Christian Poetry

Poetry is something that is a very deep part of my soul. Those that are familiar with my story know why; in those dark days, it kept me alive.

I just came across some wonderful work that I simply have to share. If you love inspirational poetry, make haste to Sarah's Poems of Healing.

I "met" Sarah during a LifeChurch.tv service, and consider her a friend. Plus, she is a Blackberry user, which means she has impeccable tastes.... check her out on Twitter.

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WIB

So, we talked about what you need to do as a minority person trying to fit in a new age, predominantly white church. As promised, I will examine the other side.

Now, now... don't trick yourself into thinking that this scenario is impossible. What happens if you get called to speak at a black church? Or, even worse, you are asked to keynote a (gasp!) Black History Month symposium? (BHM is in February, BTW).

So, because I am the nice guy I claim to be, I have created a cheat sheet for those who need an empirical reference when faced with such scary situations.

1) The Entry/Welcome: Jeans? Please tell me you are kidding. If you don't have a suit, don't attend. Dress for church as you would a funeral. Think of the Boy Scouts motto.

2) Welcome pt II: When elderly Sister Johnson tells you to come give her sugar immediately "or else" you better go give her sugar. She will swat you. Hard

3) You see those paper fans that have MLK Jr's likeness on them? Leave them alone. They are for parents with kids. And Sister Johnson. See above.

4) Careful with the Amens. Don't be too loud. Don't be too soft. Definitely don't scream. A double Amen means no other Amens should follow. And please don't pump your fist in the air. That could be misconstrued if you were not at the Olympics in the 1960s. If in doubt, study a Kirk Franklin outro for examples of correct refrains (like "preach, preacher!").

5) Praise and worship: If the choir and congregation break into an old Negro Spiritual, I highly advise you not to join in. In fact, that would be a great time to use the bathroom. If restrained, just nod with understanding and shut up.

6) Yes, that is a Black Jesus. And? Let it go. Don't stare. Let sleeping dogs lie.

7) Remember what I said about no fist bumps? Same applies here. No daps, hood hugs or anything that you saw on BET or the WB.

8) Eat a HEAVY breakfast. There won't be donuts. Service will be LONG. You will be hungry.

9) Offering: The offering plate does not come to you; you get up and go to it. Nuff said. The seeker-friendly movement will arrive eventually.

10) You saw right... that was a modesty blanket, and yes, they are used on men as well.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Innovation3

Some real great conversation going on... check it out: INNOVATION3.

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Annie gets it. Do you?

One thing you can count in life is that things will always get a bit tough now and then. I was talking to a friend via Twitter, and this came to mind.

Life can become a drunk prize fighter... swinging like crazy, never conceding defeat and determined to keep you down... and then pounding on you anyway. And unfortunately, in the game of living, the timeouts can be few and far between.

Everybody gets down. As a soccer coach and youth worker, I always know to keep the highs within perspective, because the pendulum does swing at times, and the very people who sang your praises the day before can be calling for your head today. It may sound pessimistic, but people will be human, and I try to understand that. It does help remove any temptations to not be me.

It's that aspect of human frailty that makes what church staff do so critical. Knowing that the cards are sometimes stacked against us makes the inevitable wins all the more sweeter. And, as my mother-in-law says when confronted by injustice, look what they did to Jesus...

Yep, ministry does seem thankless at times.

There is nothing that uplifts more than faith. The inevitability of light at the end of the tunnel is such a great promise. So, no matter what happens, keep ya head up, and remember that even Orphan Annie figured it out.

Put your bottom dollar up. Tomorrow, there will be sun!

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RE: 100-0 scoreline a travesty?

Another quick blurb on the story I linked discussing the 100-0 basketball result. Apparently, the coach of the "winning" team is not too apologetic.

Interesting.

ETA: I heard in the last few minutes that this coach was just fired (via ESPN).

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100-0 scoreline a travesty?

This is interesting.

While checking into news and such, I ran across this article about a school that ran up the score to the century mark against a smaller rival. Yes... 100-0.

I won't cast rocks, as I think the school administration has attempted to rectify the situation in an honorable fashion.

I am not a fan of running up the score; I feel it does nothing for either side. Still, you gotta love the spirit of the opposing coach and his players. They did not quit.

A few different concepts here... graciousness (or what can be perceived as the lack thereof), restoration that followed an admission of wrongdoing, honor, etc. All in all, I think both schools should be lauded. It was an ugly situation, but I think all parties will be better for it in the long run.

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Youth ministry jobs

It's not what you know, but how you go about finding the answers...

Most people in youth ministry know that Youth Specialties is an invaluable resource. Why? Because the contributors continually spit out relevant and timely articles, like this one that gives advice on how to get a youth ministry job even in tough times.

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True political duty

Are you praying for our new president?

You should be.

Now, I think the American church can settle into doing what I humbly perceive to be its duty: to minister to our country, remembering that its Model could have toppled and formally influenced world governments, but chose not to.

One thing we can do, in abundance, is pray. And be grateful for the blessings we continually receive.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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SplashMoney: Mobile Financial Management Software.

This application is one of my rant 'n' rave items.

SplashMoney is yet another component of SplashWallet from SplashData, and is aimed at being a mobile financial manager. And boy, does it deliver...

Just like its sister app SplashID, it comes in a dual package: a handheld utility and a syncable desktop companion. Both are full-fledged and combine to give the user the ability to manage financial matters on the go.

To start, SplashMoney serves as a secure, password-protected repository of your sensitive data. Each account you have can be entered by type and account number. In this sense, it is the complete financial ledger; you can input financial transactions as they occur. Instead of carrying a check register, you can do it electronically on your smartphone, as this is a complete Register.
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Now, what really sets SplashMoney apart is its online capabilities. SplashMoney, on both the desktop and the handheld (with online access), has the ability to go online and retrieve complete banking information from some major banks. This is a very useful feature for a few reasons. If you bank with an institution on the list, you can set up the account automatically over-the air if you know your weblogin information. Also, with the view transactions feature, you can balance every transaction from these banks, and check them against entries you made yourself. To expand a bit, I seamlessly converted all my banking information to the electonic sheet, and I was good to go in minutes.

When I say complete, I do mean complete. The Budget feature allows you to create and maintain your budget within the device. The budget utility is integrated with the transactions, so you can easily keep track of your overall financial picture. The Reports feature allows you to summarize all the info in easy-to-understand textual information or pie charts (I really loved this). These reports and color-coordinated pie-charts can be printed.

Syncing the handheld with the desktop is independent of the Blackberry Desktop Manager.

I'd love to see the list of online banks increase, even though the list does arguably include every major bank there is. The ability to share databases in a seamless manner between, say, a couple would be a nice enhancement.

All in all, despite my experience with this software on another platform, I was just as impressed. I am an unabashed fan. The features can be expanded beyond just personal finance; I used it to create a mock ministry budget that I could have with me at all times.

SplashMoney is available on every major mobile platform (and for Windows ) at the SplashWallet site. Of course, there is a 30-day trial and a 60-day money back guarantee.

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BOLT: new browser for Java devices

Quick blurb about Bolt, a new browser for Java-enabled smartphones. I didn't expect to be impressed, but I am.

I picked up a closed beta invite, downloaded was up and running fairly quickly. With wi-fi, I felt the browsing experience was relatively fast. I was able to hit the church website, and play around with some other data-intensive sites.

It took me a short time to get used to the layout and click entry, but Bolt provided me with the best handheld browsing experience I have ever had.

Hats off... It deserve the kudos that can only be given in a post created in it.

Stay blessed!

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Through your eyes

The other day, my wife told me about a funny story involving my son. She was eating some treats, and was blissfully enjoying them. My son, being the bothersome chip of the old block that he usually is, quickly honed in along with his older sister and demanded to know what all the goodness was about. My daughter started the conversation

"What's that, mommy?"

"A little piece of heaven," my wife replied.

"I want some" said the boy. My wife gave him some.

A look of pure joy spread across his face. "Mmmm... heaven" he declared.

In that second, in that moment in time, my son equated Cashew Lover's Poppycock with heaven, and knowing my son and his love for goodies, I know his salvation is secure if he believes heaven is filled with such sweets.

Looking at the bigger picture, how do we, as the church, present ourselves to the world? Are we an adequate representation of the love of God? Do people interact with us say "Mmmm... Jesus" when we leave? Shouldn't they?

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SplashID: password security review.

SplashID part of the SplashWallet suite from SplashData serves as a secure database for all of your sensitive information, accessible from the palm of your hand.

SplashID is packaged as two separate but complementary components: the handheld utility, and the desktop application, which resides on the computer or laptop. The integration with BlackBerry Desktop Manager makes it possible to transfer information between both components when the device syncs.

A simple illustration shows why the concept of having a mobile electronic database can be important. I literally have dozens of passwords that I use on a daily basis. Add in banking information, child safety codes, utility accounts, web forums, networking and blogging utilities, email accounts, alarm codes, license numbers, insurance card information, social security numbers... well, you get the point. The fact is that I am not odd, and paper notes don't work. Having an application like this one's PDA is almost imperative.This is why SplashID can be so welcome.

On the device, item entry is easy. Initial start up yields samples of numerous types of data. Setup was a breeze, and the initial sync went without a hitch. I tested the sync process with entries on my computer, and entries on my BlackBerry, and the dual pieces handled my tests well. It is pertinent to note that the handheld portion has 256-bit encryption to secure the data; any ten consecutive attempts to "hack" the password causes the program to lock-up.

With so many ubiquitous things in life that require passwords, there is the temptation to simplify things by using one password (or slight variations thereof) to secure sensitive information. Sadly, that is a hacker or ID thief's dream. In fact, data security experts encourage people to change their passwords frequently; some banking websites actually auto-prompt for password changes after set time intervals.

SplashID has a unique password generator that allows you to create unique passkeys on the fly. So, as you are creating that new entry for, say, an online discussion forum, you can create a unique password for it on the spot. You can even customize it based on length, inclusion of non-alphanumeric characters, and even pronounceability.

The desktop database can be printed, exported, and backed up to your desktop. Of course, the backed up database can be password-protected.The application lives and breathes security as well. It can be programmed to lock after a set period (in minutes) of inactivity. Any ten unsuccesful attempts to login or hack the master password causes the system to lock too.

Do you like customizations like I do? No problem. You can choose cell colors and even font size. The interface was surprisingly user friendly.

All in all, it was easy to remember why I loved this program on my Palm, and why it should be essential on your handheld. The interoperability of the desktop and handheld units is a great idea; it allows for two methods of data entry. The auto-fill feature helps thwart keylogging.

Having a secure database that can store even birthdays is priceless, and I highly recommend this to anyone who has more than one password to remember. The developers offer a 30-day trial period, and also a 60-day money back guarantee on purchases. They have ports for every major platform (including iPhone/iPod Touch, Nokia/Symbian and Android). Users might also be interested in checking out the entire SplashWallet suite which provides solutions for photos, lists, and financial management (more reviews forthcoming).

On Blackberry, it is rated to work with most 7xxx and 8xxx series handhelds.

Software was tested on unlocked Blackberry 8320 running OS 4.5 and HP Laptop running Windows Vista.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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What are they doing at Granger?

While prowling through the Alltop Church page, a post on Tim Stevens blog caught my eye. They tried out some new technology and had a text-fueled Q&A session with the pastor at Granger Community Church.

As I have posted before, I like seeing ideas like this put into effect. As noted in the comments, it is easy to see that this format, while unconventional, may be actually a bit closer to what our Model did on earth.

I do not have a problem with the leadership at that church temporarily shelving the traditional format. Now, they gave the congregation a chance to ask, and I believe this is crucial in today's ministry.

Head on over to Tim's site to see the specifics. The process was well thought out, and there are plenty of ideas to borrow.

Again, yet another example of innovative ways to minister to folks. Hats off to the folks at GCC.

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Black in White

Believe it or not, I truly try to avoid being irreverent. Some topics are harder than others, so, in advance, I make my apologies.

I have been working on an in-depth article that discusses diversity in the church, with specific attention given to church leadership. Basically, I am wondering aloud: is diversity a problem? What do we do about it? Should we approach diversity like the NFL currently does? Should concern for diversity trump other concerns like compatibility? Or, should the church (and it's leadership) strive to reflect demographics no matter what?

Not as easy as it would appear at first blush.

In any case, I found out that I am far from an anomaly when it comes to being a minority person that goes to a predominantly white church. I have decided, out of the goodness of my heart, to post a primer on how to deal with the phenomenon. As a black guy, how do you act in a white church? How should you dress? How do you dance to the praise music?

Here is an opportunity to revel in the stereotypes...

Please heed my advice; I only do this for the collective good.

1) The entry/welcome: The way you act is key here. Most likely, the welcome and smiles will be effusive and continual. You will even get hugged. Enjoy in it, smile, shake hands. But don't smile too hard, and resist the urge to do "urban" handshakes and give daps. Do NOT do a fist bump. The most recent elections show this is far from mainstream, and it is easily misconstrued. The last thing you want is to be thrown out for making obscene gestures.

2) Praise and Worship (pt 1): You need to understand one thing. Nobody, not even Christians, like a show-off. Well, unless the person is really filled with the Spirit. Anyway, your job is to be accepted. This won't happen if you show people up by dancing or clapping to the beat. What are you trying to accomplish? It will be drowned out anyway. In fact, scratch the dancing. That too, can be misconstrued. Just raise your hands to the sky and sway ever so gently. Bingo! There is nothing less-threatening than that. Hum quietly to seal the victory.

3) Sermon/Message: Please, please, please... if you ignore everything else, do not ignore this! This is not the time to yell "Amen" or shout "Hallelujah" at random moments of abandon. Slight exception: if everyone is wearing suits and/or there is a banner that says PENTECOSTAL at the front of the church. If they are there, then yes, treat it as a black church (the caps are meaningful; if the banner writing is not in all-caps, it is best to play it safe). You might want to just sit and shut up for the first visit. Just observe. Next service will give you an opportunity to let loose (if allowed).

4) Offering (pt 1): No, there most likely will not be an opportunity to grab the "$1000 offering staff" and run around the congregation in "celebration" on that first day. In fact, in the off chance that there is, don't grab it. Nothing is scarier than a black man running around with a stick. Adjust your offering accordingly.

5) Offering (pt 2): It is not a typo... the offering envelope does not have 30 categories. No, they did not give you a stunted envelope because you're different. Do NOT create your own boxes on the envelope!

6) There is no law saying the pastor cannot have frosted blonde hair, a t-shirt and beach shorts or tatoos down both arms. You are not allowed to make a comment on the comment sheet saying that the pastor's flip-flops did not match his iPhone case. It is poor taste to stare. In the same vein, you can wear sneakers to church. However, do not come to the next service with frosted hair. There is no nice way to say this: you'll look crazy. And you'll destroy whatever goodwill you created the week before.

7) No one pulled the fire alarm. It is not break time. Service is indeed over. While I know that anything less than six hours may not feel like service do you, you need to get used to gettin' in and out. Seriously. 10 AM means 10 AM; no need to skim time with orchestrated late arrivals.

8) Exit: See number one. You also should be able to hold an intelligent conversation in the lobby area. Find a sport with absolutely no minority participation, like curling.

9) First visits under special circumstances: If you visit in February, don't get miffed because you don't see pictures of MLK or specially created faux statues of Adam and Eve with ebony skin and dried fig leaves. In December, don't get frustrated because the nativity scene is not ethnically correct. You cannot base your perception on people's salvation on their relative awareness of Black History Month. Since we're here, I might as well point out that it is never a good idea to wear a shirt emblazoned with X. You wanna blend in, don't you?

10) If you do visit during BHM and a video clip that inadvertently highlights a fact that you've known since infancy is shown, act just as surprised as the general congregation.

Coming up soon: White in Black.

Image courtesy of Dan Weingarten via ReelWorship.

Disclaimer: this entire article was written with tongue firmly placed in cheek.

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Patti G: Ministry resource.

Usually, I refuse to deal with people that are clearly smarter than me. In this case of Twitter pal Patti Gibbons, I grudgingly make an exception.

I could go and on about what she does, but I view her as a true resource. That simple, and yet, so complex. Be it YMX, networking, or writing, she leaves such a footprint that one cannot ignore. Yeah, she somehow finds blessings in snowstorms and makes you feel that somehow, an angel escaped heaven, but trust me... she is awesome!

Check out her blog... there is a reason it is a stable of mine.

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Sow the seeds you have!

So, the other day my kid brother PIN messaged me. He asked me about the etymology for a particular nation.

So, I pulled out my BlackBerry, clicked on my Wikipedia application, and looked up the info, which I pinned back to him.

Later, he asked how I got the info so fast.

"With the same device you have, doofus" I yelled.

Yep. He owns a BlackBerry, with the same capabilities that I had on mine. He could have found his answer in about the same time it took for him to PIN me.

He simply did not know how.

My boy Antoine over at MMM is one of those that insists that people (specifically ministers) use the technology they have. I concur. Use it. Revel in it. Make change happen with it.

Based on this kernel of advice, I literally prayed about my device. It had to truly help me be productive. It had to be leveraged as close to 100% as possible.

What do I do? Let's see:

Calls and Email

Social networking (Twitter, FB, IM etc).

Travel (TeleNav plus BT puck)

Bible and devotions

Web access

Financial management (Yodlee and SplashMoney).

Bill pay.

Database management (HanDBase)

MS documents and spreadsheets (Docs2Go)

Web integrated calendar and tasks

Movies

Music/Photos

Security and safety (SplashID)

News and scores.

Mobile Blogging (such as now)

Games!

I am sure a lot of device owners do not know how their devices could help them personally or professionally. Break the cycle!


Sent via my BlackBerry.

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...83 Things...

So, I am always on the lookout for some interesting and insightful literature, and I am quite sure this will fit the bill.

It is a book from fellow Alltopper Milan Ford, who has a book coming out soon: 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing.

The author also has a FaceBook page for the book; feel free to join.

Looking at Milan's page, I am sure we are long lost twins. Here's a prayer for his success.

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Quickie: Slacker Radio for BB.

This one is aimed at BB owners.

Just downloaded a free application: Slacker Personal Radio for BlackBerry.

Yep... this thing is awesome so far. I am quite impressed.

Slacker gives you the ability to cache radio stations on your storage cards. So, you can literally search for music, and save these to sync to your storage card later.

Playback is smooth. I am still playing around with it, but I have to admit I am quite enamored.

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Courage

My personal testimony usually shocks people. To me, it is just a story. Others let me know they feel touched.

Now, my pastor Derek Turner really knows what it is to lose everything. He lost his wife and unborn child to a drunk driver. Any loss is devastating; under such senseless circumstances, I have no doubt that God alone gave him the means to go on.

Derek had since seen his life restored. Blessed afresh with a wife (Sarah) and two kids, he knew about God's faithfulness. Not in the cookie-cutter, bland my-momma-always-said-that kind of way; I mean really knew it. Like Job did.

Especially in 2009.

On New Year's Day, Sarah was taking their older daughter and her friend to the movies, and Derek received a call that forced him to revisit the horror all over again.

A drunk driver struck the vehicle his wife, child and family friend were driving in. There was a fire. Both cars were totaled. The drunk driver ended up being critically injured.

His family walked away. Sore, scared... but safe. So much so that they were able to pray together at the scene.

I can never understand Derek's strength, but I know its Source. I am so thankful that we are able to share this new chapter of testimony.

What a great God we serve...

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Internet bullies.

Welcome to the internet age, self.

Yesterday, as further proof of my burgeoning status on the web (look, just humor me, okay?), I ran into my first internet bully. I had no idea that the person would be close to me.

You see, I am married to her.

My wife, for reasons unknown to me, decided that I was long overdue for a haircut. Now in all honesty, she did have a point. I was beginning to look like a blaxploitation era villain, or, more charitably, an exotic UFC athlete.

In any case, I am not one to be cowed. Being the first of several siblings, I am the consummate alpha male. Nobody tells me what to do. I wear the pants around here. Besides, I was convinced that I looked good. Still.

So, I resisted. I admit, not in an alpha male kinda way. And then, she took it there.

She threatened to blog about me.

Are you kidding me? This is what the internet is doing to our marriage? A God-fearing, quiet man such as myself is now held to ransom by the web-whims of his unspeakably mean wife?

The bottom line is that I am supposed to love my wife the same way Christ loved the church. And that is the primary reason why I was up early and I spent the day twittering and reading airline magazines at the barbershop.

I dare any of you guys to cast the first stone!

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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5 smartphone apps that can enhance your ministry

I first became aware of the potential of mobile technology in ministry years ago as a budget-strapped youth pastor who craved the ability to harness simple technology to enhance my work.

Looking back, it's funny how things have changed in such a short time. Back then, the paperless pulpit was barely out of the concept stage. Now, pastors oand leaders are living it.

So, for people looking to truly use their PDAs as MDAs, here is a list of software apps that can make the job easier.

Bible software: Duh! There are a couple of options here. If you have web access and/or a data plan on your phone, the options increase substantially.

Laridian (along with Beiks) provides Bibles to Windows, iPhone, and BB users. Olive Tree does as well, and tosses in a free reader program as well. Got a Palm and/or Treo? Well, you have an additional option: Bible+. Each of these programs gives you the ability to have your bible on your device. Some even give you the option of saving books and related devotional material to an expansion card. E-sword is yet another option for limited platforms.

With web access, you can use YouVersion or the Bible.com, amongst others. Both are free; YouVersion has dedicated ports for BlackBerry and iPhone.

Point is, there are numerous options for the smartphone man or woman.

HanDBase: One of my favorites... database management at its best. Once you use this award-winning offering from DDH Software, you'll wonder how you got along without it. Has an optional (but indispensable, IMHO) desktop companion. Bonus: DDH's founder, David Haupert, is a christian artist. Available for WinMo, Palm, Symbian, iPhone/Touch and BB.

Remember The Milk: GTD, here we come. RTM is a great task manager. It is primarily web based, and it has an iPhone port. It also has optional sync abilities with WinMo and BlackBerry. For BB users, check out the free port beta BBRTM.

RTM integrates with Google Calendar and Twitter.

Documents To Go: Docs2Go is a household name amongst palm enthusiasts, and is becoming one for BlackBerry users as well. For good reason, too. Having the ability to access, edit and create MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents is priceless. Dataviz has this for BlackBerry, Palm, Symbian, and soon for iPhone/iTouch and even Android.

Google Mobile: Wow. Gmail, Google Sync, Maps, Mobile Blogger, Search, Docs, etc. And available for EVERY major phone platform, including Nokia and of course, Android.

Great resources for the mobile ministry professional.

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Church: Get Mobile in 2009

Yet again, I'll rip another great idea and pass it off as my own. And since I try and do this with geniuses, it is only natural that this one comes from Twitter buddy Bobby Gruenewald, Pastor and Innovation leader at Lifechurch.tv.

Of course, I am biased; I completely concur with the assessment based on my belief that mobile technology is such an open field for the church. I think that we have respectfully observed the medium for long enough. Time to snatch it up!!!

The great thing with Swerve posts is that the comments that follow are almost always just as as introspective, so every second spent there is generally very well spent.

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The Green Bible Controversy

Read about this earlier... apparently, a Bible created with recycled materials has some groups unhappy.

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Weird, strange people.

Just when you feel the cup of cynicism about to runneth over, you get slapped (refreshingly) in the face.

YMX Forum buddy Paul posted a link to this awesome story by ESPN the Magazine's Rick Reilly.

This was a very moving story; as a sports coach, it is always humbling to see parents who know what sports should really be about, and a coach and institution that has the integrity to create that environment.

Sometimes, it feels like we live in a world of absolutes. Mistakes change lives forever. Nothing is sweeter than seeing the same type of grace freely bestowed on us bestowed on others. And in this high school football matchup between Gainesville State School and Grapevine Faith Christian School, the participants showed that respect transcends end zones and sidelines.

It could quite easily have gone the other way. Why, these were criminals, right? Societal failures. Booster clubs and school administrators have had coronaries for much less.

But the folks at Grapevine Faith looked deeper. They looked at a team that consisted of boys who, despite being winless, had the courage and honor to suit up and play. They saw a bunch of boys that were probably not too different than their own.

They saw a team that was not blessed with an abundance, and gave.

Why? Why did GF's parents cheer the other team every down (by name)? Why did they give these boys bibles and food? Why did they decide to treat these boys with so much decency?

Simple. It was a symbolic statement to each player: "you are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Wow.

So, this atypical coach emailed his atypical parents, and the parents had the class to do the atypical thing. And, God was glorified.

You see... it ain't about the food. It was not about the bibles. It wasn't about the banner they made for the other team to burst through, or the 40-yd spirit line made for the opposing team.

It was about showing love. Showing regard and affection, even when some people may think you have good cause not too... when it goes against the grain.

Sounds familiar, right?

This is a huge shoutout to both coaches. I tip my hat to Mark Williams. That guy has to have a lot of heart for his 14 players to be able to get so much for him and still have enough to pump blood through his body. Kris Hogan is just as much a hero. Christian attitudes in christian schools are far from a given, and it warms the heart to see it overlowing at that school.

Huge salute to the GF parents.

My biggest round of applause goes to the kids... forgive me... young MEN. On both teams. It takes love to give, and an equal amount of graciousness to receive.

I pray that everyone I come in contact with can say what Isaiah said: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

Amen.

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A year in 40 seconds...

Video owner attributed within video. As seen on Youtube.

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2009...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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Starting youth ministry from scratch

Nice article by Brandon Collins at the MinistryLive site about starting a youth ministry from the ground up.

Great primer for vets and rookies.

I am a big fan of MinistryLive... great articles, ebooks and reviews.

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Alltop

Yay!

I got added to Alltop recently. And I finally understand why the boys who score touchdowns laughingly scoff at the commentators who tell them to "act like they've been there" when they score touchdowns.

Yep, I am stoked!

Alltop, in its own words, is an "online magazine rack" that yanks and aggregates news and opinion pieces from the web's top online publications and blogs. It promises to bridge the gap when it comes to one's social media needs.

The Church section (where I am listed) boasts of some of the brightest minds in contemporary ministry, folks that I have a lot of respect for. It is a huge honor to be listed with people who do so much for the Kingdom, and from whom I can only continue to learn from.

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Chastity promises: a waste of time?

Here's an interesting article that popped up on my newsfeed this morning.

While the analysis is not new, you pretty much figured that it would pop up in the news again with the recent announcement by Miley Cyrus that she had joined tween pop sensations the Jonas Brothers on no-sex island.

Now, before I go on, I'll admit to being a bit cynical about celebrity promises of this nature. Check out this cynical MSNBC article by Tony Sclafani to understand why. Sclafani goes so far as to theorize that it tends to be deft career move.

Sclafani does make a valid point. By talking about not having sex, aren't we really talking about sex? In other words, when American Idol winner Jordin Sparks or Julianne Hough of Dancing With the Stars talk about waiting till they're wed, aren't they really just upping the sex ante?

And, is that really wrong?

The problem with the celebrity chastity thing are the predecessors. Britney had one, if I recall correctly. Mariah Carey is said to have stated she waited for "complete intimacy" with current husband Nick Cannon (I didn't ask, and neither should you). Therefore, when you toss in the stats that make most chastity adherents look like stupid kooks, it is clear why most people take the whole movement as a comical waste of time.

So, should these pledges mean anything to us? I say "maybe." I cannot find anything ethically wrong about such a statement, and I feel as long as they are made with complete sincerity, we should be able to find something useful to get from it -- and the sincerity aspect is probably not for me to decide. We also need to fight the urge to start betting pools on soon they will fail.

*Sigh* I broke a few promises myself with this post... I promised to never, ever blog about Miley Cyrus.

Oh well...

Photo courtesy of Greg Crusco via ReelWorship.

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BibleReader 4.0 for BlackBerry review.

Olive Tree brings name recognition and a reputation for reliability to the game. One of the things I first looked for when I initially considered the jump from Palm to BlackBerry was the presence of Bible programs.

The fact that Olive Tree had a BlackBerry port helped make the decision easy.

Olive Tree BibleReader for BlackBerry Version 4.0 is an impressive Bible study program that provides access to an entire suite of inspirational resources.

What makes this software compelling is the ability to store bible translations and related material on the user's expansion card. This removes the natural fear BB users have when it comes to device memory. Now, with this software, the only restriction on how much resources one can carry is based on device OS and memory card size.

Genius.

I am finicky... and OTBR accommodated me. Option-wise, I had numerous options: the ability to adjust font size, font color, background colors and more. The search function was snappy; I found it to be very responsive, even to multiple words.

Of particular interest to potential users will be the Bookmarking feature. It does just that: it keeps the selected verse in memory. This is great for when you are at service or such and have a list of scriptural references, you can save them in the program before-hand. I found it very useful.

Olive Tree has a library of dozens of bible translations and related reference resources that can be stored on card. Of these, a few are free (like ASV and BBE); the rest are for sale at the Olive Tree site. The reader itself is free.

My biggest issue with OTBR is admittedly somewhat unfair; it is based on the fact that I was such a huge fan of the features on the Palm port. To be specific, I was dismayed with the inability o add notes directly into the program while studying the bible. As said earlier, I loved this feature on my Palm. At the risk of sounding overly whimsical, I missed the ability to "split" screens with different versions. Again, that feature enhanced bible study a great deal

Simply put, this is an excellent program. It is well-made, feature-rich and has the potential to be a valuable tool in the lives of the familiars and the curious. If anything, try out the free translations. Support is quick, updates are frequently put out, and the developer clearly aims to please.

This software is rated for devices running OS 4.2 and up.

It is also available for Palm, iPhone, Symbian, and Windows Mobile.

This software was tested (and its review written) on an 8320 running OS 4.5 on T-Mobile.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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BlackBerry Game Review: Platypus

I had an opportunity to take Astraware's latest offering for BlackBerry, Platypus for a test drive, and it turned out to be a great voyage indeed.

For Palm enthusiasts, Astraware is a well-known commodity. They produce and/or distribute some of the most popular games titles on the Palm and WinMo platforms (their parent company, Handmark, should give you an idea of their pedigree). So, when presented with an opportunity to survey their first BlackBerry offering, I jumped at it.

Platypus is an aerial shoot-em-upper that pits continual offense against strategic defense, and is based on the PC and Macintosh favorite of the same name.

Like Right Said Fred and his hopelessly inadequate shirt, Platypus is too sexy for earth. Instead, it takes place on peaceful Mungola, where your mission is to defend your planet against marauding Collosotropolans that appear in many incarnations. You move around -- guns blazing -- dodging both swerving and bouncing alien aircraft, rumbling ground vehicles and dangerous terrain.

Of course, no arcade-style shooter is complete without point bonuses that drop from exploding enemies, or weapon upgrades and power-ups that emanate from stars that the player has to collide with to redeem. Platypus brings all elements of arcade play to your BlackBerry device, and the four different worlds provide hours of game play.

The developers did an excellent job of using color to bring this adventure to life. The vivid representation almost literally allows one to lose themselves in the environment. The color differentiation between sky-to-sky and sky-to-ground were very, very well done. Hardware-wise, I found the game responsive to the Blackberry controls.

As far as ports go, this was pretty faithful to the original. Fans of the PC/Mac versions will be pleasantly surprised by graphics. Even the claymation is reproduced with an eye for detail.

My biggest complaint at this point is general in nature: why isn't Astraware spitting out more games? Why? I still have a Palm device chock-full of their stuff. More, please!!!

Pick up Platypus from the Astraware site, or check it out at the Handmark location. It is rated to play on all 81xx, 83xx, 88xx devices as well as the Bold. The game is available at a special price to all Club Astraware Members through December!

This game was tested (and review written) on a BlackBerry 8320 running OS 4.5 on T-Mobile.

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Peace on Earth

As we mark His birth, may we be appreciative of who He died for.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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Grace and accountability.

Interesting philosophical discussion about grace over on the Todd Rhoades site... well worth the read.

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The delicate art of finger-pointing

I abhor stupidity.

There really is nothing complex about it. I have a natural talent for rooting out stupidity and tomfoolery.

I am particularly adept at finding it in others. Yep... siblings, acquaintances, friends, talk-show hosts, newscasters, referees, contestants on reality TV, the general public... my foolishness meter knows no bounds.

I realized recently that my long-suppressed urge to pelt people who had fallen short of my standards of intelligence was beginning to overcome my outward facade of patience. In other words, my judgmental side was taking control.

I first noticed this losing battle the other day, when I was able to pick holes with Mother Teresa.

See, the thing is, folks do some really crazy stuff. Am I really so bad for assuming my purpose on earth is to let them know that their idiotic decisions have been noticed? I have the best intentions. It's not a fun job, but somebody has to do it.

The last election allowed me to perfect my fault-finding. On both sides of the aisle, in both camps, some of the talk was so anti-logical that I began to view some pairs of opposing pundits as twins separated at birth. How else can you explain two equally nonsensical yet divergent viewpoints?

By the time the actual election rolled by, it was easy pickings.

Any chance I had at going another route was thwarted by other interests. Take soccer, for instance. What is a reasonable guy like me to do when some joker blows the game on an obvious no-call? You see, this type of situation is made for me. I admit, I have had a non-productive conversation or two with refs before, but trust me: it was for their own good. Besides, my kid brother is a ref. Now if that is not an indictment on the entire profession, I don't know what is.

Nothing hones ones skills at pointing the finger like the microscopic study of imperfections known as "marriage." I found my true calling: I was definitely born to be fault compass for my wife. I could do it in my sleep. I could do it in her sleep. Any guilt I had was superseded by the need to be in God's will and show her what her numerous faults were.

And don't give me that nonsense of "when you point one finger at another, four point back at you." My mother made the mistake of telling us that when we were younger, and we actually studied it. In depth. Actually, it is possible to curl your fingers just right and ensure no fingers point back to you (seriously... try it). In any case, to be on the safe side, we developed a unique way to make sure we never made an error and "four-pointed" ourselves: we learned how to point with all fingers extended, palm down. Call us ridiculous, but it worked, and we pointed -- and continue to point -- away joyfully, to the everlasting chagrin of our mother.

I know all about specks and logs, and I firmly believed that specks were far easier -- and more fun -- to remove.

As I have gotten older (and hopefully closer to Him), I have become progressively aware that there is an ever-present hole in the fabric of my lifelong pursuit, and that is the realization that to score convincingly in the blame game, there is a need for perfection on my part. Sadly, I have not yet been able to figure out how to get that accomplished.

I believe that is a lesson God will have me/us learn. I personally have discovered that if I apply a fraction of the monumental angst I reserve for the social injustice I perceive to actually working to fix the problem, I could be a world-changer. Or, that the energy I assign to identifying deficiencies in others is better used to pray about my own. And that if I actually admitted to myself that I am the one who made out like a bandit on out marriage covenant, and worked to treat my wife like the Ruby she is, I'd be the type of husband she deserves ALL the time.

It is taking some getting used, pointing flat-palmed into the mirror, but it has been well worth it. Try it... trust me, it does work. I am an expert at this!

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Uno = Family Strife

I recently had another opportunity to try out Concrete Software's reincarnation of the board classic Uno.

In order to shake things up for my latest game review, I decided to change devices and loaded the software on my wife's Pearl.

You see, my wife just stepped into the smartphone world. She is NOT a big fan of smartphone gaming; since she rarely uses her phones on weekends, I figured that I would have plenty of time to run the game through the paces.

Uno for BlackBerry does a good job of bringing the original game to life on your BB handheld. The background is vivid, and the developers did a great job of making color just as much of an element in this electronic version as it is in real life.

Game play was smooth. Selections were easy, and one can play by the "classic" rules, or institute a combination of "house" rules. One can play against the on-board CPU or against friends using the same device.

Anyway, my wife had to make a quick call, and came to "borrow" her own phone while I was playing. An hour later, she was engrossed in this game. Within two hours, she was hollering and arguing with the other "players" on her Pearl, and when I finally went to bed, she was vocally daring them to "three-card" her and shouting "UNO!"

That, in my humble estimation, is the strong point of this game: the ability to make a smartphone "non-gamer" get addicted.

So, enjoy this game, or your significant other will.

You can try out this game here, or pick it up for purchase at Handango.

Compatible with: BlackBerry 71xx, 77xx, 81xx Pearl, 82xx Pearl Flip, 83xx Curve, 87xx, 88xx, and 9000 Bold handhelds.

Reviewed on: BlackBerry Pearl 8100 on T-Mobile running 4.2.

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The Chameleon Church

While performing my periodic drive-by today, I came across this thought-provoking guest article by Scott Rodgers.

Has the church gone too far, or has it not gone far enough in reaching EVERYBODY?

Very, very interesting question. You do not have to be a social theologian to notice the change in focus from just a generation ago. The new crop of emerging (pun intended) church leaders have made a pointed effort in bridging the gap, perceived or not, that existed between the church and mainstream... well... people.

The philosophical argument of the church's role in society has always been a hut-button topic. Head on over to hear some real-life commentary.

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Using YouVersion to bridge gaps.

Understatement of the year: I love YouVersion.

As a free mobile Bible port, its introduction is, in my humble opinion, one of the most significant occurrences in mobile ministry.

It has given smartphone users a common bond, and the possibilities are endless.

Recently, I have been thinking of an unobstrusive type of ministry that provides fellowship and counseling type of opportunities in the local (Charlotte, NC) area. To this end, I have been using YouVersion as a personal devotion tool for my wife and I.

The tools were all there: we downloaded YouVersion for BlackBerry to each of our devices. Also, I signed up to be a member of YouVersion.com, which gave us access to notes written by other users, and to add our devotion and expository notes.

In practice, it was easy; either one of us could go online and add notes for a future remote devotion. Now, we had to have phone/EDGE access (and/or Wi-Fi in the case of my 8320) to access the Bible translations, but we never had a problem.

So, as you can guess, it was a nice experiment. We were able to do in-depth devotions during lunch hours, out-of-town trips, or anytime it caught our fancy. The email-a-verse utility allowed for opportunities of random encouragement.

Now, think of this on a larger scale. Think of how this can bolster fellowship meetings or small groups. You can send a supportive scriptural reference to anybody with access to the web and a free YouVersion account.

Pretty nifty... also why YV for BB is my favorite application.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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BenQ E72 Smartphone: Unbelievably priced!

If you are a ministry guy or gal looking for a good deal on a great smartphone, you might me interested in this nugget I swiped from Antoine at Mobile Ministry Magazine: The BenQ E72 Windows Smartphone. Apparently, the phone is going for under $130.

Impressive.

The specs sound great... GSM, WM6, A2DP Bluetooth, integrated wi-fi, expandable memory, 2 MP camera, video recording and mp3 player.

If you are interested, make sure to google and read reviews.

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Stealing Baby Jesus?

Apparently, stealing nativity scenes is big business. So big, in fact, that churches are now surreptitiously placing GPS receivers inside the displays to assist track the display items.

Watch the video... shows church staff tracking a statuette across town in real-time after a simulated theft.

Image courtesy of Geoff Stratford (ReelWorship.com).

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Thank you!

... for all of you readers who spread the word about Edward Frank Harris... on Twitter, FaceBook and links to your respective websites.

We hear so much of colleagues who fail or betray the trust of the people they are supposed to trust; therefore, this was a story that meant so much to me.

The outpouring of support was very kind, and I think it was a nice send-off to our brother.

Continue to pray for his family. Also pray for all those he served, including the ones who are charged with this heinous crime.

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Youth Ministry e-book

Spotted this post over on MinistryLIVE.org blog: a youth ministry e-book!

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Second place...

I am usually a bit cynical of "trendy" causes and programs, but this particular concept caught my eye and warmed my heart.

I Am Second is a resourceful website that combines down to earth testimonies from celebrities and Average Joes alike to assist people with everyday struggles.

The site provides chat, email, and reading resources for people in need. It also provides opportunities for people to get involved helping others.

I am a fan of ministry ideas that don't get bogged by overly intricate ideals, so much so that they miss the target. This is simple: everybody else first....

Authenticity will never be out of fashion.

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PalmBible for Treo/Palm

For Treo/Palm users: yet more Bible software! Got this from Mobile Ministry Magazine (courtesy of Palm Addict): PearlBible!

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Church Diversity

I have reached a point where I will now blog about my own blog. At least, in my own mind I have.

While hanging out in Twitterville, I eavesdropped a tweet from Anne Jackson to Pete Wilson talking about diversity in church leadership.

This blog was initially started to talk about the cultural challenges of serving in ministry. As a black man in the south, this is especially poignant; toss in the added battle of serving in predominantly white churches, and you get a pretty interesting picture.

So, I feel led to write an article about this albatross. Is diversity really all that necessary in church leadership, or is it just another PC-motivated man-made talking point? What does diversity bring: true cultural awareness, or just the facade of acceptance?

I am looking for thoughts from both sides of the aisle, from both ends of the spectrum.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Mobile Phone Ministry

Visited the blog of Bill Reichart recently. Like a moth to flame, I was drawn to his blog post about mobile phone ministry.

Of course, I belong to the school of thought that believes that the sooner the church embraces these trends, the better off we'll be. We have to be swift (as God blesses and time and culture allow) in learning and using technology to reach people.

Pastor Reichart also touches on mobile-ready websites (another biggie, IMHO).

Nice food for thought.

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Review: HanDBase for BlackBerry.

I am the type of phone user that likes to have it easy. There's nothing really complex about it; no insane formula that governs it. I simply like to have as much as I can on the least number of devices. Convergence is key.

It's the reason that I, the most loyal of Palm guys, migrated to BlackBerry. I am a ministry guy, and everything on my device needs to assist me in that pursuit.

The biggest drawback for me as a new BB user was the relative dearth of the third party applications that made life with Palm a breeze. In recent years, the gap is closing; one application that helps shrink this gap significantly is HanDBase Professional for BlackBerry by DDH Software.

I originally had this on my Palm OS device, and it was my most used non-scriptual application. Simply put, it is an all-round database solution with an amazing penchant for flexibility.

There is almost no limit to the possibilities. This application bridges the gap that exists between convergence device and handheld laptop replacement.

The program comes in two parts for the BlackBerry. It has the handheld portion and a desktop companion. The two components are syncable both ways. The idea is that the user makes a database on the desktop that is accessible on the user's device.

To explain further, think of a relational database that could be useful (like a check register) HanDBase allows the user to create a custom check register to fit the user's needs. The interface easily helps you along, and you can create tables and columns that are dependent on each other. In other words, you can integrate data and basically create simple mini-programs that fulfill business and personal needs.

It gets better. Checkable tasks lists, fitness logs, bible studies, business ledgers, contact databases, and more can all be created and then carried on your device.

DDH also offers the ability to create custom databases for individual and enterprise users. It is easy to see why this item is so highly regarded in the Palm world.

To nitpick, I wish that one could create databases on the go on the actual device.

All in all, I enjoyed using this software. Look here for a comparison of features of the BB stable.

Try out HanDBase at the demo download site.

As an added boon, DDH is offering a special code, good for 20% off HanDBase Professional for BlackBerry. Just use the code Dec08TL20 during checkout at the DDH website. The code is good till January 15, 2009.

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Looking for a new Pastor...

Yes, I am looking for a new Pastor.

I have just about had it with mine. His sermons almost always get on my nerves.

Note that I have no problem with the church body; no, not at all. It's Derek alone that I can't stand.

This morning, he had the audacity to speak about service -- about becoming Christ personified in the way we approach helping others. He spoke about how, for him, Christmas prep was sometimes a drag, and how it could feel like just another chore.

I guess I would have been fine, but every time I tried to laugh self-consciously, I felt a sharp jab in my ribs from my wife, who figured her elbow should be used as a constant reminder that I was no better.

Whatever.

In any case, he specifically challenged the married guys to be better husbands (the women applauded), and even hinted at the fact we could be better servants by doing more around the house on Saturdays. That was truly unforgivable.

So, I am off to find a pastor who is a little less into forcing me to confront my deficiencies. Someone who will let me be me, even if it means I'll fall short of God's plan in my life.

Boo, Derek. Boo. Can't trust a Tennessee fan.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Get a-twitterin'... NOW!

If you are a youth worker, parent, pastor, church staffer... if you are a human being, and you are not twittering yet, why not?

Beyond being just a fad, Twitter is growing in influence in christian circles. As I have said elsewhere and previously, the potential is endless; microblogging brings a sense of intimacy and accountability to ministry.

It is no longer just the domain of young and trendy; more and more pastors are using it to develop bonds with people in the real world. With a simple device and text plan, one can really get an opportunity to fellowship with people on the other side of the globe, or across town.

Give it a try... you'll most likely be pleasantly surprised.

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The Lego Bible

Twitter friend Brian brought this to my attention: a lego-illustrated Bible. Interesting...

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Lightin' it up!

I wanted to take the time to give a huge shout-out to the wonderful guys and gals of Light Of Christ UMC in Charlotte. They are absolutely great people who I owe a lot of recent stuff too:

Shalonda: for giving me some shopping tips that I have decided to pretend I came up with (more on this in a future blog);

Team Llama (don't ask): for ruining my childhood and telling me people actually eat llamas;

Pastor Kyle: for forcing me to accept the fact that God wants us to love EVERYBODY, including evil Duke fans such as himself;

Whitney: for not thinking I was weird for wanting to watch Warren Sapp twirl around on Dancing With the Stars.

Jean (and her crew): classy, kind and everything honorable.

Great church family, and proof that God abides in the heart, not necessarily in multi-million dollar edifices.

Love you guys!!!

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Send me...

Edward Frank Harris Jr was, by most accounts, a "joyful" guy with a "loving spirit" about him.

He served at Pendergrass Baptist Church in Cleveland, Georgia; he was one of those pioneers and laborers euphemistically known as youth pastors. He also served as a chaplain at Compassionate Hospice in Gainesville. His favorite verse was said to be Isaiah 6:8.

This past Sunday, after service, Frank Harris called home. Apparently, he had found two people that needed help, and he decided to give them a ride. You see, Frank Harris didn't take his "church hat" off; he didn't rationalize excuses to drive away. He saw an opportunity to serve, and he took it. It is a little unclear as to whether he knew the couple; it is assumed they were strangers.

Early the next day, his lifeless body was found in an empty field, the victim of murder, most likely at the hands of the very people he had helped. He left behind a wife and three kids.

While it is easy to think of the what-ifs, the basic point is that here was a man who never quit serving. He didn't measure his faith by work shifts. He lived it 25/8/366.

Here is proof that you don't have to search too hard for heroes. I never knew Frank Harris personally, and I'll never meet him. I mourn that fact.

In lieu of flowers a college fund for the children will be set up and donations may be sent to Compassionate Hospice 2565 Thompson Bridge Rd, Suite 112, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Online condolences can be made at littledavenport.com


Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Reaching out... by any means necessary?

Now, I am all for creative expression. I will even admit that I find the commercial above funny. At first. But then, when you stop to consider that this is guy is singing about his woman creeping with chicken nuggets, and then subsequently reprimands her -- soulfully -- for not sharing said nuggets with him, you have to feel uneasy.

And by the way, what, pray, is "stingaaaaaay?"

In actuality, it is interesting to see how companies transform and adjust identities to reach particular segments of society. Kind of like Bruce Wayne at night. On BET, McDonald's becomes the urban-tinged Mickey D's with R&B singers that croon about the evils of being selfish.

Of course, it boils down to economies of demographics. Different strokes for different folks. Advertising and catering to the needs of Mr A does not always compute to achieving the same results for Ms B. Quite understandable. Different people like different music. I even have a video to prove how interpretation can vary very, very widely:



Now, the same type of thinking seems to be prevalent in the church.

Big question: should the church tailor its offering to particular people? I am not talking about the content of the message: in essence, that should and will be unchanging. What about the frills? The music? The style? The atmosphere?

Some churches are more explicit than others. The most popular focus is to reach the "young, post-grad unchurched or rechurched" crowd. To be brief, just say the Starbucks crowd (though, admittedly, recent developments in the economy may force a change in the tag). Why not? It is probably the largest Gen Xers segment out there.

But what about others? What about the soon-to-be largest minority in the United States, Hispanics? What about the immigrant African population? Should a church that straddles a reservation approach work differently from a church that borders a large community of Asian ancestry? Questions, questions, questions...

Integration seems to be the measure of success, and for all the wrong reasons. I spoke to a pastor of a predominantly white congregation a while back who wistfully dreamed of how great it would be to have a black guy on staff, even while being visibly concerned about the reaction of one or two older members to such a hire. Now I cannot say that full-out sit-ins were in the picture, but I do find it interesting that an informal type of affirmative action-type mentality seems to be setting in. I also wonder if we should be concerned that a minority face on the church staff webpage is becoming standard strategy.

Of course, it is hard to fault folks that think this way. I will be so forward as to say I doubt that a lack of sincerity is at play. In the big picture, we should be careful of the potential fruit (of course, I do tend to be cynical sometimes, but hey, when you have had a white pastor of yours where an afro wig, bell-bottoms, platforms and a dashiki in the name of being culturally relevant in February, you are allowed to be a little jaded).

And yes, this is reality. Take the stereotypical African American worshipper, for instance. Yeah, you hate to lump people in batches, but most would probably say quality of music is a biggie. And, by quality, the perfect opera performance by the late Pavarotti wouldn't cut it. Neither would a bluegrass praise session, just as praise session headlined by BB Jay would confuse and concern a "Starbucker." Anyone with the most basic understanding of African American history would understand why music is such an important part of the spiritual consciousness.

While I do applaud the efforts of churches that strive to be open, I think the biggest thing is the need for change and acceptance in each heart. I do believe that folks should make efforts to learn the cultural attitudes of people in our communities. Furthermore, I humbly think that sometimes, the church should strive to do what is RIGHT, even above societal leanings or trends. Openness and love is openness and love.

One thing to consider is that if we applied some of the modern day definitions of success, our Lord's ministry would probably been labeled a failure. As much as we hate it, regional mores will always affect attitudes. Centuries of mistrust, misconceptions and prejudice (on EVERY side) won't disappear overnight... but we do have the morning after, right?

Blessings at ya!

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Technology and the gospel.

Love hearing how folks are leveraging technology? Can't get enough of hearing about the latest tech gadgets, and their potential in ministry? Than you have to check out Mobile Ministry Magazine.

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Being Prodigal Jon

Remember the flick Being John Malkovich? Crazy fable about some finding a weird portal into the brain of the title character.

Now, there are a few people in whose minds I think I'd be interested in spending time in. My daughter, for one. Maybe I can finally decode the irrational love for Backyardigans and SpongeBob.

My kid brother comes to mind; so does Flavor Flav and maybe Britney Spears. I think 15 minutes each would stretch the limits of my sanity, though.

This priceless gem from Jon at Stuff Christians Like, though, is the type of genius that keeps him at the top of my Malkovich list.

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