Friday - WHERE IS THAT IN NE?

1). Here is the song of the day:

Ready for change? ♫ http://blip.fm/~jzaij

2). Here is the blog entry today:

Congratulations to PASTOR TIM for being the correct comment chosen as our winner from Tuesday's trivia. He is now up to $8 in prize earnings - way to go!

What is the state insect of Nebraska?

A. Mosquito

B. Horse Fly

C. Honeybee

D. Flea

3). Here is the link of the day: Trinity Bible College

Thursday - Testimonies

1) Here's the song of the day:

The New World: ♫ http://blip.fm/~jx1jg

2) Here's the blog entry:

- I prayed with a student yesterday at Trinity Bible College. He came to me during the altar call of chapel. As I asked him what to pray about, he told me that he was a converted Mormon. He had given his life to God about 2 months earlier, and he'd been at Trinity for 3 weeks. He was still struggling through the change and needed some help on steps to take. I was amazed to see someone in that position at the school, but I prayed with him and helped him the best that I could. I commended on the big decision for salvation, a giant step for someone that was entrenched in the rules and regulations of the Mormon faith.

- North Central University was again honored as one of the top colleges in the nation recently by US World News and Report.

3) Here's the link of the day:

The DYD of South Dakota also has a blog - check it out!

Wednesday - Leaders Corner

1) Here's today's blog entry:

Last night, I had the great opportunity to attend the Northern State Chi Alpha service in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Pastor Jason did a great job helping us get together and seek after God on campus. He spoke a message about reaching our friends, and had the college students pick out 5 of their friends that they were going to reach this year, very similar to what our student campus missionaries do in youth ministries. He quoted from Mark 8:34 - 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.'

It was a good reminder for me to 'deny myself'. Sometimes, when I'm out and about, I forget about witnessing to people because I'm so busy doing the other acts of ministry God has called me to. But there are times I've got to deny myself, go against what I was going to do anyway, and step out to reach people. That is my goal for the day. Hopefully, I'll have a testimony about it tomorrow.

2). Here's the song of the day:

Good to be in His hands ♫ http://blip.fm/~jutq2

3). Here's the leader link today:

Young Adult Ministry:http://www.youngadultsagblog.com/2010/01/10-positive-traits.html

Tuesday - Bible Trivia

1) Here's the blog entry today:

Congratulations to Pastor Tim for being the correct comment chosen as our winner from Tuesday's trivia. Thank you to everyone that chimed in. He is now up to $6 in prize earnings. Way to go!

A winter chill has once again moved onto the plains of Nebraska. Can you name a story in the Bible that occured during cold weather?

2) Here's the song of the day:

I will follow you: ♫ http://blip.fm/~jsj7m

3) Bible link of the day: Platte Valley Youth for Christ

http://www.plattevalleyyfc.com/

Monday - Life Lessons

1) Here is the blog entry for today:

Yesterday, my family came with me to River of Life Church in St. Paul, about a half hour north of Grand Island. I had the opportunity to play drums, and my superintendent was actually leading worship from the guitar with his wife playing the keys. It was a great time of working together in a role which we don't normally do. Years ago, as a Master's student, I had travelled to his church in Minatare and we played in worship often during those days. It was nice to revisit those times.

My children went upstairs to the kids area. Often, when we visit a church, my kids struggle a bit. They were used to the big children's ministries at our large church in Bellevue, so the smaller children's programs have been an adjustment. We know that they are just as good many times, but it's harder for my kids to grasp. Yet, as we drove home and asked our kids what they thought, they said it was one of their favorite children's services in a long time. After further inspecting, it wasn't because of the people, the games, or the room setup; it was because they were treated like leaders, helping out the children's pastor. We got a glimpse of what they might be someday as leaders.

It was a great day of looking back and remembering great moments, and also looking ahead at what the future may hold. May all of our days this week be so good.

2) Here is the song of the day: Time to Shine -

♫ http://blip.fm/~jqc7e

3) Here is the link of the day: My daughter and I at our ice skating recital -

http://bit.ly/6hKpBz

Friday - WHERE IS THAT IN NE?

1) Here's the blog entry:

Unfortunately, we didn't have a winner from Tuesday's Bible Trivia. We will carryover the question for one week next week and see what happens. That question will be worth $4 next week!

Trivia for today: In which NE City was Arbor Day founded?

A. Nebraska City

B. Fremont

C. Hastings

D. Omaha

2) Here's the song of the day:The best of you and me: ♫ http://blip.fm/~jjul9

3) Here's the fun link for the weekend: Free online Pixel Game

http://bit.ly/ervEx

Thursday - Testimonies

1) Here's the blog entry:

This past week I held a meeting of our NE children's ministers committee, which is full of leaders from all over the state. In the meeting, we discussed how our churches did in 2009 with their BGMC giving, Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge. Last year, as a state we brought in just around $45,000. This year, our total will be closer to $62,000 and Omaha Glad Tidings was our top giving church with over $8,000 in money raised by their kids. In 2nd place, we have a church with a new pastor: Sidney Christian Life Center with Jim Gerhold brought in over $6,000, a new record for that church. Way to go!

2) Here's the song of the day:I can do anything: ♫ http://blip.fm/~jhkip

3) Here's the link of the day - My son Ryan turns 11 today! Check out his fun blog about club penguin:

http://comicsandcheats.blogspot.com/

Wednesday - Leaders Corner - Encouraging

1) Here's the song of the day:He chooses us AS IS: ♫ http://blip.fm/~jfdak

2) Here's the link of the day: 10 ways to improve your confidence

http://om.ly/?CRLb

3) Here's the blog entry:

Last weekend, we had a coaches training for leaders in Nebraska, at our campgrounds in Lexington, The Crossing. It was a great time of connecting with sharp leaders and learning the basics of how to appropriately coach someone. At one point, we were asked to consider a good coaching example from the Bible. My group came up with the person of Barnabas, the Christian that worked with Paul and helped plant churches around the Middle East. He is known as the perfect example of an encourager, someone that believes in others and helps them accomplish great things. This is similar to the definition of a coach, in ministry circles at least. Rather than an athletic coach that teaches students the proper technique, a ministry coach helps students discover those principles on their own, with sharp questions and a good strategy for the discussion. Maybe, as youth leaders, we should try to coach our students, more than just giving them the answers without finding it out on their own???

Tuesday - Bible Trivia

1) Here's the blog entry for the day:

Congratulations to PASTOR BRIAN for being the correct comment chosen as our champion from Friday's Trivia. Kool Aid was invented in Hastings, NE. Pastor Brian is now up $10 in prize earnings - way to go!

Trivia to today: How many books of the Bible were written by disciples of Jesus?

2) Here's the song of the day:It goes on and on and on.... ♫ http://blip.fm/~jdwfj

3) Here's the link of the day: 5 great underdog stories:http://bit.ly/v6fbd

Monday - Life Lessons (Take Your Time)

1) Here's the link of the day: I used this research information in my Children's Committee Meeting in Lincoln today - Tips for raising generous children - http://bit.ly/14DH9e

2) Here's the song of the day:Are you an instrument? ♫ http://blip.fm/~jd3ya

3) Here's the blog entry:

This past weekend, we went into Bellevue again to be with Kim's dad for his birthday. It was a great time to be with him, and Kim baked an amazing cake to celebrate. Unfortunately, she was feeling sick Sunday morning, So instead of being at church, we got together and rushed home. We stopped in York, about an hour and a half from Omaha, to get some lunch. Suddenly, I realized, I had left my computer back in Bellevue. This wouldn't be a problem, except that I had a major Children's Team meeting today and I needed those notes. So, my wife took my family the rest of the way into Grand Island (45 minutes) while I made my way back to Bellevue, and then all the way back to Grand Island. 5 and 1/2 hours later, I was home.

I learned a lesson. Next time, take the extra time to take one last look before you leave. You'll be glad you did.

Friday - WHERE IS THAT IN NE?

1) Here's the song of the day:Great song from communion to finish minister's retreat: ♫ http://blip.fm/~j7c0c

2) Here's the blog entry today:

Congratulations to LARISSA for being the correct comment chosen as our winner from Tuesday's Trivia. Moses and Joshua were both leaders in Egpyt in the Old Testament. You are now up $14 in prize earnings, way to go!

Which fun kids drink was invented in Nebraska?

A: Capri Sun

B: Kool Aid

C: Dannables

D: Coffee

3) Here's the fun link for the weekend: Ever tell a funny joke and want some help making people laugh? Try this quick link...

http://www.instantrimshot.com/

Thursday - Testimonies

1) Here's the song of the day:Hold Me Now, song from the last night of Minister's Retreat: ♫ http://blip.fm/~j5nl8

2) Here's the blog entry:

Last night, our speaker Sam Ferina told an amazing story. His wife and he had sent their son to a very prestigious school in their area, but one that was known for being a wild place. He prayed and asked God to keep his son from rebellion. He felt like God told him to give up all foods with 30% fat content or more on behalf of his son, so he did. He reported to us how his son stayed true to God and is now a pastor in Minnesota. His point was that when it comes to New Years Resolutions, we always tend to try things that we've come up with, rather than doing what God says, which will yield results.

3) Here's the link of the day: great photo sharing site

http://www.lifeblob.com/

Wednesday - Leaders Corner - Ministers Retreat

1) Here's the song of the day:Good prayer for today: ♫ http://blip.fm/~j3ykk

2) Here's the leaders link of the day: 15 things not to do in a presentation

http://om.ly/IasQ

3) Here's the blog of the day:

We've had a wonderful week in North Platte, hanging out with other pastors in Nebraska and hearing from Gordon Anderson, the distinguished president of North Central University. He told us his testimony the first night and it was so encouraging. He graduated 701 out of 711 students in high school. He dropped out of his first year at college and had 30 hours of F. Later, at a different college, his application was denied with the comment, this student shows no potential for academic success. And yet, he's now a hero in our faith.

Don't give up on the underdogs. God can use them to do great things, and often does!

Tuesday - Bible Trivia

1) Here's the song of the day:

The dawn before the morning: ♫ http://blip.fm/~j26wq

2) Here's the blog entry:

Congratulations to LARISSA for being the correct comment chosen as our winner from Friday's Trivia. Nebraska was once called the great American Desert! She is now up to $12 in prize earnings, way to go.

The trivia question of the week is this: Name two great Hebrew leaders that were exalted to high positions in Egypt, in the Old Testament

3) Here's the resource link of the day: Free Messages from The City Church

http://thecity.org/media

Monday - Life Lessons (Ministry to Kids)

1) Here's the blog for the day:

Yesterday was a great day at church in Grand Island at Abundant Life Christian Center. Pastor Steve Warriner just completed a week of prayer with the church. Many people had given prophetic messages during the week, and he presented some of the most crucial ones to us in service.

I saw a couple in front us that looked fairly new, struggling with his message. Often I saw the man look to his wife with an annoying look and shake his head in disbelief. It was pretty distracting and I wondered if there was a way for me to help him understand.

After church, I asked my children what had happened in their kids service. My son Ryan told me he had a vision of a lawnmower, and he heard the go-carts at camp. We weren't sure what it meant, except that maybe we needed to hurry up our plans to install a permanent, safer rail around the track. My daughter Abby told me she had a vision too, and all she saw was the word LOVE. I was surprised with how blunt they were about these visions, speaking about them in the same common way they might tell me a favorite song sung or snack taken.

I thought about the irony. The adult couple struggled with prophetic topics in church, but my kids talked about their prophetic experiences as a very normal part of their life.

Just think about how important ministry to children is, from this example!

2) Here's the song of the day:

Watch this guy rock the violin: ♫ http://blip.fm/~j0gyj

3) Here's the family link of the day: Seasonal Food Chart

http://alturl.com/nu47

Friday - WHERE IS THAT IN NE?

1) Here's the blog entry:

Congratulations to Erin for being the correct comment chosen as our winner from Tuesday's Trivia - she is now up to $2 in prize money. Thank you to Larissa, Kevin, and Rebekah for chiming in as well. The trivia question for today is:

Nebraska was once called, "The Great American __________ ?"

A. Prairie

B. Wasteland

C. Tundra

D. Desert

2) Here's the song of the day:

Are you? ♫ http://blip.fm/~ivo1v

3) Here's the fun link of the day: Free jazz music download

http://www.fte.org/jazznuances/

Thursday - Testimonies

1) Here's the song of the day:

You're invited: ♫ http://blip.fm/~itxnx

2) Here's the blog entry, a gripping report from a youth leader in Arkansas about the state of her youth:

I've spent a lot of time with the kids over the Christmas holidays, both church-related activities, and just hanging out. I just got back from a weekend trip with about half of them. And here's what they told me:

They all drink. They all use drugs. They think weed is ok and use scripture to support it. They gamble *large* sums of money on sports, etc. They give the term *sexually active* a new meaning. They sext. Some have had abortions. Some have babies (unknown to anyone). They are all about situational ethics; they are pretty much without scruples, if the end justifies the means. They curse. They believe there are books that were left out of the Bible!!!!!!! (Mary Magdalene, for one) They believe the pop theories about Jesus being married, the Judas cover-up, etc. They think Jesus smoked weed. They were actually shocked and not sure they believed me when I told them Jesus lived without sin. They read their horoscopes every day. They read MY horoscope every day. They believe in ghosts, ESP, Ouiji boards, and don't comprehend that it's all satanic activity. They gleefully told me some of the things they have gotten by with, and how they lie and deceive and trick their way out of trouble all the time. They don't realize ANY of this is wrong.

Many of these are teens who come from Christian homes. Some whose parents and grandparents are leaders in various churches. These are teens who think they are committed Christians; they want to be Christian leaders; they can be seen at the alters on Sunday nights and at youth rallies, worshipping and praying. They don't have a clue. Especially not about relationship with God.

It is frighteningly apparent to me that they don't need more pizza nights. And they don't need devotionals and sermonettes. These kids need teaching. Good, solid, sound, basic, precept upon precept Biblical teaching. They need to be taught the most basic, fundamental principles of God. They sit in our services three times a week, and attend every youth rally and convention, AND THEY DON'T KNOW GOD!!!!!!!

May we as youth leaders always remember why we do what we do!

3) Here's the Growing Link of the Day: A private online diary

http://penzu.com/

Wednesday - Leaders Corner - The Road to the Desert

1) Here's the blog entry for the day:

2 Samuel 15:23 - The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the desert.

David's son Absalom had threatened David, and he was coming to kill David in Jerusalem so he could be king. David gathered his people and fled Jerusalem, rather than staying and possibly fighting with his firstborn son. As he left, the people of Jerusalem cried for him, and he was headed toward the desert, a place without hope, without water, without life. A place people go to die.

Whenever we fight with others, and especially those who are closest with us, it starts us down a road toward tragedy and destruction. When others see us, they will mourn for us in the state that we are in, rather than cheering us on to victory. Angry divisions never amount to anything good. If at all possible, always try to strive for peace in your relationships with family and friends; it will enhance your path as a leader. Be a peacemaker.

Who is someone you can make peace with today?

2) Here's the song of the day: Thanks Smokie, that's um-um-good! ♫ http://blip.fm/~is6hf

3) Here's today's leadership link of the day, Stuff I can use at home (free resources for leaders)

http://www.stufficanuse.com/

Tuesday - Bible Trivia

1) Here's the song of the day:Safest place to be: ♫ http://blip.fm/~iqza4

2) Here's the blog entry:

Congratulations to THE VIEW for being the correct comment chosen as our winner from Friday's Trivia. They are now up to $4 in prize earnings. We have a wonderful church in ORD; you should visit it sometime! Today's trivia (worth $2 in prize money towards any piece of NYM merchandise or event) - I heard a wonderful message from Pastor Rick Lorimer this past Sunday. He mentioned a man from 2 Samuel 23 who was one of David's elite warriors. This man defeated many people in a single battle, and the biblical account says that his hand literally stuck to the sword. Can you name the man???

3) Here's the Bible link of the day: A great place to find a strategy for reading the Bible in one year, youversion.com: http://bit.ly/ioHfd

Monday - Life Lessons (family)

1). Here's todays blog entry:

The past two weeks have been just awesome. I love Christmas and New Years, and many family members came in from across the nation. My wife's sister and family came from Massachusettes, and her brother and family came from Ohio. We had about 20 people at our house in Grand Island and it was a great time of chaotic fun.

I was driving home from Omaha yesterday, after dropping off the last family member heading home, and I was thinking about how excited I was to get back to work. I love my job, but I hadn't felt that kind of excitement in awhile. Was it because I was sick of my family - no. Spending time with me family gave me rejuvenation to accomplish what I was meant to do - be a DYD.

Too many times, after the holiday's we say that we are so ready to get to our routine, and if we saw another family member again, we'd lose it. The reality is that most of us are ready to get back to our normal lives because we've had a chance to rejuvenate with our families and we have more vision and energy to start fresh in 2010. Thank God for our time with family, may we never take it for granted.

2). Here's the song of the day:

I'm not a slave: ♫ http://blip.fm/~ip0b3

3) Here's the family link of the day:Kraft Foods Food and Family Online Magazine

http://www.kraftfoods.com/foodandfamily/#/home

Friday - WHERE IS THAT IN NE?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Today's Trivia: We have roughly ninety Assembly of God churches scattered throughout our cities in Nebraska. Can you name one of these cities with only 3 letters in its' name?