Helping Students Recover Christmas. . .
A few years ago, I came to a sad realization about myself: the amazing story of Christmas had become so familiar to me that it was almost as if it didn’t matter much anymore. No, I hadn’t lost my love…
Read More
A Youth Worker’s Letter To His Students. . . .
Youth workers. . . If you were to write a heart-felt letter to your students, what would you write? Earlier this fall, I had the privilege of teaching a week long class on “Understanding Today’s Youth Culture” for The Coalition…
Read More
Black Friday Brawls. . . Who We Are And What We Need. . .
Insanity. That’s what we’ve embraced. The time and place of our search for meaning, purpose, fulfillment, and redemption might best be evidenced in how we act during what’s become known as “Black Friday” wherever the deals may lead us. I…
Read More
A Thanksgiving Prayer. . .
If you want to learn how to pray, you should pray with the Puritans. They knew how to pray with depth. Over the years, I’ve been grateful for the little Valley of Vision Puritan prayer book. The words spark the…
Read More
Some Thoughts On #NYWC19. . . 5 Things To Do There. . .
In a few minutes I’m headed out the door and on my way to Tampa. Destination. . . The Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. Hard to believe it’s in its 50th year! I’m looking forward, as always, to being…
Read More
Ok, Boomer. . . An Attitude That Will Rip Us Apart. . .
Youth workers. . . tomorrow you’ll be spending concentrated time with your students. It’s what I think is the greatest job in the world! And as you navigate the difficult and complicated waters of doing youth ministry, you will be…
Read More
Augustine. . . Dead Guy. . . His Thoughts On Social Media. . .
It’s just a bit more than a week until a few thousand of us gather in Tampa for the 50th National Youth Workers Convention. . . an event I’ve been blessed to be a part of for over three decades.…
Read More
Teens, Christmas Spending, And Faith. . . And A Helpful Infographic. . .
Because we live in the most affluent nation on earth, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that accumulation of stuff is the pathway to fulfillment and redemption. Sadly, what most people never discover is that what we…
Read More
Roo. . . Planned Parenthood’s 24/7 Sex Educator For Kids. . .
It’s no secret that questions about sex, gender, and love cascade almost endlessly for kids as they launch into the confusing developmental phase of puberty. Along with having bodies that are now able by God’s design to engage in the…
Read More
Teens, Distracted Driving, And A Free Resource For Parents. . .
We’ve got a problem. Any of us who have a smartphone are susceptible to making poor decisions regarding the combination of smartphones and driving. Just last night on the evening news we watched this video, which captures well what happens…
Read More
Football’s Lethal Blow To The Head? . . . .
Things got testy at the Massachusetts’ State House in Boston yesterday as a public hearing was held on a possible state bill that would ban tackle football in the state before the 8th grade. Backers of the bill. . .…
Read More
Adverse Childhood Experiences. . . What You Need To Know And A Helpful Infographic. . .
A kid is a kid is a kid. . . or so I thought when I first got started in youth ministry. Somehow and some way, I missed the fact that each and every one of these precious image-bearers had…
Read More