This doesn't happen very often...

So I'm reading this article this morning and I find a quote from... me. This doesn't happen very often and it's a bit odd. To be reading along an then get hit with something like that. I wrote the line the article quoted about 5 or 6 years ago, so I actually had to think, is this Mark Riddle me? Did I write this? Do I still agree with this?

This is the original article from april 04 on theooze.com

My favorite part of this is
"Look, "This bloods for you shirts" were cute 10 years ago. But how creative do you have to be to come up with one? As I write this I'm sitting next to the dog food. I'll give those snappy advertising execs a free-be. IAMS Dog food. Change that to - "I Am's Lamb formula -It's good for life." I'll bet if you put IAMS dog food in a Christian Bookstore the stock would soar! Maybe a smart business move for IAMS. However, it’s not much for forwarding the gospel.

Did we really think that when Christ said "Thy kingdom come" he meant building a Christian subculture?? Most evangelical conservative churches are going the way of the Amish.... the only difference is that their U-haul is a hell of a lot bigger and it’s filled with less meaning. "

Looking for a Youth Ministry Gig?
The Riddle Group has been working with a great church for over 7 months. They have made some significant shifts in their thinking about how youth ministry should/can be done. I first met with them in November and made some recommendations for their church and youth ministry. One of my suggestions was to wait to hire a youth pastor until they worked through a significant process. In January I began working them through a process (we developed here at Riddle Group headquarters) and they have put in countless hours shifting their thinking about youth ministry, the role of a youth pastor and what it means be missional. Now they have begun looking for a youth pastor. The church is First Christian Church in Duncan, Oklahoma and it will be a great place for someone who is looking for a youth ministry gig. The youth ministry team has taken responsability for everything that is happening within the youth ministry. Every phone call, flyer, bulletin announcement, small group, talk, curriculum etc It's all taken care of. They are looking for youth pastor to lead them in their ongoing ministry to the kids of their community. Someone who'll build relationships with the church folks, someone who will bring their unique gifts and use them, and not have to worry about stuff they aren't good at. You don't have to be DOC to work here, but you have to get the DOC flavor.

Let me know if you know someone who might be interested. This will be a great family to join.

mark@theriddlegroup.com

This kind of news kicks my butt. Totally and completely.


5 Youths drown

Maximus huh...

I can live with that.

Thanks to Kyle for this quiz.

You scored as Maximus. After his family was murdered by the evil emperor Commodus, the great Roman general Maximus went into hiding to avoid Commodus's assassins. He became a gladiator, hoping to dominate the colosseum in order to one day get the chance of killing Commodus. Maximus is valiant, courageous, and dedicated. He wants nothing more than the chance to avenge his family, but his temper often gets the better of him. Maximus 92% William Wallace 83% Captain Jack Sparrow 79% James Bond, Agent 007 79% Indiana Jones 75% El Zorro 71% The Terminator 67% Lara Croft 58% Neo, the "One" 50% Batman, the Dark Knight 46% The Amazing Spider-Man 46% Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

George Bush singing "Sunday Bloody Sunday"

Thanks to marko at ysmarko.com for this!