After watching the Laker game the other night I got curious. I began wondering how much these guys actually make each year. I found out, by a simple search, that Kobe Bryant makes just under $20 million for one season with the Lakers – and he wasn’t the highest paid! So, then I was surfing around a bit and found Kobe’s personal website. Some cool stuff, but then I watched one of the video’s filmed March 31, 2008 that blew me away. I’ve watched it over and over again to try to figure out if it’s real, or if somehow they made it look real. To watch the video, click HERE

Ok, I’m sitting at a cafe working, ordered lunch (chicken rustica sandwich), and got a diet peach Snapple. Not sure why, but I like the diet one’s better!

Anyway, I love the facts under the cap, and I read one that was amazing: mosquitos have 47 teeth.

What!?

Ok, today I thought I would share a little about what I’ve been thinking through in my own life. I am always thinking through Scripture…and not just for messages, or how it may help us engage with college-age people. I do have a personal relationship with the Lord and thought I would share some of my thought processes lately.

I’ve been thinking through a couple verses that instruct husbands. Colossians 3:19 says,
“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”

Now, thankfully, this isn’t just just a Chuck issue…it’s a male thing. Apparently it’s common for husbands to be a little harsh, at least at times. If it was natural for husbands to always be gentle with their wife, why would the Scripture’s have to COMMAND this? Exactly, they wouldn’t. So, at least I know I’m normal – of course not to provide any excuses for the times I respond harshly to my wife. I’m working on being intentionally gentle.

A second verse I’ve been looking at is 1Peter 3:7.
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

I don’t think this is a derogatory statement at all. I think there’s a God-designed element going on here. Again, this is not specific to me, it’s a male/female passage – which is encouraging. This tells me some things about my wife: she’s a weaker vessel; she’s an heir of grace…and apparently, if I’m not careful, the object by which my prayers can be hindered. Whoa. Well, at least my response to her is what can hinder my prayers.

But, when it says to “live in an understanding way,” what am I supposed to be understanding exactly? That’s she’s a weaker vessel? If so, what does that mean? Is it that she’s more sensitive? Is it that her flesh (i.e. vessel) is “weaker” in that it can’t handle as much from a capacity perspective? Is it that fleshly emotions are more powerful? All the above.

Am I supposed to be understanding her as an heir of grace? Or maybe it’s both?

Now, we can all ask these questions on an intellectual level. We can also go to commentaries to read what other’s say about this. But this is bigger than that.

To accurately portray the gospel message to the world around me through my marriage (Ephesians 5:21-33), and seeking to live as an accurate image of our God to my two little girls I got get this right.

I’ve studied these at an intellectual level in the past, and now, it’s time for it to be personal and applicable to my own living room.

Feel free to share your thoughts…

with summer coming up you may need to get stuff printed, so here’s an option that could save you a lot of money…and they do a good job.  I don’t know how they’re able to do it this cheap, but they do it. I think its worth a shot…  

In an article I wrote about a year and a half ago called, “Graduating From Church: an honest look at transitioning high school grads” I included the following statement:

“The college-age years have become a late adolescent stage of exploration versus a time of consistent maturity. Most late adolescents view adulthood as a desirable time of stability—but from their perspective it’s also a time where autonomy, spontaneity, exploration, and essentially all liberty ends.”  

Do you think the definition and perception college-age people have of adulthood is a factor in the amount detaching from the adult life in our churches?  Why, or why not?  If so, how can we help change their definition?

I was standing in line at Starbucks the other day and was looking over a guys shoulder – he obviously didn’t know I was snooping.  He certainly didn’t know I took this picture with my cell phone either!  Sssshhhhh.

He was a middle aged man, and he was listing out the characteristics he wanted in a mate!  His list was VERY long – maybe that’s why he didn’t have one yet…?

Anyway, it’s no surprise that college-age people, well most, are looking forward to a  future relationship with a life long partner.  Maybe we need to walk them through what the right characteristics should be.

More than that, maybe we can learn from this guy.  Is it possible he hasn’t found a mate because he’s looking for the perfect person instead of trying to become the perfect person?  I personally think we need to help college-age people prepare themselves much more than find the right person.

I know this is what the Super Series I did called, “Relationships by Design” walks students through, but I thought I would issue this as a reminder for all of us…get into the minds of your students!  Find out where they’re not preparing themselves, and walk them through a proper perspective!

Abbie Smith, one of our mentors for CollegeLeader and author of Can You Have Faith In College wrote a poem last week that REALLY got me thinking.  It was on the topic of Shame.  This, my friends, is a HUGE topic to teach on with college-age people!!!!  In fact this is so important that I’ve just posted talk notes for you to use.   To download those free click here.

This is an issue that college-age people struggle with for a couple reasons:

1. We too often teach Christianity as proper behavior – this leads them to guilt and shame because they can never follow the Law perfectly – and especially so during this time of exploration!  But, the reality is, most churches teach Christianity as Law – just listen to messages given in most student ministries.  Far too many focus on moral and behavioral aspects.  This, I’m afraid, leads to shame and guilt during the college-age years.
2. They don’t understand grace.  Now, we all have aspects of this!  It’s hard to grasp.  However, once shame and guilt filter into our mindsets our theology completely changes!!!!  We must help our college-age friends gain an accurate view of God.

I wanted to post Abbie’s peom/blog here because you will probably want to use it when you teach on this subject.  Maybe have someone read it at the end of your time, maybe just have it in powerpoint, or maybe print it out – have people read it by themselves quietly – and think about it personally.  It’s extremely insightful, and I think, articulates exactly what so many of us feel…especially college-age people.  Anyways, here it is:

Shame:

He visited today. In a refreshingly different, and yet still awful way than before. Different in that I recognized him, and awful in that recognizable, or not, he still exudes awfulness—like a whispering ghost, criticizing my every move. 

I saw his face—I felt his disdain. 

He stared at my openness to anger and asked me to hate.

He gaped at lingering hopes of the hour and listed an array of answers.

He mocked my sadness. 

Marked my weakness.

Masked my gladness.

And raped my good.

He marveled at my tears and said, “Don’t stop. You should always be finding more reasons to flow.”

He flirted with my fatigue and said, “I’m glad to find you here. I’m glad to remind you of your name.”

He grabbed me by the hand, wanting to lead me back into his dark—back into his dance.

But I pulled away and said, “No. I see you today and your story is not worth my time.”

As Christians, we’re never beyond need for the cross. And as Christian leaders, we should never expect ourselves beyond weakness—and if fact, might lean into the prospect, or prayer, even!?, of having more. For in weakness, we know greater need for strengths of the cross.

Alright, there are a few resources out there for ministry websites – some are good, some aren’t so much.  But, I’ve found one that is truly amazing – it’s called “Clover.”  You don’t have to trust me…just see for yourself.

go to: www.cloversites.com   They have a video on the left side of the front page – trust me, it’s worth your time.  Everyone I’ve shown this to is amazed.  You may think I’m setting it up to fail…we’ll see about that.

After you watch the video you can demo “Greenhouse” – the admin page.  Upload your own pics, etc. and you can see how it works.  Fun stuff…

I just finished reading a book, “un-Christian” by my friend David Kinnaman.  He and Gabe Lyons have done a phenomenal job with this.  Now, I know most of us have a stack of books we haven’t gotten to yet.  I also know we have limited time.  However, my advice would be to check this out…and at least add it to your stack!  

David is the President of The Barna Group, which does a ton of research – but this book isn’t just research.  David has given the research, but also great practical implications for our churches, youth ministry, and college ministries.

David will also be speaking at DRINK in the fall.  I have to say – and you will be glad to hear this – that David is the real deal…not just a great author!  He loves the Lord, loves his family and is truly trying to help the local church get a grasp on what’s happening.

Well, online registration is FINALLY up and running!  Better late than never, as they say – I guess.  If you are one of the many who have rsvp’d via Facebook, you can now officially register!  More info on speakers is also updated…click banner