You Think You Know...

Small Youth Group/ Small Church

2012-02-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

We have a small youth group. Hey, don't feel sorry for us, we'll be just fine. I love where I volunteer. I love my church. I love my youth group. I was saved in a home missions work where there were 15-20 people on a good Sunday. But God has been good to us and has been adding to His church.

In the last couple of weeks I have been really developing a burden for youth groups in the same situation as me. In fact one of my new year's resolutions was to network and connect with other youth pastors across our district and section who have larger youth groups and smaller ones. But more specifically small churches/ small youth groups.

Look, I am not saying that I'm a youth ministry or church ministry expert but for those that are in a smaller ministry context maybe you relate to how I feel and what challenges we're facing. I have done some things right and & some I wish I could get a second chance on. In my fifth year of ministry I honestly think I'm finally getting a handle of where I work best (strengths) and what I need to keep my hands out of (weaknesses). If anything, maybe people can learn from our failures!

But hopefully we can start a conversation among our Apostolic movement and share resources, glean ideas, challenge and inspire one another. Let's go for it. What do we have to lose?

What Motivates You?

2012-01-29T20:33:00.001-08:00

Deanna and Cash...they're enough inspiration for me.

Just Show Up

2011-09-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

Just show up. That is a majority of the equation to success. If I let fear, doubt, insecurity, laziness keep me from showing up, I SEVERELY handicap my chances of ever realizing my potential.

I end up settling for WAY less than what God had intended for my life.

Any time that I write it's because something happened to make me evaluate my life. Let's just say something happened recently to challenge me to take personal inventory.

Here is what I asked myself:

How would my family be changed if I showed up at home and engaged in laughter, stories, make forts, have dinner together with my son and wife?
How would my career change if I showed up to work and learned, asked questions, and gave it my all to be the best at what I was hired to do?
What kind of legacy would I leave behind if I intentionally added value to every single person I interacted with everyday?

Just Show Up...

I Suffer From Analysis Paralysis

2011-09-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

Just read a great blog post about something I struggle with. Analysis paralysis. Even right now I'm debating about whether or not if this is good enough to post. But that's exactly the point. I can look back on my life and see times where I've analyzed something to death and didn't follow through. And it all ended up hurting me. I procrastinate because I totally over-analyze stuff. Good grief.

So the other night I was having dinner with a friend of mine, Dave Nickens. The dude is a beast. He gets it done. At work they call him the Nick-a-nator. He just gets stuff done. Total mover and shaker. Dave was telling about a time a supervisor sent him an e-mail and basically told Dave that if he does not get over this whole analysis paralysis stuff, he would not make it very far in the organization. Let's just say that today he's very successful and not the guy he was then. In fact, he recently received a promotion because of his hard work, dedication, for being the go to guy on projects, and just getting stuff done.

That totally challenged me to get over this cancer called analysis paralysis.

Some things I got from the article were:

What do you have to get right?
What can be tweaked later?
Set a deadline.
Partner with or get the second opinion of someone a little more reckless.

So here I go. Off to slay the dragon otherwise known as Analysis Paralysis.

Article: http://www.chrisg.com/defeating-procrastination-analysis-paralysis/

How Big Is Your Bible?? [size does matter]

2011-08-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

Interesting Question...How BIG is your Bible?

If all the Bibles in the world were taken, burned, until there were none left what would I do? How much of it could I remember? Could I remember the chapter and verse? Would I be able to quote it word for word? Five, three, or one verse?

Check out these verses that have been challenging me.

Psalm 119:10 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee"

-How much of the word have I tucked away in my heart?

James 1:21 "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

-How much of the word, which has the power to save me, is implanted in me?

Romans 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

-How much faith would I have? What would sustain me? How much hope would I have?

Interesting Question...How BIG is your Bible?

Our eternity depends on it.

Monday Reflections

2011-08-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

I had a pretty good weekend! A lot of time spent with family and plenty of fun at church. With my work schedule there are times I just want to be home with Deanna and Cash. During the week I rush in from UPS, take a nap, then head off to the after school program. This weekend I just wanted to be home.

Cash is getting so big. The guy is getting ready to walk and he is babbling like crazy. My little guy isn't so little anymore. So to be able to stop and be present with him this weekend was awesome. No meetings, no commitments, nothing scheduled. I could totally be with Cash. We drove around a lot, played "catch", and jammed on the drums.

I also got to spend time with my best friend. Deanna is such a blessing in my life. She has a way helping me see things here way. ;) She's pretty amazing. Finally straightened out the garage that she's been asking me to do and brought "the chair" in that she is going to reupholster. She just adds value to my life in so many ways.

At the end of the day, what matters most? To me, what is most important is having those who know me the best, respect me the most.

Blog Launch 2011

2011-07-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

Tonight I'm launching my blog! Be prepared to read about my learning experiences, failures, and successes in the areas of family, faith, leadership, and culture. Everyday I want to grow in some way in one or more of these areas.

Here we go!