Archive for November, 2009

Nothing better than the real thing…

November 12, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

I have found myself in several conversations over the past season of my life, where we discuss the pros and cons of social networking. I have taught lessons on social networking. I think there are aspects about this tool that are great and can be effective to a point. But, I also am a firm believer that social networks are just a tool. Social networks have limitations and also significant dangers. As is common, the tool gets blamed for being the bad guy, when I think the root of the issues behind the dangers have nothing to do with the social networks.

Layer on to the conversations that I work for a ministry that is missionally focused on community. It is core to who we are. There was a conversation recently about giving students at our youth camp the opportunity to get away and retreat and not have cell phones while they were at camp. This quickly turned the corner into computers, social networks, and other forms of technology.

I am from the belief that there is really no substitute for real live person-to-person community. Don’t get me wrong, social networks serve to keep me in touch with some of my closest friends that are not geographically near me. But our relationships were built on years and years of live community. I also travel to have real life interactions with those friends. Social networks serve as a tool for me.

I was reading in 2 John the other day (I like books I can read in one sitting…) and I found this little gem:

vs 12 “I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.” (NLT)

John was writing a handwritten letter. (for those of you younger folks, it was like an email but without computers) He wanted to experience community. He wanted to visit; face to face. The result of true, live, active community is: complete joy!

There is a story that I have heard many times of a child talking to his father on the phone, who is a soldier deployed to active duty. The child yells into the phone “Daddy, I don’t want to talk to you; I want to be with you.”

Social Networks, cell phones, instant messaging, chat rooms… they will never replace the real thing. Community happens live and in person, flesh on flesh, and with minimal distractions. Who knew that the answer was sitting in a tiny book (or letter) of the Bible?

sj

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Impact

November 3, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go and see “This is it,” the movie about Michael Jackson’s last tour that didn’t happen. It was an incredible movie. Having lived for a season of my life in the world of live performances and the music industry, it was so amazing to see the whole process. And no one can really dispute that he has a commanding persona. His musicians and dancers were the best of the best.

The movie starts out with some of the dancers talking about the impact of Michael on their lives. They are moved by how Michael has inspired them and influenced them. It was staggering to hear them talk about MJ the way that they were, but, I know people who were severely devastated with his passing. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but respect for MJ and his talent and his catalog.

As I was watching these young dancers talk about Michael with such emotion, I thought… I wonder do I talk with such great emotion about Jesus, about his impact, his influence on my life? Am I daily missing him? What effect would his passing have had on me, if I lived in the time that He did?

I was also thinking that for these dancers and musicians… what an experience to be around Michael. To look next to you on stage and think… there is MICHAEL JACKSON!!! That is crazy. I have had the opportunity to run in a circle where I got the privilege to meet some pretty influential people and some that are somewhat known or famous. And those moments are etched in my memory. I would think it would be overload to be working on something with MJ. It is crazy to think. But, then I think… What would it be like to have been running around with JESUS? I heard someone hypothesizing that disciples very well could have been early teens, probably 15 years old…

What if, I mean really what if… when I turned 15… I met Jesus and he asked me to follow him… to go on the ultimate world tour… perform next to the quintessential all-time performer??? (sidebar: is there any correlation between the fact that most people have their significant life change interaction with Jesus before age 18??)

Let me say this… I am not saying that Michael Jackson and Jesus are equals. But when you hear people talk about the impact they have had on their lives… they could be competitors. I respect Michael for his talent, his abilities, his agenda to spread love… but, he is not my saviour. Jesus is the saviour of my soul. Let me be effected when I think and talk about him.

sj

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