I began to think about some things I’d heard in church about how so many people today DON’T have access to clean water.  So I did a quick Google search and landed on Water.org.  Apparently, 1 billion people woke up today (and every day) without access to clean water. Woah.  I could easily take the #FirstWorldPains approach and complain about how inconvenienced I was this morning.  OR, I could do something about the larger problem of access to water in the world.  So, I started a fundraising campaign!  My modest goal is to raise enough money to give 12 people clean water FOR LIFE.  How much would that cost? Thousands? No. Only $300!  Many of us have spent more than that on electronics! That breaks down to $25 being all it takes to change a persons life.

I hope if you’re reading this and you appreciate being able to walk to a tap and turn on water to cook, drink, bathe, clean, play, or whatever… then you’ll visit my campaign page and contribute what you can.

Donate $25 to give someone Water for LIFE!

Step 1:

Click on “Edit Page” in the upper right hand corner.  This will take you to the “Manage Permissions” tab of the Edit screen.

Step 2:

You’ll see several options on the page.  Toward the middle of the page you’ll find “Default Landing Tab:” and by default it may be set to “Info” or “Wall”.  Click the drop-down menu here to get a list of all available tabs on your page.  Now select your custom page (or whatever page you choose) to be the default page visitors will see.  This setting only applies to visitors who who have not already ‘Liked’ your page or to visitors who are not logged into Facebook.

Finally, click “Save Changes” and you’re done!

The Default Landing Tab is a GREAT way to increase the exposure of your brand if you have done the work of customizing a tab.  This is my first Social Media tutorial and I plan to make more in the future.  If you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section and I’ll do my best to help you out or send you to where you can find help.

If you’re interested in having me build a custom page for you, check out my page on Facebook!

After uploading, an link appears in the standard information screen that allows you to go to a simple video editing interface.  There are tools for rotating the video, trimming the length, stabilization, contrast, fill light, color correction (color temperature), as well as an “I’m feeling lucky” button which I guess would auto apply the features (I didn’t try it). There are other tabs with audio options (to replace the entire audio track) and an “Effects” tab with visual effects like Sepia tone, black and white, and color effects from mild to wild.   The editing screen also features a side-by-side low-resolution preview of both the original video and a modified version based on what edits you have selected.

I was most impressed with the ability to see changes based on my selections almost instantly.   I don’t know how it works for longer videos, but for this one, a new preview was ready almost as soon as I clicked a button – even image stabilization!  And while the correction features are nuanced and overlap, the effects options only allow one effect at a time and has no adjustment options.  Overall, the experience was pleasant and gives me good reason to play with the feature more in the future.  In researching for this post I also discovered this.

Well, here’s the YouTube edited video.  I’m pretty happy with it but the stabilization seems to create some pretty trippy effects where the guitarist seems pretty steady but the microphone stand and everything around him seems to twist and distort in the renderings attempt to keep the frame ‘still’.

I’m one of the guest panelists for some authentic conversation about being single. There will be refreshments and a Q&A session. I hope to see a few familiar faces that night. Everyone is welcome and there’s no admission charge. I hope to see you there!

Details Here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188124591216399

Darren Calhoun is a creative professional and Christ-follower who approaches life with the perspective that life is about stories and relationships.

Darren’s story centers on being born and raised in Chicago. He’s a native south-sider who currently lives on the west side of Chicago in East Garfield Park. Darren has been engaged with various groups and activities in his 31 years of life. From leading youth retreats in Elementary and High School to founding a campus ministry and being ordained as a Lay Minister in college, and now participating with community organizing and social-justice initiatives, Darren has been engaged with serving others for more than 17 years.

Currently Darren is a member of Willow Creek Community Church and serves on the leadership team for the Arts Ministries at the Willow Chicago’s Downtown campus. Professionally, Darren helps nonprofits, businesses, artists, and individuals to effectively capture and communicate their stories using the media of photography, graphic design, and internet technology. Through his company, Quick Click Media, Darren helps to capture the very essence of what people do and why it matters in the world.

Darren’s personal story is also marked with the facing and overcoming the challenges of healing from relational and emotional brokenness, and even church abuse. Taking advantage of books, professional therapy, groups, and long talks with trusted friends, Darren has overcome great challenges. He’s positioned himself as a trusted resource for others who have or are struggling with addictive behaviors, unhealthy relationships, and self-esteem issues.

As Darren’s remarkable story continues to unfold his greatest joy is in seeking to glorify God by being a man of integrity in all he encounters both personally and professionally.

Check out the video from 1993 – I remember watching those videos and it seems that ALL of those technologies are in place and ‘normal’ now.

I also had Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes baked in Apple Cider, and grilled Pineapples.

Random. I know!

LINK: “Christian & Gay?” | Relevant Magazine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUlmNc_94ow

I love it when ANYTHING can happen at church… this was a pleasant and fun surprise!

I first heard this song a few weeks ago when Michael W. Smith came to Willow Creek to do a Concert / Service for Labor Day weekend.  Before sharing the song, Smith shared with us some insight as to what prompted him to write the piece.  I remember being quite moved and encouraged because I feel that too often church has become a place where perfect problem-less people come together and praise God.  It felt good to know that Smith realized he may receive some flack about the song, but that he felt that Willow Creek was a place where the song would be well received.

In recent weeks the news has seemed to overflow with stories of young people committing suicide, church leaders standing accused of moral and ethical misconduct, and other stories of gross injustice.  I’ve been disheartened to hear people in the media being referenced as Christians but unable to offer more than short-sighted, shallow, and super-spiritualized responses to these situations.  I’m not advocating that Christians should have all the answers… I am saying that we as a body need to come a LONG way when it comes to authenticity about the human experience.  There are staggering numbers of people hurting inside and outside of the church and it is my hope that we grow a sincere compassion -to suffer with- those who are hurting and to offer the hope that is our Gospel.

The topic of this song is a heavy one – abuse.  Check it out and share any thoughts in the comment section. (Lyrics below)

LEAVE by Michael W. Smith

Daddy’s on the sofa, turning up another bottle to unleash when I get home
I pretend he doesn’t hit me
Momma just pretends that she don’t know.

I used to think of talking
Talking to my preacher
He says I should just forgive and forget.
Now my baby brother just sits and recollects the same regrets.

And I just wanna leave
Oh, God, please help me now, I wanna leave.

As if that’s not enough
We’re the new family around here
Guess that’s all the reason some kids need
‘Cause they all call me names, and say I should just take it on the chin.

If I’m overreacting, then why is it so cold here
Why is it so cold here, in this hell
Why would my friend Suzy
Tell me I should just go kill myself?

And I just wanna leave
Oh, God, please help me now, I wanna leave
And I, I just wanna leave
Oh, God, please help me now, I wanna leave

Oh, I wanna get out of here
Oh, God, help me now, I really wanna leave,

(oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, ooh)

And I, just wanna leave
Oh, God, please help me now, I wanna leave
Oh, but I, I just wanna believe
Oh, God, please hear me now, I wanna believe
I just need to know, that You’re really out there
Tell me if You’re really out there, ’cause I believe.

Brandon Heath wrote a song called “Give Me Your Eyes,” and white people loved it. Since the Christian church in America is very, very segregated– there’s the white church and the black church, and rarely do they blend together– there is now a black version of “Give Me Your Eyes” by the group Joshua’s Troop; I saw the video on BET. – Mark Weber

Full Blog Article: Brandon Heath for whites; Joshua’s Troop for blacks « Mark Weber Music Blog.

There is a trend happening and I think it is happening quietly because many people don’t spend time listening to anything from artists who don’t look like them.

I’ve observed songs that have been popular for years in (white) Christian Music  suddenly becoming “new hits” in (black) Gospel Music arenas.  “Breathe”, “Let It Rain”, and “God Is Here” just to name a few.  While it’s nothing new for a Christian song to be covered (almost endlessly – “How Great Is Our God”) there is such a cultural disconnect that people don’t know a song exists until it’s been re-recorded by their favorite artist.

In the same way, at my church — which is diverse but mostly white) we’ve done Contemporary Gospel songs that have been hits for YEARS (by artists like Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, and Kirk Franklin) and it never fails that people come asking about that “new song” and give a blank stare when you mention the artist.

I’m African-American and was previously in an all black church.  More than 10 years ago I branched out into what my friends then called “white people music”– referring to Contemporary Christian Music and Worship songs– after growing discontent with the Gospel Music I’d been listening to at the time.

What has been interesting to see is the gradual change in the black Gospel Music scene as “Praise and Worship” has become more popular.  It seems to have been pushed into the mainstream by groups like Shekinah Glory (“Praise Is What I Do”) and others.  What I note most often is that only the choruses of some of these songs make it in to the re-recordings like “We Fall Down (But We Get Up)” and yes the favorite… “How Great Is Our God” with 3 lead vocalists and no verses!

So what are your thoughts and what trends have you seen?

Update: 9/24/2010 – title edited to add “racially”  distinguish what kind of segregation the article talks about.

Lyrics

Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

Verse 1:
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I’m longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away

Verse 2:
Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands

Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

Chorus:
I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

I give myself away
I give myself away
So You can use me

Bridge(7X):
My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you

Photo By B. Clark ©2010

Luke 14:25-33 – The Cost of Discipleship

Yesterday I had this passage reintroduced to me in a way that has challenged me to the core.  The backdrop of this message is Jesus speaking to the crowds about what it really costs to follow him.  He gives several examples of people who wisely count the cost of an effort (a builder building a tower or a king going to war) to be sure that they can see it through to completion.

In the season of life I’m in right now, I’ve often questioned if many of the things that I hope for are worth the effort under my current circumstances.  I love my church, family, and friends but I’ve been overwhelmed with what it takes to support and participate in these relationships for various reasons that I won’t dig too deeply into right now.  The point is that I’d grown weary – and didn’t know if I had the strength to go on to completion.

Then the reminder comes: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” –John 6:44 and the verse from Luke shines in a new light.  The preacher shared with us that some scholars have interpreted that passage to also say that God has counted the cost of making us disciples of Christ and determined that we had what it takes to see that calling to completion – not by our own efforts, but by faith through grace.  For me, what was beginning to seem like an option that was too costly to pursue suddenly becomes the only option worth living for.  While it doesn’t make the effort easier, I realize that someone greater than me is believing in me and cheering me on.

¹Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ²Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Lord, thank you for believing in me… for standing by and cheering me on… and for giving me a community of believers who are pursuing your high calling as well.  — Amen

Photo: Jon Klinepeter - by S. Bailey © 2010

On Sunday, August 15, 2010 – my church,  Willow Chicago welcomed our new Campus Pastor, Jon Klinepeter and his family.  Below are bits of the message he shared with our congregation on Sunday.

---

The Kingdom of God is not just a future certainty but a present reality.

When we align ourselves with the love of Jesus – we are aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of God.

Every time there was a societal or religious margin that told someone they didn’t belong, Jesus went beyond it. Jesus’ love knew no margin based on background, ethnicity, sin choices… Jesus never met anyone who was beyond his love. There wasn’t a margin that Jesus wouldn’t crash through to show his love for someone.

Love breaks the rules and is somewhat unapologetic about it. It says to religious and social rules “I don’t care!” Choosing the Kingdom of God makes us appear foolish, child-like, dangerous, and unwise. How naïve and crazy Jesus must have looked and felt on the cross.

I want other churches to think we are crazy… because I don’t care what other churches think of us.

If the lost in this city think that we are amazing at loving -then we are living out what God has for us.  If the poor and broken in this city know that our love is not just theoretical in prayer, but is tangible in action, then we are arriving at what God has for us. If the gay community in this city feels first our Love, then we are arriving at the kind of community that God has for us.

To the outcasts, the single moms, the people who are told they don’t matter, the people who live in neighborhoods where they are told that the color of their skin defines what they will ever be, we’re not going to just reach a hand. We will step beyond the margins and embrace them in our Kingdom of Love.

We break all the rules… especially the religious ones. We will infuse the sacrificial love of Jesus into our city.
–Jon Klinepeter

---

I’m excited about the possibilities of how God will continue to use Willow Chicago.  I’ve only had a few brief conversations with him, but already I see he has a great heart for compassion and reconciliation that is bold and authentic.   If you would like to check out the audio of the full message it can be downloaded or streamed here: The Kingdom of God