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Okay, I know that I’m a youth pastor so I am a little partial. I thought that this video was hilarious, especially the “awkward side hug” part!

Last night at youth group we said goodbye to three students who are leaving for college. I have been doing this a while and have said goodbye to hundreds of students, but it never gets any easier. Kelsey, David and Jake are some of the greatest people I have ever had the chance to know. They make me proud to be their youth pastor. My prayers are with them and I can’t wait to see them next. I love you guys (and girl)!

Highlight since last Thursday: The past couple of weeks we had Jill’s little sister and cousin staying with us. It is always nice to have them here with us. We took them back to Chicago on Monday, and our place feels a little empty and lonely without them.

Books I’m reading: I started reading “Doubting” by Alister McGrath a while ago and then put it down. Recently one of my students came to me with lots of doubts and questions, so I thought I would finish the book to see if it would be a help to her.

Music I’m digging: Old school hip-hop has made a return to the top of my musical playlists.

Ministry update: The summer is flying by, but it has been cool. We started the summer with just a couple of boys in our jr. high group, and last week we had 11 students! It was cool. Our high school group hasn’t missed a beat (at least numerically) and we have 10 students missing this summer because of trips and camp. I’m really excited about what God has planned for us.

Something Random: I’m going to go to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch today with some of my high school guys. YEAH BOY!

Looking forward to: Tomorrow is my nephew’s birthday. He will be 2 years old!

Final Thoughts: Can anyone tell me what a vacation where you don’t do anything but relax feels like? The last time we did that was our honeymoon.

Last night I spoke at youth group about having faith. I used an illustration I had seen used at a conference. They told us to use it if we wanted, so I did! The premise is based on the Law of the Pendulum.

The Law of the Pendulum is: A pendulum can never return to a point higher than the point from which it was released. Because of friction and gravity, when the pendulum returns, it will fall short of its original release point. Each time it swings it makes less and less of an arc, until finally it is at rest. This point of rest is called the state of equilibrium, where all forces acting on the pendulum are equal.

It was a great illustration, and Kelsey did a great job of sitting there. I thought she might freak out. My brother provided the old bowling ball, and all it took was drilling a hole in it, and screwing in an eye-bolt, and then hanging a rope from the ceiling. You should try it!

A long time ago when I first got into youth ministry, we had a little trick to get students to bring their friends. We stole the idea from PDYM, I think. Maybe Bobby remembers. We called it the Impossible Shot. The premise was simple and made lots of sense to me. We would allow each student who brought a friend to have a chance at the Impossible Shot for each friend they brought. Also, the friend would get a shot as well. The prize? The first week it was $10, and went up $10 each week no one made the shot, up to $50. Our Impossible shot was a toy basketball hoop on one end of the basement and they would have to throw the ball from the other end. We ended up moving the spot they would throw from closer because none of the students could make it. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that Bobby, Steve Finkill and I all made the shot from the original spot multiple times!

Here’s why I dig this up. Last week at our jr. high youth group we had four boys. That’s it. I know it’s summer. I know that there were a few people missing. But, the truth is, I just don’t think we have a lot of students in that age range in our church. So, here’s my dilema. I have considered resurrecting the Impossible Shot or something along those lines, but I’m struggling with it. I feel like I am bribing the students to bring friends. I don’t want to bribe them to bring friends. I want them to be enjoying the group and growing in their faith in ways that make them want to bring friends. Am I over thinking this? Is it bribery or just plain smart use of resources and recoginizing my audience?

What do you think? I could use the input from the great minds that read this blog! Yes, that was cheap flattery.

Highlight since last Thursday: On Saturday, we had a photo scavenger hunt for our high school group. We put them into 4 teams, gave them a list of 110+ photo opportunities and 1 1/2 hours, and let them go. It was fun just watching them come back laughing. All the students and leaders who went said they had a good time.

Books I’m reading: I’m reading “Starving Jesus” by Craig Gross and J.R. Mahon. I really enjoy it so far. I appreciate their openness and honesty.

Music I’m digging: Seriously, I haven’t listened to much music this week. Sorry.

Ministry update: I don’t know if it is me, or if everyone feels like this, but I just can’t seem to get ahead of my work. I keep looking at the calendar and thinking “Holy Crap! Our trip to Puerto Rico will be here soon, and then the fall, and then…” I’m hoping a week away will refresh me and let me see that the world won’t fall apart without me.

Something Random: I finally went golfing this week. I was terrible, but I had a few nice shots. I felt rushed because we had to wait because of people in front of us, and then there were people behind us. It probably wouldn’t have mattered because I am not a good golfer. At least I have my looks.

Looking forward to: On Monday, Jill and I will be leaving Story City to go to Chicago for the week. It will be nice to see friends and family, and to eat at our favorite restaurants.

Final Thoughts: My desk is so cluttered right now, I can’t think. I’m going to remedy that problem right now.

As beautiful as pictures of sunsets can be, they never seem to capture the true beauty. I think the true beauty of a sunset is being captured in the moment of understanding that God is powerful and creative and loving and beautiful. This picture is a panorama that I took from my deck last night with my iPhone. The colors last night were breathtaking! Thank you God for such a beautiful display.