Live A Revolution... Every Day

Finding the Right Tool to Get Students to Open Up

2010-03-09T10:00:00-05:00

This is the tool I use to open up the hood to my car. The thing that you would typically pull to open a car hood broke a couple of years ago. So, if I don't have these pliers, my hood doesn't open.

It's a tool that's not typically thought of to open the hood of a car. Yet, it's the only tool that will open my car's hood. I know this, because I drive my car. You wouldn't necessarily know that you need to use something different to open up my car's hood unless you looked closely.

And, here's the thing...

This is true when it comes to students.

You can't always use the same tools on every student you come in contact with.

You have to use what works. And the only way to know that, is to get to know your students. To look closely into their lives and be with them.

If you do that, you'll discover what you need to open up their lives to you.

Live Change: Trust vs. Authority

2010-03-08T05:19:00-05:00

"Because I said so." I love AND hate that tactic. I love it because it reminds me of my childhood and the many times it was said to me by my mom, dad, teachers, coaches and parents of friends. I hate it because, well, it's a lazy form of communication that adults use to exert their authority.

I actually caught myself mid-sentence getting ready to say the exact same phrase to Carter. I stopped and thought, "Todd, you're an idiot." This tactic in authority may work to get the five year old to clean up his toys. It may work for a coach who's told his players to run laps. It may work for a moment... but that's it... for one short moment. The authoritative works in the short-term moments.

True life-change in an individual isn't inspired by someone's authority - for the most part. It's inspired by a person's trust they have in the other person trying to make their life better.

The question then becomes, why do pastors, parents, coaches - adults, use the authoritative approach to try to cause life-change in a person? We think, students need to change because of our position, age, experiences. Students need to just take our word for it because of our authority. Why do we use this approach? Because it's easy. You see, it's not that our age, experiences or positions are bad or evil. Using our authority isn't necessarily a bad thing. It becomes a bad thing - it becomes useless, if that is all we use. However, those things become tools if they are applied in a relationship of trust between us and the person we are trying to help. So, then the next question becomes (and this is the coolest question), what the heck does this type of approach look like? Check this out:

"The Word became flesh and blood and moved into our neighborhood." John 1v14

Jesus is the perfect example. He literally had all the authority in the world. He could have simply said, "Follow me because I said so." And everyone would have had to follow him. He had the position. He had the experiences. But he chose a different way of bringing about life change... he brought it in by developing a relationship of trust with those he came in contact with. Check this out:

1. Jesus met people where they are at... "Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, 'Come along with me.' Matthew stood up and followed him."Matthew 9v9 - In other words, I want to be where you are. I care enough about you to go to where you live, breathe and operate.

2. Jesus also connected with people through personal touch..."A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man." Matthew 8v2, 3 -He's communicating that he cares enough to touch someone considered untouchable. He's stating, you're worth something. You matter.

3. Jesus also let people fail... "Then Jesus told them, 'Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me...' Peter broke in, 'Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't.' 'Don't be so sure,' Jesus said. 'This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times.'" Matthew 26v31-34 - In other words, guys, you're going to fail. Not just a little. But a lot. Jesus could have stopped them from failing. But he didn't. He allowed them to experience failure. Not because he enjoyed watching them fail. No. I believe it's because he wanted to let them experience his love despite their failure.

4. Jesus also loved people through their failure... "After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Master, you know I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' He then asked a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' 'Yes, Master, you know I love you.' Jesus said, 'Shepherd my sheep.' Then he said it a third time: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, so he answered, 'Master, you know everything there is to know. You've got to know that I love you...' Then Jesus commanded, 'Follow me.'" John 21v15-19 - Despite Peter outright denying any connection to Jesus, probably Peter's biggest failure, Jesus loved him through it. What a huge trust-building gesture - saying, even though you've failed, I still love you. I still see value in you. You still matter.

Unbelievable. Jesus inspired people to life-change through trust-building relationships with personal touch rather than relying on his authority only.

Now it's our turn.

Books On My Current Reading List

2010-03-07T11:28:18-05:00

I love checking out blogs and finding out what others are reading. So, I thought I'd share the love as well. Here's what I'm currently ripping up:

What are you currently reading?

One of the Funniest Videos Ever About Youth Workers

2010-03-06T22:29:00-05:00

Todd Ruth

Just Like You & Me

2010-03-05T22:16:00-05:00

"Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us..." Hebrews 2:17

What are you struggling with?

What hurt are you dealing with?

What obstacle seems to big to overcome?

Jesus knows what it's like. He knows the pain. He knows the hurt. He knows the frustration you feel.

Jesus didn't walk the earth to help angels, he was born, lived and died to help you. To help me. To make available mercy and grace to each one of use.

He became just like you and me, so that we could experience God's grace.

Messin Me Up Part Two

2010-03-04T21:07:00-05:00

Philippians 2:3: "... don't try to impress others. Be humble..."

How many of my tweets or my blog posts have been written in the hopes that people will think I'm funny, smart, cool...

Too many to count.

It's all about motivation... what's in the heart.

If what I do is simply to impress others, then it's not worth anything.

Messin Me Up

2010-03-03T20:47:00-05:00

Over the last week, I've decided to just focus on Philippians 2:1-11. To memorize it.

And it's messing me up.

Check out verse 1: "... are your hearts tender and compassionate?"

Is my heart tender and compassionate towards my wife? Towards my kids? Toward my friends? Toward the people who are hard to love?

What does that even look like... to have a heart that's tender and compassionate.

It's a question that we have to ask. Because God's heart, the heart of Jesus is full of compassion. It's tender.

And that messes me up.

My Three Blessings

2010-03-02T12:48:00-05:00

There's a lot that goes on in life... a lot that I'm striving to be successful at... a lot to stress over. There's a lot of "what-if's"... But even if I fail at everything. There is one thing that remains true... I will always have three blessings.

Thank you.

Happy 3rd Birthday Little Mo

2010-03-01T12:44:05-05:00

Little Mo's birthday was actually on February 19. She's now 3 years old. I cannot believe it. No matter how old she is, whether she's 3, 33, or 63... she'll always be Little Mo to me. She is one of the most cheerful, giving, loving and ornery little girls I've ever known. She definitely takes after her mother.

From shoes to her lotsa babies, to her mother, father and brother. She loves well. And she loves often.

And her mother, father and brother love her too.

Happy Birthday Mo... even if it's a little late on the blog world.

Are You the Pride of Your Children?

2010-02-26T15:49:57-05:00

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. - Proverbs 17v6

This is a haunting verse.

Can your children say, "Ya, THAT'S my mom. THAT'S my dad."

Are they proud of you?

Or a better question is...

Are you putting yourself in a position where your kids can be proud of you? Of the life you're living?

Parents...

BE the pride of your children.