I love learning new things in youth ministry...

...or actually this time - it's not new but I relearned it.

Here's my latest 30 Hour Famine blog about getting out of the way so that our youth get a chance to lead There are also some quotes from my youth about their experience.

http://30hourfamine.org/2014/03/30-hour-famine-get-out-of-the-way/?cons_id=0&ts=1394148473&signature=f93e645a8d5bb167588286e6ec33b53f

Labels.

My latest blog for the 30 Hour Famine...

How do you see yourself? 

Who are you really? 

http://30hourfamine.org/2013/12/labels/

Life is Messy - My latest 30 Hour Famine Blog

I've been reflecting lately about how I have some great (and awkward) life experiences that also make up a really great story. Most of these stories involve me wondering how I ended up in that moment and a lot of laughter. 

This one is something that I went through back in August and I wrote about for the 30 Hour Famine Blog:  What story is God telling in the messiness of your life?

http://www.30hourfamine.org/2013/10/life-messy-complicated-funny/

30 Hour Famine Blog - New School Year

It's that time again... Needed to have a blog done this past Tuesday morning. I knew what I wanted to say but it wasn't quite flowing the way I wanted it to... And I was going to see Mumford and Sons on Monday night in Birmingham, AL. 

So I put off finishing until Tuesday morning.  

I wrote about a new school year and being at a new church. How it's a bit of a challenge to invite teens and parents to do something like a 30 Hour Famine especially if it sounds like something hard and "not fun". But so incredibly worth it. It can change our lives, help us realize how we can come together by living out the gospel and that we can bring actual change into children and teenagers lives around the world!

Check it out:

www.30hourfamine.org/2013/09/a-new-school-year-and-a-new-youth-group/

Recognize. Turn back. Say thank you.

30 Hour Famine blog -

Last month I blogged about the practice of saying thank you as a spiritual discipline. So when Marko suggested that I use that same idea for my 30 Hour Famine blog - I spent some time figuring out how to line up what I am experiencing through this spiritual discipline in a way that would make sense and invite other youth leaders to try this practice for themselves.

I'm not sure if I got it quite as clear as I had hoped. But I really do believe that if we take the time to say thank you for all the things that we have - it helps to not take advantage.  The practice may not change a child's life in another country but it could change how we approach ministry...our youth...our day to day lives - which might possibly it change our lives and their lives in a small but significant way.

Ironically, the two days I was working on this blog have been filled with hard or sad news - personal and for a few friends.

Amazing how I'm challenged to continue to say thank you. Even if I'm not sure what to say thank you for yet.

Wanna read what I wrote for the 30 Hour Famine?  Check it out here:

http://www.30hourfamine.org/2013/06/recognize-turn-back-say-thank-you/

My blog for 30hourfamine.org

About two months ago, I was invited to join some youth ministers and other World Vision 30 Hour Famine fans as a guest blogger for the amazing 30 Hour Famine.

To be honest - every time I write a blog, I question their wisdom in asking me to write.

But write I do... I love what the 30 Hour Famine has meant at FUMC Pensacola and can't wait to continue a relationship with this ministry at Lebanon FUMC!

Want to check out what I wrote? You can right here:
http://www.30hourfamine.org/2013/04/hey-you-the-one-who-is-leading-a-30-hour-famine-this-weekend/