A renewed sense to why I write and why this blog exists...

The other night, I was sitting around my house with some of my current closest friends and a huge reminder came upon me via the things we were talking about.

"Why do I write my blog?"

I'm not sure that I have completely ever thought it through. I recently, dove back into the archives to see if I really even set a vision for this blog and found this:

"I hope that this blog will become a bit of an encouragement to you as it will be to me. I want to be able to give you updates on what God is doing in my life as well as those that I am given the opportunity to engage."

My best guess is that this was pretty wide enough and broad enough that the point of the blog has been acheived and I haven't strayed too far away from the central desire of mine when I started this thing. But, in this day of trying to be as laser-focused as possible, I have decided to somewhat revise this original intent to give me some sense of focus when I write on this blog.

My ultimate desire is that I can be a blessing to those that do read this blog and offer my experience to those who are interested or who need to hear a word of encouragement. I am far from a Bible scholar, however, my desire is to offer a different viewpoint and provide an word of encouragement through what God is working on in me. So here is the new, revised reason that this blog exists:

"To be a blessing and encouragement to the world while providing an opportunity for those around me to continue to join me in my journey as a Christ-follower. This blog will take on the character of its author, applying as much biblical insight as possible."

As I begin to become more laser-focused, I have some regular occurrences that you will begin to see on the blog. Some of those are:
-Friendship Fridays will RETURN!
-Parental Guidance: Insights into the World of Teenagers from one not too far from Teenagers
-Wednesday Night Highlights: Things to look forward to for WNY. These might come on Wednesday or possibly earlier in the week, if there is something that I am SO JACKED for that you need to know ahead of time.
-Insights in Communication: Trends and things that I am seeing in Communication. Not just in Teens but also in Communication in general. Nothing too research based, but some things to think about nonetheless.

I hope that this can become more organized and become a better format for those who take a look ever once in while.

Couple Good blogs to check out...

So, I'm running through some of the blogs that I have subscribed to and I noticed there are some that I would love for you to visit and why you should:

Derry Prenkert: Right now, Derry is working through all of the What If's that took place at camp. You should head over there right now and check them out...

Dan Weiss: Dan has recently been blogging on his Summer Camp experience. He is an awesome guy, who I am totally stoked to see be moved by God. He is going to be an awesome small group leader! Totally stoked! Check Him out...

Jeff Simpson: This guy has such a heart for people and it is awesome. What is even better is that he is always wrestling with God on how to be more like Him and how to be closer to Him. He has a great post up right now about the tough time that he had to go through at Summer Camp.

Senior High TAWG Blog: The Senior High of NMC Student Ministries has entered into the world of building a community online. This blog is the place to enter comments about our TAWG journal. Check out what some students have already written and maybe leave an encouraging note!

Terry Linhart: Terry is Dean at Bethel College (IN) of Religion and Philosophy. He is also an up and coming writer that is going to change the landscape of leadership modes and models in the near future. Plus he is a great mentor and person that you can just use great wisdom from!


For each of the following... Leave them a comment to update their blogs, cause I need some other stuff to read, and because they have great insights into the world!

Seth Bartlette
Chris Lehane
Joel Runyon
Michael Yoder
Kyle Lantz
Kory Lantz

Thanks! Hopefully it pays off!

Things I would like to see in the blogging world...

I know... I stole this from Derry too... but I think that there are some things that I would like to see from the people that I read...

1. Derry Prenkert to post on a biblical perspective on this financial struggle that this nation is in and how the church and the Church need to respond to it.
2. Jeff Simpson to post on what it truly means to have a servant's heart.
3. Kristy Mikel to post on being a missionary in an unfamiliar missionary setting.
4. Jason Thompson to post on the differences between Pre-teen world and Jr. High world.
5. Michael Yoder to post on what it means to be a Red-Letter Christian on a Christian College Campus and how do we engage a world when we are restricted by the rules that we have become affiliated with?
6. Kyle Lantz to give us some perspective on what it means to live by God's rules in our life.
7. Jon Andrews to give a synopsis of what it means to be patriotic, Christian and what is the best way to emphasize these ideals in a youth ministry setting.
8. Chris Lehane to offer up some ways to be a father, husband, pastor, and young adult and still keep your sanity. (And update since it hasn't happened in like 3 months :) )
9. Seth Bartlette to give some advantages and disadvantages that technology brings to the youth minsitry world.
10. Someone, ANYONE to describe the path to ethnic, and racial reconciliation in this country.

I realize that of these 10 things, probably three or four of them might happen... but hey... I like to challenge people...

Some posts that I have been working on that will hit the blog soon:

1. Fear and its effect on our world.
2. Technology and its advantage in youth ministry
3. The Gateway Drug to Adultery

Those are what's coming up!!!