I don't think there is anybody in youth ministry, or a Christian for that matter, that starts out wanting to be a person of mere image. None of us start out that way. Sadly, the reality is that after over 40 years of youth ministry, I can think of name after name that somehow along the line became more of an image manager than someone who pursued an authentic lifestyle.

We all deal with this battle everyday. We are faced with little choices that challenge our character and question our authenticity. It is so easy to focus on our "public self" before we deal with private self issues. Listen in as we evaluate Image Management vs Authentic Living.

Still committed to being authentic,

The instruction of Mr. Han to young Dre, "Pick it up...take it down...put it on...take it off...put it on the ground," is sticky. However, it probably hasn't reached the legendary status of Mr. Miyagi's, "Wax on, wax off," in the 1984 box office hit, The Karate Kid. Nevertheless I am a huge fan and, secretly, you probably are too. The spiritual parallels that can be drawn from the movies, especially the new one, make it hard not to love the kid.

Our desire in this Source, "Spiritual Growth The Karate Kid Way," is to provide a biblical road map toward spiritual maturity. The primary highway we travel down on this particular night is one called "character"...choosing to do the right thing in those non-glamorous "bamboo pole moments." Without a doubt, training students to "choose wisely" is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. Using Mr. Han's instruction, video clips, Romans 5:3-4, a statue illustration, and some bamboo poles, we hope to do just that! For we are free up to the point of "choice," but ultimately the "choice" controls the chooser!

Lovingly,

Have you ever dared to think of who will remember you when you are gone? And even deeper, what you will be remembered by? Will you be remembered by your rock solid character? Or perhaps, will you will be remembered by what my hero and husband is being remembered by, his PRAYER LIFE. Or maybe that won't be your legacy. What if you are remembered for being selfish, unkind, maybe a gossip, a disinterested parent, or lazy youth leader?

In this Source, "Where Are They Now?" we talk about the LEGACY we will choose to live out while on this earth. I talk about how we can do this STRATEGICALLY and INTENTIONALLY in the society we live in today. And how we can strive to do this consistently so that we can make a REAL, LASTING impact on the lives of this generation.

"When I die, don't think I'm gone. I'll still be alive in that person...and that person...and that person...and that person."-D.L. Moody and Jeanne

Building A Legacy,

In this life, whether we admit it or not, we all want to be KNOWN for something. When we're gone one day, what will people remember about us? What will they say about our character, our family life, our walk with Jesus, how we treated people in our ministry...? I had these same thoughts swarming my head many years ago when my family and ministry was just beginning. I sat down and journaled 7 simple things that I wanted to define Jeanne Mayo and I have spent my life doing my best to live them out.

In this Source, I talk about 8 "Unpleasant Observations" I so often see in our youth and young adult culture today. And then I challenged my students to consider the ultimate question in life...NOT, WHAT do you want to DO? But rather, WHO you want to BE? And then, choose their own "7 Words" that will someday define them...because...NOT to decide...is to decide.

Lovingly,

A pretty big thought for today's generation of youth and young adults is "What is my destiny?" or "What is my purpose in life?" We all long to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to make our lives count for something that really matters. But far too often it seems that we aren't sure how to FIGHT. We aren't sure how to push past all of the things that come along with fighting for our destiny...like loneliness, compromise, and giving up too easily.

I open this Source, "Musings From My Future Casket," with a pretty powerful but fun visualization, called "Welcome to the funeral service of "Melvin Mediocre"! I also share a story from the Bible about Jacobs's life as he wrestled for his own destiny and use some wisdom from an old movie where a 7th grade student named, Trevor McKinney, comes up with an idea that could actually CHANGE THE WORLD... and then puts it into ACTION. Journey with me as we talk about destiny, becoming part of something bigger than yourself and the concept of "Paying it forward."

Determined to fight for my own destiny,