Town Hall For Hope

I’ve enjoyed Dave Ramsey ever since we saw him at the Catalyst conference.  After taking the Good Sense budgeting course with Susan Whited, I’ve taken a much more proactive approach to finances, and Dave has been a great companion for that.
If you’re like the typical person, this economy may be freaking you out.  First Trinity [...]

Blast From the Past

One of my favorite Gmail extensions is Xoopit.  It sits on top of Gmail and scans for file attachments, then makes them easily searchable at their site or within Gmail.  One of my favorite features is the summary email each week.  It shows you what you’ve received that week, but it also shows you something [...]

Mountain Climbing

I was talking with someone recently about a struggle they’re having.  It’s like this never-ending mountain that they are trying to climb.  Found this picture by chance and figured it was appropriate:

I suppose the devil is the one standing there with the sign.  I know I’ve felt like that guy climbing a few times [...]

Family Time Matters

You may already know that.  Having time together as a family is important in raising kids.  Kent Shaffer at Church Relevance has a nice post summarizing two recent studies about family time and its impact on teenage sex and drug use.  Worth checking out.

Parent Link: October 2008

As previously mentioned, we’re providing a new resource for parents in our ministry.  Here’s the October 2008 copy of the Parent Link.

Billboard #1s

Continuing the theme of new things in Student Ministry this year, we’ve added a new series to the Crossroads Sunday School:

The Sunday before the series starts, we’ll be voting on some of the top songs at Billboard’s music charts.  The highest vote-getter will be the basis for our lesson the following week.  The plan is [...]

The Unexpected

I loved John McCain’s VP pick, mostly because it was so unexpected.  Obama picked exactly who I thought he would (older, experienced, male statesman).  But few saw this coming, which led to all kinds of excitement among the GOP base and other voters.  I’m not one to sit and watch Fox News or CNN for [...]

In Case of Rapture, This Blog Will Be Unmanned

Have you seen that bumper sticker?  It’s actually about their car, but you get the idea.  I think Christians look weird when they use cute little phrases like that one on bumper stickers or T-shirts.  And now we’ve just become even weirder.  As proof, I give you: You’ve Been Left Behind.
For $40/year, they’ll allow you [...]

We Don’t Talk About Those Things Here

Anne Jackson had an interesting post a while back about things we (don’t) talk about at church.  She asks:
what is something you feel you can’t say in church, or around other christians?

Some of the responses are kinda silly.  Others are pretty serious.  Most are brutally honest.
When the church is silent on these issues, or not [...]

We Are Not The World

Warning: Long post ahead! We’re considering a dress code policy for youth ministry. It could become emotionally charged. It’s difficult, but it’s important. Read on for a lengthy, back and forth look at the problem.
I’m struggling with what to do with regards to a clothing policy for student ministry. The issue [...]