12 Things You Need in Your "Christian Tool Box"

I admit it. I have a very small actual tool box. It consists of one screwdriver (What?!?! There are different kinds?!), some duct tape, a nail file and a bunch of thumbtacks. These items seem to do the trick (especially since I live by the maxim, "When broken, why fix it?").

However, when it comes to following Christ I have found that there are some things I need to have handy when "life happens." Here are the 12 things* I carry around to help in need. 

In no particular order: 

1. A "baby" bible. While I like a larger, "floppy-therefore-stays-open-when-laid-on-table" bible to do my daily quiet time, I think it’s just as important to carry the bible around wherever I go. I never know when I might need to share a verse with a friend, quickly look back on an encouraging passage or find a reference to answer a question. Thanks to "smart" phones most people now have an electronic version, but I'm a sucker for a little bible that practically requires a magnifying glass to read... whatever works for you. ;-) 

12 Things I Learned as a Summer Missionary

I’m a big advocate of spending part or all of at least one summer in college working at a Christian camp or as a summer missionary. It stretches your faith. It changes your perspective. It grows you as a person. And it teaches you way more than just these 12 things.

God will use whatever you have. You don’t have to be “post-graduation hiring material” to be qualified to do summer missions. Anything you know how to do can be valuable! I spent a summer in Atlantic City, NJ, doing such a random assortment of things that there was no way I was an expert at any of them: leading a discipleship group from a Spanish-speaking church, teaching English as a Second Language, preparing a newspaper for publication, working with youth at weekly rallies, etc.

God will introduce you to what He plans to use later. That summer in New Jersey I hung out a lot with a student worship band. That made me want to learn to play the guitar. I started learning, and a few summers later was hired to lead worship at a summer youth camp.

12 Things Your Parents Want to Tell You

1. Don’t procrastinate! Study a little at a time throughout the semester.
2. Don’t miss a class. (At some point you will regret it.)
3. Make a new friend every day. You never know who you might be working for later in life. Get to know other students in your classes.
4. Budget your money each week.

Me, A Leader? How do I Leak?

(Relax, we know this one isn't a list of 12. But exceptions can be fun, right? Read on and enjoy!)

Perhaps you don't see yourself as a leader or perhaps it comes naturally. Either way, I want to encourage you to stretch yourself during your college years. This is a great time to learn. It is also a time to explore different opportunities to help you formulate your values and grow in all areas of your life.

Think about those people you like to follow. What traits do they possess? What do they value? How do they make you feel? What makes them a good leader?

Here are some traits that I have observed over the years from good leaders: