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The Jester's Road

Some of you know that I have been working on a youth ministry book for the last couple of years. The tentative title for the book is The Jester's Road and it chronicles 16 years of youth ministry work, the good, the bad and the bizarre of this vocation called youth ministry. I hope to submit this book to be published soon but I wanted you all to read the introduction to the book first. In the book I compare the job of a youth pastor to the job of a court jester. Both unigue jobs in the King's Kingdom I think you will agree. I hope you enjoy it. Please send me some comments.

Download jester_intro_final.doc

Just a Jester in the King's Court hoping I make Him smile!

mark

Don't Judge a Book by...

  One of the ways I evaluate books are by their covers, and I hate the cover of this book but guess what, I love this book! I finally broke down and bought this book based off of a blog that I read, and I am not disappointed. The Shaping of Things to Come might be the best book I have read on the missional church movement. Let me give you a tasty nugget from the book which is actually a quote from Marc Driscoll:

"I want to prepare like an eveangelical; preach like a pentecostal; pray like a mystic; do the spiritual disciplines like a Desert Father; art like a Catholic; and social justice like a liberal."

This book truly is a gaze into a preferable future for the church, if you are in ministry you should devour this book.

Oh by the way, Michael Frost (the author of Shaping) has a new book coming out, dig the cover!

An Unforgettable Story

I hope you caught the story of mistaken identity which took place in a Taylor University tragic van accident this summer. It is almost unbelievable. If you haven't go Here to read the story (then read the rest of this). It truly is a tragic story but one also filled with great hope and the comfort and peace of Jesus Christ. Both girls came from strong Christian homes, people who have a deep abiding love for Jesus and this tragedy has highlighted that. Can you imagine being Whitney (the girl who was believed to be dead but really is alive)? She is one of maybe a couple of people, along with Lazarus who can know what everybody said about her at her funeral. She can actually go back and watch the video of her own funeral. What kind of effect do you think that would have on the rest of your life? I would love to hear your thoughts about that. Whitney is still recovering from the injuries she suffered in the accident and you can read the blog that the family is keeping about her recovery. A neat little tidbit, her dad is a youth pastor! Pray for Whitney and also lift up the VanRyn family as they have lost the daughter they thought had survived.

In Jesus,

mark

Back From the Dead Again!

I know, I know it has been a long time since my last post. June is crazy with youth week, Mexico Fundraisers, Mexico Trip and just life made it almost unbearable, but it is now over and we have three weeks remaining of summer break here in Florida (UGGGH!). It is so stupid that our high school students go back to school August 3rd. Ridiculous! So I am back, and I plan on being back so check back often for new stuff.

On a personal note I just want to say that I have the greatest family in the world. My wife and son are just the joy of my life and have made it so full and rich. If you would like to see my wife's awesome site on our little family go Here for pics that will melt your heart.

See ya soon!