Mark's Blog

One Napkin Revolution Update

2008-05-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

Many of you know I recently resolved to waste less by using only one napkin when I go out to eat, I call this the One Napkin Revolution. (see past blog posts for details)

I've done fairly well except for a few instances where the napkins were ... uh .. paper thin. So I had to use a couple extra.

The revolution has caught on .. and some of you have even talked to me about it at PlanetWisdom. Here's a note from Ali (pictured with me above) who brought One Napkin Revolution signs to PlanetWisdom in Southern California.

While I'm glad she is joining me in wasting less, I'm really excited about what God is doing in her life. I'll share some of her letter.

Hi Mark. My name is Ali and my church and I came to Planet Wisdom this past weekend.
I LOVED IT. The message was amazingly motivational. My friend and I had a very deep conversation about when God's plan for us is going to come and practically everything you talked about with molding us into the Christians we want to be. But I'm also the girl who was sitting in the front row holding the bright pink posters saying "Save a Tree Use OneNapkin." and you told me to send the pic we took to you so I am doing that. =]

Your blogs are where i go to when i want to read something funny yet serious. And this weekend i felt as if i could relate to you about being the odd one out and not dating and having your friends talk about their boyfriends and girlfriends and you kinda showed me how to deal with that. And most of all... You have me wanting to become a christian motivational [or what ever you call what you doo =) ]] speaker. and i want to THANK YOU for this.

I WILL BECOME MORE..

wait..

I AMMM BECOMING MORE.

Ali
p.s.--- i was holding the poster upside down. =/

Great stuff Ali! I am excited God is at work in your life helping you become more!

Got a story to share or a question you would like me to answer on my blog? Send it to me!

Mark

How Many Do You Have?

2008-05-06T01:15:00.000-05:00

I was cleaning up my office today and realized that I have a ton of Bibles (pictured are some of my Bibles, there are two shelves full of Bibles not pictured!).

How many Bibles do you have in your home?

While in Mexico filming a video about Bible translation (see below) we met a women who came to church and didn't bring a Bible. She didn't leave it at home, and it wasn't that she didn't care. She didn't have her Bible because there wasn't one in her language.

It is alarming to realize that with so many Bibles on our shelves there are people in the world today without any scripture in their language. When I ask students in America how often they read the Bible they shamefully admit they don't read it much. In fact, the students who come to my house on Wednesday night for Bible study rarely bring one of their many Bibles with them.

Take a look at your church's lost and found. What will the number one item there be found? Probably Bibles!

I'm not trying to lay a guilt trip on you (ok ... maybe a little one), but there are 2,251 languages in the world today that need a translation because none exist. Those languages represent hundreds of millions of people! Clearly, we have been blessed to have God's word, but what use is it if we don't put it to use?

Think about the amazing gift of scripture. Reminds me of Psalm 199:97-100

Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

Last week Wes Peterson and I were in Orlando for a conference and drove by the Crown Plaza hotel where we had once discussed Bible translation. We realized that it had been three years ago that God birthed a vision to connect students to Bible translation through a program we helped launch called One Verse. Go check out their website, you can help sponsor verses of scripture so they can be translated into the languages of people who don't have them. A pretty cool way to change the world! (see the video below of some students in the UK doing just that!) Wycliffe's The Seed Company facilitates the sophisticated partnerships it takes to accomplish a Bible's translation.

So where is your Bible? Have you read it today? For half hundreds of millions of people, they don't even have one to read. Think about that.

Mark

PS. Here are some videos we made in Mexico and England about OneVerse when it launched in 2006. Students at PlanetWisdom have helped partner with Bible translators from Mexico and others to complete much of the New Testament for a language group in Mexico. Good work everyone!

Expelled!

2008-05-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

Today I went to see Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed with some friends. For those of you who aren't familiar with this movie it is a documentary exploring why academia is prohibiting the theory of Intelligent Design from being discussed as a legitimate theory of life's origin.

Expelled, was much better than I thought it would be. Ben Stein raises more questions than he could possibly answer in the given time, but for this intro dialog I think that is okay.

Expelled is really about preserving "Freedom of Thought" more than defending Intelligent Design. Die hard evolutionists won't be swayed, and Christians looking to understand ID won't get much info, but for the majority of Americans who have simply assumed Evolution as a theory of origin because of their public education, it may cause them think twice about whether they were taught the full story.

A common attack from atheism and evolutionists is that religion is the root of evil in our world. Atheists point to the Inquisitions and holy wars as evidence. Ben Stein points out that succumbing to Darwinian theory has also led to societal atrocities (i.e. Nazi Germany). While I was at first not sure this was the right way for the film makers to go, when I realized the movie was really about freedom of thought rather than ID alone, I decided it was an important point to make.

Our ability to put out any idea, no matter how ridiculous and think it through is central to American and Christian thought. Here is an excerpt from Smart Faith a book I wrote with philosopher JP Moreland, that shows the unique nature of reason in God's dealings with mankind.

God is a God of reason. We know this because of the character and actions of God described in the Bible. The Bible teaches, for example, that God’s unique attributes include omniscience: He is perfect in knowledge and knows everything (see 1 Samuel 23:11-13; Job 37:16; 1 John 3:20). The Bible also describes Him as the only ‘wise God’ (Romans 16:27), the God of truth who cannot lie (see Titus 1:2), and completely reliable (see Romans 3:4; Hebrews 6:18). God’s very word is true (see John 17:17), and His church — not the university — is the pillar and support of the truth (see 1 Timothy 3:15). Most amazing of all, the God of the Bible invites His creatures to come and reason with Him (see Isaiah 1:18) by bringing a legally reasoned case against His actions to which He will respond (see Ecclesiastes 6:10; Jeremiah 12:1; 20:12).

Compare this portrait of God with what we know of other gods. With Islam, we have a god who is so transcendent that he is beyond understanding. The Greek gods and the gods of other polytheistic (having many gods) religions such as Hinduism are fickle, are swayed by their emotions, and act inconsistently. The God of the Bible never changes (see James 1:17), requires teachers who diligently study His Word and handle it accurately (see 1 Timothy 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15), and requires His evangelists to be able to give a rational justification for what they believe to all who ask (see 1 Peter 3:15).

With monistic (reality consisting of a single element) religions of the East, we are offered meditations — like the sound of one hand clapping — to escape logical thought. … The Buddhist is to leave her mind behind, but God asks that the Christian to be transformed by the renewing of her mind (see Romans 12:1-2).

No wonder Christians started the first universities and have planted schools and colleges wherever missionaries have gone. No wonder science began in Christian Europe — after all, the same rational God who made the rational human mind also created the rational world so the mind would be suited to figure out the world’s structure.

God created you to be a follower of Christ with your mind turned on and tuned in to the life He made for you. This does not mean God loves academics and scholars more than He loves other people. … But if virtues mirror our God of perfection, then ignorance is not a Christian virtue.

Expelled made many claims and assumptions that my limited knowledge of science and certain events could not verify (and the movie didn't really do much to verify them either). So you may need to do some homework before using some of their arguments in the real world.

Final Remark: Expelled is an excellent discussion starter about some important issues, but it is a beginning not an end.

Mark

For the planetwisdom.com thorough review click here

Have you seen the movie? Will you? What do you think about this issue?

Learning To Levitate

2008-04-30T17:01:00.000-05:00

I've been working in Hollywood with my friend Don Wayne on some new illusions for next season's PlanetWisdom tour.

One of the pieces I've been working on is a levitation I hope to do on stage in front of everyone. This video isn't the completed piece, but shows a part of it ... we filmed this in the living room and tried to make it as easy to see as possible ... Here is a sneak peak.

The theme next year will center around "Avoiding Stupidity", which will explore how we apply God's wisdom to our lives. Wisdom in Hebrew (hokema) literally means skill or expertise. In the book of Exodus it refers to Pharoah's magicians, but for God's people it refers to skill at living life.

Let me know what you think. Nobody wants to be a fool, next year's PlanetWisdom will try to help you from becoming one.

While you wait for next year's PlanetWisdom, my new series "Wisdom On..." has some helpful ideas too.

Mark

World's Worst Logo Contest

2008-04-28T22:22:00.000-05:00

For nearly 15 years.. yes .. since I've been married... I have driven Jade (my wife) crazy by complaining about the Sherman Williams' logo any time I see it. If you have no idea what it looks like here it is ... have a gander:

Isn't it awful? I can't think of anything more unappealing than a can of paint being poured over the Earth. Every time I see the logo I have a nauseating emotional reaction like the main character in William Gibson's book "Patter Recognition". (and I'm not really an emotional guy, I'm much more rational.. to a fault some would say.)

The image is appalling. Who wants the natural beauty of God's creation covered with exterior latex? Even if you mix up the finishes with semi-gloss, eggshell, and gloss it's still an awful idea.

And then there's the slogan, "Cover the Earth" ! WHY?! Why would anyone want to do that?

The goal to cover the earth with paint sounds like a plot by one of Batman's nemesis from the campy kitschy television program. Maybe a villain with a name like PaintLord , Demi-Gloss, or PaintRoller Meister!

I see Batman and Robin hanging over a big vat of paint (in an abandoned paint factory no less!) wiggling to escape before the Paint Meister's scheme is carried out. Robin cries out, "Holy Gallons Of Semi-Gloss Batman! If that huge paint can in outer space makes it to its destination they'll cover the earth!"

We are now living in the age of GREEN living and marketing. Sherman Williams, I'm sure you're good people. But PLEASE change your logo!

Okay Blog friends .. here is your assignment. Can you find a logo worse than Sherman Williams? If you do send it to me, If I think it's worse I'll send you some PlanetWisdom gear!

Mark

updated: Wow I'm getting emailed a ton of logos ... some of them real doozies!

This Blood's For You

2008-04-22T13:53:00.000-05:00

My wife came home after a meeting at our kid's school and asked if I wanted to donate blood. I have never done this.

Usually I have been disqualified because of overseas travel, or a recent illness. Today, I had nothing hindering me. Because of my grandfather's heart transplant, I carry an organ donor card. Since I have to be dead to contribute an organ, the blood drive seemed like a good thing to do now.

I got a little faint and dizzy at the end, blacking out a little bit, which made me look like a wuss in front of the moms giving blood. Women have always seemed to have more endurance than men, or at least, me.

Someone asked if I would give blood again, and I said "yes" (I even have a frequent donor card now). Giving my blood once, isn't enough, there will always be a need for more.

Jesus' blood on the other hand, cleanses us once and for all. He never has to give again and again. Today, reminding me of that.

Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

I'm saying a prayer for the person who might have to use my blood, not only that they will be healed, but also that they might come to know Christ whose blood can do so much more for their life.

Mark

Interactive Video Sneak Preview #1

2008-04-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

We are working on the 2008-2009 PlanetWisdom Season. We've made a couple of videos of me doing some interactive illusions, we'll post different ones over the next week. We'd like to get your feedback. These videos will only be up for a short time and then they will "vanish" as we tweak them and get them ready for mass distribution. Watch the video and leave your impressions in the comment area ... thanks!

The video has vanished! Stick around and we'll post another one soon!

CEOs and Office Hos (or what I missed in college)

2008-04-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

I read an article today in the WSJ on the sexual activity taking place on college campuses and how it keeps people from finding meaningful relationships.

"Now, in addition to all of the other coarse behavior on college campuses, students can look forward to parties with themes like "CEOs & Office Hos," "Golf Pros & Tennis Hos" and "Millionaires & Maids" at schools around the country. I'd be surprised if students haven't already added Politicians & Prostitutes to their list of weekend possibilities, with the Eliot Spitzer scandal fresh on their minds."

Donna Freitas writes that her research shows that most students do not appreciate this kind of activity on their college campus and are not satisfied with their own behavior when it comes to dating, romance and sex.

The article has alot of data in it, but it boils down to this: If a community does not support environments that promote meaningful connections with members of the opposite sex, we should not expect many people will find meaningful relationships on their own.

Sadly, we forget experiencing our true sexuality happens when we trust in the One who created sex and experience it as He intended . Yes, God is pro-sex.

Sometimes I think those of us in the church take for granted the teaching we have received on purity and the benefits it offers our lives. I was a virgin when I was married, and when I grew up we didn't have True Love Waits, purity pledges or jewelery. In fact we didn't talk much nearly as much about sex in my high school group as I do to the students that meet in my home Wednesday night. And even thought following god's plan for purity was hard, i admit my mind wasn't always pure regardless of what my body didn't do, I am really glad I followed that path. After 15 years of marriage I can say God knows what He is doing!

Freitas describes students in her course on modesty eating up books by Josh Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye) and Lauren Winner (Real Sex). These students who had never been presented with the concept of intentional purity were blown away that people really saved themselves, and they found these ideas refreshing (and somewhat unbelievable).

So for those of you who are tired of messages about waiting until you are married, remember that there are many who have never hear an encouraging word about the power of purity. They have never had anyone encourage them to be virtuous, and they admit to feeling "dirty," "used," "regretful," "empty," "miserable," "disgusted," "ashamed," "duped" and "abused". As youth workers we don't always present it right, but the wisdom of our sexuality presented in scripture is powerful.

Next time you are sharing about your faith, maybe we should also share the satisfaction we find in living a life of purity. Sometimes what we want, isn't what we need.

What do you think?

Mark

PS. For those of you who feel you've already gone too far, God's plan for purity includes you too! God's word not only shows us how to walk the right path, but also how to find the path again when we wander off. Don't feel you can't experience the life God offers, Jesus died for our imperfections and impurities because we can't do it on our own. Need help? Just ask

Extracting Wisdom From the Old

2008-04-07T14:49:00.000-05:00

It seems that American culture prefers the young to old. A flip around the television stations reveals this is true, and almost every commercial seems to trend toward the young.

What is more old people constantly try to look younger and often act younger than they are.

Parents try to do this too, they try to act younger by listening to their kids music, and wearing the latest clothes.

The tendency of adults to rip-off kids styles I think is what has led to alot of the more extreme clothing and music trends of the last five years. Kids are basically saying .. "Try and copy this!" by listening to and wearing things they think their parents will stay away from. Even If my theory isn't all correct, you can't deny, everyone loves being young in America.

So this article from Australia's Herald Sun caught my attention.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL Michael Jeffery has urged people to spend less time idolising youthful celebrities and look to the elderly for wisdom.
Major-General Jeffery, who retires this year, recommended in an interview published today that Australians put substance ahead of glamour.

"We have had too much of an emphasis on celebrity and that tends to be younger (people),'' he told News Limited.

"I think there is a lot of the glitz and the hero worship of so-called glamour as against substance, and that impacts on the respect for older people.

"I don't think we spend enough time extracting the wisdom of older people.''

Hmmm ... extracting wisdom from older people. Cool idea. How often do we actually spend time with people older than ourselves with this goal in mind? Wisdom is often learned from the pain and success of past experiences.

Why repeat or experience pain if we can learn from the pain of someone else?

Try extracting some wisdom from an old person today by asking for their advice or opinion on a matter that is important to you. Also, simply asking them what lessons they have learned that might benefit you, could help you think about some things you never thought of before.

Before Jade and I were married we asked couples who had been married over 30+ years for advice. And we asked in airports, parks, grocery stores, wherever! People were happy to share and we learned a ton!

Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

Now go extract some wisdom while you have strength.

Girls Gone Wild

2008-04-04T18:56:00.000-05:00

Here's an article I wrote for Ignite Your Faith Magazine, I've just been requested to do a radio show about this next Wednesday April 9th for Premiere Christian Radio in London. I'd love to get your feedback so I have more to talk about in the interview.

Mark

Girls Gone Wild

Why do famous young women like Paris, Britney, and Lindsey spiral so far out of control? by Mark Matlock

Q. Lindsey, Britney, Nicole, Paris—there are so many famous young women spiraling out of control. Any thoughts on why?

A. I'm always happy to share theories, but first I'll point out that most young stars and starlets do not get caught in scandals involving sex, drugs, alcohol and wardrobe malfunctions. Many just do their job and go home. Others actually are squeaky clean. But it's much more interesting to hear about those who behave badly. And that makes this seem like an era of "bad girls." Why? Three ideas:

1) We pay them. We buy CDs and watch movies featuring young women who show a lot of skin, dance in sexually suggestive ways, and perform in sexually charged roles. We reward "sexy" teens and young twenty-somethings with cash. We teach them that being sexually provocative is the way to get rich.

2) We pay attention to them. We watch the scandal shows on TV, buy the gossip magazines, and search for stories/images on the web. We pay attention when starlets get in trouble and get addicted to substances. We teach them that being "bad" is how to stay in the spotlight. We support the tabloids that report it.

3) Bored people with money and weak moral standards drink and use drugs. People who drink and use drugs make stupid choices. Famous people who make stupid choices get their picture taken.

The question for us is: When will we stop paying attention? Is there anything better we can focus on? I'd encourage you to do your part by not feeding the cycle. And pray for these struggling women.

Mark is the founder of WisdomWorks Ministries. You can learn about his conferences, read movie and music reviews, and more at planetwisdom.com.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Ignite Your Faith magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Ignite Your Faith.
March/April 2008, Vol. 67, No. 2, Page 16

Hang With Mom and Dad? Really?

2008-04-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Just read about a marketing study that says teens prefer quality time with parents to just about anything else, cell phones, iPods, computers, etc.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

American teens are turning their backs not only on gadgets and Web sites, but on sullen expressions and I'm-terrified-you-won't-notice-me fashion. Instead, they are rebelling against their parents by not rebelling.
Nearly all teens surveyed in February 2008 by WTRW said they would respond to a promotion involving "A Long Bus Ride With Your Parents." Quality time with Mom and Dad was viewed as better than a new iPhone, car or a date with pop idols.

While I think this is wonderful, I wonder if it represents the truth.

I have two ideas about the reality of this survey...

1. It is completely true. Teens are craving quality time with their parents.
2. Teens are market survey savvy and are jacking the system so they can't be "bought" by the slick moves of marketers.

I'm happy with either reality.

What are your thoughts?

Mark

10 Minute Poem Winners!

2008-04-01T19:39:00.000-05:00

It was hard (and actually pretty arbitrary) to select winners for this years 10 Minute Poem Contest. We are not poetry experts by any means and with so many poems submitted on the blog, email, and MySpace, it was hard to pick a winner quickly, especially when the only criteria was to write a poem in about 10 minutes!

So here are the poems the WisdomWorks staff selected. Whimsy seems to have won the hearts of many a judge. It was close between many poems, so be sure to enter next time! (but don't let that stop ya from writing MORE poems just for fun! A good book to get you going is Poemcrazy, by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge)

Winners will receive some PlanetWisdom gear and a signed copy of my latest book , Wisdom On Making Good Decisions. (Winners send me your shirt size!)

Mark

My Reflection
by Samantha

I met a girl
The other day
She was different from me
In many ways

I know I have met her
In the past
But I don’t know
If our friendship will last

Her hair is different
And she doesn’t dress the same as before
I felt like I didn’t know
Who she was anymore

She left her old friends
And joined a new crew
Once a cute guy came along,
She’d leave her new crew too.

Her old friends told her
She was being a fake
They didn’t know
How much they could take

They tried to prove a point to her
And she shed a tear
They told her to look
At herself in a mirror

When I saw all this happening I thought,
“How could this be?”
This new girl seemed
So opposite of me

But when I looked in the mirror,
What did I see?
My reflection! All along
This new girl was me!

Driving in the Night
By Stephanie

The rain slides under the wet wheels.
Lights pass fewer and fewer by the hour.
Nothing but the water falling from the heavens to keep our company.
Headlights from the following car is the only light that pours through our windows now.
The heat envelopes us,
comforting us.
My fingers still wander across the ice cold window,
Seeking the wetness on the other side.

Sleep is beckoning me but I try to resist it's powerful grip.
My eyes find a sleeping body next to me.
I smile as I see my sister dreaming in peace,
Away from the terror of the modern world around us.
My eyelids are weighted and begin to fall.
As much as I struggle,
Sleep slowly overcomes.
When I awake I wish to find that the light has saved us from our endless darkness.

The Blank Paper
by Kylie

The crisp white paper lays blank,
waiting to be filled with
numbers and symbols. Yet-
and yet it still stays
in it's purest nature.
My life is like the paper.
Simple and confusing, pure
and unknown--full of potential.
But like my life, the path
of equations is hard to follow.
It seems like all I can
do is make mistakes.
Mistakes that can transform
the entire outcome into
a plus or a minus-
a positive or a negative.
It is so easy to erase, to
forget what all I've done
to get where I am.
To forget who I am.
My mind gets jumbled, eraser
covers my desk. It is-
it is so easy to quit.
To quit my dreams and morals,
exponents and division,
myself, and God's plan for me.
But I will carry on.
I will carry on till I'm close to tears,
but full of pride-
and the answer is clear.
And just like my life, and
just like the paper,
the next equation begins.

Your Hair
by Anonymous

its your hair that eviscerates my resolve
not to look again
not to notice
not to be unshackled from my mission
to complete this tedious duty
to cross it off the list
to be done
but I see you see me notice
and with devastating intention you summon
the sun to dance in your auburn glory
and my industry surrenders
my diligence a victim of your conditioner

All You Need Is Love?

2008-04-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

My son Dax has been hit by Beatlemania this month. We have been listening to Beatles tunes, watching documentaries and some of their early movies like Hard Day's Night.

This has been easy for me to do first, because I love doing things with my son, and second, I really like The Beatles.

Timing couldn't be better as American Idol was able to perform the Beatles' songbook this year, and rumors abound that for the first time The Beatles' music will be available on iTunes sometime in 2008.

It just so happens that Paul and Ringo (the only two living "Fabs") were on Larry King Live this weekend (along with Yoko Ono, and George Harrison's wife Olivia) to talk about the Cirque du Soleil production fusing The Beatles' music into a Las Vegas Show.

One theme came out of the recent rush of Beatlemania in our home, The Beatles primarily sang about love, hope, and peace. Virtues we all believe in and can rally around.

I thought it interesting that the one's who told us "All We Need Is Love" have all been married more than once. Furthermore, John Lennon never really spent much time with his first son Julian, to the point that he told Playboy in 1980 "Sean [His son with Yoko Ono] was a planned child, and therein lies the difference. I don't love Julian any less as a child. He's still my son, whether he came from a bottle of whiskey or because they didn't have pills in those days. He's here, he belongs to me, and he always will.

Wow ... what a great thing to hear from your dad! (sense my sarcasm) Even when Julian was in his teens his father still hadn't connected with him. Julian has said there are more pictures of him with Paul McCartney than his own dad.

All You Need Is Love eh?

While they may have had struggles living up to their ideals, The Beatles ARE right, love is all we need. And artists and dreamers often speak of how things could be , should be. I'm pretty sure Jesus said the same thing when he shared the two Great Commandments (Mark 12:29-31), and the apostle paul wrote about this too to the church at Corinth (1 Cor 13). But Jesus delivered love in a way artist's and dreamers cannot. He died for us.

I think of Ecclesiastes, a book in scripture that basically says, apart from God, we are really nothing.

The artists and dreamers help us see life as it should be, but they can't deliver it themselves. Jesus does not only see life as it could be, but also as it is, and he offers a path to make the dream a reality. Indeed, all we need is love, but one must consider the source of love. I'll take mine from Christ, his love is everlasting and it is powerful enough to allow you and I the kind of love singers and poets speak of.

Mark

10 Minute Poem Week: It's A Wrap

2008-03-31T10:30:00.000-05:00

Wow, I had no idea so many of you would submit poems. Many posted on the blog, but even more sent their entries to me. Some great creative poems, and all around a minute to write! Creativity doesn't always require massive amounts of times, sometimes you just have to "do it".

Today I have to write a chapter for a book Sean McDowell is putting together, and tomorrow I have to write an article for a Southern Baptist magazine for parents of teens. I'm going to compile all the poems and together with the WisdomWorks staff, we'll pick a few winners and post them here by Wednesday.

Thanks for participating. More fun stuff like this coming soon!

Mark

10 Minute Poem Week

2008-03-25T11:53:00.001-05:00

10 Minute Poem Week

The first thing we learn about God in Genesis is that He is creative (Gen 1:1). As His creation, humans were made in God’s image, this means we are creative too.

But creativity takes time and we take ourselves way too seriously, so in the end we don’t often do much to explore this part of our humanity.

This week I’m sponsoring 10 minute Poem Week. Before you stop reading, note the rules. You have to write a poem in 10 minutes or less. This is not designed to be a lengthy soul searching experience. Simply write a poem in 10 minutes and post it here or send it to me. At the end of the week, I'll pick a few of my favorites and send you some valuable prizes and gifts (probably books signed by me and some PlanetWisdom gear.)

Here's my first one (try and do one a day), based on my race to the gas station before I hit empty last night while returning from San Diego.

Heart pounding, hands clenched
My teeth bite on nothing

Three miles yet, to the watering hole

The light burns like an ember, growing hotter
will I arrive before it burns into flames?

The needle caffeinates my anxious heart

Two miles yet, to the watering hole

Heart racing, fingers tapping
Teeth declaring I can make it

One mile yet, to watering hole

The horse is sputtering, legs are failing
C'mon nelly, we're almost there.

Heart beats silent, hands aren't shaking

No miles left to the watering hole.

See .. it doesn't have to be good .. just something you do quick ... Enjoy.

Mark

3rd Space

2008-03-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

If you know me you know that I always have some project that I’m working on. And when I get interested in something, I go all the way. I got into 3D photography one time and even got equipment to make my own viewmaster reels. When I dove into cooking, I found a wholesale spice merchant and bought massive amounts of spices (there are nearly 22 different chiles and spices in my Chili… I put powdered chiles in my chocolate chip cookies too).

I love to learn and I love to make things. Put that combo together and there is always a mysterious box being delivered by UPS to our door that makes my wife cringe, “What is Mark getting into now?”

While there is always something new to discover, two of my longstanding interests since childhood have been magic tricks and comic books. I think one of the reasons I’ve reminded interested in those is because there is a social community that I am a part of. When I lived in California I was a member of the Magic Castle in Beverly Hills, and also frequented the Best Magic Shop. When I moved to Texas my magic hangout was Magicland. These weren’t just places to purchase things (although I did alot of that!) it was also a place to interact with people of similar interests, where we would share ideas and often our lives. I remember the day my son and I drove up to Magicland after traveling a bunch to find that it has suddenly gone out of business. A piece of me died, it was sad.

Two weeks ago the comic book store I had visited for 17 years since moving to Texas closed shop. I drove by the store last night and it was completely vacant like a corpse devoid of it’s life, spirit, and soul. The space was still there, but the connection to people wasn’t, these relationships had no place to congregate.

I think many of us have “special places” that become extensions of our lives. It may be a gym, classroom on campus, mall, beverage joint (like Starbucks). It isn’t so much the physical place that is a part of us but the people we connect to while we are there. Do you have a place like that?

It seems that the church too, should be one of these spaces. Not the building, but the fellowship of people that gives energy to any space it occupies. It seems that less and less the church is not seen as one of these “special” places.

Since it isn’t the space, it must be that something isn’t happening when the people meet.
At the magic and comic hangouts there were some things that made the place special.
1) People you cared about and shared interests with.
2) Challenging one another with ideas.
3) Developing new skills and refining old ones.
4) Being creative together.
5) No or little agenda, just hanging out.

How does your youth group do at this and what could be done better? If the church shut down would people feel loss, would something die?

Mark

Lotto Dreams

2008-03-14T23:38:00.000-05:00

Okay .. here is something I've been thinking about.

Ever dream of winning the lottery?

If not the lottery, I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind about what you might do if you suddenly encountered a huge amount of money. In fact several movies have used this premise as a way to examine the nature of happiness. Even the movies seem to have it right on this one, money can’t buy you happiness.

Maybe you have made a deal with God in passing at one time or another where you said, “If I won the lottery (or became rich in some amazing way) I would give it away and be super generous”.

I have thought that, and I am sure many have.

Only a person made of pure evil has never marveled at people who are generous. Anytime I see people giving away checks to help people in need I think,”Man, I wish I had money to do something like that!”

But then I realized something hanging around my rich friends… they never had enough. The only people who were truly generous were those who “budgeted” for generosity.

If you want new clothes, an iPod or PS3 there are only three ways you can get the cash
1) Have it given to you (you can’t make this happen)
2) Work for it (you CAN make this happen)
3) Steal it (not an acceptable way to make the cha-ching)

I realized that I was waiting for someone to “give” me money so I could be generous rather than making generosity part of my financial plans.

When I was just out of college, I had some ideas for some illusions I wanted to perform, but knew I needed some help to build them. Don Wayne (Who helps guys like David Copperfield and Criss Angel do miracles) said he’d help me, but it would cost more money than I had at the time. What did I do? I begged for it, but nobody came through. So, I invented a dish made out of pasta that only cost me 23 cents per serving and ate it 3 times a day for 3 months to save the money I needed.

When we want something badly, we’ll do almost anything to get it. So why not work hard so we can be generous?

I don’t make loads of money, so I started budgeting for generosity. Our family tries to live below our income so we have some money to “give it away” when we want to.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Pr 11:24)

What made me think to write about this today? I realized I have not been doing this real well for nearly a year. When my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes it kind of threw us into a financial whirlwind with extra doctor visits, daily supplies and medications. I realized I had been less generous this past year than normal. Will it be easy to fix? Nope. But most things worth doing aren’t easy.

If you are waiting around hoping some day you’ll win American Idol or The Apprentice and THEN you’ll be able to be generous I have news for you, you probably won’t even if you have it. Because what you do with little, will also be what you do with much. (Luke 12:48)

Work on being generous now, it’s worth it.

Mark

Take my Picture, Steal My Soul

2008-03-13T07:43:00.001-05:00

The snow was falling hard last Thursday in Dallas. The kids were out playing with their friends, building snow persons and sledding down hills, when my daughter came running into the house screaming horrifically. The scream wasn’t one of hurt, but one of terror. What had happened?

After calming her down, she explained that a man in a truck had stopped in front of where she was playing, rolled down his window and took a picture of her with his cell phone. She was certain she’d be kidnapped, the entire incident had frightened her.

I tried to explain that the man was most likely amazed at the unusual amount of snowfall and the kids playing and snapped a picture so he could show somebody how unbelievable the weather was. She didn’t like my explanation, but it calmed her down. While I wasn’t concerned, I definitely didn’t like the idea of someone I don’t know having a picture of my daughter.

Later that night I was watching TMZ (don’t ask), and was watching the paparazzi following Britney, Britney;’s dad, Lindsay, Lindsay’s mom, sister and dad, Miley Cyrus, Miley’s dad (er, Billy Ray) and I thought … maybe we need some new laws about privacy and photography.

I have been playing with this philosophy that everyone’s image, even celebrities, should be considered their personal property. We are made in the image of God, we are all unique creations and as such, nobody should be allowed to represent our person other than ourselves. Our image is our reputation and the Bible tells us we should be careful to protect our "good name".

"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

The problem with photography in our digital age, is that anyone can snap a picture and damage someone's reputation beyond repair. Many cultures around the world, even many Native Americans refuse to be photographed because it is said to "steal the soul". I used to laugh at this idea I first became aware of when watching an old Tarzan film. But after seeing the destruction of the seemingly lost souls of Lindsay, Brittney, and other well photographed celebs I'm not sure it isn't without merit.

What about freedom on speech you may ask?
I have no problem with people using words to report the news about others. Words require a higher standard of accountability than images. Remember the adage, a picture is worth a 1000 words? As you can tell by the way people judge images differently, an image may contain a 1000 words but those words differ from one person to another. They aren’t always the SAME words. Images are subjective, words too, but less so.

For instance,
If you see an actual video tape of me out of context, the news person can say, it is actual footage. They aren’t liable for the “perception” others form of me outside of the context of the image. If a reporter writes about me “out of context” misrepresenting me, I can hold them accountable for their misrepresentation.

The biggest advantage in being owners of our own image is that it cuts down on a ton of crummy television and reporting, because words won’t sell as well as images of celebrities.

My belief, is that if images of others were not considered “fair game” by the press, Americans would be smarter, the news would have more meaning, celebrities wouldn’t be an all consuming force of media interest, and the streets of Hollywood would be safe from paparazzi.

Images are powerful, maybe more powerful than words, and there should be stronger laws to protect our images (how they are captured, who can distribute them, etc). Of course laws alone won't help. People have to value there own image and the image of others. I love people taking pictures of me in appropriate contexts (Once at an event someone took photos of David Crowder and I using the urinals in a bathroom ... not cool) and it is always polite to ask someone before you take there photo.

It is just an idea, one I know my daughter would approve of☺

Some things you can do:

1. Ask before taking a picture of another person.
2. Protect your own image (too many naked pics of teens showing up on the Internet and hurting people ... yep .. I get letters)
3. Don't watch celebrity gossip type shows .. it will poke your brain out :)

Mark

Some questions for you.

1) Am I just being unreasonable or does this make sense?
2) Is the overwhelming reality of digital images and Internet publishing just a fact of life, or should people adopt new standards of courtesy?
3) How many celebrities would willingly let the paparazzi follow them if they had to ask permission (some of them like it ... need it, I think!)

Cloth or Paper Napkins?

2008-03-11T18:19:00.000-05:00

I received what appeared to be a great"green" idea from an anonymous poster asking why my One Napkin Revolution couldn't be "Cloth Napkin Revolution".

Here was the comment:

How about using cloth napkins at home--you save paper and they're reusable. You just toss them in the wash. And if you get the flannel kind they're absorptive and don't need to be ironed!

My response to this is:

Cloth Napkins ... hmmm. Sounds pretty good, but there is actually evidence out there that disposable paper goods are better for the environment than reusing cloth napkins. When you consider what is required to grow cotton, turn it into fabric, and then the amount of water and energy to wash them, it may actually be better to use paper disposable napkins. Click here to understand why cloth may be worse for the environment than paper:

This leads to a very interesting reality: Sometimes the better thing for the environment isn't what you think it is!

Consider energy efficient light bulbs. All CFLs are filled with Mercury, a poisonous metal that never goes away. Mercury is a neurotoxin, the same poison that made the Mad Hatter mad (Alice in Wonderland). What do you do with these bulbs when they go out? You can't just use these light bulbs to help the environment, you must dispose of them properly otherwise they fill a landfill (or your home) with mercury. Which is better? Less energy used or more mercury in the food chain? The debate rages on (see here for more)

There is also some evidence that using disposable cups are better (or at least equivalent) for the environment than washing a mug over and over again. See here for evidence.

I want to go green, but it may not be as easy as one thinks it is, and things we "think" are helping may not be. A big part of the "green" revolution is pure marketing to get us to buy things. Be careful and do your homework.

One thing is for sure ... when we use less of something we typically waste (like .. say .. a napkin) we help the environment. Use one napkin only when eating out! Join the One Napkin Revolution!

Do you know of any other "green myths" that need to be explored and shared?

Mark

Here are some other links:

Review of The Skeptical Environmentalist

New York Post On Green Myths

One Napkin Revolution

2008-03-10T17:39:00.000-05:00

I’ve always felt Christians should be some of the most environmentally conscious people on the earth given the simple fact that we have a deep respect for God who created it all.

But I haven’t done my part well.

It may be that the extreme and absurd behavior of some environmental groups made it easy to dismiss environmental awareness as "irrational". Whatever the reason, while I always felt it should be a concern for Christians, I never did much.

So I have been looking at small ways I can do my part to “go green”. I won’t outline all of the energy conscious behaviors I practice, but one new awareness is something we all can do.

As I travel I eat at fast food joints more than I care to admit. In doing so I have come to realize I use a satanic number of napkins. When I pass by the napkin stand with my tray, I pick up a wad so I don’t have to get up during the ten minutes I’m eating to “reload”.

The problem is, I end up throwing on average 5.7 napkins each meal (nerd alert …yes I counted and averaged). What is funny is when I am at a Chili’s, they only give me one napkin, you know the one the silverware is wrapped in, and I rarely ask for another.

Am I a less messy eater in an upscale establishment like Chili's and not the fast food palace? No, I think it is merely misguided behavior.

Realizing this tremendous waste, I made a decision to use one napkin only when eating out. If absolutely necessary, I can get up and get another. If we all do this, we may put somebody's dad out of the napkin business, but we’ll be helping reduce the number of trees needed to wipe our mouths. Imagine being a tree, growing slowly over decades, only to end up wiping the mustard off the corners of some sloppy person’s mouth. What a waste eh? Makes me think of The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein.

Will you join me in my "One Napkin" revolution?

What are some other simple ways we can care for God’s creation?

Mark

Mark Apologizes to Delaware

2008-03-08T22:14:00.001-06:00

Just wrapped up a great PlanetWisdom weekend in Washington DC.

We had about seven or eight states represented and I forgot to give a shout out to our friends from Delaware. Sorry about that! Please forgive me.

Mark

A Spiritual Hemoglobin A1C

2008-03-06T10:26:00.000-06:00

Almost one year ago my daughter Skye (9, pictured left) was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Her diagnosis requires that she monitors her carbohydrate intake, and inject insulin several time s a day. Failure to monitor this on a daily basis could lead to blindness, infertility, amputation, kidney failure, even death. And because the body is constantly changing, it isn't as easy to control as simply taking a pill everyday. Skye has to count her carbs, check her blood sugar levels, and adjust the amount of insulin she injects to keep her body balanced.

Every 3 months she has a check up where they draw a little blood that will allow for them to test her hemoglobin A1C. This test gives us important feedback we need to determine if the treatments we are using are working, and if we are being disciplined enough in our treatment. If not we make adjustments.

I wish there were a spiritual check up we could do to help us determine if the lives we are leading are really helping us have healthy spiritual lives. What would be the benefits of a spiritual A1C?

1. The A1C tells the truth no matter how well intentioned we are.
We take our daughters diabetes very seriously, but just because we feel passionate about it, doesn't mean we are doing the best to treat our daughter, the A1C tells us what we need to know. Spiritually I am often passionate about my relationship with God, but that passion doesn't always translate to action and devotion in my life. A spiritual check-up could help me be honest with myself about how I am doing.

2. the A1C tells us if we need to make adjustments.
If my daughter's number is off, something isn't working, we need to make changes.
People get "stuck" doing the same things over and over again .... even if they are getting poor results! Many times I talk to students who tell me that life just isn't working and the Bible and prayer aren't making a difference. If you are not experiencing depth in your relationship with God, then something isn't working, you need to make adjustments.

3. A good A1C typically confirms my wellness.
My daughter's daily health is rarely in jeopardy. The treatments we use are there for her continued health over the long term. If her numbers are good, her future looks good.
If the spiritual practices in my life are working, then I am probably experiencing spiritual health, and if there aren't too many radical changes in my life, I will probably remain stable into the future.

So is there a "check-up" we can do to determine if we are spiritually healthy or not?

In part two I'll share some thoughts I have on this, but for right now I'd love to get your feedback.

1. What indicators let you know someone is spiritually healthy? How do you know if you are?

2. Are check-ups like this a good thing or are they damaging? How could they be used in the wrong way?

3. If there were a check up available would you use it?

Let me know your thoughts.

Mark

The Secret Lives Of Soccer Moms

2008-03-04T10:14:00.001-06:00

Last night I watched the premiere episode of The Secret Life of A Soccer Mom on TLC. I wouldn't normally watch this, but a commercial on the radio station I was listening to made me curious. the show was an interesting look at a woman who gave up a career in fashion to become a stay-at-home mom. The show asks the question...

"What if one decision could send your life in a completely different direction?"

These moms put their lives on hold to raise a family and now they have one week to return to the career they left behind to decide whether they would like to go back or remain a stay at home mom.

The shows promo boasts , "These women have an opportunity to see what there life would be like if they had chosen not to give up their career."

This woman really struggled with being able to use her creative talents and be there for her kids. Her supportive husband asked if she could handle the pressure of the fashion industry and leaving someone else to care for the kids (the dad is a physician). she said," I can handle leaving the kids with babysitters, but I would miss being with he kids myself". A real dilemma. Ultimately she took the job, and her dress was worn by Jennifer Hudson on a television show.

I know there are some mothers who don't have the choice to stay-at-home with their kids because they are single parents (Wow how do single parents do it? I salute you!), and I am definitely not against women working. In fact, I teared up when this woman was seeing her creativity appreciated and desired.
The one thing I realized watching the show was the sacrificial love mothers have for their children. They do give up quite a bit to raise their kids. I want to thank my mom for being home with us, I'm sure there were other things you would have enjoyed doing, but I am glad you could stay home and did.
Here are some questions for you:

1. What has your mother sacrificed for you?
2. What can you do to let your mom know how much you appreciate her?
3. Does staying at home mean having to deny gifts and talents one may have?
4. What about stay-at-home dads?

Mark
PS. The host, Tracey Gold (Growing Pains) once flirted with me when I was in high school. She was playing a guest role on the television show Benson with her sister Missy Gold (who was a regular on the show). I was in the "studio audience" watching the taping and the Gold sisters were flirting with a me and my friend Greg from backstage.

Color Me Grape ...

2008-03-04T01:55:00.000-06:00

I love colors. I remember getting a box of 8 vibrant crayons only to get to school and find a friend who had a pack of 16.

A trip to the store and I too had 16, but then met another friend wielding the mega 64 box with the coveted built in crayon sharpener.

I had to have that too. I was suffering from crayon envy. I love colors.

My dad is an architect and my grandfather was a cabinet maker, so they always had color samples around. These "color chips" of various paints, plastics, and Formica were some of my fondest playthings when I was really young. I soon learned that there were many different kinds of green:

Hunter
Kelly
Grashopper
Jade
Chartreuse
Emerald
Forest
Bright Green
Fern
Celadon
Olive
Army

and the list goes on ...

Soon I realized that it was unusual for boys to know so many different names for colors, so I pretended that I didn't know about them, and tried to stick to the standard 8 box of crayons even though I could practically taste each of the 64 colors (I think this is a fusion of my love for Jelly Bellies and colors). But I couldn't help but wonder if I understood colors differently than my friends because I was more consciously aware of the subtle differences. Surely my friends perceived the same color I did, but I thought about it differently.

Perhaps this is why I understand my wife's need for yet another "black" pair of shoes. All blacks are not the same, some are warm, some are cool. Many of my fellow husband types do not "see" the difference.

I love color and am sometimes frustrated we only have 3 primary colors and the values of black and white to play with. I wonder if in heaven, we will be able to "see" colors we have never seen before? While our human minds are limited by the primary colors of pigment (yellow, red, blue) and three for light (green, cyan, and magenta), I wonder if God has other primary colors we can't yet conceive of.

Perhaps seeing God will allow us to see a whole lot more than we do now. Just a thought.

Revelation 21
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

Pretty cool thought, everything made new. I bet there are some mind blowing things we have yet to discover. I hope new colors are part of the many wonderful creations God has in store for us.

Right now I am loving the color purple. I've been eating grape Mike and Ike's, grape jelly Jelly Bellys and swinging through Sonic for grape slushes. Don't know why, but I love the feeling grape gives you in the cheeks, especially when it is tart. Purple is a strange color, but it tastes great.

Mark

Some questions for you to think about...

Got a favorite color for the moment?

Do girls understand color better than guys? Why?

What do you look forward to God making new?

Our House, In the Middle Of The Street

2008-03-03T00:12:00.001-06:00

It seems that every neighborhood has one house where teens like to "hang out". I've never thought about what makes a house more "teen friendly" than another, but a recent article in a Canadian Newspaper got me thinking.

According to Dr. Scott Wooding, homes like this aren't as common as you'd think (at least in Canada where he's from, but I'd say the same is true for America). He says that a main factor in having a teen friendly home is the presence of an adult students feel they can communicate with.

This typically means an adult who

Isn't afraid of them,
Asks questions about their life, and
Genuinely listens to the answers.

This makes sense to me, but it is sad to think few adults interact with students this way. I speak to teenagers all the time as I travel for PlanetWisdom conferences, and I even have 20-30 students meet in my house every Wednesday night for Bible study. But when my kids bring their friends over, I sometimes feel like a complete idiot when I try to talk to them.

Maybe the situation is different when it is your kids and you are the parents .. yikes. I hope this doesn't happen to me, I want my kids to hang out at our place with their friends. My son Dax starts middle school next year, we'll see if I turn out to be one of the cool parents ... or not.

What do you think?

Is this a reason you hang out in the homes you do?

Mark