If you haven't noticed, my blog posts have been few and far between recently.  The primary reason for this is that I'm about to transition over completely to a new site.   It's the same domain and url, but it will have a new look and functionality.  Once it hits, look to see posts more frequently.  Also, you'll see a lot more variance in how I am communicating through that medium (i.e. videos, pics, streams, etc.)

I've got a couple of posts (that came from requests of readers) are waiting to fire.  I'll keep you posted.  IT'S COMING SOON!

In the meantime, be sure to check out my Twitter or Facebook page if desired.

Here's a snippet from an article that Ed Stetzer and I wrote for this month's issue of SBC Life. 

Amidst all the lamenting and hand wringing, it is important for us to examine the facts about this generation. Too often we throw around false information like it's rice at a wedding reception. And we will do no better reaching young adults if we remain misinformed about their actions, beliefs, interests, and core values. In true missionary fashion, we need good information to help us tell some great news clearly and effectively.

Visit HERE to read the the entire article.

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EXTRA:  As promised, below are my notes for those of you at SS Conferences in Ridgecrest and Glorieta.

Download What Matters To Young Adults - expanded

By request, I am posting my last message at Beach Reach 2009.  I was teaching out of the book of Malachi.  And while Blemished is a study of the book of Malachi, this message covers much of the material that didn't make it into the book.  It's a bit long as it is a camp-like setting, but I hope you find it to be of encouragement and worth your time.

Presenting A Worthy Offering from Jason Hayes on Vimeo.

NPR reported today online that "$1 Million Hidden In Mattress Gets Thrown Out With Trash."  According to the full article at BBC News:

A Tel Aviv woman has been searching through Israeli rubbish dumps after accidentally throwing away a mattress containing $1m (£700,000).  The woman, identified only as Anat, had bought a new mattress for her mother as a surprise and threw away the old one, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.  But when the older woman returned home she "almost fainted", as she had hidden her entire life savings inside.  A search of three landfill sites has so far turned up nothing, said the paper.

Can you imagine the panic of realizing that you've thrown something of such value away?  This leads me back to a question I've recently been asking myself.  Now, I'll ask you.

What valuable are you unknowingly throwing away?

Is it your giftings?  Is it your family?  Is it your time?  Is it your dreams? Is it your relationships?

Whatever it may be, act now before you find yourself rummaging through the trash to salvage it.

I consider myself as much of a storyteller as I do a preacher.  Now, hold on for a minute.  Before you claim heresy and throw me under the bus, let me clarify.  I'm not talking about telling fluffy stories that move people no closer to the Gospel.  Instead, I'm talking about telling the grand narrative of Scripture.  That is why I'm jazzed up about a new event coming this fall.

STORY is a first-of-its-kind experience for communicators of the Gospel - the greatest story ever told. It will be held on Wednesday, October 28 at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, Illinois. Speakers include Donald Miller, Nancy Beach, Dave Gibbons, Ed Young, Stacy Spencer, Chris Seay and Mike Foster. A day of workshops will follow on October 29 at nearby Orchard Valley Community Church, featuring illustrators, designers, scholars, authors and communications experts. Register for the conference and enter to win 2 free trips to the Kilns - CS Lewis' home in Oxford, England - at www.StoryChicago.com.

Threads will have a heavy involvement and is partnering with my friend, Ben Arment, to help make this event happen.  We're fired up about seeing how it all comes together and I am personally really excited about teaching at it. 

Imagine for a moment being invited to a really special meal for your birthday. Your friends were hosting this dinner and they had all come to celebrate your life and your friendship.  Despite their promises of a feast, they actually all decided to just empty their respective fridges and compile a bunch of leftovers. Wow – what a let down! You came expecting Filet Mignon and instead found Sally’s chicken fingers from Thursday and Tim’s moldy salad from last week. Doesn’t seem like much of a celebration, does it?

As you consider your relationship with the Lord and your life in the context of being an offering unto Him, are you presenting to Him your best or your leftovers?

Our life should be a celebration of His greatness and appreciation for the relationship we can have with Him through the work of Jesus.

Wow.  It has been a busy couple of days.  In two days, I had 4 flights, was in 6 cities, spoke 6 times, and met lots of good folks.  For those of you that were with us in LA, here are the notes that I promised to you. 

Learn more about Threads, LifeWay''s young adult movement.  Order Lost and Found:  The Younger Unchurched and The Churches That Reach Them.
Download the expanded notes from my presentation below.  You can also see the links in the sidebar to my Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Download What Matters To Young Adults - expanded

Thanks for your hospitality!  Let me know if we can ever help you in the future!