Bill Gates - "America's High Schools Are Obsolete'

America's high schools are obsolete," Gates said. "By obsolete, I don't just mean that they're broken, flawed or underfunded, though a case could be made for every one of those points. By obsolete, I mean our high schools _ even when they're working as designed _ cannot teach all our students what they need to know today."

Pretty strong words. If he's right I hope we have the guts to fix them. Before I jump on the band wagon and become too critical of American's High Schools I need to take a deep breath and ask myself a question. Is our youth ministry becoming more and more obsolete. Are we really accomplishing what we want to accomplish? What do we want to accomplish? We want to influence students toward a new and growing relationship with Christ. Have we done that...Yes. Are we doing that...I hope. Are we willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that even if it means getting way outside of our comfort zone? God give us the courage and wisdom.

You Go Gamma Girl!

'Mean Girls', 'Saved' and countless others movies have portrayed teenage girls in an unfair light...either very mean or a helpless victim. If you've been around many teenage girls you know this is way too stereotypical and very unfair to the many teenage girls who live their lives with admirable character, confidence and integrity. Newsweek balanced the playing field with an article they wrote in '02. They paid tribute to another type of teenage girl...the gamma girl.

I'm inspired by this article and others to point to the gamma girls as the standard. Gamma girls are not one size fits all. Gamma girls are just confident being who God made them. They are going to be the best they can and let the chips fall where they may. Gamma girls enjoy the passions God has given them. Sometimes that's sports. Sometimes their passions are music or scrap booking. It doesn't matter because the gamma girls is too occupied enjoying what they enjoy to be bothered by social status. It's inspiring. If you know a gamma girl you know what I'm talking about.

For more information on gamma girls check out the following...

Go Gamma!
Raising a Gamma Gal

Rules, Rules, Rules

Why so many rules? As I read through the book of Leviticus it doesn't take long to realize that God has a lot of them. He is for rules. We may not like them. We often call them something else so we won't look like, 'rule' people. In the youth ministry we call them, 'protective guidelines.' But make no mistake...they are rules.

The book of Leviticus gives us some good reasons for rules. 18:5 tells us they give us life. 19:17 teaches us that if we are not rule enforcers than we become as guilty as rule breakers. 19:34 shows us that rules help us to remember where we came from. 20:22-24 promises us that God has something much better in store for those who obey the rules.


The most important reason of all is in 19:37. Because He is the LORD and we are not. Our role is to trust. Rules help us to trust. Leviticus, as much as any other book in the Bible, makes it clear that we do not understand everything that God instructs us to do. But even we don't understand the rules, as servants under the LORD, our role is to trust and obey. Even when we don't understand.

Lights & Camera but No Glory

I was flattered when they asked me. Rhonda Burns, Pastor John's assistant, stopped by my office yesterday and asked if I'd be willing to be in a commercial. I was flattered. She told me to wear basketball style clothing and that the commercial was being shot in a gym. Now I knew why I had been chosen. They probably needed someone with kind of an athletic look. I was really feeling good about myself. Until on the way to the shoot John began to tell me about the script. My job was to stand at the free throw, fail at dribbling, and than miss...badly. Very badly. My job was to look like a bumbling fool. I'd been type casted. I feel so cheap and used.

"Be Nice or I'll Check Your Prostate"

"Be Nice or I'll Check Your Prostate", were the first words my doctor had to say me today. It was a rough start but it turned out o.k. Today was his birthday. I knew that because there were signs saying, "Happy Birthday Dr. Camps" as you entered the parking lot and all over the building. So when the doctor walked into the room I was just trying to be polite. "Happy Birthday", is all I said. Apparently this is his 50th birthday and he'd been catching grief all day so he was resulting to threats to stave off any further age harassment. I can only imagine that turning 50 and working in a urologist's office can lend itself to some pretty heavy kidding. So I sat there, next to a table full of Cialis brochures, and decided not to mention any more about the birthday.

The good news is after weeks of wondering, hours of testing, and a couple hundred bucks worth of co-pays he told me my kidney is fine and is functioning normally. So that's the good news. So the lesson for today is be nice to your urologist.

Race Day

The Tallahassee Half-Marathon has come and gone and nobody died so we'll call it a good day. Actually, it turned out to be a fantastic day. The weather was absolutely perfect. I finished the race in 1 hour 54 minutes (8'42" pace) which by runners standards is noting to write home about but by my standards and considering the physical issues I've been dealing with over the last several months...it is progress.

Some thoughts about race day... I've been asked many times...and I ask myself all the time...why would you pay a fee to enter a race when you can go out and run the same course any day of the week for free. The answer is obvious...the t-shirt. NOT! There is something magical about race day. Race day does something to the mind and body that can not be duplicated when simply running by your self down the street. Prime example...my last 6 to 8 training runs before this event were miserable. I did not reach my distance goal a single time in any of them. And all of my distance goals were well below the race day distance. For example...one week prior to the goal I left to go on what I hoped would be a six mile run. I was back at the house after 1.5 miles.

And yet yesterday I ran the complete race virtually pain free. Something changes, emotionally and physiologically on race day. The excitement of knowing this is the real deal puts all the pain and discomfort so far from the center of focus that it is barely noticeable.

I believe this is where so many people miss it in the spiritual realm. For too many people Christianity is simply an exercise in training. Moral training, Bible training, theological training, lessons in politeness, whatever - all of that is just training. If a person never gets to the point where it is the ‘real deal’ for them than all they experience is training, which frankly can be miserable even in the Christian realm. Christianity can be a miserable experience when all we ever do is train and never get to race day.

Joining the race... In Christianity it is race day when we begin to give it away. As long as it continues to be about us…my morality, my memorization, my family, my church - than we are still in training. Let’s make this race day. Let’s make this the day we decide to give our lives away and be amazed at how much more exhilarating life becomes than just the training we’ve been doing. Let’s join the race!

Jesus makes it pretty clear in John 12:24-26 - if to you Christianity is all about you and your personal happiness…you are in for a miserable ride. When it becomes about you giving your life away for someone else…welcome to the race and watch the miraculous happen.

tags: triathlon

Paranoia & the hubcap bandit

'Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you'.

I forget where I heard that but it's still one of the best quotes of all time. On that note...as I was driving back from lunch today I noticed my hubcap fly off. I stopped and tried to find it but by the time I got to a place where I could do a u-turn and get back it was gone.

Loosing a hubcap is a pretty normal thing...accept this is the second one this week on two different vehicles. I was convinced someone was sabotaging my hubcaps. So I called Laurie and asked her who would be doing this to us. She reminded me that I had recently put both of the hubcaps in question on the car after replacing tires and so I probably had not put them on properly and that’s why hubcaps were flying off of our cars. I’d feel better if someone was sabotaging my hubcaps.

Fear of Failure

I'm dealing with a little fear of failure...big time. This weekend I'll be attempting my first half marathon. As you may have read earlier I did do a practice 13 miler...and paid for it. Well since that time I have reached my training goals exactly zero times. As a matter of fact I have not been able to run over 6 miles since than. And that's been a couple of weeks ago. The body is a weird thing. When it wants to shut down it just shuts down. All the will power in the world can not over rule the body when it makes up it's mind that it is done. So, with that it mind, and knowing this weekend is the real deal...I'm afraid I may fail.

Reactions to the fear of failure. One thing I am learning through this process is that when fear grips us...sometime natural reactions aren't the best course. My natural reaction is to train harder and run more. But what I really should be doing is running less and resting more. That is a nearly impossible thing to move from the rational part of the brain to the emotional. And so what do I do...I train harder and run more. Somebody help me.

This is all fine and good when it comes to running. Because really...long term...who really cares if I finish the half marathon or not? In the general scheme of things it is completely irrelevant to anything significant. But the danger is when we have the same reaction in life. The problem is I tend to have the same reaction in life and ministry. When the youth ministry isn't going well my normal inclination is...do more. Try harder. Plan more. Plan bigger. When maybe God is saying, 'relax, rest, and remember that it is I, the LORD who can minister to the hearts of people. Stop trying harder and doing more and focus more on being who I created you to be. Rest in me'. So really the only failure we should fear is the failure to rest in and enjoy our relationship with God. Let's do that and watch as He replaces our failure with His success.

tags: triathlon

Singleness, Sensitivity & Valentines Day

I guess when you get married at 21 years old some things never occur to you. I never realized until recently the depth of hurt that Valentines day can bring to a single person. Apparently it serves as a reminder that they are indeed...single. Apparently in the same way Christmas is a hard time for those who have lost people they love Valentines is a hard time for those who don't yet have a 'special someone'. So, let me say enjoy your singleness. Being a married person is a wonderful thing and in all honestly, given the choice, I would never go back to singleness. But, I can see that God can use singleness in a person's life. I thank God for the single people I know. Especially the one's who use their singleness for God's glory. I don't think the youth ministry at Northwoods would survive without single people who are willing to use the freedom that goes along with singleness to invest their lives in youth. So a shout out to all of you guys. Thank you for doing what you do and rather than dwelling on being single realizing that this is a season in your life that God has given you and like every gift from God should be given back to Him for His glory.

Josh, Drew & the Cousins

O.K. I know probably none of you care much about baseball. At least not as much as I do. But hey, this is my blog. Anyway, two out of three ain't bad for this young Florida State team. Even in the loss on Sunday they played well. Only one error. Pitching fell apart a little - giving up 13 hits. But hey, let's dwell on the good.

It was also good to spend some time with Laurie's brother's family over the weekend. Josh and his cousin Tyler acted like they've been friends forever event though they haven't seen each other in quite awhile. They have common interests which makes it easy. Anyway, that's it. Baseball weekend is over. Tomorrow I'll be back to blogging about something a little more interesting that everyone cares about...like my kidneys!

tags: Baseball

Baseball Weekend Continued

Auburn 5 Florida State 6

I told Dave Bearden Auburn had a good chance of sweeping Flordia State because of their youth. Apparently this team has read Tim 4:12. They're not letting anyone look down on them because of their youth. Instead they are the ones going for the sweep tomorrow. Win or lose this series has been a huge boost for this young team. Go Noles!

Seminoles
Baseball
College Baseball

Baseball Weekend Day 1 - A Great Start

Day one of the baseball weekend was super. The 'Noles looked great in their win over Auburn. Maybe it really is pitching and defense. Here's a funny story a heard on the radio. Mike Martin always posted a sign in the locker room that read, "Pitching, Defense & Base Running". Doug Mientkiewiez, who woesn't a very good defensive player at the time would tape a sign at the bottom that read, 'hitting'. It bothered Martin so bad he got his revenge. On April fool's day he handed out the line up and Mientkiewiez saw he had been moved down to the 7 spot. Doug, who had always been the 3 hitter, was furious and went off. Threw his equipment tore off his uniform. He really got out of control. The entire clubhouse burst into uncontrollable laughter when Martin says, "Aprial Fools". By the way I think Mientkiewiez learned the value of defense. He went on to win a gold glove with the Minnesota Twins.

Also, the Leon banquet was great. It was entertaining listening to 'old baseball stories all night. Josh's cousing Tyler spent the night and they had a great time playing Madden until they both suddenly came down with stomcahc aches. I guess Silver Slipper food isn't that easy on the organs. Have a great day. Go Noles!

Seminoles
Baseball
College Baseball

A Baseball Weekend

Laurie's Brother, Doug, when he was with the Cubs

This weekend will be filled with one of my favorite things...baseball. This afternoon Florida State faces their first real challenge against Auburn. Go Noles! Could be a defining weekend. Either way we'll learn a lot about this team. We'll find out if their youth really is going to cause them to struggle as most expect or we'll find out that they are young but so full of talent that they can overcome their youthfulness. We'll see. Either way it'll be fun watching. Tonight it's a baseball formality - we'll eat at the Silver Slipper and than watch as Laurie's brother is inducted into the Leon High School Hall of Fame. Tomorrow it's Leon's alumni game followed by Florida State & Auburn and than Sunday afternoon it's FSU Auburn again.

Seminoles
Baseball
College Baseball

Coach Carter

I wish it were that easy. Coach Carter is the story of a coach who enters a loosing basketball program and through a series of tough love measures turns around the program and more importantly turns around the lives of his players. It's an inspirational story. It is also a true story. I left the movie feeling something was missing. I think I know what it is...reality! This generation of students is not one that will simply change...because someone demands it. If you don't believe me - try it. It sounds great in theory. Just tell them to shape up or ship out. The problem is most will simply ship out. But what was lacking in the movie - and incidentally I am sure was NOT lacking in the real life account - was the hard work Coach Carter would have to do in order to earn the right to make demands of his players. 'Earn the right to speak into my life' is the mantra of this generation. 'My way or the highway' will almost always be followed by a trip down the highway. Before people will join you on your way you better make sure you care about the road they are on. Relationship always precedes influence. It was well into the movie before Coach Carter shows his more caring compassionate side. I'm and sure this was not true in the real story of Coach Carter. As a matter of fact his web site says as much, "He is diligent in providing them with opportunities to build meaningful relationships with their peers and caring adults, and recognizes the advantages inherent in a sound sports program." It sounds like the real Coach Carter gets it. I am excited to learn more about the real Coach Carter. For that I will give the movie credit. But beyond that the movie was lacking much depth. So in a nut shell...Coach Carter is an inspirational story sold short by the movie.

Movies
Ministry
Youth Ministry

Jacob, Pharaoh, & J.D. Drew Part II

Genesis 47:7-10

The second thing about Jacob's blessing Pharaoh that surprises and challenges me is that he was willing to bless him at at all. Wasn't Pharaoh the polar opposite of what it meant to be a God worshippor? His whole life Jacob has been taught the truth that there is only one true God. He has experienced personal intimacy with that one true God. Now he is face to face with Pharaoh who not only promotes the idea of many many gods, he claims to be one of them. And Jacob blessed him? Now that goes against our natural inclinations.

In 1994 I was in Washington D.C. for a youth evangelism conference. During the conference a dozen youth from the crowd of 22,000 were selected to go and meet with the president of the United States. At the time it was Bill Clinton. This was our big chance. We would preach the truth to this baby killing, womanizing, drug using man. At least that was our initial gut reaction. But should it have been? That wasn't Jacob's response when he came face to face with a world power. His only agenda...bless him. Maybe if we were a little more like Jacob - more inclined to bless others than try to persuade them with intelectual argument - than people maybe a little softer to the good news we have for them.

Monday Bloody Monday

It's never been a problem for nurses to find the veins in my hands to place the I.V. - until today. After several attempts she gave up sticking it in my hand and went for the inside of the elbow. That's when it got funny...and bloody. She was so used to failing in her attempt to set the needle that she didn't have it capped when she finally did. The result was blood spraying all over the room. It's funny now. It wasn't then. I was looking away at the time...needles and blood aren't really my thing but when she starting screaming curiosity got the best of me. I looked down to see blood spewing out of my arm. Had she hit one of those arteries that leave you dead in a matter of minutes? Would she be able to stop the bleeding? It's a strange feeling seeing that much blood being sprayed all over the room knowing that is coming out of your body. Of course it wasn't serious or even dangerous. It was simply funny...and messy. She gave up and another nurse came in and set the needle while she began scrubbing the walls, chairs, floors & equipment. I guess someone will come in this evening and get the ceiling.

The Most Humble Man on Earth

Numbers 12:3

This is something we don't' hear much about. At least I never have. We hear of the first man, that's Adam. And the oldest, everyone knows who the oldest man to live was. But we don't ever hear about the most humble man on earth. Correct that, we hear about him. He's probably the most popular man in the old testament. What we don't hear is what made him great. What made him the leader he was. Numbers 12:3 clears it up for us. It was his humility. Moses, the most humble man on earth became the most important man in the Old Testament. That's saying something.

Million Dollar Baby - Movie Disclosure Warning - Don't Read if you haven't seen the movie!

Warning: If you plan on seeing Million Dollar Baby DO NOT READ THIS!!!

This is one disturbing movie. It reminds me of the Passion of the Christ in one since...when people ask you if it's good you are not sure how to respond. Was it quality? No question. Was it moving? In several different ways. Does it make you think? Without a doubt. But was it good? I'm not sure. Here's where the movie falls out of the 'good' category for me...the ultimate message. Scrap (Morgan Freeman's character) summed it up when he said (majorly paraphrased) if a boxer is all heart and that's it then the boxer will get destroyed. Apparently that is the overlying message of the movie. When Maggie's body was taken from her it destroyed her heart. It destroyed her will to live. I wanted desperately for Frankie to deliver the message to her that her body may be destroyed but her body is not what gave her greatness. What gave her greatness from the beginning was her heart. Her fight was not primarily her ability to move her feet and throw punches. Her fight was her willingness to look at her life circumstances (she was past her physical prime, never boxed before, came from a really screwed up family) and despite them work her tail off to become more than anyone ever believed she could. Why than such an easy surrender when life delivered a violent blow. Where did the heart go? Where was the fight? I was inspired by her willingness to pursue greatness in life after getting to 31 years old with such mediocrity. It gave me hope! But hope was unplugged with the ventilator.

For those who would say, ‘but isn’t that a common reaction’ to sudden paralysis? Probably. I’m sure suicidal thoughts are common for those who suffer such physical trauma to their bodies. But is that what Hollywood is all about? Is that what people want to see? Has ‘The Real World’ and reality television taken us to the place where we just want to see people doing mediocre things with their lives so we can say, ‘hey, there just like me, mediocre’. Not me. Show me greatness. Show me something inspiring. Make movies about heroes and let them be the standard we strive for rather than showing me quitters who just give in and blend into mediocrity. I can see that everyday. That’s not what I want to be entertained by.

Show me people like a friend of mine named Burt.
He was several years older than me and we were in the same Scout Troop. He was close to completing his Eagle Scout Award when he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waste down. He should have quit. That’s what normal people do. He spent two years in rehab and than came and completed his Eagle Scout Award.

Show me people like my brother, Bucky. He had a violent streak. My parents were called regularly when we were in high school because he’d be at some night club flushing some poor souls head down a toilet. He could have continued down that road. He didn’t. He decided to use his God given fight for good rather than evil. He would up a Navy SEAL where he gave his life for a cause greater than himself. These are the kinds of people we need to celebrate.

Hey Clint, when the DVD comes out put an alternate ending on it. Have Maggie do something great. Inspire us by showing us that Maggie’s heart was great – even when her body failed. I know, you’ll probably win an Oscar for making us cry. Next time go for one by inspiring us to be great.

Dehydration...I guess

It began as a great run. I went home for during my lunch hour for a quick run. Well if you are a runner than you know when you are having a good run it is hard to stop. For you non-runner a good run would be one where your body just seems to be in sych. Your legs feel light, your stomach is not churning, you are breathing freely and the weather is perfect. Yesterday all of these came together. So, when I reached the end of my initial goal, which was just a quick run during lunch, I couldn't stop. So I kept going. Before I knew it I within distance of reaching a goal I wanted to reach by next weekend - the 13 mile mark. Why not be ahead of schedule. So I stretched my quick run out to a half marathon. When I finished I still felt pretty good. At first. But then it slowly began to pounce on me. My stomach started doing really weird things and than my head began to hurt. I began feeling pains I had never experienced. So I decided to lay down for a 'few minutes'. Three hours later I was still laying down and wondering if this is my last day on earth. Well, after some rest and a good nights sleepI feel fine today. Other than a lost half-day of work no harm done (I'll make it up don't worry time keepers). Dehydration? I'm not sure what the feels like. Or maybe now I do. Anyway, I can't wait until today at lunch when I can go for a quick run.

P.S. We'll get back to Jacob, Pharaoh & J.D. Drew tomorrow.

tags: triathlon