Musings from the Mind of a NYC Youth Pastor
Family Traditions
Nov 26th
Today has been my third straight Thanksgiving Day away from Indiana, where I spent the first twenty-five years of my life. Needless to say, being away from my family during the holidays has not been easy. Just about every holiday for twenty-five years was spent with my parents, brothers, and sisters. Now, Mindy and I are constantly thinking about new traditions we can begin with our family.
Below are just a couple reasons why I believe that this has been and will be helpful for our family:
1. It allows my kids to look forward to specific things on specific holidays.
When I was growing up, it seemed like we always went to my uncle and aunt’s house outside Indianapolis. I remember looking forward to that knowing I would see my cousins. I think setting up traditions gives your children certain things to look forward to.
2. It forces me to be the leader of my family.
While living in Indiana, all I had to say was, “we are going to Dad and Mom’s house” and that was it. Being in Brooklyn, has forced me to begin new traditions and actually think about what my family needs. It has helped me to grow and take leadership of my family.
Two quick thoughts on this Thanksgiving Day about family traditions. Thanks for taking time to read. Have a great day with your family!
Planning for a New Year
Nov 24th
What I Have Learned from Doing a Yearly Planner
Last week I finished my third yearly planner as an assistant pastor. Needless to say, they have all been interesting and fairly enjoyable to do. In this planner is every youth activity, special day, and even my personal family plans for 2010. Every year the planner gets bigger and more in depth then the year before. Doing these planners has taught me a lot and I would encourage you to try putting one together, even if it is just your personal plan for the new year.
Allow me to quickly share with you a few things that I have learned from doing my ministry planner:
I Love Mondays!
Nov 2nd
Mondays… the day that the snooze button gets hit the most. The day that Starbucks sells the most coffee. The day that you stroll in late to work because you hit the snooze button and the line at Starbucks was out the door. For some extremely odd reason, I love Mondays. I have found that Mondays have typically been my most productive days in the office.
Below are a few reasons why I love Mondays:
A Spiritual Summertime
Jun 20th
How To Have A Spiritually Productive Summer
I love summertime! But as a youth pastor, I fear the summer break. I fear the summer because of the vast amount of free time many teens will have. It scares me to know that many of them will not have a Bible class or a school chapel to keep them “in line.” Many teens go on long vacations and some even disappear during the summer.
Regardless of the pitfalls of summer, I believe that summer can also be a time of spiritual growth. And yes, I do mean a literal growth in your Christianity (pardon us preachers for encouraging that). I have been a Christian for a long time. I grew up in a private Christian school and my dad is a preacher. Now, I have had my fair share of rough summers. I understand what will hurt you in the summer and what will help you. The points below are some practical tips that could help you and me grow in our spiritual life this summer. These points are very simple, but such is the Christian life…simple.
Thank you!
Jun 9th
The Bible says in Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Then in Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Bro. Chris Tefft, my junior high Bible teacher, used to say all the time, “Thankfulness takes thinkfulness.” How true! At many instances in my life, I have been called an “over-thinker.” Well…I have definitely thought a lot about this post. In doing so, I am very overwhelmed with gratitude to many people in my life. Here are a few of them:
1. Jesus Christ - this one is a no-brainer! Where would any of us be with out Jesus? I honestly cannot answer my own question. I am fearful of where my family would be if it was not for Jesus! The price he paid on the cross is one that none of us can ever repay! If you do not know Him as your personal Saviour, click on the link “Eternity” before you read any farther!
2. My Wife - I definitely married the sweetest, most wonderful woman in the world! To live with a psychotic guy like me, you must be wonderful!!! In all seriousness, I would not be doing anything that I am doing today if I did not have my wife Mindy with me. She is my best friend and soul mate!
3. My Kids - Alexis, Haylee, and Hayden…you are one of a kind! You humble me and keep me laughing. Thank you for giving me the privilege to be your daddy (not that you had a choice)!
Count Me In!
Jun 1st
This post is one that addresses an issue that many have already addressed. This is my own personal musings and thoughts on social networking. Why have a blog? Why do I have Twitter account? Much of the Internet and especially social networking is an absolute waste of time! I am not a big fan of Facebook (although I do have an account), but I really do enjoy Twitter. I have never been a big blog guy, but I do see the value in having one. Below are four reasons why I personally like the possibilities of social networking…if done properly.
1. To Influence - The one factor that has always kept me intrigued with blogs, Twitter, etc. has been the possibility of another avenue to influence. I love influence. I am a youth pastor today because someone influenced me! I could go through an extremely long list of people that have had a huge impact in my life and that will probably be another post, but the point is…I’ve been influenced by some great people! Those people have inspired me to influence others and to do so in a biblical way. Is it possible to influence someone through social networking or micro blogging? Of course it is! Everything we do can influence for good or bad! Every word you say, type, post, tweet has a good chance of influencing someone that is following and watching you. I have a two year old daughter, Alexis. The other day we were in the car and someone honked their horn. The next thing I heard came from the mouth of my innocent little two year old…”Go dude!” What a lesson I received from Lexi!!! I am influencing my little girl even when I do not think I am. Let us remember the admonition of Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. I hope that in your home, ministry, and life you want to be one that influences in a way that is well-pleasing to the Lord!