LEARNING MY LINES . . .

. . . discovering what it means to follow Jesus, seeing my story swept up into his . . .

God's Story artwork

Interact. . . Learn. . . . Maybe Free!

I’ve had an awesome week. I’m teaching a seminary class on youth culture. Seven awesome students who I trust are being challenged, stretched, and equipped for deeper youth ministry. I won’t hesitate to say that I’m the real winner in…
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Handy Randy. . . .

I remember hearing some confusing and troubling comments from grandparents when I was a kid. Someone would bring up the topic of declining health or advancing age and then say something like, “I’m ready to go.” Ready to go? My…
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Follow me. . . .

“All eyes on me, please.” I’m afraid we’re only going there more and more. We should be sad, sorry, and ashamed of ourselves. Our marketing fed posture of consumption (“Give me what I want now or I’ll change the channel”),…
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Watch and read. . . .

I’ll be playing catch-up on my Christmas film list. I only got out to see one of the movies out of the many I was hoping to catch during vacation. I think I made the right choice. . . .…
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Now I can die. . . .

It’s usually the content of humorous reflections on previously unfinished business that when finally done, leads us to act like our lives are complete. . . even though we know deep down inside that isn’t even close to the truth.…
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Spine-Tingling Reality. . . . .

There’s a tradition at our church that I absolutely love. On the Sunday before Christmas, our service ends with the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus, that thrilling piece from Handel’s “Messiah.” Members of the congregation who can sing – and…
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Should I laugh, cry, or what. . . .?

Got a great YouTube link from my buddy Mike Flavin this morning. It features Alec Greven, our culture’s new relationship guru. It seems that Alec’s struck gold – most likely literally – by writing and speaking about how a man…
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Colonic Christmas. . . .

I finally did it. Based on the fact that everyone reading this has either had it done already or will experience the joy of doing it sometime in the future, I think it’s okay to talk about it. Katie Couric…
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Wisdom. . . .

The older I’ve gotten the more I’ve become convinced of the value and absolute need to ask ourselves the right questions. Sadly, I think most people are like me. We learn to ask the questions about thirty years too late.…
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Wow. . . . worth pondering. . . .

My friend Troy sent me a link to a news story from the UK this morning. The story is about The Immersion Project and a thought-provoking little video from Robbie Cooper that looks at the role digital media is playing…
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Stuffing and stuff. . . .

Yesterday was the holiday we know as Thanksgiving. As a Christian, my memories are of Thanksgivings that had an aspect of deep gratitude towards God for His multiplicity of physical and spiritual blessings. As an adult, Thanksgiving has become a…
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Where the Kingdom must come. . . .

I just got back from Nashville and the third of the this year’s three National Youthworker’s Conventions. By the way, kudos again to my good friends at Youth Specialties for making it possible for youth workers to gather together in…
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