Lacombe Half Marathon 2012

www.runlacombe.com

YC Edmonton 2012

It is that time of year again ... 3 days; 16,000 screaming teenagers; dozens of big name music artists, speakers, and presenters; and a whole bunch of God space in the lives of kids. The theme for YC 2012 is Surrender. That is the prayer ... that our group of 40 (among thousands) would surrender to the God of the Universe. Pray that in the midst of it all (conversations, concerts, messages, "sleeping" on the floor at a Church, laughing, thinking, praying ...) God would move in the hearts and lives of each person to move closer to Him and to Jesus Christ! It is going to be awesome!

Family Soccer 2012

Blog Poll

I need your help ... I enjoy writing in this blog, "Out of the Blue" and I hope that there are a few people who enjoy reading it. Please use the poll on the right side of this page to help me know what you think is the most valuable way that I could use this blog? Thank You!

Teens and Technology

Courtesy of: Online Schools

I came across this interesting infographic about digital use among teens. There is no denying that mobile technology today is greatly influencing and shaping our culture. I was just talking with Katie this week about the fact that I used to think negatively about younger teens using a mobile device and how uncommon that seemed. Interestingly, I wasn't very surprised, this week when I saw a girl around 10 years old walking with a cell phone in hand and texting. It almost seemed appropriate that she have a cell phone ... I realized that we have arrived at a new normal. It happens all the time ... things that seem unlikely, sometimes even unfathomable, become reality. For example: Skinny Jeans (seriously - who believed that so many people would be wearing them?!); Hollywood's ability to move the "appropriate line" in movies and TV; and of course, the prevalence of media consumption among teens. From cell phones to iPods, DVD's to PS3; Facebook to texting ... we have arrived at a new reality. The consumption is phenomenal, and its influence is exponential. It affects their grades, their friendships, and even their happiness. Ironically, many teenagers have come to believe that without Facebook, texing, and mass consumption of media - they will be unhappy. As it turns out, the opposite may in fact be true. Hmmm.

Love Your Neighbor

The past few months have been a continual stretching, pushing, and pulling for me in this area of loving our neighbors. The biggest challenge ... to love people you don't know. A little too slowly, but certainly stepping in the right direction, we have been getting to know those who live in our neighborhood. We are learning names, discovering hobbies, and hopefully soon ... getting to know their stories. I am nearly ashamed to admit that last week we watched as a family across the road from us moved out after 6 months ... we didn't know their names. Hadn't even introduced ourselves. Oh sure there are those great excuses, we don't want to appear creepy; we are so busy; people in our culture just don't do that sort of thing; etc. They are all poor and pathetic excuses. In Matthew 22 Jesus is asked, "Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?" His reply, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself. I think he kind of ... meant it. So here we go, attempting to live it. The challenge, to love your neighbor. I mean really love them. Care for them. Pray for them.

The method? Our plan is to get to know the names of as many of our neighbors as we can over the next month. It all comes together on Sunday, June 10 when we invite all of our neighbors - Yes, all - to join us in a block party. We will host a BBQ on our street for everyone. A chance to connect, to introduce, and to eat - because eating is good, and connecting is great. They say that communities are safer if you know your neighbors by name. Imagine how safe they can be if you care about them and what is going in their lives. Imagine what could happen if a little of Jesus inside of us, actually trickled out on those who live around us. Wow! You would almost think that was how He intended it ... almost.