Los Angeles Mission Trip Video

That's right! Check it out on our Amp'd webpage.

CLICK HERE FOR L.A.

Mean Girls more Popular?

"Mean Girls" was a funny movie, but did you know that it was based on actual data? Here's an article from the London based newspaper the Telegraph. It's interesting though not very shocking.

Sci-Fi Stuffs

This article in the Independent has some interesting things to say about the future in stem-cell research. Scientists say the technology is now in place to easily clone humans. They also said that this procedure might just usher in "designer babies." Read the full article here.

Too Much?

I've seen 5 minutes of Gossip Girl, so I'm not an expert on this show. That said, this article that I fished off the Drudge Report doesn't suprise me. The marketing is genius, cause it will grab your attinetion right away (especially those who know what OMFG means). The Bible talks about "darkened hearts" and "depraved minds", which become evident when shows aimed at teens push these boundries. Hollywood knows what sells. It's funny how consequences never really enter the equation when sex is the theme. Just thought you leaders and parents would like to know what the CW was up to.

Los Angeles Pictures

Our pictures from the Los Angeles Dream Center are on the web at http://ampdstudents.com/.

Press Play, Angelus Temple's worship band is on myspace.

The Dream Center is also on the web here.

John has cooked up some AMAZING video. He is a Jedi. That will be on the web soon!

Twitter?

I've been doing the whole Twitter scene for about 3 months now with a group from Texas. I love it. But, the problem is explaining to people and helping them understand what it actually is. Problem solved! Watch this short video to catch up on the newest way to communicate.

Oprah's Church

Colby, our girl's minister, sent me this video. It's pretty crazy to think of the influence this lady has over America, and even the world.

Stressed?

Give this a whirl! Click here ----> POP!

Back from the City of Angels

Yes, we're back from our second week of the Los Angeles Mission Trip 2008. It was amazing. The Dream Center, who we partnered with, gave us 2 weeks full of different mission opportunities. It was fun to hear the vision God placed on our students hearts for the people of Orlando. I think we'll see a lasting impact of these two weeks for some time....and hopefully Amp'd Student Ministry will never be the same.

Once John P., our spectacular video guru, gets the videos and pics uploaded I'll post a link to them.

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.