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Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
You can't sue, Pastor...
08:30
Unknown
There was an interesting ruling yesterday from the US Supreme Court.
In a unanimous decision, the court upheld that churches have the right to fire "religious" employees without having to deal with federal discrimination regulations. In doing this, the court tacitly acknowledged "ministerial exception" to employment laws. Thus, religious institutions can choose to sack religious workers at will.
In other words, to paraphrase the majority opinion, religious organizations can pick (and unpick) who they want, and really do not have to encumber themselves with the same things secular organizations have to when dealing with letting people go.
The court stated that ruling otherwise would amount to the state interfering with how religious bodies are run, and would run afoul of the Free Exercise Clause.
The case was made its way to the Supreme Court by way of an EEOC case filed on behalf of Cheryl Perich, a teacher at a Lutheran church. Ms. Perich had tried to return from illness to her job, but claimed she wasn't fairly treated by the church when they would not re-hire her (the church had granted her leave, but then hired a substitute to finish out the year). The EEOC found that she had merit, and the case was on.
Of course, it gets murkier. Apparently, this applies to "religious" workers only. People doing secular work are not exempt. So...what is the definition of a religious worker? The Justices refused to go that far. In this specific case, there were plenty of disagreements in the lower courts as to whether Ms. Perich was a religious worker; the high court determined that she was since she was ordained.
The separation of church and state is a sword that cuts both ways, but this case is one that church workers need to be aware of, and will probably want to proactively discuss this with their church's decision-makers. Also, it may not be smart to sass Ms Molly if she is on the Personnel Committee.
What are your thoughts? Does this give churches carte blanche to do what they want?
In a unanimous decision, the court upheld that churches have the right to fire "religious" employees without having to deal with federal discrimination regulations. In doing this, the court tacitly acknowledged "ministerial exception" to employment laws. Thus, religious institutions can choose to sack religious workers at will.
The court stated that ruling otherwise would amount to the state interfering with how religious bodies are run, and would run afoul of the Free Exercise Clause.
The case was made its way to the Supreme Court by way of an EEOC case filed on behalf of Cheryl Perich, a teacher at a Lutheran church. Ms. Perich had tried to return from illness to her job, but claimed she wasn't fairly treated by the church when they would not re-hire her (the church had granted her leave, but then hired a substitute to finish out the year). The EEOC found that she had merit, and the case was on.
Of course, it gets murkier. Apparently, this applies to "religious" workers only. People doing secular work are not exempt. So...what is the definition of a religious worker? The Justices refused to go that far. In this specific case, there were plenty of disagreements in the lower courts as to whether Ms. Perich was a religious worker; the high court determined that she was since she was ordained.
The separation of church and state is a sword that cuts both ways, but this case is one that church workers need to be aware of, and will probably want to proactively discuss this with their church's decision-makers. Also, it may not be smart to sass Ms Molly if she is on the Personnel Committee.
What are your thoughts? Does this give churches carte blanche to do what they want?
Monday, January 09, 2012
Probably won't make the front page.
16:30
Unknown
Towards the end of last year (December 22nd to be precise) there was a pretty monumental occurrence in Charlotte -- but you probably did not hear about it.
Out on the West-side, at the Arbon Glen Outreach Facility, two organizations were having a Christmas party for potentially at-risk students. The kids came from local YMCAs, but the buses were relatively quiet, so you probably didn't hear them either. City Dive (a ministry endeavor of NewBirth Charlotte) and 2xSALT made it happen. They gave those kids food, presents, music, basketball and biblical principles
You probably didn't know that the founder of 2xSALT played ball professionally with the likes of John Stockton and Karl Malone. I didn't.
The kids got to sing along to Christmas tunes with a true recording artist, Gabe Bello, who bleeds true humility. I am fairly sure they didn't know that... but neither did I. This cat plays the sax as well as anyone. Yes, I am jealous. If I had a fraction of that talent, I'd have a sax tattooed to my forehead.
But amidst all the fun, about two dozen kids -- and even a YMCA staffer or two -- walked down and made public professions for Christ. But that probably won't make the news... not even the Christian radio shows. It should, but I am a tad biased.
There is a lot of positive stuff going on behind the scenes. Literally. These are the groups going in and making a difference, and they are doing it quietly, right here in Charlotte, to little fanfare, one disadvantaged kid at a time. And while they were doing it on that overcast Thursday, they inspired the heck out of me.
It was a privilege meeting and hanging with Reggie, Ria, Gabe, Daryle and Bart. Thanks for all the stuff you guys are doing. Big shout-out to the team at CityDive. Thanks for not confining yourselves to Huntersville. Big thanks to Alan, who thought me worthy enough to attend that activity.
If you want a few ministries to pray for and support, I got your quota here.
Where is your teen? (Straight talk epilogue)
10:00
Unknown
Being proactively realistic is the key.
Your teen is growing up in the 21st century. He/she is likely more computer savvy than most adults. He or she probably carries a power packed phone and/or iPod touch.
Your teen is probably a good teen. Your teen probably has a good heart, and mostly stays out of trouble.
Your teen also needs to be aware of how crazy of a world it is out there, and if they cannot or will not understand that, you -- the parent -- needs to fill the gap.
The first key is understanding. You need to understand the combo minefield/resource concept known as social networking. You need to understand the different variants, the areas of potential exposure, the current trends, and how they affect you and yours.
You need to understand that the internet does the same things for teens that it does for adults: otherwise sane people do insane things on the World Wide Web. There is a world of temptation, shadowy characters and unsavory ideas that can be propagated. Just like in real life.
Be aware of your child's online identities. I believe in encouraging expression, but ensure that your kid's online creativity matches your expectations at all times. When they don't, you might want to correct unsuitable behavior with a defined repercussion.
Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and such are great tools when controlled. Your job is to control them.
Glance at your teen's FB friends. Have a look at the tweets of their followers. Check out what videos they are "liking" on YouTube. Do they have their entire profile, including your home address and phone number on Google+? You should know the answer. I hate to sound ominous, but someone will.
Friday, January 06, 2012
Where is your teen? (Pt 2)
10:00
Unknown
Before we pick on Twitter, let's take a frank look and see why social networking is such a huge area of opportunity to parents and guardians.
Pornography is a huge issue for people of all ages and sexes. Two decades ago, when your stereotypical boy wanted to view nude images, he had to be fortunate enough o have a friend who had a brother who knew a friend that hung out with a dude whose father had a stash of nudie mags. To actually find a "blue movie" you needed an even greater provision of provenance.
In other words, you had to work HARD for smut.
Today? All it takes is a relatively innocent search on Google Images to bring up material of a questionable nature.
Sexting, as a concept, confuses me. I used to think that it must be because I grew up in tamer times, but that is nonsense. To do the equivalent of sending naked photographs back then, one would have had to lug around a Polaroid and a fax machine. It was just easier to keep ones clothes on and take them off in person. Transmitting photographs was just not worth the ROI.
My point is that now, the material is out there, and disseminating it is almost too easy. Kids carry more computing power in their pockets than we had collectively in my neighborhood growing up.
FACT: there are psychos out there. They are not sitting at home bemoaning how technology and awareness have made it harder to do the snatch and grabs they cut their teeth with. They are adjusting too. Facebook does not background users, so, you might assess those 900 friends your son or daughter has -- more than you have met in your lifetime -- a bit more carefully.
What are the true dangers? I dislike fear mongers, so I am truly not being sensational. Still, when you consider that the average teen can give his/her current state of mind, home location, phone number and current location, parents should be plugged in.
This is part 2 of 3 of a mini-ebook. Come back for Part 3.
Pornography is a huge issue for people of all ages and sexes. Two decades ago, when your stereotypical boy wanted to view nude images, he had to be fortunate enough o have a friend who had a brother who knew a friend that hung out with a dude whose father had a stash of nudie mags. To actually find a "blue movie" you needed an even greater provision of provenance.
In other words, you had to work HARD for smut.
Today? All it takes is a relatively innocent search on Google Images to bring up material of a questionable nature.
Sexting, as a concept, confuses me. I used to think that it must be because I grew up in tamer times, but that is nonsense. To do the equivalent of sending naked photographs back then, one would have had to lug around a Polaroid and a fax machine. It was just easier to keep ones clothes on and take them off in person. Transmitting photographs was just not worth the ROI.
My point is that now, the material is out there, and disseminating it is almost too easy. Kids carry more computing power in their pockets than we had collectively in my neighborhood growing up.
FACT: there are psychos out there. They are not sitting at home bemoaning how technology and awareness have made it harder to do the snatch and grabs they cut their teeth with. They are adjusting too. Facebook does not background users, so, you might assess those 900 friends your son or daughter has -- more than you have met in your lifetime -- a bit more carefully.
What are the true dangers? I dislike fear mongers, so I am truly not being sensational. Still, when you consider that the average teen can give his/her current state of mind, home location, phone number and current location, parents should be plugged in.
This is part 2 of 3 of a mini-ebook. Come back for Part 3.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Where is your teen?
10:00
Unknown
First let me go ahead and say some opinionated things that may get me stoned. I tend to believe that any device your teen uses is yours. I don't care if they pay for that cell phone with their babysitting allowance. I believe in transference of roof. It's a nifty term I just made up to say that if they live under your roof, they submit to your rules.
I also believe in raising good kids. Trust and verify, baby.
Okay. So back to the original. Where is your teen? What is he or she doing online?
The most depressing aspect of the Chris Hansen show To Catch a Predator isn't how excruciatingly stupid some child predators are. It's how excruciatingly stupid they can be so many times. The recidivism is painfully appalling.
Charitably, I think most parents know to check Facebook. Many parents I know (smartly, IMHO) insist that formal Friendship with themselves is a requirement for their kids to use Facebook. But, do you know your kids friends? Have you met, or even glanced at the profile of any of the 900?
Of even more concern is Twitter.
A few years back, youth workers and pundits alike wondered as to why teens just were not adopting Twitter in large numbers. It seemed like the perfect outlet. It could be managed via text, so you didn't necessarily need a smartphone. It allowed for private conversations and crude broadcast messaging. It was free.
Still, most data showed teens just didn't cotton to it. That was then, though. Things seem to be have changing. With Facebook being ever more clogged, and with the realization that parents have "ruined" it (and hey, my mom is on FB. Weird), teens seem to be giving Twitter a try. More teens have cheap cell phones, and they are inviting their friends to join them across the networking pond.
The problem is that the conversation is much more hidden.
Twitter is a micro-blogging service that provides much of the same stuff Facebook provides to the content-hungry teen, including even greater anonymity. No "real" names are required, and the privacy options are tougher to fool than Facebook.
In other words, Twitter is a teen haven.
So back to the initial question. Does your teen tweet? If they do, are they willing to show you their timeline?
This is part 1 of a 3-part mini-ebook. Come back for part 2
Photo courtesy of eldh via Flickr Creative Commons.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Dropbox
10:30
Unknown
I love Dropbox. So much so that had someone not been unreasonable, one of my children would be named Boxia.
I use it for a number of purposes: cloud storage, virtual jump drive, host linked files and more. It is a great ministry tool, which is why I plug it incessantly. Having access to files is such a blessing. I can even stream music on my Android device directly from the Dropbox app.
Because I am an awesome guy, I want you to share this. And not just because I get more free storage as well. I really want you to drink from the well of happiness that Dropbox is.
Oh... whatever. Here's the link: http://db.tt/9CtRtDy.
I use it for a number of purposes: cloud storage, virtual jump drive, host linked files and more. It is a great ministry tool, which is why I plug it incessantly. Having access to files is such a blessing. I can even stream music on my Android device directly from the Dropbox app.
Because I am an awesome guy, I want you to share this. And not just because I get more free storage as well. I really want you to drink from the well of happiness that Dropbox is.
Oh... whatever. Here's the link: http://db.tt/9CtRtDy.
Monday, January 02, 2012
The DIYer within
13:30
Unknown
I don't think I am overly cocky. I am just... well... confident.
You need that growing up with male siblings, or to man the pipes in a football game, or to deal with coaching teenage ladies. Heck, being a married father. Confidence is the key. There are things that I am pretty awesome at (like making fun of people or making a mean, mean pot of boxed Jambalaya), but I don't want to brag. I like being confident.
To be honest, sometimes it's more about projecting confidence. It's about making people believe that even though you don't know what to do, you have the presence to figure out how to get it done in the long run. It's not about giving an answer, regardless of accuracy; it's about making sure everyone understands that when you do answer, you are giving the right one.
My bubbling projections generally squawk out the door in one area. It isn't just any area either; it calls into question whether or not Clint was right to revoke my Man Card for admitting that I like The Sound of Music.
I am not particularly handy. Home improvement is my personal Kilimanjaro.
I mean, I can do most simple things with the right tools and the right instructions. I still don't mean to brag, but I am a fantastic Googler, too. I know how to plunge a toilet, use drain cleaner and I am especially proficient at switching light bulbs. It's the other stuff that gets me. If it is electrical or mechanical in nature, competence is out the door, and I am reduced to an inconsolable puddle of tears. Manly tears.
My son is no help. While watching me re-arrange the pristine tools in my tool box, he innocently (yeah, okay) asked if my tools were so new. Yeah. Well, he's banned from playing Wii for the foreseeable future. Such cheekiness is not allowed here. Who's new now?
Anyhoo, the saga that was created by the fluorescent bulbs in he kitchen is an excellent illustration of my home improvement frailties. Both lights went out. Easy. I pulled the bulbs out, and went and got the exact replacement.
They didn't work. It ridiculous what these jokers will sell nowadays. They had CLEARLY sold me non-functioning equipment. I went back and got another 2-pack. And another.
Same issue. Uh oh. We were approaching crying territory. I consulted Google, and took the fixture apart. With the use of Google Search and Google Goggles, I guessed that it was some mysterious, alien object called a ballast. I promptly ordered one.
I asked around. It seemed the majority of people I talked to (well, one of seven) knew someone who had been maimed changing a ballast. Considering the fact that I already had a healthy, uh, fear of electricity, the odds looked horrible to me. I decided to cut power to the house.
Try to keep up with me here. The circuit box was outside. The key to the lock was missing. I had to go buy bolt cutters. A giant spider was guarding the box. I did not want to become Spider man or a spider meal, so I went to buy Spider killer. Then it rained. Then I lost my altimeter. In all, it was about nine months, give or take an hour, since the bulbs went out.
And I was still scared of electricity.
I know what you are thinking: Angel Gabriel had visited Mary, and the barn animals had observed the Holy Birth in the time this joker was taking to switch a light bulb. Wow. To my wife's credit, she had become used to cooking in semi-darkness. I adore that lady, sturdy eyes and all. But wait... there's more.
My journey of shame ended (or re-started, depending on your perspective) last week, when my father-in-law and brother-in-law switched out the ballast within five minutes. To make myself feel better, I pointed out to the kids that Uncle Ty did have a degree in Electrical Engineering, so the cheering was a bit overdone.
I did learn a few things. First, electric companies need better customer service. It is NOT unreasonable for me to have wanted them to cut off power to our entire subdivision. Also, children like light. It's sad that they considered a light as an early Christmas present.
But most importantly, unreasonable fear is mostly borne out of a lack of knowledge. And Google does not always trump real-world experience.
As for us, we are enjoying our light bulbs. Directly too, as I broke the cover doing re-installation. I have a year to get those fixed, so mind your business. Ha.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
2012.
00:00
Unknown
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Praying for blessings on all of you and yours in 2012. May God touch you this year.
Hey... smile. We made it through 2011. Forget the Mayans... this is our year!
Praying for blessings on all of you and yours in 2012. May God touch you this year.
Hey... smile. We made it through 2011. Forget the Mayans... this is our year!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Christmas is over.
10:00
Unknown
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We can put away the trees, specialized yard gnomes, wrapping paper and Angry Bird Christmas lighting. No more wrapping paper, reindeer car ornaments or the questionable sweaters (and no... cats do NOT skate), and, maybe most importantly, we can put away the Christmas spirit.
I have begun to dislike the term. It's like we save all our righteous indignation for the season. We expend so much energy fighting to "put Christ in Christmas" that we forget to act like Christ before and beyond Christmas.
What a concept.
Not to discount the good that has been done over the season. It is all needed. But there will still be hungry, homeless people. There will still be people trafficked, children abused, and poor people without. We can't afford to wait till next Christmas to stand in the gap.
A friend of mine, Brian, posted a telling poster on his Facebook Wall a few weeks ago. Paraphrased, it said:
Instead of being so concerned about putting the "Christ" in Christmas, how about we work to be the Christ in Christmas?
A little bit more love... just a teeny bit, and no one will ever be able to stop us. I honestly believe if Christ was physically here, one of the last things that would bother Him is how much of Him is injected into a season that has little to do with the sacrifice of His life anyway. If I might be so forward, I do humbly believe He would be in pain with regards to the human condition.
I believe we need to feel the same type of sorrow.
Image courtesy of James Fischer via Flickr CC
Friday, December 30, 2011
Church now allows interracial couples
15:00
Unknown
I mentioned the interesting case of the Kentucky congregation that voted to disallow interracial couples a while back (to be fair, said couples were allowed to attend funerals. Okay).
In an update, the pastor of the church publicly noted that the church had overturned that vote. I should also note that the pastor who spearheaded the original rule is not the current Pastor.
There is a lot I could say, but since I am a nice guy, I'll hold my tongue. At least till Black History month.
In an update, the pastor of the church publicly noted that the church had overturned that vote. I should also note that the pastor who spearheaded the original rule is not the current Pastor.
There is a lot I could say, but since I am a nice guy, I'll hold my tongue. At least till Black History month.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
The humility of leadership
10:00
Unknown
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| Courtesy of Ian Britton via reelworship.com |
You can be such a powerful tool for the kingdom. This precept should be a motivating factor in the life of every Christian. But even more importantly, one must realize that as important as we are, God will get things done... without -- or in spite of -- you. In other words, you might as well get on board, because God's will will be done.
Understanding and appreciating this intrinsic dichotomy is a serious, humbling lesson all Christians must learn, and I admit I am still getting a handle on it myself. It is a thought that frees me from burdening myself with self-doubt and the occasional spirit of reluctance.
As potential champions of social justice, we all have opportunities to impact our local worlds in positive ways. There is a need. God wants us to project love. He blesses our humble endeavors in that regard.
What are you waiting for?
What am I waiting for?
Let's dream big, and worry about meeting people where they are, and showing God's love, with no strings attached. Forget about Christmas Spirit (don't gasp!)... let's make it perpetual.
Let' make it happen.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Twitter, the mayor and the high school usurper
15:00
Unknown
Not only did the teen refuse to remove the account, he is now running against the mayor (seems there is a recall process underway). Ha!
While the issue of alcohol dependence is sad, this public official did own up to failings, and does seem to be working to stay clean. Still, there are several points to glean here:
- Get your own twitter handle, and do it quickly. Think of it as scooping an .xxx domain.
- Sometimes, the best way to deal with teens is dialogue, not cease and desist letters.
- If you are in a small town, create rules that prevent people who attack you from running for office.
- The best way to get people to not talk about your drunken exploits is to have only sober exploits.
I have no idea what type of chance the kid has in any recall election, but if he wins, I will use his likeness as my phone background for a week.
Go Twitter!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Would you hire Jesus as your pastor?
12:00
Unknown
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| via Google images |
Would you?
What would you consider to be a successful minister/ministry? Congregation? Size of edifice? Length of time on local radio or TV? Propagation of intellectual material? Use of high-end technology?
How would Jesus measure up in a world that is instinctively influenced by materialism? I think the answer might be a bit scary.
Now, flip it.
How do I measure up to Jesus (the true measure of success)? Do I battle for those that need to be fought for? Do I show compassion? Am I willing to sacrifice my comfort to present the gospel to people?
Do I reflect God in everything I do?
Hmmm... food for thought...
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Interracial couples NOT welcome!
15:00
Unknown
Chalk this up as one of those headlines that make me do a double-take. I was dozing off at the time, too. Apparently, a Kentucky church has gone out of it's way to ban interracial marriage. It made the decision after one of its congregants made the monumentally dangerous decision of bringing her Zimbabwean fiance to church, where she played the piano while he sang. And no, the church is not caught up in a time warp or being punked by M. Night Shyamalan (I checked).
He sang "I Surrender All."
Apparently, he couldn't or wouldn't surrender his skin color, because he is not allowed back, or at least not while engaged to a white lady.
You see... the church decided to, uh, proactively make sure it didn't have to deal with this travesty again. It formally banned all interracial couples from coming to the church. Oh wait... except for funerals (I didn't make this up; plus, I thoroughly believe that there is no better place to relax overtly racist mores than at grave sites).
Now, apart from giving me major pause, this unbelievable story let to a blog post that presented me with a few unenvisaged issues:
- How would I categorize it with a blog label? I initially wanted to use "Funnies" since it is so shockingly unbelievable, but also considered creating a new one: ...Songs that won't get you invited back to church...
- Confusion. How on earth would this church deal with the cast of Jersey Shore? Over-tanning would definitely be an issue. I guess re-runs of Mixed Blessings never play during church get-togethers. Guess who didn't come to that dinner. What happened to simply making people feel uncomfortable? I'm all for democracy, but, c'mon. For real?
- A weird sense of understanding... maybe this church is simply misunderstood. Maybe they were striking back for the disenfranchised expatriates Robert Mugabe ticked off with his land reform.
In any case, this stuff still happens in the Land of the Free, so I guess there is still work to be done.
Thanks to Cass for giving me a graphic sign that clearly denotes my speechlessness.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
15:30
Unknown
... to all y'all.
If you're like me, there is so much to be thankful to God for, and I'm not just talking about the turkey, home-made macaroni and cheese and, well, pie.
I am thankful you are alive and reading this.
Got to go. My wife isn't letting me do food testing, but I need to keep at it. Stay blessed!
If you're like me, there is so much to be thankful to God for, and I'm not just talking about the turkey, home-made macaroni and cheese and, well, pie.
I am thankful you are alive and reading this.
Got to go. My wife isn't letting me do food testing, but I need to keep at it. Stay blessed!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wildcat Twitter
14:00
Unknown
If you need further proof that Twitter is not just for people named Stefani Germonatta, Check out the University of Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne, who just announced the hiring of their new head football coach Rich Rodriguez via Twitter.
Great stuff. Remember when Twitter was a virtual race track for CNN and Ashton? Now, major programs make major announcements via social networks.
Of course, the cynics out there will argue that the come-and-go brevity of Twitter is perfect for the revolving doors of college football, but I refuse to talk to such naysayers. So there.
From a practical point of view, it is a pretty tidy means of disseminating news. It's basically grassroots broadcast communication. It gets the word out quickly, effectively and almost guarantees further propagation. Of course, you will deal with unsolicited feedback, but nothing comes that easy. But even that can be a potential advantage. You get to see the reaction to your decisions from everyday people. Press conferences don't do that for you.
Corporation and entities are becoming more savvy, and are understanding how powerful (and free) social networking is. And even teens seem to finally be jumping on the bandwagon.
What if... what if MJ (b-baller) had tweeted his comeback (for you youngsters, I mean the first one)? What if we had twitter when the Berlin wall came down? What is Breet Favre announced his retirement... oh, scratch that.
Twitter can be quite useful. Let's end on that.
Great stuff. Remember when Twitter was a virtual race track for CNN and Ashton? Now, major programs make major announcements via social networks.
Of course, the cynics out there will argue that the come-and-go brevity of Twitter is perfect for the revolving doors of college football, but I refuse to talk to such naysayers. So there.
From a practical point of view, it is a pretty tidy means of disseminating news. It's basically grassroots broadcast communication. It gets the word out quickly, effectively and almost guarantees further propagation. Of course, you will deal with unsolicited feedback, but nothing comes that easy. But even that can be a potential advantage. You get to see the reaction to your decisions from everyday people. Press conferences don't do that for you.
Corporation and entities are becoming more savvy, and are understanding how powerful (and free) social networking is. And even teens seem to finally be jumping on the bandwagon.
What if... what if MJ (b-baller) had tweeted his comeback (for you youngsters, I mean the first one)? What if we had twitter when the Berlin wall came down? What is Breet Favre announced his retirement... oh, scratch that.
Twitter can be quite useful. Let's end on that.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Adieu to Fall ball...
12:00
Unknown
And, yes, I already miss it.
It was a tough season, for a number of reasons. We dropped way more games than I would like to in the First Division with my older ladies; my younger ladies did well to gel and pull out an admirable season after an extremely rough start.
Yesterday, one of my favorite kids came and gave me a hug after our parents meetings.
"Coach, you are my favorite coach ever!"
"I am?" I preened. That made my day, even though we both know I am her first and only coach.
Whatever... I am the favorite right now.
My voice will get some rest, and I'll get to spend more time with family. My stress level will go down (even though, as a youth pastor, it seems my youth tend to make up for any deficit over the winter), and my afternoons will not involve pumping balls or washing pinnies.
And I miss it. I miss my players. Yes, I'm pouting.
Every season is a learning experience. I learned one of my kids survived a bout with meningitis. She's only our top scorer and sweetest kid in the world. And I thought I was strong. Ha. One of my other players has dealt with enough emotional pain that I think even the Statue of Liberty would sag under its weight. One broke her wrist during the season. Through all the cookies, cupcakes and candy, I realize that I am so blessed to be an occasional, ever-so-temporary guardian to a phenomenal bunch of almost 30 young ladies.
Every year, we give thanks for a multitude of things. I just want to show gratitude to God for an opportunity to teach -- and learn from -- an incredible bunch of kids. As I have said before, there is no more overwhelming feeling than to be surrounded by a bunch of 12 or 14 yr -old ladies, who are looking up (or, as happens more nowadays with the older group, DOWN) at you with trust and expectation.
I pray God gives me the strength to continually be the right type of guide for them. Love my Mundial and Mundial Select players.
*sigh* Come on, Spring...
Friday, November 18, 2011
Connections vs separations.
10:00
Unknown
One of my favorites is my Bluetooth Audio Bridge. It's a BlackBerry-branded device that allows me to turn most computer speakers to wireless output for my EVO. In other words, I can connect the bridge to a pair of speakers, and stream music to it from a short distance. It works well during youth devotions and stuff. Secondarily, you can use it in cars with tape decks.
There is, well, one drawback. It needs a source of electricity, as it is not rechargeable. So, even though I am not tethered to my EVO, I have to add a power cable to the equation.
It's interesting... on the hand, I am able to create a remotely controlled music interface, but on the other, I also created a little bit more clutter, and, arguably, an even greater need for resources.
It occurred to me that some of the "solutions" we pursue in life can be somewhat ambiguous, particularly when we fail to seek God in our decisions. I think this is not only important for church workers, but for believers as a whole.
Even more importantly, I think it is crucial that we don't create more barriers between God and our congregations. This isn't something that we can do with just technology. That new church initiative to go to a dual sermons on Sunday can do the same hing if not implemented correctly. As already noted, seeking God is the first step, because what is "logical" to us is not always God's plan.
The church that remembers that will do well.
