The Question of the day

This thought has been surfacing through general reflection and some wonderful conversations I had this week; How do we (the church) show what a man is worth in ministry? This question could simply bring nothing but implications based upon a person's perspective or position. But, truly I desire to hear from those who read this. How is a man's worth judged? And what is the church's role in this? As I look at the life of Paul and as I study his ministry, these questions surface. Let the responses commence...

I love this game

I love this game! When was Shaq on Japanese tv?

David Lynch and Sting

I just read this. What's even more interesting, is the fact that Sting played Feyd-Rautha in Lynch's 1984 sci-fi classic DUNE. By the way, this is one of my favorite movies of all time! Can you believe that Toto did the music for it!

Math

I had a math test this morning. Words can not describe how terrible I did. I can see if one did not study that my result would surface. But to spend two whole days studying...for nothing. I am convinced that their is something wrong with me; no one can be this stupid when it comes to math.

OMG!!!

This is freakin awesome!!!! AVP2

Celtic Music

Today I spent the whole working on some vicious math homework, laundry, and listening to Celtic music! I have quite the extensive collection of Celtic music. Everything ranging from Seven Nations to Altan, and of course who could forget the Chieftains.

Meeting with an Old Friend...

I had a meeting with God today. It was something that I have been putting off for a long time now, and today there would be no excuse. This is what He told me...

"...let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up..."

That's Galatians 6:9 for those who don't read your bible...

It's amazing how He can make you feel after a few weeks of discouragement.

Top Five Things Students Struggle with...

This is a question for all you youth workers out there: What are the top five "things" students struggle with on an everyday basis? Your answers could include thoughts from the middle schools, high school, or college world.

Sleep...

I'm having the worst muscle strain pain I have ever experienced in my entire life right now. I can't sleep because of it. It's now 3:33am...and the pain is not letting up.

MySpace

It seems that Myspace is in the air these days, as too the fact that I have had at least five parents ask me about it. Today was no different, but has put in me a interesting position.

One of my bible study leaders ask me about the legal age requirement for having a Myspace account, which happens to be 14. This bible study leader has a 13 year old son in 8th grade. As a result he's account has (will be) deleted. Tonight at a youth gathering he was upset with the information I tendered to his parents about Myspace, and was almost sobbing (tears were in his eyes) about this. He states that Myspace is the only vehicle of communication with his friends throughout the week. He asked me why I did what I did, and my only response was that I had to be honest and that he needed to respect his parents wisdom in the matter. He understood...but I still feel that he is harboring some resentment.

How would you have handled this situation?

I already tried to advertise Facebook with no luck, and MyPraise is a joke when compared to MySpace.

Small Group Training Video

I just found this...I lost five pounds laughing on the floor!!! Is that...Doug Fields?

Sandwich Review #2- Jamin' Bread

This is was all the rage when I told people that I needed a new sandwich shop to try. So, I decided to check it out on this wonderful Saturday morning.

Located in the Canyon Crest Town center, Jamin' Bread is the envy of such sought after locations. The town center offers shoppers a wonderful tranquil time as they venture from shop to shop, finally coming across Jamin' Bread conveniently located in the center.

As I walked inside the shop, I felt as though I walked into the apartment of Rachel, Monica, Phebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross. If the cast from Friends and Dharma & Greg ever started a sandwich shop, this would be it. The atmosphere was open and pleasant. The shop was filled with vintage kitchen appliances that still worked! The seating outside was also attractive, mainly due to the wonderful atmosphere of the Canyon Crest Town Center.

I ordered a tuna salad sandwich with a side of potato salad (go figure). The potato salad was amazing! With a fine-tuned mix of mustard and mayo that red potato's inherited the delicious flavors of the the mustard and mayo. I wanted to take some home with me; it was that good! The Tune sandwich typical and tasty, although it lacked (significantly) on the size and fillings. Tomato and lettuce were all that present. The bread was absolutely amazing! This maybe the only saving grace of the sandwich itself. Needless to say everything tasted fresh.

Overall, it's a great place to quietly read or hang with friends (no pun intended). Be sure to tip so you can achieve instant karma! (pun intended)

God is raiding your closet!

Great video...only thing is I KNOW people like the guy in the suit! Don't tell me flip-flops are insulting to Jesus. If God's more concern about the way we dress than the condition of our hearts, or even better, our relationship with Him, then I must be reading His holy word incorrectly. It's a proven fact that God is insulted by the fact that your shirt is wrinkled on Sunday (sarcastic comment #1)!

Okay Now I'm Pissed!

Can some one tell why people think that "ALL" unmarried 27 year old guys have the biggest pornography issues, and that they need to be involved in a accountability program that is proctored by "certain" people?

I'm 27 and do not have a pornography issue. Now, some of you might be saying "yeah right." But, with all conciseness, truly have been blessed in not being a victim of this sin. Now, this doesn't mean that I don't lust. I do. My eyes wonder to places they shouldn't, but never intentionally on the internet. Having gone to CBU, the girls there not pious in any sense...my eyes wandered.

So, I'm pissed...and now need to find a wife to appease people and their stereotypes.

Those Days

Ever have one of those days where you want to rip someones face off? I sitting in coffee depot and I feel hostile. Everyone in the shop is pissing me off. The guys that are talking to loud, crappy music, some chick sitting in my chair. Why did I even wake up today?

Firefox

I just made the switch to Firefox. So far I love it, however, the default fonts are something I'm not fond of.

Okay, this is great!

Thanks to the Schwandt brothers, I lost five pounds laughing on floor. This is great!

Sandwich Review #1

Today I tried out a new sandwich place right here in downtown Riverside called "The Upper Crust." Before I continue I must confess how much I love sandwiches. Like some people crave chocolate, I crave sandwiches. Okay, now for the review.

Atmosphere

Being located on Main Street in downtown Riverside is a huge plus. The quaint atmosphere was very inviting and friendly. The staff was extremely courteous and friendly. I sat outside (it was such a nice day) and basically relaxed.

Food

I ordered a tuna salad on wheat with a side order of potato salad and a medium ice tea. Okay, let's chat about the sandwich first. The tuna tasted fresh and the fixings (sprouts, cheese, mayo, mustard, etc.) were crisp and delightful. The bread was your typical wonder bread style and taste. Although the sandwich was nothing to write home about it was not a terrible sandwich. If forced to eat one again, it wouldn't be a sin. Now for the potato salad. I love potato salad and pretty much spoiled by liking the best potato salad out there. The potato salad at the Upper Crust was terrible. It had no taste, even after three packets of pepper and salt. I would go with another choice for a side (pasta, side-salad, etc.) The portions were conservative, but one didn't feel as though they needed to stop by In-&-Out to fill the gap. Overall the food was not bad, but (again) nothing to write home about.

Great Video

This is video is awesome, as well as the song. Yes, folks, those are vintage instruments that they are using. Early electronic stuff is awesome! Also, these guys are Christian.

Great Article!!!

Just received my new issue of Group Magazine. Inside they have a great article about "Full-Time ministry on a part-time schedule." READ IT!!!!!

embarrassing

I just coughed and let out a loud fart here in Coffee Roasters. People are now looking at me. How do you walk away from from something like this without being embarrassed?

Why?

Ever since I was young, math has been my thorn in my flesh. I don't get it. Even simple operations I have trouble remembering. Why is that? Why I am great at some things (sarcasm, history, literature) but when it comes to math, I absolutely stink at it. I want to do well in every aspect of my academic career, but this math deal is hanging me out to dry. Sometimes I wish I were Asian.

Short term memory loss

So, I'm sitting in a place called coffee roasters. I waited about 10 minutes to order my iced mocha. I paid and walked back to my table and continued on my work. After about 10 minutes, I heard no swishing from the machine, or ice being ripped from the cooler. Nothing. I look over and the guy is standing behind the counter reading a magazine. Now, explain to me how a person forgets an order that quickly? The place was not packed, except for a man working on his laptop in the back. How could he forget that easily? I find that to be something that a gerry would do, but a 20 something. Anyway, I walked up to ask about my order and right he asked me "what can I get started for you?" I told him that I already paid and was waiting for my drink. He then looked at me as if I were lying then realized about that iced mocha drink order lingering in the back of his mind. He made my drink and gave me a large for the delay. Funny.

Students and God

Last night in the midst of controlled chaos, I observed students during our worship experience. I was amazed on how different their responces were. Some sat quietly and whispered words to themselves, while others developed "on-the-spot" hand motions to each song. Regardless there was a responce. Whether some might view it as a negitive or a positive, students respond. They might think that they are trying to "be different" by not engaging, but they are responding. Students (espeically middle school students) never cease to amaze me. It's funny how they mirror the mysteries of life, just as God is sometimes mysterious.

How do your students repsond?

Why I'm in ministry

Last night I talked about gifts, faithfulness and serving God; you know the usual stuff. However, I tried my hand at on stage mathematics. Yeah, I tried to figure out the whole minas deal out of Luke 19:11-27. My figures were way off. What a humbling experience it is when a middle school student comes up to you at the end of the program to give you the correct figure, but thanks you for trying. That's why I'm in ministry (not to mention other things).

Do you even care...probably not.

This is cool...that's why I love Tehachapi, CA!!!

To stop global warming and create a good, sustainable future, we have to phase out fossil fuels and develop a clean, renewable energy infrastructure. Cape Wind is the first offshore wind farm proposed for the US, and it’s planned to be built off Cape Cod. 80% of Massachussets residents support it. Sure: the wind farm would provide about 80% of the Cape’s power and would help jumpstart the transition to clean energy that’s necessary for us to save the climate system and our planet. Here’s the problem: a few very wealthy people on Cape Cod seem more concerned about the view from their summer homes than the destruction of the natural world.

Take Action!

On a clear day, some of Cape Wind’s turbines would be visible from shore as half inch dots on the horizon. Ted Kennedy, whose family compound is near the proposed site, is putting his political clout into stopping the project. We want to make sure the first offshore wind farm in the US doesn’t get derailed because of the aesthetic objections of a priveledged few.

Save Cape Wind!

Let’s start building the sustainable energy infrastructure we need for the kind of future we all want!

Peace
ERIK

Please Grab The Code For This Bulletin
And Repost As Bulletin Or Blog

Why is it so hot here?

Bullies

School bullies is one of those school dynamics that really intrigue me. I was never a school bully and really was never really bullied. Maybe it was because I contracted out to the local gangbangers to correct the issue or maybe it was because I just was a nice guy. Either way, I find that bullies are ruthless and insecure, I think we would all agree with this.

What I want to know is what makes bullies tick. What motivates them? I am reminded of theives. A thief has no objections to robbing you blind, BUT, if you steal from a thief they recognize that it is morally wrong and are upset about. I see bullies in the same perspective. They have no problem stealing lunch money and beating up the weak. But, if they are bullied by another bully, they understand it to be wrong. How can one live with such double standards? How can one modify their perspecticve from one person to another. If you're going to be a jerk be a jerk to everyone.

Random thought...I know.

Creating Care Systems

So I have been thinking about this concept of care systems within student ministry. Last week Mike Lovato and I talked about this issue in the context of middle school ministry. The thoughts that I am mulling over is: what is a care system and what does it look like to a middle school student? Mike posed a great question "what would happen if God sent 60 kids to the Refinery tonight?" That question has been keeping me from sleeping for the last week. What does care look like with 60 students? Maybe a better question that I should be asking is "what does a caring adult look like?" Here are some basic thoughts (and I do mean basic):

1) Students needs consistent leaders

Within today's times, students live in world where everything is changing faster than you can change a song on an ipod. Often this rears its ugly face in ministry when leaders are unwilling to commit to love and care for students. Students see when we are there for them, and when we are there for our resume. In a world where the family dynamic of students is divorce, simply being present creates an environment that should love. This creates care.

2) Students need different leaders

I have an intern his name is Chris, and Chris is a rock star. He is an talented guitar player and seems to know what's going down in the music industry. He connects with students who often share the same hobbies and passions as he does. Having different types of leaders with different types of personalities helps create an environment that fosters care by having that "one leader" that some students connect well with. I thank God that we have Chris or a Phil, and a Danielle to help foster care to our students. All of our leaders have different personalities, that means they connect with students that I normally don't connect to and visa versa. To have a successful ministry (I think) we need to surround our students with caring adults that love students, but are willing to allow God to use others as well. It's okay if don't connect with everyone, just as long as you have someone on your team that can.

3) Care is more than just Sunday and Wednesday thing

Students like phones calls, postcards, and smiles when you see them at church. They love when yo remember prayer requests and their birthdays. They will remember those times when you took them to Starbucks or Castle Park for their birthdays. Students need leaders to care for them outside of the program schedule. I believe most of the impact that students receives is from the simplest forms of care; a smile, a hug, a high-five, showing up at their ballgames.

I ask you this: what does care look like for you, and how do keep that care system going? Let me know what your thoughts are...God be with you

Lessons from Captain Jack Aubrey

As I sat and did absolutely nothing yesterday (I am still without transportation), I decided to watch Maser and Commander that nautical movie starring Russell Crowe. I must confess that this is one of my all time favorite movies. Not so much as I love nautical movies, but mainly from the elements of leadership one can gleam from it. Here's a couple things I gained from watching and analyzing this movie:

1) People often need a leader and not a friend.

This statement can easily offend someone, and I agree with it but not in its entirety. The people who we lead need a leader sometimes more so than they need for us to be that friend. This is to say that the need to be relational is also extremely relevant. This can sometimes cause one to easily dissociate leading and friendship as two separate elements. For example, is it possible to let a person who is a friend get away with something that you wouldn't allow others to do? Would you pass off the disciplinary action to circumvent the friendship? Please do not mistake me here, people need a leader who care about them personally, but will communicate itself by leading.

2) Respect must be given.

How many times have we disrespected a person due to his or her position? I have done this many times. In Master and Commander there is a character that is not respected by the men he is given to govern. Why is that (see #1 for the answer)? This man was more concerned about being a friend and earning respect, when it should have been given regardless. That's where the men of the ship failed in their duty. "Failed him fellowship" is what was said. These men disregarded the position that was given to Hollom the midshipman. You see, it doesn't matter who we think should be in leadership, or whether we think we can do a better job. What matters is that God has placed certain people in the position of leader for various reasons. We can go our entire lives and really never understand why. Nevertheless, when the day is over, we must show respect to those who govern us.

3) A leader is required to make tough choices.

I have mentioned this concept before in previous blog entries. A leader is required to make decisions that proper for the mission at hand. This concept is well represented in the film where Captain Aubrey is forced to cut the lines that a fellow shipmate is holding on to, thus releasing this shipman to the sea. Not only is this a tough choice, but he had the brother of the man-over-board help cut the lines. In ministry we sometimes must make choices like this. One of my favorite things to say to people is "student ministry is never easy, and if it is; you're not doing something right."

4) Arguing for arguing sake.

Do you know someone what always has to have a better answer? Or disagrees with you just to disagree? In leadership and even in the film, the chain of command always regards the direction and orders of the captain as final. They discuss and strategize, but when the captain gives the order, they preform with excellence and without delay. I find it appropriate to often discuss about the direction of ministry and sometimes the motives. But, I would never argue another point just to secure a position that doesn't exist.

I find it fascinating that God places certain people in certain leadership positions. Ministry reminds me much of a ship. Everyone has there part to play, and in order to have a well ordered ship, everyone must know their place. There will come a time when promotions will happen just like in the film (hooray for Mr. Pullings!) and a time of conflict. However, we must never forget the ultimate captain we serve.