Blogs I Follow

Blogging has given so many people a voice. I have learned a lot from reading blogs on a weekly basis. It gives us that ability to continue the conversation from all over the map! I thought I'd highlight some of the blogs that I read on a regular basis through email subscription or google reader. Friends' Blogs (people I know personally, not just over the internet)

• Cassidy Robinson - THE #1 blog of all time! (I am a little biased)
• Jeff Robinson - My older brother who is a pastor in Virginia. He is a great brother and friend.
• Justin Robinson - JROB Productions. Justin is more into directing/filming. Check out his youtube channel! 
• Courtney Edwards - My sister-in-"love." She is a great writer and good sister!
• Tod Tanner - Dr. Tanner has invested many hours into my life beginning in college. He is a great leader, friend and mentor.
• Boyd Bettis - Boyd is a friend from college who has a heart to serve God.
• Ben Wiggins - We graduated college together. Ben has a great heart to serve God.
• Tim Flowers - We serve on staff together and he is a great leader and friend (p.s. he needs to blog more!)
• Matthew Creath - We worked Centrifuge camp together and since have stayed connected!
• Michelle Emmering: A friend who is serving in Hungary for 2 years!

Ministry Blogs:

• Terrace Crawford - Terrace is a great blogger. I enjoy reading his thoughts on tech, ministry and leadership.
• Tim Schmoyer - Tim has been a help to me in using technology as a tool to communicate better and more effectively in student ministry.
• Clayton King - Clayton is one of my favorite speakers and has written some great books (besides blogging). I enjoy his humor, honesty and love for sharing the truth of Jesus.
• Ron Edmondson - Ron is an expert on using social networking and blogging as a tool for the kingdom of God. He has great thoughts on leadership and ministry.
• Doug Fields - Youth ministry veteran, writer and now blogger! Doug has been a great voice in ministry for many years.
• Matt McGill - Matt brings great insights into ministry and leadership and has a great sense of humor.
• Jonathan McKee - Jonathan is an expert on answering culture with God's Word.
• Michael Hyatt - He is a great author and writer. I have learned some great tips on writing and leadership from reading his blog.
• Doug Franklin - Great thoughts on leadership in student ministry.
• Joshua Griffin - Joshua has great insights, tips and helps for those in student ministry. He does a great job using technology in ministry.
• Greg Stier - Greg is an excellent writer and even better example for sharing the gospel. I'm thankful for his passion for the gospel.
• Alvin Reid - Dr. Reid has encouraged me a lot over the last few months. He has written many great books and his blog is filled with many gems of wisdom and honesty for life in ministry. He replies to emails too!
• Paul Turner - I enjoy following his student ministry with Lifeway and following him on twitter.
• YouthMin.Org - New blog I recently started to follow. They have offered great insight into technology, student ministry and leadership. It is a good read!
• Tim Stevens - I have read this blog a few times. He has a great blog layout and great leadership content.
• Ben Read - Great blog on intentional student ministry.

I do want to say that there are many more blogs I haven't discovered  yet. One thing is true, we need more people to add to the leadership and ministry conversation. A lot of big name people get most of the attention, but blogging provides a way for all of us to share into the conversation!

If your blog is not listed, I'd like to know so I can follow you! What blogs do you follow? 

Books I'm Reading

Reading. If you ask most people, reading is not on their priority list. Why? Because it takes a conscious effort to focus. We live in a distracted culture. I did not start out as an avid bookworm but over time I realize there is so much to learn and so little time! Outside of my time reading God's Word, I enjoy reading books on leadership, ministry, sports and spiritual growth. Now that I'm done with seminary, it is easy to become lazy and stop challenging myself to grow. My goal is to read one book at least per month.

"Ten years from now you will be the same person you are today, except for the places you go, the people you meet, and the books you read – Jay Strack, Student Leadership University

1.Come Thirsty by Max Lucado. (I am almost done with this book. Max Lucado is an encouraging writer that creatively expounds on God's Word. I would encourage you to read it!)

2. Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian (I just started reading this book. My brother gave it to me for Christmas. I'm already challenged to understand that adding to the gospel is dangerous because it replaces truth with moralism. I'd encourage you to read this one!)

3. Tim Tebow: Through My Eyes (I'm almost done with the book. It is a great personal look at Tim's life and his dedication to God. I'm a Tebow fan (but a Seminole fan at heart!) and I'm thankful that he stands for the gospel despite all of the haters out there. It is a great inspirational book).

4. Dying to Live by Clayton King (I just purchased this book and am looking forward to reading it soon! Clayton is one of the leaders I look up to in my life. I'm grateful for his desire to be real and unashamedly preach the gospel).

5. God and Football by Chad Gibbs (My friend John let me borrow this book and I look forward to reading it).

6. The Hole in Our Gospel (I bought this book at Orange conference and have not read it yet. I know already it will challenge my understanding of revealing the gospel into a lost and broken world).

7. Quitter by Jon Acuff (It is on my "want" list. Dr. Reid told me this book is a must-read so I look forward to buying it soon!)

8. Rescuing Ambition by Dave Harvey (It is on my "want" list. Dr. Reid also endorsed this book as a must-read).

I'm still working on 9 and 10. Do you have any books to add? What are you reading? I'd like to know!

(p.s. I'm in the process of coming up with an outline for my first book or devotional...I'd appreciate any feedback on this endeavor).

Stop the Drama - Part 2

(a blog series on stopping the drama through living through the power of Christ's forgiveness in relationships.

When it comes to drama, we cannot live with continual conflict between relationships and honor God. 

First we have to realize we are part of the problem and admit it. Denial is a killer when it comes to stopping the drama. If we admit we are a part of the problem, how do we begin resolving conflict between relationships?

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

How to stop the drama?

(2) Ask for forgiveness to those who you have hurt. Asking forgiveness is not natural. It is natural to be prideful. We think we are right. We think we do not need anyone because we are all sufficient. The definition of forgiveness in the Word Study Dictionary states, “To loose, loosen what is fast, bound, meaning to unbind, untie.” In the realm of life dealing with tough situations and relationships, our belief in forgiveness will be tested.

Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God." Matthew 5:23-24.

Jesus said, “You’ve heard that the law of Moses [what we know now as the Old Testament] love your neighbor and hate your enemy. Then Jesus comes along. But I say love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.”  Matt. 5:43-44

If we do not forgive others, our worship is hindered. God views us through how we treat other people. If we harbor bitterness it affects our worship. Instead of worshipping God with pure hearts we idolize our rights in order to be "right." Forgiveness is more than a momentary choice in time, but a lifestyle of releasing people and situations to God. A great question to ask is, "how can I please and honor Jesus in this situation?"

As followers of Christ, our goal should be peacemaking. We should pray for those who are our enemies. Why? Obedience to Jesus. A person who learns to life outside of drama says, "I will give forgiveness to those who have hurt me and I will ask for forgiveness for any hurts I’ve  done to others."