The Big Move

This blog has moved:

http://www.michealfelker.com

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Nice Policin' Boys!

Last night's 8pm episode of The Simpsons, proved once again why I believe it is the smartest comedy on television. Originally airing last month, "Pranksta Rap" was a deftly written satire of how we look the other way instead tackeling hard issues and calling the truth truth. The episode guide describes this episode as,

Bart sneaks out of the house to attend a forbidden rap concert. When Marge and Homer discover he is missing, Bart fakes his own kidnapping to prevent being grounded. It is up to Springfield’s finest to save him. Of course, no one has any faith in bumbling police Chief Clancy Wiggum. Inspired by an apparition of Barney Fife, Wiggum vows to rescue Bart. Meanwhile, Bart is hiding out in Kirk Van Houten’s bachelor pad unbeknownst to Kirk. Wiggum cracks the case, Bart is rescued, and Kirk wrongfully goes to jail. Wiggum is promoted to Police Commissioner and Kirk becomes a lady’s man among the felon-loving singles of Springfield. Lisa searches for the truth and discovers that the kidnapping was all a hoax and everyone goes back as it was before.

Seems harmless enough. What the guide doesn't tell you is that everyone except Lisa is fine with the lie. When Bart, Homer, Wiggum, and Kirk are caught in their lies they... throw a party! Everything is ok. No lesson learned, no sappy music. Just Homer cannonballing into the pool.

In my humble opinion, the writers were criticizing the nations aparent indifference to the "truth" about the Iraq war. Although, I do not believe that we were lied to about the belief that Saddam had WMDs, I do believe that, in order to keep the status quo, no one has been held accountable for mistakes. I understand completely that I am an armchair commander at this point. I am thankful that we do live in a country where our leaders, for the most part, do look out for us. I just have a hollow feeling about the aftermath here in America. I pray that those in Iraq will come to love freedom. The elections were an amazing step forward. I know that wonderful things have happened but, does the end truly justify the means? Who knows, maybe I'm looking into the episode tooooooooo much.

I appreciate the writers of the Simpsons for tackeling the issue of truth and justice in such a great manner. It wasn't scathing but it was powerful. It caused me to think. Imagine that!

Times Up!

Well. it is 5:00pm on Easter Sunday and the clock is ticking away the last few precious hours I have for Spring Break. All in all, it was relaxing break. I did have a few bouts with my insonia but I used the extra hours to read instead of just tossing and turning. I spent a great deal of time studying the book of Galatians. As I chew on my thoughts, I'll post them here. Suffice to say, Galatians is good stuff. I think Paul's words were the cause of my sleepless nights. Another cause of my sleeplessness are some changes and thoughts that have been swirling around me. Please pray for me as I am seeking to better understand God's heart. (More to come)

Right now, I am in my office getting things ready for the coming week. It is rainy and I'm rockin' a little DMB. Good times, good times. On Friday, I am taking the Fellowship of Christian Students on a weekend retreat. We are going to be looking at the gifts that God gives us. It should be great.

On the Horizon:
The new Brian McLaren book, The Last Word and the Word after That : A Tale of Faith, Doubt, and a New Kind of Christianity, releases this Tuesday. It is the final chapter in the New Kind of Christian trilogy. I have been anticipating the book for a while now. Amazon don't fail me now!

I'm anxious to see if U2 posts their live shows on iTunes. We shall see as the Vertigo Tour kicks off this week on the west coast.

7 weeks til the summer

Have a great week everyone!
Peace,
Micheal

Jesus Called. He Wants His Students Back

My friend, Brian Brophy, just had his second article published on Youth Specialties' website. This aricle fully captures what it feels like to be in full-time student ministry. Brian has a heart for students and it shows. Great Job Bro!

Jesus Called. He Wants His Students Back

Hello, Hello!

"I got a ticket to Vertigo!"

On Saturday, my wife lovingly purchased a ticket for me to see U2 on Saturday October 29, 2005 @ 7:30 pm (CST) in Dallas, TX. I saw the boys in Dallas during the Elevation tour in 2001. They played Reunion Arena last time. The city has built the American Airlines Center since then and I am excited about seeing the concert in that venue.

In other U2 news: Congrats to Bono, the Edge, Larry, and Adam on being inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame last night. I saw a few clips on the news this morning. While giving the induction speech, Bruce Springsteen poked some fun at the mullet (The mullet was in rare form at Live Aid. Go out and get the concert for a gander). The full induction ceremony premieres on VH1 this Saturday.

Bringing the Issue Home

Both Jordon Cooper and Urban Onramps posted this video that startled me to my core. Landmines are no joking matter but unfortunately landmines are not seen as a problem by many westerners because we see them as mearly a thrid world problem. Shame on us. Watch the Video and then check out Stop Landmines.org. Do something that matters.

Urban Onramps
jordoncooper.com

Will We Share?

In mant towns in India, Daltis are not allowed to draw water from a well. They must go to the well to beg for a higher caste person to share, and often no one does. Hinduism tells them they are worthless, with no hope for change, and the caste system only reinforces these lies. So, when they hear the truth about God- that He loves them. He made them in His image, and that Jesus came to die so they could be with him- they are overcome. In John 4, Jesus breaks social taboos and drinks after the samaritian womanbat the well and then he offers her the living water, "A well of water springing up into everlasting life." At first, this may seem like a call for social justice and as followers of Christ we are commanded to look after the poor and weak, but in the end, it is a call to evangelism. We are bearers of the well that will never run dry.. Will we share the well?

This is taken from the liner notes of Share the Well the latest album from Caedmon's Call. Lately, I have felt a little dry. A little crusty. It takes a reminder like this to realize that in the midst of the desert I have access to the healing spring, Jesus Christ. Today's post is dedicated to those who feel like they can no longer press on; To those youth ministers and teachers who rarely (if ever) witness the fruits of their labor. Keep Sharing!!!

It Still Has Soul

As I have stated before: I am in love with my iPod. A few months ago, I pontificated my idea that my iPod "Knows" me. I (half jokingly) stated that my iPod can sense what is going on and plays the prefect song at just the right time. Well, yet again I was wrong. The folks over at Ask iPodLounge posted the following in their latest weekly Q&A. Enjoy.

"Q: I'm a 5th grader doing a science fair project: Is the iPod's shuffle mode truly random? Can you tell me if the iPod's shuffle feature uses random or pseudo-random number selection? Do you believe your iPod gets to 'know' what people like or dislike? - Paul

A: The iPod's shuffle mode works as follows: when you start playing music in this mode, the iPod shuffles all your tracks (much like a deck of cards) and creates an internal list for your library (or for a selected playlist, genre, artist, etc.). It then plays the songs in this order until it reaches the end of the list.

The next time you turn on shuffle mode, the iPod does the same thing. If you listen to 20 songs one day, then listen to another 20 songs the next day, it is possible that one or more of the first 20 songs will come up in the second set of 20. Random playback means that each time you start playing the iPod in shuffle mode the songs are mixed up; therefore, each song has an equal probability of coming first in the list, second, third, and so on.

There is a difference between this shuffle mode and true random playback, however. The shuffle mode creates a list of songs and plays them in that order; random playback would give each song an equal probability of coming up next, which would lead to some songs coming up several times in continuous play.

As long as you keep your iPod playing in shuffle mode (without syncing it, playing other albums or playlists, or doing something that stops the shuffle play), you'll hear every song on your iPod once, and only once, until it gets to the end of the list.

And, no, your iPod probably doesn't get to know what you like, unless you use the rating feature or an iTunes Smart Playlist based on your most frequently played songs."

Oh well, I guy can still pretend can't he?
Link

Church Marketing Sucks

A few weeks ago, a ministry buddy and I were talking about the "next" ministry position churches will begin to hire. We were discussing media ministry and he said to me, "Mark my words, the next ministry position will be a person with a design degree whose job it is to advertise." Billboards, interactive web sites, outreach events, magazine ads, these types of things. We laughed because, right now, we do such a poor job of relaying our info to the masses. Our first contact, for better or worse, is often in some sort of print or media outlet. Those who are in charge of these ventures do not fully understand how important these forms of communication are to those who we are trying to reach. Apparently, others share in our frustrations. I stumbled across Church Marketing Sucks today. According to their site, "This isn't simply about putting butts in pews or selling glossy postcards. It's about helping the church be the Church, and seeing lives changed as a result. If helping the church communicate better allows one person to finally glimpse the Gospel, then our work has been worthwhile." Give it a good look around.

Church Marketing Sucks
Via

3rd Time's the Charm

The 3rd leg of the "Vertigo" Tour were annouced today. Below is the listing from @U2.

U2 has announced the dates and cities it will play when the Vertigo Tour returns to North America this fall for its 3rd leg. The 3rd leg will begin in Toronto in mid-September and continue almost until Christmas with a final show in Portland.

September 12: Toronto, Air Canada Centre
September 14: Toronto, Air Canada Centre
September 20: Chicago, United Center
September 21: Chicago, United Center
September 23: Minneapolis, Target Center
September 25: Milwaukee, Bradley Center

October 3: Boston, Fleet Center
October 4: Boston, Fleet Center
October 7: New York, Madison Square Garden
October 8: New York, Madison Square Garden
October 10: New York, Madison Square Garden
October 16: Philadelphia, Wachovia Center
October 17: Philadelphia, Wachovia Center
October 19: Washington, DC, MCI Center
October 20: Washington, DC, MCI Center
October 22: Pittsburgh, Mellon Arena
October 24: Detroit, Palace of Auburn Hills
October 28: Houston, Toyota Center
October 29: Dallas, American Airlines Arena

November 1: Los Angeles, Staples Center
November 2: Los Angeles, Staples Center
November 13: Miami, American Airlines Arena
November 16: Tampa, St. Pete Times Forum
November 18: Atlanta, Philips Arena
November 25: Ottawa, Corel Centre
November 26: Montreal, Bell Centre

December 7: Hartford, Civic Center
December 9: Buffalo, HSBC Arena
December 10: Cleveland, Gund Arena
December 14: St. Louis, Savvis Center
December 15: Omaha, Qwest Center
December 17: Salt Lake City, Delta Center
December 19: Portland, Rose Garden

I am so stoked. It looks like Oct 29 and Nov 18 will be my widows of opportunity. More to come.

Fresh "Breath"

Good afternoon everyone! I felt the need to refurbish the site. I know it isn't a big change but I needed some new colors! I also updated the sidebar.

Check out Blood::Water Mission to see how you can help provide clean drinking water for african villages. The "1000 Wells Project" needs your help!

I updated the books that I am reading and what I'm currently listening to. Erwin Raphael McManus is the pastor for Mosaic in L.A. His last book, Uprising, was a great challenge to my faith jorney. I am excited about getting into this new one.

Direct from Houston, the Robbie Seay Band is a refreshing new indie/just signed band. I am completly digging the raw emotion on this album. Robbie Seay is the Worship Director at Ecclesia. Check out the band and the faith community.

That's about it for now. Have a great weekend.
Peace, Micheal