A Monday Afternoon Blogpodge
With so much going on around here with conferences and book deadlines we really appreciate your patience as we try to keep the blog updated semi-regularly. The following is a hodge-podge of important announcements/updates that have piled up recently. Below you’ll find a book update, free resources from Sovereign Grace Ministries, a new forum reading group, get-together photos, and more!
Do Hard Things Book Update
Writing a book has been a humbling experience. We can’t tell you how many times we have sat down to write for several hours, only to get back up with only a few hundred words to show for it. At other times we have felt tired and our brains clouded, only to see God work out several thousand words. His strength, not ours.
This past Friday was the deadline for the first draft of Do Hard Things. We’ve written around 50,000 words for the book in the last two months, almost an entire year’s worth of normal Rebelution blogging. There is still much work to be done, but we’re excited about how God is so clearly involved in this project. We can’t wait for the day when we can start sharing some of it with all of you. Interestingly enough, it is already available for pre-order on Amazon. Now we really have to finish it!
The book already includes many stories and examples from rebelutionaries on the blog, the Forum, and from the conferences. Right now we’re looking for more stories of Christian young people who have really lived out “do hard things” as teenagers. Particularly, we need a few more stories of girls, and hopefully, some stories of teens from outside the United States. Any ideas?
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Free MP3 Messages
Sovereign Grace Ministries has given a truly invaluable gift to the Church by making their store’s entire collection of MP3 messages available for free download, all of which are “browsable” by speaker, topic, or set.
Head on over and take advantage of messages from CJ Mahaney, Josh Harris, John Piper, Wayne Grudem, John MacArthur, Albert Mohler, Bob Kauflin, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, Bruce Ware, Eric Simmons, David Powlison, R.C. Sproul and more.
Indianapolis Registration Alert
Thank you all for your prayers for the ministry of the conferences. Registration for the Indianapolis conference has already exceeded all the others, with two weeks to go. Pray that God would use the event to change the lives of those who come.
FYI, for those who plan to register (or have friends who do), don’t forget that this coming Saturday (the 8th) is the deadline for early-registration rates. After Saturday registration pricing will jump $5 per attendee.
Speaking of the conference, we are in desperate need of some additional Indiana families to offer their homes for host-housing over the weekend of September 15th. Please contact Evie at evie [at] therebelution [dot] com if you can help.
The Café: Systematic Theology Reading Group
Behind the leadership of Pastor Timothy Durey and Forum admin Jonathan Field, the Rebelution Forum boasts the all-new Café, whose first project is to read through Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology as a group. If you want to participate, let us know at forum [at] therebelution [dot] com.
Eric Novak: What is Holding Us Back?
Rebelutionary blogger Eric Novak of The Voice of Experience has written a great post titled What is Holding Us Back? — read an excerpt below, then go and read the whole thing and leave a comment for Eric:
“In this day and age, the biggest problem we young adults face is not drugs or alcohol – but the stereotype that we’re stuck in. Today’s teens are categorized as adolescents, so they act like adolescents.” (Read the rest…)
Breakaway Mag: Rebels With a Cause
Way back in April, Brett and I were interviewed for an article in the Breakaway Magazine Year of the World-Changer series. This month, it’s out!
UPDATE: BreakawayMag.com just posted an online-only supplement to the article with more of the interview we did, focusing on how to be a rebelutionary and dealing with the persecution that will inevitably come. Check it out.
Megan: Raising the Bar
Megan, one of three contributors to Bloom! Magazine and the Bloom! Blog for teen girls, has written a really excellent article titled Raising the Bar. Read the excerpt, visit the blog, leave a comment, and subscribe to the magazine. Great work, girls!
“The world bombards us with many beliefs and lies about who we are and what we can accomplish. As daughters of the King, we know that we are to rise above our culture and be the light of the world. But it is difficult to shine if we can’t recognize darkness, and it is hard to rise above our culture if we are absorbing its messages. One of the most widespread messages that I have only begun to recognize is the tempting and subtle message of low expectations.” (Read the rest…)
Radio, Radio, Radio
Last weekend Brett and I had the great honor of joining Dr. Albert Mohler as guests on the Albert Mohler Radio Program to talk about the Rebelution. You can download or listen to the interview online by clicking here.
For those of you in Indiana, Brett and I will be on the Moody Broadcasting Network on Wednesday to talk about the Rebelution and the upcoming conference at 2 PM (EST). It will be broadcast on WGNR 97.9 FM / AM 1470.
UPDATE: Actually, the interview with Moody will be recorded at 2 PM (EST) on Wednesday, but we’re not yet sure when it will be aired. We’ll keep you posted.
Rebelutionary Get-Togethers Galore
There seems to be an epidemic of rebelutionary get-togethers sweeping around the world in 2007. Check out a few of the more recent outbreaks:
(l-r) Christina and Isaac Boskovic, Daniel Gilman, and David Boskovic
(l-r) Isaac and David, David MacMillan, Sarah Greek, and Christina
(l-r) Lindsey Wagstaffe and Sarah Harris
(l-r) Alex Harris, Ben and Elisabeth Thomas, Sarah and Brett Harris
According to rumors floating around Rebelution headquarters, be looking for a big gathering of rebelutionary leaders in Indianapolis later this month.
That’s All for Now, Folks
Hope you enjoyed this “blogpodge” of sorts. Please continue to pray for the book, the conferences, and the day-to-day work of the website. God bless you all!
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Hey guys, thanks for the update! It’s so encouraging to see the Lord working in yall’s lives! I’m so excited about the book!
And I will definitely be taking advantage of the free messages from Sovereign Grace Ministries. Thanks again; y’all are in my prayers.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Yes, thanks so much for the update — I can tell you all are keeping very very busy! I am greatly looking forward to the release of your book next spring. May God continue to bless you in all the days ahead. You are a great encouragement to us all!
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Wow! I will be looking forward to seeing your book! Ya’ll provide hope for our generation!
Just this weekend i went to a Prairie Arts Festival and i totally see why teens have such a bad name! Voices like ya’ll will, by God’s grace carry farther than the images of the “average” teenager! Thank ya’ll so much! God’s best to ya!
Tiffany
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Awesome cant wait till your book comes out.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:35 pm
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” -1Pet.5:10
We’re praying for you guys!
~Ashley
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:16 pm
This may have been a blogpodge update, but gosh, did I enjoy it!!! Thanks a lot.
Your book and work is in my prayers. Keep pressing on!
September 4th, 2007 at 4:58 am
If you want I am not an American and I am a girl so I might be able to hunt up some doing hard things stories. Does it matter if some of them are from people that are older now? (I was thinking of my mum.)
You guys are doing an awesome job! Keep up the good work.
September 4th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Thank you for the update. I have been praying for you with consistency and excitement
Like Felicity, I am a non-American (Chinese in southeast Asia, to be exact) homeschooled girl who can help to track down many do-hard-things stories from within my large Christian network. There is a pastor’s daughter who entered college at 14, there is a close friend who has topped many international math contests during her teenage years, as well as many others.
My favorite story would be about my father’s personal journey from being a 15-year-old refugee who fled Vietnam alone during the Communist takeover to being an established pastor today. It’s a long story, and it is also from the past, but perhaps it could help.
To whom much is given, much is required. May you continue to live up to the expectations of our glorious Lord
September 4th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Great post, always wonderful to hear what God is doing! The Breakaway article was great. Will continue to pray for God’s favor on your labors.
September 4th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Enjoyed the blogpodge! =) Keep up the good work!
September 4th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Yeah guys! I think I like the blogpodge! Especially with so much interesting news. Thanks for a personal post after a long summer of writing/no-writing. We’re still praying for you guys every day, and I’m looking forward to that get-together in Indianapolis!
Adrienne
September 4th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Speaking of the Rebelution tour, what happened to the Atlanta conference? I seem to remember Atlanta was on the map and now it’s gone! In fact there really isn’t any conference anywhere near the south, except for North Carolina. Do you have any plans to reschedule an Atlanta conference? Also, is there any way that I can buy a tapping of the conferences? That would be pretty amazing.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Felicity and Wenslyn: Thank you so much for offering to help us find stories. Our main need at the moment is one or two really good stories of present-day rebelutionaries. However, we would love to get other story ideas for possible use elsewhere in the book. If you could, please email them to me at alex [at] therebelution [dot] com.
Elizabeth: You’re right, there were tentative plans to come to Atlanta, but our local team fell through. However, we are hoping to come to the south next year, besides North Carolina. We’re looking for a host team in Birmingham at the moment.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:39 am
Ya’ll are certainly a huge encouragement to me. Thanks for all you do and may God bless you abundantly!
September 4th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I enjoyed the updates:) I keep you and your family in prayer.
I’m looking forward to the conference next weekend!
God Bless!
September 4th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
It’s neat to see pictures of the people on the forum!
September 4th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Hey Alex and Brett,
Thanks so much for all that you’re doing. Your blog has really influenced the way I think (in a positive way, of course ;-P)
Oh, and I love the pictures
God Bless!
September 4th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I am going to echo Elizabeth Cuneo, and ask if there will ever be a recording of a conference? (Or maybe a video)
September 4th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Oooh, ditto Emma and Elizabeth Cuneo! We thought that we were going to be able to make it to Indianapolis, but it fell through.
:(
Have you guys thought of doing one in El Paso, TX, Phoenix, AZ or Albuquerque, NM?? I don’t know how many Rebelutionaries there are around here, but we would be honored!
Great pictures. It’s great to know that we will all meet in Heaven.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:48 am
Brett and Alex,
I really enjoyed this part of your blog, it is so intresting to hear about what God is doing in your lives.
I live with my parents as missionarys in India. I would be happy to look around and try to find some young people doing hard things for you. My cousin has started her own clinic in the Philippines and some of my cousins have helped start a couple of christian radio stations in Peru.
I will be praying for your book. Can’t wait to read it!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:46 am
I really enjoyed the update! I’ll also try and look around for some stories for you. By the way, you guys should come to Ireland some time
We could use one of your conferences here!
Do you know if the Rebelution t-shirts are going to be available to those of us who couldn’t make it to any of the conferences?
Thanks again for all the hard work you do
September 5th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Loved the blogpodge–I know things are getting busy with the book.
I’ll keep my ears open for any good stories. You’ve got my prayers.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Priscilla: Brett and I have communicated with your mother and are very excited about the work your family is doing in India. We would love to hear more about those stories you mentioned.
Elizabeth and Emma: You can already order MP3 versions of the Myth of Adolescence and Do Hard Things sessions from our sister-site NobleBooks.org. There will also be (Lord-willing) a DVD available before the end of the year. We’ll keep people posted.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Wow! Even those samples are really neat!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Phoenix, AZ would be awesome! We have a huge base of Christian teenagers (tons of homeschoolers) that would really enjoy it! Myself included . . .
September 6th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Oh, so excited for the book! Maybe I’ll ask for a pre-order of it for my birthday.
I’ll be praying for you guys!
Aw, I love those pictures. Its cool to see other rebelutionary’s having “face-to-face” contact.
September 7th, 2007 at 8:38 am
I would really, really, really like one of those pictures of us…I’m positively sure that I look extremely grumpy in the one that was taken on my disposable camera. Could one of you please email me one of those pictures?
Enjoyed the blogpodge, probably will get one of those John Piper mp3s to listen to so that I can see why I should be ‘converted’.
Have a wonderful Indiana conference!
September 8th, 2007 at 9:08 am
*Jumps for joy* Thanks Alex.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Hey! I just wanted to thank you both for the work you are doing–it’s awesome.
I wish I had a great “do hard things” story, but I don’t. I frequently struggle with the fact that I’m just living a sheltered little life, and I can’t figure out how to do hard things, besides not being mean to my sisters or something petty like that. I’m one of those not-doing-anything-worth-mentioning Rebelutionaries, and I’m not sure how to fix it.
As soon as my mom gets home tonight, I’m hoping to pre-order your book! I’m so thrilled about it; I absolutely cannot wait for you to get it done! I guess the best way for me to help hurry it up is to pray–my blessings to you both!
Can’t wait to hear you speak in Indiana!!
Erica
September 8th, 2007 at 10:50 am
I am in Canada (and therefore outside the US), and while I can’t think of any specific teens who have done something big enough and hard enough to look decent and encouraging in a book so far, I will let you know.
This whole ‘Do Hard Things’ theme has really helped me in my mindset for school-ish things this year. I am going to do these hard things, and learn as much as I am able while I can!
Thank you for the awesome blog-podge!
God bless,
Sheila
September 8th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
How young do the people have to be to be used for your book? I have a friend who started an orphanage in Bolivia while in her early twenties. The orphanage, though only 3 years old, is now filled to overflowing with several dozen children and more coming in every day. If you go to http://www.casadeamor.org, you can read her story. Click on “About us” and then “About Our Founder”. Jennifer and I met through e-mail about 5 years ago when I was planning a fundraiser to help pay for building the orphanage, and I have considered her a friend ever since. Her passion for the people of Bolivia is infectious. God has used her greatly already, and I know He’s not finished with her yet!
September 10th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Thanks for the update…I enjoyed reading it!
God bless you with your book…I can hardly wait to read it!
~ Alyssa C.
September 10th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I enjoyed this hodgepodge, Alex and Brett. I really liked putting faces with names.
I am so excited on the book front. I look forward to getting it, reading it, and growing through it. However, can I ask a question? Everything has appeared to go so well so quickly. I know it is totally a God thing, but also, was it because of who you are? What I mean is, did being Joshua Harris’s brothers and Gregg Harris’s sons pave the way? Why I ask is that I am really earnestly praying about writing a “Christian help book” like you guys did. However, it seems like when I go to try, it will either go so slow, or be rejected period. Just wondered.
Any way, thank you guys for all that you do. The Rebelution means so much, and it really convicts me to “do the hard things…” even though I don’t always succeed.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Hey,
That was a great post. I am so excited for the book. I cannot wait to read it. I am praying for you guys! :cD
I feel like I have learned so much from you, and other rebelutionaries. But I just don’t know how to write a story about it (For your book). Does anybody else feel this way? You want to share your story with others, but don’t know where to start?
September 11th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
I’m looking forward to reading through the different posts and articles you listed on here. It looks like a great list.
I’m praying for you both as you write.
~Kelsey
http://setapart.wordpress.com
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Hey, This is probably a little late off the mark now, but if you need any more stories of ‘hard things’ I may be able to help out too….Im 19, a girl, from Australia. And I found that working in a job full of non-christians has challenged me to do heaps of hard things!