Rhett and Link

Check out what I have been laughing at as of late (highly recommended because I have really good taste):

http://rhettandlink.com/

advent conspiracy

Check this out:

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/videos/ I recommend the "Enter The Story" video. To view it with an open heart= potentially very good for your soul.

Taco Bell Youth Ministry

I was at Taco Bell a few days ago looking at their menu. I thought about why I go to Taco Bell so often. What they advertise draws me back to eat there again and again. Taco Bell has the same familiar reliable favorites that I enjoy, but they also are continually changing up certain items-a slightly different burrito or nacho, or a new fruit drink.

I think that youth ministry is like that. Well, at least weekly events are like that. There are some mainstays, but some things should change each week to keep it interested and exciting even if it is a just a variation of what we have been doing. As much as change can make me uncomfortable, I think in this case "variety is the spice of life."

Youth Specialties parent newsletter

Check out the YS parent newsletter:

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/
Redefining Success

What are you some of our deepest hopes for our children? How do we define “success” for them? Are we rooting for them to gain financial security, career satisfaction, and universal respect and devotion from their peers—or to become success…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/redefining_success1/
Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.
http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/
2. Learn Their Lingo

Last Texter = That friend that always sends you a meaningless text after the obvious end of a text conversation, just to get the last text.

KPC = Text shorthand meaning "keep parents clueless."
3. Links to Learn From

Up Close & Personal with Lisa T. Bergren
http://www.christianitytoday.com/momsense/2009/sepoct/upcloseandpersonal-lisatbergren.html

Study Reveals More Details About The iPhone Mom
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/26/study-reveals-more-details-about-behavior-of-the-iphone-mom/

“Say Aah” …and, “What’s in Your iPod?”
http://www.thesource4ym.com/youthculturewindow/article.asp?id=99
4. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
- Thomas Paine

a blog for volunteers from a volunteer

Check this out:

http://www.volunteeryouthministry.com/

yay! for peanut butter

I recently had a "reeses peanut butter cup for peanut butter lovers." It is nice to know that someone was thinking about me.

YS parent newletter

This is the most recent Youth Specialties parent newsletter. I hope that it is beneficial and thought provoking.

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Movie Reviews
4. Links to Learn From
5. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/
When God Waits

One of the most difficult questions for Christian parents to answer is, “Why did God let this happen?” At issue may be the death of a loved one or a pet or any devastating loss deeply felt. If God is…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/when_god_waits/
Featured Resource: Sacred Parenting

Explore the spiritual dynamics of parenting, and why caring for children is such an effective discipline in shaping our souls and forming the character of Christ within us.

Save 20% off the retail price of “Sacred Parenting” when you use Coupon Code YPN391 and order by 9/30/09
http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/sacred_parenting/
2. Learn Their Lingo

Frenemy = An enemy disguised as a friend.

Kind of a big deal = A term for a person who is facetiously joking about how important/cool/awesome they are.
3. Movie Reviews for Parents
I Can Do Bad All By Myself

Tyler Perry has quickly become one of our most successful filmmakers. His usually urban stories lean toward the melodramatic, walking the line between comedy and…
Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/i_can_do_bad_all_by_myself/
9

This dark, post-apocalyptic tale began as an 11-minute short film by a UCLA animation student. The wildly original story is built on a very spiritual…
Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/nine/
4. Links to Learn From

Smacking Makes Children Naughtier [Telegraph U.K.]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6188692/Smacking-makes-children-naughtier-research.html

Reading and Writing Must Be a Priority [SmartBrief.com]
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/ascd/storyDetails.jsp?issueid=1EFBA3A0-48F5-4FAF-9FA2-7968350229B3©id=6DE78BF4-3E0C-44B9-AC50-91CE01674BBD

Study Shows Teenage Girls Attracted to Deep Voices [Physorg.com]
http://www.physorg.com/news172304097.html
5. A Little Encouragement...And Humor

Where there is love, there is pain.
- Spanish Proverb