I went to the Toby Keith concert last night. It was a descent concert, though I am realizing that the more places I go the more I find myself reflecting on everything happening around me. For instance, at the concert last night:

• I watched the performer to see how he “whews” the crowd
• I watched the crowd to see what they get excited about
• I was looking around at the sea of people (dreaming of seeing them gathering for something bigger than getting wasted and singing songs in order to escape reality for an evening).

One artist that played was Montgomery Gentry. They have a new hit single called “Back When I Knew it All” that talks about how wise we thought we were as teenagers only to grow up and realize we were totally clueless.

I want to take this week and talk about some beliefs I may have had in the past few years that have gotten shattered. These things have been life changing for me and have come as a result of pursuing growth on purpose. I hope they will benefit your life.

As most of you know I’m training for the Chicago Marathon in October with Pastor Larry. It’s been an amazing experience so far. I’ve run nearly 300 miles since March! Insane! Anyway… I said I’d keep you posted with some lessons I’m learning along the way.

• Both life and success are both a marathon as well as a journey, not a sprint or a destination.
  

• Motivation to do anything in life will never strike you like lightning… just do it and the motivation will come.
  

• In training for a marathon, I’ve realized that the 6-7 months you spend training, no one is there patting you on the back for all your hard work or pushing you to run harder. It is often the same in life and ministry… they can both be “thankless” jobs, but that is why we find our worth and affirmation in God!

Just some thoughts…. learning so much… I’ll have a volume of sermons after October!!

I enjoyed this book… Obviously I am trying to get as much wisdom as I can in youth min!

Doug Fields wrote this book from the perspective of sitting down and mentoring you personally over coffee. After hundreds and thousands of meetings like that mentoring young youth workers, Doug decided to write this book telling literally everything he’d tell you if he met with you in person. So it definitely saved me some time!

If you’re in youth ministry as a youth pastor, worker, or volunteer… you should pick this book up.

Final Grade: B

P.S. I just really want to plug Saddleback’s Youth Group (HSM). Out of all the youth ministries I’ve contacted and tried to learn from… they’ve been the most help. They’re a blessing!! Check out what they’re doing… they are tearing it up for Jesus!!!