goodbye, cruel world

Nary a time have I contributed to this blog, other than mostly just heckling the posting youth pastors. Somehow, I snuck out of school with a degree they mistakenly placed in the "religion" field, so I barely have my toes in this Kingdom.

As most of you might know, my wife and I are approved staff with Word Made Flesh in Bolivia. WMF serves among the most vulnerable of the world's poor - specifically, we have a hospitaltiy center for women in prostitution that we'll be helping with in some capacity. We will be leaving in January for language school (Lord willing) to begin our 3+ year commitment. Several of you are on our prayer list (receiving monthly updates) and some have contributed financially as well. We've really appreciated the support. Just wanted to put up this post as a shout-out that you would remember us as we leave (and of course pray for us). We have all kinds of neat WMF paraphernalia (like nifty prayer cards and back-issues of The Cry, our advocacy journal) that I can mail to you if you're interested. We are also looking to partner with churches, so if you think your congregation would like to make a connection with WMF and the people we serve among, let me know.

Our new Bolivia blog is Boliving.blogspot.com.

It really is my intention to post something of substance eventually, probably on issues of cross-cultural interactions, Jesus' teachings on the poor and vulnerable, gray-areas of ministry, how we should interact with governments, etc. Ya know, all the light and fluffy stuff.

Peace, my brothas (and sistas).

Sex Sex Sex

I've had a few discussions lately with some adults as well as other local youth pastors on this subject and I want to get your perspective as well.

Hypothetical: Parent thinks kid is or is about to become sexually active. Parents are godly, patient and loving and have spent much time in honest discussion with their kid about the realities of sex as well as the benefit of and biblical command for abstinence. However, kid still seems to be heading towards their own decision to have sex.

Now, parent obviously wishes kid wouldn't have sex but is prepared for the reality that they might. Parent feels the need to provide protection/birth control to at least ensure that pregnancy doesn't occur if kid decides to go ahead with choice.

Parent comes to you. Fills you in. Wants advice. What say you?

Is this a responsible parent looking out for their kid in the event that they fall into sin, making sure he/she doesn't become parent as the result of one mistake? Or does the choice to provide protection in case of sin somehow undermine the standard set previously?

Also, if you would look 20 years into the future when a lot of us may have our own kids facing this choice, would you follow the same advice you're giving to parent?

I'll let you know my thoughts in comments after I hear from one or two of you guys.

Autotuned Andy Stanley

God Is Not a White Man

Deep thoughts>>>>>

I don't know about you but sometimes I think to hard. So here are some deep thoughts that I found to help me through my day :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSrXpFb7jFo

Lovingly Cheering You On!!!
-Zach

"God texts the 10 commandments"

Copied from McSweeny's below... (sorry guys, this is internet-forward type stuff, but I haven't really contributed on this blog). And after you read below, please take a moment to pray for me and Marc this next Tues-Thurs. We'll be at REVIVE, a youth group(s) mission trip within Ft. Wayne. I'm speaking Tues and Wed night, and Marc is probably doing everything else!

God texts the 10 commandments

1. no1 b4 me. srsly.

2. dnt wrshp pix/idols

3. no omg's

4. no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r)

5. pos ok - ur m&d r cool

6. dnt kill ppl

7. :-X only w/ m8

8. dnt steal

9. dnt lie re: bf

10. dnt ogle ur bf's m8. or ox. or dnkey. myob.

M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl.

ttyl, JHWH.

ps. wwjd?

Anonymous Letter ;)

Sunday marked a first for me. The deacon board received a anonymous letter about concerns some nameless person had with me. Apparently my honeymoon hear is over ;)
I thought I would share the four concerns they had with me to brighten your day with a good laugh. The numbered statements are their words...and then I'll add my thoughts.

1.Doesn't Pastor Zach have his own yard...Why does his dog have to poop in the church yard.

ME-If she does poop in the church yard we pick it up. Also, I was just trying to help the grass be a little bit greener for Sunday Morning service. Forgive me for trying to help ;)

2.Pastor Zach rides the bike at the gym in the morning.

ME- Is this a true/false question...Obviously this person is very observant and hates exercise. I'm very sorry I refuse to get the "Pastor Pooch"

3. The suburban was donated to the church...Why do I see Pastor Zach driving it during the day.

ME-I'm not even going to comment on that one...

4. If Zach is driving around all day the secretary has to cover for Him and how is he suppose to communicate with Pastor Reid. Does Zach not have office hours?

ME-As you, my close friends know I enjoy the occasional Joy Ride through town...I mean the Suburban has rims and a bumping sub. I was just trying to make all the other youth pastor's jealous.(Just Kidding) I don't drive the suburban for personal use.


Needless to say this letter brought me many laughs! I wish you could have read the whole thing. The deacon board was ticked about the letter and told me to not worry about anything that was written. They assured me I was doing an incredible job and not to change anything I was doing.

Do your deacon boards or LBA have policies about anonymous letter?

Here is what I'm taking from this and i hope it encourages you...
-Don't let dumb people distract or discourage you from what you are trying to do.
-You are always going to have several critics so don't feel that you must please everyone!!!
-Like it or not...people are always watching you so set an example worth
watching.


Love You Guys and Cheering You On!!!
-Zach