8.31.2004
Shawn is my biggest fan!
in the past my blog has been listed as:
Len Evans is wicked cool!
Len Evans you rock!
but today he wins "The-All-time-most-creative-suck-up-renamed-blog-title" award and the title is:
I bought a Len Evans bobble head doll at 7-11
It just made me laugh!
in the past my blog has been listed as:
Len Evans is wicked cool!
Len Evans you rock!
but today he wins "The-All-time-most-creative-suck-up-renamed-blog-title" award and the title is:
I bought a Len Evans bobble head doll at 7-11
It just made me laugh!
8.30.2004
While talking to a friend tonight online I wrote:
We play too many games with our calling. We do a spiritual work in a non-spiritual way and we wonder why we don't see spiritual results.
I need to save that and use it somehow but more importantly I need to try and fix that in my own life and ministry.
We play too many games with our calling. We do a spiritual work in a non-spiritual way and we wonder why we don't see spiritual results.
I need to save that and use it somehow but more importantly I need to try and fix that in my own life and ministry.
8.24.2004
You Might Be A Redneck Youth Pastor If
you have a gotee in honor of your pet goat.
your church van enters monster truck contests.
you've ever said, "Chewing tobacco is not expressly forbidden in the Bible."
the lowest attendance in your ministry is the first week of deer season.
during your last "Love, Sex & Dating" series you explained why cousins shouldn't date.
you've ever said, "Since the King James Version was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me!"
youth worship nights must include something by "The Gaithers."
there's an American flag, a Christian flag and a rebel flag in your sanctuary.
people yell "Darn tootin'!" along with "Amen" during the sermon.
you've ever sponsored a "Squirrel Hunt to Help Feed the Poor"
(I wrote this about 3 years ago and found it tonight, thought I'd share it.)
you have a gotee in honor of your pet goat.
your church van enters monster truck contests.
you've ever said, "Chewing tobacco is not expressly forbidden in the Bible."
the lowest attendance in your ministry is the first week of deer season.
during your last "Love, Sex & Dating" series you explained why cousins shouldn't date.
you've ever said, "Since the King James Version was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me!"
youth worship nights must include something by "The Gaithers."
there's an American flag, a Christian flag and a rebel flag in your sanctuary.
people yell "Darn tootin'!" along with "Amen" during the sermon.
you've ever sponsored a "Squirrel Hunt to Help Feed the Poor"
(I wrote this about 3 years ago and found it tonight, thought I'd share it.)
8.22.2004
10 Verses for Ministry
I had an idea to find 10 verses that would reflect my philosophy of youth ministry or my values in youth ministry. (No, the picture does not reflect my philoshopy, just my sense of humor.)
I wanted to use only 10 so I could memorize them and always keep them in front of me. I then decided to make 2 lists of 10. One for Being a Youth Minister and one for Doing Youth Ministry.
Here are my verses so far, for Being a Youth Minister:
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Tim 4:16
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48b
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.
Acts 13:36
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Acts 20:28
What would yours be and what other 2 should I add?
I had an idea to find 10 verses that would reflect my philosophy of youth ministry or my values in youth ministry. (No, the picture does not reflect my philoshopy, just my sense of humor.)
I wanted to use only 10 so I could memorize them and always keep them in front of me. I then decided to make 2 lists of 10. One for Being a Youth Minister and one for Doing Youth Ministry.
Here are my verses so far, for Being a Youth Minister:
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Tim 4:16
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48b
He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13
For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.
Acts 13:36
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
Acts 20:28
What would yours be and what other 2 should I add?
8.18.2004
Nine Basic Beliefs about Youth Ministry
by Ryan C. Nielsen
1. Students matter to God and warrant our efforts to extend the gospel to them.
2. The gospel of Jesus Christ must be presented in a way that is relevant to the culture of students (Eph. 6:18,19).
3. Evangelism is a process and is best accomplished within the context of relationships.
4. There are various levels of spiritual interest and Christian commitment among students.
5. Effective student ministry is done through the development of real relationships between believers and non-churched students.
6. Student ministry done with excellence reflects God and attracts students.
7. Student ministry is to be reviewed and evaluated for real effectiveness.
8. Student ministry should be built on the team principle--not on the gifts of one individual.
9. Every student, once they become a Christian, is capable of and should be involved in the work of building God's Kingdom.
Found in TeenLifeMinistries.com's newsletter.
by Ryan C. Nielsen
1. Students matter to God and warrant our efforts to extend the gospel to them.
2. The gospel of Jesus Christ must be presented in a way that is relevant to the culture of students (Eph. 6:18,19).
3. Evangelism is a process and is best accomplished within the context of relationships.
4. There are various levels of spiritual interest and Christian commitment among students.
5. Effective student ministry is done through the development of real relationships between believers and non-churched students.
6. Student ministry done with excellence reflects God and attracts students.
7. Student ministry is to be reviewed and evaluated for real effectiveness.
8. Student ministry should be built on the team principle--not on the gifts of one individual.
9. Every student, once they become a Christian, is capable of and should be involved in the work of building God's Kingdom.
Found in TeenLifeMinistries.com's newsletter.
8.13.2004
We don't look up often enough
I had a chance tonight, after the girls were in bed, to just go outside and rest. Sit in a chair and look up. As I did, most of my problems seemed so small in comparison. I recognized, once again, that God is so huge and yet he cares for me.
As I sat looking up, for around 30 minutes, I heard the harmony of the crickets praise. They were all around me. It seemed as if I had walked into the middle of a praise session and I got to sneek in the back and be a guest. Everynight it goes on but I am too busy to join in or enjoy the creations response to it's Creator.
What will my response be to give my creator pleasure?
I had a chance tonight, after the girls were in bed, to just go outside and rest. Sit in a chair and look up. As I did, most of my problems seemed so small in comparison. I recognized, once again, that God is so huge and yet he cares for me.
As I sat looking up, for around 30 minutes, I heard the harmony of the crickets praise. They were all around me. It seemed as if I had walked into the middle of a praise session and I got to sneek in the back and be a guest. Everynight it goes on but I am too busy to join in or enjoy the creations response to it's Creator.
What will my response be to give my creator pleasure?
Lunch with a friend
I had lunch today with my friend, Paul Evans. No we are not cousins, though I wish Tony Evans was my cousin. Paul and I went to high school together, he was a year ahead of me. We connected a few years ago over the web and he's also in youth ministry.
He and a friend run Teen Life Ministries and they send out the Monday Maximizer to around 20,000 youth workers. It was just good to catch up with each other in person and talk about what God is doing in our lives.
I had lunch today with my friend, Paul Evans. No we are not cousins, though I wish Tony Evans was my cousin. Paul and I went to high school together, he was a year ahead of me. We connected a few years ago over the web and he's also in youth ministry.
He and a friend run Teen Life Ministries and they send out the Monday Maximizer to around 20,000 youth workers. It was just good to catch up with each other in person and talk about what God is doing in our lives.
8.12.2004
My Next Book Purchase
I want to read the other books on my proverbial nightstand but this looks like it'll be a good one. I loved "Now, Discover Your Strengths". The concept is great and yet simple.
Here is their Positive Impact Test How much bucket filling do you do compared to others? Do you have low impact, some impact, or high impact on your environment?
What if Christians just took up the command "Encourage one another" and made that a top goal for an entire year?
Wow! Just imagine if we put that ONE command into practice, day by day for an entire year. What would be different in our homes and churches?
I want to read the other books on my proverbial nightstand but this looks like it'll be a good one. I loved "Now, Discover Your Strengths". The concept is great and yet simple.
Here is their Positive Impact Test How much bucket filling do you do compared to others? Do you have low impact, some impact, or high impact on your environment?
What if Christians just took up the command "Encourage one another" and made that a top goal for an entire year?
Wow! Just imagine if we put that ONE command into practice, day by day for an entire year. What would be different in our homes and churches?
Doug Pagitt Triple Dog Dares Tony Jones to share his blog
Doug is daring Tony to go public with his blog. Which he hasn't shared with anyone and he teased me about last Fall. So go visit the site, leave a comment, drop Tony and e-mail and lets see if we can force . . . er. . . encourage through love, Tony to make his blog public.
Doug is daring Tony to go public with his blog. Which he hasn't shared with anyone and he teased me about last Fall. So go visit the site, leave a comment, drop Tony and e-mail and lets see if we can force . . . er. . . encourage through love, Tony to make his blog public.
8.10.2004
This made me laugh:
Honest, I have no trouble with candles—in their place. Which is on Christmas Eve. But every week? And not just one candle, but hundreds. Someone's going to get burned. Isn't this contributing to global warming? I know it makes me sweat.
From My Emergent Guilt
Honest, I have no trouble with candles—in their place. Which is on Christmas Eve. But every week? And not just one candle, but hundreds. Someone's going to get burned. Isn't this contributing to global warming? I know it makes me sweat.
From My Emergent Guilt
8.09.2004
8.07.2004
Leaders are Readers
It is impossible to read everything. You need to make clear decisions about what you read and why.
I wear glasses and maybe you do, too. Mine probably cost about the same as yours. Would you trade lenses with me just because I asked you to? Of course not! That would silly because yours fit you and mine fit me. Reading is the same thing. Are you reading what the boss is reading or are you reading what fits you? Are you reading a book because someone sent it to you? How about because it is on the Best-Seller list? You wouldn't wear someone else's glasses - don't let them pick your books. Understand what your purpose is for reading and carefully discipline your choices.
This week, look at the books on your desk or nightstand and ask why you are reading each one. Read to keep up, but not to keep up with the Joneses.
Fred Smith
I wear glasses and maybe you do, too. Mine probably cost about the same as yours. Would you trade lenses with me just because I asked you to? Of course not! That would silly because yours fit you and mine fit me. Reading is the same thing. Are you reading what the boss is reading or are you reading what fits you? Are you reading a book because someone sent it to you? How about because it is on the Best-Seller list? You wouldn't wear someone else's glasses - don't let them pick your books. Understand what your purpose is for reading and carefully discipline your choices.
This week, look at the books on your desk or nightstand and ask why you are reading each one. Read to keep up, but not to keep up with the Joneses.
Fred Smith
8.06.2004
8.02.2004
All That You Can't Leave Behind
How did I go for so long without buying this CD?
I knew a couple of songs from the radio but I think I like the entire album. I've only heard it 2-3 times as I work on different stuff tonight at the computer. It makes me want to read Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman, again.
As usual, Bono's lyrics are excellent. My favorites include:
From Grace
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace finds goodness in everything
From Elevation:
Love, lift me out of these blues
Won't you tell me something true
I believe in you
A mole, living in a hole
Digging up my soul
Going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high, elevation
Too many to share on one post. Last U2 tidbit, I found this story at U2Sermons
Adding further intrigue is word from an @U2 reader that Christian singer Michael W. Smith told a concert crowd last month about a recent conversation he had with Bono, during which Bono shared a possible album title: How to Dismantle the Atomic Bomb. As Smith tells the story, Bono asked if he (Smith) knew how to dismantle an atomic bomb. Smith said "no," and Bono answered his own question: "Love. With love."
How did I go for so long without buying this CD?
I knew a couple of songs from the radio but I think I like the entire album. I've only heard it 2-3 times as I work on different stuff tonight at the computer. It makes me want to read Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman, again.
As usual, Bono's lyrics are excellent. My favorites include:
From Grace
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace finds goodness in everything
From Elevation:
Love, lift me out of these blues
Won't you tell me something true
I believe in you
A mole, living in a hole
Digging up my soul
Going down, excavation
I and I in the sky
You make me feel like I can fly
So high, elevation
Too many to share on one post. Last U2 tidbit, I found this story at U2Sermons
Adding further intrigue is word from an @U2 reader that Christian singer Michael W. Smith told a concert crowd last month about a recent conversation he had with Bono, during which Bono shared a possible album title: How to Dismantle the Atomic Bomb. As Smith tells the story, Bono asked if he (Smith) knew how to dismantle an atomic bomb. Smith said "no," and Bono answered his own question: "Love. With love."
"Nomah" is now Nomar
It just looks wrong! I know that the reality of modern day sports makes the odds of one player staying with one team for his entire career a rarity but I always thought Nomah was going to beat the odds.
I also understand that after the "let's trade Nomar and Manny for A-Rod" Fiasco, it was pretty certain that Nomah was gone; read the Boston Globe and mentally he was already gone.
I guess it's time to dream again about the Red Sox vs. Cubs World Series. Which is even a bigger dream this year with the Red Sox & Cubs currently a game out in the Wild Card.
It just looks wrong! I know that the reality of modern day sports makes the odds of one player staying with one team for his entire career a rarity but I always thought Nomah was going to beat the odds.
I also understand that after the "let's trade Nomar and Manny for A-Rod" Fiasco, it was pretty certain that Nomah was gone; read the Boston Globe and mentally he was already gone.
I guess it's time to dream again about the Red Sox vs. Cubs World Series. Which is even a bigger dream this year with the Red Sox & Cubs currently a game out in the Wild Card.
The Red Sox are better with their new players who have each won Gold Gloves and without the distraction/drain in the clubhouse. Still, it just looks wrong!
