Monday Miscellaneous

- Yesterday, Rachel and I celebrated 17 incredible years of marriage. To list the ways my life is better because of her would require a book, not a simple blog post.

- We were away on a short anniversary getaway, so I missed the junior high programs this weekend, but the team said they were amazing. We brought the sixth graders over a few weeks early for a "sneak peak" of our program which included a guided tour of our new youth center that is set to open in a few weeks.

- Speaking of the youth center, "The Refinery" is unbelievable. It's a state-of-the-art facility that is, frankly, mind blowing. I must be one of a handful of youth pastors in the country who get to minister in such a facility. But, It's just a building. I've been working hard to keep sending the message to our youth team and others that ministry to students is still all about building relationships, not building buildings.

- The revised and updated version of "Controlled Chaos", now titled "Middle School Ministry Made Simple" is set to release in August. I should be honored and excited that Standard Publishing believes in it enough to give it another run (it's about 35% new material), but I'm actually feeling really conflicted over the whole situation for a couple of reasons.

- Shameless Plug Warning! If you work with middle school students, you really should subscribe to the Simply Junior High Newsletter. It's packed with a ton of insight, tidbits and encouragement. If you don't work directly with young teens, buy it for somebody you know who does.