Wow.

Mom decides that playing video games while sitting down just isn’t good enough. Her child deserves better.

So she takes the next logical step, installing a smokin’ awesome TV screen into the ceiling, right above the bed.

I’ll be the first to admit that this is the answer to many of my childhood dreams. But I’m glad my parents never spent this much money on me (rumor has it they had to reinforce the ceiling to make it happen) to try to make me happy. I probably would have never gotten out of bed.

From Engadet.com

We have the honor of working with one of the most diverse groups of teens ever to grow up in America.

Check out this photo book of teens in America:

Time - Teens in America: Class Pictures

Below are some great scriptures to pray over your students.

This doesn’t mean that you read them once and then use them to browbeat your students and demand they change. Theses are verses to empower your prayers.

I encourage you to take them to the Lord in prayer again and again, asking Him to work so that the love, truth, and grace of God described in these verses would come to be reflected in the lives of your teens.

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I’ve been working on building the habit of reading scripture every day for some time now. Sometimes I’m pretty good at it, while other times I get off track or get busy.

But I have noticed that I have two very different mindsets that I can bring with me to the Word of God.

One says, “I’m looking for more information/facts,” and the other says, “I’m hungry for God and everything He wants to teach me.”

The second mindset I would also call “looking intently into the Word of God,” and I’ve noticed it makes a huge difference in how I respond while I read the Word.

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If you know me, you know my passion is coaching. I love spending time with youth pastors to help them be more effective in their youth ministry.

That’s why I’m excited to announce our brand new website!

• www.calledtoym.com

It just got a complete redesign and we added a bunch of new content.

Plus, on the new site, you will be able to read a lot about the Next Level Partnership, which will be an exciting opportunity for youth pastors to get the coaching, training and community they are looking for.

So check it out and let me know what you think! And if you’re around Indianapolis or Chicago, be sure to join the discussion about the Next Level Partnership groups starting in your area.

This just in: A teen in New York City feel down an open manhole while texting. (full story, video)

Reports indicate that workers had stepped away from the manhole for “just seconds” to retrieve orange cones from their truck. In an instant, Alexa Longueira went from walking along the sidewalk to five feet underground!

She suffered minor cuts and bruises but will be just fine. The family is thinking about filing a lawsuit.

Let this be a warning to us all: Beware your surroundings when texting!

Be encouraged ;)

“The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.” Psalm 121:7, 8

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

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I’ve been spending time lately meeting with a youth pastor that works not to far from where I live. We’ve been talking about purpose and aligning all the “stuff” of youth ministry around a guiding purpose.

She’s still trying to figure out what the “big purpose” is that her group is called to run after. But she has been a lot more purposeful in planning each of their youth meetings, setting a goal for each night instead of just doing “what we always do.”

Last week she told me about a youth group activity she came up with to help reinforce the lesson from their Bible study. It was a simple idea, but I thought it was the best activity ever!

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Yesterday I had the opportunityto catch breakfast with Dan Spader.

You might not have heard of him, which is one thing I like about this guy. The Lord has used him to do big things around the world, including train a team of trainers that at one time reached 50,000 youth pastors just in the US. But he is very humble and has a servant’s heart.

If you have heard his name before, it was probably in connection with the ministry he founded 25 years ago called SonLife (now SonLife Classic), or the ministry he runs now, Global Youth Initiative.

Dan is passionate about studying the life of Christ and teaching youth ministers to model their life and ministry after His. Our conversation reminded me that strategies are great, but His strategy is the only one that really matters.

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Ever feel like you just have a ton of needs? I struggle with my own level of faith in God the most when I realize just how much I need, in every area, like finances, patience, and even just direction in life.

I pray that these scriptures are encouraging to you and your students as they help you reflect on how everything we truly need is found in Christ!

“. . . your Father knows the things you have need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8

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