Another great post from Scott Rubin: A couple weeks ago, several high school students I know got cut from their high school basketball team. I’ve known a couple of these guys since junior high; they love basketball. And when they felt pain this week, my heart ached with them. No, it wasn’t life-threatening pain, but [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
The Pain Eraser
↧
Quick Tip: Long Web Links…
Today I was messaging a friend a few links on facebook and the length of the URLs (aka web links) were ridiculously long. Have you heard of URL shorteners? They are pretty great. These types of sites will take any link and convert it to a shorter link using their specially branded URL code like [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Advent Devotional App
I just found this great, totally free, Advent devotional app from Saddleback Church Retreat Ministries. If you are looking for a devotional for you, your family, your team, or to recommend to families in your ministry check out and share “Advent Devotions” app for Windows, Android, and iOS.![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
[Technology] Jesus and His Smartphone
Jesus was ahead of his time. About a year ago my father purchased his first Smartphone. Since then we have had numerous conversations about technology –mostly about his confusion and frustration with it. It quickly became obvious though, that his frustration wasn’t about technology as much as it was the device that he was using [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Are You Developing Leaders Or Followers?
I went to a small private Christian school in Michigan, and for the most part I loved it. One thing I remember happening almost everyday was my principal whistling as he walked down the hallway towards my math class. It was one of the most nerve wrecking things I’ve ever experienced. As he would approach the classroom, [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Rejoining the Ranks of the Clean Shaven
Hairy Isn’t Scary Campaign COMPLETE! I can’t believe that December is already here. I am kind of sad about it. Each and every one of you crazy beard-growing people made this a No-shave November to remember. You persevered in spite of your spouse’s opposition… brought back the 90′s… became superheroes… took on new personas… [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
[Technology] Justifiable Greed
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Think about how many things in life you need to apply that principle to. While you’re at it, reconsider where you feel you’ve nailed it but may actually need a good gut-check. How about when it comes to technology in your life or ministry? My 12-year old [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Enter to win free reg to SYMC 2014!
Check it out Insiders! In honor their live broadcast of The Sound of Music on December 6th, NBC is sponsoring a free registration, via our friends at The Youth Cartel, for Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2014! The conference, happening in Columbus, Ohio on March 7-10, 2104, is the ultimate time to recharge with programming made for [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Family Traditions for The Crazy Ministry Life
We were both in “ministry” when we got married, and well, God decided to give us a family right away. Within 3 years of saying “I DO,” we were caring for 3 kiddos. So here we were, staying in ministry outside the home, while at the same time attempting to be a good steward [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
Random Randomness: Video Edition
Some thoughts…accompanied by videos. * Apparently the Seattle Seahawks are for real this year. Have you seen Jake Rutenbar’s great video? * While I really enjoyed the Hunger Games books and movies thus far, I’m actually more excited about the upcoming Divergent movie based on the first book in the series by Veronica Roth. While [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
[Technology] Friend or Foe?
I don’t know much about technology. I rely heavily on my teenage children and the younger members of our youth ministry team to help me navigate the world of technology. And it has become a “World of Technology” hasn’t it?! My hunch is that if you were to take a snap shot of your daily [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
9 Advantages To Students Using Their Gifts And Abilities!!!
One of things I love to do is watch students use their gifts and abilities for the kingdom of God. I have a student who’s aspiring to do videos and photography on a larger scale. So I gave him the opportunity to shoot and edit this video for our weekend service. He did an awesome job [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Flipping Christmas
“Flipping Christmas.” That’s either an expletive, or a hopeful ideal. Our church is boldly exploring the dream that Christmas can be flipped from what it’s become to what we all know it “should” be. That concept in itself is not without controversy… some insist that the “real” way to celebrate Christmas is more about abstinence [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
20 Things We Should Say More Often
Looking for an “easy” lesson the week after Thanksgiving? This one is for you! Should we really only say, “Thank You,” once a year? Here is an easy video that is funny and gets students thinking about those “things we should say.” It also could be used as a “pick me up,” for your team. TELL: [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
NEW Book for Jr. Highers + Q&A with Brooklyn Lindsey
ATTENTION SIMPLY INSIDERS! We are elated to announce a brand new book called 99 Thoughts for Junior Highers from Marko Oestreicher and Brooklyn Lindsey written just for the junior high students in your life and ministry! I did a quick Q&A with Brooklyn about this new gem. Her passion for students is contagious! Read on and don’t [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
Meet Frederico + Name the ‘Stache Contest Winners
We recently did a “Name the ‘Stache” contest during No-shave November to see who could come up with the best name for Justin’s mustache! He received the name Frederico and selected three awesome peeps as winners of honorable mention for their name entries. Watch the video below to get to know Frederico, and hear who [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
[Technology] Before There Was Social Media
By NEELY MCQUEEN You know that awkward moment when you are trying to talk to a student about something you saw on their Instagram (or Facebook, Twitter, etc), but you are trying to do it without sounding like a total creeper? No? Just me? Perfect. In many ways, technology has made ministry easier. Sending a [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
↧
God is not…
As Christians we go to God for a lot of things and rely on Him for a ton … as we should. But, if we are honest with ourselves, I think we would admit that we have a hard time depending on Him when things are going well. He’s more like a fire extinguisher in [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
[Discussion Starter] ‘Knockout Game’ Reportedly Spreads Among Teens
In The News New York— Police and media outlets are warning about a disturbing trend occurring in several big cities. In the so-called knockout game, teenagers punch strangers, trying to knock them unconscious with one hit. Five people have died as a result, and some cases are being investigated as hate crimes. Several assaults have [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧
FREEBIE: “How to Grow Facial Hair in 5 Minutes” Icebreaker!
It’s FREEBIE Time Insiders! Our friend, Jeremy Houf, participated in our recent Hairy Isn’t Scary Campaign. In the spirit of No-shave November and his own beard growing, he decided to make a night themed around facial hair in his youth ministry (see above photo)! And because Jeremy is extra-awesome, he gave us his How to Grow Facial Hair [...]![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
↧