John 15: 1 “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. (Vs 2) Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

As a GODLY leader, I’m leaning more and more everyday; my success is built around how much I can stay connected to God.  We all have great talents, skills, ideas, and potential as youth leaders; but can I tell you, talent is not enough.  Student’s today need leaders with FLAVOR….GODLY FLAVOR!  What do I mean?  I believe God wants us to be fruitful leaders.  By being fruitful, I mean to have to flavor that is productive or profitable, and produces spiritual results.  As a leader, you should be pleased to produce the results God desires.  Too often, youth ministries are so personality driven that the personality has driven out the power of the Holy Spirit.  You have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit in your life, in [...]

Continue Reading “The Fruitful Leader – What’s Your Flavor?”

LATEST NEWS : CRITICS POINT OUT FLAWS IN NEW ANTI-PLEDGE RESEARCH
POSTED: JAN 07, 2009

A new study by social health professionals claiming to find no benefit to abstinence pledges by teens has received wide coverage in the mainstream press. Critics of the research have been quick to point out, however, that the study’s conclusion was reached by carefully choosing data to destroy a straw man. Any abstinence educator worth his or her salt knows that a pledge alone—without support from peers, family, or community—can’t be relied upon to influence a teen for the long term. The study actually reinforces the value of that support in building character and maturity in young people—traits which encourage positive choices in all areas of their lives.

There were many responses to the anti-pledge media blitz. The following are some of our favorites:
“Abstinence Researcher Says New Study Bashing Virginity Pledges is Faulty” by Steven Ertelt (http://www.lifenews.com/nat4687.html)
“Like a Virgin: The Press Take On Teenage Sex” by William McGurn (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123120095259855597.html?mod=djemEditorialPage#printMode)
“7 Factors That Foster Teen Virginity, Pledge or No Pledge” by Bernadine Healy, MD (http://www.usnews.com/blogs/heart-to-heart/2008/12/30/7-factors-that-foster-teen-virginity-pledge-or-no-pledge.html#read_more)
“Talking About Sex-Ed that Works” by Kathryn Jean Lopez (http://townhall.com/columnists/KathrynJeanLopez/2008/12/30/talking_about_sex-ed_that_works?page=1)

We address Teens and Sex each year at our church. We have a unique approach because we address the Taboo issues no one else likes to discuss. We also bring [...]

Continue Reading “Teens and Sex”

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11

Here are four steps to develop contentment in your life for the New Year.

1. Stop comparing yourself to others. When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead is toward discontentment. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.

A husband was in counseling many years ago, and he said he wished his wife could be more like so-and-so, and he named a woman in the congregation. What he didn’t know is that the woman was a functioning alcoholic causing incredible heartache and stress for her family and for her husband.

That’s why the Bible teaches it is unwise to compare (2 Corinthians 10:12).

2. Be grateful for who you are and what you have. Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking – “When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.)

The reason we fall into this trap is that we may actually be content for a little while [...]

Continue Reading “Lessons in Contentment for 2009″

It’s 2009 can you believe it! 2008 ended with a lot going on for me. My 19 year old brother was in a major accident. Basically, there was only one door left on the car. God showed himself to be faithful through this travesty. My brother is fine and will be going back to college on the 12th!

As I was preparing for 2009 with a list of all I will do better this year; I started getting convicted. Each year my church makes ministry goals. I normally reach 85% of those goals. Those goals are always my main focus. It’s my personal goals that always lack. I begin to look at the goals I set for myself in 2008 and to my surprise all were incomplete or not fully fulfilled. I good friend of mine posted a blog about the meaning of the number 9. The number nine means to bring conclusion, judgement or finality.  2009 is the year to bring an end to bring to a conclusion for me. I must bring an end to procrastination! I must bring an end to mediocre living! I must bring an it to doubt! I must bring an end to excuses! I must bring a end to fear! I must bring an end to living beneath! I must bring an end to faithlessness! Before realizing or gaining insight about the plan God had for me for 2009. I coined 2009 “It’s mine in 2009″…lol. Each year we come up with these catchy phrases [...]

Continue Reading “It’s not Mine in 2009 or is it?”

“Walk in newness of life…” Romans 6:4

Some people stay up until midnight to welcome in a New Year. Others will stay up to make sure the old year leaves! Seriously, as you enter this New Year, you can’t afford to let your past infect your present or sabotage your future.  It is time to let some people, situations, and thoughts disappear with 2008. Some of us have old hurts, hardships, and hang-ups that refuse to be healed. We are still angry because he stole your girlfriend at the sixth grade dance, we refuse to go visit family members because of what so and so said about you at your high school graduation, or since she has never apologized for hurting your feelings thirteen years ago, you don’t speak to each other. All of these old wounds must be forsaken, forgiven, and forgotten! There are people praising God in church every Sunday who lie awake in the privacy of their homes digging up old bones, picking at half healed scars and reliving old memories. You need to accept that some issues will never be resolved in front of you. You won’t witness the payback. Vengeance is the Lord’s, not yours. He will handle [...]

Continue Reading “Bury the Past; Embrace the Future!!! 2009 – That’s What’s Up”

What a Christmas!!!!!  On Saturday, Dec. 19th around 4 PM my husbands (Jeff), our 3 kids, a one of our kids’ friends were on their way home.  As they were crossing over an intersection, someone ran a red light and hit them.  The impact was so intense, it ran them off the road into a tree and the car flipped over twice.  Thank God the kids were ok!  Our 5 year old (Cameron) car seat was smashed!!!!!  My husband unfortunately, broke his collier bone and badly injured his back.  The fortunate part was…He Lived!!!!!!

Looking at these pictures reminds me of the fact that God’s hand is still covering us all.  You see, I am a firm believer that you can’t die until your assignment is over!  God proved that point yet again!  We must live everyday as if it’s our last; never looking backwards, always moving forward!  So doing this holiday season, we are so thankful and grateful as a family.  I pray God’s blessings on all of you during this holiday season!

Quo Wallace

Continue Reading “What a Christmas!!!!!”

Discuss