Archive - March, 2009

Big Picture and Small Picture

March 4, 2009 in features, resources, Youth Ministry with 1 Comment

Last week in our Youth Ministry class we talked mostly about how to create lesson plans. We talked about putting in details like goals, indicators, transition statements, and other things.

Today, in the continuation of that topic, we started talking about the big picture of how to create a teaching plan for youth ministry. It’s not enough to know the details…we have to know where we are going with each of those lessons.

So, we started off the class with this powerpoint game called What is it?. I created it to use in either an English or Spanish setting, so it’s bilingual. The first image is a super close up of an object. The participants have to guess what it is. After ten images, the answers are given. There’s even a bonus in case of a tie.

Feel free to use the free “What is it?” powerpoint game for your ministry. My students did fairly well. I don’t think it’s too difficult or too easy. Have fun with it, and let me know if you use it.

Oh…and while you’re at it, maybe you’re looking for a free Easter Powerpoint game. I created a trivia game about Peeps (the candy) a while ago. Click here for the link to the free Peeps Powerpoint game.

Woah! One Year Ago…

March 3, 2009 in Family, Nathan with 3 Comments

Every March, the weather gets nice enough to play in the sprinkler in our little bitty yard. Nathan loves it. So, in 2007, I took a picture of him playing. Then I took another one last year. I compared the two here. Remember that?

Well, take a look at the difference from last year to this year. Nathan has grown up so much this year.

Sprinker 1
March 2007



Playing in the sprinkler
March 2008



Nathan in the sprinkler 2009
March 2009

Part of a Global Movement

March 2, 2009 in Global Youth Ministry, YMI with 0 Comments


We recently published some information at the YMI Blog about what God has done through Youth Ministry International in the last few years.

It is a privilege to be a part of something that is greater than our own family and ministry. In one of my classes, I teach how difficult it is to measure success in ministry. We work hard everyday, invest countless hours in the lives of people, and do what we feel God wants us to do. But often it isn’t until years later that we see results.

Of course, numbers aren’t everything. But it is always great to see the impact that a ministry is having on the lives of those around them.

Be sure to check out YMI’s blog to read about the Global Movement in youth ministry and see how maybe you can be a part.

Small but Powerful

March 1, 2009 in Church, Personal Growth with 0 Comments

Chile piquinThe chile piquin is a small but powerful type of chile pepper. I tried one the other day because my students had told me that they would make an excellent illustration for my sermon on the tongue. They were right. I had to spit it out because I didn’t want it to burn my esophagus.

Today I preached on James 3 at Bethel Church in Xochimilco. My introduction was the chile piquin. We talked about three observations about the tongue: It has power (for good or evil); it is difficult to tame; and controlling it is essential to living out our faith.

It’s a lot easier to preach about taming the tongue than it is to live it. I think part of it has to do with the fact that there are so many ways to slip up with the tongue. It takes only a little moment in time to lose your temper and say something that you will regret for a long time.

I had a good time with a new group of Christians today, and I pray that the sermon will take root in their lives and the life of their church.

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