I came across this nugget tonight as I’m prepping to teach my small group. We’re studying Nehemiah 9. Verses 35-37 are about how the Israelites are living in the land God gave to them, but kings are enjoying all the blessings God intended for them. This was such a great reminder for my own life [...]

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Luke 4:14 has given me some new perspective about temptation and how my obedience to God’s commands enhances the Holy Spirit’s power in my life. My mind is opening to a source of God’s power where I didn’t even think he was present. This new perspective is revolutionizing how I look at temptation. What’s been [...]

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When it comes to small groups, there are lots of variables: Should they meet on campus or in homes? Should they be co-ed or same sex? Should they all study the same curriculum or be allowed to pick their own? Should they meet all year round or take the summer off? While these are all [...]

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One of our pastors records a daily Drive Time Devotion. It’s a short, free audio file devotional thought I can put on my iPod or burn to a CD to listen to in the car. I choose to listen to them using iTunes. These messages have been a great break from my routine. My ministry [...]

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Lately I’ve had a deep desire to reconnect with God. Sometimes as a youth ministry volunteer I feed spiritual scraps to my small group students because that’s all I have to give. When I was the paid professional youth worker I went through times like this, too. I know we all do. Unless I continually [...]

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This year I had considered giving the book Blue Like Jazz to my students. I want to finish reading it first, though, to make sure I like it enough to give it to them. I’m not finished reading it so I went with something better… time. Most ministry happens through experiences rather than through teaching. [...]

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When I was a teenager I developed the habit of journaling. I’ve done it off and on since that time. I drill it into my students that they need to do it, too. I’m glad I practice what I preach. Today I read through some entries from May of this year. It reminded me of [...]

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