This has been rattling in my mind for quite a while and it all kind of poured out of me during Catalyst in my journal. This is an idea. A catalyst. Some primal desire for change, but nothing we do should be outside the scope of community. So, my friends, readers, critics… I need your help. I want input and ideas. Let’s make this some sort of collaborative conversation. I’m looking for change. I’m looking for something more. I’m not even sure why I’m writing this, but I’d like to hear from you about this manifesto.

A Manifesto of Revolt and Activism in a Journey

Out of the Cluttered Woods of Faith

This is a clearing, a walk in spiritual anticipation for a tribe of earth shakers, lovers and heretics.

1. First and foremost, we are followers of Christ, lovers of God and chasers of the Spirit.
2. We the people are discontent with the way churches are today.
3. We want to do the work of Jesus and join in the healing of a broken world.
4. We are fueled by compassion, driven by love, and broken by God’s unfathomable grace.
5. We will not complain or bicker or dissent about the current state of the broken church, but we will incite change through our actions, meditations, prayers, and love.
6. We will pray and seek the Lord in the world around us.
7. We will break the mold of religious traditions and the American dream because we are sojourners, aliens, nomads following in the steps of a wandering Aramean.
8. We are social and religious heretics who are only accountable to the sovereign creator of the universe.
9. We are lovers of change, hope and compassion and will shake the status quo by how we step outside the herd and barbeque the sacred cow.
10. We will work out our faith in transparent community of broken followers stumbling after Christ.

Hey all, I’m looking for a song. Here it is. I think it’s “Glory to God” played by Steve Fee. We heard it at Catalyst, but I can’t find it anywhere. Any help?

It’s been really resonating with me, but I can’t find it for the ol’ IPod…

So help me Obi- Wan… you’re my only hope.

So here’s the deal. James has bubble night at this weeks AWANA. He’s supposed to be able to blow a bubble, only he can’t. So I bought a bag of Double Bubble and we sat down trying to tackle this. I can blow bubbles, but found it hard to explain. We went through countless pieces of gum with no luck. We researched it on the net and only found more confusion… It’s amazing how something so common can be so hard.
So any advice for a six year old on how to blow a bubble?

During a recent retreat we did a game called the Blind Maze. The youth are blindfolded and led on a journey that ends in a maze. The way to win the maze is to find the” key of life.” The maze is comprised of rope tied amongst trees in a criss cross pattern. Each student has their hand put on the rope and they must follow along the ropes looking for the key. The only instruction they are give is: “you are looking for the key to life - if you need help raise your hand.”

Then off they go, following the maze of ropes looking for the “key.” The only hitch is - there is no key. The key to life is asking for help. Once they get exasperated, some will raise their hand. Then they are taken off the rope and instructed to take off their blindfold. It’s an amazing experience for many of them. They begin to feel hopeless and frustrated. Then once they ask for help, they are rescued.

How often do we forget that the key to life is asking for help. We need Christ and can’t survive without Him. We need others as well. We are blind, lost, and clinging to a rope that feels safe, but leads nowhere. We need Him to take the blindfold off our eyes and rescue us. It’s amazing to watch the students go through this experience. Some relent right away, but most are stubborn and keep going, looking for this “key.” I watched them stumble along, bumping into themselves, and I saw myself. How often is that still me? I know Christ, but how often do I call upon His help? I’m just too prideful to ask for help. There are too many areas of my life where I am still blind and need to ask for help.

Anyone still looking for the key?

Luke commented the other day to me:

“I would love to read more on inviting middle schoolers to come more fully alive. I’m not always sure what that means for people in that stage of life. As I see it, most middle schoolers are in process of having so much life beat out of them. From many of the adults I talk to, much time is spent later in life asking God to restore the life that dwelt in them before entering middle school.”

The quick answer: Invest in Them.

Middle School is such a difficult stage in life. Their bodies are changing and they’re seeking their own voice in the world. They’re lost, but will never let on. So they just end up acting grumpy and emotional. What do they need? Adults engaging and investing in them. Most of their parents will begin to write them off at this stage because of their demeanor.

Relations require investment. Investments require time. So look at these kids like you’re in it for the long haul (ie. High School). Middle school is a good time for ground work. The light bulb rarely goes on when it comes to the Lord. But you are setting the stage for it to come on in coming years.

How do you engage them to seek life? That’s much tougher. Life to them has a very narrow focus. They are uber-peer conscious. They don’t think abstractly, so most of their thoughts revolve around personal gratification and survival. So I defer to the mention of investment. They look weird, they talk weird. They are the most awkward creatures on the planet. You know this. They know this. And being their friends in this stage is so meaningful to them. It says I accept you no matter what. That speaks volumes.

Invest, encourage, love these kids. They will see Christ in you. And that will point them to the one who offers them life abundantly.

Any of you have stories of adults that reached out to you during your middle school years? I had one who opened my eyes to the Bible in a way I never knew possible. He was a Sunday School teacher that laid the groundwork for me entering the ministry years later. He was so much more than just a Sunday School teacher. He loved us. He affirmed us. He actually liked us - we could tell. That man impacted me more than any pastor or teacher ever has since and it came at a time in my life when I needed it the most - middle school.