Not My Own

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