By TIM & TASHA LEVERT I (Tim) am a technology nerd. I’ve always liked having the latest gadget, app, game, and electronic toy. I’m a cyber-geek, and I’m OK with that. Tasha says she’s ambivalent when it comes to technology, but throughout the 19 years of our marriage, I’ve learned that she secretly likes to [...]![]()
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[Technology] Sexting. There, We Said It
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Everyday Parables: A New Recipe for Life
Every once in a while you come across a story that even opponents of Christianity can’t disagree with. Here’s one of them. YouTube Link I shared this last weekend in our church services as an example of how God might want to work through our lives to bless others, but only if we take that [...]![]()
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On Giving To The “Poor” This Christmas
*Vulnerability Alert* If honesty and transparency make you uncomfortable then don’t read on. Lately I have had a lot of thoughts colliding. They come from many different places. A couple of articles I have read on simplicity and one from a “poor” woman explaining poverty. I have friends who have lost jobs, are in the [...]![]()
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Would You Wear This?
Imagine this picture was a pin… or a t-shirt… or a hat. Would you honestly wear it? Why? Why not? And… does it matter if you love your church?![]()
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Church Leaders, Your Youth Ministry Can’t Save Your Church
Small Church Politics – Part 4 – Final Thought (From Part 3) “How do you deal with the political struggles of getting church members to understand that ministry isn’t what it was in the denominational hey-days of the middle and latter 1900′s?” This is the last of this train of thought, at least until some [...]![]()
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What Legacy Will You Leave?
I received this text the day it happened. ”Paul Walker is dead.” My mind stretched and searched and I could not think if this was someone I was supposed to know. (Maybe I live in a cave?) After being informed he is the face of the “Fast & Furious Franchise,” I honestly wasn’t sure how to [...]![]()
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[Creativity] I Don’t Have a Creative Title
After twenty minutes of racking my brain while downing way too much caffeine, I had to throw in the towel. I wasn’t gonna come up with a creative title for this article, which is totally lame since it’s an article on creativity. And it’s after these types of “creativity-challenged” experiences, of which I have many, [...]![]()
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A Youth Worker’s Disney Confession
Joe Jonas recently opened up about his experience as a “Disney” kid. Maybe there’s nothing surprising here… but read on. “Being a part of a company like [Disney] comes with certain expectations. Not overtly, but there was a subtle vibe. We were working with Disney in 2007 when the Vanessa Hudgens nude-photo scandal happened. We [...]![]()
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How to Take a Screenshot
Yahoo! recently released it’s year in review “Top Searches For 2013,” and I saw that their #5 most searched for question was “How to Take a Screenshot”! Sometimes it is the simplest things that give us the biggest headaches. Grabbing a screen shot is not difficult on your Mac, PC, or iOS device, let’s take [...]![]()
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[Creativity] 15 Ways to Rescue Your Creative Side
I am not awesome. It was already decided in my mind at 5:00 a.m., even before I rolled out of my super cozy bed cocoon. I don’t feel awesome. I don’t look awesome. I don’t even want to be awesome. I’m just tired. Indifferent. And can someone please just press the “pause button” already? Have [...]![]()
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FREEBIE: Chapter 1 from NEW “Bold Parenting” Book
It’s FREEBIE Time, Simply Insiders! If you haven’t heard there is a brand new book out called Bold Parenting by Lars Rood! It is all about how to raise your kids to be more than just “rule-followers” Download the first chapter for FREE by clicking the image below: Learn more about Bold Parenting and purchase the book [...]![]()
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Stereotypes Your Students are Carrying (Part 1)
I need to begin with context. Our ministry is a multi-site urban youth ministry. We work with a mix of “churched,” “unchurched,” “dechurched” and “overchurched” students. Our students are primarily African-American. My family and I have chosen to live in a neighborhood with some of the families that are a part of our ministry. That [...]![]()
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We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
Because we are so crazy about our youth workers, we endured the frigid temperatures and buried ourselves in the snow to wish all of y’all a Merry Christmas! The gang is all here, so don’t miss the magic… and be sure to watch the whole thing to see the bloopers at the end! We love [...]![]()
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Something You May Have Forgotten
Be reminded… following Jesus will never, ever make sense in a broken world. Say AMEN to that, even if you want it the other way around. As you do, listen to these insights from Frederick Buechner: “God is the comic shepherd who gets more of a kick out of that one lost sheep once he [...]![]()
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[Creativity] Every Minute Can Count
The taxing ministry schedule often makes finding quality “couple” time a chore. Everyone else in the church needs a piece of your day, and when you get home you’re exhausted and spent. Then there are daily responsibilities, children, school and sports schedules to contend with, and needing individual alone time as well. Time for your [...]![]()
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Invisible Wall Charger for Phones and Tablets
This is one of the coolest wall chargers I have ever seen! No wires, no electrician needed to install and it charges iPhones, tablets, Android phones, and more. The crowdsourcing site Indiegogo is host to the thingCHARGER, it virtually vanishes when you pop it on over an existing wall outlet. If you think it looks good enough [...]![]()
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Everyday Parables: Best Flight Ever
This is a great video to show your students. The Canadian airliner WestJet made some Christmas wishes come true. They asked passengers on a flight what they wanted for Christmas and then went out and got the gifts. When the flight landed, the surprised passengers were greeted with the wrapped presents. Seriously awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEIvi2MuEk#t=1 Show [...]![]()
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[CIY Guest Post] 2014 Believe – Upside Down Dance Video
As a leader in Jr. High ministry, we know you’re going to love this new music video from Christ In Youth’s Believe team. CIY’s production staff and Believe programmers came together to create this amazing video, which will be shown at the beginning of each main session during the 2014 Believe Upside Down tour. [...]![]()
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FREE Christmas Series Graphics
One of my favorite church media websites is giving away a killer Christmas series graphic. Check out churchmediadesign.tv for the specs and to download.![]()
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The Implications of a Pope being the Person of the Year?
I don’t mean to cause a theological debate here. (pause) Actually, yeah… I probably do… but not on purpose. To clarify, please don’t grab your pitchforks and torches on this. Likewise, this is me – Tony Myles – asking a question. Feel free to direct any bottled up anger in my direction. I’m taking that [...]![]()
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