Just Text Me...

A youth pastor asks his students, "what is the best way to get you guys info?" And here is their answers.

MTV sheds some light on Wiccan

There was an interesting article on MTV.com and the growing interest in Wicca/witchcraft. Notice how those who are practicing this religion are treated by Christians. We are to be loving, don't read tolerant here, but we come off as hateful. We are to be light, but we look past those in the dark. There's nothing wrong with loving those that practice this religion. Though this religion goes against what the Bible teaches, I believe with everything in me that Christ would have invited them to dinner(not to hammer them them, but to love them). Let us love in truth.

Daily Web Hits

Thought I'd share with you my "Daily Top 5" internet sites that give me a good overview of world news, culture and youth ministry.

1. Drudge Report
(Just a plain jane news site that will keep you in the know...if it's happening in the world, then it is probably already on Drudge)

2. Center for Parents/Youth Understanding
(a culturaly savy site that is run by Walt Mueller, who is a long time youth pastor)

3. MTV.com
(if it's hot then this site will report it)

4. Internet Movie Database or Rotten Tomatoes or Plugged In Online
(these three are good movie sites. IMDB gives you a brief news wrap up of the biggest stories in Hollywood if you care. Rotten Tomatoes takes all the critics reviews of movies and equates them to a thumbs up or down, which gives you and easy to understand percentage of those who liked or disliked the film. Plugged In is from "Focus on the Family" which tells you the content of the movie in question.)

5. More than Dodge Ball
(this is Joshua Griffin's, the interim High School pastor at Saddleback Church, blog. He does a great job finding funny stuff that can relate to ministry. Plus, he's just seems like a neat fella.)

Hope this helps some of you traverse the culture. (I know this is really 7 websites, but who's counting?)

Teens/Students Rally to a Cause

I've been saying this for awhile. This generation of student is much more worldly (as in big picture) than past generations. With the rise of the Internet students see what is happening in Africa, Somalia and countless other places. They are connected with regions, countries and people groups that generations before only heard about in text books. The world is a much smaller place than it was even 10 years ago. Students want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and the way they are doing this is by joining "causes" on myspace and facebook. Here's an article that you might find interesting.

Shocking New Statistics....

Here is a new article on the rise of STD's and teenage girls. It's funny how they attack the "abstinence before marriage" programs citing that the reason is we don't teach students how to use condoms. So, we need to teach the teens how to use condoms and that will stop the spread of STD's? C'mon people! Idiots. However crazy some of thier "opinions" are these are some very shocking statistics and parents and leaders need to be aware.

The Trouble with Gnomes.....

Gnomes never scared me until now. As I was parusing the net for news and world happenings I stumbled upon this jewel of an article and video. Take the time to read and watch the video. It's an amazingly funny and slightly creepy phone cam footage of a actual Gnome! You only thought they weren't real.

Article for parents to read

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=4427669

All in....

hey everyone!

This is our new blog for anyone involved in Amp'd Student Ministry. What we hope to accomplish here is another avenue for you to connect to the hearts and direction of this ministry. We'll discuss our thoughts on 1) Sunday mornings, 2) Wednesday nights, 3) cultural trends, and 4) things that we find funny!

Feel free to comment and what not! See you guys in the "blogosphere."

k&c