Not My Own

Neighbors standing outside our apartment stopped and watched with puzzled looks on their faces at what looked like a funeral procession or a parade of cars behind a moving truck exiting our apartment complex. It is common to see a moving truck with a few hired helpers or a few family members helping neighbors move in or out of their apartment. So when our neighbors saw an entire youth group plus their families come and help us move people were left scratching their heads. As the last car in line of the car parade I had the best view of eight other vehicles loaded with our stuff following a moving truck. Trying not to tear up, I took a snap shot in my mind of what is one of my favorite pictures of the church. Church and I didn't start off on the right foot. Growing up I went to church on Christmas and Easter. I grew up with the mind set that one didn't have to go to church to believe in God and church was full of hypocrites. Obviously, my family had been burned by the church a...

What would Jesus' opinion be about real or fake flowers on the altar? I don't think Jesus cares one bit if there are even any flowers on the alter at all.  He couldn't care less if we worshiped in the sanctuary or in the fellowship hall. He doesn't care if we sing praise songs or hymns. It doesn't matter to Jesus if we are wearing name tags or not. Jesus is not concerned with what time church starts. Jesus doesn't care if the youth area is messy. He doesn't care if someone has to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of the service. It doesn't matter to Jesus if the altar candles are lit or not. Jesus doesn't care if the church repeats a creed or not. It doesn't matter to Jesus if the pastor preaches in a white robe, a suit, or a t-shirt. Jesus couldn't care less exactly where the altar is positioned. He doesn't care if communion is bread or crackers. Jesus doesn't care if people walk in late to the service. He doesn't ...

I had a dream last night that I was sitting with a friend staring down at a road congested with traffic. I was so angry and frustrated by the structure of the road system I kept complaining to the friend how dumb the design was and how road crews have no idea what they were doing. I persisted in my complaining and he finally said to me, "Don't you see? It's not the design that's screwed up... everyone is fighting against God and going the opposite way. We need to go with God to make this work." When I took a second look at the road suddenly I felt as if I was at the edge of making sense of something big God was trying to tell me. Of course, that is when I woke up feeling clueless. It's time to be real honest but this tough chic here is not doing so well. I have a disease called Ulcerative Colitis and in short it means I have severe inflammation in my entire colon known as Pancolitis. Most of the time I am in remission with help from incredibly expensive medi...

While I was taking my dog out I ran into one of my neighbors. He asked the usual question, "How are you?" and I responded with an automated response of, "Good. How are you?" while running down the stairs quickly. He surprised me by answering, "Not so good. I am in a lot of pain. I have nine screws and a metal plate in my shoulder." He then proceeded to tell me how it happened right before BMX racing season. Even though this is the most info I have learned about him in two years I didn't ask questions I just listened and nodded. I kept thinking of how I should tell him that I will be praying for him. But when the one sided conversation wrapped up I all I could say was, "Well... good luck with that." As I walked away I kept asking myself why on earth was I afraid to let him know that I was praying for him? I am RIDICULOUS! Protestors against homosexuality I honestly think I was afraid he would assume I was Christian, even though that would...

I had a friend say to me the other day he has two big G's in his life. God and Google. At first I just laughed but  his seriousness about the subject made me see a new realized reality. He went on to explain how using Google he has researched his own faith questions that he has had for years about his beliefs. This has allowed him to find titles and definitions matching more closely to what he believes and has wrestled with for years. I could see on his face that he found a new joy and peace knowing he was not alone in his walk or in his questioning. I am thrilled for his faith exploration but I worry about the accuracy of potential sources one can find through a search engine online. I also think, as a youth minister we need to more conscious of this instant-search generation than ever before. It redefines how we do youth ministry. It redefines how the Church in general should do ministry. This new research era no longer desires to eat and digest beliefs they are taught when the...

If you haven't heard by now this Mother's Day will be my first mother's day to celebrate! Except, I don't know this child that I carry yet and it feels more like an imaginary friend. It is there, but I cannot see it or feel it yet. All I can do is pray for God to help this child grow healthy and full of love in his/her heart for the Lord and for everyone she/he meets. As I have been preparing in my mind and heart to be a mom, I have been heavily reflecting on my relationship with my mother. I can't remember a time in my life where I have appreciated my Mom more than I do now. I hope that will only continue to grow stronger when this child arrives. When I think about all the responsibility that I will have to carry I can't help but ask my myself... How did my mom do it 24/7 for 25 years (27) for my brother. Being a mother is a forever role! Now that I am grown up, married, moved out in a different state, I still rely on my mom for advice, love, and friendship. ...

I was having a conversation with my hair stylist the other day about how I am a youth minister and my husband is a neuro scientist. She looked at me in shock saying, "How does that work? Those are at opposite ends of the spectrum." I laughed and nodded. But after thinking about it I realized they are not so different. When I tell people my husband is a neuro scientist I get about three different reactions. Some people have no clue what I am talking about and change the subject, or they automatically separate him in his own different category of human existence, or they are genuinely interested in what he does. The people from the first two categories almost always ask... "So is he looking for a cure or something?" I used to have the same thoughts myself but now let me explain to you a much more enriched understanding of how science works. Neuro scientists study the brain. They don't just whip up a cure or discover one by chance. Through years and years of...