6.04.2009
What I'm Discovering About Youth Ministry
I try to have no agenda when I'm with students, meaning I don't want them to think "he's just here because he wants me to do something" (join a bible study, small group, mission trip) etc but rather I want to be with them, help them see how God is working in their lives and encourage them with no strings attached but the string of love.
I think the problem with that approach is it's hard to measure when you don't make students do stuff.
Talked with a friend yesterday about Andrew Root's, Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry: From a Strategy of Influence to a Theology of Incarnation and it just kind of brought these thoughts out in our discussion.
4.28.2009
I need to write/blog
Writing is not just jotting down ideas. Often we say: "I don't know what to write. I have no thoughts worth writing down." But much good writing emerges from the process of writing itself. As we simply sit down in front of a sheet of paper and start to express in words what is on our minds or in our hearts, new ideas emerge, ideas that can surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there.
One of the most satisfying aspects of writing is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.
Writing is not just jotting down ideas. Often we say: "I don't know what to write. I have no thoughts worth writing down." But much good writing emerges from the process of writing itself. As we simply sit down in front of a sheet of paper and start to express in words what is on our minds or in our hearts, new ideas emerge, ideas that can surprise us and lead us to inner places we hardly knew were there.One of the most satisfying aspects of writing is that it can open in us deep wells of hidden treasures that are beautiful for us as well as for others to see.
Henri Nouwen
4.01.2009
3.04.2009
Family life is messy
Dr. Hobart Mower reached the pinnacle of his profession by becoming the president of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Mower traveled the country lecturing on the "meaning of life" and found that meaning to be in family.
At fifty-one years of age, his children were grown and gone, and his wife divorced him. Mower asked the question, "What am I to do?" His answer was to take his life. He decided the struggle wasn't worth it.
This unbelievably sad story underlines the fact that not even the "experts" have all the answers. Family life is messy. There is no one method that will magically make a household perfect. Rather, let us all determine to persevere and take courage that tomorrow will be better than today, that sacrificial living for our children is worth it, and that everything happens for a reason.
2.18.2009
Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.
Q. So the government is giving me back my own money
A. Only a smidgen.
Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high- definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.
Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:
If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
If you purchase a computer it will go to India.
If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
If you buy a car it will go to Japan.
If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan. And none of it will help the American economy.We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball games or getting tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.
Q. So the government is giving me back my own money
A. Only a smidgen.
Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high- definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.
Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:
If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.
If you purchase a computer it will go to India.
If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).
If you buy a car it will go to Japan.
If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan. And none of it will help the American economy.We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball games or getting tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.
2.11.2009
It’s so easy to get busy that we neglect to appreciate the everyday joys that involve parenting a teenager. Joys in parenting a teenager?! No, I don’t think I’m crazy, but if I am please let me live in my crazy world because I like it here. Joys do happen though we often let the negatives outweigh them.
Your child is discovering who they are and hopefully pursuing God as they seek to shape their identity and future.
Ask them about what they are thinking about the future. If they are not, help them to begin considering the world of options they still have at a young age.
We have the responsibility to train our children to become responsible adults but also to become maturing believers.
There can be no greater joy than looking back and knowing you did all you could to help your child connect better with God.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Be intentional today so you have great joy tomorrow.
Keep Lovin’ Jesus,
Len
Your child is discovering who they are and hopefully pursuing God as they seek to shape their identity and future.
Ask them about what they are thinking about the future. If they are not, help them to begin considering the world of options they still have at a young age.
We have the responsibility to train our children to become responsible adults but also to become maturing believers.
There can be no greater joy than looking back and knowing you did all you could to help your child connect better with God.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Be intentional today so you have great joy tomorrow.
Keep Lovin’ Jesus,
Len
1.16.2009
Whoah it's 2009
Haven't blogged in forever. I'm still alive, kicking and thinking just haven't given much thought to blogging about life, ministry, youth ministry, or even Jim Rice joining the baseball hall of fame.
I'm skiing this weekend but hopefully will get back in the groove of blogging when I return. If you want to regularly know in microbites what's going on in my life, follow me on twitter.
Haven't blogged in forever. I'm still alive, kicking and thinking just haven't given much thought to blogging about life, ministry, youth ministry, or even Jim Rice joining the baseball hall of fame.
I'm skiing this weekend but hopefully will get back in the groove of blogging when I return. If you want to regularly know in microbites what's going on in my life, follow me on twitter.
12.04.2008
Around the Horn
1. Moms & Pops Stuff
Moms & Pops Stuff is a great & free 3 page newsletter from FamilyBasedYouthMinistry.org with practical ideas for you to share with parents of teenagers.
Brenda runs WildFrontier and Family Based Youth Ministry and she pretty much rocks! She also will have a chapter in Tim Baker's upcoming YS book; The Youth Worker Book of Hope, along with me, matthew mcnutt and a many others, coming out in 09, I believe.
2. From Truth to Truth by John Fischer
It's best to not use the Bible as an authority when discussing religion with someone who doesn't accept it as such.
As Christians we make this mistake often. We use scripture to prove things without first finding out what authority, if any, a person accepts. When Paul spoke to stoic philosophers in Athens (Acts 17:16-34), he made reference to an idol from their own religion, one of their popular poets, and lots of common sense reason. In other words, he listened first, and found out what of their own culture was useful to him. (Read more)
Rice was a beast who for years would be considered "on the fence" but I think this year (plus being 100% post steroid era) will be his year to enter baseball immortality beyond Boston.
As Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe points out, Pedroia was the only player in the majors last season to finish with at least 175 hits, 75 runs, 75 RBIs, 15 homers, 20 stole bases while winning a Gold Glove.
1. Moms & Pops Stuff
Moms & Pops Stuff is a great & free 3 page newsletter from FamilyBasedYouthMinistry.org with practical ideas for you to share with parents of teenagers.
Brenda runs WildFrontier and Family Based Youth Ministry and she pretty much rocks! She also will have a chapter in Tim Baker's upcoming YS book; The Youth Worker Book of Hope, along with me, matthew mcnutt and a many others, coming out in 09, I believe.
2. From Truth to Truth by John Fischer
It's best to not use the Bible as an authority when discussing religion with someone who doesn't accept it as such.
As Christians we make this mistake often. We use scripture to prove things without first finding out what authority, if any, a person accepts. When Paul spoke to stoic philosophers in Athens (Acts 17:16-34), he made reference to an idol from their own religion, one of their popular poets, and lots of common sense reason. In other words, he listened first, and found out what of their own culture was useful to him. (Read more)
Rice's 382 homers and 1,451 RBIs were tops among all American League hitters during his 16 years. Furthermore, Rice topped 20 homers 11 times, 100 RBIs eight times, was an All-Star eight times, hit .300 in seven seasons and he finished in the top five in the AL MVP voting six times. Also, Rice hit 39-plus homers four times, the most of anyone who played during his time period.
Rice was a beast who for years would be considered "on the fence" but I think this year (plus being 100% post steroid era) will be his year to enter baseball immortality beyond Boston.
4. Don't Like Reading? Read on. . . .
Just because you don’t enjoy reading a good book, doesn’t mean there aren’t many other uses for all of those books piled up in the attic.
This picture pales in comparison to the great art made from books but it's the one that I think I might want to try to make.
HT2 McNair
Tony's a friend, I like Tony a lot but I don't understand this position or even the rationale.
6. 4 Secrets for Massive Productivity
I had the chance to attend Don's Beat the Clock 2.5 day seminar while living in CT and this is well worth your time to listen to as you do things on your computer. Hit the play button on "Hear Don Wetmore Now"
7. MVPedroia! I called it a month before the season ended.
As Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe points out, Pedroia was the only player in the majors last season to finish with at least 175 hits, 75 runs, 75 RBIs, 15 homers, 20 stole bases while winning a Gold Glove.No official Bonus for Pedroia winning the MVP but his new six year extension was announced today for around 40.5 million dollars.
12.03.2008
Use it As You Wish
Here's something I did recently for our senior high group. We are studying Ephesians so I gave each person this (with the other chapters, too) and it's designed to be a way to help it be more of a group discovery project rather than just the teacher dispensning insight. I hope I have some insight but my desire was for it to be a community learning experience where we study or at least read individually then come together to discuss it.
The #'s you see next to Ephesians are boxes to check off how many times they read each chapter. Use it as you wish and if you have any thoughts, would love to hear them.
Ephesians: A Group Discovery & Discernment Worksheet
Ephesians 1 # # # # # # # # # #
What questions do I have from this chapter?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What verse or verses stand out to me?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to start doing in light of what this chapter says?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to stop doing in light of what this chapter says?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to pray about in light of what this chapter says?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the Big Idea of this chapter?
________________________________________________________________________________
Here's something I did recently for our senior high group. We are studying Ephesians so I gave each person this (with the other chapters, too) and it's designed to be a way to help it be more of a group discovery project rather than just the teacher dispensning insight. I hope I have some insight but my desire was for it to be a community learning experience where we study or at least read individually then come together to discuss it.
The #'s you see next to Ephesians are boxes to check off how many times they read each chapter. Use it as you wish and if you have any thoughts, would love to hear them.
Ephesians: A Group Discovery & Discernment Worksheet
Ephesians 1 # # # # # # # # # #
What questions do I have from this chapter?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What verse or verses stand out to me?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to start doing in light of what this chapter says?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to stop doing in light of what this chapter says?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What do I need to pray about in light of what this chapter says?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
What is the Big Idea of this chapter?
________________________________________________________________________________
11.25.2008
From Webkinz to Facebook
I did a technology and teens seminar with a lady from my church and here's a little quiz I gave the parents. I'd share all my notes but the great stuff was done by her. She trains professors at Texas Tech about the students they are dealing with. Wonderful having amazing people in our churches.
Txt Quiz
LOL __________________
brb __________________
lol __________________
L8r __________________
osm __________________
btw __________________
idk __________________
ttfn __________________
rofl __________________
imo/imho __________________
ALL CAPS equals ________________________
How much does The LG Texting National Championship award the winner for school?
I did a technology and teens seminar with a lady from my church and here's a little quiz I gave the parents. I'd share all my notes but the great stuff was done by her. She trains professors at Texas Tech about the students they are dealing with. Wonderful having amazing people in our churches.
Txt Quiz
LOL __________________
brb __________________
lol __________________
L8r __________________
osm __________________
btw __________________
idk __________________
ttfn __________________
rofl __________________
imo/imho __________________
ALL CAPS equals ________________________
How much does The LG Texting National Championship award the winner for school?
