Check the Time Stamp

Go on, check it.

4am. Yep. I've been up since 11am and busy since 2pm. 14hrs after I started my working day, I've finished it. This wasn't so abnormal in college, but it's incredibly challenging these days.

We had amazing conversation tonight at the Well. That's awesome, let me tell you. It was movie night and we watched Jesus Camp a strictly film (no commentary/narrator) documentary about extremest Christians of the Charismatic wing of Christianity... and specifically how they indoctrinate their children. Having been discipled into an A/G church I figured I'd be somewhat sympathetic to the individuals, but all I saw was shallow, highly emotional experiences and shame-filled tactics. Halfway through the film I went outside I was so frustrated about how the kids are treated. I mean, no one's mean to them, but they're definitely being spiritually abused. And it's sad to me to hear (and I kid you not) one 8 or 9 year old boy explain his salvation experience like this,

"I've been saved since I was 5. I..when I was 5 life just wasn't fun anymore. I knew I needed more out of life. So I came to Jesus and life's been good ever since."

What? And their children's pastor was giddy with such an answer at her finger tips.

Another little girl, age 10 (I think), talked about hearing the voice of God. She was at a bowling alley and wanted a strike soo badly. So she prayed her little heart out... for a couple minutes, mind you, and you could hear the sweet sincerity in her words, "Jesus, guide the ball, help me..." And then she rolled the ball on down with all the strength a 10 yo can muster... and no strike. In fact, she was centimeters away from a gutter ball. The look on her face was crushing. She clearly didn't understand why God didn;t hear her prayer and answer. She went off and sat alone. No one bothered to console her broken heart. It angered me.

And then there was the home-schooling mom who believed President Bush has done Christianity a service. And who told her kid while they were studying science that global warming wasn't an important problem, and evolution not worth spending time on. I wish I could describe for you the actual conversation she had with her son. It made me so sad.

Or the 9 yo who wanted to be a beautician solely because she thought her clients would be unsuspecting and unable to decline the gospel.

And then the parents of these kids send them off to a camp where all ages were taught how they MUST change the world, that they have these experiences, that if they're not careful satan... well, okay, I think you get the picture... in essence, several of the parents were forcing their kids to have intense emotional reactions...

I'm concerned. I wonder what the bowling alley girl will understand God as. I wonder if she thinks she isn't good enough or God doesn't really care about her. I wonder what will happen when homeschooled boy goes out in the world and discovers that global warming and evolution are important issues. I wonder how many of them are forcing the experiences, much like I did when I came into the pentecostal circle, so they can get accepted and feel good enough. I wonder what will happen when beautician girl begins to realize people won't come back, or when no-fun 5 yo begins to doubt his faith as a teenager.

Let me be clear: I'm not dogging these kids. They're sweet, well-meaning children whose love for God is no doubt genuine. I am, however, calling into the spotlight this subculture that seeks to disciple kids like Muslim extremest do their kids... only with "the Truth." (I'm referencing actual statements by the children's pastor). I'm saddened.

We discussed it for a good 3-4 hrs. No joke.

Just Like The Disciples

Monday night I was with my friend Casey.

At one point I brought up the new Billy Graham Museum & Library in Charlotee, NC. Ever since I found out about this project I've been slightly unsettled about it. Mind you, I don't want to be or even come accross as judgmental and narrow-minded, but the idea of a 27-million dollar museum meant to capture the history of the Good News & evangelism; especially the evangelistic efforts of Billy Graham, seems a bit miss-guided to me. Prior to talking with Casey, I hadn't mentioned my concerns to anyone. Mostly because I don't want to come across as bitter and cynical towards a legacy one man worked tirelessly to integrate into the lives of countless Imago Dei.

But, at the same time, it seems that Graham's legacy, and the goal of the Good News, is to restore man to an unbroken relationship with God where man can find hope, rest, and lasting purpose. And I can't help but wonder if the 27-million dollars spent to create this museum could have been better used to continue Graham's legacies over seas, meeting the needs of so many across the globe. What better way to commerate a life well lived than to continue his work when he himself is unable- but certainly not unwilling.

Casey brought up a valid point, though. Many of my complaints echo those of the twelve, who, when the woman doused Jesus' feet with the contants from the alabaster box, questioned her actions and thought the wealth should be spent of the poor.

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. -Matthew 26:6-13 (Luke 7; Mark 14)

While I see my friend's point, I'm curious if there is real application to my concerns here. The woman, a known sinner, came before Jesus, repentant and in adoration. She followed up, acting on her conviction. And, I still hear the words of James who wrote in His letter to the 12 tribes of Israel,

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. -James 1:27

I do not believe faith and evangelism were ever meant to be static and spectator-oriented. And although I do believe it will be a source of inspiration and hold very real meaning for so many, I wonder what will be done with the money generated from this attraction? Is the legacy of love and restoration that defined the life of Christ being turned into a means for profit? I believe Christ had harsh words for those who took lightly the purpose of life... and most specifically, His Father's house.

Even Billy himself expressed concern that the monument was too much about him and not enough about God. But before this comes a bashing blog I must say, that even misguided, Billy's son Franklin has a love and respect for his father and the legacy that he lives for that is seldom found.

Do you have any thoughts?

PS-I think I may have suffered a tick/spider bite. I'm a bit frustrated because it's beginning to engulf my left thigh which means I need to seek medical attention if it does not improve or it worsens by tomorrow afternoon. That's rather annoying and I would appreciate some more of those prayers. Muchas Gracias!

YouTube Kids

I enjoy floating around YouTube.

I learn a lot. Creatively, professionally, etc., it's very stimulating to me.

Here are three hit videos from YouTube. Each has "launched" its own movement, so to speak, inviting their digital, anonymous audience to participate. The responses have been overwhelming.

Terra Naomi, YouTube Music sensation, asks her audience to film clips stating what they dream to be possible, in no more than three words. The video is based off those responses.


Juan Mann, Australian who wanted to make a difference, stands, holding a "Free Hugs" sign. Stirring controversy that sparked a world-wide movement, teens and young adults all across the globe have filmed their own undertakings of this idea.



A "Director" known as MadV posted this 40 second clip...



That became the most responded-to clip on YouTube within days. He compiled the video responses. This next video is what generations are saying...



I have a few questions...

1. What is going on here?
   
2. What is the appeal to these videos?
3. Why do thousands of people respond?
4. What can we do to tap into this as the Church?
5. What should our response be to this observation?

-Asher