Live A Revolution... Every Day

Don't Molest People with Jesus

 
My brother-in-law, Matt, used this line a while ago in a discussion we were having with some of our leaders who are involved with Revolve. 

Don't molest people with Jesus. 

Here's what we mean:

Leaving tracts behind - I've seen them in phone booths, at restaurants and in restrooms. There's nothing like thinking you've found money only to realize you've been tricked, or as I like to say... tract.

Witnessing events - I was guilty of this. Multiple Friday's we would meet in downtown Lynchburg or at the local mall to go witnessing to any poor person who had the unfortunate timing of running into me. I would bait them with a question that had nothing to do with my purpose for walking up to them, then do the good ole switch and ask them... "If you would die tonight, where would you go." This is so short of the "gospel" that it's not even funny. In essence, what I was asking them is, "Are you going to burn in hell for all of eternity?" Nothing like event-based christianity.

Treating people like salvation projects - We've all done it. I have for sure. Nobody likes to feel like somebody's project.

Picketing - Whether you're standing outside an abortion clinic, or standing on the corner with signs that say, "God hates fags", this does not do anyone any good. Pretty sure everyone knows that christians aren't pro abortion. And the other... well, it's just plain hateful.

Webster's defines molest as: to annoy, disturb, or persecute with hostile intent.

So, what are some other ways this happens... maybe overtly or subvertly?

Or, maybe people need to be disturbed. If so, what does that look like?

FaceTime: iPhone 4 vs Jesus

I'm excited about iPhone 4. I'm counting down the hours before I can log on and pre-order it tonight. 

I've set my alarm. 

I've watched each iphone 4 video three times.

I've watched the WWDC Steve Jobs presentation three times.

I can't wait till I have this phone in my grubby little hands.

I only wish I could say the same thing about my anticipation and desire compared the same way for Jesus.

But in reality, the past couple of weeks and months, my desire for FaceTime with iPhone 4 outweights my desire for FaceTime with Jesus - and He's the only One who can change everything. Again.

So, how about you? Which FaceTime do you desire more?

You've Got to be Kidding Me... Please dont be the kind of leader that's on this video!

It pays to always research before you speak.

United State of Pop (Blame it on the Pop) Mashup

Just saw this on CNN. Loved it and had to share. By DJ Earworm

Finding the Right Tool to Get Students to Open Up

 

This is the tool I use to open up the hood to my car. The thing that you would typically pull to open a car hood broke a couple of years ago. So, if I don't have these pliers, my hood doesn't open. 

It's a tool that's not typically thought of to open the hood of a car. Yet, it's the only tool that will open my car's hood. I know this, because I drive my car. You wouldn't necessarily know that you need to use something different to open up my car's hood unless you looked closely.

And, here's the thing...

This is true when it comes to students.

You can't always use the same tools on every student you come in contact with. 

You have to use what works. And the only way to know that, is to get to know your students. To look closely into their lives and be with them.

If you do that, you'll discover what you need to open up their lives to you.

One of the Funniest Videos Ever About Youth Workers

The "Heartless" Kanye West & Taylor Swift

Everyone's aware of the Kanye West fiasco last night on MTV.

There's not much more to say about it. However, one word comes to mind: BULLY.

I could get upset and not listen to Kanye any longer and boycott his music. But I'm not going to do that. I'll probably buy more of his music.

I found myself calling him an ego-maniac and worse.

Then I remembered how rude I was two days ago - how I like to make a lot of things all about ME - and worse.

The amount of hate that Kanye carries must be heavy.

So, instead of jumping on the band wagon of bashing Kanye, I feel sorry for him.

Besides, he'll get his when Taylor writes a song about him... :-)

Let's Talk About Sex Baby

Bristol Palin went on the Today Show this morning to talk about how she is working to campaign against teen pregnancy. She wants students to learn from her example.

Question. Does this kind of campaign work? Maybe. Maybe not. I think it leads to more confusion... presenting the pregnancy and the decision to have sex as a mistake. 

According to the article on the Today Show's page, the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in the industrialized world. Each year, some 750,000 American teens get pregnant, according to the Candie's Foundation.

 This is an obvious cue, I think, to churches and student ministries to step up to the plate and teach God's plan for sex. 

And if you're scared to do so, grow a pair and take the heat. Cause your kids are using theirs to stir up their own heat.

Gadget Graveyard: 10 Technologies About to Go Extinct

I'm a gadget junkie. If I had more cash flow, I would be swimming in the latest tech toys. But I don't. In any case, I thought this was an interesting story on Fox News: Gadget Graveyard: 10 Technologies About to Go Extinct.

1. Landline Phones. If @jamiruth would let me get rid of ours, it would be gone.

2. Floppy Disks. Need I say more?

3. Wristwatches. I knew these things were on their way out 5 years ago when I asked what time it was and everyone pulled out their cell phone.

4. VHS tape and VCRs. TiVo and DVRs are so much better. But now we can watch our shows online. So when will DVRs go extinct.

5. Beepers. Seriously, they're still around? I think even the drug dealers gave up on them years ago!

6. Film cameras. I still love Polaroids where you have to shake the photo.

7. Typewriters. It's too bad they're gone. I loved throwing back the thing that moved the letters.

8. The Walkman, Discman and MiniDisc Player. I never even had the MiniDisc Player. 

9. Dial-up Internet Access. I would shoot myself if I had to go back to this.

10. DVDs. Almost all of our Dora the Explorer content is kept on our TiVo. ALL of our Backyardigans and Mickey are for sure. And I would rather rent a movie without going out.

So what did Fox News miss. Any tech toys you think will be extinct soon that didn't make the list?

What Does It Mean to "Live A Revolution Everyday?" Jeremy Zach

Next in my exploration of what it means to Live A Revolution is Jeremy Zach. Here's what Jeremy had to say:

"Everything about my life is at odds with this world. My life is a revolt against Satan's domain. To Live A Revolution means to live a life that stands out. Lohfink, in his book Jesus and Community, labels this as living as a contrast society. In the Lord's prayer Jesus states, 'Bring your Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven.' Living A Revolution means to be the Kingdom of God here on earth, which means to: 

Love someone

Care for someone

Forgive someone

Bless someone

Be patient

Be kind

Be a healer

Be a reconiler

Be gentle

Be a peacemaker

So every time I am revolting I am attempting to collide the earthly reality with the reality of who God is! Living the teachings of Jesus is tough. So, therefore, it challenges us Christians to live a life of revolt, which is heavily confronting the ways of this world. This is why I love when Jesus performs a miracle. NT Wright argues that the whole point of Jesus' miracles is to see the moments when heaven and earth intersect with each other. The point is not that they are stories which couldn't have happened in real life, but which point away from earth to a heavenly reality. In a way, divinity is visiting humanity. When Jesus is performing miracles it is as though God's will is on earth as it is in heaven."

I'm just getting to know Jeremy, but you can feel his heart blasting away. There's true passion and heat behind what he's saying. And then I get another email saying:

"Sorry, one more thought. As revolters we confront individualism, self sufficiency, materialism, paganism, independence, liars, corruption, injustice."

Isn't that soooo true. I battle with each one of the eight things above in Jeremy's last thought. This dude is on target.

Jeremy is the youth pastor at the Little Church by the Sea (cool name). He is committed to small church and has had the opportunity to write for a few student ministry curriculum and youth ministry magazines. He also lives in Laguna Beach, CA... sounds rough! ;-)

Thank you Jeremy for unloading on us!

What Does It Mean to "Live A Revolution Everyday" - Pete Wilson

Over the last month, I've been reconsidering the idea of what it looks like to Live A Revolution Everyday. I've got my own opinion, which I will share at the end of the discussion. But, I thought it would be appropriate to gain some ideas and wisdom from others. Over the next few days/weeks, I'll share with you the thoughts from those who are well known, and those who are my close friends. So, are you ready? Here we go:

What does Living A Revolution Everyday look like to you?

Pete Wilson: "I would say, for me, it's living completely open to what God has called me to do and not what the world pressures me to do. It's allowing my mind to be renewed daily by the love and power of Christ so that I can go out and live His life and not my own!"

If we are going to Live A Revolution Everyday, this is something all of us have to get. Pete is straight on with his thoughts. Each one of us is called to something. Those who pursue that calling with the courage and strength in Christ, are living out that Revolution. Because, when it gets tough, it's easy to give up. But when you give up, nobody wins. 

"Pete Wilson is the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. This is his second church he's planted in the last seven years. His first church, Morgantown Community Church, was planted just weeks after graduating from college." - Taken from his bio.

I love Pete's transparency as he expresses his heart on his blog. (I also love his style - no, I don't have a man crush.) If you haven't been by, you need to get there on a daily basis. 

Thanks, Pete, for taking the time to share your heart.

So what do you think? Does this hit the mark? Anything you would add? Let's get it going.

I "F'ing" HATE FAKE

I've been thinking about the idea of authenticity. What does healthy authenticity look like in my life. In the life of students. Is there even a thing called healthy authenticity. That's something I'm working on - right now - in real time. 

Because I hate fakeness. Diddy might call it "Bitchazzness". I despise the idea of being "fake". I've been there and done that - all in the name of conformity. All in the name of being accepted. All in the name of fear. I HATE FAKE! 

I think we can all agree with that statement. Let's yell it together,

 "I HATE FAKE!" 

So, now that we know that I HATE FAKE, let me tell you what I love...

This past week at Revolve, I was catching up with a student I hadn't seen in a while. As he talked about how he's doing and some of the things he's going through, he dropped some colorful language. I LOVED IT! I loved every part of the conversation - swearing and all.

What, Todd? You love it when a student cusses? Yes! 

I love it when a student is real. When they're not checking themselves at the door. 

One of the things that turns my stomach is when a student checks their speech when they die in Halo 3. You know what it sounds like... 

"Oh shi--oooot." 

They're not checking their language to make a life change. They're checking their language because they're at a "religious" event and don't want me to know they cuss. They're checking it in the name of conformity, acceptance or fear. Come on now. If that's the only reason they ain't cuss'n, that's the wrong reason. I don't want anyone to stop cussing for me. If I'm the reason, it's the wrong reason.

So, I'm cool with cuss'n kids. 

Why?

Cause I HATE FAKE! I want to get to know who these students really are - not who I really want them to be - so we can get to the next level...

Jason Taylor Chooses Time with Family Over Money

"I know people are going to think I'm crazy, walking away from 8.5 million," says the athlete, who is back at home in Miami with wife, Katina, 33, and children Isaiah, 6, Nason, 4, and Zoe, 3. "There are certain things money can't buy, like time with your children … I didn't have a father growing up [so] I understand how important it is. I don't want to miss my kids lives." - Jason Taylor

It's nice to hear about an athlete making this type of choice in a world that believes money will help their family out more than time spent with them. For a professional athlete, it's a revolutionary way to live life.

You can find the rest of the short story online at People Magazine.

M.A.S.K. the Best Cartoon Ever

This is my all time favorite cartoon.

True Beauty... or Not

I'm hooked. And you should be too. A bunch of supposedly gorgeous people (that's right, I included the guys as gorgeous too!) on a reality show competing for $100,000 and a spot on People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People issue... or are they? Instead of being judged for their outer beauty, these guys are given "tests" to see if they are also beautiful on the inside. At the end of each show, the loser is confronted by the judges on their lack of "True Beauty"... and then play back each instance where the contestant's behavior was less than attractive. OH SNAP! And as I watched their video I thought...

Ouch.

That could be me.

I've been ugly.

To a lot of people.

My video would look a lot worse.

I would be horribly embarrassed to watch back portions of it with Jesus standing in front of me.

I would be horribly embarrassed to watch it with others standing in front of me.

OH SNAP!

A Seacrest Surprise

So... this is what happens when u Twitter about liking Ryan Seacrest. Notice who the first @ reply is from. Ok, not directly from Ryan, but from his "team". Close enough. :-)

Drug Testing Your Kids At Home

 

I was driving to an appointment listening to a Chicago radio station when an advertisment for First Check Drug Tests began. The ad was selling the idea for the need for parents to randomly drug test their kids at home.

So that got me thinking, would I ever drug test my children, Carter & Morgan? I'm still undecided. What about you. Would you ever drug test your child at home? Why or why not.

Self-embedding Disorder

This story caught my attention found in the Chicago Tribune. 

If you click on the image above and look at it at full size, you'll notice a straightened paper clip that has been embeded into a teen's arm. Personnel at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, report extracting 52 foreign objects that 10 teenage girls deliberately embedded in their arms, hands, feet, ankles and necks over the last three years, including needles, staples, wood, stone, glass, pencil lead and a crayon. One patient had inserted 11 objects, including an unfolded metal paper clip more than 6 inches long. Self-injury is not a new trend among kids, but this appears to be a new form called "self-embedding disorder." To read further, click here.

Love, Honor & Nails...

Truth - I think I have "love" nailed down. I love my wife. I love my kids. I love my family. I love my friends.

Actuality - I don't know what I'm talking about. And at age 32, this is really just hitting me. Even though I've been a follower of Jesus since age 18, I'm just figuring this out. How lame is that? Pretty lame.

 

With that said, we're in the middle of "iChristmas" at Revolve (cut me some slack. i just got an iPhone). 

This week, we're talking about being generous. Anyways, in researching and prepping for this talk, I stumbled on to Romans 12v10: "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." The idea of being generous to someone, mingles with the idea of Honoring someone above and beyond ourselves. 

You see, there are times when I read Scripture and I get the kind of feeling in my stomach I usually get just before I crest the hill of a gigantic rollercoaster... the feeling of, "oh crap" and "yeessssss" at what's about to happen. And yesterday, I felt like I was riding Kingda Ka.

Question - What would this world look like if we all lived out this verse, if we actually took time to Honor each other... to Honor our spouse, our children, our family, our friends, our co-workers (even the ones we don't like. Come on, someone just popped into your head, someone popped into mine.) That's the question I'm asking myself these days. And I've got some ideas on how it looks to put this to application in my life. What about you? How will you answer this question in your life? 

Cause here's the deal, if I still believe I've got love nailed down, it makes a joke out of the nails that love put into Jesus. 

40 Day Fast: Back 2 Back Ministries - ¿Dónde está su casa?

¿Dónde está su casa? Where is your home? This is the question that each kid asked me as we interacted at the first children’s home (orphanage), Casa Hogar Douglas, in Monterrey, Mexico. And as I answered each one, I didn’t really put too much though into it – until we got a tour of some of the kids’ dorms and a brief biography of the kids we were interacting with.

This is one of the rooms where some of the kids were staying. This was what some of these kids called home – a filthy, broken down room with no air conditioning and very poor lighting. And then our guide told us about the kids we were hanging out with. A lot of them had stories like this kid.

This is Elvin. He actually came from another children’s home to hang out with the “Americans”. But he’s got a story that’s similar to the other kids there. You see, our group went to Monterrey, Mexico the last week in July which meant two things. One, it was HOT. And more importantly, it also meant that all of the kids we interacted with had no parents. These were the roughest of the rough. These were the kids that were dropped off by perfectly healthy parents because they weren’t wanted. Some of their mothers remarried only to have step-dad say he didn’t want them until they could come back at an age they could be put to work. As I stood there, in the middle of a broken down room, I couldn’t help but think about my then six-month pregnant wife back home in Indiana. I couldn’t imagine giving away my son until he got old enough to help put food on the table. How selfish. How loveless. How evil. Nobody deserves to be treated that way.

And these people “get it.” Matt and Julie Cooper, Associate Director for the Back 2 Back program in Monterrey, Mexico and two people of a staff of about 18 individuals committed to serving Jesus through cross-cultural missions. Both Matt and Julie have hearts for the discipleship of teens. They “get” the love of Jesus and give it away fully and completely. Both lead bible studies. And both have a desire to share God’s heart with the children of Mexico who have not fully experienced His love, nor the love of a mother or father. These guys moved their family from northern Indiana to bring hope to the hopeless. These guys are integral in ministering to children in seven different “children’s homes” and provide leadership for the work you’ll see below.

Remember the first photo you saw above? The photo of the beaten down room. This is just one example of the work these guys help facilitate when groups come down for their missions trip so that the children don’t have to live in dilapidated rooms.

This is the outside of the “children’s home” where those beds above are located. I’m proud to say that our team helped pour the roof on this building in over 100 degree heat! It’s really neat to see how God uses teams of people to do his work.

Another dorm (home) being built. And what’s cool about this photo, the dude in the cowboy hat, and the dude with the yellow shovel, they live on site and are working with us. It was awesome to be able to work alongside these guys.

But the work doesn’t stop at only the seven “children’s homes”. These guys also serve communities like “El Rio” and “Dos Rio”, the River and the Second River, communities where people build their homes out of trash.

This is Meme (pronounced May May). She works as the house keeper on the grounds of the Back 2 Back compound. As a result of Back 2 Back’s ministry, she now follows Jesus. The photo you see, is of me and her in her new home. Her home use to look like a home you see just above. Dirt floor. Walls made out of scrap wood and trash. Her front yard is a dumping ground for trash. She makes enough money to be able to move out of that community. But instead of moving, she chose to have her new home built right next door to her old house. Why? So she could minister to those she spent her life living with. She gets it. She gets the love of Jesus and gives it away because of the obedience of folks like Matt and Julie and Back 2 Back Ministries.

“Dos Rio” My wife gets it (pictured third “white lady” from the left), handing out diapers, powdered milk and clothes to mothers and children on her first mission trip, my second to Monterrey.

This is a 16 year old mother who sells her baby’s milk for Coca Cola. As a result, baby’s teeth are now rotting.

This is a “town meeting place” we used to hand out water.

I am so very proud to have been able to serve alongside and to take my day on the 40 Day Fast to talk about Matt, Julie and Back 2 Back Ministries. The work they do is incredible. They have a very large task at hand. They now support nearly 400 children in seven separate children’s homes, and 19 teens in the Joshua and Esther House programs. And they have made it their mission to provide care for today and hope for tomorrow to orphans, unwed mothers, and poverty-stricken people of Latin America. This is just a glimpse of the work these guys do. There is so much more that I could blog about. If you’re looking for a mission trip experience for your group, I would highly recommend Back 2 Back. If you’re looking for a cause to give to, whether it’s with your time and/or finances, this is a worthy cause. These guys are not only providing better physical homes for children, they are giving the opportunity for people to have a new spiritual home as well.  

Así que, ¿dónde está tu casa? So, where is your home? This question has a completely different meaning for me now. 

Inspired to Action

In just a few short days, the 40 Day Fast begins. Brody Harper, who took part in it last year writes: "Here’s how it works. For 40 days, a different blogger fasts and writes about a specific organization or part of the world that is dear to them and they feel needs to be recognized. Each day a new organization that is making a difference in the world is featured and supported. As readers we are encouraged to link to each blogger fasting and help get the word out. It’s a pretty amazing thing to watch happen over the span of the 40 days."

This year, I get to be one of the bloggers. I'm excited to be able to take July 18 to write about what's going on down in Monterrey, Mexico with Back 2 Back Ministries. As you can see by the banner, it kicks off this Monday. I hope you'll join me as we take a world journey the next 40 days. I can't wait!

Where in the World is...

No. Not Carmen Sandiego. Although I did love that show. Come Thursday, the question will be, "Where is Todd?" Why? Because I won't be at GCC for Thursday night services. So, in an effort to head off the questions before Thursday, here's the reason. Beginning this Thursday, I'll be working with inner city/urban/regular kids at the Tolsen Center in Elkhart, Indiana each week from 4-8 p.m. This has been in the works for quite some time. The idea hit me as I was talking to a church leader in a different state about student ministry. He was explaining to me that they wanted to reach students who live in the inner city. Good goal. Great goal. He wanted to know what my thoughts were on how to do that. My response? Go to where they are. Send people to their neighborhood. Make contacts. Develop partnerships. Nowhere did I tell him to develop a cool Fifty Cent flier. Nowhere did I tell him to add some rap music and a cool DJ... which is what I think he wanted to hear. I did tell him that in all likelihood, these kids won't attend his student ministry service located in white suburbia. Again, I don't think he wanted to hear that. And that's ok. I think the conversation was more for me than him. Because that sparked a year-long "what would that look like" conversation between me and God. Then between me, God and my brother-in-law. Then between me, God, my brother-in-law and a few key people who live and work in Elkhart.

Fast forward to January 1, 2008. The following is a quote from a post I made on that day: "I'd also like to live more passionately, and reach some urban inner-city students and families in Elkhart with the love of Jesus." When I didn't re-up my role as a volunteer in Lifeline this past school year, the common question then was, "So Todd, what are you going to volunteer in now?" At the time. The answer was "nothing". My blood drips student ministry. My heart aches for students and their families. There's nothing else I would rather do or volunteer in. And while I know that, I also knew my time at Lifeline had met it's end. There was nothing else for me to do. So I rested. I waited. I had discussions. And I dreamed. I love dreaming. I love envisioning what could be. And all the while, asking God what he wanted me to do knowing who I am and where I am physically at.

Then in the middle of all of this, Perry Noble wrote a post on September 21, 2007, asking the question, "What would YOU be willing to attempt for God if you KNEW you could not fail?" The reply he got from one of his mentors after Perry gave his answer, "You are a coward if you don’t!” That post hit me square in the eyes.

So what's the dream? Great question. Like I said. I love student ministry. I've been working with students and their families in some shape and form for about 10 years. And I can't see myself doing anything else. Right now, I'm a juvenile probation officer. And it's good. It's giving me some pretty strong contacts. But I also know that probation is not the end game. It's a good start for students and families to make a life change. It's a good stepping stone. It's a great entry point. But in the end, for true life change to take place, they need to return to Jesus. And that's where the dream begins to get interesting.

So back to the "Perry" question. Here's the answer. To help urban/inner city/regular students in Elkhart return to Jesus. So, beginning Thursday from 4-8 p.m., I'll be working with, and at, the Tolsen Center in Elkhart to make this happen. They've given me the opportunity to do some things. To take the high school students on a journey, if you will, literally and physically. I'm a dork. I know I'm a dork. Which is why I have to name everything I do. So the journey I want these guys to go on will be called Revolve. The plan is to create an innercity/urban/regular student ministry of sorts with a large group meeting time called (Real Talk), where the students and adults bring it together to talk about issues they are struggling with. To take students on mission's projects locally, regionally and, believe it or not, to Mexico. And to possibly do a summer camp. The Tolsen Center has an abundance of contacts and resources that I look forward to getting to know - which is exciting. The big dream, is to make Revolve it's own entity, and ministry to innercity/urban/regular kids. And I think the partnership that is being developed with Tolsen is a great first step and is good for the community.

This is a big dream. It's huge. It's "Muga-big" as Carter would say. It's definitely bigger than me. And it's got a huge potential to fail. Yeah. It could. Am I ok with that? Yeah, I am... now. I've been freaked out to share my dreams because I don't want to look like a dork. But I am. And it's all good.

So when Thursday rolls around, you've got an idea of where I am... and more importantly, how to be praying.

Tougher to Become A Saint

According to the USA Today, the Vatican is making it tougher to become a saint. I'm hoping that my name is still being considered. For a summary of the rules, click here.

Do You Have A Crush?

People.com asks the question, "What star do you you have a fashion crush on?" Great question - for a girl... right? But what about dudes? I think it's ok for a dude to  have a fashion crush. In fact, here's mine:

That's right. David Beckham. And I'm ok with that. :)

Chinese History

In case you wanted to know...

Iced Over

I hate driving on ice. HATE it. My whole body gets tense. I turn off the radio - because I think that somehow helps me focus more. I white-knuckle grib the steering wheel to where I have to remove my hands with plyers. I hate the feeling of knowing that I might not be able to stop unless I'm extremely careful. I hate the feeling of knowing that at any moment I could slide off into the ditch or through a stop light. Then you've got the people who don't appear to be aware, or care about the icy roads. They fly past you, ride your bumper and have the attitude that they won't slide anywhere because they've got four-wheel drive. Other people simply stay home - too afraid to attempt to navigate the slippery roadways. Now, I've gotten better at this deal. I've been taught and have learned that there are ways to drive safely. There are things you do to protect yourself so that you can get to where you want to go. I've been thinking about what I do, and about the kids I come in contact with every day.

Here's what I've noticed about the majority of students I come in contact with on a daily basis... these kids are living their lives on an icy road mentality. They're tense. Stressed out. And they're trying to navigate their lives with a tight, white-knuckle grip that would break the hand of Andre the Giant. The majority of kids are living in families that are broken. They see their mother working multiple jobs that help her to barely pay the rent - let alone utilities. They live in areas of high crime. They live with the feeling that at any moment their lives could slide in any number of directions - and usually, none of the options are good. So these kids find ways to cope - ways to survive. Drugs. Sex. Alcohol. Theft. Anger. Violence. Gangs. Instead of turning the radio off, they turn up the noise in an effort to drown out the sounds of despair. Some kids simply don't appear to care where they slide to, or who they take with them. Other kids have seen so much that they are too afraid to even attempt to navigate the slippery roadways of their lives.

If you've breathed more than ten breaths you already know that. If you watch the news for any length of time, you can see that. Unfortunately, that's where a lot of people want to stop. But there is more to each kid's story.

I've also noticed, that when you take the time to interact, you will also see that these same kids possess unbelievable abilities. Leadership qualities. Business know how. Loyalty. Adaptableness. Persistance. The list goes on and on. Unfortunately, these abilities are being put to use in survivor mode in a lot of kids. As a result, these kids are in need of people to teach them a whole new way of living. They're in need of people to walk along side of them and help them navigate through life. These are the kids I see - Probationers. The problem? Probation is a good start. It is not the end. Probation helps direct the behavior and gives services to guide motivation. It doesn't provide a 360 re-direction for a kid's and family's life. It leaves out the spiritual side where hope is found and new life is waiting. The question then becomes, who will stand up? Who will go? Who will live a revolution with this demographic? I do know this... I'm in.

It's OK

This photo got me thinking today. It's actually got my attention for the rest of the week. I work with students who don't believe in much of anything. In fact, most probably have nobody to believe in them. Consequently, these families grow up without the ability to believe in anything. Which means they need people in their lives telling them it's ok to believe - to believe in themselves. To believe in humanity. To believe in hope. To believe in grace - to believe in a God that loves them. In fact, we all probably come in contact with people like this. Heck, I need to be told this from time to time... It's ok to believe.

Observation

Eyes tell everything. Or at least a lot. I'v been noticing a lot of different types of looks when people find out that Jami is gone for eight days. I love the looks I've gotten when I'm walked through the mall or taken them to a restaraunt. Some of the looks are "that's cool looks." The kind where they give us a cute smile. But I have to say, a lot of the looks and even responses are the type you might get when you tell people you've only got eight months to live... a mixture of sadness and pure horror. It's the "you poor thing you have to watch your two holy terrors for eight days while Jami is away, what are you going to do." It's a look and response that communicates a message where the person is almost questioning how I'm going to be able to handle it. Now, I could be wrong, but I don't think females get these kinds of looks as often as dudes do. One, it's not sad. I get to hang out with two of the coolest kids on the face of the planet. Two, I'm not flustered, scared or upset that it's two on one. Three, it's time for guys everywhere to step up to the plate and get involved in their children's life. I'm not perfect. And it's in these times where I learn just how much more I could be doing with my gangsters when Jami is here. So here's the revolutionary lesson... dudes, men, fathers... get involved... don't tune out. Our children's future depends on it.

Gucci Church

So, I talk about our church a lot at work... with my co-workers... kids... kid's families... service providers. I'm out there with it - we are a part of a hip, cool church. (Ok, I'm probably not cool because I just used the word hip). So at lunch today we start talking about church and where people go. And someone in the group looks at me and says... "Oh yeah. You go to that Gucci church." Huh? Never heard it described like that. Makes me laugh. Makes me proud. So I jump on Gucci's site to take a look. Yeah. It's hip. It's cool. And I think I'm going to start a blog series entitled "Gucci Church" that compares Gucci and Granger. Afterall, if you take out the "u" and the "i" in Gucci, you get, GCC. Stay tuned.

A Must Read

If you are an educator, work with students, families, or have any type of connection to people beyond your own culture, get this book. Read it. And then read it again with a highlighter. If you have anything to do with Monroe Circle, get this book. Read it. Read it again. And then read it one more time. Son City Kids. Same thing. Anyone who works or volunteers with inner city families. Same thing.

Restroom Regulations

Regulation # 1: If I'm peeing in a urinal, don't say howdy to me... especially if I don't know you. Sorry. That weirds me out.

Apple Festival Parade Fun

Carter and Lexi waving at the copper.

Apple Festival Parade Fun

What would the Apple Festival Parade be without an apple.

Apple Festival Parade Fun

Perfect Ending

Maybe not the greatest shot. But we ended the day at Gino's East Pizza.

Caramel Corn Snobs

That's right. I don't eat caramel corn unless it comes from Garrett in downtown Chi-town.

It's A Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

Everyone needs a Best Buy within walking distance of their home.

Chicago - Wrigley Field

The Holy Grail

Chicago - Wrigley Field

The Holy Grail

Zapped

I saw this Zero Emmissions Vehicle parked on the street today. It's called "ZAP" for Zero Air Pollution. It must be the vehicle of the future... kind of like Dippin' Dots, the ice cream of the future that never really took off.

I Don't Drink It

My friends and I just exited the drive thru at Starbucks where we gave the employee a hard time for not getting our order rght. She said she fell asleep. Which we thought was odd considering she's surrounded by tons of caffeine. Her response, "I don't drink the coffee." What! A. You don't drink Starbucks? Odd. B. What employee tells the customers they don't use their own product! Unbelievable.

Cell Phone Jerk

Are you a cell phone jerk? The Chicago Tribune posted an article about proper cell phone etiquette. See if you qualify as a cell phone jerk. Here's how I qualify:

Don't text and drive - Jerk! Oh, and I text and walk... oooooohhhhh.

Remember to mute ringer - Not a Jerk. Phone is usually always on vibrate.

Put the phone away - Not a Jerk. It's either on my belt (geek!), or in my pocket.

Avoid a tell-all - Not a Jerk. I only gossip in person. Although I do love listening in on someone else's juicy details.

Watch the ringtone - Not a Jerk. Like I said before. Phone is always on vibrate. Although if I did have a ringtone, I would pick one that would challenge someone's thinking.

Check your volume - Jerk. I don't know what it is with cell phones, I just feel the need to talk loud.

Prioritize the person you're with - Not a Jerk. Don't answer your phone if you're already in conversation with someone. Talk about RUDE.

Two out of Seven. Not bad. How do you rank?

What Carter's Been Up To

I've been at the Apple Festival way too long... and it's only been an hour. Look how giddy I am.

Not sure what it is with this age group. But both Carter and Tyler feel the necessity to stand for the photo even when strapped down.

Carter before the fireworks.

Carter during the fireworks!

Go ND!

How you like my Touchdown Jesus impression?

Ok, seriously. I know what this looks like. It looks bad. It looks like I'm eating my own poop. Stop. Relax. I'm not. My mommy left me alone with a piece of chocolate. Seriously. It's not poop.