

My body has finally started to recover. From what you may be asking? From the last few days that I have put myself through. As you know, I am on vacation this week and I have definitely started it off with a bang.

The weekend was pretty much standard fare, drinking/football/laying on the couch...Monday though, that was a different story. Steve and I went to the Pirates home opener this season, and we decided that it would be cool to go to the home closer.

We do our normal tradition of heading to Denny's for breakfast, then grabbing a six-pack, then heading to the stadium. We got there around noon, cracked our beers before the bridge and made our way towards the parking lot. Once over there we found Nicole (Steve's girlfriend, Mugshots bartender, awesome girl who dresses like Supergirl for Halloween) and her friends.

We are the only people in the parking lot tailgating. Normal people are at work or in the stadium (the game has started already). Me and the one girl (Ashley) start playing catch with a football. I am wearing my favorite jeans, which have a slight hole in the ass, but nothing major. I bend down to grab the football, and hear a ripping sound. I reach back and my pants are ripped completely down the ass.

I have to walk around the rest of the day with this hole in the pants, which the friends of Nicole keep making jokes about (do not worry, it did not bother me once I was drunk).

We finally decide to head into the game, it is the 7th inning. We do not bother to look for our seats, just head to the left field bleachers and begin cheering on the Bucs, who are up 9-0. Andy LaRoche hits a ball of the foul pole and makes it 11-0. The old guys in front of us are offended because we are having fun (we made sure to not swear or say anything offensive). We are just being loud and doing the wave.

Steve and I start to get excited in the 9th inning because if Duke gets a complete game shutout, that means we would have seen him throw two shutouts, and Paul Maholm throw one as well. Go to three games and they never give up a run? Damn, they should buy us season tickets...

Alas, it was not so, Duke gave up a triple, then a sac fly scored the man. Oh well, the Pirates won...

After that we head to the South Side and drink at the Haufbrahaus (that could be the spelling, I am way too lazy to check), where we argue about the spelling of rendezvous (apparently there is no X in it like I thought).

We leave there and go to Station Square, a place called Dirty Harry's (I could be making some of these names up). Steve and I are going to shoot pool, but Nicole wants to go to Bar Louies for martini's. So they go across the street (Ashley and I stayed because we already had beer's). They said they would be a few minutes...Ashley and I play darts and talk about stuff. Those guys finally get back and we shoot some pool. Let me say, I now know most of Ashley's history, likes/dislikes/reasons for getting married/how she made a mistake...any longer and I am sure I would have been pulling out a couch and saying things like "and how does that make you feel?"

We leave there and head back over to Bar Louies, where we drink a few more, Steve and I head outside to smoke and decide to piss in the Mon. It was a cool view though, nothing like a nice backdrop for a piss.

At this point, Steve is starting to get a little drunk. Ashley leaves with some guy, and we are now down to three. Steve's friend Mikaelya (that cannot possibly be how you spell her name) comes to get us and takes us to the LBC (apparently some Mount Oliver bar). We drink there for a bit, Steve's sister joins us there.

It starts to get later in the evening, and Mikaelya takes us back to Mugshots. We drink a few more and then it becomes apparent we are both about done. We drank until about two in the morning though, a nice fun 13 hour drinking binge.

Here is the question I pose to you out there? Are you down for next years home opener? Can we top the insanity of this season?

Girlfriend of the Week

I enjoy porn. That is an understatement. I should probably go to some Porn Addict Anonymous meetings or something. Whatever, judge me if you want. Anyways, I have been enjoying some of the work of Allie Sin and in all honesty have no clue why. She is cute, but not super hot. I just like the way she looks. In fact, she looks like a girl you would see at a bar in State College. Also, she is almost unnaturally white, which is hot in this instance.

Also, it is quite difficult to find pictures of pornstars that do not have them naked or inserting something into some orifice...

What's Going On

I know that 92% of you are always dying to know what is going on in my life. So I figured today was a good day for a quick update.

Seminar
As I have said before, last week I went to a work seminar, which we have two each year (luckily my first vacation almost always falls on the first one). I hate going to them, mainly because sitting there for eight hours listening to people talk makes my ass and brain hurt.

This year was no exception (except that I got to see a few friends from Pittsburgh). It was long, it was boring, but most of all, it seems redundant. They had a guest speaker who told us things we should all know (at least I think we should, maybe there were some people in the audience who are morons and needed to hear some guy spout off simple things...)

I will not complain too much though, it is a day of work, plus I get paid for my drive down.

Books
I recently finished a book, The Singing, which is the fourth book in Allison Croggon's series about Pellinor. It was decent. The ending left a lot to be desired though.

Fortunately I have started rereading Wolves of the Calla, the fifth book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Ever since Offord let me borrow the series (say thankee-sai), I have been slowly buying and rereading them again. In fact, I have reread The Gunslinger twice as well as Wizards and Glass.

The great thing is that I can focus on some of the little things, especially now that I know how it all ends, it is fun to really nitpick at it.

Sports
I have yet to watch a Penn State game this year. Kind of annoying, but since I go on vacation this week, I will get to see the Iowa game and the game after that (I am too lazy to look at a schedule). Anyone have any plans for the game Saturday? Where should I watch it, with whom?

TV Shows
Since I worked daylights all week, I usually go to bed pretty early, but I have become better at setting my DVR to watch shows. This week I watched the new House, which was okay, but nothing spectacular. He was in an asylum, he gets help, he goes home. Wow, great. Does that mean he will be a different person now, will we have to see him go to a shrink once a week? I hope not.

Sons of Anarchy is one of the coolest shows out there. I want to check out season one because so far season two has been awesome.

My Birthday
My birthday is coming up. Friday October 2nd. I am giving you all time to buy me nice gifts. Or send me money/gift cards to Best Buy/Comic Swap. Also, if anyone wants to take me out Friday or Saturday night, just let me know. I would like a birthday dinner/lots of birthday drinks (IT'S GONNA BE A BLACKOUT!-name that band)/birthday threesome. In that order.

Here is a list of things you can buy me to make me happy:
Burn Notice Season 2
Mad Men Seasons 1&2
Sons of Anarchy Season 1
Tickets to Las Vegas next summer
A broadsword
342 cases of Mountain Dew
A midget
OMG TICKETS TO SEE NEW MOON!!!! Just kidding, I would rather gouge out my eyes with said broadsword (or the midgets fingers).





















And last, but not least: Shyla Stylez. If you get me her for my birthday, I will be a happy camper; even if for just one hourseven minutes.

Sports Stupidity

Do you listen to Sports Talk Radio? I do, in fact one of the things I miss about living in Pittsburgh is listening to 1250 and also Mark Madden. Most of you that have listened to Madden know that he can be a complete jerk to his callers, which can be funny at times.

Anyways, up here in hillbilly land, we really do not get too much local sports talk shows. Usually ESPN Radio just has some of their syndicated stuff, which is good, but sometimes I want to hear someone talk about the Pirates, Steelers, PSU, etc...

The only time I really get that is when I leave work at 4 p.m. and get a chance to listen to Cory Giger from the Altoona Mirror. His show is usually pretty good, and he does a great job of taking callers seriously, most of the time.

Well the other day he received a call from a guy (I think Clint was his name). Clint brings up that the day before Cory said that the Vikings were the best team as of week two. Clint says that it is ridiculous to say who the best team is after two weeks and that the Vikings are not even close.

This is one of those few times where you hear Cory actually get highly annoyed. He first asks who the guy thinks is the best team, and the guy says the Steelers, but Cory points out that the Steelers could easily be 0-2 and are not playing all that well.

The guy then continues to rail against the idea of picking the best team in week two. This pisses Giger off, and he starts criticizing Clint by saying that its a sports show, what else would he have them talk about, and everyone does this, everyone sits around and discusses who the best teams are at the moment. Clint does not like this and says that he and his friends never do that. Cory then calls him a liar.

It occurred to me that Giger would have been better served by pointing out that Clint obviously thinks about this since he called in a day later and brings it up. I think Giger was more upset with the fact that Clint said his opinion was stupid, yet had no reason to back up his own opinion (which would piss me off too).

I am glad to have found a good radio show to listen to, I hope that people continue to call in with stupid questions, or good questions.

but it feels like i'm home again

Oh, hello there!!!

So this time next week I'll be back in Portland and the world will make sense again. 

I am on the edge of my seat, I am so excited.

I realize that this has all played out the way it did for a reason, that if I had never left I may not have realized just how much I love it there and how much that life meant to me... But I do apologize for the circus this roundtrip move has created. But I just wanted to say that I truly, and with my whole heart, appreciate all you have done for me. 

It was an incredibly hard realization to come to that my life was about to take a turn I didn't want. everything was in place, the cogs had been set into motion but it wasn't right. And I knew it before I ever left but could see no way of reversing the things.

However, Tom Shadyac said "If a person is going to grow, they must rethink everything." And so I am. I have. Life is taking yet another unexpected yet delightful turn and I cannot wait to see what I end up doing next.

So thank you, all of you, for helping me get my life back to the place I love. 

I love you all.

Just For Fun. . . Again. . .

I've got a friend named Teddy who brings deep joy to everyone he meets. Teddy, who is close in age to me, has Down Syndrome. Those of you who are younger might not know that in days gone by (and not that long ago, I might add), most children born with Down Syndrome were written off and institutionalized for life. It was believed they couldn't function. Thankfully, that's changed. Teddy is a great example of the fact that all people are people, created in the image of God and loved by Him. Down Syndrome doesn't make them any less. In fact, the folks I know with Down Syndrome always seem to have a joy and vigor for life that is enviable and infectious.

Last year, I got to watch Teddy play with his Special Olympics soccer team in a game at a local high school stadium. The school's varsity players were on the field with Teddy and the Special Olympics teams. Watching them all encourage each and have fun was awesome.

There's a wonderful video going viral on YouTube that features a wonderful moment for a high schooler named Matt Ziesel who has Down Syndrome. You need to watch. Kudos to the coaches who made this happen on the high school gridiron. I think this is the way it's supposed to be!

MVP Watch 4

I apologize for not updating last week, really busy with a seminar and whatnot. No excuse really, just thought I should let you know. Lets have a look at the guys I consider to be contenders for MVP and see how they did this week. Each week I recap their week using these stats: Hits/HRs/SB/BA/OBP/SLG/R/K/BB/Team Record for Week.

NL
Pujols: 13/3/0/.333/.440/.641/7/4/7/5-6
H-Ram: 14/2/2/.280/.351/.400/8/9/6/8-5
Fielder: 14/3/0/.333/.453/.667/10/9/9/8-4
Braun: 15/1/1/.319/.365/.447/8/8/3/8-4
Howard: 9/3/2/.205/.368/.455/8/11/10/10-3

Rank
Pujols: 151 (36)
H-Ram: 128 (30)
Howard: 125 (36)
Braun: 121 (33)
Fielder: 117 (43)

Fielder had a pretty great week, but it still looks like Pujols is a lock to win this race. Now, onto the exciting part.

AL
Mauer: 16/2/0/.432/.523/.676/7/4/7/7-5
Cabrera: 14/2/2/.286/.386/.449/6/8/8/4-9
Texeira: 18/2/0/.419/.426/.814/7/9/1/6-5
Abreu: 11/0/1/.256/.327/.349/5/8/6/7-5
Jeter: 14/0/2/.326/.420/.372/7/10/7/6-5

Rank
Mauer: 163 (44)
Texeira: 142 (37)
Cabrera: 140 (33)
Jeter: 130 (33)
Abreu: 130 (26)

Texeira moves past Cabrera for the second spot. He had a fantastic stretch, but unfortunately, it does not really compare to Mauer. If Joe Mauer does not win the MVP this year, it will be pretty sad. Especially if the Twins catch the Tigers for the division...

True Blood: The End

I was very disappointed with the season finale of True Blood. A full season of build up, and then it ends with very little confrontation. It was pretty weak.

I at least wanted Eric to show up with a giant broad sword and try to cut Maryann's head off. But no, instead we get Sam turning into a bull and stabbing her through the heart.

The rest of the episode felt like it was just trying to wrap things up a little too quickly. For example, Eggs. He seems to be pretty messed up after learning about stabbing people. He tries to turn himself in, but gets shot. I wonder if they did this to go back to the time when Tara was in love Jason?

The best part of the episode was Sam visiting his adoptive parents, and finding out that his real parents were bad people and then getting their name. I am sure next season will focus more on that quest.

The ending was okay, but nothing spectacular. Bill proposes to Sookie, she goes to the bathroom, and somebody comes and takes Bill. The same thing that happens on all of my dates. Except, when the girl goes to the bathroom, I bolt for the door leaving her with the check...

Anyways, I am sure Eric has something to do with this. Since we learned that he is selling vampire blood for the queen. Also interesting was the comment "you may be the oldest, most powerful vampire in my queendom." Does that mean Eric is older than Queen Sophie? Interesting. Remember, Eric felt that Godric should have been King...

And the final question: what the hell is Sookie? I asked this question after the first season when she whipped the chain around the dude's neck. Nothing ever seemed to come of it, but now she thought about it again. Maybe she is a chupacabra...

Put Me In My Place. . .

Dr. Phil was in Philly yesterday. The show was broadcast live from Independence Mall and featured a lineup of guests - including our Governor - who had gathered to process and debate the signing of convicted criminal Michael Vick by the Philadelphia Eagles, along with the rash of recent and highly publicized meltdowns by celebrities and political figures (Serena Williams, Kanye West, Joe Wilson, etc.). I tuned in to see what the good Doctor was going to say and do while in my hometown.

Without ever saying the word, Dr. Phil kept pointing the conversation back to "narcissism" and the behaviors that are rooted in a sense of privilege and entitlement that has not only swept through celebrity culture, but our culture-at-large as well. I found this to be interesting and timely as earlier in the day I had finally put wraps on the rough draft of the seminar on narcissism in youth culture that I'll be sharing for the first time next week at the National Youthworkers Convention in Los Angeles.

The process of reading, studying, and prepping to talk about what just might be the most pressing issue in youth culture today has been both eye-opening and somewhat difficult. It's been eye-opening in the sense that what we've known has been there for years is far more pervasive than once imagined. Once you understand the dynamics of narcissism you start to see where and how it rears its ugly head in all the little nooks and crannies of popular culture. It's been difficult because once you understand the dynamics of narcissism you also begin to see it rear its ugly head - ironically - in your own mirror.

Part of the seminar takes a look at the causes of narcissism in our culture. These are the things that are feeding the fast-spreading epidemic. As I worked through the issues I quickly realized that one factor supersedes all others, that is . . . our human depravity. When we truly understand the Biblical drama that's unfolding all around and within us, we quickly see that what began in chapter 1 with Creation and came undone in chapter 3 with the Fall is the place where we're stuck. Yes, even those who have experienced the wonder and joy of being invited and brought into Redemption in chapter 3 still live life on this earth with the gnawing knowledge that the full effects of the Fall are not yet totally undone. In fact, the further along your life moves in chapter 3, the greater your awareness of the ghosts of chapter 2 in your own life. Ultimately, it's all about narcissism and idolatry, as we created beings do anything and everything we can to put ourselves in the place of the Creator, relegating Him to a place where he conveniently waits in the wings to serve me, myself, and I whenever I might benefit from His services.

My paper this morning reported on when and where the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine would be available for those who want to avoid the coming epidemic of the illness. That got me thinking about what the antidote is for the narcissistic ugliness we see in our own mirrors. Ultimately, what I need is to be put in my place. I need to understand and constantly be reminded of the fact that I don't exist at the center of the universe, but that my role is to follow, honor, serve, and glorify the One who not only made me, but made me over by bringing me into chapter 3. But how can I be sure that's going to happen? Just like millions of people will stand in line for a shot of H1N1, each of us must get in line and stay in line for daily shots of truth and reality that remind us of who we are, why we're here, and the place we belong while the Biblical drama unfolds without and within. Regular reading of God's revelation of Himself and His drama are the key.


For those of you who struggle to make this happen, I'd like to offer a suggestion. My own personal and lifelong struggle with this has led me try all sorts of approaches and to enlist all kinds of tools. Several years ago I stumbled upon something that has been very, very helpful. Scripture Union is an old organization that's been promoting Bible reading for a long, long time. But don't let our tendency to equate "old" with "irrelevant" shape your opinion and keep you from checking Scripture Union out. I have found their Encounter With God daily Bible reading guide to be especially helpful in my quest to get to know my Creator, His story, and my place in His world. If you're looking to understand and experience the liberating freedom of being put in your place, check out the Scripture Union website.

Just For Fun. . .

The Phillies played the Nationals tonight in Philly. The Phils' Jason Werth hit a foul ball into the upper deck, where a happy dad snagged the ball and handed the little white prize to his young daughter. It turned out to be a priceless moment for those of us who were watching. And, I'll bet their baseball memory is going to last a lot longer and garner loads of laughs as the little girl grows up. The TV camera caught it all. What a great moment. Enjoy!

VMA Thoughts. . . .

Did you get to see the VMAs? I'm hoping you did and that you're up for sharing your thoughts about the broadcast, the questions I posted here on Friday, and the implications of it all in terms of our ministries with kids.

I decided that this year I'd do something a little bit different. Rather than watch and then let it all ferment in my brain overnight, I decided to blog just a few of my thoughts in real time, posting them as soon as the show ends. So here comes Madonna to the mic . . . . talking, as expected, about Michael Jackson. . . and I'll be jotting my thoughts as they occur. Hopefully you'll be able to glean something from it all.

-Is it me, or is Madonna's monologue a little bit creepy? How does Joe Jackson feel about Madonna talking about the fallout from his son's lack of a childhood? And what would that have been like if Michael Jackson and Madonna had wound up as a couple? In his death, will Michael Jackson continue to be deified in spite of Madonna's claims that he was only human? Yep. . . Michael Jackson was good and really talented. But we continue to slide into holding celebrities up higher than we should, doing ourselves and them no favors at all.

-Russell Brand's opening monologue picks up where he left off last year. There are no bounds in what we talk about when it comes to sexuality. Brand has set his mark for the evening. . . Lady Gaga. He's expressed what he wants to do with her, while telling the world about her bisexuality. The censors did kick in a couple of times, but you have to wonder how long those conventions will be held.


-And then the Best Female Video goes to Taylor Swift. Considering what this 19-year-old was up against, it's good to see something and someone more wholesome take home the moon man. But surprise surprise. Kanye West ruins Swift's moment by grabbing the mike and making a fool of himself by talking about Beyonce. . . nominated in this category. . . having one of the best videos of all time. Again, more evidence of our collective loss of respect, kindness, civility and decency. Another inflated ego tries to steal the show. Thank goodness, many in the crowd stood and applauded the shocked Swift. Wow. . . it didn't take long for the first wacky moment of the night.

MTV Shows

-I know Jack Black was trying to be silly in his mock prayer to the devil. . . but again . . . . creepy. When you know the enemy is real, it's not silly.

-After a wholesome performance from Swift, we're told to hang on for Lady Gaga and whatever it is that she's going to do on stage in 6 minutes. Maybe the Body Heat fragrance commercial is a sneak preview.

-Okay. . . her onstage rendition of "Paparazzi" was artsy and spooky. What's the song about? Here's what she's said about it in the past: "The song is about a few different things – it's about my struggles, do I want fame or do I want love? It's also about wooing the paparazzi to fall in love with me. It's about the media whoring, if you will, watching ersatzes make fools of themselves to their station. It's a love song for the cameras, but it's also a love song about fame or love – can you have both, or can you only have one?"

-Green Day performs "East Jesus Nowhere," a song I'm still trying to totally understand. The song goes after religious hypocrisy (a legitimate target in many ways), and the intertwining of religion and politics (again, a legitimate target in the way the relationship often manifests itself). A song like this shouldn't necessarily make us (as people of faith) angry. Rather, we should listen and then ask if there's any truth to what they're singing. Again, in many ways I think there's some truth. But I always worry about songs like this that tend to lump the baby in with the bathwater, leaving vulnerable young listeners thinking negatively about both. Our lack of a fully integrated biblical faith with stuff like this to devalue true Christian faith.

-Wow. . . .what a marketing coup with the exclusive showing of the extended trailer for New Moon, the second installment in the Twilight saga film series. The fascination with Vampire culture continues to grow.

-Whenever I watch Beyonce I can't help but think back to what she wrote in the liner notes of the Destiny's Child Survivor album back in 2001. You need to check it out.

-Muse performs their anti-establishment/resistance song "Uprising." They sing,

The paranoia is in bloom,
The PR, the transmissions, will resume,
They'll try to push drugs to keep us all dumbed down,
And hope that we will never see the truth around,

SO COME ON!

Another promise, another scene,
Another package not to keep us trapped in greed,
With all the green belts wrapped around our minds,
And endless red tape to keep the truth confined,

SO COME ON!

They will not force us,
They will stop degrading us,
They will not control us,
And we will be victorious!

Anyone out there know much about these guys from the UK? I wonder if their words are prophetic in the sense that they point to a looming and growing generational divide over ideologies? I've long thought that the cultural-generational gap that exists in today's world is due more to the pace of cultural change than to ideological differences. In the former, people on both sides are more prone to want to come together. With the latter, they are ideologically divided. . . like in the sixties. Is that what we're heading towards?

-Oh man!. . . Lady Gaga is winner of the Best New Artist. They zoom in on her wearing that red thing. . . . and I think I'm going to have nightmares tonight! She won her award "for God and for the Gays." I think that more than anything else at this year's VMAs, Lady Gaga is the best indicator of where we are and where we're going as a culture. For that reason, she warrants our attention, and a deconstruction of her music, story, and worldview. Her popularity means that her message is getting through.

-Best performance of the night. . . . Pink. Gutsy and pretty creative.

-Now that's a classy move on Beyonce's part. She wins Video of the Year then steps aside to have Taylor Swift come out and have "her moment." In a world filled with posturing, bad sportsmanship, and egos, this was a wonderful moment of redemption for Taylor Swift, courtesy of Beyonce.

So. . . what caught your eyes and ears this year? Who are we as a culture? What do we value in our culture? What do we believe in our culture? Who are we choosing to live in our culture? And what does all this mean in terms of how we minister to kids?

Feel free to share your insights.

Supernatural 501

The fifth season picked up right where the fourth season left off. Sam killed Lilith, who just happened to be the final seal to release Lucifer. Things look bad for Sam and Dean, but then a bright light happens and they are whisked away from the danger.

They go see their buddy the prophet Chuck. He tells them that Castiel was killed by the other angels for disobedience. They learn that they must retrieve Michael's sword to defeat Lucifer. Some demons come and fight Sam and Dean, but it ends well.

They head to the place where they believe the sword to be, but Zach and his angels are there. They inform them that Dean is the sword. Dean thinks they mean he is a weapon, but in truth he is the vessel. Angels must have permission to take someone's body (same with Lucifer).

Dean refuses and Zach begins torturing them. A bright light shows up and Castiel kills two of the angels. Zach asks how he came back, and Castiel says something like "how do you think?"

The episode ends with Lucifer convincing his vessel to allow him to take control. Dean informing Sam that he cannot forgive him and that they will never be like they were.

The season seems to be going towards a three way battle, Angels vs. Lucifer, with Sam, Dean, and Castiel searching for God who could stop everything. Apparently it was God who saved Sam and Dean when Lucifer returned.

Silly Weekend Video

This may be the funniest video I watched all week. Seriously. Anyone that loves Seinfeld should check this out.

Girlfriend of the Week

This week's GOTW goes out to my friend Marie. She is very attractive and a very funny person to hang out with. She actually stayed at my apartment for a few days when Kacie and I lived downtown. So here are some pictures of her for everyone to enjoy.

DON'T Miss This! . . . .

Earlier this year Lisa and I were reminded of a simple principle that has a lot to do with your concern for children and teens, along with our work here at CPYU. Perhaps you remember me blogging about our trip with Compassion International to see their work in Rwanda and Kenya back in May. Lisa and I had supported Compassion and a Compassion child in some very small ways for several years. Our understanding of Compassion's work and our child's life was limited to occasional newsletters and printed updates. Then we went and saw it all with our own eyes. We saw the mission field and we saw the work. . . . and we were impacted and changed.


Seeing and experiencing the mission field firsthand. . . . you've got to do it. That's the principle I want you to grasp. That's why I want to encourage you to step way out of your comfort zone to do something this Sunday night that you most likely would not do otherwise. At 9pm Eastern Time, MTV will be airing their annual Video Music Awards (aka VMAs). Two hours. . . that's all you need.

Before tuning in, consider this fact: research indicates that the average 8 to 18-year-old engages with media for six-and-a-half hours every day. Music and music video are a big part of that daily media diet. In addition, you need to realize that these are kids locked in their formative years. Their values, attitudes, and beliefs - all things that inform and shape behavior - are being molded now. With the increased absence of parents in their lives, they are left to turn to the institution of the media to be shaped.

If you choose to watch nothing else on Television all year, don't miss the VMAs. I am convinced that they offer a concise and very telling peek into where youth culture has come from, where it is, and where it's going in the coming months. Resist the temptation to turn it off and watch something else. Why? Because this is the world of today's kids. If we want to speak the unchanging truths of God's Word into the realities they face, well, then we must know the realities. Watch the VMAs on Sunday night to see and experience the mission field.

For those of you who choose do so, go a bit further as you watch. Keep a pen in your writing hand and a pad on your lap. Watch with a critical and discerning eye while answering these questions:

Based on what I'm seeing on the VMAs. . . -who are we as a culture?
-what do we value in our culture?
-what do we believe in our culture?
-how are we choosing to live in our culture?

Then, contrast your answers with answers to the following questions:

Based on what I read in God's unchanging Word. . .
-who has God made us to be?
-what has God commanded us to value?
-what has God called us to believe?
-how has God called us to live?

Now. . . . how are we going to bridge the gap and reach this mission field? What messages must we send? How are we going to do that? I look forward to our discussion on Monday morning.

I Sell The Dead

The other night I watched I Sell The Dead via IFC On Demand. It stars Dominic Monaghan (Charlie from Lost) and Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy, Hellboy, coolest mo'fo of all time).

The movie is set in England during the 1800s, Monaghan plays Arthur Blake, a grave robber who is about to be beheaded the next day. Perlman plays a priest who is there to get his last words. Blake recounts a tale of how he and his former partner did many crazy things, such as find vampires, aliens, and zombies.

The movie is not really scary, but is pretty funny at times. The scene where they figure out if you stake the vampire, and then pull it out she comes back to life is hilarious. Also the zombie pawing Arthur's partner from inside the cage and Arthur's jokes about it calling him darling, again quite funny.

There is a twist at the end of the movie which was pretty predictable, but still entertaining. If you want to watch a short movie which will make you laugh, then check this one out.

Nostradamus and the End of the World As We Know It

I know I tell you folks this all the time, but let me say it again: I love The History Channel, especially crappy shows about aliens and whatnot. Well, since the world is going to end in 2012, they seem to be airing tons of Nostradamus, 2012, or Apocalypse/Bible Code programs.

They usually have all the same "experts" come in and talk about how the world will end and how it has all been predicted, blah blah blah. So, I will discuss two of these topics: Nostradamus and the Mayans.

Nostradamus
You all know the stories, Nostradamus makes eerie predictions that have come true over the years. But, I have a problem with the guy, well not so much the guy, but the people who say he was right. If you make vague predictions, it is not hard to go back in time and fit them to actual events.

In order to make a point, I am going to make a prediction. I will write something and we shall see if it comes true.

In the days of the shortened sun
The sky will darken and blood shall run
The eagle and lion shall dance together
Their lives entwined forever and ever

I made that up in like five minutes, and I will bet money that in the next few months some of it will come true. I just need to remember to watch the news.

The Mayans
So the Mayans invents a pretty cool calendar. Unfortunately, it ends on 12/21/2012. The doomsday folks like to look at that and say "oh my god, the world will end." In reality, all that it means is the Mayan calendar starts a new cycle.

They even wrote things down that would happen after the cycle resets, such as anniversaries of different rulers. Unfortunately though, no one asks a Mayan expert (hopefully an anthropologist) their thoughts on the subject.

Want to know something crazy? My 2009 calendar ends on December 31! The world must be ending, oh wait. It actually means I have to buy a new calendar. Once the Mayans were done doing their hard work on a couple thousand year long calendar, they decided to end it at the most logical point. The end of the cycle. I bet the guy working on it figured that someone else would start a new one. He did not think his people would fade into obscurity.

So yeah, that is how I feel about some of this stuff. The world will be fine in 2013, nothing will happen on 12/21/12...or will it?

NFL Predictions 2009

Tomorrow night is the beginning of football season, so I figured I should put my predictions up for the season. I did it last year and obviously was not really close. Maybe one day I could get a few teams right...

AFC East
Patriots
Dolphins
Jets
Bills

AFC North
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Browns

AFC South
Colts
Texans
Titans
Jaguars

AFC West
Chargers
Broncos
Chiefs
Raiders

Wildcard: Dolphins & Ravens

NFC East
Giants
Cowboys
Eagles
Redskins

NFC North
Vikings
Bears
Packers
Lions

NFC South
Falcons
Panthers
Saints
Buccaneers

NFC West
Cardinals
Seahawks
49ers
Rams

Wildcard: Cowboys & Panthers

AFC Championship: Chargers over Steelers
NFC Championship: Vikings over Panthers
Super Bowl: Chargers over Vikings

Looking back to last year, I only got 4 of the division winners, and none of the Wildcards. I was the only one to take the Cardinals to win the West though, so I should get some credit. Actually, I got the most division winners right, haha. That is funny because I put no thought into my picks.

Credit goes to Ryan for predicting the Steelers to win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, he did not pull a Gideon and actually get the entire Super Bowl correct.

MVP Watch Week 3

Lets have a look at the guys I consider to be contenders for MVP and see how they did this week. Each week I recap their week using these stats: Hits/HRs/SB/BA/OBP/SLG/R/K/BB/Team Record for Week.

NL
Pujols: 12/3/0/.462/.533/.923/10/1/4/5-2
Fielder: 6/1/0/.231/.355/.462/4/7/5/2-4
Braun: 8/0/2/.333/.429/.417/3/6/4/2-4
H-Ram: 6/2/0/.353/.455/.824/5/5/4/3-3
Howard: 9/1/0/.346/.370/.654/2/7/1/2-5

Rank
Pujols: 115 (45)
H-Ram: 98 (35)
Howard: 89 (21)
Braun: 88 (26)
Fielder: 74 (21)

This really does not seem like much of a race, Pujols is continuing to destroy the ball. H-Ram is in second place, but it's not much of a race at this point.

AL
Mauer: 11/1/1/.393/.433/.571/4/3/1/4-3
Texeira: 8/3/0/.258/.378/.613/10/10/5/6-2
Abreu: 6/1/1/.286/.516/.524/4/6/9/4-3
Jeter: 8/0/1/.242/.375/.273/4/7/7/7-1
Cabrera: 8/1/1/.348/.467/.478/5/2/6/6-1

Rank
Mauer: 119 (36)
Cabrera: 107 (39)
Texeira: 105 (33)
Abreu: 104 (36)
Jeter: 97 (29)

I decided to put Cabrera and Jeter into the mix. Because I did not feel like going back and redoing each weeks results, I just gave those two an average score (which ended up being equal to Abreu's total of 68).

I know someone is going to notice that Jeter and Texeira have different records. They both received a game off at different times. Anyways, Mauer is still the leader, but Cabrera and Texeira are creeping up on him. Fortunately this week was much better for the AL than last week.

Sucker Punch. . . .

The first weekend of college football is over and the big story is about Oregon running back Legarrette Blount and his postgame sucker punch of Boise State's Byron Hout. Not surprisingly, the video has gone viral and is fodder for all kind's of water-cooler chatter among college football fans and non-fans alike.



If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, then this video clip speaks volumes about today's culture. Obviously, I wasn't there. I've only been able to watch the video along with the rest of you. Blount's actions are horrific and without excuse. The school did the right thing in suspending him from the football program for the year. Perhaps our collective disgust is fueled by the fact that we know and believe that the anger and lack of sportsmanship shown by Blount is wrong. It's good that we're upset. But when I first watched the video, I was equally saddened by what seemed-to-be Hout's provocation through taunting. While that tuanting in no way shape or form can justify Blount's response, it was equally wrong.

If you spend any amount of time close to the sidelines these days, you can't help but notice that taunting is increasingly common, decreasingly frowned upon or stopped, and perhaps even seen as a normal and acceptable part of sport. That's a shame.

If indeed Hout was tuanting Blount, then there's two examples we can point to if we want to teach our kids lessons on how not to play. Kudo's to Boise State's head coach Chris Peterson for following up with Hout - an admission that Hout crossed the line. The Boise State football website includes this post: Boise State University head football coach Chris Petersen has issued a statement regarding the postgame incident involving Bronco defensive lineman Byron Hout. "The event that took place last night following our game between Byron and Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount was very unfortunate and we do not condone Byron's action," Petersen stated. "There will be disciplinary consequences for Bryon as a result of the incident last night and they will be handled internally." Petersen also stated that Hout's discipline does not include a game suspension.

If we want to prevent this kind of stuff at the college level, it might be a good thing for youth team coaches to sit anybody who talks trash. And if it happens again - at any level - let them sit longer.

What do you think?

What's Been Goin' On

I know I have not really posted much lately, been pretty busy. Or just been lazy, whatever. So here is what has been going on in my life.

Drinking
I did that a few times last week. Unfortunately, I worked all weekend so I could not go out for the Penn State game (which I did not get to watch) or for the Labor Day holiday...

Nothing really extraordinary happened, just me drinking, so sadly, I have no stories for you.

Book Store Adventure
Friday I went to Barnes & Noble to buy some books. I am standing there in the fiction section, looking Wolves of Calla by Stephen King. This cute girl comes by and starts browsing the section as well. She smiles at me and I think nothing of it.

I then make my way over to the Fantasy section, and after a few minutes there she is again. She smiles and I smile back. Yet, I really think nothing of it. One of the books I was looking for happens to be in the teen section, so I make my way over there, and here comes cute girl. Now, my thought is, I should talk to her, but then I think, she could just be looking at the same kind of books.

So, I test the theory. I go across the store and start looking at history books. Without fail, here comes my girl. She is looking at history books, and smiles at me. At this point, what should I do? Talk to her, try to get her phone number, something, right?

What do you think I did? You guessed it, I walked briskly to the register, paid for my books, and got in my car. Once in my car I thought to myself how stupid I was and that I should have said something. Instead of going back in and actually doing it though, I just tucked my penis between my legs and drove home.

Why would I share this story?

TV Shows
The fall season is quickly coming up and I need some shows to watch. As of now I am looking forward to House, Supernatural, Bones, Smallville, and maybe Flash Forward.

I really do not know if I will even give Heroes a shot. I still have never finished last season. Did anyone? Was it good? Should I watch it and maybe continue writing about it this season? Which shows should I write about?

Speaking of good shows, I finally watched the finale of Supernatural. I am pretty excited about this season. Sam and Dean up against Lucifer. When the season first started I was nervous about them introducing angels into the mix. But, when we learn that the angels are trying to help start the apocalypse, that was a pretty cool twist. Especially when Zacharriah says that god checked out long ago...

Midnights
I have to go back to working a few third shifts this week. It was a nice two months or so since my last one, which has been great. I would complain, but I am actually looking forward to it.

Well that's about it. I plan to write a post everyday this week, so you know, come back, comment, whatever...

Vice or Virtue? . . . .

My morning routine starts in our living room where I begin each day on our couch. Not a day passes when I don't look up to my left at a picture frame that contains some kind of crafty visualization (sorry,I'm not exactly sure what the German-looking paper cutting in the frame is called)of a couple of verses that continue to grow in significance for me: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5&6). It reminds me that I can choose to live life under the guidance and Lordship of the Creator, or I can choose to live my life under the guidance and lordship of any other number of things.

Yesterday I had one of those moments that brought those verses to mind in the context of concern and sadness. I was spending some time watching music videos on one of the many MTV outlets. . . one small practice that offers a window into the world of youth culture. Over the years I've seen my share of overt sexual expressions on MTV. Sadly, I think that in some ways the practice has left me desensitized and not much shocks me anymore. Even so, a trio of back-to-back-to-back videos hit me hard. First, there was Jamie Foxx, Kanye West, Drake, and The Dream's "Digital Girl". . . embedded below if you're interested. Next came Pit Bull and "Hotel Room Service". . . the most over-the-top and alarming of the three. Finally, Sean Paul's "So Fine." This normal everyday visual and lyrical fare filled my eyes, ears, heart, and mind with a smorgasbord of values regarding women, relationships, and sexuality. Suffice it to say, this was not the stuff of straight paths. I'm a 53-year-old man who has years behind him filled with experience, his own mistakes and misunderstandings, teaching on that straight path, some broken-in and practiced (yet, not perfect) filters, and. . . I hope and trust. . . a growing sense of what does and doesn't bring glory to God. I wondered, what does this stuff do to kids who have little or none of that, but inquisitive and moldable minds?

In preparation for a new seminar on Narcissism that I'm going to present later this month at the National Youthworkers Convention, I've been doing quite a bit of study and reflection. One thing that's become abundantly clear is that over the course of the last thirty or so years, narcissism and the focus on self has gone from being perceived as a vice, to being seen and embraced as a virtue. Jean Twenge's growing body of research proves this fact. I think the same thing is happening in terms of how boys and men and being conditioned to view women, treat women, and understand/experience the wonderful God-given gift of their sexuality. Yesterday, my 53-year-old self saw that video trifecta as a celebration of vice. I'm guessing that a overwhelming majority of young viewers didn't think twice about those videos and their powerful depictions of how to live life. Perhaps they saw them as depicting virtue. If so, I am - in their eyes - hopeless out-dated and old-fashioned.

That's got me thinking about Proverbs 3:5&6. I wonder what would happen if I asked kids to think about their lives and then fill in the blanks on these sentences? . . . "Trust in ______________ with all your heart and lean not on ___________________. In all your ways acknowledge _______________ and _______________ will make your paths straight."

Jamie Foxx - New Music - More Music Videos

Next Film Worth Seeing

If you are a fan of Office Space and Idiocracy, the you will want to check out Mike Judge's new film Extract. If you do not believe me, then just listen to two of the greatest characters ever created.

@ Yahoo! Video

MVP Watch Week 2

Lets have a look at the guys I consider to be contenders for MVP and see how they did this week. Each week I recap their week using these stats: Hits/HRs/SB/BA/OBP/SLG/R/K/BB/Team Record for Week.

NL
Pujols: 8/1/2/.400/.500/.750/4/1/4/5-1
H-Ram: 7/0/1/.318/.423/.318/3/1/3/3-3
Howard: 11/5/0/.393/.433/1.000/5/8/2/4-3
Braun: 8/2/0/.267/.303/.500/5/9/1/4-3
Fielder: 7/3/0/.259/.375/.593/4/4/5/4-3

Rank (This weeks score in parenthesis)
Pujols: 70 (44)
Howard: 68 (37)
H-Ram: 63 (29)
Braun: 62 (25)
Fielder: 53 (30)

Pujols rebounded nicely, as did Ryan Howard. Funny that Braun did not strike out at all last week, and this week he struck out 9 times (in less games). Not a very good week.

AL
Mauer: 5/0/0/.200/.200/.200/2/3/0/4-2
Morneau: 3/1/0/.136/.240/.364/3/5/3/4-2
Crawford: 2/0/1/.143/.133/.143/1/2/0/2-2
Texeira: 5/1/0/.208/.286/.375/4/5/3/4-2
Abreu: 3/1/1/.136/.286/.273/5/3/5/2-4

Rank
Mauer: 83 (36)
Texeira: 72 (45)
Abreu: 68 (41)
Crawford: 61 (31)
Morneau: 57 (38)

What a worthless span of games. How the hell do you have a lower OBP than BA?? What the hell were you doing this week Carl Crawford. Seriously, no wonder we started discussing Jeter and Morales. Anyways, Mauer still seems to be in the lead (especially in my super scientific made up ranking system). I almost wanted to dock Abreu points for having a losing record. It is funny that I started this to keep track, mainly to help argue for Mauer, but if the AL guys keep playing like this, who cares who wins.

It seems like the NL could actually become a race. Pujols seemed to be a lock, but who knows (this was about the point last year where the Dunn/Howard argument started, which at the time was an okay argument, until Howard decided to destroy baseballs for all of September...could he be setting up to do it again?)

A Couple of My Heroes. . . .

My good friend and CPYU Associate Staffer Paul Robertson has a wonderful habit of asking me the same question whenever we chat: "What are you reading?" I love that question. I loved being asked because it tells me that the one doing the asking is a learner. I love being asked because it keeps me on my toes. . . and reading. And I love being asked because it reminds me to be constantly asking others the same question. . . which has led me to discover some great books I might otherwise have never known about.

Another reading question I love is one I'm thrilled to be asked by youth workers: "What books do you recommend I read?" Over the course of the last few years I've been answering the question not only with a list of books, but with a list of authors. Two of those authors that have shaped and reflected my own thinking on matters of faith and culture in concise and readable ways are two guys that I'm now privileged to count not only as heroes, but as friends. They're both humble and unassuming guys who are incredibly gifted, have amazing stories, and who have gotten enough years of experience under their belts to have deep wells of time-tested wisdom to draw from and share. They are guys I encourage you to seek out so that you can sit at their feet, listen, and learn.


The first is Dick Staub. You can learn more about Dick at his website. I used to require his first book - Too Christian, Too Pagan - in all the undergrad and grad classes I taught. Students ate it up and consistently said that it transformed their thinking and lives in terms of who we're called to be as Christ's followers in the world. Sadly, that book is out of print. . . but still worth looking for. Then Dick released his next book, The Culturally-Savvy Christian, and once again students had the opportunity to soak up some wonderful wisdom on finding their place in God's world.

The second is John Fischer. Perhaps you've heard me speak in the past about how as a 9th grade, I sat in the bleachers at a Philly high school and heard this long-haired guy with a guitar sing about Jesus. Just to get some context. . . that was a long time ago. Music like that was really cutting edge. I was 14 and John Fischer was 23. John then started to use his writing skills to go beyond music. Since then, he's written several books. A few years ago I stumbled upon a copy of Fearless Faith and I was blown away. I began requiring students to read that book. The response was unbelievable. When have you ever heard an undergrad say to his prof, "Thanks for requiring that book! It's changed me."????? I heard that from several students over the years.

I thought I would pass on some quotes from the beginning of Fearless Faith that shatter so much of the conventional and erroneous thinking that has infected the church over the years:

"He doesn't intend for us to be removed from the world, but to be protected in the middle of it. He doesn't want us removed from danger, he wants us surrounded by danger on every hand - but safe from the evil one."

"The prayers of Jesus are completely in accord with God's will because he and the Father are one. If Jesus prays for our protection, then it is because he knows God fully intends to protect us. And if he prays for us not to be removed from the world, it is because he has no intention of rescuing us out of the world. This is not a well-intentioned wish on the part of Jesus. It is the will of God to leave us in the world and meet us with all the provisions and protection we need to be here and be involved in the world. Anything short of this is less that what God intends for us."

"We want to be safe in a safer world; God wants us to be safe in an unsafe world. We want to protect ourselves by removing ourselves from danger; God wants to protect us in the middle of danger."

"The more we remove ourselves from the world, the worse the world gets in the absence of a Christian influence and the stronger the argument becomes to stay away from the world. If we were training our children to understand and critically examine the world's popular art, literature, music, and film instead of limiting them to safe Christian versions of these things, we might have a different world waiting for us in the next generation."

John nails it. . . over and over again. I've come to love John's thinking and message so much that a couple of years ago I approached him and invited him to consider serving on Associate Staff with CPYU. I was blown away when he accepted. I'm thrilled that John is now traveling and speaking on our behalf about true fearless and biblical faith. He's a voice you need to hear. I hope that some of you would consider doing what you can to help others hear John's message. If you're interested in bringing John in to speak to your adults, young adults, college students, or other group, you can click here to learn more.

What are you reading? Who are you listening to? May I recommend Dick Staub and John Fischer?