In your life . . . what is your marshmallow that may be consuming your thoughts? 

Though our marshmallows are often more complex than this illustration, our obsession with them is no less intense, and our consumption of them no less obvious. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see and ears to hear today what these might be in your life.

- Thanks Sue for the video

I love my wife so much, and feel so honored to be able to be on this journey of life with her. It is so amazing to be able to do things like teach a journey class bible study with her in our church! She inspires me with her steadfast dedication to me and the kids – even during difficult days (and nights!), and most importantly – to the vision and grace of Christ. She will never get the appreciation she deserves this side of heaven for how well she loves our family (with such sacrifice!), and the light that she brings to those whose life intersects hers – even if for just a moment.

I posted this video not because I am comparing her to Ruth Graham, but because I don’t want to wait to tell my wife how much she means to me – and how much light and life she brings to me daily!

Fernando Ortega – “Give Me Jesus” from Adamson.TV on Vimeo.

Jesus did not die so that we could be tame! I understand that there is a balance here between safety and risk. . . especially as a parent – because it is sooooo not about ME anymore, but I really do think we can all risk more. On my life performace, I want a high score – not to compare to other people, but so that the judge can see his divine choreography performed the way that he intended it to be in my life.

This is not just for me. . . . this what I want to bring to my wife, and my children. Just like in the workplace, who can the boss can use most? Capable people that are willing to give up the most. I pray for the courage to risk in life – not stupid things – but those things that have eternal potential – love, forgiveness, time, etc… and I want my wife and kids to be able to look to me to help inspire their own God-ordained risks.

This is a graphic video that really tells a story that happens all too frequently today. Please – do not text while driving. This not just for your sake, and others riding with you, but for others driving as well. Think about it. . . beyond their own lives they may also have kids in the car, and those kids – need their mommies and daddies alive.

Please . . . it is not worth it!

Thanks DC Curry for the heads up

A colleague of mine sent this to me, and I have enjoyed thinking about it, and will soon be presenting it to my class for a discussion, but wanted to open it up to your thoughts first

As I am getting back into professor mode, I wanted to share a little story with you that I came across earlier today. Most people have heard about Autism, but not many have heard of Asperger’s, which is a form of high-functioning autism – even though it affects almost 1 in 300 births a year. This is a great story about someone who has succeeded to great heights with this developmental condition.

If you want to know more about this form of high-functioning autism go HERE

If you are a parent of someone with Asperger Syndrome – click HERE for a great resource

I happened to turn on the TV yesterday right as history was being made- 9.58 seconds for 100 meters. God says in Hebrews 12:1 – “. . .let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Symbolically, this is fascinating to me when comparing to Usain Bolt – feel the excitement build:

Here is what is amazing:
1. If Bolt had a running start heading to the 40 yard line in football – he would have made it into the endzone in 3 seconds – that’s one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one thousand – WOW!
2. Recently a track and field expert made the comment that for someone who is 6′5″ and 200 lbs – it should be impossible – to run this fast. I think the power of God has the same potential in our lives. I want people to look at my life and say – wow – “Ted. . . really, no – . . . that can’t be possible” -

3. At the peak of his speed, Bolt is running 30 miles an hour. . . . WHAT!!
4. The biggest increase in his performance has said to come from working out his Core Muscles – Abs and back. . . . - Maybe God is waiting for us to work on our core before we can perform at our record levels.

5. He is the only man to run under 9.70 seconds (last year at the olympics), and now the only man to ever run under 9.6 seconds – there is something special about that phrase “the only man to ever. . .” - and I love the fact that my Savior has done a lot of them!
6. In a recent ESPN: The magazine article – there was a story about Bolt, and how he was bringing hope to the entire nation of Jamaica in amazing ways. How violence and crime slows down, and how enemies have been seen to be embracing after watchin him run to a new WR at the Olympics. . . . . I love it when just a little taste of the Hope that Jesus brings can be seen in a mere human accomplishment – how much greater is the hope of Jesus to all of mankind!

So, I spent a total of 14 hours at Church this weekend (6 services) - not to mention quite a few hours at rehearsal practicing this routine . . . why did I need practice?? -

a. I’m getting old,

b. I have never had any formal ”dance” training,

c. I hate messing up!

d. I wanted to make the most of this opportunity to serve Jesus!

You see . . .

Easter to me is all about surprises – really good ones!! And though no experience can compare to hearing the amazing news that JESUS IS ALIVE!!!   

I really couldn’t believe that I got to have this much fun serving with friends at my church!  Praise God that He invented fun. . . .and dancing!

A good friend of mine, DC curry, just posted this video from jonathanjarvis.com  – and it is truly helpful in understanding how we got into all of this mess as a country.

Thanks D.C. and thanks Jonathan for the creativity and clarity!

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

As a teacher, I just love this video, . . . as a mentor, I just love this video, . . . as someone who has a passion for teenagers, I just love this video, . . . . as a parent, I just love this video. . . as a singer, I just love this video, . . . as a Christ-follower, I just love this video because I can hear God, just like Simon Cowell, looking at every single person in the eye and telling them “you are better than what you think you are. . . . go out now with confidence!!”

So recently, I have been brainstorming ideas with my friend Ben about some new videos for my non-profit, greenLockers. In my search through youtube for some style ideas, I ran across some videos associated with a cause called “girl effect”. I thought they were pretty well done, and so I just wanted to share them with you:

and another

So, most of you know I enjoy playing soccer/futsal/indoor/etc… – I played soccer in college and loved it.   Ran across this video from a friend of mine (thanks Bruno!). . . – wow this kid is unbelievable!!

I saw this, and just cracked up! Enjoy a little humor today

WOW! What a Day!!! I first and foremost just want to thank God for allowing the event to be pulled off without a hitch. Secondly, most of the credit goes to many of you. . .  the people that gave up so much of their time and energy (primarily through shivering) on Saturday to be the face of greenLockers. This was the first public appearance of greenLockers (this year – new name, new nonprofit status, and new logo) to the public as a whole here, and I could not have been more pleased!

Let me give you some of my highlights:

1. Dark and early 7:35am on Sat. morning go on camera with Nick from WNDU – trying to get the word out early – interviewed by the entrance to Martin’s or what I like to call – the “Wind tunnel” ~ -8 wind chill they said. . . . I was praying for the commitment of my team and my community – that all would turn out – they did not disappoint!

2. ~ 8:00am -  The Martin’s manager – Doug – at Ironwood and SR23 – helping me shovel the sidewalk for 10 minutes. . . with no coat on (just a short-sleeved shirt) – and then bringing out coffee and and a fresh round of donuts – free of charge!!

3. My neighbor – Barb – gets a promo on the 8:15 live broadcast of WNDU’s morning show. . . I asked her the night before if she wanted to be on TV – why?. . . because I think everone over the age of 65 around here watches that show on Sat. morning – if they saw her up and contributing maybe they would too.  Once, again, saw many senior citizens on Sat. – I love their commitment and their smiles! – you can see some of WNDU’s video reports HERE

4. ~8:35 – My unbelievable sister-in-law Jennifer Thursby shows up (my partner in crime in organizing all of this!), and she is ready to ROCK! – I love her energy – she really made this thing work!!

5. ~8:45 – One of my great friends – Kevin shows up early to get things rolling at the ND Martin’s – - 2 stories involving Kevin – 1). good thing he was there, he had to call 9-1-1 later that morning for a woman who slipped on the ice . . . 2). people often pulled up to our table and then just popped open their trunk for us to get out the container . . . well, one time a car pulled up, and so naturally Kevin went back to the trunk and opened it. . . . that was until, the driver yelled back at him “what are you doing?!! – oops. . . . guess he didn’t have a bin   – thanks Kevin for your leadership and commitment.

6. ~ 9:00 – Trek down to the Western Avenue Martin’s where my good friend, and fellow Bethel professor, Josh Sauerwein had set up camp, along with some great volunteers! I was at this location – not because I thought it would bring in a ton of bins, but 3 other reasons: 1). This is an area that Entermission is pouring into with its community center (MC3), and I wanted to be an extension of that 2). This is an area that will be receiving a lot of our supplies come June, so I wanted to have a presence now, so they will trust us then 3). This area of town is desolate in many ways – this recession has pummeled them so much already – I wanted to be a light of hope on Sat., and the people I met were amazing! – at the end of the day, they ended up with 100 Bins- GREAT JOB! . . . . The information cards and green mints were an especially big hit here!

- side note – Ben Sanders (professional photographer and videographer) is AWESOME, and I so appreciate him hanging out with us today – got some great footage – thanks Ben!!!!

7. ~ 9:45 – over to Erskine Plaza to check on Amy Sipe and her crew. Soon after I show up . . . an older gentleman rolls up in a souped-up (sp?) Corvette and gives each of the young ladies roses – like a half-dozen each!! . . . . I also heard that there had been a guy there earlier yelling at them for being “green” – asking “why do you care about the environment anyway?!!!” – and then also commenting that “China is the real problem, and all we have to do is . . . .sell them FLORIDA – that would solve everything. . . . . . WHAT?!” – so, one of the volunteers commented “we are just collecting old recycling bins, man” . . . . . . . he said “Oh . . .” and then went away. . . . . . . . . . – at the end of the day, they ended up with 271 Bins- GREAT JOB!

8. ~11:00 - Over to Bittersweet to check out Marlyn and her crew – this was a tough location because a lot of Mishawaka residents did not get new recycling containers – they’re on a slightly different system. Once again, though, I want to be in Mishawaka schools come May, and so I wanted to make a good impression in the area – mission accomplished.  – at the end of the day, they ended up with 100 Bins- GREAT JOB!

9. ~12:00 noon – Back up to ND’s Martin’s . . . I am surprised to see around 10 volunteers hanging out collecting bins – GREAT! considering I only had like 3 scheduled. It just blew me away to see the performance of my volunteer team. . . I couldn’t be more proud!!

10. ~12:30 – get a call that WAOR – the Bear is having a super bowl contest at the Granger Martin’s, and Tia Brown (the volunteer leader at that location) has asked them for a spot on their live broadcast. . . . they said yes!!! So, I get up there, and watch some guy go nuts when he won the contest!! . . .and then walk outside to the van and do a live remote with Mike – GREAT!! – thanks WAOR for the free air time! By the way. . . well done Granger – between Heritage Square (which was NOT a drop-off site) and the Granger Martins – 200 bins!!

11. ~1:30 - Back to ND’s Martin’s to see that J aquila, and his volunteer team, has taken over the reigns nicely – and leading the charge into the last 1.5 hours. He also coordinates (and later stars in. . . ) another round of WNDU footage/interview (you can see some of WNDU’s video reports HERE). A South Bend Tribune reporter and photographer also stops by and gets some more information from us. . . not sure when that will be in the paper, but looking forward to it !! – way to go ND – at the end of the day, they ended up with 450 Bins- GREAT JOB!

12. ~2:45 – Brian Young and his crew load up the containers at ND (he donated his box truck – which was huge!), and I headed back down to Erskine Plaza to help out my second warhouse/truck team of Brian Thursby (my incredible brother-in-law) and Jacob Rendall. Just want to say thanks for Penske trucks as well, for helping us out with a truck this weekend!!  I was told that FOX 28 news had shown up and done an interview with Robert – one of the volunteers – check it out HERE.

13. ~4:00 – meet the two trucks at the 5-star warehouse in Elkhart and unload the bins. . . . . what a day. . . . . over 1100 bins . . . 34 volunteers . . . . and scores of ordinary people in the community wanting to be a part of something bigger than themselves!! – Can’t wait to see what’s next!!

This is just a wonderful piece. . . I love seeing people trying to authentically guide and help other people through life

It doesn’t hurt that I am father of a soon to be 5 year old (4 days!!!)

sending our christmas letter on 12seconds.tv

Now for the blooper reel

on 12seconds.tv

Some of you will be getting an email or paper copy as well, but I thought I would put it on here for anyone that cared

Here it is . . .

Continually thankful for your influence in our lives, we wanted to share this past year’s happenings with you. We would say that this year’s experience was centered on Micah 6:8 (NIV) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Let’s start with Walk Humbly . . . God has definitely shown us what is good this past year.  So many blessings. . . we are humbled by the overwhelming love and provision that God has shown us.  Our family continues to grow both in numbers and in age, and it looks like there will be another boy joining the crew in March, 2009.  Elliana (almost 5) and Kya (3 ½) have both had a wonderful transition to Countryside Montessori Academy. Elliana is often seen bringing home more and more advanced books, and Kya is surprising us all the time with his increased assortment of skills and knowledge. It really is a joy to see them love learning ☺. Dakota (1 ½ ) is loving his dedicated Mommy time and enjoys making us laugh each day; he’s a little ham.

Continuing now to Love Mercy. . . Ang took a wonderfully risky leap of faith this year. . . and I couldn’t be more proud of her transition.  She resigned as a mental health therapist from St. Mary’s College in May, so that she could be home with the kids. Such hard work. . . with very little credit. . . but we both feel much better about our “new” system of things. Ted also took a leap this year with establishing greenLockers as an official non-profit organization. There’s a possibility that it’ll be in 20 schools this year . . . just crazy!! . . . but I guess when God wants to provide for the poor – he finds a way, and we feel humbled to be a part of God’s mercy to others.
-     Mercy sure is interesting isn’t it?. . . never is it fair, but God keeps giving it to us. . . and in turn we can share it with others. I have ventured into the blogosphere this past year (www.tedbryant.org) – and it has proven to be an incredible daily tool to show others God’s mercy – feel free to check it out sometime – there is much more about India, greenLockers, my random ranting, Bethel College, and our family on there.

Now to Do Justly. . . . justice has taken a new place in our hearts this year, for starters . . . our next child is named Dane Justice Bryant. In addition, I am venturing to India in a few days with a team from our church (including Angela’s father) to pioneer efforts in discerning how we can partner with International Justice Mission (http://www.ijm.org) to facilitate the end of child slavery and prostitution in the state of Tamil Nadu. God always seems to be up to something . . . hopefully we will be still enough to hear God’s will for our lives.  We look forward to the adventure of 2009. May you feel God’s abundant love all around you this Christmas season!

We were covering some social psychology stuff the other day in General Psychology - specifically, conformity and obedience.  So, . . . . . and I am sure you will all be surprised by this. . . . I decided to use some youtube videos to bring home some of the material.

I first showed them this video on conformity (a little old, but the students always get a kick out of the sweet clothes!), and it gets the students warmed up:)

I then ask for some of their reactions, but we do not spend very much time on it. . . because I am just wanting to lay the foundations for the next video:

I then go through a series of questions that the students respond to – usually in written form first (just because some people want time to collect their thoughts – and feel much more comfortable writing it all out first), and then we end up discussing them after we are all the way through. I give them a couple of minutes after each question to write out their responses . . . . a few more minutes after some of the more difficult ones (i.e., #6).

1. What are your intial reactions to this?
2. Why do you think it is that when Stanley Milgram (before he did the experiment) asked psychologists to predict what percentage of people they thought would go all the way to the lethal level of shock (450 volts) . . . the psychologists predicted only 1/10th of 1% . . . . . .?
3. Migram’s parents were Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany. . . how do you think this might of changed his view on Nazis?
4. What do these two videos/experiments tell us about the human race?
5. Do you think you would have gone all the way to the most severe shock if you were the “teacher” in the second video? . . . explain why
6. How do these two videos. . . and especially the second one. . . .relate to our faith. . . what we believe. . . and how we end of up believing certain things about our faith.
7. Define obedience
8. What type of obedience does God want from you?

What ensues then is a great discussion involving class material, personal experiences, and faith. . . . . . . and that combination, . . . . ALWAYS makes me happy. . . . .man! I love what I get to do:)!

So, Rob Wegner had a great little discussion about this video the other day on his blog. . . and I just wanted to continue it here:

What do you think this video means – is it good news or bad. . . or both . . . or neither? You tell me:

I have sensed from the moment that I stepped foot on this campus that I was called here. . . . . in part. . . . to stretch these students into becoming more than they every thought was possible. . . . to start a few fires in their hearts and minds that they cannot ignore, – - – you know, I often believe in my students so much more than they believe in themeselves. . . . . and one wish that I have for them. . . . is that they live out this radical love of Jesus. . . . . without feeling destroyed when others don’t approve.

This is a video that we used in our identity series last year or so at Lifeline (GSM now). . . . and it is a wonderful reminder to me today that God loves you and me so much. . . . . enough that. . . . we don’t have to play the comparison game anymore. . . . that your worth is NOT CONNECTED to others’ dissaproval or. . .  conditional love. . . . .The truth of God’s grace has set you free from those chains of being obsessed with other’s approval. . . . Praise God for that freedom. . . . and live like you are free. . . . because you are!

Watch this video:

My question to you is why does this happen?

As a Cognitive Psychologist, I have studied attention a lot in my career. . . here are just a few findings about attention:

1. We only have a limited supply of it, so we need to be intentional on where it goes
2. Very few things actually CAPTURE our attention
3. We often are not aware of things in our plain sight due to a phenomenon called “inattentional blindness” – that is, . . . because we are giving all of our attention to something else.
4. Attention and awareness are primarily driven by OUR expectations

The questions then becomes. . .How does this relate to this scripture?

Jeremiah 5:21
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear

Perhaps we do not see God move. . . . because we have no real expectation of seeing Him at all. . . . if our awareness is linked to expectations. . . . how about we start expecting to see Love winning. . . . His kingdom coming. . . the Holy Spirit igniting. . . . seeing opportunities in our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. . .

Father I pray that we pay more attention to what you are doing all around us. . . . Give us the courage to expect to see you move. . . . please. . . . even as our lives may be in difficult times. . . you say that you are with the brokenhearted. . . . help us to expect you to faithful. . . you always are – thank you!