A few months ago, I told the story of how the TALKSHEETS books came about. I had the privilege of writing two bible studies for youth in the very successful youth group curriculum series. The good folks at Zondervan have a practice of sending authors a copy of a book when there are additional printings. This past week I received a copy and notice that of another printing for MIDDLE SCHOOL TALKSHEETS: LIFE OF CHRIST.
It’s been fun to see this be so well-received. I’ve heard from Christian camping leaders, from volunteer leaders in small rural churches, and youth pastors in large mega-churches who use the lessons and like them. They’ve found them easy to use, engaging for their teens, and biblically solid.
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Popularity: 7%
Posted on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at 9:22 AM in Writing, Youth Ministry. No comments
On a recent business trip, I stopped (thanks to Foursquare. I’m not sure I would’ve seen it tucked away) at a Espresso Love Coffee in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. It is a delightful place and clearly loved by the community as people of all sorts (farmers, business-types, shoppers, and the usual coffee shop types) came and went, or stayed and chatted. It was what a local coffee shop should be.
Perhaps due to the economic situation, but Kel and I have become more committed to buying local than we once did. We consciously work to support local businesses and to frequent local coffee shops over the common name brand types that have corporate influence. One of my favorites is Quincy’s, who serve my favorite coffee, Intelligentsia (roasted in nearby Chicago…. that’s local, isn’t it?). 
I love hanging out at Quincy’s not only because of the coffee and service, but also its communal vibe, that the people who hang out here see and live life creatively and aren’t just sitting by while others shape the world.
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Popularity: 8%
Posted on Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 at 7:10 AM in Culture, Writing. No comments
I drove past a local delivery pizza business this week, one that I’ve passed by hundreds of times before. I’ve never ordered pizza from them and had no plans to in the future. However, on this day a simple handwritten sign in the front yard caught my attention and I did a difficult turnaround to check out. The Sign? “We have Rise-N-Roll Donuts”
What you may not know is that, simply put, Rise-N-Roll donuts are the best. The Best, Jerry! And there isn’t a close second. Come visit and I’ll prove it to you.
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Popularity: 4%
Posted on Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 6:19 AM in Personal, Writing. No comments
Today is the official release day for an exciting new book that I co-authored with David Livermore. For quite some time, Dave and I have been helping youth groups discover creative and practical ways to move beyond the borders that often confine youth ministry. As our students’ global awareness increases, and they want to make a difference beyond just going on a short-term mission trip, how can we help lead them? As globalization presses in and reshapes our communities, how do we respond in a Christlike way to the issues and problems?
From the Zondervan website:
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Popularity: 4%
Posted on Friday, August 5th, 2011 at 5:40 AM in Culture, Global Youth, Writing, Youth Ministry. No comments
The end of the school year is usually full of pressure to get papers finished, to wrap up loose ends long put off, and to feverishly work so you can enjoy the summer.
And that’s just for us teachers!
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Popularity: 13%
Posted on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 at 7:10 AM in Writing. No comments
Maybe I’m affected by the end of another academic year at the college. Or maybe it’s that I’m behind a cup or two on the coffee intake this morning. Perhaps it’s something else that prompts a bit of ‘preaching’ today. I know we live in postmodern-ish times (whatever that means anymore. I know some argue that we’re actually in hyper-modernity), but I’ve noticed a trend among bloggers, even Christian bloggers, to take material from others and re-present it without a nod to the original source.
In my world, that’s called plagiarism. And that practice will get you kicked out of college because it’s dishonesty and lacks integrity (colleges’ words, not mine).
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Popularity: 12%
Posted on Friday, April 8th, 2011 at 6:32 AM in Culture, Personal, Writing. No comments
I don’t normally do this, but when I got my copy of GLOBAL YOUTH MINISTRY, I sat down to read it as I would anyone else’s book. I wanted to experience the book as a reader would and then be open to the challenges presented by the various authors of the text. I was surprised how often, in spite of my familiarity with the text, I jotted down notes, underlined important concepts, and felt like the book helped me think about my youth ministry in new ways … let alone how youth ministry ‘works’ in other cultures.
You can find an excerpt of the text here.
Popularity: 12%
Posted on Monday, March 28th, 2011 at 3:56 PM in Global Youth, Writing. No comments
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