Bucketology

The NEW Bucketology.com is now LIVE!

2009-06-08T11:30:00.002-05:00

Revamped and reloaded, Bucketology is now LIVE and in action! Props to Stephen and Creative Improv for the redesign. If you have been coming to my blogspot page directly, I will no longer be updating here. Please redirect to bucketology.com for the latest updates. While you're there, don’t forget to resubscribe via RSS or follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Let’s get the conversations started!

Please leave me a comment on the new site and let me know what you think of the new design!

Bucketology to Relaunch Soon!

2009-05-02T09:57:00.004-05:00

The date is not set yet, but Bucketology will be launching a new and beautiful interface in the next few weeks. I've got a TON to say and can't wait to rejoin the blogging sphere once again. In the meantime, join my conversations on Twitter or Facebook.

I'm tapping on Stephen for my redesign. Oh, and by the way, go check out the new Creative Improv site...leave us a comment here.

Grace and peace...

The Firebird: In the Beginning

2009-04-12T22:47:00.004-05:00

Today seems to be an appropriate day to renew something that is close to my heart. I've been contemplating when to post to this blog again, and on the day when He is risen, I have decided to kindle the passionate and spirited voice that resides within my soul. Where this is headed could be anyone's guess, but God is in control and I know He'll lead me in the right direction.

I've heard several good messages this past weekend (and many other weekends), been reading a LOT and have had (of course) much on my mind for the past eight and a half months. For those familiar with my journey I will begin to fill you in on the missing chapters. For those of you new to this adventure, I invite you to sit back, keep your mind and heart open, and be prepared for some challenging thoughts (maybe just challenging to me...who knows?).

I invite your thoughts and comments, and as always, I hope some engaging dialogue is at hand.

Grace and peace...

It's A Wonderful Life

2008-12-25T10:53:00.003-06:00

It's hard to believe that the Holidays of 2008 are upon us and we are about to embark on a brand new year! I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and of course, best wishes for 2009.

Bucketology will be back better than ever for 2009 with a new look, new flavor and a new outlook on life. I hope you will join me on this new journey!

Until then, kick back, relax and spend time with those who matter most in your life. Cheers!

Unique Ink Launch Party!

2008-12-16T16:59:00.003-06:00

I know it's been awhile since my last post, and I could give out the normal excuses of "I've been busy" or "'tis the holiday season" all of which are true. But more than that, I've been giving a lot of thought to the next direction of this blog. I have some ideas and I'll probably be asking for feedback from the few stragglers who still stop by this broken down place.

In the meantime, I would like to announce the launch of a brand new website from some good friends of mine: UniqueInk.net. Not only are Tim and Kerry incredible people, they are some of the most talented folks that I know. If you need a t-shirt design or vinyl lettering or stickers or whatever, check out Unique Ink. You won't be sorry.

UniqueInk.net was designed by a new company that my good friend (with his massive design skillz) Stephen Emlund and I started a few months ago. You can check out our mantra at creativeimprov.com. Our new site is scheduled to launch in the next few weeks and you can learn more about us at that time. We're scheduling new projects right now, and if you'd like us to take a look at designing a website that's just right for you, shoot me an email: michael (at) creativeimprov (dot) com. We'd love to talk with you.

New Bucketology design coming soon...stay tuned!

Two to Tango

2008-11-25T10:42:00.003-06:00

Two great posts you should read...both are challenges. Both worthy of the undertaking. Stop what you are doing on my page and go read these NOW! Then come back and share your thoughts.

Tim Stevens on "Are You Tired of the Noise?"

Steven Furtick on "Gratitude Project"

The American Dream

2008-11-23T18:43:00.005-06:00

My five year old asked me to watch a movie with her this morning. I decided to sit with her while sipping my coffee. Little did I know I was in for more than I bargained.

The movie? Kit Kittredge: An American Girl. This seemingly auspicious movie packed a whole lot more than a "good viewing" experience. Set in the Great Depression, Kit details the human struggle while following a normal family faced with the trials of a broken economy. Sound familiar? This movie could have easily been set in 2008.

I won't spoil the movie for you (I'd highly recommend you take time out to watch it on your own), but I wonder if we are callous to the human suffering that goes on around us today? This was new territory for those in the 20's, but those "without" seem to be more prevalent today. Hobos may have turned into homeless by today's definition, but the struggle to survive is no different than it was nearly 100 years ago.

We have "more" resources than ever before in our great country but seem to have "less" of a desire to help those in need. Didn't we learn anything the first time around?

They say that history repeats itself. I for one, hope that this time they're wrong.

An American Creed

2008-11-21T21:06:00.004-06:00

Continuing my thoughts from yesterday, here is a great commentary with much wisdom...

I DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE A COMMON MAN

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange [courtesy of Dave Ramsey]

Out With the Old...In With the New

2008-11-21T00:32:00.004-06:00

I had the opportunity to visit "Theology at the Bottleworks" in St. Louis last night. This event is hosted by The Journey Church and is held at the Bottleworks portion of Schlafly. According to Journey's website, "In older, simpler times, a pub or 'public house' was often the focal point of the community, playing a similar role to the local church, where people gathered to openly discuss significant issues of the day."

First of all, it was a VERY interesting night. Second, the topic was one close to my heart:

"What is the role of art in today's culture?"

At it's surface, this topic may appear to be quite mundane, but I can assure you that the dialogue was quite animated. I won't go into great detail and to be honest, it's a bit hard to describe the process. I encourage you to check it out for yourself.

Here are a few things that I took away from the evening:

There is a definite generational gap in our society - those that have been there and done that, and those who are still trying to get there
Those who have experience are typically more cynical than those without
The older generation is still trying to convince the younger one that the past is much better then the future
Despite the circumstances, younger people are still trying to make a difference in the world
The older generation think first and feel later...the younger feel first and think later
Typically the older generation tend to be more conservative; the younger more liberal

These are just a few observations from one particular event at one particular moment in time. That doesn't necessarily make them accurate. What I found interesting is that the younger generation is still trying to dream big. They invite change, not discourage it. They feel emotions at a deeper level and are trying to express themselves in as many ways as they can.

At my age, I find myself in the middle of both camps. My experiences have given me wisdom (at times!) but I still feel that passion burning inside of me that I MUST make a difference. I still want to dream and create and scream and fight and to let everyone know that we can embrace change. It won't be perfect (and neither are we) and sometimes it will get messy. But that doesn't mean it won't be worth it. That doesn't invalidate the idea.

Sometimes opening up a discussion about a topic as simple (and complex) as art can stimulate a whole new world of thinking. And that is not a bad place to be.

What has stimulated your thinking lately?

Today's Poll: What Jobs Are Absolutely Necessary?

2008-11-14T08:35:00.003-06:00

It's here. And you're feeling it. It's what some have called an "economic recession" and others have flat out called a depression. Whatever it is, many people I know have felt the pain. From losing a job to the panic of uncertainty about your job, in some way we have all felt the sting of this crisis. There's a lot of talk but very few answers.

All of the discussion has started my brain thinking (a dangerous proposition at best!) and I wanted to ask your thoughts on a specific question:

What jobs, if any, would survive if our economy totally tanked?

A fair question I think. What industry or job or the like would still be absolutely necessary if the economy ceased to exist as we know it?

I'd love to hear your response! Make a comment and we'll put it all together to find out what America (or at least our little corner of it!) thinks about this subject.

50,000 Shoes...Be the NEXT Pair

2008-11-11T17:01:00.003-06:00

This is hitting the web hard and I'm way behind the game (thanks to a crazy head cold!), but I can't say enough good things about Anne Jackson. Go here and check out the details on how you can get involved with 50000shoes.com.

While you're at her site, be sure to check out the rest of her incredible thoughts. Oh yeah...you can also pre-order her new book here.

The Fight to Vote

2008-11-04T10:55:00.002-06:00

I voted today. And so did you. At least most of us.

It didn't take long to vote. As a matter of fact, it took much longer to visit during the "before and after" then it did to actually cast my vote. Today was the day I realized that voting has become more of a social activity than a right we should be compelled to exercise.

I also realized something else. You may say you care about the issues, but the truth is that you really don't. Most Americans will wake up tomorrow and go on with their lives as normal. The election will be over and within a week it won't matter to you who you voted for or what issues passed or failed. Most of us care more about the fight than we do the cause.

I posed a simple question the other day...Obama or McCain: who should I vote for? The response was incredible...but not necessarily in a positive way. To be sure there were opinions flying everywhere...the fight was on. But I began to wonder...are people more interested in the fight or the cause?

Think about everyone you have engaged with over the past month. I'm betting that politics were discussed at some point. And I'm also betting that there were some passionate discussions that ensued. People love to voice their opinions and engage in a fight to defend them. But when the election is over and the fight is through, where will all those defenders go?

What if we spent more time worrying about the cause than the fight? What if we spent more time feeding those who are hungry and finding clean drinking water when only dirty water can be found? What if you woke up tomorrow and the fight you were so passionate about for a few days suddenly became a cause that you were committed to for a lifetime?

I challenge you to re-evaluate your priorities. Pursue a new passion. Take your fight and put action behind your words. Make indifference your enemy. Struggle. Dream. Live.

We will make a difference.

Are You Guilty of a Prayer Violation?

2008-10-28T13:17:00.004-05:00

Over the past three months I have had countless people tell me that they would be praying for me and my family. I'm sure it's always meant with good intentions, but it's become a "pet peeve" of mine. Are you guilty of a "prayer violation?"

Here's a scenario:

A friend of yours resigns from their job. Well, not really resigns, more like let go, but that's another story. Anyway, you hear about it and stop by to see how they are doing. After listening, small talk and such, you get ready to leave. What do you say next?

A. "It was good to see you. Let me know if there is anything else I can do."

B. "Sorry for what's happened. God always has a plan."

C. "I'm sure there is a reason for this. I'll be praying for you."

You probably fall into one of the categories above. It's kind of like a visitation; you feel compelled to see the family, but you're not sure what to say. But what really gets me is when someone chooses response C. BAM! They've just committed a "prayer violation." Why a violation? Let me explain.

So many of us throw out numerous religious terms, including the "I'll be praying for you" line. What they really mean is that they need to sound like they are connected to God (aka "I'm religious"), and besides, isn't that what Jesus would say? In reality, they probably won't give it another thought unless they happen to see you at WalMart. Even then, there is a 50/50 chance they won't know what to say next and they will turn and avoid you by going down the sugar and baking goods aisle.

My point in all this? Instead of talking the talk, change your tune and "walk the walk." Instead of saying that you'll be praying for them, DO IT! Stop what you are doing, put your arm around them and PRAY! That one moment in time will make a bigger impact than you "thinking" about doing it a million times. Turn your M.I.A. into F.I.A - Faith In Action. I guarantee you that no one will be upset when you take time to pray.

While it's important to keep others in your prayer thoughts, it's more important that they experience it first hand. Besides, God already knows they need the prayer.

National Wave Day

2008-10-23T16:19:00.004-05:00

Disclaimer: A few days ago, I posted a quick comment on Twitter which automatically updates my Facebook status. Within minutes, several folks posted a comment and the discussion was on. This post is a humorous attempt to discuss a serious topic.

National Wave Day. Yes, this fictional day took the "heartland" by storm. This past Wednesday, several volunteers took to the streets to find out exactly who or better yet, who "would not" wave. While I will encourage others to post their thoughts as well, you'll find below my discoveries on this historic day.

The morning started at 6:45am as I took my son to early morning band rehearsal. Even though it was dark outside, I stood firm by my decision to wave at anyone I met while I was driving. As the few early morning travelers approached, my hand immediately shot into the air for a friendly "wave." Not surprisingly, there was no response. Obviously it was too dark to see.

My next test would be the drive through town. This time it was light outside, and the cloud cover made for a perfect hand-waving day. I made my way to the elementary school to drop of my youngest daughter. First car. WAVE! No response. Second car. WAVE! No response. Dang! What's going on people!?! There's a bus! WAVE! It's a friend, Kelly Korokis. She spies me in the car and with a smile...WAVE! YES! Score one wave! Two no-waves to one wave. At least it's close.

On my return home I pass at least ten more cars, all of which I incessantly wave at. The response? Zero. I had been brushed off. Surely my next trip out would be more enlightening?

About an hour later, I make my way out of the house, this time driving through town and then out towards the highway. WAVE! WAVE! WAVE! Each time I wave, but this time I try some different techniques. First I try the "one finger wave" (not that finger!). Not much luck. Then two fingers. Still no response. Then I hold the steering wheel with my palm/thumb and shove all four fingers in the air...AHA! Success. The first car sees me and responds politely with a wave back! Maybe the key is in the technique?

As I pass several more cars, I give it the four finger salute...WAVE! Very little response even with my new found technique. In desperation I throw my entire hand in the air, nearly running off the road as I do so. Out of the next five cars, only one waves back.

After a day spent teaching, I head back home trying to figure out this apparent tragedy. I pass many cars on the way back through town...dissed...again. I finally arrive home, head hung low, reeling from a lack of self-confidence. I smell my armpits. They smell delicious. It wasn't body odor then. What could it be? Would National Wave Day be destined to failure? I'd have to examine the results.

Here are my official results from National Wave Day:

As you can see, National Wave Day was a dismal failure. 6 out of 52 cars? Are you kidding me? What would cause people to be so rude and uncaring? Who do these people think they are not waving at me!?!

When it comes down to it, most of us lead a very busy life. When you're in the car, a lot of us tune out the world, our minds become focused on our current problems or situation, and our "auto-pilot" takes over (either that or an alternate form of ourselves takes over, kind of like that new TV show, "My Own Worst Enemy"). What happens to you when you enter the car?

Now, I must admit, most of the time I don't wave to people while I'm driving. I just don't. But then again, neither does the person in the other car. But...have I been guilty of a "no-wave infraction?" Not that I recall. I don't ever remember actually seeing someone wave at me, only to glare and turn my head and continue driving without so much as lifting a finger. I would much prefer someone give me "the finger" then totally do nothing...on purpose. Has society digressed so much that we can't offer our fellow citizens a courtesy wave?

So for now, National Wave Day is complete and in the books. A dismal failure? Perhaps. Or just maybe this day has opened the "hands" of would-be-offenders as they take their next drive around the neighborhood. May your hand (and the others you see) be with you.

Hickory Dickory...Canyon!

2008-10-20T00:10:00.007-05:00

I'm not sure where the weekend has gone. Blink once. Blink twice. Boom. It's now after midnight and we're already into Monday. Does the world actually move faster the older you get?

Melissa, Emilee and I spent the afternoon at Hickory Canyon park near Farmington, MO on Saturday. A nice place, although it's really just a wide spot in the road and one might miss it if not careful. The "canyons" are on both sides - one trail of 1/2 mile and the other of 1 mile. Both trails are incredibly beautiful with horizontal bluffs and craggy creeks made for walking.

The Fall season typically finds dry creek beds, but you can imagine the rush of water during a thawing Spring day. There seemed to be multiple spots where waterfalls once roamed and one in particular on a gorgeous drop of nearly 30 feet. We can't wait to visit again next Spring. A word of caution however...bring shoes you don't mind getting wet. While the creek beds were mostly dry, there were definitely spots of oozing mud and small pools of water.

A beautiful park spent with some beautiful people on a beautiful Fall day.

"Ben" There

2008-10-15T08:19:00.000-05:00

Uh...thanks Ben. You've said it well.

Warren Sapp, The Bears and A Marathon

2008-10-15T08:07:00.004-05:00

I was listening to the radio this morning on the way back from taking Emilee to school. I flipped over to a sports station (I'm a HUGE sports fan) and the hosts were talking with Warren Sapp. I didn't realize Warren was such a funny guy! But the thing that struck me most was a simple truth that most of us have heard quite often..."It's a marathon."

Warren was referring to the Bears, who suffered a humiliating last second defeat on Sunday. He was asked what the Bears should do to recover. He simply told them, "It's a marathon." It's not one game, or even two games...it's a season; a marathon.

How true that is for all of us. It's a marathon. We may face challenges or setbacks today or even through periods in our life, but it's a marathon. The race will continue. Paul tells us to finish the race strong; not giving up. That's not always easy to do in light of circumstances. But we must continue to push forward, dreaming the dreams and putting our faith into action. Eventually we'll cross the finish line and look back at all that was accomplished.

Run the race...you won't regret it.

Discovering the End

2008-10-09T10:26:00.005-05:00

Today is a day like any other day. Except today God taught me another lesson. And today I listened.

I'm continuing my reading of the bible - this time in the Message Paraphrase. I had just finished up Job and turned the page to discover the next chapter...that of Psalms. Now I have to admit that my first reaction wasn't one of joy and excitement. Unlike most people I talk with, Psalms is not one of my favorite books of the bible. I don't quite know what it is, but for some reason I found reading Psalms the first time to be excruciatingly painful. "How can the bible be like that?" I often thought to myself. I'm sure it didn't help that I was reading the NKJV version and trying as a new Christian to decipher the "code."

So this morning, as I turned to the first page of Psalms, I read the opening discussion by Eugene Peterson and here's part of the lesson God taught me: read Psalms not as a description of what happened, but from a place of emotional discussion between a human soul and it's maker. Psalms doesn't simply describe...it's a vibrant, open, honest and sometimes gut-wrenching conversation with God. And when you put yourself in the shoes of the writer, the words suddenly take on an entirely new meaning.

So I started where every good reader starts...Psalm One. This first Psalm opens with an unexpected entry:

"How well God must like you—"

Not what someone would expect to find in an opening sentence! Psalm One goes on to explain that we could be less than nothing - totally lost in darkness and unfit company for others. But yet, God has chosen us anyway. We are loved.

The last few verses set the stage for everything to come:

"You're not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust—
Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people.

God charts the road you take.
The road they take is Skid Row."

There is a thought that I have long held as a possible scenario for our lives...we are all on a path in life; from beginning to end. God prescribes the best path for us, but for some reason we like to take little detours along the way. In our detours, our "path" becomes more like a winding road. But God, in his goodness and faithful, redirects the course towards His destination.

I love how Psalm One confirms this: God charts the road you take. We may THINK we chart our own course, but God has already chosen the path. And while we may question the direction we are headed, He knew in advance the path we would take. Robert Frost may have taken the road less traveled, but it was God who uncovered the path.

The last few months have definitely been a detour on my path, but God is slowly directing a new course. Sometimes we find a new beginning by discovering the end. I love how Nancy Ortberg describes this in her book "Looking for God:"

"Endings teach us how to begin, what we should center our lives upon, and what is really important...Endings have a purifying effect. When the dust settles after a crisis hits, we can find what is real - what is core - by what is left behind and who rose to to the occasion."

My soul has been bottled up for the past few months and part of me is ready to explode. There is much to share and much more to learn. While the "bucket" has been full and then emptied, Bucketology is back and ready to trod forward on the next path that only God himself knows.

Even though one chapter in my book of life has ended, it has also signaled the beginning of the next. That chapter has many blank pages to fill. And fill them I will. It's a challenge I am ready and willing to face. And besides, how well must God like me?

I'm still here. The journey will continue. And more importantly, the path still awaits...

The Great Sadness

2008-08-14T10:16:00.003-05:00

I'm finding great comfort in this book right now. I don't know much about the author or his beliefs, but I am gaining a lot of insight to life and the circumstances within. There is much talk of "The Great Sadness" in this book, and unfortunately, I can relate in a not-so-horrific but definitely connected kind of way.

I have so much to share, but for now my soul must continue to heal.

To those of you who have provided comfort, prayers, phone calls, emails, cards and so much more...I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All Tied Up and Everywhere To Go

2008-07-12T09:42:00.003-05:00

Well, I've been on vacation all week now...

First few days full of mowing and other outside activities.

By the third day I couldn't quite grasp "not doing anything" and my body was trying to tell me to do something. I couldn't sleep and wasn't quite sure what else to do.

By day four and five I started to relax a bit. I've been reading multiple books. Really enjoying "The Tipping Point" by Gladwell. Very intriguing stuff. Next up - this book. I have heard it is amazing.

It's Saturday. Softball makeup games - all six of them. Tomorrow? Off to St. Louis with friends. Going to try to check out services here. Rumor has it that this guy will be there over the weekend as well.

Still lots to do and think about. One week to go.

MH Worship Concert 2008

2008-07-08T17:52:00.006-05:00

We completed another year of the Meadow Heights Worship Concert. This weekend seems to get better and better every year!! Of course, it would not be possible without an awesome team (I think more than 40 music team members participated this year!) and some great people leading those teams (props to Jeremy and Craig for a job well done!).

It's amazing to me how God has grown our Creative Arts teams over the past year. The funny thing is we still get comments from people that don't think they could possibly be a part of the team - and boy are they wrong! We are continually looking for more artists and I'm pleased to say that we'll be adding a few more this month. We'll be adding a new musician and a new vocalist to the team as well as adding some new folks to our tech teams.

I thought it would be interesting to post this year's top ten. You can go here and check out last year's top ten as well. The number one song held steady for the second year in a row. It was nice to see some new stuff cracking the top ten as well. Thanks to all of you who voted. We'll do it all over again next year!

Don't Stick A Fork In Him Yet...

2008-06-25T12:06:00.003-05:00

Matt West, a.k.a. The Tech Master, is now blogging. Check it out here.

You can also follow him via Twitter here.

Oh...and in case you're interested, you can follow me via Twitter here.

FACES

2008-06-24T21:25:00.005-05:00

Frustrated. Amiable. Contemplative. Elusive. Satisfied.

Five emotions I experienced today. How about you?

DonoWHO?

2008-06-20T14:39:00.003-05:00

Lanny Donoho is one of the funniest people I have ever met (okay, I haven't technically met him, but I did see him from 30 rows back at the Catalyst Conference). His humor, creativity and passion for life are nothing short of contagious. Now you can experience all this and more in his latest blog, "What If?" (although this may be changing...)

Lanny is looking for your unique words and titles. Are you creative? Do you use words in conversation that cause others to tremble in fear at your intellectual prowess? Click here for more details.

And why you're there, don't miss the incredible story of Jack...check it out here.

Innovate08

2008-06-18T10:19:00.005-05:00

Just watched the Innovate08 trailer from the Granger crew. Looks like it's going to be a great conference. You can find out more info and register here.

Adobe's After Effects is becoming the mainstream choice for many videos, especially trailer, intros and the like. I've used AE for about 5 years now, but I haven't taken time to learn the "new ropes." Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? Anyone currently using AE?

Best Message Promo Ever?

2008-06-10T18:54:00.002-05:00

This video promo is probably THE best I have ever seen. Kudos to the gang @ LifeChurch.tv for putting this piece together. Enjoy!

Not For The Squeamish!

2008-06-10T09:50:00.006-05:00

I had an unfortunate run-in with some glass yesterday. My wife had set up some candles for communion over the weekend and I was helping her remove them from some glass containers. One candle in particular was stuck in a long 10" glass cylinder, and when I pushed on the cylinder it completely exploded - directly into my right hand.

As a musician, my hands are an important part of my livelihood. Not that everyone's hands aren't important as well, but this is a major part of who I am so I was a bit concerned. After 17 stitches I hope things will heal properly and I'll be back to normal in no time. I'd appreciate you prayers that everything goes as planned.

In the meantime, I can't play my instrument (although I have a gig on Friday...we'll see...), I'm out of softball for a few weeks, my typing is very sucky, and most importantly, I haven't figured out how I'm going to wipe myself when I have to use the ole' potty!

For your viewing pleasure, I've included a few pics below.

TTJ Video Opener

2008-05-30T23:22:00.004-05:00

I never got around to posting our "opener" video for the "Take This Job" series. We were within a few days of launching the series and some quick creative content was rapidly in the works!

Thanks to Steve for the initial artwork design and some ideas for the video. And of course, thanks to the "star" of the opener, the infamous Wilbur Leach!

We shot about 10 minutes of footage including some quick "stop time" stuff. It took a total of about an hour to edit, render and export. A quick idea that didn't turn out too badly. ENJOY!

Take This Job and Love It!

2008-05-22T13:09:00.001-05:00

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. TITUS 3:1-2 (NIV)

Our new teaching series, “Take This Job and Love It” has generated a lot of great discussion about God and the workplace. I’ve heard many of you talking about how this series has stretched you out of your comfort zone – especially dealing with many of your co-workers. While it’s been a great personal challenge for each of us, I’d like to shift the focus to a different topic.

What does it look like to honor God up, across and down? Sometimes we live in our own world, but the Bible is very clear about submitting to one another, including those in leadership above us. Listen to this passage in Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” God has commanded us to submit to authority.

What about leading across? Have you honored God by loving and respecting your co-workers? This is one of the challenges Jeremiah issued this past weekend. How is that going this week? Are you making progress?

Finally, God has asked us to lead down as well. This means those that you have authority over. Go back and re-read Hebrews 13:17. Are those under you leading up? If not, you may not have set a very good example. Instead of blaming them, take a look inside yourself and identify ways you can improve.

The workplace can be a fulfilling environment. If you’re facing challenges at work, let me encourage you to keep God’s word close to your heart. How are you doing leading up, across and down? Are you honoring God and others? I pray for an incredible closure to your work week as you continue to “take this job and love it!”

Creative Process Videos

2008-05-21T10:04:00.002-05:00

For you creative gurus out there, head over to this blog and check out the creative process at Fellowship Church in Texas. Fellowship has been a leader in creative design for the church for a long time, and their C3 Conference is phenomenal!

Pace is doing a great job - make sure and leave him a comment!

Beauty In Action

2008-05-16T09:11:00.003-05:00

My wife and daughter accompanied me to a video shoot last night and we decided to take the "back way home." What is normally a very beautiful drive turned into a fantastic display of God's beauty in action. Check out this pics below - this spot is only 12 miles from our house! Unbelievable! (sorry for the quality...shot from my Blackberry!)

Say Hello to Mr. Toilet

2008-05-15T21:48:00.004-05:00

I've made the statement before that two of the best places for creative thinking are the shower and the toilet. Don't ask me why, but I have a sneaking suspicion that those of us with kids know the answer!

Tonight's question:

Where's your best spot for creative thinking?

What A Day For A Daydream

2008-05-13T21:02:00.005-05:00

Love this quote from Butch Whitmire's blog:

If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music…I get most joy in life out of music.

- Albert Einstein

Music has always been something near and dear to my heart, or perhaps I should say my soul. No one in my immediate family had much musical expertise, but somehow God found a way to take a small town boy and give him a lifetime of experiences.

Most of what I learned at an early age came from John Howser. John and I are kindred spirits, soul mates, or whatever other "trendy" title you want to put on it. Most of who I am should also be credited to John as well. I appreciate him more than he'll ever know - both musical and life lessons have captured my heart for eternity.

I've been fortunate enough to play saxophone at many different venues, from an audience of one to an audience of over 15,000. I've played in countless states, been in the studio, recorded jingles for everything from car dealerships to the St. Louis Cardinals. I've played for big bands, small bands and every other band from jazz, funk, swing, hip-hop, rock and other styles I can't pronounce.

But more important than all the adventures God has blessed me with are the countless stories of changed lives from my previous students. Even though I find great joy in music, I find even greater joy in watching others experience music. Some of the most enjoyable conversations are from those who write, email or simply stop by to tell you how much they appreciated the time invested in their lives. Those are moments to be cherished forever.

I pray that we will all be lifelong students - learners until the end. Everyone is a student of something; weaving a story to be told through the ages.

I just prefer to find that story through music.

Hearing From God

2008-04-30T15:10:00.003-05:00

There's no doubt that it's important to hear from God. But it's more important to listen to God. There is a difference. I sometimes think that God is humored by people - they want to hear from Him so badly, but they don't slow down enough to listen.

You know how to tell if you're hearing from God or listening to God? By what follows next. Are you being obedient? Are you following up your conversation by doing something? Far too often, I'm afraid, we're scared to death that we'll "hear" from God (which ultimately means we have to "do" something) that we just pretend that God hasn't spoken yet. Have you been guilty of this?

I pray that we will not only listen to God as individuals, but as a church body as well. And because of what we do that our communities will begin to understand more about the incredible relationship that God wants to have with each and every one of us. I pray that we will be consumed by finding God and our world will be changed forever because of those small moments when we stopped to breathe life in and listened to God.

Creative Barriers Part 2 - Tyranny of the Urgent

2008-04-25T22:15:00.005-05:00

Many times I have found a creative barrier simply due to lack of time. It's tough to think "outside the box" when you're crammed smack dab in the middle of it. That's what I've fondly labeled the "tyranny of the urgent." Tyranny of the urgent means that what gets done is what's pressing at the time - no time for creativity; only time for action.

Seth Godin nails it in this post. I encourage you to take 60 seconds to read it. Here's my favorite quote:

Add up enough urgencies and you don't get a fire, you get a career. A career putting out fires never leads to the goal you had in mind all along.

I guess the trick is to make the long term items even more urgent than today's emergencies.

Sometimes creativity turns into an emergency. But even the worst of emergencies still needs a doctor and time to heal.

Creative Barriers

2008-04-23T20:09:00.003-05:00

My wife sent me this link yesterday.

While I consider myself an eternal optimist, there are days when I feel like my creativity is non-existent. That's not a good thing if your job depends on it!

I love the viewpoint brought out in the article - sometimes we need to be drained creatively. There are many times that God wants us at the bottom to remind us how good we have it at the top (not to mention all the time in between). It's in those times that our creativity is renewed. The amazing thing is that we surpass the barriers that restricted us in the first place - barriers that would never have been broken otherwise.

I'll be blogging about creative strategies and what has worked for me in the past and present.

As for the future, what inspires you? What raises your creativity level?

Let's get the discussion rolling...

Open Up and Say "Ahhhh...."

2008-04-18T11:51:00.003-05:00

Music to my ears:

"IBM Thursday disclosed that 100 of its researchers are giving Apple Macintosh computers a go to find out whether they are a strong option for use in the workplace."

Full article here.

Somebody give me a shout out if you're a Mac user...

Catalyst Is LIVE!

2008-04-15T10:08:00.001-05:00

The Catalyst Website is now live! Stop whatever you're doing and go check out this site. If there is one conference I would recommend (and there are lots of GREAT ones) - this would be it.

Go. Now.

Does God Speak Through Music?

2008-04-10T22:02:00.003-05:00

Okay...an interesting thing happened this afternoon.

Our youngest daughter, Emilee, was scheduled for Kindergarten screening today. A most important day in the life of any five year old. She was pumped, and I have to admit, I was excited for her as she is ready to enter another chapter in her book of life.

Everything sounds normal, right?

They changed the venue this year for the screenings, moving them to a local church (I won't mention any names, except to say it wasn't Meadow Heights). Everything was going smoothly - Emilee was with someone going over her motor skills, verbal skills and the like (which, I might add as a proud father, she scored extremely well on!) while her mother and I were sitting by ourselves at a round table filling out an endless supply of paperwork.

Here's where things get interesting...

In the "multi-purpose" room in this church were several school employees, a few parents with their kids and my wife and I. I didn't really notice at first, but they had some music playing through the overhead speakers in the ceiling (you know, those really crappy, minuscule speakers that some local chop shop must have recommended). For some reason the style of choice today was country (go figure).

Now I don't listen to any country music, but I did happen to recognize the song that started blaring over those inadequate speakers. I don't know if it was a sign from God or Satan having some fun, but Hank Williams Jr's hit song from the eighties, "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound" soon filled the air and I had to smile (strike that, I chuckled out loud) at the irony of that particular song, in that particular place at that very particular time.

I appreciate a good laugh...

And today...

Today, I wasn't disappointed.

Faith Matters

2008-04-09T11:03:00.002-05:00

“Whenever we let our failures, both short-term and long-term, become the determiner of God’s character or the condition of our spiritual walk, we’ll inevitably come to some wrong conclusions. Then we’ll just as certainly make some wrong decisions – the most common of which will be running from the valley, even when it’s right where God wants us to be.”

Larry Osborne, author of A Contrarian’s Guide to Knowing God

Faith and obedience matter. I don’t think anyone would argue with that statement. But yet we do all the time; at least within ourselves. We get caught in the trap of self-worth rather than our “God-worth.” How do you know if this is an issue in your heart?

Think about this past week. Were there any challenges in your life? How about some uncomfortable situations? Were there more successes or failures? Many of us see our worth as a direct result of our circumstances. We say things like, “If I’m in tune with God, I will be successful,” or most of the time the opposite, “Things aren’t going so well, so I must have done something to make God mad.” In short, we begin to question God’s faithfulness.

Sometimes when we’re in a valley it’s exactly where God wants us to be. Our role is not to doubt God but to persist in our faith in spite of our doubts. Instead of wasting time with a pity-party, start by doing the next right thing.

Faith and obedience matter. They always matter.

Maybes Are For Wussies

2008-04-03T21:29:00.004-05:00

I was looking back through the first two years of posts here at Bucketology and was surprised at how different my writing was "back in the day." I realize it's natural to develop and mature over the years but in my case, I'm not sure that has happened.

I have read many authors talk about staying fresh through different mediums, but what do you do to stay creative? Los has been having weekly creative trade sessions over at his blog - a GREAT idea. Others suggest reading or walking in nature or perhaps drinking strange liquids while standing on your head. Maybe the Neti Pot qualifies as the latter?

Whatever the case may be, writing has always been an effective outlet for my brain and inner soul. That is, until recently. Part of me has felt cheated, while the other part thankful for not being consumed by blogging. In reality, neither one has been satisfied.

What's the balance? I don't have the answer. Maybe there isn't a true balance. Maybe I haven't found it yet. Maybe I haven't tried hard enough. Enough maybes. Maybes are for wussies.

Quotable Quotes

2008-03-14T07:19:00.002-05:00

“My primary assessment would be because American Christians tend to be incredibly self-indulgent so they see the church as a place there for them to meet their needs and to express faith in a way that is meaningful for them...there is almost no genuine compassion or urgency about serving and reaching people who don’t know Christ."

“I think the bottom line really is our own spiritual narcissism. There are methods and you can talk about style, structure and music, but in the end it really comes down to your heart and what you care about.”

~ Erwin McManus on the decline of churches in America

link via these guys

If I Could Save Time In A Bottle

2008-03-06T23:10:00.003-06:00

There's a great post over at the Swerve Blog on time management. I've really been working hard on time management for the past year or so. Has it improved? Yes and no. Yes I have made substantial improvements in many areas but no, I still don't have it all together.

Time is an ever-changing constant. Confusing? Think of it this way - we all have the same amount of time; it's how we choose to use it that matters. Time is constant (unless you subscribe to chaos theory!) but how we use it consistently changes.

Here are some strategies, thoughts, books, etc. that have impacted me:

* Getting Things Done - great book, great ideas, difficult to implement
* Getting up early - when I get up early I'm much more productive
* 3 MIT's - what are the three most important things to get done today - write them down!
* Email - I try to keep my inbox completely empty (spam is making it difficult!) and have been using my Blackberry to keep it organized
* Home Wall Calendar - we've implemented a family wall calendar and it has really kept us on track
* Google Reader - an aggregate reader has saved me HOURS of time
* Avoid the "tyranny of the urgent" - I'm not very good at this one, but it can mess up your time management in a hurry

These are just a few time management (and organizational) strategies I have used. I'm no where near where I need to be. How about you? What time management strategies can you recommend?

Out of the Mouth of Babes

2008-03-02T12:00:00.004-06:00

Our youngest daughter Emilee (she just turned five) stopped suddenly the other evening and said, "We need to pray right now." She then proceeded to start her prayer like this, "God, I love you. I love you a lot." She then finished her prayer quickly and went on about her business.

It's amazing to see Emilee's authenticity when it comes to God. So many of us get caught up in the "technical" aspects of prayer (what to say, when to say it, etc.) instead of just opening up a conversation with God. Prayer should truly be like the faith of a child instead of the convoluted systematic process that we are so prone to fall into.

When is the last time you simply had a conversation with God? Has prayer become a ritual or routine? Maybe it's time to take a moment, stop what you're doing and thank God for being a loving and accessible God.

Vision (and coffee) Leaks

2008-02-26T10:55:00.004-06:00

If I lived anywhere near civilization, THIS would be a problem. Thankfully I'm enjoying my fresh cup of French Roast coffee on my own this morning.

Will Starbucks really be better after their training today? Absolutely! There's nothing like getting everyone on the same page from the top down. Customers want a consistent product no matter what location they visit. Leaders know that vision "leaks" and re-communicating that vision and detailing the expectations is huge for any organization.

Where do you need to recast the vision?

Do You "Twitter?"

2008-02-25T23:40:00.003-06:00

It seems I have been lax in the posts again, but I have found a new interest in "Twitter." If you're not sure what Twitter is, check it out here. It's very addicting. Simple, fun and effective. It's basically a micro-blog (an online diary if you will) of what you are doing at any particular moment. You can follow others and they can follow you.

It's rumored that this guy and this guy are enjoying Twittering much more than blogging!

By the way, you can follow my Twitter here.

From the "WOW!!!" Files

2008-02-15T08:13:00.002-06:00

I'm thinking about attending this church for their "30 Days" series!!

Here are some details:

The Relevant Church in Tampa's Ybor City has issued a 30-Day sex challenge. Single men and women can't have sex for 30 days, and married couples are urged to have it every day.

"If you look at the studies, studies say in 30 days you can develop a habit," said Pastor Paul Wirth. It definitely caught the church wives by surprise. "Our married people are far more fearful than our single people," said Wirth.

You can check out the entire article here and the church website here.

Microsoft's New Initiative?

2008-02-15T07:55:00.002-06:00

Robert Scoble is making a big deal out of the forthcoming announcement by Microsoft on February 27th. Here's what he has to say:

It’s not often that I see software that really changes my world. It’s even rarer that I see software that I know will change the world my sons live in. I can count those times pretty easily...While watching the demo I realized the way I look at the world was about to change.

Those are some pretty big words! Many have speculated that this is an open-source software that picks up where the 1993 World Telescope Project left off.

Anyone else have any insights?

Look Who's Blogging Now

2008-02-15T07:49:00.002-06:00

This guy has announced that this guy is now blogging.

Granger Community Church has led the way in creative and practical seminars for various ministries. It will be interesting to read some more personal thoughts and commentary from their senior pastor.

Oh yeah...it's also the previous home of this guy as well.

Needing A Valentine? Think Again.

2008-02-14T07:22:00.005-06:00

It's that time of year again - Valentine's Day. Some would argue that big business (such as Hallmark, floral companies and the like) has created an all-consuming culture around this day. What's your stance? My wife, Melissa, and I try to find creative ways to celebrate this holiday. From notes to emails to conversation, we enjoy finding creative ways to share our love for one another. But it doesn't stop there. We like to celebrate Valentine's Day every day. Why wait for one day out of the year to remind your loved one how special they are?

I thought I would share a bit of history behind Valentine's Day. Relevant Magazine has another wonderful insight in their latest newsletter. Check this out:

Some believe that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men so that his crop of potential soldiers would multiply; all current engagements were also nullified. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied the emperor and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. Swooning yet?

When Valentine's actions were discovered, he was arrested and imprisoned by the emperor. While in prison, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s blind daughter, whose vision he restored by a saintly miracle. The emperor found out about the healing and ordered that Valentine be beheaded. On the eve of his execution, he wrote a farewell note to the jailer’s daughter, dripping with love and words of affection, signing it “from your Valentine.”

Nowadays, the commercialization of the holiday may have distorted our understanding of the passion of this event by incorporating cards with SpongeBob SquarePants on them signed, “from your Valentine.” However, the original story is as achingly romantic as they come. It is further believed that the “from your Valentine” tradition carried on after the saint’s execution through an annual Roman festival where young men gave handwritten letters of affection to the young women they wished to court. The festival was held on February 14, and determined the romantic fate for young people in the coming year. Fortunately, present-day Valentine cards that kids pass out during class do not determine their romantic destinies, so the switch to candy was probably a smart move in this case—unless arranged marriage is what you have in mind for your children one day.

Check out the entire article here.

Mobile Posting?

2008-02-03T12:02:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'll admit that I'm a bit behind my technology brothers in "mobile posting.". This is my first official blog entry via my BlackBerry. We'll see how this goes!

Pressed Coffee In 10 Easy Steps!

2008-01-28T21:48:00.000-06:00

Kay asked about how to make pressed coffee, so I thought I would share my "recipe" with you. This certainly isn't the only way to do it, but it seems to be working for me.

PRESSED COFFEE IN TEN EASY STEPS

STEP 1: Purchase a coffee press. I enjoy my Starbucks press that also serves as a stainless steel carafe. That way when I'm finished pressing it stays nice and hot!

STEP 2: Select your coffee. I mentioned in my last post that right now I am very fond of Starbuck's Sumatra. There are many great companies and websites that have phenomenal coffee. I'll talk about those sites and different types of coffee in a future post. MOST IMPORTANTLY - Always use fresh beans - never pre-ground!

STEP 3: Grind beans. I am currently using a regular blade grinder, but I'm hoping to get a nice burr grinder some day. Burr grinders make a coarser ground which makes for better pressed coffee (smaller grounds may get pushed through the press screen). Here's one example of a burr grinder.

STEP 4: Pour ground coffee into bottom of press. I use slightly more coffee than your average bear. I stopped "measuring" many moons ago, but you'll want to end up with two heaping tablespoons when finished grinding (for 8 cups of water).

STEP 5: Boil water. I use a typical tea kettle on the stove. You could also microwave your water, but this can lead to inconsistent temperatures. Boiling in a kettle is my preferred method. Remove the water just before it reaches a complete boil - this is a great temperature!

STEP 6: Pour water over grounds. Once filled, stir the water/grounds mixture to ensure complete coverage. You'll start to smell that wonderful coffee aroma!!

STEP 7: Cover your press (but don't press yet!!) and let the grounds steep for 4-5 minutes. NOTE: this is the step that can vary depending on your taste. If you like a lighter coffee - steep for 3-4 minutes. If you like a stronger, bold taste, then stick closer to the five minute mark.

STEP 8: PRESS! Start pressing your coffee by pushing the plunger/screen downward in a VERY SLOW and VERY STEADY motion. Make sure your plunger stays perpendicular to your counter top.

STEP 9: Pour your coffee and ENJOY!! You'll notice a bit of "chaff" (not grounds) in the bottom of your cup. This is normal and by the way, it doesn't have a bad taste at all!

STEP 10: Repeat every day!! You'll have to settle for brewed coffee at some point, but when you can get it, pressed coffee will forever be your favorite!!

My Own "Sagging Hulk"

2008-01-25T21:23:00.000-06:00

I apologize once again for the lack of posts - only three in 2008!! After averaging nearly 5 posts a week in 2007, I'm going to have to get back on the writing trail to catch up! I'm also nearing the 500 post mark which I'm looking forward to as well.

Why the lack of posts? Besides the dreaded "B" word (busyness!) my trusty laptop is finding old age to be quite the problem. My battery has been going out for some time, and this week my fan started making noises reminiscent of the men's restroom at Wal Mart. On the very same day my power cord decided to bite the dust which led to my hard drive acting up and nearly complete failure. After three and a half years, my beloved Sony (and yes, I LOVE SONY machines!) and Windows XP Pro are slowly winding the path towards retirement.

By the way, I am rapidly becoming a MAC fan. After swearing most of my adult life that I would NEVER touch, let alone own a Mac, I am hooked. We are using two MacBook Pros in the Creative Arts department and they ROCK! So...if God allows, I hope to replace my "sagging hulk" of a laptop with a shiny new MacBook Pro! (NOTE: The MacBook Air looks awesome, but early reports put it well behind the MacBook in performance!)

So here's to a plethora of posts in the future - may they be well written and well read!

My New Best Friend

2008-01-21T19:50:00.000-06:00

My wife gave me a coffee press for Christmas and WOW...it is the bomb!! Anyone that knows me realizes that I am a coffee freak, but pressed coffee is by far the best type of coffee I have ever consumed. I've had pressed coffee at a restaurant before, but to make it in my own house is incredibly awesome. If you like coffee and haven't tasted pressed coffee before, give me a shout and we'll brew some together!!

Special props to my buddy "Pipstah" for turning me on to the "home press!"

By the way, my favorite type of coffee to press? Starbucks Sumatra. Anyone else recommend some coffee?

Manifesting Your 2008

2008-01-09T22:06:00.000-06:00

As we start the new year, many of us are thinking about goals for 2008. I'm working on a list of "Bucket Goals" (inspired by this blog and the movie "The Bucket List") as well as updating my 2008 Life Plan. The new year is a natural time to celebrate your accomplishments in 2007 and then to take a look forward and develop and establish goals for 2008.

Before you finalize those plans however, I want to challenge you to read this manifesto from Mark Batterson. This manifesto was developed for his book "In a Pit With a Lion On A Snowy Day" (which I highly recommend) and is great food for thought. Here's to an incredible 2008!

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Success Comes In "Cans"

2008-01-09T21:28:00.000-06:00

One of the favorite quotes from my good friend John is this, "Success comes in cans, not can'ts!" How true this is! A positive mindset can truly make a difference.

There were many people who said we couldn't do it. Some who called us crazy. Some who even doubted God. But in the end, God worked through some ordinary people to build His dream called Meadow Heights Arcadia Valley. As of this past Sunday, we are now one church in two locations!

You can check out several photos here.

Thank you to so many of you who dedicated countless hours towards the completion of this project. A special thanks to Greg and Ragen Amelung for leading this project and giving their all to fulfill God's mission.

And finally a special thanks to Bryan for leading all of us as we enjoy this dream turned reality. We have taken the first step to impacting our world and I know it is only the beginning. I know that God has designed the plan, but He also needed a great leader to empower the rest of us. He made the right choice.

Meadow Heights stands upon a new day. We will never be the same and yet, we haven't changed. We will always continue to love God, love people and do our best to impact the world. We'll do our part and we'll let God take care of the rest. After all, He can do far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in our wildest dreams!

Are You Slowing Down Yet?

2007-12-24T14:55:00.000-06:00

Our friends at CCC come up with some phenomenal videos - usually their VERY funny and incredibly creative. I thought I would post this latest one that is simple but the message is quite powerful. As we finish up this Christmas season, many of us will struggle to find a quiet place to reflect on the true meaning. From busyness to overcommitment, many will forget to spend a moment and thank God for sending Jesus humbly into this world. Glory in the Highest was sent down as a baby born in a manger on that silent night - one that would change the course of history forever.

I pray this video will remind all of us of the power of that quiet moment - a simple conversation with a loving God. Merry Christmas.

The Mystery of St. Nick

2007-12-24T14:48:00.000-06:00

I don't often reprint articles, and this is a long one, but I think it's relevant to the season. Too often "political correctness" creeps into many aspects of our life. From Barbara Walters griping about a Christmas card from the White House that included scripture, to stores like Wal Mart and Target who can't decide if it's Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday, I hope this story sheds some light on the mystery behind "Ole' St. Nick."

It’s complicated. Like Keith Richards, the Santa legend is ancient, murky, and fairly disturbing. The cuddly version — grandfatherly St. Nick employing elfin labor to make toys for the children of the world — is only the latest in a long line of iterations. Santa has evolved.

The original Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop in 4th-century Myra, geographically located in modern-day Turkey. As an adult, Nicholas gained a reputation as a generous man and the protector of innocents. These saintly traits largely arose from two horrific legends, both of which eventually led to his canonization.

The first is said to have occurred during a terrible famine. A local butcher, in need of something to sell, lured three unsuspecting boys into his shop. He killed the boys, chopped them into pieces, then stuffed their remains in a brine tub, hoping to cure them enough that he could sell the parts as ham. Nicholas was visiting the afflicted region at the time of the crime. Somehow Nicholas became aware of the butcher’s wicked deed. He visited the shop, uncovered the crime, and hastily reassembled the three boys. They came back to life, a bit salty but otherwise in good health. Despite the happy ending, it’s not exactly the kind of story that gets told at the Christmas Eve candlelight service.

In the second legend, a poor citizen of Myra had three daughters, but not enough money to afford a dowry for them. No dowry meant no marriage, and unmarried women in those days generally had one career choice: prostitution. The father was less than thrilled by this possibility, but too proud to ask for help. Nicholas discovered the family’s predicament the night before the first daughter came of age. Not wanting to embarrass anyone, he approached the family’s house late one night and tossed a bag of gold through an opened window. He did the same thing the night before the second daughter came of age. Both gifts were enough to cover the dowry, and both girls were spared the consequence of their poverty.

Before long, the third daughter was ready to marry, and the appreciative father wanted to find out who was behind the lavish gifts. When the time came, the father hid next to the window, hoping to catch their anonymous benefactor in the act. Nicholas learned of the father’s plan and improvised: Instead of lobbing it through the window, he dropped the third bag of gold down the chimney.

It wasn’t long before people began to suspect that the kindly bishop Nicholas, who had inherited money from his affluent parents, was behind these mysterious actions and a great many other secretive gifts to the poor. After he died of old age on December 6, 343 AD the people of Myra continued providing for those in need. In fact, they made a practice of giving gifts anonymously, always attributing them to the late Bishop Nicholas.

Before long, the bishop — who had worn liturgical robes of red and white — was canonized as a saint. Saint Nicholas became venerated as the protector of innocents, the patron saint of children, and a secret giver of gifts.

Of course, the traditional American idea of Santa Claus — along with his British/Canadian counterpart, Father Christmas — originates in the stories surrounding Nicholas of Myra. As far as saints go, St. Nick was especially venerated in the Netherlands, where he became known by the Dutch variant Sinterklaas. When the Dutch came to the New World and settled in New Amsterdam (today’s New York City), they brought with them the story of the now-anglicized “Santa Claus.”

And as is our custom, we Americans made the story bigger and gaudier, tacking on details from several unrelated sources. The karmic idea of rewarding good kids and punishing naughty children is rooted in old Norse folktales. The stuff about the reindeer and Santa’s sleigh got added once Clement Moore’s poem, “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” swept the nation in the early 1800s. Decades later, the magazine Harper’s Weekly commissioned several Thomas Nast engravings which depicted Santa in his workshop, reading letters and checking lists. The legend grew.

And here we are today. Kids leave cookies near the fireplace, parents are careful to preserve bootprints in the ashes, and Santa has transitioned into the 21st century. No longer does he oversee the building of simple wooden toys in his elf-staffed workshop. Nope. These days, little boys and girls — whether they’re good or bad, or rich or poor — probably expect Santa to drop a new iPod Nano in their stocking. Or, at the very least, the High School Musical 2 DVD. A wooden toy train? Unthinkable.

You have to feel for St. Nick. The legendary protector of children and distributor of anonymous gifts to the poor has turned into a victim of the worst kind of western entitlement and consumerism. Kids are more demanding. Chimneys are smaller. Families are leaving skim milk and low-fat cookies instead of the real stuff. It’s hard out there for a right jolly old elf. Somewhere deep within the folds of Santa’s suit, we’ve lost the story of St. Nick.

I’m always an advocate for stripping away the Santa Claus stuff at Christmastime and focusing on Jesus. But there’s a wide chasm between baby Jesus and Santa Claus, and maybe it’s a lot to ask a Christianity-averse culture to make that long journey from one side to the other.

Perhaps a better idea is to move them toward the middle by resurrecting Saint Nicholas of Myra. Annoyed with all the Jesus talk? Don’t want to celebrate Christ at Christmas? Fine. Then let’s celebrate someone else. Let’s talk about the 4th-century dude who kept little boys from grisly deaths and kept little girls out of the sex trade. Let’s talk about the revered religious figure who freed those in bondage, who restored life to the lifeless, and who refused to overlook the suffering of the innocent. Let’s talk about the man of God who gave out of his prosperity, who dispensed grace with no strings attached, who lived to bless those trapped in poverty.

Let’s talk about Saint Nicholas, the Bishop of Myra, Sinterklaas 1.0.
Because when we peel away the red robes and silly hat and centuries of tradition, we might just see something, in the Santa legend, that we Christians recognize: It’s the Gospel. It’s the Good News. It’s the face of Jesus. It’s hope for the hopeless, liberty for the captives, abundance for the poor.

Maybe the distance between the North Pole and Bethlehem isn’t so great after all.

This story has been adapted from an article that originally ran in issue 30 of RELEVANT.

Author: Jason Boyett

Jason Boyett is the author of Pocket Guide to the Bible and several other books.

Putting the Ivity in Creativity

2007-12-24T14:41:00.001-06:00

This quote via these guys strikes me as an interesting one. How many of you would agree with its premise?

Next question - how does this apply to the church? Is creativity measurable in a worship experience? Then there's the question of impact. What if one person's life is changed forever because God chose to work through a creative moment? Does that make it irrelevant for everyone else? Is it less important for others in that moment?

I'd love to hear your feedback on how creativity impacts you. Your thoughts?

Creating Memories (In 30 Days or Less)

2007-12-20T08:58:00.001-06:00

Christmas is a natural time of the year when families create life-long memories together. But this post by this guy reminds us of the importance of the holiday season.

We're also launching an new series (and a new campus!) on the first weekend in January entitled, "30 Days to Live." This could possibly be one of the most important series in the history of Meadow Heights Church. It will not only launch a new year and a new campus, but it could launch a whole new chapter in your life as well. DON'T MISS IT!!

Here's a sneak peak!

What if you learned you had just 30 days to live? How would your life be different? Is it possible to make the most of every day, right now?

As we begin a brand new year, join us for “30 Days to Live.” Once you hear the stories of some real people facing challenging circumstances, and experience God’s truth, you’ll never look at life the same.

Amazing Movie? Maybe...maybe not.

2007-12-17T22:53:00.000-06:00

I finally had the opportunity to watch the film "Amazing Grace" over the weekend. The film itself was not all that spectacular, but the message that lept from its frames was quite powerful.

William Wilberforce was a man of passion - he fought for something that he believed in from the depths of his soul. He stopped for no one and his endless pursuit of his dreams finally became a reality near the end of his life. His pursuit was not simply for justice in the world, but a fulfillment of an obligation and duty toward God. As Wilberforce puts it, he did not find God...God found him.

Two of the best quotes from the movie come from John Newton, the former slave ship owner now reformed. He was the original author of the words we now know as Amazing Grace.

God sometimes does His work with gentle drizzle, not storms. Drip. Drip. Drip.

Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly. I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.

It was amazing to watch William Wilberforce pursue life with an unending passion. I think we all start out with this in our hearts, but somewhere along the way someone has told us to stop dreaming. We tend to settle for the status quo and our dreams die along with a small part of us. It's not always how we live life on the outside, but what is going on in the depths of our soul that really matter. Anyone can live life...dreamers that activate their passions change the world.

What part of your dream have you allowed to die?

Owning the Moment

2007-12-14T08:08:00.000-06:00

I attended an event last weekend that reminded me of two important leadership lessons:

(1) Never apologize for a project, event or group in advance. All you're doing is making yourself feel better and your project/event/group feel worse. Most of the time your audience can't tell the difference anyway, but now you've brought attention to it and they'll be focusing on the wrong things.

(2) Never try to build up your project/event/group right after you've apologized for them (see #1). Why did you just spend five minutes telling us it wouldn't be as good as you hoped and now your trying to sell us on the brilliance of your project/event/group? We didn't buy it before and we sure aren't going to buy it now.

Confidence breeds confidence. As the leader, proceed with the confidence and surety that this will be the best possible execution of the project/event/group that can happen at this particular moment in time. Own the moment. Afterwards you can spend time celebrating and evaluating. Don't spoil it for everyone else - work to create a defining moment, even if it's a small one. Your audience will remember that little defining moment much longer than they will your entire performance.

Finally, evaluate why you felt compelled to use #1 and #2. And remember, people end up where you lead them.

Gift Cards Are For Chumps

2007-12-12T20:27:00.000-06:00

Gift cards are for chumps. I love that line. Seth Godin hits a home run with his thoughts on the holiday season. If you're like me, you still have some much needed shopping to do. You'll have great intentions but time will run short and you'll do the inevitable - purchase a gift card for someone.

I mean after all, then they can get whatever they want with it right? Wrong. Listen to these stats:

Last year, more than $8,000,000,000 was wasted on these cards. Not in the value spent, but in fees and breakage. When you give a card, if it doesn't get used, someone ends up keeping your money, and it's not the recipient. People spent more than eight billion dollars for nothing... buying a product that isn't as good as cash.

I know what you're thinking. You're just being thoughtful. It's a GIFT card. You can't give them the cash right? That would be "Christmas Taboo" - like there are rules somewhere. Who decided that cash wasn't a great gift? We get a gift card so it looks like we looked for a gift and we don't end up the chump. But guess what? Gift cards are for chumps!

So forget about it this year. It's a scam. It's a business driven model that has proven to be effective only for the companies, not the consumer. It's time for cash to be king. Hello Mr. Ben Franklin!

One Million Witnesses

2007-12-12T20:14:00.001-06:00

At Meadow Heights Church we talk a lot about practical ways to share your story. People can argue about religion all they want, but no one can argue with your story. Especially when you are a living example of how Jesus has radically changed you at the core.

ChurchRelevance points us to "One Million Witnesses." It's an incredibly creative way to share your story and help those in need as well. Here are the details:

For a minimum donation of $10, you can create a block featuring your testimony. The first 100,000 blocks go to helping Living Water International build about 100 wells. Non-profits to benefit from the remaining 900,000 blocks have not yet been determined.

Stop by the site and check it out - it's a great way to help!

Jesus: Political Revolutionary?

2007-12-12T19:26:00.000-06:00

I was talking with an old friend the other afternoon as we were both waiting on a concert to begin. Several minutes into our discussion he asked me a question I wasn't quite ready for - Did I consider Jesus to be a "political revolutionary?"

My first response? Of course! I focused on the word revolutionary and immediately associated that with Jesus. Most everyone you ask would tend to agree. By His very own nature, Jesus was a revolutionary. There is no doubt that He revolutionized what it meant to be a worshiper of God, to seek the truth and know that grace is abundant. He absolutely changed the course of history! So to agree that Jesus was a revolutionary was not a very big leap.

But how about political? Was Jesus political? While Jesus never engaged in an active role in politics such as government or the state , was it fair to say the He had an impact nonetheless? Obery Hendricks Jr., in his book "The Politics of Jesus," claims that Jesus employed seven political strategies during his time on earth:

"To say that Jesus was a political revolutionary is to say that the message he proclaimed not only called for change in individual hearts but also demanded sweeping and comprehensive change in the political, social, and economic structures in his setting in life: colonized Israel," Hendricks writes.

It is true that Jesus changed the course of society by promoting care for the sick, healing those in need, feeding of the hungry and many more. Those are all hotly debated items in the political arena. Does this mean Jesus was a political revolutionary simply by association? Most political revolutionaries have used deadly force to accomplish their agenda. This is not true of Jesus. At His core He was a man of great love and compassion to say the least.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this issue. I'm not sure there is an easy answer but I do know this - the conversation will be an interesting one! My friend and I closed our brief talk and I could see that gleam in his eye. He had been thinking about this one quite awhile and was no closer to a complete answer than he had been on first thought. But for that moment it didn't matter - he had started another on the same journey.

Dreaming a God-sized Dream

2007-12-02T22:56:00.000-06:00

I had a great conversation with a young man last week. He is trying to figure out what God is asking him to do with his one and only life. We had some great discussion and I was able to challenge him on his future. I've noticed that a lot of teenagers and twenty-somethings are wonderful dreamers, but if they aren't challenged at some point they tend to fall into an idealistic trap. Here are three pieces of advice I gave him:

(1) Dream. Don't stop dreaming. Some of the greatest ideas come from those who dream. There's something incredible about creativity that is directed by God.

(2) Decide. Once you've explored your dreams, it's time to decide. After careful prayer, thought and wise counsel, decide on a course that will honor God and achieve your goals. After all, you can't keep dreaming forever.

(3) Do. You can dream and you can decide, but if you don't develop a plan of action, nothing will be accomplished. Dreamers by themselves never changed the world - it's the one who implemented a plan that made the dream a reality.

I closed our conversation by letting him know that there will be many people along the way who will tell him he "can't do it." Don't give in! After all, with God all things are possible!

What advice do you have for today's young adults?

Mega Map

2007-11-26T22:03:00.000-06:00

The NY Times recently published a map of "mega-churches" across the United States.

Anyone up for South Dakota or Wyoming?

Keepin' It Shut

2007-11-26T09:59:00.000-06:00

Here's some great advice from Steven Furtick: keep your mouth shut. Sometimes I don't handle this as well as I should, but Steven shared a great story and then had some incredible words of advice:

Ever since I gave my life to Christ as a 16 year old, I tried to remain devoutly committed to the sacred practice of keeping my mouth shut when presented with the opportunity to say something negative about someone God is using.
Even when the criticism is valid (because even the most anointed people stumble and fall), I see no value in spreading the criticism like gangrene.
Now, if I have a relationship of influence with the person, I do my best to talk with the person about the issue in a spirit of love and encouragement.
I’m not talking about sweeping stuff under the rug.

AND HERE'S THE KICKER...

But if I can’t talk to the person, I’d rather pray for them than talk about them.

Have you talked "behind the scenes" lately?

Merry Thanksgiving!!

2007-11-22T10:50:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure why I've been calling it this...but a change of pace I suppose.

Today is Thanksgiving and we are at home watching the parade. My youngest, Emilee, has been captivated by this parade for the first time and she is actually watching most of it. Growing up, my mother and I always watched this parade every year - a great family tradition we are carrying on!

My wife, Melissa, and I took Emilee to the movie last night and afterwards we talked about Thanksgiving. I asked her what she was thankful for and her reply really blessed my heart. She first said she was thankful for her family and then for Santa (we've been asking her what she wants Santa to bring her) and then she paused, looked up at us and said, "And I'm also thankful for God." What a moment!

I hope this day finds you and your family well and as the title says, have a "Merry Thanksgiving!!"

Tuesday Tech News

2007-11-20T22:14:00.000-06:00

The two most talked about items in the tech world the past few days:

(1) The Kindle - a book "reader" where you can download books on the fly - all through a wireless network that doesn't require an internet connection! Check out this review and this interview.

(2) The "is" - for anyone who has ever used Facebook for more than a day, you know exactly what I'm talking about. According to this article, the "is" may soon disappear (reports have said that it did indeed actually disappear for a few hours today, but I just checked and "it" is still there!) which would delight every Facebook user on the planet!

Let the CELEBRATION Begin!

2007-11-19T23:30:00.001-06:00

After more than two weeks I find myself writing a blog post once again. I have much to say and as our motto around the church has been the past few weeks:

"We've got a long way to go...and a short time to get there!"

We had an absolutely phenomenal Imagine Campaign, and for those of you who have been following along, you can read some thoughts about the culminating Celebration event here, here, and some photos here.

Here's to many future posts!

Boo!

2007-11-02T13:50:00.001-05:00

A little late in posting, but here are some pics from our Family Fun Night and of course, Halloween. Enjoy!

Knowledge Is King?

2007-10-29T11:59:00.000-05:00

John sent me this article last week talking about the "outsourced brain." We live in the information world - anything and everything is accessible within seconds. What used to take weeks, months or even years to research and investigate to the fullest potential can now be located with a click of the mouse. Isn't technology amazing?

But stop and think about it. My grandparents and even my parents didn't have the internet. They actually had to learn about something and that information was usually retained forever. During my lifetime we began to know about all kinds of things. But that is totally different from understanding.

While information is more prevalent than at any time in history, people are actually less knowledgeable than ever before. We are actually training our kids to gather as much information as possible, use it in the moment and then cast it into the "recycle bin." Why learn about something when you can just look it up again anytime you feel like it?

Let's not be confused about the difference between knowing and understanding. This is especially true regarding the church today. Many people are searching for God and are turning to the local church. This is an incredibly important responsibility. We have two options: we can feed them a bunch of "information" in the moment (which will be forgotten within a few days) and teach at them, OR we can help them understand and experience an awesome and loving God. Too many churches are still preaching at people instead of leading them into a life-changing experience that will last forever.

The local church is in danger if we choose to facilitate knowledge instead of understanding. We can certainly leverage technology to help in understanding, but when it becomes our only device we'll end up losing focus and inevitably cheapen the Gospel.

The old adage that "knowledge is king" is only partially true - without understanding we'll end up forgoing information before we even have a chance to lose it.

Who's On Your List?

2007-10-24T22:39:00.001-05:00

A great visit today with my good friend John. It's always a pleasure to sit back and enjoy a cup o' coffee and some great conversation with him. John always makes me feel at ease and I always come away from one of our conversations feeling better about life than I did before. Thanks John, for another conversation, for taking time to refill my tank, and for always being someone I can count on. You can finish my thoughts better than I can!

If you don't have someone you can sit down with and just be yourself, DON'T WAIT A SECOND LONGER!! It's incredibly imperative to have at least one or two people that you can count on, have conversations with, let them in on the challenges in your life, and for them to speak truth into your life. Nothing can take the place of this!

A few things to keep in mind:

Start a list on paper of people you think you might have a connection with - always make sure they are of the same sex as you!
Schedule a breakfast or lunch with them - don't engage in anything other than "normal" conversation.
Make notes on your list of those people you felt a "connection" with - only mark those who you feel could be a potential match.
Narrow the list to no more than five people - two to three is preferable.
Begin to invest more time in the relationship - don't be afraid to ask them to hold you accountable for certain things, to give honest feedback and to engage in deeper conversations

Strong relationships cannot be built overnight. They take time, commitment and patience. Nobody is perfect (not even you!) so don't expect them to be! Most people have hundreds of acquaintances but very few close friends.

If you can develop a few of these relationships I promise that it will be worth the time and effort. It could potentially save your life, your marriage, your job and much more.

Who will you put on your list?

Content to Be Content

2007-10-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

We talked about contentment in our Life Group this week. We also discovered an important distinction. Contentment is not accepting what you already have. Accepting what you have can sometimes lead to complacency and lack of effort. Contentment is also not "settling" due to current circumstances.

Instead, God asks us to give Him our best. To go "all out." If everything we have belongs to God in the first place, then contentment should come by realizing that God is simply loaning us our resources, our talents, our families, etc, for this particular moment in time. God deserves all that we have. He deserves one hundred percent of our effort. If we give Him that, we can be assured of a peaceful heart regardless of the outcome.

As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV):

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

We can be happy whether we have the most or the least. The goal is to give God our best and then let Him decide the outcome. When our desire to please God outweighs our desire to please ourselves, that's when we'll find true contentment.

Growing Bigger By Growing Smaller

2007-10-21T23:14:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful Life Group tonight. We met in the Underground due to the fact our group is getting VERY large - 17 adults and usually about 13 kids. That's too many to fit in any one house! While we enjoy our time together, I laid out the challenge tonight that our group needs to find a way to divide into smaller units.

Having a large group limits the number of opportunities for someone to share their heart. It also limits the possibility of adding new people to the group. When we are too big to add any others to our group, we are, in actuality, denying someone else from having the same experience we currently enjoy. That's really a selfishness issue which can lead to a bigger issue - pride.

To our group's credit, everyone recognized the need to give others the opportunity to experience a Life Group. I also challenged everyone to consider whether or not they should step up and lead a group as well. We have plenty of host homes, but not enough people stepping up to lead. Most people won't lead unless you give them permission. They either feel unqualified or unchallenged. Both can be solved with a little encouragement.

It's amazing to me that when you remove a leader from a group, another leader steps up to take their place. It was the same way when I taught band - when a strong player graduated, there was always someone else that would step up to the challenge. They were simply waiting for the opportunity and the invitation.

As leaders, we often fail the organization because we won't step out of the way and give others the opportunity to lead. Just like the small group I mentioned above, it becomes an issue of pride. Once we step out of the way and extend the invitation, it's amazing to see who shows up and the incredible talent they bring to the table.

Are you the bottleneck to the organization? Have you given someone the opportunity and the invitation?

Stormy Thursday

2007-10-18T19:34:00.000-05:00

Quite the storms today!! At 2:30 this morning the storms hit full force on our side of town and within seconds our 110 year old maple tree was lying across our front yard. It was as if God Himself took great care to position the tree gently and cautiously across our lawn. Another few feet to the right and the tree would have crashed into our daughter Emilee's bedroom. A few more feet to the left and the power lines would have snapped. A few feet to the other side and our neighbor's house and car would have been demolished. In short, it was nothing less than a miracle that the tree landed exactly where it would cause no damage!

At 8am I was already trying to figure out how to dispose of this gigantic yard ornament. By 10am the entire tree was gone! Another miracle perhaps? The city workers were out cleaning up debris from the road and after a short conversation they agreed to go take a look out our tree. By 9:30am they had trimmed all the branches and put them in the shredder. By 10am they had returned to cut the large trunk into pieces and then by chain loaded them into a truck to be taken away. While I have many issues with our city, I must say that these guys were AWESOME!! A HUGE thanks go out to those fellas for taking care of a massive challenge!

This afternoon? Another round of storms. This time two tornadoes were spotted, one of which came across our neighborhood and did some pretty good damage. Several trees were down in our neighborhood, a fence and a car smashed from a broken limb. Across town the damage continued with the storm path taking out many more trees and part of a house. The power is still out tonight in that part of town, but fortunately I haven't heard of any injuries.

I've always been fascinated by storms, especially tornadoes. I don't understand why they happen, but I wonder if God is simply clearing away what is not needed any longer. What I do know is that He was certainly watching out for our family this morning and this afternoon, and I thank Him for covering us with His protection. Another reminder that we serve an incredible God!!

Parents Just Don't Understand

2007-10-17T21:33:00.000-05:00

NewSpring Church is getting ready to start a new parenting series called "Parents Are Clueless." While we have taught many times on parenting at Meadow Heights Church, I love how Perry and his team are thinking outside the box.

Check out this incredible website with comments that will make those of us who are parents think twice about our family.

Right Smack Dab In the Middle...

2007-10-17T21:30:00.000-05:00

Take time to check out this post by this guy. My favorite lines:

It’s not Jesus, then my family, then my job…
It’s Jesus: in my family, in my job…

An AMAZING Weekend!

2007-10-15T21:46:00.000-05:00

The title says it all! After a week of installation we finally debuted our new technology system at Meadow Heights Church this past weekend. A HUGE shout out to all those folks who pitched in to make everything happen! Our Creative Arts team is phenomenal and we had so many people who gave their time and energy the entire week.

Thanks to Dustin, Joseph and the entire crew from Ford Audio Video - they worked countless hours all week long to get us ready for the weekend. Thanks to Jeremy, who leads our LiVE! Team and who spent all day Saturday helping install and troubleshoot and for getting our music team ready. Thanks to Matt - BIG TIME! - for coming in early (and all day!) Saturday with his MacBook (ours didn't come in!) and getting our entire video system up and running (including the resolution!) for the gatherings.

Thanks to Craig, who leads our Finale Team, who came in all day Saturday to get our new digital board ready. He had to reset the entire stage, every channel on the board and then tweak out every vocalist and instrumentalist before 3pm!

I'd also like to thank Krys - who ran the new light board all weekend, Scott - for helping Craig and learning a great deal of the sound board himself, Kayla - who rescued all of us by picking up a much needed cable in St. Louis to get our presentation software running, and finally to Melissa and her team for not only getting the visual arts ready, but for taking care of all the Creative Arts team by feeding us food and of course keeping us awake with Red Bull!

There were so many people who made this happen that I'm sure I missed someone. A huge thanks to Bryan, our lead pastor, for believing in the dream called Meadow Heights and for believing in me just a few short years ago. The vision is becoming a reality right before our very eyes!

We'll be posting additional details this week as well as streaming our Imagine Video complete with animation of our Arcadia Valley site plan. We'll also be spending the week "tweaking what's weak" and developing new systems that will hopefully allow us to acclimate and train our volunteers very quickly.

Until then, here' s to catching up on some sleep!

[pictures sent via Blackberry]

Imagine...

2007-10-11T07:35:00.000-05:00

I haven't had much time to talk about the new series coming up at Meadow Heights Church. We're calling it "Imagine." All I can say is don't miss this weekend! I promise everyone that you will not be disappointed if you show up this weekend - you will be blown away by what God has been doing!

We've been busy with technology, print materials, videos and so much more. Many of those things will be unveiled this weekend. Bryan will be talking about God and the many miracles we have already seen and are yet to come.

The Imagine Campaign will change Meadow Heights Church forever, and we are hoping that it radically changes thousands of lives for eternity. Continue to be in prayer and then come join us as we celebrate the kickoff of IMAGINE! In the meantime, enjoy this sneak preview!

Techno Thursday

2007-10-11T07:16:00.000-05:00

For you tech heads out there, here are some articles that you might be interested in:

Kindersay - a new website that promotes easy online learning for young children

Online Videos and Players - once there was YouTube, then GoogleVideo but now what?

TwitterLife - what do you get when you cross Twitter with Second Life? Check it out.

Record Labels In the Dumpster? - First it was Nine Inch Nails, then several others, but now...Madonna!

Grooveshark - a new P2P sharing system that is quite unique...and legal!

[all articles via this site]

A Strange Envelope

2007-10-09T22:37:00.000-05:00

A strange envelope arrived today from "Christopher" in Richmond, VA and was addressed to my wife and I. Inside? A pair of work gloves and a note from someone we have never met before that stated that he had been working with Habitat for Humanity and these were his work gloves. Now he wanted to pass them along and asked us to look for an opportunity to help someone in need.

A "Pay It Forward" moment? If you haven't seen that movie, as soon as I saw the note in the envelope I was reminded of that concept - receive a favor from someone and then pay it forward by doing a favor for someone else.

Has anyone else ever received anything like this? Another God opportunity perhaps?

What A Weekend!!

2007-10-08T22:48:00.000-05:00

What a phenomenal weekend!

My wife, Melissa, and I took off for a long weekend in the city. After a quick visit to Priceline, we secured a low cost hotel room near Chesterfield. The location was great and they gave us a nice room on the upper floor overlooking the lake. A very quiet and peaceful room! [pics via my Blackberry - we forgot the camera!]

We arrived late on Friday and after a bit of work from the hotel on Saturday morning, we headed out for the "Best of Missouri Market" at the Missouri Botanical Garden. WOW! What an event! For $10, we had the opportunity to sample food and drinks from four VERY large tents as well as visit all of the gardens. I would HIGHLY recommend this event to anyone! It was a beautiful day to visit the gardens as well, which you can tour at any time of the year.

After snacking around the tents we headed back to the hotel for a quick swim and hot tub visit and then we headed over to PF Chang's for our dinner reservations. Melissa had never eaten there before (only once for me!) . Our food and service were decent, but not over the top. Prices at PF's are good and you do get quite a bit food for the price. Check it out sometime.

Sunday morning found us with our friends at Windsor Crossing for their 11am service. They had some really AWESOME stage designs complete with a HUGE up lit cross and what seemed like 1000 candles (check out the pic). While there were some very creative moments, Windsor seems to cut them short with awkward transitions and nary a lingering moment. Just when everyone seemed to get into the creative element they would abruptly end it. They did this multiple times in the service we attended. Great ideas, but the impact fell short. It really makes you appreciate Meadow Heights and how we really strive for "defining moments" and opportunities for God to impact people in those moments.

After the service we drove about fifteen minutes and had a quick bite at the Cheesecake Factory. This is one of Melissa's and my favorite spots. Since it was our weekend away, we didn't want to miss out on any food opportunities!! We did manage to split an appetizer, pizza, and of course some dessert! We hit the Apple store for a few moments as well as a few other stores, but didn't do a whole lot of damage to the pocketbook!

The afternoon? Well, we decided to take in a movie at the mall. Nothing much playing in this small theater, but we managed to settle on a movie called "The Seeker." I had never heard of this movie, but it was very enjoyable and something the whole family could watch. It was a bit dark and some parts a bit scary for the younger folk, but overall a solid movie with decent acting. The highlight however was coming out of the movie theater and near the exit was a young man with a silver tray full of mints!! I have never been to a theater that handed out mints before! An interesting twist on customer service!

After another short rest at the hotel, we headed over to The Melting Pot for dinner. Neither Melissa or I had ever been to this restaurant before, but we had been wanting to check it out for quite some time. We decided to splurge and have the four course meal, which is a bit different at this place. We started with some cheese fondue with bread and granny smith apples for dipping. Next was a salad (for Melissa NOT for me! YUCK!) followed by the main course of MANY types of meats which we skewered and cooked in our broth. The platter was filled with two different types of steak, white shrimp, lobster, marinated pork, chicken and some pasta. We also had a platter of veggies for dipping complete with five or six different types of sauces. This was by far the best part of the meal! Very fun, creative and enjoyable. We topped off our night with a chocolate and peanut butter fondue complete with a tray FULL of different types of fruits, marshmallows, brownies and cheesecakes for dipping. AWESOME STUFF!! This experience took approximately two hours and overall it was very unique and enjoyable. Not sure I would go back again, but maybe for a special occasion.

Bloated and busting at the seams from a day full of food, we crashed at the hotel. Monday found us searching for fabric and design pieces for the launch of our new series at Meadow Heights Church this weekend.

Overall a GREAT weekend and a chance to catch our breaths before the long haul of projects in the next few months. Lots of stuff to do, but I'm thankful for the opportunity to spend some quality time with my wife - she is one PHENOMENAL lady and I am incredibly lucky to have her!!

Thanks for a great weekend Mel!!

Buckle On Your Armor

2007-10-04T07:53:00.000-05:00

"Buckle on your armor and advance into battle! Harness the horses, and prepare to mount them. Put on your helmets, sharpen your spears, and prepare your armor.”

Jeremiah 46:3-4 (NLT)

The word ‘prepare’ is used eight times throughout Jeremiah – a signal from God to get everything ready for the times ahead. For Jeremiah, this command was mostly for his troops. But it was also a signal to prepare their hearts and minds for battle.

As we get ready for the Imagine Campaign, God is asking us to prepare as well. I love what Paul says in Romans 6:13 (LB), “Give yourselves completely to God…so you can be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes.” The first step in our preparation is to cleanse ourselves of sin and become an open vessel to be used by God for His purpose. We do this through confession; an honest conversation with God. And in return His promise is forgiveness and grace.

I challenge all of us to begin the cleansing process this week. Open up a conversation with God and confess your sin. If we do this, God will use us in ways we can only imagine. God can do anything you know! Let’s buckle on our armor, put on our helmets and prepare for an incredible experience with God!

[via Life Force Newsletter]

3 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Stephen Emlund

2007-10-04T07:46:00.000-05:00

Stephen Emlund called me last night to talk about some of the print projects we have been working on. Steve has been designing all of our print materials for the upcoming Imagine Campaign. I have to tell you that I am very impressed with this guy. He is creative, works hard and of course puts up with the 500 revisions we do to every single document. You can check out more of his work here and his Facebook page here.

We only talked on the phone for about 10 minutes, but by the end of the conversation, I learned three things about Steve that I did not know. I thought I would share these with you today:

Steve lived in Lansing, Illinois until the third grade.
The first place Steve lived in Missouri was a trailer in Park Hills.
Steve's mom had a horse named "Buck." (Sadly, he died)

Thanks to Steve for all of his work, and look for samples coming soon!

He's BAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!!

2007-10-03T20:17:00.000-05:00

Okay. So, it's been like 8 days since I've posted. I think that's a new record! It took about five days to fully recover from strep throat and then of course the big "yard sale" last weekend and before you know it - BAM! It's Wednesday!

But...I'm back and ready to write, so jump right in, feel free to comment and let's get some discussions going - it's been too quiet around here!

PS By the way - my favorite pic from the yard sale: we had several movies for sale - so many in fact, that this guy brought a chair out from the back of his truck, plopped it down and sat for nearly an hour reading the back of every video! Now that's dedication!

Amazon Gets It...Finally!

2007-09-25T19:26:00.000-05:00

Tech Crunch points us to Amazon's new music service - amazonmp3. Songs are delivered in mp3 format (which means they'll play on just about any type of player!) and are DRM free. Tracks start at 89 cents apiece, which is far cheaper than rival Apple's iTunes.

Amazon is well known for their great prices, ease of use and stocking pretty much any book or other necessity. It's no surprise that they have jumped into the music download business as well. It's taken them awhile, but they seem to have gotten it right, waiting until the DRM dust has settled and signing most major record labels to contracts.

Will this cut into other popular download sites such as iTunes? Only time (and tunes) will tell!

UPDATE: By the way - you can purchase this newly released album for only $8.99!!

The Gift of Gratitude

2007-09-24T22:45:00.000-05:00

Here's another great post from our friends at Zen Habits. Be sure to check out the simple prayer at the end of Leo's post.

WHY LIVING A LIFE OF GRATITUDE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY

1. Because it reminds you of the positive things in your life.
2. Because it turns bad things into good things.
3. Because it reminds you of what’s important.
4. Because it reminds you to thank others.

Being thankful for what God has already given you can totally change your perspective on life. Try this exercise: think of 5 people who have been influential in your life and thank God for them and their impact. Take time to email, call or write them to thank them for this gift. You may never know how this might return the blessing you have already received.

Smacked Around...

2007-09-23T22:03:00.001-05:00

I have been out of pocket the last few days, and despite what you are getting ready say, it was not because of busyness!! I have actually been SICK! And I mean the smacked around kind of sick.

Every once in awhile I'll catch a cold or something like that, but I haven't been "sick" in I can't remember how long. I haven't even been to the doctor (knock on wood!) in over five years!

But Friday I started to feel very crazy in the throat and by Saturday morning I couldn't swallow or take any liquids - the result? Strep throat. Or at least that's what they think. I had to go the emergency room and they said they don't test adults anymore for strep (kind of strange I thought, but not complaining - I hate that swab thingy!). So...they loaded me full of drugs (a big honkin' antibiotic, steroids and Tylenol 3) and home I went.

Today? Feeling a bit better, although it still feels like someone scrubbed my throat with some sandpaper. A bit tired but no worse for the wear. I should be good as new in the next few days or so. I'll be glad to get back to "normal" - but maybe a bit slower paced?

Several exciting announcements coming up...stay tuned!

S-I-M-P-L-I-F-Y

2007-09-20T07:12:00.000-05:00

This post hit home this morning. My wife and I had some great conversation yesterday, and I know she'll shout a big AMEN to the post I just mentioned. I was having the same conversation with someone else just the other day - about how we don't live life on the front porch any longer. Technology, with all its positives, has turned our communities into "shellters" [pun intended!] instead of porches.

As Melissa and I continue working on the "clutter" and simplifying our life, here's a sample from the blog post that might help you as well:

S - Slow down
I - Imagine doing less
M - Make time for loved ones
P - Practice patience
L - Learn to gently say no
I - Increase your quiet time
F - Follow your heart
Y - Yield to life, yield to peace, yield to joy

Where do you need to "simplify" your life?

Are We Asking The Right Questions?

2007-09-19T21:05:00.000-05:00

We read an article in staff meeting this week that identified vision as one of the key factors for an incredible volunteer base. One question we need to ask our core of volunteers is why they do what they do. How would they respond? Out of guilt? Or obligation? Or would they respond by saying they do what they do because they are on mission with the church - to reach people who don't have a relationship with Jesus?

Here's another interesting application. Read this from Brand Autopsy:

The Wall Street Journal reports the Big Four accounting firms are using "Employee Generated Media" to help gain an edge in the ever-competitive campus recruiting scene. Josee Rose writes:

"To lure candidates steeped in Facebook and YouTube, the Big Four are turning to the Web. Deloitte & Touche asked employees to make short videos about their experiences at the company. The videos were a way 'of taking the aspects of social networking and experimenting on how you can use the new tools of today to move forward into a workplace of the future,' said Cathy Benko, chief talent officer. About 400 videos were made, and the 14 best will be posted on YouTube and used on campuses.[source]

What would it look like if we asked our volunteers to make a video of why they do what they do? What would they say? Or how about a more extreme example - what if every first time guest that walked through our doors made a video about their experience and posted it on YouTube? Would that change how we "do" church? Are we afraid of what they would say?

What other questions should we be asking ourselves?

MySpace For Rent?

2007-09-19T20:56:00.001-05:00

More proof that MySpace is dying? Check out this comparison chart via the Swerve Blog:

Tickled Pink!

2007-09-19T20:51:00.001-05:00

Here's an uplifting story of high school kids who "get it." I love their spirit of standing up for what is right regardless of what's standing in the way (literally!). A simple brainstorming action and a bit of technology and BAM! these kids solved an age old problem. Kudos to those who refuse to be satisfied with the status quo!

[link via this guy]

I Need To Get Regular

2007-09-19T20:46:00.001-05:00

As usual, it's been a busy past week. Thanks to the guys at Creative Animation for sending a phenomenal video crew to Meadow Heights this past weekend. They were working on a special project for us, and we're looking forward to the end results!

Also a special thanks to the many guest bloggers that have been filling in during my absence. Those guys (and gals) were stinkin' awesome!

I'm looking forward to getting back to some regular blogging and some regular family time and of course, SLEEP!

Guest Blogger: Jeremy Leach

2007-09-17T22:35:00.000-05:00

Let me just say that it is truly an honor to be a guest blogger on Bucketology this week considering I've never blogged anywhere ever. My name is Jeremy Leach and I'm a pharmacist in my hometown of Fredericktown, but also serve on staff part-time at Meadow Heights Church (Fredericktown). There I take on several responsibilities in the arts department; I'm currently heading up our LiVE Team (essentially our music team comprised of about 40 volunteers), and I also take care of music selection, scripting, auditions, and some video editing as well. I also am a member of the music team where I sing and play piano. Music is something I enjoy very much and if I'm not playing it I'm probably listening to it.

I want to give you guys some info on artists that, in my opinion, have been an oversight in the music industry; each of these albums has had a significant impact on me either musically or spiritually in the last few years, but you may not have heard much of their material on your local stations...at least not any of our local stations...here in Fredericktown.

Kara Williamson
I'm not sure where this girl came from, or where she went, but I managed to come across her cd a few years ago. Someone told me she originated in the Passion albums, then released her own cd thereafter, but I've searched the web for her and even looked to possibly book her for an event last year and got nowhere. Her CD 'Undisguised' has been in my cd player heavily over the past 2 years. Her voice is great and her songs have been used to encourage me on many occasions. There are many vertical worship tunes that would work great in a music set, "O Wounded King" and "More Than Enough". My favorite song on the album is "Dear Performer". For anyone who's ever been driven by fear into 'performing' through your life everyday instead of being real with yourself and with God, listen to this song!!

Starfield
There's a good chance you did hear this group on the radio, but not enough!! Get their cds! There are 2 of them which I purchased not even 2 months ago and I'm hooked. I even added one song of theirs I did hear on the radio, "Filled With Your Glory", to our music set this past weekend and it was very well received! The songwriting on their discs is incredible and the lead vocalist is great. Be sure and listen to a few of my favorites: "Son of God", "Love Break Me" and "Over My Head".

Charity Von
I love unique voices. This chick has one! She is a rocker all the way, but she rocks it kind of old-school. I think of Melissa Etheridge when I play her songs. Her CD was released in 2004, and I still love listening to it! I don't think she's put anything fresh out, but if anyone hears differently let me know. You can tell just in her voice on the recording that she is into the music 110%!! There are also some amazing guitar solos on this album, if you're into that...I usually skip them. The slow, worshipful "In Your Presence" is my favorite, but give a listen to the more energetic "The Narrow" and "Message" and get ready to rock your face off!!

Jimmy Needham
Kind of a one-hit-wonder this past year, his single "Lost at Sea" did make it to radio, but I haven't heard much from this artist since. He's due for a new disc, but the first one has become one of my favorites! He has a great bluesy, acoustic style. If you like the stripped-down, simple, raw sound of an artist, this guy brings it! I would love to see him in concert! My favorite tune on the cd is "For Freedom". I find myself singing this all the time! Also listen to "You Make Me Sing" and "Dearly Loved". A college kid who sings, plays and writes all his material at this quality deserves a listen!!

Anthony Evans
I've never heard a single song of his on the radio. I didn't rank these based on the 'most over-looked', but if I did-this guy takes the cake!! His 2nd album release "Letting Go" has been the most influential album I've ever owned. I can't tell you what timing God had in my very purchase of the album a year and a half ago. There are songs on this album that brought me through the most trying point in my spiritual life, and it was a surprise because I think his first album sucked. Now, I'm a sucker for pop. Lot's of complicated vocal runs I could only dream of mastering and a male vocalist with a range out of this world are showcased on each tune. If any of you share common interests get this album. You will love it!

Well, that's all for now. Thanks to Michael for inviting me to do something I've never done before, it was fun. Also, please respond to this post. I want to hear all about YOUR favorite unknowns too!!

Thanks again!

jeremy

Guest Blogger: Jason McMurry (the Mac Daddy)

2007-09-15T22:23:00.000-05:00

Top 5 Most Inspiring Sports Movies

I love movies with heart, purpose, and that share a story of making a difference - you add a sport to it and what a powerful package! To nail it to a “Top 5,” that’s tough, because I have 36 movies on my blog (www.coach-mac.blogspot.com) that have inspired me. But the “Top 5” in my opinion are the following:

5. Glory Road

I love how the coach in this movie thought outside the box, looked past the color of a man’s skin and looked at the heart and raw talent of an athlete as he recruited a history breaking basketball team in the NCAA. This movie is about the importance of “Team” and breaking racial divides.

4. Remember the Titans

A great movie about breaking racial divides brings two races together against their will, through a lot of adversity from within the team and from the community; the team eventually becomes a tight family unit (a Team) that experiences some success with the game of football. This team was able to re-educate and model for their town how different races can come together and appreciate each others difference and become a Team. Not just in the game of football but in the game of life.

3. Miracle

This movie reminds me of the movie “Hoosiers,” but instead it is about hockey not basketball. I love the methods and ideas this coach uses to break down his team, and how he was able to build them back up into an Olympic Gold Team for the USA. This coach stuck with his beliefs even when no one else believed in him, but in the end everyone loved him.

4. Hoosiers

Redemption for a coach who had some regrets from the past and gets an opportunity for a fresh start. I admire his methods and ideas in developing “Team Unity” in the game of basketball. In the beginning he was hated - in the end he was well loved by his team and community.

5. Rocky

This movie is my all time favorite about overcoming all the odds that may be against you. This movie displays a lot of heart, determination, and the will to win. I love the focus and raw authenticity of Rocky. This movie inspires us all to not give up on our God-given dreams, but to pursue it with a vengeance. My favorite Rocky quote from the new movie, "It ain't about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." And you can’t leave out the analogy of “The Eye of the Tiger,” which is that focused, determined look in your eye to win that comes from the depths of your heart.

All these movies have a great message of teamwork, overcoming adversity and the odds to make a difference, sticking to what is right even if you are all alone, that it is never to late to put action to a dream that is in your heart, strong character, and a heart of determination (The Eye of the Tiger). That is why these movies made my “Top Five.”

Significantly Challenged

2007-09-13T22:27:00.000-05:00

ChurchRelevance points us to this article by the Barna Research Group. The Barna group asked parents to identify the most significant or challenging issues facing teens today. Here are some of the statistics from their research:

For Teenagers

42% listed peer pressure
16% performance in school
16% substance abuse
15% behavioral issues
6% values development
5% college choices and acceptance
5% attitude
5% media use
3% listed challenges related to their teen’s faith

For Young Children

26% listed school performance
24% listed peer pressure
10% behavioral issues
6% attitudes
6% media use
5% family-related struggles
5% health-related struggles
5% issues related to maturation
3% listed challenges related to their child’s faith

Whether you agree with the validity of these statistics or not, it's important for us to recognize that our kids face some incredible challenges today. What's funny is that I would highly doubt this list (with the exception of the media portion) is much different than 50 years ago.

I wonder what it would look like if we listed the top challenges we face as adults? How would that change the way we relate to one another? What challenges are you facing?

Do You "Verve?"

2007-09-12T22:53:00.000-05:00

Professional and amateur musicians alike will enjoy this new creative project from Kyle Yugawa. It's simply titled "Verve,"[link courtesy of this guy] but it's so much more than that. Users are able to select from various instruments such as the acoustic guitar, piano, percussion and more. That's where the fun begins.

As part of the creative expression, you can create, record and edit a composition based on sound, shape and motion. A very unique site, beware...you could spend many hours enjoying your creation!

NOTE: Verve is currently in alpha; some features are not yet enabled

I Have Difficulty (Part 4 of 4)

2007-09-10T20:39:00.000-05:00

I have difficulty with perfectionism. It creeps up in some crazy ways sometimes and often without warning. I used to struggle with this continuously, but God has really helped me in this area.

Here are some ways I battled perfectionism:

Making everything a contest - my project, idea or way had to be the best; I was always competing with something or someone
Not trusting others to do work I should have handed off to them in the first place
Always thinking that I can do it better and faster then anyone else
Wanting everything to be 100% - even if I sacrificed God, my wife, my family or myself to get it done

Ultimately it comes down to a pride issue. Will I continue to do it my way or God's way? How have you struggled with perfectionism?