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Best of 2011 (Top 5′s)
It seems every year goes by faster than the last. One thing I enjoy about this blog is it gives me a chance to reflect over events and in this case, the past year. Here is my year wrapped up in a couple “Top 5″ lists.
Best of 2011
Epic Days
- Being at Busch Stadium with wife & friends when the Cardinals won the world series (October 28)
- Officiating my first wedding (Rusty & Rachel Anderson…April 23)
- Thanksgiving with family (November 24)
- Snowboarding (February 11)
- Bradley Hathaway reciting old poems (March 25)
Trips
- Panama City Beach & Seaside, Florida (June 12-19)
- Greenville, South Carolina & Gatlinburg, TN (May 27-29)
- St. Louis, MO (April 22-25)
- South/North Caolina (September 7-9)
- Cincinnati, OH (Anniversary…August 22)
Bands
- Adele
- Brooke Wagoner
- The Civil Wars
- City and Colour
- Manchester Orchestra
Discoveries
- Jersey Shore
- Green Screening
- Imo’s Sauce & Cheese
- TED Talks
Hobbies
Merry Christmas Eve
I’m home alone this Christmas Eve watching Christmas videos to pass the time. What is the most creative Christmas song/video you have seen this year?
Getting Students in their Seats on Time
One of my favorite parts of our weekly student gather is hanging out with students before our program starts. Since our church is right next to a local school, many students walk over after their last bell. We have music, basketball, skate ramps, volleyball, ping-pong and corn hole (it’s Indiana). It’s awesome to see so many students come early to hang-out and have fun at church. But one problem we have is getting students in their seats when the program starts. Many aren’t even aware what time it is and that the program has started. Apparently, our 5-minute countdown wasn’t doing the trick.
This semester we have tried a few new things to get students in their seats and it seems to be working. Here is what we do….
1. iPad Countdown
In addition to our 5-minute countdown, we now have a countdown on an iPad that we carry around our campus and show students. Since many are hanging outside playing football and skating, this helps them see how much time we have left until we start. There are several countdown apps but the one we use is Presentation Clock. It’s $0.99 but well worth it.
2. 50 second video that tells students to sit their butt down
Once there is 50 seconds left on our countdown, this video plays…
We downloaded an After Effects project from Videohive.net and loaded our own text, video and pictures. It was actually quite simple. Now each time the students hear the song in the video, they quickly find their seats. And it looks cool too!
3. Dim Lights
Once the 5-minute countdown starts, lights dim. Simple, easy, but very helpful.
Has this been a problem for you too? What do you do to get your students in their seats on time?
Don’t Give Up on that Student
I know you may want to. I know you feel like you’ve tried everything. You see so much potential, but they either don’t care or aren’t living up to it. After all the time you’ve spent mentoring and giving them opportunities to lead, they make a dumb decision that makes you think nothing you are doing is getting through.
These were my thoughts Tuesday.
Frustrated.
Let down.
A little upset.
Then I saw a gift my grandma gave me and I was reminded, I used to be just like them. I received the gift just before I graduated high school and my grandma made me promise I would always keep it and remember why she gave it to me. It wasn’t a big gift, but it has been a helpful tool in ministry.
Ya, you’re seeing it right. That’s a rock with a big butt carved in it.
Here’s the story. My freshman year of high school I mooned my class. Not to be sexual or perverted, just funny. Turned out to be not as funny as I thought it would be. In a small town, news travels fast. That night, several people that got their haircut at my grandma’s salon, told her what happened.
She wasn’t a proud grandma. In her wisdom, she gave me this rock as a reminder that I was once a high schooler that made horrible decisions and didn’t live up to his potential.
Seeing that rock in my office everyday has helped me have patience and has changed how I would have handle many situations.
After Paul gets done listing a number of people that made bad decisions that led to lifestyles away from God, he challenged the Corinthians to remember, they used to be just like them (1 Corinthians 6:11).
I used to be just like the students that give me headaches. Honestly, I was probably worse. But when I was in their shoes, no one gave up on me. And it’s because of that, I am where I am today.
My students need the same thing from me.
Do you have something to remind you of who you used to be? If so, what is it? If not, what could you use?
Tebow….Obnoxious or Right On?
Even if you’re a grandma that doesn’t watch football, you have probably heard the name Tim Tebow. And chances are, you have heard more about his “obnoxious” faith than his football playing ability. The statement by Jake Plummer represents what many people (especially the media) think about Tebow. Tebow’s faith has been mocked by football fans, players and the media. ”Tebowing” has even made its way to UrbanDictionary.com.
Is this just media trying to take a stab at Christianity or is Tebow being a little “over the top”?
I’m curious, what do you think?
Is Tebow being obnoxious with his faith or right on?
I’m Thankful for…
Jesus.
my hot wife.
friendships I made in St. Louis.
the way my parents reflect Jesus.
Yoo-Hoo.
Frist Capital Student Ministry volunteers.
social media that helps me connect to people I can’t see everyday.
my dog’s big paws.
churches & people that share resources.
people that believe in me.
people that believed in me when I was young.
my church letting me work outside the office.
Apple products and software.
my failures.
you.
What are you thankful for?
4 Fun, Creative & Inspiring Dance Videos
I like to dance.
After winning the Valentine’s Day dance contest in 6th grade, I started creating dance moves for everything. I’ve got the “I just got a package in the mail” dance, “I’m home” dance, “My dog just pooped outside and not inside” dance…I could go all day. Since I love to dance, naturally I have wasted many hours on youtube watching other people (insert dance phrase here). Here are the 4 most fun, creative and inspiring dance videos I have seen over the past couple years. Hopefully soon, there will be a video of me I can add to the list!
1. Where the Hell is Matt?
If you really want to know, go to his website and you can follow him on GPS. Other than his name, what I really love about this is how the project got started. Matt had been working his dream job as a video game developer for several years until he realized there may be more to life than a job and money. So he quit his job and started traveling. Like every tourist, he began taking pictures in front of all the standard “postcard” spots. His friend got tired of taking those pictures so he told him to “do his dance” in front of those spots instead. This started in 2003 and with the help of sponsors he is still dancing, traveling, making videos and meeting new people today.
2. Pumped Up Kicks Dubstep
There is nothing better than seeing someone do what they love with passion. It doesn’t matter what it is. Not only is this video awesome, his passion is almost contagious. It makes me want to go do what I love right now!
3. Sasquatch Music Festival 2009 Dance Party
This guy started a movement. He wasn’t afraid to do what he loved, even if it meant he would get made fun of and do it alone. If you search You Tube, you can find many videos just minutes before hundreds of people danced with him. Just minutes before this video, he was alone and people were making fun of him. But minutes later, people went from mocking to wanting to be in the center of what he started. First time I saw this I recognized some lessons in leadership. Shortly later, a TED talk was given on this very dance (should have been me!).
Unfortunately, I would be surprised if the dancing guy remembers any of this.
4. Black Eyed Peas Flash Mob
Of all the dancing flash mobs I have seen, this has got to be my favorite. It’s the only one I have seen designed to surprise such a small group of people.
What is the most inspirational dance video you have seen?
“I’m just the Installation Guy!”
Since my wife and I have been married, we haven’t had cable or internet in our home. Part to save money…part to not waste time. After over 2 years (and a neighbor with open wi-fi moving), we decided it is time to get to both. We shopped around and picked a bundle package with Direct TV and AT&T. Yesterday I woke up and worked the morning from home so our TV/internet could be installed.
An exciting moment quickly turned to frustration.
The installation guy told me he was just installing for Direct TV and had nothing to do with installing internet. So I called to find out when AT&T was coming and began what would be a series of talking to over 7 people over the phone before I found my answer. Turns out, the lady that took my order of the bundle package misinformed me. Apparently, AT&T internet isn’t even available in my side of town (what?) and she didn’t know.
This resulted in 7 other people hearing me complain until I wiggled out of my newly agreed contract and the installation guy having to take down what he installed.
It all started because a worker didn’t know all the facts. It continued because none of the other workers knew them either. I know the installation guy is “just the installation guy”. He told me that several times. But it still would have been nice for him to know some answers.
In student ministry, I wonder how many times a student or parent has asked an adult leader a question and either received the wrong answer or an “I don’t know”. Neither are good answers. As the lead guy, we need to set-up our workers with the information and training needed to give the right answers.
It can be just as frustrating for a parent or student to have to go through 7 people to get needed information on an event as it was with me and Direct TV.
To leaders…share the info. Give event details, resources and any info needed to all your leaders so they can answer the questions they are asked.
To volunteers…study, pay attention to and know the facts. Even if it is something that really has nothing to do with your area. Even if you aren’t going on a specific event, learn the details because chances are you know a student that is.
After this experience, I will be spending more time with my leaders sharing information so they have the answers.
How do you share information to your leaders?
Neighbor with Big Candy Bars
This is the candy the Erxleben’s gave out to Trick or Treaters last night for Halloween. Yeah, you’re seeing it right…normal size Hershey’s bars. Like Wiz Khalifa, everything we do, we do it big!
I’ve got to be honest though…when I woke up Halloween morning, I had no plan to hand out candy. Truthfully, my wife and I never have before. We are usually Trick or Treating with my little sister or at Haunted House. But I read a tweet from my friend @Nikomas yesterday that challenged me…
“Halloween is the perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors. Take advantage of it instead of running from it. #intheworld“
He’s right!
I pray for opportunities daily to engage in conversations with my neighbors and here I was about to blow an easy one. So my wife and I changed our plans, stayed home got some good candy (there is such a thing as crappy candy) and turned our front porch light on.
We live in a duplex community where the neighbor kids visit each doorstep for candy. Many I know, many I don’t. But I’m sure every single one has seen this scrawny, scruffy (soon to be more scruffy thanks to No Shave November) young guy walk with his laptop bag to the church next-door about 6 times a day. Every kid went after the Hershey’s bars, even the little one. Most commented on the size and I was even told how awesome I was a couple of times.
The point is not for the Erxleben’s to be known as awesome candy givers, the point is for the church to be the best neighbors in their neighborhood. And if that means spending more money on candy and staying home one particular night…I’ll do it.
What is another day that is a perfect opportunity to meet neighbors that people might not take advantage of?
Halloween Light Shows
I wasted my day watching these, now I’m going to waste my weekend trying to make my own.
What is your favorite?
