Tags: No Comments.

It seems that I am always scheming and trying to figure out how to get new things that I want.  I don’t always get them, but I do spend some time trying to figure out how I could get them.  Things like new gadgets mostly.  I am a geek at heart who loves technology and always wants new things.  I know I should get some help.  In fact, I kind of got some help today!  I found this nifty flow chart that definitely helps with the decision making process.  I hope it helps you too!

Tags: 1 Comment

Parent Newsletter

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

The Foolish Joy of Mocking

Many students fall into the habit of mocking as a way for covering up their own insecurity. Afraid of looking stupid, some will mock others before they can become the victim. Eventually, the habit can become a lifestyle.

Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/the_foolish_joy_of_mocking/

2. Learn Their Lingo

GMAS = Acronym for give me a second.

Caraoke = Singing along with music in a car, especially loudly and passionately.

4. Links to Learn From

140 Characters of Parenting Insight [YS Blog]
http://www.youthspecialties.com/blog/2009/140-characters-of-parenting-insight-2/

Teen Sex Escalation [The Source for Youth Ministry]
http://www.thesource4ym.com/youthculturewindow/article.asp?id=96

While Adolescents May Reason As Well As Adults, Their Emotional Maturity Lags…[Science Daily]
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007153745.htm

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
- Elizabeth Stone

Tags: No Comments.

So often in life when there is something that we want to do, we figure out ways to make it happen right now. Often to make it happen right now we force it. By forcing it the outcome isn’t always how we want it to be. Sometimes we need to wait and let whatever it is sit and wait for God’s timing. Last night I was able to be part of something I have wanted to do with our students for the past 10 years, Thrive University.  Thrive University will happen four times during the school year on Sunday nights.  Each night will have two classes that students take to help them grow in their knowledge of God, faith, church and basic Christianity.  Last night was our first one, and it went awesome!  Our first class was Thrive 101 where we talked about salvation, the purpose of church and how Thrive fits into that.  The second class was taught by Pastor Gary and was an overview of the Old Testament.  Both classes went great!  We had 30 students there ranging from 7th grade to 12th grade.  The feedback I have gotten already is that everyone loved it.

Maybe you are wondering why it took so long for this class to happen.  All I can really say is that it just wasn’t the right time.  There were a variety of things that were happening that prevented it from taking place.  Not forcing it, just praying about it and waiting on God for the right time made it well worth the wait!  We need to focus on doing what God wants of us and not just trying to push what we want.  Seek God.  Pursue Him and wait on His timing.  Even if it takes a while (like 10 years!), God’s timing is always better than ours!

Tags: 2 Comments

Check out this great video one of my small group leaders showed me. Thanks Jordan!

Tags: No Comments.

Parent Newsletter

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Movie Reviews
4. Links to Learn From
5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

When God Waits

One of the most difficult questions for Christian parents to answer is, “Why did God let this happen?” At issue may be the death of a loved one or a pet or any devastating loss deeply felt. If God is…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/when_god_waits/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Frenemy = An enemy disguised as a friend.

Kind of a big deal = A term for a person who is facetiously joking about how important/cool/awesome they are.

3. Movie Reviews for Parents

This dark, post-apocalyptic tale began as an 11-minute short film by a UCLA animation student. The wildly original story is built on a very spiritual…

Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/nine/

In spite of a likable cast, very few recent films have annoyed secular critics as much as “All About Steve.” We can’t disagree. But if…

Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/all_about_steve/

4. Links to Learn From

Smacking Makes Children Naughtier [Telegraph U.K.]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6188692/Smacking-makes-children-naughtier-research.html

Reading and Writing Must Be a Priority [SmartBrief.com]
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/ascd/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=1EFBA3A0-48F5-4FAF-9FA2-7968350229B3&copyid=6DE78BF4-3E0C-44B9-AC50-91CE01674BBD

Study Shows Teenage Girls Attracted to Deep Voices [Physorg.com]
http://www.physorg.com/news172304097.html

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

Where there is love, there is pain.
- Spanish Proverb

Tags: No Comments.

As of yesterday all of my students are back in school. As much as students hate the beginning of school, I kind of like it. It’s fun bugging students about going back to school, but that is not why I like it. I like the beginning of school because it brings some consistency to the life of a youth pastor. Life doesn’t slow down, but just becomes more consistent. I actually get back in the office, reacquaint myself with other staff members, attend staff meetings, and post things here!

Don’t think I don’t like summer. Summer is awesome! This summer we had students attend Jr. High Camp at Indian Hills Camp, another group of students spend nine days in Nicaragua on a missions trip, a great camping trip in the Lagunas with high schoolers some midweek Thrive activities as well.  I wouldn’t trade any of this!  The trade off for these opportunities is less time in the office getting the school year ready.  Definitely a fair trade.  By the end of summer I am ready for some consistency and time to get ready for the year of ministry ahead of us!

Tags: No Comments.

Parent Newsletter

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Movie Reviews
4. Links to Learn From
5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

You’re Adopted

It’s not surprising that so many of the people involved in efforts to place children in adoptive families are Christians—or that a growing number of Christian parents are seeking to adopt children domestically and internationally. The idea of adoption is…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/youre_adopted/

2. Learn Their Lingo

JW = Text message short code for “Just Wondering”

Go Primative = Instead of texting, instant messaging, or Facebook wall posts, this refers to an actual face-to-face conversation.

3. Movie Reviews for Parents

“Bandslam” is one of the best-reviewed teen films in a long time, but it got killed at the box office its opening weekend. Thanks to…

Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/bandslam/

For a high-concept film with a delayed opening and mediocre reviews, “Wife” is doing okay at the box office. Those who have read Audrey Niffennegger’s…

Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/the_time_travelers_wife/

4. Links to Learn From

Many U.S. Teens Share Medications [CBC}
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/08/10/prescription-drug-sharing-teens.html

What Parents Think Teens Are Doing Online [LA Times]
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/08/teens-on-social-networks.html

Helping Homeless Youth Succeed [Chicago Tribune]
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-090811hamann_briefs,0,1850272.story

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

What is a home without children? Quiet.
- Henny Youngman

Tags: No Comments.

Yesterday a good friend told his students that he was leaving their church. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. No matter how tough things get we need to end well. The way we end shows so much to the students we serve. My friend ended well. I know God will continue to reach those students and that God has great plans for my friend. His time going through this has definitely been an example and encouragement to me.

Tags: No Comments.

Right now I am in the middle of Jr. High Camp at Indian Hills Camp. The week is going great.  Sam Hart is leading music.  Dana DeFreitas is the main camp speaker and doing a great job.  There are about 300 campers and when you figure in all the camp staff (counselors, TEAM staff, and support staff) there are about 400 people directly involved in the camp.  Here is a picture of one of the night meetings…

Wednesday night we give the speaker the night off and normally Bob Lindsay the camp director shares with the campers about missions.  Last night I actually spoke instead of Bob.  My challenge to the students was that God can use anything to accomplish His will and He desires to you us!  A lot of time students think they are to young and that they can’t really do much to serve God.  If students realized the ability that they have now to serve and actually started to serve amazing things would happen.  To help them grasp this concept we showed this video of Zach Hunter…

I think they got the point. I pray that they leave camp on Friday and go and do something with the things they have learned.

Tags: 1 Comment