Category Archives: Keeps me laughing

Creative Cover of One Direction

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I am posting this for a few reasons:

  1. It really is creative and a pretty cool video.
  2. To get the 8th/9th grade girls in my student ministry riled up. 🙂 They definitely have One Direction Infection.
  3. To stay relevant…maybe…

It kind of reminds me of this:

How Teens View Social Media

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Interesting lessons within this graphic…from my perspective:

  • Even after the admission of most teens being “addicted” to thier social media devices teens still prefer face to face contact. This tells me that no matter how many texts or FB messages I send, that personal contact is the only way to build deep meaningful relationships. The texts and other stuff can supplement that or be convenient, but without face to face time you will never get to really know a teenager.
  • Facebook is dominate. I think this is because of the combination of messages, photos/video uploads, status updates, and the infamous “like” button. Facebook has it all. But be warned, what you put on FB will be seen. No matter how deep in some obscure album that picture is, someone will comment on your behavior or associates. People do read into status updates and know what you have been saying on FB. Just as in all of life we must guard our integrity on FB and live in a way not to bring shame to ourselves and our God!
  • Teens (really, all of us) need a break from social media sometimes! We need to encourage teenagers (and ourselves) to unplug once in a while and spend some undistracted time alone. Preferably with God. Remember that verse, “be still and know that I am God”. It is getting harder and harder to be still in our media driven culture. Take some time everyday to reflect and unplug and allow yourself not to be a slave to social media, and encourage this in teens in your lives.
  • Social Media highlights the insecurities of some girls and adds pressure to be perfect. 57% of girls feel left out after seeing photos of friends without them, 45% of girls worry about others posting “ugly” pictures of them online, 28% of girls have edited photos of themselves before posting it online. These stats reinforce the truth that we need to guard our daughters hearts! While it is also true for the guys, it is crucial for the girls. We need to train them that they will only truly be satisfied in Jesus Christ and His love for them, everything else will fall short. We need to constantly be saying and living the fact that true beauty comes from within. We need to remind them that Psalms 139 says we were “fearfully and wonderfully made” in exactly the way God intended, and God doesn’t make mistakes! The Gospel tells girls (and everyone) that God loves us despite our imperfections and has made a way for us to have the one relationship that will truly satisfy us. The Gospel proves that we are priceless in the eyes of God! He sent His perfect Son as a sacrifice for us. And because of Jesus’ victory over death we can overcome all things!

These are the times we live in. We need to see our culture through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus, and social media is no exception. Social media is a great tool, but like any tool, it can be used to build up or tear down. I strive to be biblical in all that I do, even in how I interact with social media.

Your fellow worker in the field, Adam

Hilarious Clip On Church Childcare

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If you have kids like I do you will appreciate this clip from Bob Smiley. Maybe you have dropped your kids off at the nursery and had some similar experiences. All joking aside, I do thank God for faithful volunteers who watch over our kids. We are especially blessed at 3BC with amazing workers who love Jesus and love children!

Stop Motion Photography of Engine Rebuild

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You are a work in progress. Isn’t comforting to know that God completes what He begins. You won’t be stranded or forgotten. You won’t be given up on or scrapped. God has a plan and is working it out piece by piece. In this video we see in stop motion photography the complete restoration of an engine. Impressive.

As Christians we have a long way to go. No one has arrived. But thankfully God does not stop a project once He has started. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Maybe today you are getting torn down. Maybe you are being cleaned up and reassembled. Wherever you are, aren’t you glad He promises to keep working till the job is done?

Your fellow worker in the field,  Adam

Get Your Free Copy of Pilgrim’s Progress

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I’ve done a few blog posts making reference to John Bunyan’s classic work, Pilgrim’s Progress. If you have never read it, but wanted to, below is a link to the FREE e-book copy through Amazon. Hard to pass up free!

Did you know this book has been translated into 200+ languages. It was written in 1678 and has NEVER been out of print.

Click Here. Kindle Deal of the Day: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.

“Next to the Bible, the book I value most is John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.” –Charles Spurgeon

Download a FREE copy of Lecrae’s new CD – TODAY ONLY!

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Lecrae’s new CD, “Church Clothes” was released today! As a bonus on the first day of release the full album is available for a FREE download.  I just went there and got it myself, so this is legit.

Click HERE to be redirected to the download site.  When I did it there was nothing to install or info to give, just a free copy of the album.

God Bless Lecrae!

Within the first 30 minutes of his release 80,000 people visited the website. You should too!     -Adam

Funny Bible Tweets

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If twitter was around in bible times this might be what you would come across.

@Adam: 1 rib + 1 nap = 2 gorgeous! #AdamlovesEve #GodreallylovesAdam

@Goliath:  Am I being punked? Israel sent out some scrawny little kid to fight me! #CertianVictory

@Noah:  Bummed I didn’t think to bring more chickens…really craving a drumstick!

@Adam:  If a naked woman ever offers you something to eat – – RUN!

@Jacob:   Worst. Honeymoon. Ever. #AlwaysCheckUnderTheVeil

@Boaz: You will never guess what i found at the end of my bed! #DreamsDoComeTrue

@James:  I will scream if I hear mom say “your big brother is God’s gift to the World” one more time!

@Richyoungruler:  So bummed. Totally thought Jesus was down with the prosperity Gospel. #KeepingMyTreasureOnEarth

@Peter:  @Jesus nicknamed me “Rock”. Super cool. Just scared to ask if he thinks I’m “solid as a…” or “dumb as a…”

@Thomas:  For real! I was ready to DIE with Jesus at Lazarus’ tomb, but folks only remember my moment of doubt! #FirstNameThomasNotDoubting

@LittleLad:  Cant believe it. 5,000 men and I’m the only one smart enough to pack a lunch!?!

@Eutychus:  I will NEVER fall asleep in church again! #Fell3Stories

Just keeping it on the lighter side today. Hope you enjoyed.  If you want more of these tweets or want to follow them through your twitter account, find them at @realbibletweets.  If you want to follow my twitter posts, feel free to do so.  I’ll follow you back.  Follow me @3bcadam. Hope you have a great day, filled with REAL connection with the Bible!

AMAZING! Analogy of the Church at Work!

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Ok, so this is about the greatest video I’ve seen in a long time.  And that is saying something with the speed of information these days.  (And I can’t believe some innocent guy gets his iPhone BROKE at the end of this epic accomplishment!)

I don’t know about you, but I watched it several times.  (The out-takes at the end are even worth watching:)

Why do I post this?

It is my prayer that this video would be an analogy for how my ministry leaders (and yours) work together for the Gospel.

  • Seemless on Content – Just like the video playing on four screens, our small groups, while independent, are playing the same content (the Gospel) and when seen collectively display a grand picture of the Glory of God.
  • Synced in Method – While “We Are Young” by Fun is probably a one hit wonder, the owners of these phones were synced perfectly with that song.  They choreographed every detail of every movement.  May our ministries be intentional with each movement.  May every event, fellowship, outreach, teaching, be perfectly in sync with the Scriptures. (That’s no one hit wonder!)
  • Smoothly Transferring Hands– In this video the phones changed hands so many times they forgot who’s was who’s!  May our students move from year to year smoothly finding a new small group that loves them and connects with them.  Let each leader receive and pass the lives of students with precision and care.

Are we there yet? No. We have a long way to go, but hey, we are young.

Be Ready for Anything!

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In student ministry we have to be ready for anything! Sprained ankle maybe? Take a look at this picture. This guy has made:

  • a splint,
  • an ice pack,
  • and a snack

all at the same time!  I applaud you sir! Well played.

If you are wanting to become a student pastor, or already are one, you must understand the many hats you wear.

You will be your own secretary, graphic designer, researcher, custodian, medic, and many more at the same time.  Be ready.  The work is hard, but the payoff is worth it.  To be part of changing lives of teenagers is great.  These years are a season when they are setting the trajectory for the rest of their lives!  How important is it to guide them in the ways of the Lord?!?

I’m reminded of Paul saying in 1 Cor. 9:19,22-23, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them… To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

Why do we do what we do?  For the sake of the Gospel!  Paul is reminding us to be willing to change ourselves in any way needed, from pastor to custodian to medic, if it means we can present the unchanged message of the Gospel!

Your fellow worker in the field,  Adam

Going Against the Flow

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While this video is pretty hilarious, sometimes it can feel that way in student ministry as well.

When a large segment of student ministries around our nation may appears to be driven by entertainment and surface-level theology, teaching the Gospel and Truth of scripture seems hard at times.  Don’t give up friends!  If you watched the whole thing, this girl makes it to the top!  In ministry it may feel like we are going the wrong way on the escalator, but Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7 about entering the Kingdom.  “13Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”

This journey is worth it!  Hang in there!  Go against the flow!  Teach the Truth!