This term is not an original that I made up. Some smart psychologist or something coined the phrase in referring to the culture we live in, particularly the youth culture. And I think that he or she got it pretty dead on.

You know what vultures do. They find something that’s sick or dying, something hurt, and they prey on it and feed on it and finish it off. It’s pretty gruesome and intense. But then so is the level of bullying and verbal bashing we see in youth culture today. Vulture culture – it unfortunately fits.

Maybe you know someone who has been made fun of on facebook. Maybe someone’s said something hurtful to you under the anonymousness of formspring. Maybe you’ve been made fun of by people at school. Maybe your brother or sister consistently berate you and make you feel worthless. This vulture culture is scary in how fierce and persistent it can be. It really seems like any time I go on facebook anymore I can find someone being picked on (even if “in joking”) in less than 10 minutes of meandering around.

And so what does this tell us? Is this just people joking around? Is this a matter of one or two people out there having real attitude problems and being the trouble makers? Or is it something that we all need to deal with because the end results can be shockingly tragic?

It should sadden us to hear that there are people ending their lives, giving away parts of their hearts, cutting themselves, bullying other people, or other serious reactions to this kind of stuff – even if it isn’t in our school or even state. This is a reality that WILL affect you and touch you and your friends and we MUST do something about it. There’s no question that cyber bullying and people being absolutely rude beyond belief is on the rise around us. But what are we doing about it? What can we do about it?

- Don’t participate. I know, it seems obvious. But don’t be one of the rude people who attack other people who you don’t like, no matter what.

- Don’t react. This one could have been put with the last one but you would have read over it. But arguments online are stupid and senseless. If you are being attacked or someone you care for is, don’t react. It fuels the fire when you do. For example, if you choose to have a formspring (which you’d be much better without) DO NOT respond to questions or comments that are rude, sexual, or too personal.

- Act. I heard it said once that we need to fight for a life of action not reaction. So in this instance you need to not react to people out of anger and frustration and emotion. You need to stop, step back from the situation, think about the best solution to the problem, and then act. There is this insane idea that if you contact an authority about something like this that you’re a coward or unable to handle your own junk, but it actually saves you from wasting your time with a situation that really does need someone’s attention, and also saves you from having to deal with it alone.

So as the vultures of rude, obnoxious, and angry people circle around, let us be the ones who come to the rescue bringing help and healing to those who have been hurt and keeping the vultures away. Then maybe we can see the culture begin to shift the way we know it needs to.

It’s only been a few hours now since I watched the movie “Inception” which leaves me with all kinds of wild thoughts of dreams, subconscious, and the power of our minds. There were so many enjoyable parts of the movie. From the wonderful acting, excellent camera work, compelling plot line, and deep levels of questions that don’t always get answered, it places itself on a different level than most films being put out. And it does it with finesse. But it also has me thinking about our life dreams.

Our intensely powerful minds have the capability of thinking of things that are not yet and imagining what it would be like if they were. You can dream of all kinds of things happening in your life or in your world that aren’t that way yet. It’s what spurs on the artist to paint on a blank canvas. It’s what motivates the social activist to fight for their cause. We see what is in front of us and then begin to bend and twist it and see what it would look like in a different way.

But there’s something I’ve noticed about many youth today that has me pretty concerned. Maybe it’s because we’re more realists. Maybe it’s because we’ve been hurt one too many times. But there is something that has caused many to quit dreaming. We sleepwalk through life but go through moments more like projections of someone’s imagination than controllers of our own dreams. And this has robbed us of some of the glorious wonder of life as we know it.

When was the last time you thought about what you would love to see your life amount to? Beyond just good, can you think of details of what a good life for you really means? Have you ever or recently prayed about what God wants to do in and through your life? When was the last time you took those things that move your heart in life and allow them to blossom into life-directing dreams? What’s keeping you from pursuing something greater?

Don’t let your past hold you back. Don’t let regrets tie your hands. Don’t let your mind become so calloused by ordinary life that you never allow yourself to dream of what extraordinary things God could be wanting to do through you.

The future waits expectantly for those who believe in the possibility of their dreams. So close your eyes and wait. You might find yourself in the middle of a dream not knowing exactly how you got there, but then what will you do? Will you reinvent the world around you in fresh, beautiful, and God-honoring ways or be satisfied with dreamless living? As long as your feet rest on this ground may your mind soar towards heaven and your hands fight to pull them closer.

The concerts here at Creation continue to be incredible music moments. John Mark McMillan who wrote the very popular “How He Loves” song we sing often in Tidal Wave performed yesterday and taught the crowd some new songs too. Personally speaking, he’s been one of my personal favorites. I love hearing worship leaders explore new lands of worship music, which is what he does. Also, last night was a real winner with some awesome worship with Chris Tomlin & then a funky dance-filled time with TobyMac. Greg Stier challenged us to not connect the dots so we can share Christ with our friends. And in the evening Louie Giglio reminded us our HUGE our God is and how that should shape our worship and prayers. So much more in store for today!!

The valiant warriors after sweet victory!