I watched this video this morning and I was blown away by the love that God gives us for His people!  Unbelievable faith, mercy and restoration!  Take some time today and watch this powerful story of a youth pastor and the man who killed his wife and son.

- Rick

Relevant Magazine posted this article late last week about some wise social media habits and I think it is so good!  Therefore, I'm passing it on to you!  Below is just an overview of the article... I highly recommend clicking the link and reading the rest of the article!

Social Media has become part of our very fabric of life... everyone and their grandma is on Facebook, we're tweeting, posting to Instagram and snapping selfies on Snapchat!  The writer of this article suggests that instead of posting for the fifteenth time today, we should take a break and ask ourselves these 5 questions:

1. Am I Seeking Approval? - If your interaction with the internet is driven by a need for approval, consider healthier ways to address this issue and choose to stop reinforcing the unhealthy ones.
2. Am I Boasting? - There’s sharing excitement and then there’s bragging.  Examine your motivations and walk away before using social media as the adult version of show-and-tell.
3. Am I Discontent? - Are you looking for something “better”? If so, walk away. Nothing you will read, write or see is going to solve this one.  Instead, ask yourself why you are discontent and address those needs.
4. Is This A Moment To Protect? - Not every great moment needs to be shared. In fact, some of the best times are most enjoyed privately. If we suspend the present in an attempt to capture its beauty in 140 characters or less, we sacrifice our experience of the moment itself. We also rob each other of something that has been lost in our digital age—keeping a handful of memories between us and those we are closest to, or even just between us and God.
5. Is It Kind? - Our culture tells us it’s our right to comment on everything, regardless of whether it was addressed to us and without consideration for how it might affect others.  What message are we sending?

The writer ends with challenging us to use these questions to help us pause and give ourselves an honest moment to reflect—bringing discernment, love and wisdom to each picture and word we share.

Do you ask any questions before posting to social media?  Comment and let me know!

- Rick

I found this video today that I think is especially relevant since the Seahawks are heading to the SuperBowl.  I love to hear peoples stories... and this video is all about some of the Seahawks players stories of how they came to play football in the NFL and how they came to know Christ.

Do yourself a favor and take 15 minutes to watch this video.  Share it with your friends too... this is a great video to have go viral!  You can also check out their site at makingofachampion.org.

Comment and let me know who you want to win the SuperBowl!  I'm going with the Seahawks!

- Rick

We love to talk... like a lot!  We don't like to listen.  I think that is why the old saying, "God gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason" resonates with so many of us... because we are supposed to listen but we don't.  Yet a question that I am often asked is "How does God speak to me?"  As I discussed in a past post, God is always speaking to us and God uses many ways to speak to us.  The following are some of the ways that God chooses to speak to His people:

• The Bible - The Bible is the written word of God.  Everything in it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in our lives.  If we believe this and ask God to open our eyes and ears to see and hear His words, then God will speak loudly through His written word!

This is not an exhaustive list, but this seems to be the popular ways that God has been speaking to me.  One thing is certain, God will speak to you in whatever way He chooses... He may even use a donkey!  What a joy to know that the God of the universe wants to speak to us!  Why wouldn't we want to listen!?

What other ways does God speak to you?  Comment and let me know!

- Rick

For those of you who know me... I'm not much of a reader.  I try... I just don't get into reading.  My wife could read all day... I can read for a few seconds and then I'm spent!  However, I can remember hearing someone say that all leaders are readers and learners.  I want to lead as effectively as possible and therefore I have to read and learn from what I read.

So in 2014, I am not planning on reading a book every week.... or month.  I just plan on reading 6... so these aren't essential must reads, but they are the books that I plan on reading.  Here are my 6:

1. Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole - Eric Mason
   
2. Healing the Masculine Soul: God's Restoration of Men to Real Manhood - Gordon Dalbey
3. The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community - Hugh Halter
4. Community: Taking Your Small Group Off Life Support - Brad House
5. Connecting Church & Home - Tim Kimmel
   
6. Grace Filled Marriage - Tim Kimmel

Some of these books have come as recommendations to me from those in my life that I trust and others have I have discovered on my own.  I believe that these books will help me grow in my relationship with Christ, my relationship with my wife, and in my youth ministry.  Looking forward to what God has to teach me through reading these books!

What are some books that you hope to read in 2014?  Comment on this post and let me know!

- Rick

In honor of the Eagles playing the Saints in the playoffs today... I thought I'd post this video of an Eagles fan, known as Mr. G, after they beat the Cowboys last week.  Pretty funny!  And Since the Lions season is officially done and without a coach... I can officially say fly Eagles fly!

- Rick