en-us http://www.intensedebate.com/users/291584 Comments by Art_Good http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/10/the-world-doesnt-need-another-famous-christian-it-needs-you/#IDComment37161503 Good word... but hard to follow. Most of the time I've gone to conferences because I wasn't happy with the "me" I was being. I don't seem very successful in reaching lost people, building relationships, and so on being "me." All my life I've wanted to be someone else. Sun, 4 Oct 2009 11:59:42 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/10/the-world-doesnt-need-another-famous-christian-it-needs-you/#IDComment37161503 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/09/people-will-never-respect-you-because-of-what-youre-about-to-do/#IDComment35950192 We have been putting off having another child for several years. Our first (and only) is seven. I'm a youth pastor with youth pastor pay. My wife works full-time so we can have insurance. We live in a two bedroom apartment. There are so many reasons why we shouldn't have another. So, last week we threw caution to the wind (I'll be 36 in two weeks... I ain't getting any younger) and decided we are going to go for it. I'm tired of waiting and watching life go by. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:18:18 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/09/people-will-never-respect-you-because-of-what-youre-about-to-do/#IDComment35950192 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/09/somethings-broken/#IDComment34981537 The best thing the church does is invite people to become a part of it. The worst thing we do is invite people to be a part of it ALL THE TIME! We have too many services. Too many bible studies. Too many small groups. Too many meetings. Too many Harvest Parties (please!). Too many...!!! Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:13:26 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/09/somethings-broken/#IDComment34981537 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/08/you-are-not-in-control/#IDComment30404581 "You might just have a family, health, and relationships that reek of Jesus." That is all I want. I have learned that all the things I want to control are meaningless and pathetic. The only thing that needs to be controlled in my life is me, and to be controlled not by me but by Christ. Please Lord, let it be. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:54:55 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/08/you-are-not-in-control/#IDComment30404581 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/07/dreams-require-the-hustle/#IDComment26963992 Awesome. Still hoping to get in! Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:11:53 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/07/dreams-require-the-hustle/#IDComment26963992 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/07/they-deserve-so-much-more/#IDComment26726098 Have you been reading my mind? After 13 years of ministry, 12 years of marriage, and 7 years as a Father I have been feeling like a complete failure. Nothing has happened like I had hoped. I can't afford to buy my kid a bike. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment. They both deserve, sooooo much better than me. Thanks for being transparent. Wed, 8 Jul 2009 21:44:43 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/07/they-deserve-so-much-more/#IDComment26726098 http://www.studentministry.org/youth-ministry-sets-the-path-for-the-whole-church-to-follow/#IDComment26722341 Matt, You said: "They need to understand that the church does not exist to conform to their personal tastes and emotional desires. " I think teens will learn that as soon as adults do. I expect adults to be more accepting of various musical styles and methods than teenagers just because, well... they are adults! They should be more mature! However, I've seen adults walk out of a worship service because the teen worship team/band was leading worship, but I've never seen a teenager walk out of "big church" because they "big church" worship team was ministering. Ask yourself - who, in the church, are really the ones who are more hardheaded where personal tastes and desires are concerned? Wed, 8 Jul 2009 20:45:27 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/youth-ministry-sets-the-path-for-the-whole-church-to-follow/#IDComment26722341 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/reason-4312-i-love-my-wife/#IDComment26023962 You better appreciate that woman everyday of your life. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/reason-4312-i-love-my-wife/#IDComment26023962 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/how-can-i-pray-for-you-3/#IDComment25866375 We are having financial issues. Too much debt. A house we moved out of 2 1/2 years ago hasn't sold, and now we are in foreclosure. We acknowledge our mistakes and sin in our finances, and now we are asking God for help. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:50:06 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/how-can-i-pray-for-you-3/#IDComment25866375 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/too-much-of-the-same-thing-is-never-a-good-thing/#IDComment25732633 I'd have to say TV too - or at least the cost of cable. We just don't need it. If I can find a good indoor antenna (I live in an apartment) that will give us at least some local channels I think we might pull the plug for good. Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:11:23 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/too-much-of-the-same-thing-is-never-a-good-thing/#IDComment25732633 http://kevinmartineau.blogspot.com/2009/06/rest-for-weary.html#IDComment25328372 Great post Kevin! I find myself in the same boat right now. Busiest season of ministry I've ever dealt with. Also dealing with life transitions, and training for a marathon. So, I'm tired to say the least! Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:28:23 +0000 http://kevinmartineau.blogspot.com/2009/06/rest-for-weary.html#IDComment25328372 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/what-was-your-favorite-christian-album-from-the-90s/#IDComment25228875 White Heart - Tales of Wonder, 1992 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:30:50 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/what-was-your-favorite-christian-album-from-the-90s/#IDComment25228875 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/whats-the-craziest-dream-you-have-chased-after/#IDComment25137403 My crazy dream... Going back into youth ministry after 8 years as a senior pastor. Many say I'm taking a "step back." The pay certainly isn't very good, and the future isn't clear, BUT I know this is what God wants me to do. Oh, also wanting to add to our family when we have no money and live in a two bedroom apartment... now, THAT'S crazy! Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:59:45 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/whats-the-craziest-dream-you-have-chased-after/#IDComment25137403 http://www.studentministry.org/youth-ministry-sets-the-path-for-the-whole-church-to-follow/#IDComment24696594 Jeff, I think it is good that we are reaching them now, and planting seeds, but I think in the long run the disconnect between "big church" and "youth church" will hurt us in the end. I watch every Sunday as our youth who passionately worship God on Wednesday sit in their seats bored to tears. It has nothing to do with our pastor's preaching (he is awesome!), but the students do not connect with the worship. Reality is there is a disconnect, and somehow we need to change that before we lose a generation from our churches. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:03:01 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/youth-ministry-sets-the-path-for-the-whole-church-to-follow/#IDComment24696594 http://www.studentministry.org/youth-ministry-sets-the-path-for-the-whole-church-to-follow/#IDComment24691854 I heard Andy Stanley say something similar to this once. Truth is, the churches that are successfully reaching unchurched young adults today seem to be the ones where the main worship service closely resembles (at least in music and preaching style) the youth service. These churches are "early adopters" of current, contextualized ministry. In many churches (like mine) the youth service is so far out ahead of the main worship service that I fear for youth becoming disenfranchised with our church, and maybe church in general, when they no longer have youth services and realize the disconnect between what happens on Sunday morning and what happens on Wednesday night. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:54:19 +0000 http://www.studentministry.org/youth-ministry-sets-the-path-for-the-whole-church-to-follow/#IDComment24691854 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/live-in-today/#IDComment23508677 Know the feeling all too well. Thanks for the reminder to count our blessings Sat, 6 Jun 2009 14:10:28 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/live-in-today/#IDComment23508677 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/youre-bad-idea-may-start-a-movement/#IDComment23185766 Maximum awesomeness! Wed, 3 Jun 2009 11:58:22 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/youre-bad-idea-may-start-a-movement/#IDComment23185766 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/good-bye-buckhead-church-hello-buckhead-church/#IDComment23052660 Happy for you. More happy for Buckhead, my church (hopefully!) and all the other churches you will be able to influence and impact in the areas of creativity, worship and authenticity. Big time win for the Kingdom of God today! Godspeed! Tue, 2 Jun 2009 11:26:44 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/good-bye-buckhead-church-hello-buckhead-church/#IDComment23052660 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/jesus-christ-is-the-king-of-leon/#IDComment23009495 Our church is partnering with three other churches for a community wide "revival" in the fall. Small town just south of Indianapolis. I can't wait to see four churches under one roof worshiping God. I wish more would have been willing to join in. I hope our "noise" lights a fire in Indianapolis. Some day... Mon, 1 Jun 2009 20:56:39 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/jesus-christ-is-the-king-of-leon/#IDComment23009495 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/this-is-what-weekends-were-made-for/#IDComment22981893 Checked out the website, and am now determined to take my family there some day. Beautiful place. I bet it would be incredible in the the fall. Mon, 1 Jun 2009 13:13:54 +0000 http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/06/this-is-what-weekends-were-made-for/#IDComment22981893