I've been thinking... by Walt Mueller, Archived (Page 14)

Archived Pages - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

8/30/04

Mueller's Musings on the 2004 VMA's

A cucumber is a cucumber, is a cucumber. . . . or so you might think. There was a cucumber that figured prominently on MTV last night. Cucumbers have been around a lot longer. I'm sure cucumbers were there when Adam and Eve first walked through the Garden. The green vegetable was part of a beautiful and diverse creation that God declared as "good." Like everything else in the Garden, it was given to us to enjoy and use to His glory. You'll find them on every salad I eat. Then came the fall and all that good stuff began to move in another direction. And so I watched several commercials touting the upcoming The Real World Philadelphia series during last night's 2004 MTV Video Music Awards – one including a cucumber. For me, it was that one cucumber commercial that captured the overall flavor and "moving in another direction" mood of our culture that was mirrored in this year's VMA's. In the commercial, the diverse group of "real" people we'll watch live together in my hometown were standing around in the kitchen silently preparing a meal. . . . silent except for the thoughts – most of them sexual - we could hear them thinking as they eyed each other up. While it's too early to tell what direction the show will actually take, it's safe to guess that the "real" world we'll see this year will be another soap opera featuring empty souls seeking fulfillment in immorality and idolatry. That's where the cucumber played its symbolic role. A faithful army of viewing voyeurs will tune in regularly, thinking they are being entertained, when actually they are living through their on-screen peers and being shaped in the image of a worldview that offers nothing to fill the God-shaped vacuum. The commercial reminded me of the fact that as our culture groans for redemption, the blind lead the blind in the quest to have their spiritual hunger satisfied and thirst for God quenched.

 

These groans – and a whole lot more – could be heard throughout last night's rather uneventful broadcast from Miami. If you watched, perhaps you caught some of what I saw and heard. There was nothing outstanding or highly controversial about the show, which is a significant fact in and of itself. Still, I think there was much we can glean from the 3-hour broadcast. What follows are some random thoughts on what this year's VMA's tell us about today's youth culture.

 

This year's show had a very different feel. I think Jennifer Lopez summed it up well when she appeared on stage during the show's opening moments. She welcomed viewers and guests to Miami, "the steamiest and sexiest town on the planet." She called Miami "the town of the endless party." That "party" feel permeated the show from start to finish. The absence of a host facilitated that feel as one icon after another stepped to the mike as the crowd rarely ceased their screaming. The show felt more like a festival than an awards show. The only time I heard silence was when Jon Stewart was doing his thing. (By the way, am I the only one who thought Stewart's content, humor, delivery, and look seemed passe? Youth culture is changing so quickly that Stewart now seems like an out of touch old man.) I think MTV's shifting of the show to Miami and the change in the show's feel was all by design. The party-like atmosphere is significant in that parties serve those who are empty not so much as a celebration of joy, but as a diversion from misery. The greater the misery in today's youth culture, the more frequent and "endless" the parties will be.

 

You could sense Janet Jackson's presence at the show. No, I don't think she was actually there. She wasn't nominated for any awards. But Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" could be felt last night. MTV seemed to go out of their way to be careful about the show's content. Those who have watched VMA's in the past know that the sexual envelope is stretched further and further every year. Don't get me wrong. It was there last night. If you're familiar with the nominees and their videos you can't miss it. But did you notice how the producers and directors handled lighting and camera angle every time female dancers were on stage. For the most part, the lighting was brighter and there were many more long-shots that allowed the dancers to disappear into the partying crowd. We didn't get the close-ups we've had in the past. Is MTV motivated by a sense of responsibility, or were they just trying to stay out of trouble? I think it's the latter. Let's see what happens at next year's VMA's after the Super Bowl dust has had another 12 months to settle.

 

The star of the show was the set. Without a host, someone had to take center stage. This year it was the stage itself. From a creative and technical standpoint, it was phenomenal. MTV transformed the venue – both inside and outside – in a manner that sets the bar higher than it's ever been.

 

Music is about much more than the music. Popular music used to be about vocals and instruments. MTV more or less introduced the visual component back in the early 80's. It's progressed to the point where music that connects is multi-sensory. Last night's visuals, staging, and dancing were all very elaborate. In some cases, it gets so elaborate that the artists are only able to lip-sync while performing "live" concerts. A musical performance is no longer enough. Live performances need to keep up with the videos. Artists must be performers. Last night's high-energy performance of "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" by late 60's flashback band Jet even included a small army of retro go-go dancers who added a dose of high visual energy to the set. Look for artists to continue to get more and more elaborate with the visuals. It will be necessary to hold audience attention.

 

Youth culture is becoming less and less segmented and music is the common thread. We can't miss the growing importance and significance music has in today's youth culture. It is everywhere, serving as a map and a mirror for our kids. Think for a minute about how music is used to market video games and vice-versa. Did you catch the commercial for the upcoming MTV series, Video Mods, that puts video game stars in music videos? Did you notice that for the first time there was a "Best Video Game Soundtrack" award? That award's winner leads to my next comment. The marriage between sports and popular music is getting stronger. Extreme sports star Tony Hawk's game won the inaugural moon man. Will Smith introduced Shaq to the Miami audience. There are a few reasons for this combined marketing of sports, music, and video games. First, music is very important to kids. Marketers know this and that's why they use it. Second, kids are very important to marketers. They have the greatest amount of disposable discretionary income of any age group. Marketers are going out of their way to tap into the young dollar to sell music, sports, video games, etc. And third, as kids become more and more isolated from parents, school, and church, the peer group of youth culture fills the void left by broken relationships in those other institutions. There's more of a "we're in this together" way of thinking that is breaking down the walls.

 

The musical walls are breaking down. I remember the first time I saw blatant genre-blending in the popular music industry. It was back in the 80's when Aerosmith and Run DMC blended metal and rap on "Walk This Way." Last night's very creative IPod commercial told us that "musical worlds have collided." Then, we got to watch hip hop hero Nelly and pop diva Christina Aguilera perform not just on stage together, but a musical number that really melded the genres like they've never been melded before. That number was significant in that it is more evidence of the globalization of youth culture and the growing movement towards tolerance, diversity, and pluralism. It's not a bad thing where people are honored and respected as they should be. It can be negative where there is tolerance and celebration of sin. That said, this trend is more evidence of how music serves as a universal language to break down walls of separation. As a global presence, MTV has played a powerful role in that process. Look for it to continue to happen. In addition, this trend reminds us of the way young people from different cultures and different worlds are all facing the same choices, challenges, pressures, problems, and expectations. This leaves them feeling like "we're all in the same boat so we might as well get along and support each other." I think we'll continue to see this sense of unity and purpose pick up momentum and grow over the coming years. This is more evidence of the church's need to provide a community where young people can find a sense of belonging.

 

The urban influence continues. Hip hop and R&B continue to rule the musical roost. Their widespread acceptance are testimony to the power of MTV and marketing. Hopefully, we can seize this trend and exploit it to develop in students a global awareness and mission-mindedness for the city, particularly for the poor and oppressed. In addition, this trend provides undeniable evidence of music and marketing's power in the lives of teens and our need to proactively address both.

 

Women continue to be objectified. When will this stop? I think our culture's embrace of sexuality and sexual expression without bounds has blinded us to the injustice of objectifying women. Perhaps we have a generation of young adults who have spent their lives being so effectively educated by this line of thinking that they can't imagine anything else. According to what I saw last night, young men believe they live to "get it," and the young girls believe they live to "put out." I couldn't help but believe that was the case as I watched Lil' Johns performance as he strutted around the stage with a band of pimps lusting after a stage full of female dancers. Or what about Nelly and Christina Aguilera? Did you notice how the entire time Aguilera led Nelly around the stage, his eyes hardly met hers? Rather than looking at her face, he focused on her posterior and groin.

 

Vote or die! The only time a presidential candidate was overtly endorsed was when the Kerry girls and Bush twins made their appearance. One of the Beastie Boys was more covert with a crossed out "W" on his shirt. But the call to vote was without a doubt the most blatantly overt and oft-repeated theme of the night. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who MTV and most artists would like to see in office. That said, there was a lot of campaigning done on Sunday night. Outkast's final performance turned into a scene that looked identical to a political convention rally. MTV wanted so desperately to get their "choose or lose" message out to their young audience that they created a closing atmosphere that had absolutely nothing to do with the message Andre 3000 sang from the stage in "Hey Ya." Watch for the push to dethrone Bush to continue.

 

Finally, here are some other little things I noticed that are worth pondering and thinking about:

 

Beyonce once again said nothing about her faith. In the past, her verbal expressions of faith seemed fairly orthodox. Her music has always been otherwise. I breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't thank God after receiving her Best Female Video award for "Naughty Girl." By the way, that's one video we need to discuss with our kids.

 

Big Boi and Usher talked about their faith. The other half of Outkast was sure to thank "Jesus Christ, my personal Lord and Savior" after the duo landed the Video of the Year award for "Hey Ya." Usher did the same. If you know anything about their music, this is another case of Christianity confusion and the growing gap between stated belief and behavior.

 

Kanye West brought the Gospel influence to the awards. This is one artist worth watching as he is quickly rising to prominence. It will be interesting to see how he continues to follow in the footsteps of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Outkast, Usher, and others who have combined the sacred and the sexual in ways that confuse our kids.

 

Speaking of Kanye West. . . . did Chaka Khan hit any note correctly? I guess she wasn't lip-syncing!

 

Buy stock in cellphones! You saw all the commercials and you saw the phones in the crowd. Like the printing press and the television in years gone by, I think cell phones are changing the way kids live. We'll keep an eye on this development and how it impacts youth culture.

 

Jessica Simpson behaved herself. For the first time I can remember, Simpson dressed more modestly and focused more on her voice than her sexuality. Did you notice the simple cross around her neck?

 

And my favorite moments of the night. . . First, I think the best performance award for the evening has to go to Nelly and Christian Aguilera. Nelly showed that he's got some musical versatility. Christina can flat out sing. She's got a gift. Second, I continue to be fascinated by Jet. Minimalist retro rock is still alive, and it makes me feel young again! I can tell my kids, "I was listening to that when I was your age." And finally, seeing Mandy Moore and Marilyn Manson onstage together was just flat out weird. I wasn't sure where Manson was going as he told viewers that what they were about to see was what would happen if he and Moore had a "love child." Then, watching Polyphonic Spree perform their avant-garde brand of music made Manson's words seem fairly accurate. By the way, Polyphonic Spree is "Up With People" for a postmodern world. That was some interesting stuff.

 

All in all, it was a pretty uneventful evening. But the undertones and messages were still there, and they were coming through loud and clear to our kids. Don't even believe that it was only a show. The groanings were there. Let's listen to the groans, understand the groaners, and answer the cries for redemption.

 

8/27/04

2004 MTV VMAs Preview

Friends,

 

I want to invite you to "take a walk" on Sunday night at 8pm. The walk you need to take is similar to the walk the Apostle Paul took through Athens as he prepared to engage the pagan mind and worldview with the truths of the Gospel (Acts 17). Paul knew the value of listening to his audience before opening his mouth to proclaim the unchanging Word. Paul knew that listening first would lead to an understanding of the values, attitudes, behaviors, allegiances, and mindset of an Athenian population on a desperate self-conscious search for God that was going down the dead-end street of idolatry. And so. . . . Paul walks through their culture with his mouth shut and his ears and eyes wide open to their reality – a reality covered by a forest of idolatry and immorality. Sounds familiar, huh?

 

I'm putting the final touches on a book about Paul's encounter with the Athenians, and after years of studying this passage, I am more convinced than ever that the parallels between first century Athens and our current postmodern culture are so clear that I think we need to be doing some more "walking." Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards offers people ministering to students an amazing opportunity to walk through the "Athens" of today's youth culture. That said, let me offer some random suggestions – listed in no special order – for what you can be doing before, during, and after the VMA's that will make your walk extremely valuable.

 

Let the VMA's shape your ministry. No, the show won't offer any formal training on how to minister to students. What it will offer is an incredible amount of insight into the values, attitudes, and behaviors of today's students. This is valuable information that should shape your response, your methodology, and your teaching content. For too long the church has been about five or ten years behind. Focusing on where the culture is can keep us on the crest of the wave – the place we need to be if we want to shape the values, attitudes, and behaviors of students in the image of a Christian world and life view. A timely response, methodology, and teaching content will address the current reality.

 

Look for the major themes that are now mainstream. The show will no doubt be filled with stuff that will make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Keep in mind that what you find repulsive probably accurately reflects what most people in youth culture think is normal. This stuff doesn't faze them. Rather, it's the stuff that drives them, that they celebrate, and that they live. Keep that in mind as you view with an eye to discover the main themes and threads that run through the tapestry of contemporary culture. What you are doing here is looking for the main components of the contemporary worldview.

 

Don't miss the opening. The opening is one of those things that has to outdo itself each year. Last year it was the lesbian wedding of Madonna, Britney, and Christina. The opening is always over the top and cutting edge. Kids look forward to it. Not only will the opening let you know where the music industry is looking to go, but it will show us where the culture is headed.

 

Pay attention to the commercials. The VMA's haven't reached Super Bowl status for marketers, but as far as the youth market goes, it's getting close. Marketers know our kids better than most people. They know right where they're at and they will do all they can to take them even further by creating and exploiting needs. Assuming you've got your VCR running, you should score some commercials that will be great fodder for discussion with your students, parents, and youth staff. When you process those commercials work to discover what marketers already know about kids. In addition, look for the hooks, lies, messages, and techniques that are used to shape the values, attitudes, behaviors, and spending habits of our kids. Marketers will have their guns aimed and fingers on the trigger on Sunday night. Keep your eyes and ears pealed for when and how they take their shots.

 

How will the envelope be stretched? Again, we want to be one-step ahead of the cutting-edge in our understanding of youth culture. That's the only way we can be timely in our response. So how will the VMA's stretch the envelope this year? Where will they take our kids that our kids may never have been before?

 

Don't be surprised. If you want to be a responsible viewer who's done your homework before 8pm on Sunday night, visit the VMA website. What should you do while you're there? There's a categorized list of nominees. You can click on each nominee and watch the video. Do your homework before Sunday night.

 

Pay special attention the Viewers Choice Award. Check out the nominees in this category. The winner will be chosen as a result of online voting. The nominees are fascinating as four out of the five are videos dealing with crucial issues facing youth including depression, suicide, family breakdown, loneliness, and the heart's cry for redemption. I'm really interested to see where this one's going. For those of you going to the YS National Youthworkers' Convention, I'll be responding to one or more of the videos in this category in my seminar on music and media.

 

Watch the "Christians." Every year without fail, faith makes it to the stage and podium. This year's self-proclaimed Christians include Jessica Simpson and Beyonce Knowles. I've felt for a long time that both are poster girls for dis-integrated faith. I certainly wish it wasn't that way, but it is. Watch them closely on Sunday night. As they dance the dance of life, many of our young Christian students are following their lead.

 

Keep an eye on the teenagers. Last year I mentioned after the VMA's that we should keep an eye on the Olsen twins. Not only do our student's high profile peers teach kids how to live, but they offer living proof of the struggles kids face. We all know how Mary Kate's been struggling this year. Again, watch the teens. Pay particular attention to Ashlee Simpson and Hilary Duff.

 

Pay special attention to spirituality and sexuality. Both have always been huge issues for adolescents. In today's world, their wearing both on their sleeve. The two get mixed in some pretty unique and frightening hybrids. No doubt, you already address both in your ministry. But how will MTV address these subjects on Sunday night? Watch closely and be ready to respond with your kids.

 

Keep an eye on the "big stories." My guess is that the big stories at this year's VMA's will be Outkast, Jessica Simpson, and Beyonce. Simpson and Outkast are scheduled to perform. Expect a huge stage extravaganza from Outkast. Simpson just might be tabbed for the opening number because of her reality show phenomenon and current status. They've all got multiple nominations with Outkast having five for "Hey Ya."

 

Ask the 3D questions. Our "How To Use Your Head To Guard Your Heart – 3D Guide To Making Responsible Music Choices" is loaded with questions you can use to thoughtfully and carefully watch/listen to see/hear the underlying worldview promoted in the show. This is a resource I wrote to help students learn skills of Biblical discernment. Here are the questions as I've adapted them for the VMA show:

 

What's the show's main topic and theme?

What's the mood of the show?

How is the show intended to make viewers feel?

How does the show make me feel?

Does the show manipulate viewer emotions in any way?

Does the show make any overt or covert suggestions to viewers on how to think, talk, act, or live?

What does the show say about the way the world is?

What does the show say about the way the world ought to be?

Is there right and wrong?

What is portrayed as right and what is portrayed as wrong?

How are right and wrong determined?

Is there a hero?

Is there a villain?

What do they stand for?

What values and beliefs are seen as virtuous?

What values and beliefs are portrayed negatively?

Who or what is the source of authority?

What is the attitude toward authority?

How is God portrayed?

What does it say about God?

Who or what is God (god)?

Is the one true God replaced by some other deity (self, money, sexuality, etc.)?

How are human beings portrayed?

Where is human value and worth found?

How is beauty established, portrayed, and defined?

What does it say about how to treat others?

Are people "used" or portrayed as a means to an end?

What is the source of happiness and satisfaction in life?

Does the show send any messages about what makes a person "successful" in life?

What does the show say about what's wrong with the world?

Does the show suggest a solution(s) to life's problems?

If so, what are those solutions?

Who or what is glorified?

What does it say about peace and hope?

Are any suggestions made on where they can be found?

Is it hopeful or hopeless?

What character traits are portrayed as positive? Negative?

 

It should be another interesting night. Don't forget to take your walk through the "Athens" of the VMA's. We'll talk about it again on Monday morning on our website – www.cpyu.org.

 

And in the meantime, continue to check out www.cpyu.org for more news story links and resources to help you better process this important event.

 

Walt

 

 

8/20/04

Must See TV

 

undefinedAs always, I'm going to encourage you not to miss it. "It" is the annual opportunity to take an eye-opening peek inside the world of where the popular music has come over the past year, and where it intends to be going in the future. More than that, it's an opportunity for you to get to know kids and their culture by getting to know the expression of their heart-cries and life experiences as expressed through the artistic outlet of their music. If you've been plugged in with CPYU for any stretch of time you know that we think highly of the value of the annual MTV Video Music Awards as an event that gives those of us who love and minister to kids a deeper understanding of them and their world. The show airs on Sunday night, August 29th. You can get more details by checking out the show's online home at http://www.mtv.com/onair/vma/2004/. Over the years, some have been critical of our recommendation to tune in, but we hold firm in our conviction that Christ calls us to a cross-cultural missionary venture into youth culture that requires a deep, thoughtful, and current understanding of their world and worldview. Perhaps nothing else in youth culture can serve to raise our understanding than their popular music. You'll hear me say it over and over again: popular music serves as both "a map" and "a mirror" for teenagers. As a map, it guides them through the tumultuous years of adolescence and sometimes frightening stuff they face on a daily basis. Someone needs to tell them where to go and how to get there. With the church, school, and family failing to carry out that role more and more, music has filled the void. Like it or not, it's shaping their worldview along with who they will be and how they will live as adults. As a parent or a youthworker, I want to understand what they're being taught and where they're being sent more than they understand it themselves. That will allow me to be informed to the point where I can more effectively steer them away from lies and to the truth. As a mirror, music is something I can look into as I stand over a young person's shoulder so that I might better understand their hopes, dreams, struggles, and life situation. For many kids, their music puts into words what they are feeling inside but can't express for themselves. As the MTV Video Music Awards get closer, I want to encourage you to prepare yourself to watch, not to be entertained, but to be informed. Next week, we'll let you know how we think you ought to watch, how you can use the VMA's in your ministry, who can benefit from watching, and how you can better help your kids process the music and media that fills their world. We'll be sending out a special email on the VMA's. If you haven't already signed up for our eupdate, just click right here and you'll be added to our list. You can also take a look at the reflections I penned immediately after watching last years VMAs. Giving it a read will help you better understand how to do cultural analysis and what to look for while you're watching. We'll also be adding a special section to our forum where you can go immediately after the VMAs to post your reflections and observations, and to interact with other VMA viewers.

 

8/16/04

Youth Culture and Olympics

 

Olympics.gifIs it just me, or is there something markedly different about the Olympic experience this year? I've been watching the competition on and off since the opening ceremonies on Friday night and something's just not the same for me. It all seems so dull and void of drama and excitement. The Olympics have always been something I've looked forward to with great excitement and I don't think I'm alone. There's always those one or two amazing stories that make great sermon illustrations. I haven't fully processed what's different about it all this year but I have had a few initial thoughts. First, I think the Olympics are vying for media time in a culture that is overstocked with media choices and overstimulated with televised sports. Simply stated, we've had enough. Perhaps we've become desensitized by all we've watched over the last few years that a once every four years gathering of the world's greatest athletes just doesn't get us excited like it used to. This morning, NBC reported that viewership for this Olympics is down 11% from the Sydney games. Judging from all the empty seats I'm seeing at just about every venue, interest in watching the games in person isn't so hot either. Second, the Olympic games just aren't cutting it for the emerging generations. They've got the X-games and all kinds of other extreme sports. If they're going to watch international competition on television, why shouldn't they choose to watch a group of maniacs risk life and limb while skateboarding down a nine-story ramp as opposed to watching televised ping-pong?!? My kids are no exception. Every time I've commandeered the tube to get my Olympic fix they've come in to the room and asked, "Hey Dad, can't we please watch something else?" Yes, the culture is changing. Third, the media's pre-games hype has created high expectations among viewers and impossible expectations for the featured athletes. Poor Michael Phelps. And finally, I cautiously admit my dirty little secret that I was rooting for Puerto Rico to win that game against the USA basketball team. Am I alone in that? There's something about an ambitious team of athletes from a country of 4 million that's about the size of Delaware beating up on a group of overpaid egos. As one reporter said in the newspaper this morning, there's a lesson in there about what's more important. . . . . the name on the front of the jersey or the name on the back. Go Greece! Maybe the illustrations we'll get out of this year's Olympics will be lessons on misplaced priorities and the need to focus on the stuff of life that's really important.

 

8/10/04

Where's our common sense?

 

undefined"What?!?!" That's what my wife Lisa said last night when she walked into the family room and saw I had the first football game of the season – the Hall of Fame Game from Canton – blaring on the television. It seems to all get started earlier every year. This fall, football junkies will be able to get their fill as there will be some kind of televised football to choose from almost every night of the week. That said, those who indulge their love for the game will be treated to an endless parade of those creative, well-designed, and sometimes hilariously funny alcohol ads that pay for pigskin airtime. They've become such a familiar aspect of the landscape of our minds that we usually don't think consciously about them anymore. They are just there. . . . doing what they do so well: that is, chipping away at our psyches to convince us that their drink isn't just about the taste. Rather, it's about how consumption will improve our quality of life. You know what I'm talking about. Just yesterday, the front page headline of our local newspaper trumpeted "A battle for the hearts, livers of college students." The wording of the headline is very insightful. What's that all about? The article spoke of the impact that a recent decision by our Pennsylvania federal appeals court will have on alcohol advertising on campus. The decision overturned a law that bans college newspapers from printing paid advertisements for alcohol. I'm all for free speech – I think it's one of the wonderful things that sets America apart from a good chunk of the world and I benefit from the freedom personally. But I'm also all for common sense and responsibility. When you hear the facts, why in the world would we be pressing to advertise alcohol to a largely underage student population that already has severe problems with alcohol use and abuse? If I was an advertiser, the answer would be simple. I would want to encourage the use of my product, developing young drinkers into lifelong drinkers in order to insure the success of my product. I would pump huge amounts of money into my advertising budget because the fact of the matter is, advertising is pervasive and powerful. So what are the facts? According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, binge drinking is a huge problem on college campuses. . . . something we all already were aware of. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks in a row for men, and four or more for women. A recent survey showed that 43 percent of our college students say they had engaged in binge drinking. 21 percent binged three or more times within a two-week period. The college drinking prevention website (www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov) reports on the following consequences of underage excessive drinking. 1400 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from unintentional alcohol related incidents. Half a million are unintentionally injured under the influence of alcohol. More than 600,000 are victims of assault by a student who has been drinking. Over 70,000 are the victims of alcohol related sexual assault or date rape. "400,000 students had unprotected sex and more than 100,000 report having been too intoxicated to know if they had consented to having sex." 25 percent suffered academic consequences and difficulties due to their drinking. More than 150,000 students develop an alcohol-related health problem. Between 1.2 and 1.5 percent indicate they tried to commit suicide with the past year due to drinking or drug use. 2.1 million students drove while under the influence of alcohol. 11 percent report vandalizing property while under the influence. 110,000 students are arrested for an alcohol-related violation. And finally, 31 percent of college students met the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. Yes, alcohol advertising works and our students are getting the message long before they head off to school. The fall semester starts in a just a few weeks. So, let's let Miller Lite's "liquid fun"  - an ad that may appear in a campus newspaper near you - begin! To that I say, "What?!?!"

 

8/05/04

Walt-Child.jpgundefinedundefined
                    WALT                           MARK                             KEN

Sweet Revenge!

 

While the cat's away the mice will play. . . . I think that's how that saying goes. While I was away on vacation a couple of weeks ago the guys in the office decided to post another of their famous installments of the CPYU Quiz here on the website. As usual, they somehow found a way to involve me in the question. This time, they took a shot at my childhood appearance and what some remember as the amazing likeness to a famous 50's TV icon. . . . . if you didn't already check it out, just move your cursor to the left to see the question and photos from the latest quiz. Of course, I was able to laugh with them because of the strong sense of self-identity I have regarding my appearance. The fact is, when you look like I have for so long, there's not much more anybody can say or do to make you feel like a pile of garbage! That said, I was checking out the photos over there in the quiz when the one of me in the brown blazer and tie took me on a trip down memory lane. Do you see my hair? Are you wondering what's going on there? That's the handiwork of my dad. . . . the man who thought he could do everything. . . . including an impersonation of a professional barber. Take another look at that picture. Do you think his impersonation is anything close???? Every Saturday night he'd call us down to the basement – his haircutting torture chamber – where he'd sit us up on a stool, tie an old sheet around our necks so tight that we were gasping for air, and then tell us to "SIT STILL" and "STOP MOVING." I was always the first one in the chair – again, I'm the oldest – and it would be my pleasure to hear him fire up those old electric shears just before putting them to my head. Now remember, those things had never been sharpened. According to my dad, they didn't need to be sharpened, they were fine. . . . . which meant that the fact that they pulled your hair out at the roots rather than cutting evenly was how they were meant to work. Once the torture was complete, he'd brush us off and throw a little baby powder on our necks. . . . "baby" powder because we'd spend the rest of the night crying like babies from the itching of the hair that had made its way down into our shirts and underwear (did I tell you his brush was older than his clippers?), and from the horrific site that faced us when we would look at our fresh cuts in the mirror. Now that smiling face you see in the picture was forced. Not only was I enduring a haircut featuring a wave bigger than anything you'd see in Hawaii, but I had to endure the crusty consistency of my hair. For those of you who are wondering, that crust is courtesy of Odell's Hair Trainer for Boys, a magic elixir that my dad would rub in so hard that our heads would start to flame up from the friction. Then, he'd use a plastic comb missing half its teeth to get the hair in place before the old Odell's dried up like marine epoxy. And then I went off to school for my picture. Yes, life at our house back in the 60's was a lot of fun! Now you would think that after all the time my dad spent perfecting his scissor-handed skills on my head, he'd be elevated to "Stylist First Class" by the time my brothers entered their junior high years. Well, I'll let you be the judge of that. . . . check out these pictures. . . . which I'm posting, by the way, because my brother Ken is out of the office on vacation for a couple of weeks. He's the one who thought of the last quiz question. The first is of my brother Mark. I'm not sure what he's got going on there on his dome, but let's just say my dad could have gotten a job designing motorcycle helmets. Lookin' good Marky! Ken's the youngest so you might deduce that his haircuts would be near perfect. Look at his photo and tell me what you think!!!!! I'm giving this one a good look and thinking that one of three things is going on. First, maybe my dad just didn't care anymore. Second, maybe my dad still cared, but he had never rescheduled that eye doctor appointment he had cancelled. . . . . . ten years ago. Or, was this the year my dad was considering sending Ken off to become Amish? Well, whatever it was, I can sit here today at my desk and say, "Hey Ken, I hope you're having a great vacation!"

 

8/03/04

The Gift of Our Children

And so time ticks down. . . . . and I realize again how right Ken Davis was. I remember him saying that one day he was holding his new born daughter in his arms. Then he blinked. When he opened his eyes she was a young woman. My dad says the same thing about how fast kids grow up. Every year he says the same thing when I celebrate my birthday: "I can't believe I have a son who's _____ years-old!" This year, the blank space was filled in with the number "48." August has arrived and it's a month I've been thinking about for quite some time. In just three weeks, we load Caitlin's room into a trailer and head west to Pittsburgh where she'll be living for the next two years. She's transferred to the University of Pittsburgh and will be attending school year round. What's hitting me is that for all intents and purposes, she's gone from our house. I can't believe it. Then, just a few days later, we'll load up Josh and head off to Messiah College where he'll be starting his college career. He'll only be 35 minutes from home and he'll be back next summer, but I'm still having a difficult time swallowing the reality that my "little boy" and good friend is now a young man. Subjecting you to the torture of listening to my emotions is part of my continuing "preparation therapy" for a house that's going to be that much quieter and mornings that will be that much less rushed. Thanks for listening. . . or reading. I shouldn't be at all surprised by the arrival of these days. This is what I've been talking to parents about for years. We as parents are entrusted with the gift of our children, leading them from the dependence of childhood into the independence of adulthood. Sometimes, I thought it would never come soon enough. Now I have a bit of regret that it got here so fast. . . . . and that I ever wished it would pass by so quickly. So now I find myself being "old" based on what I'm about to say because it's the kind of stuff I used to hear my grandparents talk about. Yes, time passes quickly and our kids grow up pretty fast. My message to parents? Enjoy the days, be there, and savor every moment and developmental phase. It will be over before you know it. And for those of you ministering to youth? Preach that message to the dads and moms of the kids you know and love. Thanks be to God for the gift of our children!

 

7/29/04

Needs

undefinedI'm back. After a week of vacation and three days spent on the west coast with a group of youth ministry peers, I'm back in the office. You know how it is when you get back. My desk is piled high with loads of stuff to do. I spent a good part of the night tossing and turning while making a list in my head of all the things I've got to get done. And once the rest of the staff shows up this morning I'm sure each of them will have something pressing I've got to add to my list. This morning, however, is a different kind of first day back into the office. I'll be a bit transparent and let you know that I'm sitting here feeling a bit concerned. My concern – much to my dismay – continues even though I've spent some time this morning listening and talking to God speak through his word about the material side of life. I've been reminded to "consider the lilies" and "the birds of the air" and what that means regarding God's faithful provision in our ministry and lives. While those words are comforting, there's a huge part of me that's wondering "why?" and "what?". On July 1 we celebrated 15 years of ministry with CPYU. I look at it as 15 years of having the God-given privilege and gift to participate in a ministry that I believe is much-needed and extremely valuable. During that time, God has never ceased to be faithful in providing for our material needs through the prayers and support of God's people. Still, I'm sitting here concerned. I'm wondering "why" our supply line of financial support has slowed considerably over the last few months. The notes I found on my desk indicate that the situation has gotten worse since I left for vacation. I'm also wondering "what" God is trying to teach me (us) through this process. I know that we've never had too much and we've never had too little. God's provision in God's time is always just right. But I'll admit . . .  I'm still sitting here concerned. This morning I thought back to something I pondered just last Tuesday as I stood on a bluff in Dana Point, California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I was out in Dana Point for a series of discussions with a group of 25 ministry peers. On Tuesday afternoon, I walked back from having lunch with Mike King and Mark Matlock on a path that follows the edge of the bluff. At one point we stopped, leaned on the rail, and looked out over the view. It was breath-taking. I commented to the guys on how I was struck by the beauty and complexity of God's creativity as it filled our field of view with his glory. In addition, I noted how I was struck by the wealth, diversity and complexity of the homes and boats that covered the hillside and filled the harbor below. To me, they are clear signs of the image of God in man and how we image Him in our creativity, and the material blessings God has bestowed on so many. For me, the view – which I captured in the picture above – was a visual hymn of praise to our infinite God. The lesson to me was clear and it's hitting home hard this morning. . . . . God is in control. He has blessed some of His people with the material wealth and gift of giving that serves as a supply line for those of us who depend on the gifts of God's people to sustain our daily efforts to fulfill God's unique call on our lives. In addition, God has blessed all with the ability to prayerfully approach Him in prayer to communicate our needs. . . . whether those needs be spiritual, emotional, physical, or material in nature. This morning as I've prayed over our present financial challenge at CPYU, I would like to ask you to pray for us as well. Specifically, pray that God would meet our financial need and that we would learn the "what" and "why" lessons He has for us. Thanks.

 

7/12/04

Diversion from Despair

undefined

I was there at Hersheypark Stadium in the midst of the crowd of 30,000 people last Saturday night – Section 26, Row E, Seat 34 – right there next to the aisle. We got there early so that we wouldn't miss anything. I like to spend lots of time watching the crowd. Binoculars come in real handy for that. We opted not to park in the stadium lot. We missed all the pre-concert partying that way. I parked in a parking lot at the Outlet Mall. There was a little bit of partying going on over there too. As we cut through the Red Robin parking lot a couple of 15-year-olds playing hackeysac asked me if I "needed some." I told them "no" and kept walking so that we could get into the stadium. The opening band, Galactic, played a short set to a fairly disengaged crowd that was still filing in and was fairly sparse. They could jam. . . . they sounded a lot like the Allman Brothers. At eight o'clock, Dave Matthews and his band took the stage and the crowd went crazy. I'm crazy in a reserved kind of way, so much so that one drunk guy stumbling up the aisle next to me stopped, looked me in the eye, and yelled, "Stop looking so happy." Okay. So I don't jump around and dance. I like to sit, stand, and quietly listen. Plus, if you ever saw me jump around and dance you'd realize that by sitting still, I'm saving everyone near me a good dose of pain and agony. I love DMB's music because of its creativity. Those guys can play. For me, his creativity serves to remind me of our awesome Creator, and the awesome variety of ways He's imaged Himself into and made us just a little lower than the heavenly beings. But it was hard to listen to DMB this time around. I was distracted by a big dose of multi-sensory activity all around me in the stadium. I spent most of my time looking through the binoculars at the faces of those who seemed to be spinning their wheels in their search for redemption by looking no further than Dave for a savior. Living from concert to concert, the feeling's good for a three hour set, and then it's back to the grind of a meaningless existence. Then there was the sound of some people singing along to every one of Dave's words. I couldn't help but wonder for each person there, what does it mean to them? Then there was the unmistakable smell of a DMB concert. Unlike a baseball game where you smell that "I'm not sure why it's so pleasing" combination of cigar smoke, watered-down beer, hot dogs and glove leather, this one has only two ingredients: baseball's watered-down beer (lots of it) and the smoke (lots of that too) coming from the folks who stopped by my 15-year-old friends in the Red Robin parking lot because they "needed some."  The crowd was particularly unruly this time around. Especially saddening was the emptiness I saw on the group of 10 or so high school students who filled the aisle near me for about 45 minutes in a drunken and pot-induced stupor. I couldn't help but think that I was looking at someone's son or daughter. It hurt even more to realize that they were more-than-likely cut off from their heavenly father. The faces of emptiness are harrowing. The concert ended and I hurried our group out, taking the short-cut back to our parking lot to beat the traffic. We timed it perfectly, passing the backstage gate as Dave's bus pulled out just 15 feet from us. There he was, standing in the fully-lit front window, smiling and waving in the direction of the 30 or 40 of us who happened to be standing there. Carter Beauford's bus came by next and he was smiling at us too. That guy never stops smiling. On the way home we got talking about the whole experience and what we saw. Dave Matthews looks like such a happy guy. He loves what he does. He loves his fans. His music is so upbeat. But lyrically, it's nothing but darkness. I was thinking about how I was looking through my binoculars and down my aisle for three hours at a stadium full of people as I wondered over and over again, "What does it all mean to them and why do they like it?" My conclusion was what it's been for awhile – they're dancing and listening as a diversion from their despair. Even though they may appear to be so far away from the truth, I know that they have "eternity in their hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). They are deeply longing for God, and most don't even know it. I look at them and with Solomon realize that without God, "who can eat or find enjoyment?" (Ecclesiastes 2:25). It was another bittersweet night. Good music, insightful yet oft-times despairing lyrics, and another powerful reminder that without God, there's really no way to make sense of life and find lasting meaning. . . . but people sure do try. For me, it's another reminder of why I do what I do, how to pray, and how grateful I am for the opportunity I have to do both.

 

6/29/04

Double Listening

If you've been around me much you know that I encourage fellow Christians to heed the words of the theologian who once said that every Christian should start their day with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. That's a simply-stated formula for staying fresh in the way and the will of the Savior while staying equally as fresh in our understanding of the world's need. John Stott calls it "double listening." He describes this practice that's indispensable to Christian discipleship and Christian mission this way: "We listen to the Word with humble reverence, anxious to understand it, and resolved to believe and obey what we come to understand. We listen to the world with critical alertness, anxious to understand it too, and resolved not necessarily to believe and obey it, but to sympathize with it and to seek grace to discover how the gospel relates to it" (The Contemporary Christian). This way of approaching our day prepares us to do what Stott calls living in the now in light of the then. Let me be honest and say that it's a harrowing yet necessary and obedient way to live. But it isn't always easy. Over the last few days my attention to the newspaper, the evening news, and the very real daily world and experience of children and teens has been discouraging. War, terrorism, death, hostages, same-sex marriage, popular music and media that points kids far and away from the way and the will of the Creator. . . . where will it end? My discouragement grew when I watched a vocal evangelical spokesperson on C-Span addressing a group of reporters on the issue of same-sex marriage. I put myself in the place of a skeptic who has little or no regard for Christianity and realized that his words and argument had little or no convincing pull. That led me to ask, "In this day and age, what can I do?" I spent a good chunk of Sunday prayerfully mulling that question over in my head. I realized that my responsibility – or what I can do – is to recognize the finiteness of my humanity and the very real limits that places on my ability. I am not God. My call, though, as one of his followers is hear, know, and obey. I am also to pray, not only for wisdom, but for those who despise the way and the will of the Savior. In addition, I must let God be God. I ran across an old Puritan prayer that's become my own over the last couple of days. It has ministered to me as I've pondered the sense of confusion and helplessness that oftentimes comes when we engage obediently in double-listening. Here's that prayer. I hope it ministers to you as well: O my Saviour, help me. I am so slow to learn, so prone to forget, so weak to climb; I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights; I am pained by my graceless heart, my prayerless days, my poverty of love, my sloth in the heavenly race, my sullied conscience, my wasted hours, my unspent opportunities. I am blind while light shines around me: take the scales from my eyes, grind to dust the evil heart of unbelief. Make it my chiefest joy to study thee, mediate on thee, gaze on thee, sit like Mary at thy feet, lean like John on thy breast, appeal like Peter to thy love, count like Paul all things dung. Give me increase and progress in grace so that there may be more decision in my character, more vigour in my purposes, more elevation in my life, more fervour in my devotion, more constancy in my zeal. As I have a position in the world, keep me from making the world my position; May I never seek in the creature what can be found only in the creator; Let not faith cease from seeking thee until it vanishes into sight. Ride forth in me, thou king of kings and lord of lords, that I may live victoriously, and in victory attain my end.

 

6/22/04

Good News on Marriage

 

We went to a wedding on Saturday. It was a wedding for someone you know. . . . at least you know him through your visits to this website. Our research assistant, Chris Wagner, was married to Beth Anderson in a beautiful ceremony on a beautiful day. Chris is the one who keeps this website updated and moving forward on a daily basis. In other words, if you don't find the normal amount of activity here this week, be gracious with us! Chris is out of the office on his honeymoon. Give him a break! I gave him the week off. That said, it was a joy to sit there and watch as two young adults who love Christ and love each other made a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together. I find it so refreshing to sit through and walk out of weddings and funerals where the hope, strength, and resolve that can only come from knowing Christ take center-stage for the individuals we've gathered to celebrate. Conversely, the empty pit that exists where faith is absent is difficult for me to deal with. I got thinking about Chris and Beth's marriage this morning as I read the front page of USA Today. This is the day that Bill Clinton's memoir hits the book stores. The paper reports that Clinton isn't sure he would have admitted his affair with Monica Lewinsky if the independent counsel hadn't uncovered it. Later in the story, he says, "Infidelity happens to a lot of people every day, and it shouldn't have come out." I remember how when the news of Clinton's affair broke, I saw a TV newsman asking people what they thought of Clinton's behavior. One middle-aged woman responded by saying, "Having an affair? What's the big deal? That's what men do." While I was saddened by the woman's justification and acceptance of marital infidelity, I was even more troubled by the fact that her comments are indicative of changing values and standards towards marriage in our culture. Recent research by George Barna reveals that we are changing in our views of marriage, something that makes what used to be the normalcy of Chris and Beth's commitment to each other that much more "abnormal" as time marches on. Barna found that "during the period in which they were single, one out of every three adults has lived with someone of the opposite sex." Co-habitation is on the rise as our view of marriage is lowered. As an indicator as to how marital attitudes and practices are changing from generation, 44% of those under 35 cohabitated, compared to 33% of those ages 35 to 49, 24% of those in their fifties and sixties, and 1% of adults aged seventy or older. Sadly, one-fourth of "born again Christians" had co-habitated. Barna also found that the stability of marriage is in jeopardy, as one-third of all adults who have been married have experienced as least one divorce. The statistics for born again Christians are identical. Finally, one-third of all children born in the United States are born to an unwed mother. The list of sad statistics could go on and on. Barna concludes that "it seems clear that the rules concerning relationships and marriage are being rewritten by young adults" and that if current trends continue "we can expect to see a continued deluge of divorces in coming years." So to Chris and Beth, myself, and the rest of you married folks out there, let me pass on this challenge: Live your faith, love Christ, value marriage, remember and live your vows, love your spouse, and live the legacy of a God-honoring faithful and enduring marriage in front of your children and the rest of a watching world. Marriage isn't easy, but that's no reason to give up on it. It's the way and will of the Creator for those He calls to become one. And Chris, we'll see you in the office on Monday morning!

 

6/18/04

Foul Play

foul ball.jpgAm I a knucklehead? I ask myself that question all the time. Maybe another way of asking the question is "who and what do people see when they look at me?" I'm not talking about my appearance. I already know I look like a knucklehead. Rather, I'm talking about my lifestyle. I got thinking about that with some intensity the other day when I watched that seemingly endless loop of the replay of that Texas Rangers fan that dove over the seats to grab a foul ball. Did you get to see it? In the process, he rather rudely knocked over four-year-old Nick O'Brien, stealing the ball from the befuddled little boy. As the fan climbed back to his seat with his trophy, it appeared he got so caught up in the moment that he may have said some things that irritated little Nick's mom enough that she batted him over the head with her cardboard fan. Newspapers report that Nick's mother exclaimed: "You tramped a four-year-old boy to get this ball." The lucky fan said: "Oh well." The crowd chanted: "Give him the ball!" With the camera focused on his scowling face, the play-by-play announcers offered all kinds of derogatory and seemingly well-deserved commentary questioning his motives, sensibilities, and integrity. For a few seconds after seeing the tape for the first time, I was joining in with the announcers as I wondered what kind of knucklehead would do such a thing. My quick personal conclusion was that this guy is a selfish creep who must care very little for other human beings. Then I got to thinking. I've never caught a foul ball at a game. I was wondering if I would have gotten so caught up in the moment that I would have done the same thing. I tried to convince myself that you'd never catch me on videotape doing anything like that. Perhaps my hopeful conclusion was driven more by what I know I should do, rather than what I might do. A few days after the fact, I continued to see the tape run on ESPN. With his face all over the national media, the poor guy – Matt Starr – was probably thinking that he might have been better off as a Cubs fan stealing a foul ball during a playoff game! Then yesterday, USA Today reported that Starr was working to make amends with Nick O'Brien and his family. The story also told readers about Starr, who is a "landscaper and former youth minister." Hmmm. I can hear the rumblings now as people respond by saying, "That's not surprising. Christians are no different than anyone else." Judging from what I see in the stands, the church, and my mirror, the diagnosis is well-deserved. So back to my original question. . . . "Am I a knucklehead?" Starr's really got me thinking about whom and what people see when they look at me. It's not about saving face or keeping up a good reputation. At least, it shouldn't be. Rather, it's about representing and bringing glory to God in every relationship, activity, pursuit, and minute of every day. It's not about trying to look good to others. Instead, it's about offering a glimpse of the Kingdom – a natural byproduct of grateful and obedient living in conformity to the will of God as we invite Christ to live in us and through us. That's all I need to be concerned about. The rest will take of itself. That said, is anyone out there willing to save me some embarrassment and trouble by sending me a foul ball?

 

6/10/04

A father's reflections on his son's big day

 

Josh - Football - Large.jpgJosh - Kindergarten - Large.jpg

 

Today's a big day in the Mueller household. Our second child, Josh, is graduating from high school this evening. For the last few weeks we've been busy planning his graduation party. I'm continuing a tradition I started with Caitlin two years ago by putting together a video presentation highlighting Josh's growth from the day he was born to the day he walks away from high school. Going through boxes of photos and numerous videotapes has been a rather emotional experience for me. The promise made to me by numerous older parents during Josh's first year of life is more true than I could have ever imagined – yes, time has flown and it seems like just yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. Because he's getting his diploma tonight and he will no longer be a student at Elizabethtown Area High School, two pictures have taken on special meaning for me. There's the shot of Josh standing up against the house before heading off to his first day at Kindergarten. I thought he'd be in school forever. Truth is, it flew. Then there's the shot of Josh coming off the field at the last athletic event of his high school career. It was almost two weeks ago at the Tri-County All Star Football Game, a spring classic featuring the area's top senior players in one last battle. The photo is special because of the place athletics have played in Josh's life. As Lisa and I were reflecting back on Josh's life the other day, we were wondering how many thousands of practices, games, tournaments, etc. Josh had participated in on the football field, baseball diamond, soccer field, lacrosse field, etc. Judging from the life lessons and discipline Josh has learned through his participation in sports, it hasn't been too much time at all. As a Dad, there are a few things I'm feeling as I look at those pictures this morning. First and most importantly, I'm grateful to God for the gift of my son. We've spent so much time over the years laughing, playing, talking, and crying together. It hasn't always been easy and Josh has had to learn some lessons the hard way. I suppose he's no different from me in that respect. I'm grateful to God for the smooth spots and the rough spots Josh has experienced. Through both we've all experienced and learned so much about grace. Thanks be to God for parenting me while I've parented Josh. Second, I'm proud of you Josh. Your determination and work ethic have not only been a model for me, but they will serve you well for the rest of your life as you endeavor to develop and use the wonderful and unique mix of gifts and abilities you've been blessed with by God. Third, I need to tell you "thanks" for being my son. I know you didn't have a choice in the matter. Still, you stuck around! I'm glad you did. It's been awesome. You've brought me great joy and I treasure our friendship. And finally, I need to tell you I love you. I remember a father once telling me that once I had kids I would experience love in ways that are unimaginable. He was right. When you have children of your own you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. So as you graduate tonight, keep in mind that you belong to nobody but your Heavenly Father. As you head off to Messiah College in the fall, study to His glory. Develop your friendships and live them out to His glory. As you continue your athletic career on the lacrosse team, play to His glory. As you listen to God's leading and prepare for a vocation, our prayer is that your life and work would be for His glory. Congratulations, thanks, and blessings are all yours as you end one phase of your life and start another.

 

6/02/04

A Painful Reminder

 

Early this morning I caught the horrifying news footage of a child exchange in the streets of New York City. While I certainly don't know all the facts of the case, the video – all over the national news - captured the moment when a sobbing mother handed over her twin four-year-old girls to their father. The two-beautiful girls were caught up in a raging custody battle that left them crying and confused as they were loaded in a car after being pried from the arms of the distraught mother with whom they've lived since their birth. Later this morning, I tried to learn more about the story by going online to check news accounts of what was taking place. One newspaper report began with this brief summary of the case: "A Manhattan Family Court judge ordered yesterday that two 4-year-old identical twin girls born out of an extramarital affair be removed from their mother's home and given to their adulterous dad. The decision stunned the mother - former actress and Playboy model Bridget Marks - and pleased the father, casino executive John Aylsworth, the millionaire chief operating officer of President Casinos Inc." As I've been processing the story, one lesson is clear. It's something I've been pounding into my kids since the day they were born, that is, that actions have consequences. To be more specific, sinful actions are like a pebble thrown into the water. . . . they don't just make a splash at the moment of impact. No, the ripples travel out in all directions affecting every area of our lives, relationships, and futures. These are lessons I've had to learn the hard way. To be honest, I'm still learning them day by day. It's easy to condemn a couple whose lifestyles are marked by sins that include infidelity, adultery, lust, gambling, etc. Perhaps we might even find ourselves self-righteously thinking they got what they deserved. But if we fail to look inwardly to evaluate what that horrifying video and its story can tell us about ourselves, we are nothing but Pharisees. The video reminds me that God is God and He has an order and design for His world. If we choose to step beyond the bounds of His order and design to put ourselves in the driver's seat, our sinful choices lead to brokenness and havoc. This story brought to mind the second commandment: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. . . ." The video certainly captured the truth of the commandments final words. If you have the chance to catch the story on the news, ponder the sad effects of our sinful rebellion against God. Then think about the sacrifice Christ made to undo what sin had done. And finally, remember the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians as he challenged them to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." And don't forget to pray for those children.

 

5/24/04

Are you ready for Saved?

Saved Capture.jpgI received a package from MGM a few months ago. Inside was a video tape and a short letter asking me to review the tape. The tape contained a pre-release copy of the movie Saved, starring Mandy Moore. I erroneously assumed the film was another feeble and less-than-excellent attempt by well-meaning Christians to put out a film that would capture a mainstream audience - but of course, never does. As a result, I put the tape in my gym bag while planning to get around to watching it during a free moment. And there it sat. . . . for almost three months until I screened it last Thursday. I had heard enough rumblings about the film that I thought I should give it a look before its scheduled upcoming release on Friday, May 28. Before I tell you about the film's content and what I think about it, let me tell you something about the film and its intended audience. This is a typical film about teens that's designed to be watched by teens. Consequently, it's a rather simple story written to get laughs while communicating some simple messages. But don't for a minute believe that it's going to be ineffective at communicating its message. What about the story? Simply stated, the film follows Mandy Moore's character Hilary Faye, as she aggressively attempts to be the unstoppable spiritual leader and evangelist at her Christian high school. The film follows the tension between those who follow Hilary, and those portrayed as being outside the Kingdom of God because of their choices and life circumstances. Classmate Mary - caught in the tension - finds out that her boyfriend is gay. She thinks she has a "vision" from Jesus telling her to sleep with him in order to fix and save him. Their encounter leads to her pregnancy and need to deal with a host of difficult and confusing issues. So I began to watch the film. My initial expectation from others who had negatively criticized the film for "stereotyping Christians" was that maybe they were overreacting in typical defensive Christian posture. Instead, I expected this film would do the church a favor by satirizing our often-times ridiculous, shallow, and un-biblical understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we need to see ourselves the way the world sees us to see how lame and off-base we really are. To be honest, we deserve it. The first third of the movie seemed to fulfill that expectation. I found myself laughing several times as the film mocked our lack of depth, our cookie-cutter faith and attempts to evangelize and disciple according to formulas, our dualistic and un-biblical division of the world into sacred and secular arenas, and our dis-integration of  faith into all of life. I was also chuckling at the portrayal of our sometimes absolutely ridiculous attempts to be relevant to the world. My emotions changed during the second third of the film as the story began to unfold at a deeper level. The film seemed to be moving from well-deserved critique of the church to promoting an agenda that was anti-biblical. While I think it's fair to blast Christians when we fail to represent our Lord because we've failed to understand what it means to represent our Lord (again, something that needs to happen if it's based on fact), I'm troubled when the critique shifts from addressing the blatant inconsistencies of those who call themselves Christians, to questioning critique of the authority of the incarnate Word and God's written revelation of himself. It was clear the film was moving in that direction. I can't argue with the facts as presented in this middle section of the film, that is, that oftentimes those who don't follow Christ are more compassionate, kind, understanding, and even Christ-like than those who say they follow Christ. But beneath this portrayal there was an underlying questioning that began to rise to the surface. These portrayals of pagan as hero and Christian as villain revealed that the film was masterfully questioning (for its intended young and impressionable teenage and pre-teen audience) the validity of biblical authority and God's design and order for the world. The last third of the film confirmed these suspicions as a pro-relativism message came through loud and clear. All life-styles are legitimate, all choices are legitimate, and the only sin is to believe there is such a thing as sin. As the film comes to a close, true redemption is portrayed as release from the rigid constraints of Christianity as it is not "the truth," but relativism that sets the captives free. While I believe this film could do us a favor by challenging many of the un-biblical constraints and prescriptive formulas of fundamentalism gone crazy, it goes much farther by questioning what the Scriptures have proclaimed for millennia to be good, true, honorable, and right. In the end, my understanding of the film's intended audience, their developmental stage, their impressionability, and the film's message left me with a pit in my stomach. Any young viewer who wants to know what a Christian is will get a horribly twisted and discouraging message. Believers are portrayed as fools, not for Christ, but simply narrow-minded fools who desperately need to be released from the constraints of their misunderstandings. At the film's conclusion, the eyes of the blind Christians - young and old alike - are opened as they are "saved" from thinking homosexuality is sinful behavior. My guess is that the film will have the power to communicate the same message to its young viewing audience with great effectiveness. Young believers will be challenged to get with the program. Young non-Christian viewers will be challenged to tell young Christians to get with the program. However, the film does us a favor by showing the ridiculousness - sadly - of what some Christians think a Christian is. If that's what we're showing the world, then we've really blown it and we must be called to task. This is a film that will redefine Jesus, redefine the message of the Gospel, and redefine Christian ethics as a boundless arena to do whatever feels right to you. The film promotes and validates all lifestyle choices, particularly in the area of sexuality. Perhaps it's not the least bit surprising that the film's website - www.savedmovie.com - reveals that "the cast and filmmakers are quick to point out that the main message of the film is one of love, one of inclusion and acceptance of all religions and beliefs." Young viewers will get the message as the film serves as a powerful "evangelistic tool" for reinventing Christian faith in the image of the postmodern worldview. You should go the site and read more on your own. In the end, Saved deconstructs Jesus and the Gospel when it should have only challenged Christians to look in the mirror and correct the errors of their ways. The latter is needed and necessary. The former provides us with an irrefutable example of the results of postmodernizing the faith. If you're a parent or a youthworker, I would suggest you see this film. Chances are, you're going to have numerous opportunities to discuss Saved and its message with the students you know and love. Be ready.

 

5/19/04

A Couple of Thoughts

Here's a couple of thoughts on a recent news item. By getting himself in trouble, Marcus Vick is tapping us on the shoulder and inviting us to take a look - a much needed look - at the changing moral and ethical standards of today's culture. In case you don't already know it, Vick is the current quarterback at Virginia Tech and younger brother of the Atlanta Falcons' QB Michael Vick. Along with two other Virginia Tech players, Vick was sentenced to jail time for throwing a party where they gave some girls alcohol and told them to strip while a video camera was running. Well, that's actually not what they got in trouble for. It wasn't actually the party, the alcohol, the demands, or the tape that was the problem. The only reason their behavior was considered criminal was that the girls were 14 and 15 years old. The prosecutor in the case told the judge that the girls were given Vodka shots by the players. Then, he showed the judge an 18-second video of the girls giggling and kissing each other. Here's what Marc Long, Vick's attorney, had to say in his defense: "There's plenty of reasonable doubt in this case. Marcus was told this girl was 18, OK? He didn't know any better. He didn't have anything to do with a minor willfully." (USA Today). There's a message here about the kind of world we now live in. I suppose that as long as a girl is 18, there's nothing wrong with giving her alcohol, getting her drunk, ordering her to strip, making her kiss another girl, and then videotaping the whole thing. But don't dare do that if she's not yet an adult, because if you do, you're wrong. Sure, this is a story about Marcus Vick. But it's also a story about us. What are we teaching our kids? How does someone like Marcus Vick get to the point where he thinks this is appropriate behavior? What were those young girls doing on campus? Where were their parents? . . . Both that night, and during the prior 14 and 15 years? DON'T assume that our kids know right and wrong. DO assume that we need to be more diligent about modeling and teaching ethical standards.

 

5/12/04

Mentoring

I've got a couple of questions for you. . . . . First, think back to your teenage years. Outside of your parents, who is the person who's played the most significant role in your coming to faith and subsequent spiritual development? And, as you think back on your relationship with that person, what was it about him/her that allowed them to connect with you and influence you in ways that changed your life? For me, it's the three guys who served as my youth pastors during my own high school years. And when I think about the powerful role Phil, Mike, and Chuck played in my life, the bottom-line for their effectiveness and my fond memories are the simple fact that they were there for me. They listened to me. They spent time with me. They challenged me. They never turned their backs on me even though I probably gave them reason to on more than one occasion. These guys were my mentors, and I trust that the investment they made in my life is paying great dividends. I know that they changed me. Today's teen population is filled with millions of kids who long for and need people like Phil, Mike, and Chuck in their lives. Many of them don't have parents who are present. Some have parents who are physically present, but spiritually and emotionally detached. Lots of kids need mentors. In fact, there are already hundreds of thousands of teenagers across America who have signed up and are waiting for an adult mentor to take an interest in them and their lives. What an incredible opportunity for God's people! Last week, I had the privilege of traveling with a couple dozen of my youth ministry peers to the Justice Department in Washington to participate in the launch of a new and organized effort to recruit, train, and place mentors in communities all across the U.S. We were there with Paul Fleischman and Doug Tegner of the National Network of Youth Ministries to launch a faith-based initiative that is matching Christian adults who are willing to give of themselves and their time with young people in need of a mentor. The initiative launched last week is an exciting new website - www.mentoryouth.com - that I want to encourage everyone who is reading this - pastors, parents, educators, youthworkers, grandparents, etc. - to visit right away. Once you see what's there on the site, I'd like to encourage you to do two things. First, if you are involved in or know of a mentoring program in your community, please register that program on the sites database. By doing so, you'll be availing yourself of an opportunity to have potential mentors in your community matched with your mentoring program. Second, I want to encourage you to aggressively recruit adults in your church to consider becoming a mentor to a needy young person. Have them go to the site and search for a mentoring opportunity in your area. I'm very excited about mentoryouth.com and the potential this initiative has to impact God's Kingdom. Please do all you can to help the Phils, Mikes, and Chucks in your church to become the hands and feet of Jesus to kids who desperately need to hear Good News.

Archived Pages - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16