Blog

Tag Archives: Courage

Blog

How to Overcome the All or Nothing Mindset

By | January 3, 2011

I tend to be an all or nothing person when it comes to my expectation of doing things. I know that this is a weakness for me. God has lately kept reminding me of how merciful He is to me and how much of a work in progress I am. So last year I decided to apply a new rule for getting things done within the ministry of Life Teen.

Blog

No Plan B

By | November 21, 2010

Have you ever asked yourself the question – what was God thinking asking ME to serve in youth ministry? I have asked several people who I consider to be way down the road to holiness and who have been entrusted with being in charge of ministry if they have ever felt worthy for all that God is trusting them with? The unanimous answer has been that you never feel worthy of the trust God has placed in you.

Blog

The University of Dare Me

By | October 22, 2010

Have you ever experienced the awkwardness of presenting a “God inspired” new ministry idea to a group of people who are older, more educated, more experienced and in general more set in their ways than you are? It’s like leading a session at the University of Dare Me. You know the crowd, the dare me folks who say “Dare me to like it” or “dare me to think differently” and more than likely “dare me to believe that God could be speaking through you”.

Blog

The Problem With Squinting

By | October 18, 2010

Are there areas in your life that you don’t seem quite right? Ever found yourself squinting to avoid an area you dont want to address…

Blog

The Chilean Miners – What Catholic Families Can Learn

By | October 14, 2010

The past day I have watched as 33 miners were pulled from a half mile beneath the earth in a small rocket looking carrier to the surface. They spent over 2 month’s underground, with the first 17 days not knowing if anyone above ground knew they were still alive after a mine collapse. They spent more time trapped underground than anyone in history. What intrigued me most was hearing how they survived the ordeal so well.

Blog

A Small Crack in the Window of Your Soul

By | October 8, 2010

We who work in youth ministry need to be aware of how the devil is trying to disrupt our ministry. We can’t fool ourselves into thinking that what we do in the dark, doesn’t affect what we do in the light. One small crack in the window of your soul is all the devil needs to start messing with you.

Blog

If You Have Faith – The Peace Will be There

By | September 15, 2010

The homily had just finished with a reflection of how peaceful Mary was in the face of some pretty disturbing things in her life. Just then the man sitting next to me at Mass leans over and says – ” If you have faith – the peace will be there”. I sat for a minute after Mass thinking about how right he was. The people I know who are most peaceful are the people I know who have the most faith in God.

Blog

If the Shepherd is on Fire – the Sheep Will Feel the Heat!

By | September 13, 2010

A priest once told me that the parishioners at his inner city parish are always encouraging him to be fired up! They often say to him – “If the shepherd is on fire – the sheep will feel the heat!” Being in a leadership role with the responsibility of shepherding several flocks, I know how important it is for me to be fired up about things. If you are in a position of leadership, are you on fire enough for your mission to have the people who you are leading feel the heat

Blog

If You Want to Learn to Do Youth Ministry…

By | September 8, 2010

I know of no more important ministry at a parish than youth ministry. Current statistics reveal that teens that are not involved in their parish have over a 90% chance on not being a practicing Catholic later in life. Youth ministry plays a critical role for our Church as a main way to have teens involved at a parish. So if you feel a pull or calling toward youth ministry here are some things to consider.

Blog

It Goes with the Territory

By | July 20, 2010

When I was growing up almost every time I would whine and complain about something, my dad would simply say – “It goes with the territory” – meaning that more than likely what I was complaining about was something that went along with either the choices I had made or that it was part of being the age I was and wishing I was more grown up. The reality for us in Catholic youth ministry is that there are a lot of potentially unpleasant things we face simply because it goes with the territory. The key is not focusing on all the negatives we face but in realizing the positives that go with the territory.