Here is a description from SimplyYouthMinistry.com:

If life were a bowl of fruit, most youth workers would have their share of lemons in it. Not just lemons…there would be tasty strawberries, pineapples, and mangos; but there would still be those lemons! Mistakes, mess-ups, and misfortunes. Some bitter, others downright sour. Many youth leaders try to dodge, duck, or completely avoid lemons, but the ten authors in this book believe there is a better way. They’ve discovered how to mix Youth Ministry Lemonade by allowing God to take “sour” experiences and turn them into leadership success. And since these youth workers are ordinary people just like you, they’re convinced God can mix lemonade in your ministry as well. Inside the pages of this book are ten real life stories. Some humorours, a few serious, but each intensely personal. And every scenario represents situations you are likely to face such as:

• Restoring credibility after offending others
• Making changes the wrong way
• Leaving God out of the success equation
• Learning to partner with parents
• Knowing who, when and how to trust others

All ten authors give you a peek inside their private thoughts – almost as if you are reading their personal journals. This straightforward approach allows you to learn firsthand from their mistakes, and the leadership lesson you’ll pick up are powerful. If applied…they will help you turn your “sour” experiences into leadership success!

Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide? by Andy Stanley

• Editorial description from Amazon.com

Product Description

Work. Family. Church. Hobbies. Fitness. Housekeeping. Socializing. Sleep. With only 24 hours in each day, we simply can’t fit everything in. And what we choose to cheat is a clear announcement of our values. When you come home an hour earlier, miss a round of golf, or let the dishes sit while you play with your child, you make your family feel valued and secure. Bestselling author Andy Stanley helps you restore your vision of what really matters – and guides you in making courageous decisions about your time.

Who are you cheating? 
You love your family. You love the challenges of your job. But there’s not enough of you to go around. Somebody isn’t getting as much of your attention as they want or deserve. 

This little book presents a strategic plan for resolving the tension between work and home—reversing the destructive pattern of giving to your company and career what belongs to your family. 

But be forewarned…you will have to cheat. 

 

What Matters Most: When No is Better Than Yes by Doug Fields

• Editorial description from Amazon.com

Product Description
Doug Fields, youth ministry survivor for more than 25 years, is giving you permission—no, he’s telling you—to learn to say no and say it often so you can say yes to what’s most important. If you want to do more than just survive, if you want to thrive in youth ministry, this may be the most important lesson you’ll learn. 

From the Back Cover

This small book will call to you on days that the janitor reads you the riot act, the church secretary jumps down your throat and those home school parents just won’t leave you alone. In this book, Doug Fields shares the wisdom that has helped him survive over 25 years in ministry: Just say No. That two letter word (that often feels like a four letter word to some people!) has the power to help you stay in ministry for the long haul and keep your family intact and thriving. From the book: Jesus said “no” to good things… “no” to significant things… “no” to important people. He was 100% God/100% human and he had limits. He needed solitude. He needed time to reflect and pray and nourish his spiritual life and time away from those bonehead disciples. He needed space. And, Jesus had a lot to do. You try being the Savior of the world! He had a short window to accomplish his life mission and yet he seemed to prioritize and live so different than we do. To say “no” in ministry is to be radical…to be radical is to be counter-cultural…to be counter-cultural is to be like Jesus…to be like Jesus should become our goal. 

First three people to ask Todd for a copy of What Matters Most will get a free copy at the November lunch!  That’s today!

Youth ministry regularly calls for moments where the “short talk” is the perfect solution. No three points and a poem, no long fancy outlines, just a ten minute talk that tells one point loud and clear through a powerful story. When you’ve only got ten minutes to make your point, give em’ something that they’ll remember.

Description:
Sometimes you don’t have their attention for very long. Whether you’ve planned for a short message or your program has run long, a ten-minute talk is sometimes all you have space for in your youth ministry. So make sure you make it ten minutes that really count! If you need to communicate something meaningful in just a little time, 10 Minute Talks has just what you need—more than two dozen ready-to-go, story-based talks. With talks for spiritual growth, targeted at your Christian students, and outreach talks, perfect for any teenager, you’ll be prepared to give them a bite of truth that they can walk away remembering. Following the method Jesus used most often, these 10 Minute Talks give you stories that can impact students with one simple point.

Each talk gives you the tools you need to make it count, and the flexibility to make it work for your context. Along with each topic and title, you’ll find: • The Big Idea • Scripture • The Story • The Transition Statement • Application • Closing

Don’t get caught with nothing to say—or too much to say in the time you’ve got! Get 10 Minute Talks and get a meaningful message across quickly!

Includes all 24 talks and Discussion/Study Questions on a CD-ROM.

A full-length message from Passion founder Louie Giglio recorded on the Passion tour plus a bonus audio CD!

As seen on Chris Tomlin’s Indescribable Tour.

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and their expanse declares the work of His hands. Night after night they remind us of just how small we are, and how huge God is. Looking out into the far reaches of the universe, we find a seemingly infinite expanse of mystery and wonder, intricately fashioned by a God of unfathomable size and power. Just a glimpse of one of the billions of visible galaxies He has formed resizes us, shrinking us, and the world we call home, to seeming insignificance in an instant. But as tiny as we may seem, the God who knows every star by name also knows yours, and mine. And in the most stunning rescue imaginable, God sent His Son to this spinning planet we call home–the Creator reconnecting us to Himself with life that never ends.

Indescribable takes us on an image-rich journey through the cosmos, allowing us to peer into God’s universe to discover the amazing magnitude of His greatness and grace.

Bonus CD Tracks:
Indescribable – Chris Tomlin
Center – Charlie Hall
Shine – Matt Redman
Famous One – Chris Tomlin
Stars – David Crowder Band

The Passion movement and the messages of founder Louie Giglio have impacted the lives of millions of people around the globe, calling people everywhere to live for the glory of God. Focused on the collegiate age group – yet spilling over to people of all ages – Passion exists to unite students for spiritual awakening in this generation. From its’ inception, the movement of Passion has birthed new anthems of worship, influencing countless churches and helping to define the current worship climate and establish artists Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman and others.

For the first time, Louie’s messages are now available in The Passion Talk Series DVDs. Each DVD contains a full length message from Louie Giglio as well as a bonus CD with five specially selected songs from Passion/sixstepsrecords artists that complement the corresponding talk.

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A full-length message from Passion founder Louie Giglio recorded on the Passion tour plus a bonus audio CD!

Recorded on Chris Tomlin’s How Great is Our God tour

Your life is a miracle, and the creator of the universe knows you by name

He’s big enough to breathe out stars, yet intricate enough to fashion together the trillions of cells that make up every facet of who you are. The God who spoke the universe into existence made you, too, and knows everything about you. From the smallest molecule to the situation you find yourself in right now, He’s aware of your circumstances and intimately acquainted with everything you do. And He cares about you and promises to carry you through.

That’s where we find hope in the midst of the darkest places in life. The journey often complicated and painful, filled with confusion and chaos. Yet, the cross of Christ reveals God’s promise to preserve and restore you no matter what the circumstance. He will hold onto you and hold you together, giving strength to those who hope in His unfailing love.

He is the everlasting God!

Bonus CD Tracks:
Remedy – David Crowder Band
You Never Let Go – Matt Redman
Glory In The Highest – Chris Tomlin
On The Road To Beautiful – Charlie Hall
How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin

The Passion movement and the messages of founder Louie Giglio have impacted the lives of millions of people around the globe, calling people everywhere to live for the glory of God. Focused on the collegiate age group – yet spilling over to people of all ages – Passion exists to unite students for spiritual awakening in this generation. From its’ inception, the movement of Passion has birthed new anthems of worship, influencing countless churches and helping to define the current worship climate and establish artists Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman and others.

For the first time, Louie’s messages are now available in The Passion Talk Series DVDs. Each DVD contains a full length message from Louie Giglio as well as a bonus CD with five specially selected songs from Passion/sixstepsrecords artists that complement the corresponding talk.

__________

A full-length message from Passion founder Louie Giglio recorded on the Passion tour plus a bonus audio CD!

Life isn’t easy. We experience problems and setbacks every day. But during the hardest parts of life, when the bottom seems to fall out, where do we turn for peace? Although God doesn’t offer any easy solutions, He does offer Himself and His cross as an anchor of hope no matter what we face in life. And more than simply enduring suffering, the hope we find in Him allows us to leverage our darkest moments for His fame. When life hurts most, the world listens most intently to our message, allowing us to broadcast through our pain the goodness of the One who loves us the most.

Part 1: The Anchor of Hope
Part 2: The Rhythm of Hope

Bonus CD Tracks:
Blessed Be Your Name – Matt Redman
Here Is Our King – David Crowder Band
You Are God – Charlie Hall
Never Let Go – David Crowder Band
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin

The Passion movement and the messages of founder Louie Giglio have impacted the lives of millions of people around the globe, calling people everywhere to live for the glory of God. Focused on the collegiate age group – yet spilling over to people of all ages – Passion exists to unite students for spiritual awakening in this generation. From its’ inception, the movement of Passion has birthed new anthems of worship, influencing countless churches and helping to define the current worship climate and establish artists Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman and others.

For the first time, Louie’s messages are now available in The Passion Talk Series DVDs. Each DVD contains a full length message from Louie Giglio as well as a bonus CD with five specially selected songs from Passion/sixstepsrecords artists that complement the corresponding talk.