My story starts with...

My favorite blog is Stuffchristianslike. I read it almost everyday. In general it is appealing because it makes fun of the silliness of christian culture. The greatest part is that it is all true. It is what I like to call an "of course" type of humor (i.e. "Of course" the music minister gave his wife the solo even though she can't sing and so and so has a much better voice). Sometimes though I am just introduced to new ideas that are challenging. Yesterday I watched a video that the blogger put up and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I teared up a little and that's a big deal for me. After watching the video I began fervently seeking out its companions and found two more of similar nature. Go to youtube and search for Belief It's Personal. They are the three intro videos.

Counterfeit

When I was in Athens a few weeks ago I had a conversation with a good friend of mine. I really like this girl because she is boldly honest and the gospel affects her life in such a way that she isn't afraid to tell you that life is crappy and profane and in the same breath that it is joyful and wonderful. She and I were talking about how so often in life we see something we want and work to get it, but the way in which we do it gives us a result that is counterfeit because what we want is not something we can work for, it is something that either just is or is given to us. For example, I have heard countless youth groups or churches strive for unity. They do team builders, activities, small and large groups, but nothing seems to really give them what they are looking for. That's because unity doesn't come from team builders it comes from having the same goal. Another example is modesty. A person can learn to wear more clothes or even behave appropriately, but they haven't really learned modesty until they encounter Christ and it flows from them.
I have been thinking about this concept for awhile now. How do you avoid the counterfeit results? Because things like unity and modesty are important, really important and we should be teaching these things. But I don't want cheap unity or modesty or anything else for that matter. The answer seems simple enough: the Gospel. That's the only way for real change. It comes through the work of the gospel in your life...it's called sanctification. And the problem that we have with it is that it takes time and it is painful. The process of becoming more like Christ sucks, but it is good. And real. There is nothing counterfeit about it and that is what we really want, but we have to give up control for that to happen and that is hard. Faith is hard. But that is what I want for myself and the people around me. I want lives changed and continually being changed by the gospel not cheap, man-made results.
In order to know when something is counterfeit, you have to know the real thing so well that nothing else will do. That should be our standard. Resolving to know Christ and His work in our lives so well, that man-made results just won't do.

A Memo to Floridians

My new friends, I like you. I am even growing to love Florida, which is not easy being that I am a SC/GA girl through and through. I like the beach and the fact that you are all tan. I like that flip flops are always appropriate. I am even learning to to gawk at the man wearing a vacation shirt when he is clearly not on vacation. But, friends, I will never be okay with you wearing crocs and saying that they are a better decision than chacos. Crocs look stupid. They do. They are really awkward jellies. That is what they are. You know it. They don't go with your clothes and they are not functional. You say they are good for being near the water, but chacos are better-they strap to your feet. Crocs fall off. And the colors. No one over the age of seven should be wearing neon colored shoes...with holes in them. Sorry, but they just shouldn't. Please stop wearing them. When you do, I am tempted to judge you and that is a sin. I don't want to sin and I don't want you to wear crocs...I feel sorry for your feet. Thank you.

Another Olympics-themed Blog

I will admit it, I am addicted to the Olympics. I plan my time around swimming, gymnastics, basketball (Tayshaun Prince...what what!!!) and, yes, even badminton. I have a problem, really I do. But that isn't what this is about. Two nights ago I had the women's all round gymnastics finals on. I was also reading Proverbs. I was in chapter 8 where wisdom is talking. So first I hear the announcers on the TV talking about how these girls have been working so hard for gold and silver. How their lives have been devoted to this struggle and fight for accomplishing their goals of getting gold, or settling for silver. And the I read, "take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold...I love those who love me and those who seek me diligently find me, riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness, my fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver..." I know that the bible is referencing gold and silver as in money or possessions, but can't a connection be made to the gold and silver medals that these girls are seeking out so passionately? And so I am thinking that we should be seeking wisdom diligently, working even harder than these athletes seeking silver and gold, because in the end the fruit of wisdom is better than any accolade, more valuable than any possession or accomplishment. And that makes sense. Wisdom affects our lives at every moment in every way, because wisdom or a lack their of is what characterizes our decision making. I think that is why the rest of the Proverb talks about how wisdom was present with God at creation, because wisdom helps us make choices...the best choices.
A couple of years ago I started in this pursuit of wisdom. I was praying for it and listening and learning. Then life got messy and I opted for survival, rather than wisdom. And now that I am awakening to life again, I see the necessity for wisdom in our lives-my own, the girls that I am ministering to, and everyone else, too. So often even we are not doing anything "wrong," we are not doing anything right either. That is why wisdom is so important, because it allows us to live the best life, the life intended for us. A life of abundance and worship. One that loves the Lord and loves others in a real, authentic and intense way. Wisdom gives us the ability to rest, give thanks, and be courageous. This is the kind of life that is worth more than gold and silver. One that is done with wisdom.

Olympics...it is the best time of the year

It's Olympics time my friends. You may think that I am talking about all the events going on in Beijing, but you are wrong. I will talk about those later. Right now I am talking about the Olympics of youth ministry summer. What does this entail you ask? Let me tell you. First of all, it means ridiculous amounts of killer bunnies games. Second, badminton...and a lot of badminton. For those who think that badminton is for old people, let me not so politely tell you that you are dead wrong. It is super fun and way out of control. Lastly, it means all things beach. Beach volleyball, beach baseball, beach badminton, beach laying out, beach swimming, etc, etc. This is what I have been doing for the last two weeks. Every Olympics must have medals, so I will award them. First in all things beach-I give the gold medal to Liz...she was all about the beach. For badminton, the gold medal goes to Karen for making the same ferocious face as Jason when he plays dodge ball. And I give myself the gold for killer bunnies, because I can. And the gold for overall coolness goes to the entire Wilkening clan. They are really cool and I am learning a lot from them about kindness, hospitality and creating a space that allows for others to be free to be themselves, but also setting healthy boundaries and giving an example of a Christ like life.

Now for the "real" Olympics...they are a good time. Michael Phelps is a beast. Badminton is awesome. Men's gymnastics is out of control.