Is this really a good idea? None of them really had any success after this movie..although the soundtrack was killer…. Simple Minds got it right – we didn’t forget about them.
Ever been in a place where your failings just keep popping up and it doesn’t really matter what you do…you can’t get around them? I’m not talking about the huge moral failure kind – although I guess this rant could apply to those as well. The past 5 days have been that kind of journey read more
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Psalm 29:2 That this is a core discipline probably isn’t that big of a surprise. John Piper in his book Let The Nations Be Glad says that the reason we do missions is because there are places read more
I preached Sunday – opened up our series in Ephesians. (At some point, the download will be
Read Ephesians 4:11-13. Anything strike you? The only way to achieve maturity – the whole measure of fullness of Christ – is to serve out of the giftedness that the Spirit has placed in you. Let that sink in for a moment. It isn’t about how much you know but how much you serve. Jesus read more
Popped in thirteen this weekend. Disturbing. Convicting. Dark. Evil. Innocence shattered. The story is real but you’ll be tempted to deny that it happens. The feelings and situations are real, but you’ll be tempted to blame Hollywood for one more overrated, oversexed and overdrugged teenager movie. There was no hope offered in the movie. No read more
My Canadian friend is at it again. A couple of random questions before I tackle his ‘disenlightenment’…unenlightenment? non-enlightenment? (whatever) concerning Star Wars. 1. Why does Jeremy not use capital letters? Do they cost more in Canada? Is it a Post Gen X thing? Is it the next generation of youth workers thing? I don’t know read more
Do I even have to comment on this? It’s pathetic. I see 4 kinds of red. Plus the still goofy but constipated cardinal on a white helmet. What’s up with the leg piping? Does anybody else have a problem with the stealing of Atlanta’s jersey look? Looks like the Rankings are gonna need an update…
There are times we need to withdraw in order to drink deeper of God’s presence. That is the purpose of both fasting and silence. That is also the reason we are going to deal with them together. It’s not just some physical exercise that glorifies God or speaks of our maturity. It’s creating space in read more
First, the draft. They draft – count ‘em folks – 3 corners, none of them taller than 6 foot. Then they pick Maurice Clarett. Then they signed Todd Sauerbrun – a punter with some issues. Now they sign Jerry Rice. What the heck is going on? And Jerry and Rod Smith share the same number. read more
Well, tonight is the Big Stumin Grill…(we’ll eat at 6 in Maumelle Park) and today for lunch – a friend and I are going to investigate the possibility of getting some cartilage pierced. And what a tricky subject this is. Nose piercings – I’m not a huge fan of. I mean, doesn’t that thing get read more
Email received today… I have a bone to pick with you – the greatest ship of geek space lore is the NCC1701 D. It had light speed travel, plus transporters, holodecks, and Counselor Troi to boot! By the way, why is it acceptable to see Star Wars, but you are a total geek to watch read more
My bro posed this question to me on Annakin’s Rest. I gather you are saying that once we, as mortals, do our part (not that we can control it) that we must rest and leave it all in His hands to complete things. But what if ‘our part’ is to see our tasks through to read more
Went to the Valentine/Gaydos life group last night to walk through the transition plan. So we went thinking we were going to be the ones who were doing the ministering….oh how quickly God can change the perspective on you. After the usual questions and answers, Mark G threw me and Steve B in the middle read more
I have some questions/critiques of the conference. But I want to frame them properly so let me throw out the gaurdrails. First off, Marko’s heart is golden. He’s a worshipper and lover of Jesus. I think Yac would be proud but more importantly, I think God is pleased with his efforts and intentions. I have read more
Saw SW III for the second time – caught a lot more and yes – the love scenes are just as painful the 2nd time but the saber duels are twice as cool…so it’s a wash, I guess. Plus I caught a sighting of the Millenium Falcon! The all-time greatest ship in science fiction lore. read more
The Mandolin Assembly Area for Gibson is located in Opry Mills Shopping Center. Row and I watched this guy for a bit and as we were leaving – him and two of his friends were ‘test driving’ the product. What a treat.
One corner of the prayer room was designed with pillows and blankets to just rest. If the ‘professional clergy’ is guilty of one thing it is NOT resting. We are good at crashing, wigging out, reacting…but resting. That is an act that can only be done when there is completion – which in ministry doesn’t read more
The view from our room. That is the peak of the historic Ryman Auditorium. And of course the lovely roof of the convention center…can’t have it all.
Today I’m ditching the afternoon sessions and taking a walking tour of Nashville. I’ll post pictures later. Going to enjoy the think time and download. Going to Bicentennial Mall, War Memorial Museum, and the Capitol. Later.
Struggled in the seminars today…partly because I was up till 3 with Star Wars III. Partly because of frustration with the presenters. In my opinion – which I realize isn’t all that important but I am an ‘end-user’ – the presenters end their presentations where they should begin. That is with questions. An Open Plea read more
Just got back from SW III…. Good. Now the circle is complete. pun intended.
That was the topic of our afternoon breakout session. LeRon Shults and Kara Powell were the facillitators of this discussion. If we start by PRIMARILY seeing sin as substance – ie, something that needs to be cleaned or fixed – then we miss the larger issue of sin as relationship killer. Now this was not read more
I’m sitting in one of the breakout sessions at Emergent and in walks Garen Forsythe. We worked together at 12th Avenue in Emporia for 5 years. He is a spiritual formation guru and lover of international students. We’ve had as numerous as the stars late night, early morning conversations about leadership, small groups, ministry, and read more
I have a feeling that I am going to get sick of this word over the next few days. ha ha I am in Nashville – a gorgeous city – for the YS Emergent Conference. Marko is blogging about it – he is the host. Here is the planning blog for the convention. What am read more
The Bluebird Cafe where hundreds of artist have been found. We rolled up in there expecting to find the next…well, whoever. As we got to the door, they were pumping the live music outside. Here was the chorus to the song: “I’m not as thunk as you drink I am.”
We are here for the Emergent Church conference – this is the Lifeway Press Building….or Mecca when I was a SBC…
Row and I are in Nashville and we saw this on the road here. It is a car pasted/glued/covered with gloves. What the ?? Nice photo work by Rowland, by the way.
I am thinking about doing this to my current template. What do you think? Which do you prefer? I am in need of advice…this is one of the very few times in my life in which I will actually seek and heed said advice. So take advantage of it.
God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer. Mother Teresa Prayer is nothing else than a sense of God’s presence. Brother Lawrence Prayer is not an exercise. It is the life of the saint. Oswald Chambers Prayer is so much larger than just the bowing of a head and read more
I’m still in my rookie year blogging and I’ve got over 8,000 hits. Is that good? I’m not really sure becauseKiwi has like 3 million…okay, closer to 300,000 but still. Hits don’t translate into anything of significance do they? I’m not getting airline miles, reward points at B&N, or anything like that…
Schatzy’s last day was yesterday. Things to do now that he is gone. 1. Finally change the name of the church to “Up In Da’ Woods Church”2. Transform his office into staff lounge…which means margarita machineX-box with 42″ Flat Panel6.1 Surround SoundOn Call Barrista for White Chocolate Mochas 3. Move Elders’ Meetings to 10.30 AM read more
We bought this from Pirates Cove. We are going to use this now instead of the spanking spoon.
Our quick little getaway included a cut-throat round of putt-putt. Technically, I beat Coop by 15 strokes. But I gave him a stroke a hole – so really I lost by 3.
We took Coop out of school, gonna load up the bikes, and head to Hot Springs for the night. Kind of like a secret, one night, mini-vacation. Me likey this idea alot. will post more tomorrow…
Okay – first of all when I said that I sometimes get drug/dragged – taken when I don’t really want to – to movies, I did NOT mean my wife. I realize that is what it sounded like – but honestly, I often drag her to movies, not the other way around. In fact, my read more
If prayer is breathing, then meditating on God’s word is eating. Meditating on God’s Word is very different than the “New Age/Eastern Thinking” mindset. The goal of most New Age/Eastern Thinking is to EMPTY your mind so that enlightenment can come. When we meditate on God’s word, we want to FILL our minds. That’s why read more
I grind up some Brazillian coffee beans this morning to enjoy a nice chocolate mocha. I go to put the coffee in my KRUPS espresso machine when —— I’ve lost the filter. The metal filter is gone. I’ve torn up the kitchen looking for up and now the nectar of Gods is out of my read more
Congrats! You’ve made the question of the week on our student ministry webpage! What is good about Canada? Here’s the ground rules – it has to be positive….which might slow us down a bit, but we can do it! haha…My short list: 1. They don’t have Mississippi.2. Vancouver is gorgeous.3. They have a cool looking read more
If you remember all the way back near the beginning, we said that an intern’s role was to be a sponge while gaining an increasing circle of responsibility. What does that practically look like? Below is a guide, an idea, a suggestion – but it is by no means the Bible on the subject. The read more
How would you want your ministry described? I hate using that phrase – “your ministry” – because it isn’t “your ministry.” It is your calling – but not your ministry. We are invited/called to be caretakers, joiners, bandwagonners in something and Someone who already has it going on. So how would you want your calling read more
Wrong numbers are always a nuisance. I have found a new way to handle them. Thanks, Wayne. You are my hero and inspiration. And you are the winner of the 1st (of hopefully many) Stu Immaturity Award. A prestigious honor, coveted by all, owned by only one. I am honored to have you as a read more
I am in the middle of some funk right now…I plow through the stuff I HAVE to do, but no creative juices left in the tank at this point. May 17th can’t come quick enough. But I have found my favorite drug as a coping mechanism…movies. I love movies. Yesterday I saw Hitchhikers Guide To read more
A skill that we ought to have in our backpocket is the ability to tell our experience with Jesus. As a growing servant leader, I’m going to challenge you to have two stories ready to tell. The first story answers the question – how did you first meet Jesus and make Him leader of your read more
First of all…I do think this is another one of these kind of days….BUT, moms are worth it. What my kids think about my mom: Cooper: There are a lot of things I like best about Nana. She’s really nice. (Typical male, understated response. I am trying.) Camber: It’s makes me sad when she works, read more
I now have further confirmation that I am raising my kids right. I’m watching The Parent Trap with my kids. On TV. (Our VCR is broke, remember.) Every few seconds I hear Camber holler “Hey!!! They skipped a part!” My 5 year old has now a command over movies that she notices the edited for read more
The kids are cool, running around the house playing. We learned that our VCR in the bedroom is broke – which is actually kinda cool. Another excuse to go look at DVD Recorder. Which of course, doesn’t answer the VCR question BUT we can move our one VCR up here for the kids… It’s a read more
For those of you who don’t know – Schatzy, my former pastor and friend, is leaving Grace. The big question around here is what to get the family. Found this as the featured gifts for a guy who is going away… Okay, what the heck. A watch?? A little slack and understanding will be given read more
I’m subscribed to 28 blogs. They come directly to my inbox – so don’t freak out – I’m not surfing the whole earth every morning…okay, I am but that’s different. And so I am going to spend/waste (depending on your point of view)a post on the ones I read religiously concerning youth ministry…pun intended. All read more
When I read this, I was in Java Roasting Company with headphones on. I started laughing out loud so hard that I thought they were going to kick me out.
My blog friend Shawn threw this down on his blog today. And I was going to comment on his blog but then I started thinking – is it really fair for me to loving critique my heritage on someone else’s blog? I don’t think so. First of all he is right. (Didn’t read the link read more
How careful are we in HOW we speak to each other? I notice that my conversations are peppered with zingers and one-liners. True, most of them are said in jest, just trying to have some fun and laughs…but they can leave a sting. Why Is Encouragment A Discipline? First of all, let’s define Encouragement as read more
I had about some crazy thoughts about how to keep this information from going public – but my cover is already being blown. And I am amazed at how quick information travels through the Underground of Stu’s World. So I will put my very wounded and beat up pride and tell the real story, the read more
I was reading in Youth Specialties new Magalog…which is kinda cool. It’s got articles in the front, all the resources in the back. Anyway – I’m reading this article and for the life of me I can’t remember who wrote it but the first line slayed me. Don’t mistake attendance with vulnerability or engagement. You read more
You know, I love my job. It’s a rare job to get paid to ruin teenager’s value systems and decision making processes. It’s even rarer to get to do it in a healthy context where you aren’t always the target for people who are torqued at their own lives. BUT And there is always a read more
Schatzy’s last Sunday is rapidly approaching and tonight we had a prayer time specifically for the new pastor, our prayer team, and our search team. I got the fun job of bringing the devo/talking head. What do you say? There is so much that is good about Grace right now. For the first time in read more
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