Posted by Duston | Posted on 26-11-2009
Category : Family
Tags: children, Family, holidays
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!
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:
Posted by Duston | Posted on 02-11-2009
Category : Uncategorized
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:
Posted by Duston | Posted on 20-06-2009
Category : Parents, Teens, Uncategorized
Tags: christianity, Parents, summertime, teen, teen life
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.
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)!
