06.14.08 No Flag, No Country.  That’s The Rules.

Happy Flag Day.

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06.13.08 When You Are Engulfed In Flames

"Sedaris’s droll assessment of the mundane and the eccentrics who inhabit the world’s crevices makes him one of the greatest humorists writing today” -Chicago Tribune

“When a writer like Sedaris comes along who can make you giddy with laughter at the same time that he’s visiting some of the darker corners of existence, we ought to celebrate.” -San Jose Mercury News

Here’s a, um, taste of Mr. Sedaris’ new book of essays When You Are Engulfed By Flames.

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“Funny. Smart. Read this.” - Shlog.com

06.12.08 Millennials

Clever, selfish, hopeful, socially retarded, cocky, inclusive, spoiled, fun, civic, needy, confident.  Just a few of the words used to describe Millennials.

Here are the weaknesses: In general, they don’t believe in earning respect or position or status - these are their inheritance for simply being born.  They can’t be encouraged enough, for showing up, for breathing.  They get their feelings hurt if the applause stops.  They aren’t loyal to anyone but themselves.  They’re in it - whatever it is - for the immediate results, not the long haul.  They all claim ADD, ADHD or OCD.  They’re not the greatest communicators: too busy texting to look you in the eyes when speaking and “like” is their greatest contribution to the American lexicon so far.

But there’s an upside:  They are positive, hopeful, certain a silver lining exists and always looking for it, not prone to melancholy and cynicism like we Gen-Xers.  Like the Boomers, they truly believe they can change the world and they’re eager to join those working to that end.  Having always been rewarded for success, they crave it, making them tremendously goal oriented, driven and hard-working when the carrot’s dangled.  They work well in teams yet have so much self-confidence that they’re unafraid to tackle the most difficult problems on their own.  They live and breath digital and internet technologies, which they use effortlessly to integrate and synthesize data from all grids of their lives: work, personal, spiritual, economic.

Watch this and then think out loud about what this generation might do when leading the American Church.  How might their perspective and personality affect the theology and methodology of Christianity in America’s future?

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I wonder.

06.12.08 Blog A Friend: North Carolina, Washington, Oregon & The UK

Ben and I are in the middle of our monthly business meeting and ran into a problem we can’t solve and decided to phone a friend...or blog one or a thousand or so.

Problem #1:
On June 29th I’ll be in Fairview, North Carolina in the AM.  If you’re within a couple hours of there and would like to bring me in to speak or sing (for free), please give Ben a shout.  Much appreciated.

Problem #2:
On the weekend of July 11-13th I’m heading to the northwest.  We have a couple of interested promoters - in Medford, OR and Tumwater, WA - but we need a couple more to make the most of the long journey.  Something in the Portland area would be ideal but we’re open to any opportunity.  If you’re interested in booking me for free in Washington or Oregon that weekend please talk to Ben.  Thanks.

Problem #3:
There’s interest from a promoter in Germany in having me to their side of the Atlantic in October.  Anybody else in that neck of the woods (anywhere in Europe really) interested in booking me then?  Holler at Ben.  Danke.

What would we do without you?  A bunch of nothing I’m pretty sure.

Back to work.

06.11.08 Judy’s Gone

My pastor writes…

Judy passed away early this morning in her home.  So many questions boggle my mind today - as they have for this entire last year.  So many “why’s” ... so few answers.

It’s imperative, on a day like today, for us to lean into the words of Jesus - and rely on his wisdom when our understanding falls short.  As He was preparing to leave this earth, He told his friends - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

He came and got Judy this morning.

Thank you to everyone here who prayed for Judy, her kids and her husband over the last year and helped them get away together.  Please continue praying, for what I don’t know, as Judy’s friends and family and church keep on living.