It’s that time of year. Lose weight, start a gratitude journal, learn a new hobby, read a new book, finally plan that trip you always wanted to take. Oh yeah, and finally become perfect in every way. What would it look like to start approaching the new year by planning our goals with Jesus? …
It has been about a year since I wrote “Sidekick Strategies That Lead to Superhero Habits.” It sounds suspiciously like a “New Year’s Resolutions” blog, but my goal was to kick start some healthy new practices in my life. You can that original post here.…
During the holidays, we have lots of opportunities to engage others beyond the surface conversations we normally have with them. So what would it look like to fearlessly engage them, paying ridiculous attention to their nuances and calling out their story?…
I have a bad feeling about this. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a great disturbance in the force for supporters and critics alike. The film ends a 42-year-old story arc spanning nine primary movies, two side films, multiple TV shows, and endless supporting books.…
The holidays are meant to be filled with joy, yet they can also bring a lot of stress and pressure. What would it look like to start being an “apprecianado,” a person who pays so much attention to somethingthat they can discern and delight in the nuances of it? …
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A holly-jolly Christmas. Do you hear what I hear? Silver bells. The First Noel. We get it. The Christmas nostalgia in our soul’s cup “spilleth over.” But threaded through the music, food, and decorations of the Christmas season is a reminder of something greater and deeper—that God came near and continues to come near.…
Jesus has a transformational presence that can radiate healing and salvation. Instead of wondering what Jesus would do, let’s try to understand the importance behind where would Jesus be. What would it look like for us to start carrying the presence of Jesus with us?…
Christmas is supposed to be a season full of peace and goodwill as we celebrate the Savior’s physical arrival into this world. So why are we often bombarded with feelings of pressure and extreme stress? We know Advent’s not supposed to be this way, but how do we change it?…
When something is beyond our control, our initial reaction to this is one filled with fear. Yet, during these times, our dependence on Jesus is what helps us through. What would it look like to start “scaring” ourselves in a good way, so that we can grow closer to Jesus?…
We have a global warming problem, but some struggle to acknowledge its source and implications. Meanwhile, we have a “global freezing” problem in the youth ministry world, and some in the church are struggling to acknowledge its source and implications. The “freeze” is driven by a church in decline (a 20 percentage-point decline since 1999)—stagnant youth ministry salaries and shrinking career possibilities are the results… So, it’s been four years since we asked youth pastors all over the U.S.…
 Best of PRATJ: Preparing for a New Year with Jesus){kind=link}
 The Beeline Practices—Fearless Holiday Relationships){kind=link}
 The Beeline Practices—Be a Holiday “Apprecianado”){kind=link}
 The Beeline Practices—Where Would Jesus Be?){kind=link}
 Best of PRATJ—The Stress of Advent and the Pursuit of Jesus){kind=link}
 The Beeline Practices: Scaring Yourself for Good){kind=link}
