If you read my posts via RSS or email subscription, you missed a post - My assumed name - today when the RSS decided to skip it (again) even though there’s no reason for it to do so (again). It hates me. I’m starting to reciprocate.
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Filed under: blog admin
I did an interview this afternoon with Erwin McManus, the pastor of Mosaic in LA, in connection with his new book Wide Awake. The book is great (and it’s looking at you from the picture on the right), and the interview and a review are forthcoming on YMX, but here’s the message Erwin McManus asked we spread around:
We’ve learned that Barnes and Noble is displaying Wide Awake at the front of their stores. I’d love to ask people to buy the book from them, as a way to say thanks to this big, secular company for just wanting to get people involved in the spiritual conversation.
So, if you’re interested in the book anyway (and you should be!), why not pick it up as a holiday weekend read from your local Barnes and Noble store? And, please tell your friends the same. And, at B&N, tell them Erwin McManus sent you to say thanks.
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Filed under: articles, books, culture, faith, goals, grace
I took care of one very important detail yesterday, an essential step forward in establishing a ‘creative consulting business’. I filed what my state and county so entertainingly calls a Certificate of Doing Business Under Assumed Name - more commonly referred to as a “DBA”. I have the permission of the state, according to this nifty little pamphlet they gave me as a door prize, to be Verbitude (though I thought Joe at CtK made a great suggestion for my ‘assumed name’ to be Snobbig Ittap!). Now I can officially do things for my company like have a bank account and pay all my own taxes! Isn’t that exciting?! I know, I’m a geek.
To celebrate, I went out an bought Verbitude’s first asset - a snowflake microphone - and spent a chunk of time looking for software to help me manage projects and invoicing (I’m giving Billings 2.5 a whirl, but am still open to suggestions). Behind the scenes, things like a logo and a website are coming together. All, of course, to give a clearer picture of what I believe God is opening the doors to for my “work” life… it’s hard for me to even think about it as work! Well, most of the time. ;-) The fact is, many of the aspects that will mark Verbitude are already a part of my life - specialized communication and networking. It’s most like a bit of furniture rearranging in terms of the time in my day.
What really is most exciting is seeing the first projects develop, talking with folks about new project proposals, and smiling with amazement as I see how God has brought me to this place in life; sometimes kicking and screaming! I didn’t start out knowing what I know, neither had I experienced what circumstances brought me to the perspective I have. I’m a bit out of my comfort zone, and I never at all planned to do what I’m doing… sure signs that God’s got his holy fingers in the mix. Good thing I really, really trust him, and that I really like his style!
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Filed under: goals, life, resources, verbitude
As soon as Cathie and I saw the promo spot for the new ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teen, we put the show’s premiere date on the calendar so we’d remember to watch together. That calendar entry now repeats for each Tuesday at 8 pm, I’m hoping that we’ll have many meaningful moments of dicussion about the real issues the kids at Grant High School will play out on the screen.
I wrote a review of the premiere episode for YMX, here’s a taste:
Amy has a problem. It isn’t that she plays French Horn, either.
“I had sex, and it isn’t like what you think, all romantic and stuff. I didn’t realize what was happening, until, like, 2 seconds, and it was over.” The words, “It was just some guy at band camp,” combined with the pained look on her face is how her besties realize she’s not only done it, she’s pregnant.
So begins The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a new series from ABC Family, starring Shailene Woodley (The OC) as Amy, along with Molly Ringwald and Mark Derwin as her parents; Josie Bissett, John Schneider and a host of young talent. It airs Tuesdays at 8 pm and began July 1.
Amy’s story is definitely Juno-esque, but Secret Life has a story all it’s own. Secret Life takes the viewer into the social whirl that is Grant High School, complete with all the types (band geeks, athletes, rebels and even Christians) and struggles, sexual tension and drama that is the teenage world.
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Filed under: articles, discipleship, education, faith, family, resources, student leadership, teaching, tv, ymx, youth culture, youth ministry
You might not have any idea what GAFCON is, but you can read all about it here. The Jerusalem Declaration, the official statement to which the quote below refers, is here.
Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON. Anglicanism has always been broader than some find comfortable. This statement does not represent the end of Anglicanism, merely another chapter in a centuries-old struggle for dominance by those who consider themselves the only true believers. Anglicans will continue to worship God in their churches, serve the hungry and needy in their communities, and build missional relationships with others across the globe, despite the desire of a few leaders to narrow the influence of the gospel. We look forward to the opportunities of the Lambeth Conference for constructive conversation, inspired prayer, and relational encounters.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
I’m astounded that the leader of the Episcopal Church would be so unkind, inaccurate and intolerant as she is above. I just really have nothing else to say about that. If you do, the comments are open.
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Filed under: albany, anglican, conferences, faith
That’s what the Mets and Yankees were to each other yesterday. Crushing. I guess it’s “good” for history that each team gets to brag that they demolished the other at each of the closing stadiums. But, the earlier game at Yankee Stadium was a memorable classic, while the later game wasn’t really so memorable (unless you keep stats like “left on base” for fun). Don’t get me wrong! For this Mets fan, it was great to watch Pedro tie up A-Rod at the plate (especially the K swinging). It was just as if there were two entirely different teams playing the late game. Leaves me scratching my head.
The late game was a this-season-normal, lack-luster game from the Mets at Shea. I wonder if they left their fight in the Bronx? Jerry, Omar, maybe you could send the bus (with the police escort) back to get it? I dunno, but the hero of the day, Carlos Delgado, didn’t really get the celebration he deserved for his gold-star play in the early game. The man set the teams’ single game RBI record (9), while hitting a 2-run double, a grand slam (see it here - it was the team’s first since late-season 2006) and a 3-run HR. He was playing DH, and if the AL has any smart GMs they’re looking at yesterday and saying, “hmmm, he’s going to be a free agent.” Both times as a DH this year, Delgado was great. I’m not one of those who’s been saying he needs to go, but it’s hard to argue with the evidence that he shines in the DH role and may very well be available to fill it at the end of the season.
Two more games this weekend against the Yanks at Shea. Which Mets will show? If I could place my order, I’d like to see the Mets whose pitching/defense were working together and whose offense brought their table-setting-and-clearing skills, and where they get their pitcher some run support early and often. And, can I get that with a side of humble for that Bronx team? Oh, and, for dessert, get the Mets over .500 this weekend, please, mm’kay? That would be lovely, thanks.
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Filed under: baseball
I listened carefully to the coverage of the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision yesterday to uphold the right of individuals to own firearms. The decision, historic in prime because it is the first to address the Constitutional issue of personal gun ownership, made a lot of people happy because it upholds a personal freedom. It made a lot of people unhappy because it makes it more difficult to control guns as a measure to keep violent crime in check. I’m not against responsible gun ownership.
As I listened, I couldn’t help but consider the Scriptural advice that Paul offers the Church in Corinth:
23“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Americans, well, we’re all about our own personal freedoms. This SCOTUS case hinges on where the line might be between our individual right to bear arms and a reasonable way to control violent gun crimes. I can’t help but think that personal gun ownership, while clearly permissible, may not be either beneficial or constructive in furthering the good of others. Certainly, it’s allowed in America and was reaffirmed in yesterday’s Heller decision.
Honestly, it’s not legally-kept, properly-secured guns I have issue with. It’s irresponsible practices that leave guns available to criminals with which I take issue. Yes, it is irresponsible of an individual to keep a gun in a dresser drawer where a curious child could easily find it; never mind a burglar. Yes, it is irresponsible (and a lie) to keep a gun in the trunk of a car under the guise of “going to the range”. It is irresponsible not to require regular training and qualifications of those who have legally owned and registered guns. There are more scenarios, but I’m sure you can see what I mean.
The fact is a great many illegal guns started out as legal ones. There are myriad ways - lost, stolen, inherited by unlicensed family members, or what have you - these weapons made their way out of the light. It’s those weapons which need control. Is there a way to do that without controlling them from the start? How to do that for the constructive benefit of all is the big question. The greater good often requires sacrifice by those seeking it.
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Filed under: bible, culture, government, news, politics, us
I’ve experienced a teeny little bit of frustration today while trying to figure out why the RSS feed on the site is no longer, uh, feeding over the last day. If you got this post via your feed reader or email subscription, would you please let me know? If you’re seeing it first on the site itself, thanks for coming by!
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Filed under: blog admin
I can’t believe it’s been a week already since the closing on the acquisition deal for YMX to become a part of Youth Specialties! Like all transitions, there’s been some working out of details behind the scenes going on (and continuing to go on
), including my continued involvement (or not) with the content flow. I’m happy to say, I’m looking forward to working with YS on some projects for web content.
I’m also happy to say that all this means I’m launching into self-employment! I’m sure I’ll have more to say about all of this (including sharing my new “work” website) in time. But for now, I’m still celebrating YMX joining the YS family, and that I get the opportunity to stay involved with the site both as a volunteer administrator with the wonderful team of forum moderators, and professionally as a writer and editor.
It’s amazing how God worked all that out, and has pointed me toward some open doors I couldn’t have walked through before.
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Filed under: goals, grace, life, website, ymx, youth ministry, ys
It won’t look much different to you, especially if you read on RSS or email subscriptions, but pattigibbons.com has moved to a new account on bluehost. It took most of Saturday and into the wee hours of Sunday to get everything imported, but thanks to Isaac in tech support at bluehost it’s here!
If you do read on the site itself, you’ll notice that there are none of the fun things in the sidebars like there were before - yet. I have to recreate them, which won’t happen until later Sunday. But there are nearly 500 posts you can browse if you need something to look at!
For now, I am going to sleep. G’night.
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Filed under: blog admin
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