Raise your hand if you're lost.

Saw Lost in Translation today on an inadvertent suggestion from my friend Thomas. I had been meaning to see it and his postings helped persuade me to go on my glorious day off. Here's my quick 3 word review of the flick.

I hate it.

Now, bear with me. . .
I believe that the world we live in is not the what we were created for. As Switchfoot so eloquently puts it, "we were meant to live for so much more; and we lost ourselves." Or, if you like, how Peter writes that we are "as aliens and strangers in the world. . ." (1 Peter 2:11) We are seeing an abundance of unsatisfied, purpose-seeking people screaming out, longing for a reason to be alive. The problem is that our very souls testify to the fact that we were created as immortal beings, destined for eternity; however, the physical world we live in laughs in our face and trys to convince us of otherwise.
I hate the movie because it looks exactly like I feel;
because it reminds me of so many lost souls. . .
because I daily feel like an alien immersed in another culture, even if it's my own. . .
I hate this brilliant, deep movie. . . .and you can bet I'll be owning it in a couple days.

From time to time, everyone needs a slap in the face.

Even if it's with a boob. . . .

Sorry, couldn't resist.



So here's the thing. I'll put aside all of my personal remarks for a couple more days and simply throw these bits of information out there.

In case you couldn't understand what was going on at the boobacious half time show, here are some of the lyrics you missed. For this family oriented, rousing Sunday afternoon game of innocent fun, halftime started with Janet Jackson singing these words.
"Got a nice package alright, think I'm gonna have to ride it tonight!"

Of course, we followed up those lines with our friend from St. Louis, Nelly. He had this to say.
"It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes."
[Welcome to Houston Nell, smells too don't it?]

MMmmmmmm, warms the cockles of my heart. And for another number, we have Mr. Kid Rock, (talented musician that he is) who has decided to show his patriotism by dressing himself with an American flag. And by dressing, I mean cutting a hole in our sacred symbol and letting his nasty pitts stench up the white stripes. He had this to say to our children.
"And this is for the questions that don't have any answers
The midnight glancers and the topless dancers
The gander freaks, cars packed with speakers
The G's with the 40's and the chicks with beepers
The northern lights and the southern comfort
And it don't even matter if their veins are punctured
All the crackheads, the critics, the cynics
And all my heroes in the methadone clinics"

I'll add my thoughts later. For now, just let it all soak in. Oh yeah, in case you've been desensitizied like most of us, don't forget all the leg humping and lack of clothing onstage either. I think my shirt has more material than what was used for the 2,000 women combined shaking their 'thangs' onstage.

New Youth Ministry stuff for the LCMS

Well, here it is. In an attempt to tap into the 1990's, it seems the LCMS has finally started doing something a wee bit flashy in terms of youth ministry. I haven't looked at all of the site, so I haven't ruled its suckiness factor yet. More to come.

-The IP-

A good time.

Well kids, it's been awhile. . .

I just got back from a high school retreat held at Camp Lone Star. . . I just got back from my home.
I wish I were able to say that camp is my comfort zone, but it's not. Many people think that's why the collective 'we' keep going back, but nothing could be further from the truth. Through the past 10 years or so, Camp Lone Star has developed into a ministry unlike any other I know. It' not like other camps; and I say this knowing the ministries at other sites, not just my bubbled experience. CLS has been blessed with leadership that seeks God in all things. It was a purposeful ministry long before PDYM was in a publishers hand. I believe what has made this ministry truly different from others is the focus and commitment given to this one purpose. . . Taking people out of their daily life experience and letting them taste what God intended life to be. People have come and gone through CLS's doors and been either frustrated or flat out mad at some of the implications this goal has presented.
"What do you mean we only play Christian music in the cabins with kids?"
"Why can't we raid the girls cabin at 3 in the morning?"
"What do you mean no cross dressing for the skit?"
People have come through the doors and left, sadly unwilling to give their life a try without the patterns of this world. As kids have been told, "just see what life is like without that CD for one week. Just one week, and see how you feel." Little things, I know. But lots of little things add up to a big focus on the reality of our world.

I am humbled to know that I have been a small part of the CLS ministry over the years. I am frightened to think that it will lose focus over time. People that were once so innovative and ready to redefine a focus for ministry now sit idle, desperately clutching what little control they still have. I pray vision and discernment will be given to those in control of CLS's future. May our sovereign God lead us.

I love camp.
-The IP-

I'm tired of popularity.

I'm sick of my TV telling me what I should be doing with my life. Every show like "Entertainment Tonight" never ceases to piss me off. I don't care which celebrity had to go the dentist after chipping a tooth on their Hummer, and I never will. All of my anger towards the current state of the media funnels into this thought. I hate when someone else tells me what I'm supposed to like. Until I ask for an opinion, I don't want someone throwing 'The Years Best. . . .' or 'America's favorite. . . . .' in my face. Quite frankly, I don't give a crap what most Americans consider worthy of their time. I'm afraid our culture is awash in a sludge of media opinion. Which brings me to another point; well, maybe a random point, but you get the idea.

Why am I supposed to care about the styles of some celebrity? By the way, we're also to assume that you're a nobody unless you can star in movies, play in a band, or be an amazing athlete. But why am I supposed to care about the styles of some actress who worked for two months filming a movie? Is it because she's rich? Well I tell you what, there are plenty of people in this world with much more money than anyone in hollywood could dream of having, yet we're not oggling over what kind of toothpaste they use. So if it's not the money, it must be something else. Maybe it's the perception of money, and the flaunting of it. We in America have this image of movie stars that is completely off the edge. We give them authority to make decisions in our lives in terms of what we watch, what we want to wear, and what political stance we should take. "Oh look honey, Tim Robbins hates President Bush; how eclectic and trendy of him!"
The shows themselves I have no problem with, at least for this topic. It's the reality that we watch that bothers me. We sit on our couches and watch life happen, instead of going out and living life. Thursday nights, instead of hanging out with real friends, we watch them on tv, as if they were our own. Reality tv is such a load. Why can't anything just be called a 'Game Show' anymore? By the way, Fear Factor has been done before, but it used to come on Nickelodeon and it was every kids dream. Remember? It was called Double Dare, and those physical challenges ruled. (By the way, I would have owned that final round thing, most of those kids who tried it were wusses.)

So here's my final round of rants. Quit letting so-called-celebrities inform you about real-life-issues. If I want to learn how to act, I'll listen to an actor. If I want advice on any other subject, I'm going to a professional; I don't care how many academy awards you have. Live life, quit watching it happen on a 'reality tv show' that isn't even close to reality. We should collectively ban the entertainment info shows and magazines. I would love to see the faces of the producers when the average American says 'so what' to every piece of media that informs them about who's dating who, and what J-Lo had for dinner last night. What we need, instead, is personal shows like this that inform me of the people I know and love. That would be exciting. To sit down and watch a 30-minute segment that informed me of my friends daily happenings. Well, until that happens, I'll be yelling at my TV on a daily basis like an old man.

Oh the love that ensues.

Had a good conversation with a friend the other day on the topic of love. Thought I'd gather some of my thoughts. . .
By being engaged, (yes you read correctly, if we haven't told you yet, my apologies, unless I don't know you, than hey, I can only do so much), I realize yet another detail on the subject of love. Most of what follows was sparked by the conversation I had online.


I've been thinking on the subject of unconditional love, and the idea that in certain relationships we claim this type of love. I feel I am blessed by God to have been given someone to love. Now, I can say I've been blessed by every person in my life, but this is something radically different. In the past, I've heard people say what a blessing so and so is in their life, but I'm not sure I've really thought about it in this way. In this case, and with this person, God has blessed me with someone whom I will be able to catch glimpses of the way in which God loves us. I now have a living example for me to begin to see and understand what it takes for God to love me the way he does. By loving my wife unconditionally, I will know joy, pain, anger, happiness, hurt, compassion, confusion, intimacy, frustration, grief, and of course, other emotions described by words I don't know. In all of this, I will be blessed with the ability to experience, in some small amount, what it must feel like for God to love us. I will know even more the pain God feels when I sin, and the amazing love that really exists for you and me. This love that exists for us to experience acts as a double edged sword. Love cuts deep, and it doesn't make sense. To continually love something that, at times, appears unlovely, or has no love to offer, is illogical and irrational. It isn't easy for me to wrap my brain around this kind of love . . . .I don't think I can. I can't understand a love that invites me and loves me when I run from it. One that runs after me, and begs to hold me, kicking and screaming, cussing and running. But this is the dirty kind of love God has for us. One that doesn't make sense in our selfish, sin-soaked world.

In my future marriage, I know that I will be unloveable. My fiance and I are, however, committing ourselves to loving each others unlovely selves. At this moment, love is easy, and it feels loving. This isn't, however, what we are committing to. We are committing to a love that will hurt, and one that will know pain. If we simply wanted the easy, feel-good love that this world offers, we would never have made it this far.

I think this blessing is made clearer in being a parent. Until I one day become a father, (oh geez), I will never fully understand what it is to love someone even when they don't want your love. Whew, I know I was that kind of kid. Dang what morons we are as children. heheh. As Bill O'Reilly says, "no good parent has never been hated by his/her children." I take full stock in that quote; not that I'm looking forward to the experience, but the aftermath.


This is the true blessing that loving one another brings; A God-given model to practice this love on. To feel what it is to love when there is no reason. A chance to understand, in a small part, what it is for God to love us. Whether we are given this chance in the person of a spouse, a child, a parent, or whomever, it is still a gift. A precious, pain-filled gift that will hurt us to the core if we jump in, but will be a real-life challenge course experience that gives us a glimpse of what it takes for God Himself to love people like us.

-Brandon-

Random Things.

Well, a lot has happened since I last chimed in. A few things that I won't mention, because I don't think my humble blog is the right avenue for sharing the news. Ask me about it if I haven't already talked to you. Anyway, here are a few random thoughts/happenings from the last couple weeks.


Patrick reminded me of a confirmation retreat I took my kids on. This guy I know, (Vonder), and I planned the retreat, and the day before we leave, he happens to tell me that one of the chaperones he's bringing just got out of prison. . . .I'll let that set in for a moment. So, here I am, a person charged with the care and well being of several children, and I find out that a chaperone on the retreat is an ex-con. Now, I'm not one to profile, but in this case I'll make an exception. I had no idea what this guy was charged with, and, knowing the vonder, it very well could have been child molestation, and he wouldn't have cared. (Vonder, if you're reading this, I'm not sorry; man it was a bad move) So, as it turned out, the guy was great and I think he's turned his life around. I'm not even sure what he was locked up for, but he seems to be on the right path to getting his life back together. Good for him. . . . . . . . . . . .freakin vonder.


[quick sidenote, as I write this, I've been on hold with Azuma Leasing for about 10 minutes. If you're thinking of renting a washer and dryer, don't use Azuma. No bueno]

Well, I just got off the phone with Azumza, and they got me all sidetracked, so I'll write some more later. For now, the vonder moment is all I got.
-Peace out-
Brandon

So that's what happens to the tough guys.

I thought this was funny.

The school at our church just had a thanksgiving program. (It's mainly a preschool, with a couple kindergarten classes.) So nevertheless, here's the scenario: You're got about 100 kids from the ages of 3 - 6, and lots of their parents in the back of the church; here's where it gets funny. I look around and see tons of dads walking around in their work clothes holding all sorts of cameras. For real, it's like we're having a best buy sale with all the different kinds of cameras. One poor sap had a digital still camera around his neck, probably over $500 for that bad boy, and a mini-dvd digital video camera in his hand, making his 'moment capturing ablility' somewhere near the $2000 mark.
It's just funny to me to see these guys who, for most of their day, probably think they're all hard and tough working wherever they do, but once they get to their kids program, they're nothing but softies.
And to think, 15 years ago the majority of those guys were probably sitting in a frat house somewhere swearing up and down about how they're 'the man' and betting on who can drink the most beer while riding a donkey through campus.
Man I hope I don't ever have to grow up. . . . .

Just let it go man.

So I had this really long post all ready to go, but I figured I talk and write too much, so I summed it up.

We just got a new phone system put in with an automated attendant and menu options and all that jazz; (stuff that was innovative in the 70's) and yet, our church secretary has been in the bizz her whole life, and thinks that a machine is too impersonal, so anytime the phone rings. . .no matter where she is in the church, she bolts like her dress is on fire to her office and tries to grab the phone. It's not a huge deal, but it's funny to be talking to her, and then you hear the phone ring, and she just disappears.

I think one day if I see her walk by my office door, I'll call her office with my cell phone just to see her fly by. . . .I'm sure that would entertain me for at least an hour.

Blogs I hate. . .

What I hate about some blogs are the insane amount of quotes. I'm coming to your blog to find out what YOU think, not what site you can link and quote from all day long. Certainly links are cool, if you're talking about something you found on another site, or a cool picture or what not; I can handle that. . .It's information. But what kills me are all the blogs with the freakish 'cult followings' that are nothing more than quotes from other sites. Maybe every 10 posts or so will have a sentence or two of the authors actual writing, but the rest is just news relay. . .and I can get that crap on my own. These blogs become simply become a window helping readers surf the web. (I'm a youth worker, trust me, I know how to effectively surf the internet on my own. I don't need someone guiding me)

All in all, here's my thing. If you're writing a blog, write your own stuff, and don't rely on other sites and ideas to make your own look cool and exciting. I'm all for linking to another site if it's something that catches your eye, but at least write your thoughts about it. Otherwise, you're just using other material to gain readers and look 'cool'. And it's not working. . . .Well, I guess for some of the sites it's working. . . .because, if you ask me, some of the most hardcore followed blogs out there are nothing more than a links page with a fancy title and lots of readers trying to look like beatnics because they've heard of this blog. . . .
Hey kids, write your thoughts and stop reading stupid blogs. . . . .
-Peace out-

What annoys me about ministry.

The thing that gets under my skin more than anything else about working in a church is the lackadaisical attitude people have towards prayer. Because I work in a church, and I'm seen as a minister of some sorts, people find it humorous to say things like "Pray for Billy, he's a wild child in school" (This just happened as chapel was dismissing today) I don't mind requests for prayer, but I believe in the power of prayer, and I think some people miss the boat on it. The phrase gets thrown around like it means nothing anymore, and also, because I'm in public ministry, people seem to think my prayers will be more effective than their own. "Oh Brandon please pray for so and so" I want to say, "Of course, but will you also?" Certainly some people are sincere about their requests, I just feel like others have a missunderstanding of the power of prayer, and what it is they're really asking when they ask for a prayer.
Hey kids, read your bibles.
-Peace-

Books I'm Reading . . . .and other stuff

This is a great book for anyone in the post-college drudge of learning to be a 'real' person. Chapters like "How to buy groceries" and "It pays to live beneath your means" will be beneficial for anyone coming out of The 115.






Cheap Ways To. . . is just what it seems. Sections titled "Cheap ways to Get legal help" may come in handy. Other chapters include ". . .to get a masters degree. . . .to plan a creative date. . . .to take a ski vacation." This one is more laughable, but still with good intent.



Anyhow, both books just came in the mail from Amazon and I've been reading through them off and on. Don't forget boys and girls, Dream Theater just released a new album today called Train of Thought. I haven't heard it yet, but reviews say it's one of DT's best ever. If you're into progressive rock at all, this is an interesting sidenote.

Neal Morse is known in the progressive rock world "as the composer and vocalist for the leading progressive rock band, Spock's Beard. Or as the composer, vocalist and keyboardist for the progressive rock supergroup, Transatlantic (comprised of members from Dream Theater, The Flower Kings, Marillion and Spock's Beard)." (taken from) Neal Morse.com ) Anyhow, he recently put out an album entitled "Testimony". On it, he tells the story of his life as he lived it before and after he became a follower of Christ. (For those of you not familiar with Morse, this is the equivalent of the Eagles becoming Christians and deciding to put out an album full of songs that speak to their conversion.) FYI I don't know if the Eagles are Christians or not, I just picked a random succesful band. Anyhow, Mike Portnoy, of Dream Theater brings in the drums on "Testimony". Portnoy is known throughout the drum world as the leader in progressive rock drumming and I have been thoroughly obsessed with him for several years. I'm glad to see good composition coming to the Christian scene.
-Peace out-

Trash talk. . .

Last night as I was taking out my trash, which was alot even by the 115's standards, and it crossed my mind that every piece of trash I throw away was somehow brought into my apartment in a non-trash form. Everything I take out of my apt in disgust that I call 'trash', I probably brought into my apt in a new, shiny wrapper.



Earlier last night, I went to a college worship service called Refuge. It takes place at First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas. This was my second time attending the service, and it was amazing. The speaker that night had an incredible message to give us; one that I have not considered in quite some time. Talk about conviction. . .Check out Ephesians 4, specifically verse 30.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,. . .
For myself, it's been too long since I realized the implication of God's spirit alive and working in my life. With every sin I commit, God Himself grieves. Everytime I decide to walk apart from God, He is there in a state of grief, pleading with my soul to come back. . . .I can imagine how many times just today the Holy Spirit has been crying out to me "Don't you know where that leads?! Don't you know what that can do to you?!"
Wow. . . .
This brings in to question, how long will God's Spirit continue to dwell within us? This brings questions of a hardened heart, and all that jazz. . . .we read about it in scripture, so will it still happen today? I feel like the answer is yes. Now, I have to pre-empt this with the thinking that, just like the excommunicated church-goer, the reason for a break is the desire for redemption. scripture tells us to treat those who continue unrepenting in their sin differently; to treat them as pagans (unbelievers). And guess what, we've been taught to love our unbelieving brothers and sisters, longing for them to be a member of the believers.
Ok, so back to the point. I do believe that through the constant rejection of the truth, (aka. sin), there is a point when God's spirit says 'that's it'. Now remember, we're talking about unrepentive sin here. There's a difference between striving for the perfection God demands, and simply throwing in the towel and living in cheap grace. We're also not talking about a salvation thing here. By no means do I, or scripture for that matter, ever mean that if we continue sinning our salvation will be taken away from us. This is a matter of God's Holy Spirit choosing to dwell within us.

With all that in mind, as it's alot to chew on, I am glad to be given a message of law. It've been too long without it. I think this is something we do a horrible job of in the Lutheran church. Grace is free and it's our central message. . . .but some people need to be told and convicted of their sin to realize their need for a savior. Last night, I was that person. (And I fear I've been that person for far too long.) Once again, this isn't a fear thing, where we work our butts off to be good in hopes that God will still love us. . .because like the bastard children we are, He will mysteriously always love us. This is a matter of trying not to grieve the Holy Spirit. . . . . .grieve God himself. It is an amazing thing that God would choose to make us His dwelling place. Because quite honestly, I'm a pretty crappy dwelling. I can only imagine what I've put God's Spirit through. . .how much He's grieved because of my actions.

Convicted and Saved,
-Brandon-

The Matrix

So last night, (Monday) I went to see The Matrix Revolutions. Now you may be asking yourself, 'self, how did Brandon see that movie when it isn't being released until Wednesday?' Well my little blogglets, the answer is simple. I am the unknown face behind the Wachowski brothers writing! Well, not exactly, but that would have been a whole lot cooler if I was.

A friend of mine has a brother who works in one of the movie theaters and he got us into a screening of the film. Too bad they didn't get the movie started until 12:30 at night! I didn't get home until 3:30 in the morning, but I think it was worth it. Just to let you know, I threw a spoiler into the last sentence of the paragraph about the movie, so if you don't want to know some significant parts of the movie, don't read it. . . but if you don't care, read on. I'll warn you again right before, just don't get ticked at me if you read it.


Here's my take on the whole Matrix phenomenon. . . . .

The first Matrix movie presented us with a philisophical framework that was just amazing. While the idea of defining reality is old philosophy, it was brought out in a new light with created world of the matrix. (Check out the Matrix website for some great essays on the philosophy behind the movies, and how old the concept really is.) Back when the first Matrix was released, we were told that this was only the beginning of the story, and the first one had to be shown to set up the world in which the actual storyline was going to take place. This being known, the two more recent installments in the matrix trilogy have been nothing more than elaborate action movies. Don't get me wrong, I think both Reloaded and Revolutions were great flicks, but they lack the philisophical depth of the original Matrix. Reloaded still gave us hard questions and big words from the architecht, but this was all in relation to the storyline, so it lacked the emotional/philisophical depth that the first movie had to offer.

Revolutions offers us with more answers to the world of the matrix, as well as a few oppurtunities for more questions. All in all, I thought the film was great. It had the kind of action we've come to expect from the trilogy, and enough questions were answered to satisfy my cravings left over from Reloaded. Ok, here's the spoiler. . . . if you don't want to know anything that happens in the movie, skip this last sentence and head to the next paragraph! Don't say I didn't warn you! (Agent Smith takes over Neo's body. . . .and Trinity dies)



Whew, ok, good to get that out of my system.
All in all, the reason the first Matrix was such a great movie is because it forces you to challenge your own concept of reality. Few movies have ever achieved this goal. It's not just a metaphor on human life, or a depiction of how life 'might become'. It forces us to consider the possibility that we are already living in that world. . . .or better yet, it forces us to challenge or own concepts of what is real, and how we can rationally come up with an answer. (My postmodern friends love this)

Thanks be to God that He has shown us what is real. He has 'revealed' to us the truth.
Peace out
-Brandon-

Watch out on the road!

State Farm ranks the most dangerous intersections in the nation based on number of accidents per year. As it turns out, number 8 on the list is right down the street from me. Have fun.

Sad day for YS

Well, the Youth Specialties Convention was amazing. A great time for renewal and excitment. I saw some great bands, was led in great worship experiences, and saw a good group of speakers.

Today, though, I was told about the death of Mike Yaconelli, the owner of Youth Specialties. Adam Griffin told me about it this afternoon. He read it off of Relevant Magazine this morning.

Apparently Mike was killed in a car accident last night. No other details and no mention on the YS homepage yet, but I'm sure it's to come. Mike was also a volunteer pastor at Grace Community Church in Yreka, California. Peace be to the church and his family. The little I know of this man was that he had a passion for Jesus Christ and the youth workers that preach his Gospel. His intentions for starting YS were to give youth workers the resources they need to effectively communicate God's truth to kids. I've heard few things as humble and selfless as when Mike stood at the YS convention and said if there was something YS had that we needed and couldn't afford, to simply call him, and he'd send it out. All this comes from a guy who didn't even know Mike. . . .I can only imagine the words that will come from those who did.

Been Awhile

Well I know it's been some time since my last post, and for that I apologize. Everyone gives me lip about long posts anyway, so I'm sure you needed the time to get caught up.

Tommorow I'm heading to North Carolina for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. I'm excited to be able to go, and I'm ready for a good vacation. (Although this counts as work, so I guess I should try to not have so much fun.) I'll let you know how it was when I get back.
This is also the first time I've flown on a plane since 9.11 so I can't lie, I'm a little antsy. I think I'll tape a plastic knife on my leg just in case the guy next to me goes crazy, I'll at least have a chance. (Just kidding FBI man) Hey, gotta cover my bases, that patriot act is hardcore.

We had our Fantasy Basketball Draft last night. I'm feeling good about how things went. It was a good practice run for another league I'm doing. This is how my draft turned out:
-Shawn Marion
-Steve Francis
-Shareef Abdur-Rahim
-Jamal Mashburn
-Zydrunas Ilgauskas
-Wally Szczerbiak
-Bonzi Wells
-Juwan Howard
-Eric Snow
-Vlade Divac
-Alvin Williams
-Emanuel Ginobili
-Carlos Boozer
-Anthony Peeler
-Speedy Claxton

So we'll see how the action goes down this year. Needless to say, The Inside Presence will dominate once again.

-Peace-

The Genius in this world continues to astound me

I had no idea tanning increased the risk of skin cancer. . . . . wow, who would have thought?
Check it out

This is a good one

What a toolbag, check out what this idiot did in his New York City apartment.

I wonder what the pet deposit was for this complex. . . . . .

What a let-down

I just got back from Guitar Center where I was planning on entering their Drum-Off for the third year in a row. It seems they moved the dates back and it's pretty much already over. I know it's my fault for not checking the dates earlier, but that just sucks. So, it seems I'll have to wait another year to be famous. . . . .