Wonderings and Wanderings

Shift – Day Two

April 23rd, 2009 | Add a Comment

The second day of the Shift conference consists of three break-out sessions followed with a large group worship and teaching tonight. I’m signed up for three break-outs and decided last night to skip the first one today. Mike Yanconelli gave me permission. Several years ago at Youth Specialties’ National Youth Workers Convention, Mike greeted us the very first day. In Mike’s unique way, he told us that we had permission to make the conference what we needed it to be. If that meant not attending a single thing, then don’t. If we needed refreshing time alone, stay away. (As an introvert, I really appreciated that.) If you needed to work on your marriage, stay in the hotel room. (As a single, I was envious.) He then introduced a guy and brought … Read entire article »

Filed under: Youth Ministry

Shift

April 22nd, 2009 | Add a Comment

I’m in Chicago for the week attending the Shift conference at Willow Creek Community Church. My first time at Shift and at Willow Creek. I’ve wanted to visit the campus for quite awhile and I must say it is impressive. It is huge and overwhelming but they have a lot of friendly, helpful volunteers around. Nothing but great help so far. You just have to ask. Flew in yesterday evening. Driving a Toyota Yaris. Good way to narrow down what type of car I might want. I definitely don’t like the tiny, compact car. Especially after 13 years in my jeep. Check. Opening conference featured Francis Chan speaking on complacency. He was outstanding and it was definitely what I was needing. One of the reasons I chose this youth ministry conference over … Read entire article »

Filed under: Spiritual Formation, Youth Ministry

New Band: Highland Fall

April 6th, 2009 | 1 Comment

If you want to be among the first to hear about an awesome new band, then you need to check out the band Highland Fall. They had their first ever CD release party on Friday. You can purchase their cd, Those Crazy Northern Lights, on iTunes and Amazon. Click on the link below to go to their myspace. They have an awesome sound – and I’m just not saying that because I’m their youth pastor. I’m beyond proud of them. … Read entire article »

Filed under: Ministry, Youth Ministry

John, a Man’s Man

April 2nd, 2009 | Add a Comment

I’m walking through the Gospel of John with my youth at my house and with that in mind and with the approaching Easter celebration, I’m reposting some thoughts I had last year at this time. I was spending some time today reading the different gospel accounts of the Resurrection as I spiritually prepare for the Easter celebration. Those who have read books or Scripture several times know what it is like to suddenly see something new in the words that were not obvious before or that you simply missed because you were looking for something else. Today I had that experience with John, the one Jesus loved. Now, I had never missed that statement before because John says it over and over again in the Gospel of John and it always strikes … Read entire article »

Filed under: Spiritual Formation

Getting Schooled By My Youth

March 30th, 2009 | Add a Comment

The youth in my youth group teach me a lot of things. There are the very useful things like how to master the Wii, how to have fun, how to fart on demand (okay, I already had that mastered.) They remind me that you can make a difference and that it is never to late to start. They remind me to relax and that to be present in some one’s life is more important than designing a stellar program or event. They teach me that selfishness is pervasive and that I once was as awkward and self-conscious as they are and I would be wise to not forget it. They frustrate me a lot, too. I can’t count how many times we have a really great discussion or retreat and then in the next breath my youth are … Read entire article »

Filed under: Youth Ministry

Name My Jeep

March 27th, 2009 | 15 Comments

For those that know me really well, you know I drive a red jeep. My jeep was the first car I ever bought and in June, she will be 13 years old. I’m very attached to her, people know me by my red jeep, and despite a few scares, she is still running. Her speakers are blown, her radio has died, her driver’s door lock freezes up in the winter, and she makes funny noises but she … Read entire article »

Filed under: Humor

Angry Conversations

March 23rd, 2009 | 1 Comment

Have you ever felt like you and God needed couples counseling? I know there have been times in my faith journey when it probably would have been helpful. I know that even more now that I’ve read an amazing book by Susan Isaacs titled Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky But Authentic Spiritual Memoir. Isaacs shares her personal journey with God with wit, raw honesty, and a vulnerability that fleshes out struggles with God – struggles of which most of us can relate. This book resonated with me so strongly that I couldn’t put it down – even when I had to get up early for a trip to St. Louis. I read the last half of the book last night in bed and throughout it I had an incredible sense of God’s presence with me. Isaacs creates … Read entire article »

Filed under: Books, Spiritual Formation