15 Years Ago Today

It was Spring Break my Junior year in High School. I was with my church youth group traveling back from Florida on a charter bus. somebody was listening to the radio on their walkman and told everybody.

"Kurt Cobain is dead. They found him with a shotgun. It looks like he shot himself."

Obviously, many would say this event does not merit the "Where were you when..." type of memory that goes with events like JFK's assassination, Columbine, 9/11, etc. Oddly enough, in many ways, Cobain's death was one of the most significant moments for Generation X.

Name Yourself Day

I found out today is a special holiday while watching Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN2. From the website Holiday Insights...

Name Yourself Day

When : Always April 9th
Name Yourself Day is your chance to give yourself whatever name you'd like...for a day. If you like your name, then change your name for just today. If you don't like your name, use today to select a new name for life!
Participating in Name Yourself Day is simple and easy. Go ahead, give it a try. Change your first, or middle, or last name. Or, change them all. Give yourself a cool and catchy nickname. Once you've selected your name, you've gotta communicate it to all of your family and friends. This could prove to be the hard part. It will likely take time for your new name to catch on.

Note: Name Yourself Day is not the same as Middle Name Pride Day.

Origin of "Name Yourself Day": Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day.

I would like to announce that today my name is Aragorn Jack-Bauer Prenkert.

I asked Katylynn what she would like her name to be, she will be going by the name Ninnie No-No Prenkert.
(Ninnie is how she Minnie Mouse's name).

Come on, join the fun... what is your name today?

Who Made Who?

Today, a little thought running through my head...

"Does God exist for me (a), or do I exist for God (b)."

I think I trip up in my life most often when I live by (a).
I think I find myself at my healthiest when I live by (b)

Things that don't make sense when living by (a) bring questions and frustration.
Things that don't make sense when living by (b) bring a mystery and wonder to my questions.

It seems like life would be filled with more obligation when living with (b), but I'm finding that to not be the case. I actually believe living by (b) brings a greater sense of freedom.

This may seem too obvious, but (a) mentality is "me-driven" while (b) mentality is "He-Driven". I like (b) better.

The Gathering of the Geeks

This Spring Break week, we are doing a few gatherings for Junior and Senior High students who are still in the area. This is the one I'm most excited about. It's been something talked about often among NMC students, and it is finally happening.

(EXTENDED EDITION) MOVIE MARATHON.
-All three movies, back to back.

Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m. - The Council pulls together at Rivendell (a.k.a. the NMC Fieldhouse)
- 2nd Breakfast to be provided (a.k.a. donuts)
- Viewing guidelines will be agreed upon.
10:30 - Fellowship of the Ring Viewing Begins

Lembas Bread available at lunchtime (a.k.a Pizza to non-Elvish folk)

2:20 p.m. (approx.) - Two Towers Viewing Begins

6:10 (approx.) - Dinner Break. Suggested Dining is the at The Prancing Pony (a.k.a. La Fogata)

7:30 - Return of the King Viewing Begins

12:00 a.m. - A Moment of Silence.

12:02 a.m. - The Fellowship Parts

What to Bring:

• Your own seating (any type of seating is welcome, you're responsible to get it there and get it out).
• Any snacks or drinks you'd like (soda and candy available for purchase)
• $5 for lunch, and money for Supper (on your own)
• Feel free to invite any Senior High Guys interested in coming.
• NOT FOR THE WEAK AT HEART. ONLY COME IF YOU PLAN TO WATCH THE MOVIES. THIS IS NOT GAME/BASKETBALL/DODGEBALL/ETC.

Sorry Ladies. This is a GUYS ONLY EVENT. If you are a High School guy or older, and interested in coming, let me know.

Cue "The Office" Theme Song

Vance refrigeration. Cracks me up every time I pass it.

Death and Taxes

"In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."

-Ben Franklin

This little statement has taken on a new meaning for me this year. A yearly tradition for my dad and I was sitting down together to do my taxes. As I started, I sent out this Twitter/Facebook update:
Working on my taxes for the first time without my dad. As if either of those realities didn't suck enough, they're combined tonight.
So, at 5:30, I headed up to my mom's store, sat at the computer my dad would use to figure it all up, and went to work. As terrible as I thought it would be, it was actually very enjoyable. I'm sure it helped that we have a nice return coming to us (thank you Katylynn... adoption is a HUGE tax break!), but I think it was a great way to remember and rejoice in what an awesome dad I've been blessed with.

• For the past 10 years, he did this for me. For 6 of those years, he did it without a computer program. He did it, as much of what he did, without complaint or frustration or expecting anything in return.
  
• Everything on the tax program he used was in incredible order. We had never once talked about what I would do if something happened to him, but it was set up perfectly for me to pick up and run with it.
• He had prepped me to use the program much better than I realized. He subtly had taught me the ins and outs of figuring up things as he explained how to enter the figures and deductions in.

Oddly enough, two wrongs made a right for me last night. It was good for me.

Friday 5: Thoughts on Jay Cutler Trade

The Denver Broncos traded QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for 2 First round draft picks and Kyle Orton. I'm a Colts fan through and through. I enjoy seeing the Bears succeed, yet I also greatly enjoy seeing Bears fans emotionally crushed... quite paradoxical and very unpastorly of me, I know.

So here are 5 somewhat paradoxical thoughts on the Jay Cutler trade:

1. Considering the Bears history with QBs, this could honestly already be the best QB they've ever had without him playing a single down. Kyle Orton looked really good last year and I have a feeling he will do well in Denver... I think he'll have a better statistical season than Jay Cutler.
   
2. Two first round draft picks is a lot for any stud. I'd say it's absolutely ridiculous for any team to do as you are killing yourself for the future. Consider the Bears 1st round draft history, and this is the most brilliant thing they've ever done. (note: Matt Forte was a 2nd round pick last year).
3. Cutler is an elite stud QB. He's exactly what many Bears fans have been dreaming about for years. The Bears love the non-prima donna, bring your lunch to work, no-nonsense guy. Cutler shows signs quite the opposite. The one player from the past who went against this mold is Jim McMahon. Is Cutler a McMahon?
4. Cutler's has a gun for an arm. The passing game should take a huge step up. Who's he going to throw too? Can Devin Hester catch the ball? His best receiver is his Running Back.
5. Cutler has diabetes. I really want him to succeed as a fellow diabetic. Cutler has shown signs of a whiny pathetic attitude. I really want him to flounder to show that charicter counts.
   

Spring Break and a Recession

Tonight I asked how many students aren't going anywhere for Spring Break...

At least 80% of the kids raised their hands. In past years, when I would ask that the Wednesday before Spring Break, maybe 30% would raise their hands. Our kids classically travel with family over Spring Break.

Not as much this year.

We're doing a few random social-type events (Hacienda Lunch, Open Gym, Lord of the Rings Marathon) in light of more people being around next week. Times to build relationship.

Slumdog Millionaire - A Rewatch and a Rant on Viewing Attitudes

I've said the Slumdog Millionaire is the best movie I've seen in the past few years, and easily ranks in my top 5 all-time.

I watched it by myself in the theater, so we rented it last night for Janelle's viewing pleasure and I joined in. It was still fantastic viewing the 2nd time through.

It's a tough movie to watch in sections due to some violent sequences involving kids. Why I would encourage a traditionally "R" audience (age 17 and up) to watch it is due to the fact that, although it is not a true story, the issues facing many children on the streets of India's massive cities are very real.

As I watched the movie, I found myself considering the manner at which I go into my viewing of entertainment. I can think of 3 possible attitudes I will take...

1. Blind Entertainment - Turn my brain off. Get lost in the movie, tv show, or song. Laugh, cheer, cry, and enjoy the story, song, or pictures unfolding before me.
2. Sin Conscious - The constant questioning of, "Should I be watching or listening to this? Is this truly something that I should be finding entertainment in?" This is the "garbage in/garbage out" mentality.
   
3. Student - I'm listening or watching for the redemptive moments. I'm educating myself on a genre, topic or popular trend that can make me more "aware". I'm looking for moments or situations that could generate conversation.

Now, you may think I'm going to say there is one way to go, but I think all three attitudes have validity. I have to be cautious when taking the #1 attitude. I personally feel I can only take this attitude when I have a high level of confidence that what I'm taking in has alot of the stuff Philippians 4:8 talks about. I find myself taking this attitude on re-watches most often.

The #2 (stop for a potty humor reference...) attitude is what I was taught growing up (especially in church). It was a good thing to be taught. Media has significant influence on us. There are lies laced all through the messages overtly and covertly. There is sin depicted on screens and in song that a follower Christ really needs to just avoid. I personally avoid any movie that contains strong sexuality/nudity in it, because I want to guard my heart against seeing women as an object, and I want to honor what was meant to be enjoyed in a married couple. But, if it was all I was taught, it would be incomplete though. I RARELY (the times I do watch are very much due to #3 attitude) watch the horror movies that will rejoice in and take lightly the spiritual realm. Like I said, this is a good approach, but if left to itself, it's incomplete. If I watch or listen to something depicting sin, I am not necessarily sinning (if it was sin, I shouldn't read the Bible).

This is where #3 comes in. Entertainment is not just "entertainment" when taking on this attitude. It is something more. It is looking at art and seeing it's message. It's considering how the echoes of our creators voice are resonating through a storyline. It may even take on a worshipful approach. But the ultimate goal is not simply entertainment... it's something more... education, illustration or inspiration are just a few things that one can pull out.


It's very possible to take an element of all 3 attitudes together when listening or watching. but what's your primary attitude in entertainment? If it's solely #1, you'd be wisest to put attitude #2 into action before partaking. If it's Solely #2, you probably have guarded yourself well against becoming "of the world", but you may be missing out on some great opportunities to engage in this world for the sake of the Kingdom.
If it's solely #3, lighten up every once in while! Laugh a little and enjoy. There are seasons you know...