Friday, February 25, 2011

"I Can't Stand Kids. . ."


Natalie Munroe is only 30-years-old. She's been teaching English at Central Bucks East High School in the suburbs of Philly for only a few years, and already she's sick and tired of kids. . . so sick, in fact, that she's used some choice words on her blog to let the world know what she really thinks of teenagers. Her blogging got her in some big trouble and she's now suspended from her job as school administrators try to figure out what to do with her.

I found out about Munroe last Thursday morning as I read a news story about her online rants. She wrote - among other things - "My students are out of control. They are rude, disengaged, lazy whiners. They curse, discuss drugs, talk back, argue for grades, complain about everything, fancy themselves entitled to whatever they desire, and are just generally annoying. Kids, they are disobedient, disrespectful oafs. Noisy, crazy, sloppy, lazy LOAFERS." Hmmmm. Is she right?

In the circles I run in we sometimes have a hard time telling the truth about children and teens. The eternal optimists among us think things are just great with kids. Don't worry about the stats. And the bad stories you sometimes hear? Well, they're so few and far between that they're newsworthy when they do happen. Those horrible stories are only about a select few. On the other side, there are those who see a demon (or a teenager maybe) behind every rock. When it comes to youth culture and those who inhabit it, these eternal pessimists don't have any room for even a small ray of light or glimmer of hope. I think we need to land somewhere in-between. . . in a place called Biblical realism.

Taking a posture of Biblical realism does two things. First, it affords us the perspective of seeing things - as best we can - as God sees them. From this perspective we are able to be anchored to a good and proper understanding of right and wrong. Second, it allows to keep our eyes focused on the issues to see those issues for what they really are. . . that's realism.

I don't know Natalie Munroe and I don't know what she's faced in the classroom. I'm going to guess that she's a teacher who cares for her students and wants to see them learn. Young teachers who get frustrated over things like this usually are. I'm also guessing that what she's blogging about is a reflection of her personal experience with a group of kids who represent a generation that researchers tell us are narcissistic, entitled, and willing to settle for much less than the best. She's frustrated. I read about that generation every day. And, during my limited time in the classroom over the course of the last ten years, I have to admit that I've been seeing it as well. There's a declining respect for authority and responsibility. The quality of work has declined. The work ethic is dictated by me, myself, and I based on how well or how not-so-well I feel like I want to do at this moment in time.

If the fundamental problem of every kid in every generation is the same as it always was - that is, dealing with their own sin and bent towards worship of self - then the unique way this current generation is living that issue out might just be through the personification of mantras like "this sucks," "screw you," and "whatever." And if kids are the "vehicles" moving in that direction, then over-indulgent and child-centered parents (that's a funny term, huh?) are the ones fueling the ride. When life works like that it really isn't working at all because, after all, that's not the way it's supposed to be.

If I didn't care about and love kids I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. If I didn't want the best for kids - my own and others - then CPYU wouldn't even exist. At the same time, the kids aren't alright. Nobody who seriously knows kids and their world can't say anything but that. So, we have to look at it all and call it what it is. No denial. No excuses. No covering it up or toning it down. Maybe that's why we need to at least listen to and consider what Natalie Munroe is saying.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

164 More! . . . . Each One An Individual. . . .

It was just as I remembered it. . . the Jubilee Conference that is. 2500 college students and their leaders gathered in Pittsburgh for a weekend full of learning what it means to integrate their faith into all of life. It didn't disappoint. It was good to be there again and to be challenged in my own faith, even though I'm a few decades removed from my college years!

Highlights for me? Here's a few. . . in no special order. Seeing Derek Melleby of our College Transition Initiative deliver some amazing content to a group of high school seniors and juniors. Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds Books and the HUGE book table that he set up this year. Byron never ceases to amaze me! It's fun to watch him get up on the stage during the main sessions to highlight books. The students love him and he's become a kind of folk hero at Jubilee! Saleem Ghubril need a bang-up job as the emcee. He dropped some really funny lines this time around. My favorites? When he called Byron a "a big hunk of sexy burning love" and his mention of finally finishing one of Byron's recommendation from last year, Where's Waldo? Gabe Lyons talking about our role as "restorers." I don't know his name, but the guy who played the Hammond B3 on stage on Saturday night. . . WOW!

But my most favorite moment came at the end of the weekend when the folks from Compassion International told us that the students at Jubilee stepped up and chose to sponsor 164 children in Compassion projects around the globe! That was awesome. It was my privilege to represent Compassion on Saturday night from the main stage. It was also my great privilege to see God move in the hearts of those students. They have taken the challenge to do justice in one tangible way.

I want to encourage those students who are new sponsors - and everyone of you who sponsors a Compassion child - to consider how important it is to write to your sponsored child. I saw how important that is to those kids when I visited with many during our trip to Kenya and Rwanda. Last week, I discovered this moving little video on YouTube, as Shaun Groves sits with Eliud (who happens to live in the same Mathare slum as our child Ibrahim)as Eliud looks into a little video camera and thanks his sponsor Nick. Give it a look. . . there's nothing I can add to it. And if you are moved to sponsor a Compassion child, just click on the banner to the left of this post.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Oh. . . What A Weekend! . . .

It starts this Friday night at the convention center in Pittsburgh. 2500 college students will gather together again this weekend for the annual Jubilee Conference, a get-together sponsored by the CCO that looks seriously at how the Gospel speaks to all of life.

I went there as a college student and it changed me. I went there when I was on staff with the CCO and it continued to change me. Now, I'm going back with an opportunity to share my heart and story with the amazing group of folks who will be gathered together in anticipation of a life-changing experience.

If you haven't done so already, I would encourage you to check out Jubilee. I've posted the promo video for this year's conference. . .

It Could Change Everything from Jubilee on Vimeo.



And, I've included a link to JubileeTV, where you can watch some of the happenings from Jubilee Conferences over the last few years. If you get to stop by this weekend, be sure you don't miss the greatest book table in the world. It's an annual Jubilee tradition put together by Bryon Borger of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. . . the greatest bookstore in the world. Byron has become a kind of folk-hero and celebrity at Jubilee thanks to his plugs for books during all the conference plenary sessions. This weekend, Byron's book table just might be the most popular tourist attraction in town!

Pray for Jubilee. Ask God to do great work in the lives of the college students in attendance. And if you're a student who's attending. . . be sure to thank Scott Calgaro and his staff for putting together a great conference. Scott's pictured below so you know who to look for.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Lady Gaga. . . Born This Way. . . The Voice of a Generation?. . .


I'm not sure I can recall the release of a single that's been more trumpeted, more anticipated, or even more methodically marketed than the Lady Gaga song dropped onto our pop culture landscape just a few short hours ago. The trend-setting and cutting-edge pop star who - at every turn - sends shivers up the spines of anyone and everyone (either shivers of great, liberating joy. . . shivers of great fear and distress. . . or shivers of something in between)told us all back at the 2010 MTV VMA's that this was going to happen sometime soon. Today, the first single release and title track from her new album - "Born This Way" - is out. . . and it's probably the biggest thing happening in the world of pop culture. That's no exaggeration. This is big. Really big.

While the video is yet to be released, this morning's release of the audio track is a teaser for her live performance of the song which is scheduled for Sunday night's Grammy Awards. The video release will be even bigger. One young fan posted this reaction to the song on a message board: OH MY GAGA. THIS SONG IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! SHE IS FEARLESS. THIS IS THE ANTHEM OF A GENERATION. WE WERE BORN THIS WAY BABY!!!!!!!

I don't think it's a coincidence that two days ago I met with three representatives of Harvest USA, an amazing ministry that addresses sexual brokenness with great compassion and integrity. During that meeting I told them that I believe that issues related to sexuality, particularly same-sex attraction and same-sex experimentation, are the most pressing issues we must address in youth ministry over the course of the next 12 to 24 months. It's crucial. Lady Gaga's new song reminds us of just how important this is. Give "Born This Way" a listen. . . and follow the lyrics as you do. Remember, this is just the song without the support of the video treatment which we have yet to see. . .




INTRO:
It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up'
cause you were Born This Way, Baby

VERSE:
MY MAMA TOLD ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG
WE ARE ALL BORN SUPERSTARS
SHE ROLLED MY HAIR AND PUT MY LIPSTICK ON
IN THE GLASS OF HER BOUDOIR
"THERE'S NOTHIN WRONG WITH LOVIN WHO YOU ARE"
SHE SAID, "'CAUSE HE MADE YOU PERFECT, BABE"
"SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP GIRL AND YOU'LL GO FAR,
LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY"

CHORUS:
I'M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY
'CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET
JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU'RE SET
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

POST-CHORUS:
OOO THERE AIN'T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
OOO THERE AIN'T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN-
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE!

VERSE:
GIVE YOURSELF PRUDENCE
AND LOVE YOUR FRIENDS
SUBWAY KID, REJOICE YOUR TRUTH
IN THE RELIGION OF THE INSECURE
I MUST BE MYSELF, RESPECT MY YOUTH
A DIFFERENT LOVER IS NOT A SIN
BELIEVE CAPITAL H-I-M (HEY HEY HEY)
I LOVE MY LIFE I LOVE THIS RECORD AND
MI AMORE VOLE FE YAH (LOVE NEEDS FAITH)

REPEAT CHORUS + POST-CHORUS

BRIDGE:
DON'T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN
WHETHER YOU'RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN
YOU'RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT
YOU'RE LEBANESE, YOU'RE ORIENT
WHETHER LIFE'S DISABILITIES
LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED
REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY
'CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY

NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI,
LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE
NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE
CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE

REPEAT CHORUS

OUTRO/REFRAIN:
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!


I'm anticipating some major push-back from some folks, but I think that the release of this song marks a watershed moment in our understanding of who we are and where we're going as a culture. That's why it needs to be listened to, watched, tracked, and talked about. It cannot be ignored. "Born This Way" offers a mix of truth (God as Creator, inherent value and worth, etc.), and a host of very dangerous ideas that are evidence of our slide into a postmodern world void of the truth factor. Yes, God has made us just the way He wanted to, instilling in us tremendous value and worth. The Scriptures are clear on that. But we are sinful and polluted beings who need to exercise Biblical discernment in our assessments of ourselves, our natures, what we believe, and how we live. Without a deep and sobering understanding of our own sin, we can never fully understand or appreciate the grace we received at the cross. The song puts forth and promotes a way of thinking about, looking at, and living life that's been increasingly embraced in our culture. We are who we are. . . but we need to be who we've been called to be. Lady Gaga is making some powerful statements about the nature of God, the nature of humanity, the nature of sin, and how to live life. The whole world is watching, listening, and believing.

Lady Gaga is not a flash-in-the-pan performer. She is speaking for a generation. She is leading a generation. If you are older, think about how attitudes, values, and behaviors have changed over the years. . . over a very short span of years. As I've said before, I'm so thankful that our kids have by-and-large walked away from the attitudes that I and my peers had towards homosexuals when I was in high school. Thinking back, it was horrible. But now, the pendulum has swung in the other direction, to leave us living in a world where we love sinners and celebrate sin. What was once seen as vice is now virtuous. And to use the words "sinner" or "sin" . . . well. . . that's actually the only thing that's seen as a sin.

"Born This Way" is a wake-up call. What are we going to do with it when we get out of bed? Stay tuned. And do I think Lady Gaga is the voice of a generation in this song? Yes, absolutely. I'm sure I'll be sharing more thoughts in this during the coming days. What are thinking?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Miley, Lindsay, Truth, and Grace. . . .

They were both once viewed as squeaky clean. Mothers embraced them as relatively wholesome young role models whose movies, music, TV, etc. were safe alternatives to the glut of over-the-top stuff that sent impressionable young viewers and listeners down some dangerous and immoral paths. While many of us hoped they would grow into adulthood without morphing into role models for what-not-to-be, those hopes have been dashed. Consider what welcomed us all as we awoke to the news this morning.



Lindsay Lohan is in court again. This time for being charged with felony shoplifting. Yesterday, she appeared in court dressed in a manner that's left people asking "what is that girl thinking?!?" not only about her continued run-ins with the law, but about her overall lack of common-sense when her future is riding on the line. Newly-turned-18-year-old Miley Cyrus is making news for her appearance in the magazine Marie Claire. She's not only on the cover, but inside she talks about the wrong choices she's made in recent years. Her photo shoot reveals additional insights into the choices she's making now. . . choices that will serve her young followers as standards to reach and meet. In many ways, Cyrus defined childhood and adolescence for an army of fans. Now, she's setting the bar for what it means to be a lady in today's world. Our daughters and sons are watching.

As I watched the news report on Lindsay Lohan this morning, I wondered if and when things are going to finally click and turn around for her. How much longer can she keep jumping willingly off a cliff into the deep canyon of poor choices? Most of all, I felt sad for her. If you get a chance, look at the close-ups of her face as she listens to the judge. As i watched, I was convicted of the need to move beyond condemnation of her behavior, to praying for her. . . . as I would for the other confused kids I know and love who don't live their lives in the media spotlight. It's always easier to pray for them, isn't it?

Yes, we need to respond to what we see and hear from this high-profile pair of young starlets with declarations of right and wrong as we apply what we know of God's will and way for His creatures to the stuff that's happening in our world. But I wonder if our statements of the truth will be flavored with nothing but disapproving condemnation. You see, if our declarations of truth are void of compassion and grace, then there's something terribly wrong with us as well. We need to be praying for these girls. . . and every other young person they represent.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Super Bowl. . . .


It's the big day. I'm currently out in Western Pennsylvania for a couple of days and it's been nothing but a sea of black and gold. I've seen people and animals wearing things I never dreamed I'd ever see. They love their Steelers out here. I'm sure the same thing is happening out in Wisconsin.

This annual game has turned into something big. . . maybe too big. At least it may be too big for those who put their hope, trust, and longing for redemption into their team and the outcome. We live and die with our teams. I'm a sports fan. I know. Sadly, some live and die for their teams. It's all a matter of keeping things in the right perspective. Still, it's easy to get swept up into all the frenzy. The amount of money being spent on this game and everything related to it most likely exceeds the GNP of many nations. Just yesterday my wife overhead a conversation between a shopper and check-out-lady regarding today's Super Bowl. The shopper lamented the fact that there will be players who make more money playing today's game than he will have made in his entire lifetime. This game gets bigger and bigger every year. But when the game clock ticks down to all zeros the game will be over. . . and we need to remember that it's just a game. Perspective is needed.

While we didn't update our annual Super Bowl Commercial Discussion Guide this year (sorry, but we've been limited in our computer access and time this last week due to a server upgrade taking place in our office), I have a provided a link to last year's version. You can access it here. Lots of time and money have been poured into this year's commercials. Marketers are paying $100,000 per second this year! That makes the commercials worth talking about.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A New Arrival at CPYU! . . . .


Those of you who know us know that we love books. We also like to write books. . . it's not always a fun process, but we do it! We've got a new one that arrived here at CPYU this week that I'm very excited about. Derek Melleby - Director of our College Transition Initiative - has just released a new book with Baker Books, Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life + Learning.

I know I'm biased, but this is, without a doubt (in my opinion), the best book yet to put in the hands of a college-bound high school student or a college student already involved in campus life. All too often we send our kids off to college with a handful of well-intended warnings that all begin with the word "don't." Then, we pray that they will survive their college years without caving in to the many negative pressures students face while on campus. But that's not the approach Derek takes in this book. What Make College Count offers is a positive, encouraging, and hope-filled challenge to make the most of the college years by embracing those things that bring glory to God.

Here's what I wrote in my endorsement for Make College Count: "Perhaps there's not a more significant watershed event in a young person's life than high school graduation and the transition to college. But research and experience point to the fact that many transitioning students either forget to or consciously decide not to pack up their faith with the rest of the stuff they are taking to college. The university years are the perfect time for students to grow in their faith. But by the time they have a diploma in hand, many have allowed the distractions of life and the idols of our culture to grow them away from their faith. Make College Count offers an accurate preview of college life. It encourages and equips students to thoughtfully make the most of college (and the rest of their lives) by embracing a real and vibrant faith that's not an extracurricular add-on but a foundation for all of life. This could be the most important book students read during their college years."

For years I had a burden regarding the sad and sorry state of the transition to college for so many of our students. God answered that burden with the addition of our Derek and our College Transition Initiative several years ago. The seminar and resources Derek provides through the College Transition Initiative are outstanding. . . second-to-none. They are resources marked by the excellence, depth, and practicality that we value so much here at CPYU. Now, we've got Make College Count as another valuable tool in our College Transition Initiative toolbox. I'm really excited!


If you'd like to know more about Make College Count and how to get your own copy, you can click here.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Oh, How Time Flies! . . . .

Okay. . . so if I'm a subscriber to AOL in today's world, I'm hopelessly outdated. I understand that. (By the way, I don't subscribe to AOL). But if I was a subscriber to Prodigy or AOL in 1991 (which I was as I started with one and then switched to the other), then I was a technological genius living in the future. Things have changed and they have changed fast! The Internet used to be a place that very few people knew about or would visit. Now, we live there.

Seventeen years wasn't that long ago. . . really. Time has flown by fast since 1994. Want to know how much things have changed? Then eavesdrop on this little conversation between The Today Show hosts back in 1994. . . . It will make you laugh. . . and it will make you feel pretty doggone technologically advanced and smart. . . .



I often describe culture as a snow ball that started small at the top of the hill. Now, it's tumbling down the hill picking us mass, volume, and speed. That's all the more reason why we need to keep our finger on the pulse of our changing culture. Like the Men of Issachar, we need to understand the times so that we can know what our Lord would have us do.