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What You Don’t Know About Marriage [TED video]

Jeremy
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1
What You Don’t Know About Marriage [TED video]

Even though this video’s tone about marriage is fairly sarcastic and snarky (and possibly offensive for some), it is pretty culturally accurate.

What do you think?

TED talk description:

In this funny, casual talk from TEDx, writer Jenna McCarthy shares surprising research on how marriages (especially happy marriages) really work. One tip: Do not try to win an Oscar for best actress.

source TED
source YouTube

**I’m not trying to offend anyone with the use of some choice words in the video above. There are some things we have to take with a grain of salt as we parse, critique and engage culture. Hopefully we can do this wisely and in community.**

“You Can’t Make Me”

Jeremy
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8
“You Can’t Make Me”

Sari and Macie were both given ring pops by their daycare providers the other day. Nothing unusual. They typically get a “treat” at the end of the week if they have been good.

Usually I slip these weekly treats in my pocket before the girls see them so they don’t whine and fuss over them before dinner, but this time I let them take them and place them in their pockets.

As we were pulling out of the driveway, Sari is pondering in her seat staring at the packaged ring pop:

“Dad, I can’t stop thinking about this ring pop.”

“That’s okay,” I said. “I can hold the ring pop for you so you don’t have to think about it or worry about it.”

“But Dad, you can’t make me stop thinking about it!”

It frustrated me at the moment because she is right… I can’t really make her do anything. Sure I can still (for the time being) pick her up and force her (because she is still small enough), but it is only obedience on the outside and not obedience on the inside.

I realized at that moment that Sari is now wise to her will and she is testing pitting that will against another’s will (mine). I realized that Amanda and I are going to have to start “training” Sari’s will instead of just controlling it.

Parenting is about to get even more interesting!

Ananias and Sapphira

Jeremy
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2

Things have been going well for the young church Jesus started and the Holy Spirit was empowering. Even though Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin and told to stop it, things were relatively serene for this young movement.

Until a married couple named Ananias and Sapphira attempt to lie about what they sold their property for. They both end up dying, and a “great fear” swept the church.

Furthermore, more and more miracles via the Holy Spirit were occurring which caught the attention of the ruling council (the Sanhedrin) again. Through an interesting series of events, the disciples ended up being flogged and told not to speak about Jesus again. To which the disciples were overjoyed because they suffered for the sake of Jesus Christ.

“We must obey God rather than men,” is what they said! Incredible.

The young movement dubbed “The Way” is experiencing a little persecution… however, this is nothing compared to what is to come…

Ananias and Sapphira [y3_w29]

Story Lesson (453kb, pdf)
Audio File (14.86mb, mp3)
Video Link (3.18.12 @ vimeo.com)
Video Link (3.22.09 @ vimeo.com)

Conception to Birth Visualized TED Video

Jeremy
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4
Conception to Birth Visualized TED Video

Unbelievable! I’ve seen neat graphics and photographs of the different stages of prenatal development, but never an imaging video like this. Simply amazing!

My favorite part of the presentation was when the presenter said:

“…it is hard not to attribute divinity to it…”

Another quote:

“Even though I am a mathematician, I look at this with marvel: How do these instruction sets not make these mistakes as they build what is us?”

TED talk description: Image-maker Alexander Tsiaras shares a powerful medical visualization, showing human development from conception to birth and beyond.

source TED
source YouTube

5 Ways to Listen Better [TED video]

Jeremy
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2

Recently, Amanda and I have going through the Alpha Marriage course with our church. One of the sessions early on talked about “active listening.” In our increasingly loud and fast-paced culture, it’s difficult to actually listen to what your spouse (or anyone else) is saying sometimes!

It was a great session. So is this related TED video:

In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, “We are losing our listening.” In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening — to other people and the world around you.

source TED
source YouTube

29 Ways to Stay Creative [video]

Jeremy
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2

This is a helpful video that offers suggestions to keep our creative juices flowing…

HT Doug Fields
source YouTube

A Great Advertisement For Camping Ministry: The Power of Camp

Jeremy
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2

Summer Bible camp is a wonderful opportunity to spend an entire week with children and/or teenagers without outside distractions.

Just think, if you have Monday through Friday with your campers that equals about 60 waking hours with them. If you see your students at church EVERY week for an HOUR, then a focused week of summer Bible amp has more time than the whole Sunday School year!

An amazing opportunity!

HT Adam McLane

Is It About Winning? Or Maybe About Playing…?

Jeremy
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2

Everyone likes to win.

I like to win.

It feels great to beat a cocky middle schooler who thinks he’s the great air hockey player in the world!

However, when I really think about it… while I like to win, I really enjoy just playing.

As in the comic above, Calvin was at a loss for words once he completed his victory chant. He expected the feeling of winning to last longer or bring on a ticker-tape parade (or something). I wonder if the act of playing games is what is the most fun, rather than just the winning aspect of it.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not one who thinks everyone is a winner and there are no losers. We should not protect children from the realities of life too often. If games weren’t set up to have a winner and loser(s), then games would never end and it would be no fun playing anymore.

So while there should be winners and losers in games, I think we need to enjoy the art of playing games more than just emphasizing the end result.’

Funny, this might save you some face at the next high school basketball or hockey game!

What Happens in a Day on the Internet?

Jeremy
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1

Every year, the Internet grows and grows, both in interactivity and storage. We’ve looked at what happens in 60 seconds on the Internet as well as the vastness of the Internet back in 2010.

Below is an infographic on what happens in “A Day in the Internet”:

HT ChurchMag

WI Kids Camp 2012

Jeremy
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2

The new WI Kids Camp website is up and running!

http://www.wikidscamp.org

It’s got current information about the upcoming Kids Camp 2012 as well as lots of archived content.

I’m excited that Dave Dixon is speaking at Kids Camp this year! He’s been working on rope illustrations to go along with the Bible stories and Memory verses. We’ve been cooking up an entire camp’s worth of activities on the theme of ropes and knots. It should be fun!

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

Jeremy
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2

What if it was illegal to clean your room? I know… that would be so cool, wouldn’t it?!

But then someone came along and shared with you the Gospel of Being Clean, or the Gospel of Not Being a Slob. And you think: “Yeah, I want to clean my room.” But that lands you in jail for an illegal offense.

This situation is similar to the one Peter and John found themselves in, although the Gospel they were proclaiming has more far-reaching implication to all of life!

Peter and John got in trouble with the religious leaders of the day when they healed a man in the Temple and were preaching that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and you should follow Him. Even though they were told not to continue teaching and sharing about Jesus, Peter and John were overjoyed that they has suffered for Jesus like Jesus had suffered.

Did you get that? They were excited!! Interesting. This Jesus movement was unlike any the religious rulers of the day had encountered thus far. And we know, because we’ve got 2,000 years of church history to look over, but persecuting them would only fuel their fire all the more!!

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin [y3_w28]

Story Lesson (272.74kb, pdf)
Audio File (10.12mb, mp3)
Video Link (3.11.12 @ vimeo.com)
Video Link (3.15.09 @ vimeo.com)

Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

Jeremy
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0

So the promised Holy Spirit had arrived, and with it had come the power of tongues–the ability to hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus in one’s own language (without a barrier). Amazing.

Along with the gift of tongues came the power of healing that Peter soon discovered when he and John were walking into the Temple one afternoon to pray. A crippled man sitting by the Temple gate called Beautiful asked Peter and John for money. Peter said he didn’t have any money, but what he did have he would give, which was the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! And Peter said: “Walk.” And the man did! And not only did he walk, but he ran and jumped! Amazing!

Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar [y3_w27]

Story Lesson (216kb, pdf)
Audio File (9.33mb, mp3)
Video Link (3.4.12 @ vimeo.com)

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