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September 03, 2010
September 01, 2010
Different Religions
I began my study this morning for our new series starting this Sunday at Harvest called, "What's The Difference?" It will be a 3 week look at 3 of the biggest world religions/philosophies compared to true, Biblical Christianity and I think it is going to a MAJOR hit!
I am really enjoying it already and cant wait for Sunday. I came across this "light bulb" joke on different religions and had to pass it on. I thought some of these were really funny!
Hope they bring a smile to your day...:)
PB
__________________________________________________________________________
Q: How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: CHANGE???????
Q: How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Calvinists do not change light bulbs. They simply read out the instructions and pray the light bulb will decide to change itself
Q: How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Ten. One to actually change the bulb, and nine to say how much they liked the old one.
Q: How many fundamentalists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one because anymore would be compromise
Q: How many Jews does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: 30. One to change the bulb & 29 to discuss it ad nauseum.
Q: How many liberals does it take to change a light Bulb?
A: At least ten, as they need to hold a debate on whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb they still may not change it to keep from alienating those who might use other forms of light.
Q: How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
August 31, 2010
A Letter From A 20-Something
Today, I turned 27 and I am literally packing up my childhood bedroom where I returned in May after five years in Manhattan in a cross-country pursuit of my passions.
So just why are so many of us in our 20s taking so long to grow up?
It's a question based on the very-well-documented sociological differences between my peers and all those who came before us. Unlike our parents who hit the job-marriage-kids goals at a traditional pace, today the 20s are a black box -- and there is a lot of churning going on in there.
That churning equals "identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between," the opposite of what was/is traditional adulthood (choosing a path, settling down, and creating a stable life for you-plus-family).
As a person who took from graduation to her five-year college reunion to even choose a path, I can attest to the churning. I have churned, and am almost a professional at it.
I have also talked to dozens and dozens of 20-somethings over my years writing my blog about what it feels like inside that "black box." While it is a stretch to say the experience is universal, many of us do feel less focused and less certain. We are more driven by our personal interests than family-oriented ones.
And our goal is to get to the right place, not to get there at the "right time." It's not that we don't know what it means to be an adult and how we're supposed to do it -- it's that we do.
We are painfully aware that decisions in our 20s lay the foundation for all of adult life. We know exactly how old our parents were when they had us, and exactly what they sacrificed as a result. We know that time is precious, age isn't really just a number, and having kids changes everything.
So, we can absolutely see the forest through the trees. We just figure it's best to deliberately navigate through those trees so we arrive at the forest in one (better) piece. And -- this may just be the crux of it -- we don't see why we should rush. We were raised not to.
I think there is a difference between wandering and floundering, between taking a longer time to grow up and choosing to stay a "child." The former was me living in a closet-size Manhattan apartment, working at a job I was sure wasn't quite right, and eating Ramen noodles 'till I figured out what was. I took the traditional steps toward traditional adult life (financial independence, career stability), I just took (am still taking) them slower and more deliberately. And I made that path -- figuring out what was best for me both life- and career-wise -- my primary task.
But does that make me less mature and less adult? Or does it make me more?
Where I get confused around this plight-of-the-20-something issue is when it's suggested by the generations above us that our crawling or churning is immature or foolish, that one day -- sometime after we cross over the 3-0 threshold, apparently -- we're all going to wake up and realize we should have buckled down, gotten married and quit the charade because the
real joy/purpose in life is to "be an adult." That slow and steady actually loses the race.
So, my question as I literally spend my grown-up savings account to pursue my childhood dream is, What is so much better about becoming an adult faster?
What am I gaining by taking my time versus what I'm losing by just getting to it already? With every year I wait to be ready to get married, am I letting all the people there are to marry pass me by? Will I be a better, more mature mother at 35 or would I have been just as adept and instinctual at 25? If I live at home with my parents for one more year while I save up to be a full-time writer, will that leave an eternal mark of lame on my life résumé? Does being an adult mean having the maturity to know you're not ready for adult things, or having the maturity to dive in and just figure it out? Won't I be a better, happier, healthier adult if I take my time getting there?
If someone could please write the article that answers those questions, we'll kindly decide at what speed we'd like to "grow up."
But for better or worse, we were raised to ask all those questions. And in the absence of answers, we've grown comfortable and confident handling them ourselves.
So, as one 20-nothing who has embodied the "It's about the journey" approach, I'd like to say that I am grown up. I am an adult. I just don't look or act or live quite like the generations prior, and frankly I find that thrilling.
It's a question based on the very-well-documented sociological differences between my peers and all those who came before us. Unlike our parents who hit the job-marriage-kids goals at a traditional pace, today the 20s are a black box -- and there is a lot of churning going on in there.
That churning equals "identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between," the opposite of what was/is traditional adulthood (choosing a path, settling down, and creating a stable life for you-plus-family).
As a person who took from graduation to her five-year college reunion to even choose a path, I can attest to the churning. I have churned, and am almost a professional at it.
I have also talked to dozens and dozens of 20-somethings over my years writing my blog about what it feels like inside that "black box." While it is a stretch to say the experience is universal, many of us do feel less focused and less certain. We are more driven by our personal interests than family-oriented ones.
And our goal is to get to the right place, not to get there at the "right time." It's not that we don't know what it means to be an adult and how we're supposed to do it -- it's that we do.
We are painfully aware that decisions in our 20s lay the foundation for all of adult life. We know exactly how old our parents were when they had us, and exactly what they sacrificed as a result. We know that time is precious, age isn't really just a number, and having kids changes everything.
So, we can absolutely see the forest through the trees. We just figure it's best to deliberately navigate through those trees so we arrive at the forest in one (better) piece. And -- this may just be the crux of it -- we don't see why we should rush. We were raised not to.
I think there is a difference between wandering and floundering, between taking a longer time to grow up and choosing to stay a "child." The former was me living in a closet-size Manhattan apartment, working at a job I was sure wasn't quite right, and eating Ramen noodles 'till I figured out what was. I took the traditional steps toward traditional adult life (financial independence, career stability), I just took (am still taking) them slower and more deliberately. And I made that path -- figuring out what was best for me both life- and career-wise -- my primary task.
But does that make me less mature and less adult? Or does it make me more?
Where I get confused around this plight-of-the-20-something issue is when it's suggested by the generations above us that our crawling or churning is immature or foolish, that one day -- sometime after we cross over the 3-0 threshold, apparently -- we're all going to wake up and realize we should have buckled down, gotten married and quit the charade because the
real joy/purpose in life is to "be an adult." That slow and steady actually loses the race. So, my question as I literally spend my grown-up savings account to pursue my childhood dream is, What is so much better about becoming an adult faster?
What am I gaining by taking my time versus what I'm losing by just getting to it already? With every year I wait to be ready to get married, am I letting all the people there are to marry pass me by? Will I be a better, more mature mother at 35 or would I have been just as adept and instinctual at 25? If I live at home with my parents for one more year while I save up to be a full-time writer, will that leave an eternal mark of lame on my life résumé? Does being an adult mean having the maturity to know you're not ready for adult things, or having the maturity to dive in and just figure it out? Won't I be a better, happier, healthier adult if I take my time getting there?
If someone could please write the article that answers those questions, we'll kindly decide at what speed we'd like to "grow up."
But for better or worse, we were raised to ask all those questions. And in the absence of answers, we've grown comfortable and confident handling them ourselves.
So, as one 20-nothing who has embodied the "It's about the journey" approach, I'd like to say that I am grown up. I am an adult. I just don't look or act or live quite like the generations prior, and frankly I find that thrilling.
Jessie Rosen writes the blog 20-Nothings, an account of getting by from 2-0 to 3-0 with minimal wind resistance.
August 26, 2010
Magnificent
Last year, I had the privilege of going to one of the greatest concerts of my life, U2. When they sang 'Where The Streets Have No Name', then went right into the 'Hallelujah' chorus, it honestly felt like one of the most powerful church moments I have ever experienced.
Memorable for sure.....!
This Sunday, our band will be featuring my favorite song off their last album. You will have to come to either one of our 2 services to see where I go with it on the message! :)
See you guys Sunday....and keep bringing your friends!!
PB
August 25, 2010
Demonizing Music
Music is a powerful force. It moves us in the deepest places of our soul.
Think about a movie you recently saw. Now think about it without the music score. The music is behind everything, but brings all the emotion.
Or think about a book you read 10 years ago. Can you remember any distinct sentences? Probably not. But set those words to catchy music and you remember almost every word.
I had a conversation recently with someone who was against the use of 'secular music' in any form in church. I tried to explain what we do with the Billboards series, using the songs as bridges to the truth of God's Word, but to no avail. Secular music was simply evil. Church music good, period.
The truth is that music in and of itself is neutral. A beat doesnt make it good or bad. Guitars dont make it good or bad. VOLUME doesnt make it good or bad....
....its the spirit from which it is sung. Its the lyrics.
Beyond that, in church, its about musical preferences and taste. Not everyone has the same taste. I myself am not into country or ol time Gospel. And I like my music louder than most churches do it. But that doesnt make it better or worse. Its simply preference.
The person I talked to recently mentioned that we need to go back to hymns, that the worship music in most churches is 'worldly'. I gently educated him to the fact that most of the hymns were bar tunes of their day that the writers set to edifying lyrics. "A Mighty Fortress" was a swigging bar tune that the Wesleys turned into a classic hymn. Funny.....
Food for thought!
PB
August 24, 2010
Thoughts Going Thru My Head Today.....
- We had a GREAT weekend at Harvest with, no doubt about it, the biggest crowd we have seen all summer! The energy was off the hook as well...!
By the way, I want to give a shout out to a few fellow Harvesters that have made God On The Billboards happen. It is a LOT of work!! Dondee Frenkel.....you are a Godsend my friend......Ryan Leal....your attention to detail is amazing.....Dave Flaton....what can I say?....Video 'Czar'..!....
And of course the Harvest Worship Team. You guys never cease to blow me away! Seriously, week after week you guys keep on delivering. Sam Gilman, you did a fantastic job this past Sunday with a fresh rendition of "Her Diamonds". Chelsea.....Michael.....on and on I could go.
Thanks guys!
Today feels like a random day, so here are some random thoughts running through my brain this morning:
- Voting......today is election day, so many complain, yet there is record low turnout. And????
- Music taste....why do so many people make preferences in taste a SPIRITUAL matter???
- Unity in church......easily talked about, harder to live. But its where great churches are made...
- The Community Maritime Park.....why, oh why does the opposition keep trying to undo this?? Dont they get the fact the city voted YES over 2 years ago???
- Pakistan floods......Haiti.....Tsunami....Katrina....World Trade Center....on and on.....Is there something called 'Compassion Fatigue'? I think people arent responding like they did 10 years ago and these things just keep coming.....
- I Phone 4. I have been waiting to get a compact camera, thinking the IPod camera may be the answer to having less to carry but having a great camera. Any suggestions???
- Running.......for others, it may be different, but after a month off, for me?..I HAVE to run to maintain my desired weight, period.
Enough for today!
PB
August 20, 2010
The Journey
Harvest is partnering with Globe International to do a musical production this coming November in our new Garden Street Annex facility.
The plan is to run it for 3 nights, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, then conclude with a Sunday matinee. It will be promoted to the city and being that the Annex is a smaller, more intimate 'Cafe/Theater' environment, we have no doubt it will be sold out each show.
Doug Gehman, Director of Globe International, wrote it. The proceeds will be used for Globe International Relief efforts, as well as for Harvest Building Fund.
Auditions are THIS WEEKEND! Here is the 10/40: (pass the word to your friends!)
“The Journey” Auditions
This SATURDAY, August 21, 2010 at 9:00am at Globe International Headquarters
Come, bring a friend, and “Break a Leg!”
Most major roles must have a strong voice and be able to sing solo, in duets, and ensembles.
Cast Auditions: Saturday, 9am – noon, August 21, 2010. Callbacks on Sunday 2-5pm August 22. Auditions will involve:
- Cold reading from the script
- Singing solo 24 measures of a familiar song, and
- Some simple choreographed movement
AUDITIONS for “The Journey” Production will be held at:
Globe International
8590 Hwy 98 West
Pensacola, FL 32506
Major roles for:
Males (2): 18-25 years old
Males (5): 30-55 years old
Females (2): 18-25 years old
Females (2): 40-55 years old
PLAY: The Journey: A Modern Adaptation of the Prodigal Son Story,
SHOW DATES: November 18-21, 2010 (Thursday through Sunday)
VENUE: The Annex on Garden Street, downtown Pensacola
The Journey was written by Doug Gehman, and will be Directed by Libby Hargrave. The Journey is a full length musical play, retelling the story of the Prodigal Son in a contemporary setting. It requires a cast of about 22 people. We require talented, passionate male and female actors The play has a young person theme (the Prodigal) but is cast for people of all ages.
Supporting roles can be cast for male and female from (approx) 25-55 or older.
We also require Production Team help for music, choreographer, tech, set and prop development, and some other volunteers who love the performing arts!
Please help get the word out about this inspirational production! If YOU or anyone in your circle are interested in getting involved – ON STAGE or IN PRODUCTION - please email me or Rebekah Frenkel at: rpfrenkel@cox.net
Ways you can help us get up and running:
- Come join the fun yourself!
- Refer talented people from your church or community young adult group or drama team
- Put some of this information in your church bulletin
- Talk to friends and others who love the performing arts
- Forward this email to people who might be interested and encourage them to contact us
