I would like to thank the academy...

I have had the privledge and honor of being one of the counseling interns at Eastside Academy this last school year. My job there was to meet one on one with roughly 10 students every week for counseling. It also included, teaching classes, running a group, and simply being present with these students. I have been so blessed by the experience. I have been encouraged, challenged, and loved by both the staff and the school. I was given the place to be me as a counselor - to explore my styles of practice, and to build authentic relationships with incredible people.

And in all of this I got to see the power of relationships. The power of a listening ear and what a caring/non-judgemental spirit can do in people's lives. I got to see the power of the Gospel. The redeeming power of loving, serving, forgiving, and being with others just as Christ has been with me and the world. I got to see students press on in a journey to becoming clean and sober. Celebrating someone having achieved two weeks of sobriety and others having reached over a year! Experiencing people press forward and accomplishing the goals that they set out to do - finishing school, getting a job, staying away from negative influences, and much more. Seeing people move to a place where they can recognize there strengths and weaknesses and not live into the negative labels that have been put on them. And today I saw 7 of these students graduate from High School. I can't even come close to sharing the emotional rollercoaster it was to see! I love these kids, I am so proud of them, and I am so excited to see where they will go from here!

So with all of that said I would like to personally thank everyone at the academy [Eastside Academy] and its graduating class of 2005 for the many blessings that you have given me! I count it a complete honor to have gotten to know you, learn with you, and most of all to journey with you in all that was an incredible school year! Thank you for providing a place in which authentic living can occur and the redeeming power of the Gospel is felt! May God bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you all peace!

Define or not to define...

Ok so back to the whole definition of "Christian Music/Artist" thing! After reading the great responses from the post "WHAT MAKES CHRISTIAN MUSIC CHRISTIAN?" I am left with some more thoughts and questions. Why do we need a "definition" of "Christian." I can't honestly put a clear cut definition to Christianity or to whether someone is a Christian or not. I can have my opinions, but can I really know and do I really need to know? I don't think so. And I don't really think God is all about labelling us CHRISTIAN or NON-CHRISTIAN (which is a word that is not even in the Bible). I think God is more concerned about us living the life we were designed to live in relationship with Him. One of justice, mission, mercy, service, sacrifice, and above all unconditional love and forgiveness.

And even more, what difference does it make if a song is "Christian" or by a "Christian Artist" or not? If it speaks truth, it draws me to a deeper understanding of God, or beckons me to worship, isn't that enough?

God influences and uses people for his glory - Christian or not. I think that is what is so amazing to me about being made in the image of God. It is not an option for us to be image-bearers. It is what we do with our image-bearing (of God) selves that is optional. When we come to a personal understanding of who we are and who God is in relationship to us, than we are more able to understand how we are to live! Then through this relationship we can follow His example, His will, His way more realistically.

O.K - talk about a rant... I am done for now! I love this! Somebody talk to me :)

What's your theological worldview?

I found this quiz thanks to Mark O some of the questions are very interesting. Some took a lot of thought for me. I know anyone can make a quiz, but I really liked this one and found it to be very thought provoking.

Here is what they said about me...

"You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this." Emergent/Postmodern 82% Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 71% Charismatic/Pentecostal 61% Neo orthodox 61% Reformed Evangelical 50% Roman Catholic 46% Modern Liberal 46% Fundamentalist 43% Classical Liberal 43% What's your theological worldview?

Follow the links above to take the quiz yourself. I think my results would be even stronger taking it again. Some of my answers were a little soft. If you got a few minutes take the quiz and tell me what you think!

Enjoy!

Bono & Christian Music...

So I found this really interesting clip of U2's lead singer [Bono] talking about worship music and "Christian/Gospel" music. I found it on a page from Relevant Magazine's website. I think it adds some great thoughts to ponder along with the last two posts about what makes music "Christian." Here is a quote from it...

"God is interested in truth, and only in truth. And that's why God is more interested in Rock & Roll music than Gospel... If you can't write about what's really going on in the world and your life, because it's all happy-clappy... Is God interested in that? I mean, 'Please, don't patronize Me!'" - An interview with Bono

Listen to the whole clip by clicking here Bono Clip and tell me what you think

Enjoy!

You make the call!

So coming from the last post here is an powerful example of how a "non-Christian" artist can create a beautiful song and how it can speak of the Gospel. Below you will find a clip I used for The Mix! one night for a worship experience. It is VERY powerful and has some strong images, but I think you will enjoy! It is using the song "The Reason" by the band Hoobastank.

I recommend you maximizing the size of the clip to full screen. After you view it tell me what you think and you make the call. Do you think it can 'qualify' as a 'Christian Song?' Click here to view the video...

TheReasonWorshipExperience

What makes Christian music Christian?

As a lover of music, I find myself often falling in love with the lyrics, melodies, and rhythems of songs that are not of the "Christian Music Genre." Sometimes in fact, I find these songs to express the Gospel or good news of the hope of glory and redemption of our souls even more so then most of the music I hear on the "Christian" music stations. Why is that? What makes a song or lyric Christian or not? Is it the writer, is it the words, is it the content, is it the emotions that come from hearing it, or something else? One of the things I love most about The Message is that it is story. And we relate to it because we all have our own story. And for me music is in many ways the creative way people tell the stories of life and the interaction of God within it - through song.

Examples of songs that I believe speak of/illustrate the stories of the Gospel...

I Grieve - Peter Gabriel
God Put a Smile Upon My Face - Coldplay
Devils and Dust - Bruce Springsteen
Sometimes - U2
Blowin In The Wind - Bob Dylan
Save Me - Dave Matthews
Everything - Alanis Morissete
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
The Reason - Hoobastank

I am not saying that every lyric of these songs are "theologically accurate" nor do I believe they need to. I am simply saying that these lyrics/songs/stories speak to the matters of the heart in such a way that causes people to ponder the things of God. AND I LOVE THAT! I could go into this more, but a friend and professor of mine wrote an incredibly good article on this topic. I'd love you to read it and I'd love your thought on this conversation.

Click here to read the article ischristianmusicchristian?

And even more so I would love any songs that you would add to this list [knowing this is no where near complete]. Songs that have nudged you deeper into your walk with God.

Lavalamp Prayer...

So I love the way the emergent church is creative with its exploration of spirituality and spiritual formation. Taking on the traditional concept of light being a sign of hope and the presence of God I found this unique prayer tool. Check it out.

Lavalamp Prayer

National Doughnut Day...

Hey did you know that today is National Doughnut Day! What does that mean to you? Well if you live anywhere near a Krispy Kreme you get YOUR CHOICE of ANY DOUGHNUT in the store FOR FREE! I believe that this day originally started by the Salvation Army back in the day to help honor people who served our country in various ways. But don't quote me on that.

Yesterday I had a doughnut from MIGHTY O's. It was totally organic and vegan. And surprisingly tasty. Anyways, just go eat a free doughnut in honor of this special day!

U2 Thoughts...

Hey just in case you are a lover of all things U2 then you have to check out this blog. It is also located in my list of links. What is cool is that if you go and look at one of the posts from a couple of days ago you will see a comment on the link I has to the worship experience I did with The Mix! about a month ago! If you want to read what they said click here U2Sermons.

And just in case you missed the flash on the song "Sometimes" by U2 and you don't know what I am talking about you can see it by clicking here Sometimes Worship Flash.

Lots of links...

So I finally got around to adding some links to my blog. I'm not finished by any means, but I figured this was good for now. I invite you to check them out. These are a lot of my favorite places on the web to surf. Now I got to figure out how to do pictures!

On another note, today it is a classic beautiful northwest day full of sunshine, blue sky, a slight breeze, and a temperature of about 78. I love Seattle!

Hope you can find time to enjoy!

Got Pope?

Remember the song by the GO-GO's called "We Got The Beat"? It's a classic! Well either way this will help answer the "Got Pope?" question...

We Got A Pope

enjoy!

For the love of llama's...

And now for something completely different...

The Llama Song

enjoy!

So I've been told...

Many of my friends have read the book "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller and have raved about it. After a good vote by my couples group on what should be our next book we decide to read this one! I am excited to get into it. My wife is reading one of his first books called "Prayer and the Art of Volkswagon Maintainence" which is not in print any longer but is coming out again under a new title..."Through Painted Deserts: Finding God on the Open Road." She loves it so far. Anyways, if you haven't read it or you are thinking about a good book for a small group I found a great resource connected to "Blue Like Jazz" made by Donald himself. It is much more than just questions to ponder, but it also includes some experience projects/assignments that are very cool. And the best part is that it is free to download. So if you are interested in the book, or the study guide you can check it out here... BLUELIKEJAZZ.COM. To get the study guide follow the resource links and click study guide. I'll share some of the conversations that come out of this book later!

I'm left wanting...

So do you ever have those times when you think life will be better if you have certian things? Like life is good, but it could get even better if... Well, I am not saying that I am not content, but there are a number of things that I have been dreaming of. As a result, I have been left wanting, and singing the chorus to 40 by U2 "How Long?"

So here are some of the things I have been dreaming of in no particular order...

1. 60g ipod photo (that looks like the special edition U2 ipod - even though they don't make such a thing)
2. a digital camera
3. The new Coldplay album X and Y
4. My Dad coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ
5. The new Bruse Springsteen album Devils and Dust
6. My youth ministry to have a true hearts desire for outreach
7. Loosing 15 pounds
8. Being able to do the type of work that I love doing and being able to make enough to support my family
9. My new deck on my house to mysteriously appear
10. Having more time/discipline to read all the wonderful books that are my shelves
11. Being able to see my friends more often
12. And while we are on the whole dreaming thing...I would love a Red Land Rover Discovery II SE that gets really good gas mileage that I could simply get by a straight trade for my 87 Subaru GL (yeah right!!!!!!!!)

Hey I can always dream!

The Sounds of Silence...

Sorry for the uncomfortable amount of silence from this blog. I have been busy. My wife's 30th birthday is this Sunday and I am throwing her a big party to celebrate. I decided to do my own homemade Italian Feast, but now that there is over 30 people coming I am realizing what a big job this is going to be. I don't know if you can but try to picture a massive vat of my "special sauce" and a crazy amount of chicken parmigiana cooking for hours! Can you smell it? Oh let me tell you it is glorious!

Another thing that has kept me busy is the youth ministry I am in charge of call The Mix! just had a amazing event called Dodgeball Night! We had over 100 students turn out! I will try to get some pictures for you to gaze at as soon as possible.

The last thing I have been working on is my website for my private counseling practice that I am getting up and running. Honestly I have close to no knowledge of how to build a website, but I found this free website deal and have been working on it. It's not half bad. Once I purchase my own domain it will be splendid. But until then if you would like to see the preview of it you can do so by clicking here Authentic Living. Post some comments and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you!

DMB and Frosty's for free...

So after having had an incredible night last night full of great people and incredible music by Better Than Ezra and Dave Matthews Band it just got even better. How you say?

Well, I just got a phone call from my wife who was at home checking the messages and low and behold. The contest we entered last night for tickets to Dave's concert at the Gorge this summer was won by no other than ME!!!

WOW! So Jen and I got another incredible free date with Dave! I can't believe it! Ok, that's enough. But on a lighter note...if you like Dave Matthews Band then I think you will enjoy his new album. I have been listening to it all day.

And on a tasty note...this Friday thru Sunday the burger chain Wendy's is giving away FREE FROSTY'S to everyone no strings attached. Click here for the story. It is a way of saying "thank you" for support during the whole "finger in the chilli deal" that turned out to be a trick. They said they believe Wendy's will end up giving out about 14 million frosty's!

How cool! Or should I say...how frosty!

What a night...

So after a great day at work I came home and picked up my wife. We headed down into Seattle to Kells Irish Pub for the The Mountains Dave Matthews Band CD release party. We enjoyed the beautiful sky line of Seattle and listened to the entire album. After that we headed to Dicks on Capital Hill for some burgers, fries, and shakes! Then we headed to Neumo's a new music venue on Capital Hill for the Better Than Ezra concert. This concert came to us as a most wonderful gift from our friends the Hansons.

THANKS ROD AND KATHY FOR THE WONDERFUL GIFT!!

Both Jen and I love the band but had never seen them in concert before. This place was small and intimate, the sound was quality, and the band ROCKED [and so did Michael Hanson who got to sing on the mic]! We fell deeper in love with the band after the night was done! Our good friend Erin Hanson [who had introduced us to BTE] is a huge fan and now I understand why. She got seranaded to by the lead singer while she was rockin' out in the front row. She and her friend Sarah are heading down to Portland for another concert of theirs tomorrow night!

Again, can you say jelousy?

Now that we are home, smelling like smoke and spilled beer, it is time for bed and at the same time almost time to get up for tomorrow [which is today]. I wish we did nights like this more often. And will post again later about a topic Jen and I had about Christians going to bars and what it means to be missional. Until then go get Dave's new cd and wait a couple of weeks and get the new BTE. You won't be disappointed!

peace out

Heaven and Hell...

One of my most memorable professor's a Mars Hill Graduate School was Brian McLaren. He just came out with a new book that is Part 3 of the New Kind of Christian Trilogy entitled The Last Word And The Word After That: A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and A New Kind of Christian. This book deals more specifically with the conversation about Heaven and hell. I have not had the time to read the book, but to say it has had it's controversial engagements would be an understatement. I thought you might enjoy getting into a internet conversation with him so... Below you will see links to a number of blogs that are hosting him on his "blogtour." You can ask him anything - it is very cool and incredibly interesting! And by the way, all of these blogs are very thought provoking and I encourage you to check them out either way!

1. andrewjones
2. jordancooper
3. jenlemen
4. dwightfriesen
5. paradoxology
6. pomomusings

I hope you enjoy!

I finally did it!

Well it is official! I graduated from Mars Hill Graduate School with a Masters of Arts in Counseling on Saturday! The ceremony was incredible. I will try to figure out how to post pictures asap so you can get a glimpse of what happened. Thanks to all of you for all of your support, prayer, and encouragement along the way!

Sometimes...

Those of you who love U2 like me know the song "Sometimes" on there newest album. I found this great worship flash using the song. I wish I knew how to do this. Anyways I thought you all might like to see it. I am going to be using it at The Mix! next week during our worship/prayer time. Hope you enjoy!

Sometimes Worship Flash