I have always been a fan of rap music. Talib and Hi-Tek’s Train of Thought blessed my Ford Escort speakers for years in high school. [...]

For the first time since I have been here we opened up our doors to teenagers and let them own the night.  Three bands from Garnet Valley High School showed up on Thursday to set up and check out the “church” they had to play in.  As each one walked in they were blown away [...]

I was reading today in Mark chapter 9 about the crowd that had gathered around the demon possessed boy and how the disciples could not cast out the demon that was in him and then onto the scene walks Jesus and everything changes.After being asked to cast out the demon Jesus says to them, “You faithless people!  How long must I be with you?  How long must I put up with you?  Bring the boy to me.” The boy comes over and just the fact that he was in the presence of Jesus the boy begins to foam at the mouth, shakes and falls to the ground.  The dad tells Jesus that this demon keeps throwing his son in the fire and water trying to kill him.  The father looks at Jesus and says “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” I read that and thought that is me.  When I go through a trial I condescendingly look at Jesus and say, help me if you can.  Ever do that? What kind of faith is that?  Jesus looks at the dad and says “What do you mean, if I can?”   “If I can?” I’m Jesus the creator of the universe who cares about you as an individual, of course I can.The father says something interesting again, like he hasn’t already showed his cards of disbelief, he admits to Jesus right there on the spot, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” THAT’S US!  Everyday we need to say to God, I do believe but help me overcome my unbelief.My unbelief that you love me.My unbelief that you forgive me.My unbelief that you want all of me.My unbelief that my mess can become your mission.My unbelief that I am worthy of your grace.My unbelief that my junk is important to you.My unbelief that you can do the impossible.My unbelief that you are who you say you are.How much longer will we sit with unbelief in our hearts and yet publicly state God can do anything?  Our faith is a gift from God, Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that.  Faith is a constant process of daily turning to Jesus and handing Him our unbelief.  He-wants-o...

Yesterday I posted about the ten things that I love about teenagers.  Today I am posting on the ten things I dislike about teenagers.  Remember there are great joys and then there are also great disappointments.  Ministry is no different than life.  We will experience both in our families, our jobs, our churches and our friendships.  Even though these are dislikes, I still love students and how one minute they can be crazy and the next they can be sacrificing everything to be used for His glory.Schedule I dislike the busyness that they have etched in their life.  There is a point of over commitment and therefore they find themselves doing many things good but nothing great.  I dislike how their schedule sometimes directs their relationship with God.In The Box Faith God is so much bigger than their hurt or pain.  So many times they minimize God and therefore minimize their faith and put it in a  box.  They pull it out on Sundays but during the week it can be silent.  I dislike that because their faith is small they rarely have a biblical worldview.  The reality is Christ is not a daily priority.Discernment Everyone wants a good laugh but at what expense?  At who’s expense?  The line between what is funny and when is funny is something I dislike.  It could be the most serious moment in a life group and then somebody passes gas and the moment is lost.  Maybe the seriousness of dealing with sin in our lives causes us to become uncomfortable and try and change subjects.  The choices that they make I dislike.  What they think is appropriate clothes to wear to what they are finding as entertainment to who they date.Lack Of Civility As with all of these they don’t apply to all teenagers.  This is not a blanket statement for all but there are many who have a disrespect for authority and for their peers.  For a cheap laugh they are willing to do almost anything if it means being accepted.Family Absence So many students come home to empty houses.  Or they have parents who are never home bec

Yesterday I posted about the ten things that I love about teenagers.  Today I am posting on the ten things I dislike about teenagers.  Remember there are great joys and then there are also great disappointments.  Ministry is no different than life.  We will experience both in our families, our jobs, our churches and our friendships.  Even though these are dislikes, I still love students and how one minute they can be crazy and the next they can be sacrificing everything to be used for His glory.Schedule I dislike the busyness that they have etched in their life.  There is a point of over commitment and therefore they find themselves doing many things good but nothing great.  I dislike how their schedule sometimes directs their relationship with God.In The Box Faith God is so much bigger than their hurt or pain.  So many times they minimize God and therefore minimize their faith and put it in a  box.  They pull it out on Sundays but during the week it can be silent.  I dislike that because their faith is small they rarely have a biblical worldview.  The reality is Christ is not a daily priority.Discernment Everyone wants a good laugh but at what expense?  At who’s expense?  The line between what is funny and when is funny is something I dislike.  It could be the most serious moment in a life group and then somebody passes gas and the moment is lost.  Maybe the seriousness of dealing with sin in our lives causes us to become uncomfortable and try and change subjects.  The choices that they make I dislike.  What they think is appropriate clothes to wear to what they are finding as entertainment to who they date.Lack Of Civility As with all of these they don’t apply to all teenagers.  This is not a blanket statement for all but there are many who have a disrespect for authority and for their peers.  For a cheap laugh they are willing to do almost anything if it means being accepted.Family Absence So many students come home to empty houses.  Or they have parents who are never home bec

Books are powerful and have the ability to shape us as well as a culture.  I have been asked several times lately what are some of the books that I have read recently that have shaped or influenced me.  So I have been compiling a list of books that over the last six months have shaped me and they may be worth your time to check out.  These are the books that have challenged me and caused me to look at things differently and they will be in no particular order.  I believe that leaders are learners, the moment you stop learning you stop leading.  I have heard you can tell what kind of a leader someone is by the books they read and the company they keep.  Over the next couple days I will be posting different books and try to link to their blog or church and allow you to check them out for yourself.  What books have you read that are influential in your life?Craig Groeschel wrote both Confessions of a pastor and it.  Craig Groeschel is the lead pastor of Lifechurch.tv with several campus.  Craig has taken technology and leveraged it to reach this generation and generations to come.  I heard Craig speak at the Catalyst conference two years ago and to see a pastor be that transparent was incredible and it showed me that I have struggles and it’s okay.  it is a book about just that, it.  Who has it?  How do you get it?  What is it?  How do you keep it?  Both are great books for your library.