Uncle Charlie’s newest CD project, “Shine On” is a spectacular high-energy worship set for kids of all ages. As a personal friend of Charlie (who didn’t ask me to blog about this), I am proud to say that I was the second person to receive a copy of this CD (his mother was first).  We…

When I was a child, I wanted to grow up and be a scientist/inventor who played professional baseball (and worked as an archaeologist on the side) with a family and a dark green Bonneville (I’m not joking). Well, I got the family, but really nothing else in that list.  I have somehow landed a life…

When I say, “easier”, I am talking in terms of speaking to them and keeping them safe, controlled, attentive, and participatory.  I just finished speaking to 1,000 kids tonight (and will do so all week).  And here’s why I would take this number any day over a room of 8 kids.  Granted, there are plenty…

This is by far the most common question posed to me.  The second most common is, “Have you ever juggled a chainsaw?” (if you’re wondering, here’s your answer). Most kids these days discover their life calling/passion around ages 11-12 (as I did).  So go encourage a preteen today in whatever their interests might be. I…

One of my summer interns, Forrest, made this demo video.  I like how it shows a bird’s eye view of juggling.  Enjoy!

Each summer, I get to speak at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Camp in Cedar Hill, TX.  Each week of camp is packed with about 1,000 kids and 200 adult leaders (not to mention all the staff all over the campground).  Their theme this summer is “Get in the Game”, tapping into the exciting narrative of the…

He’s been around for centuries: the teen boy idol.  He just takes on a new face and name every 3-5 years.  The current post-holder?  Justin Bieber. As of this writing, he has over 22 MILLION followers on Twitter (surpassed by a relatively small margin by only one other Twitter user, Lady Gaga).  That’s more than…

I’d like to introduce the second of my two apprentices for this summer.  His name is Forrest Davis. As I explained yesterday, I am bringing along two high-schooler young men with me to the summer camps at which I speak in June and July (all in Texas). They will assist in my presentations as team…

This summer, I am starting an apprenticeship program with Jesse Joyner Juggling. I am bringing along two high-schooler young men with me to the summer camps at which I speak in June and July (all in Texas).  They will assist in my presentations as team jugglers and also help me teach workshops and run the juggling equipment…

Last summer, I used a costume that I brought out several times at various kid’s camps.  It turned out to be one of the best “bang for buck” resources I have ever purchased.  Its called a GlowMan costume.  And for just 50 bucks, it gets you a suit that is easy to use, runs on…

Preachers and teachers: Want to honor your mothers this Mother’s Day?  Make sure you preach, teach, and recite Scripture from the  most “Mom-friendly” books of the Bible.  The more the word “mother” appears in the book, the better the book!  You should avoid “non-Mom-friendly” books of the Bible at all costs.  My simple chart, based…

I love introducing my child to good music, especially worship music. Sarah and I made a playlist on the iPod that we play softly for Kezzie (19 months) every night as we put her to sleep.  She usually doesn’t make it that far into the playlist before falling asleep, but we made the list long…

These are actual prayers I have heard children pray as I’ve been a Children’s Minister.  These are kids ages 5-12: Girl: “Dear Lord, I can’t wait to go to Korea….I mean, heaven.” Boy: “Dear Lord, thank you that we can come to church today and thank you that no one got their head crushed or lost…

Well, almost anything.  I would not recommend  trying to balance cows, babies, or running jackhammers on your face.  But most anything else will work here. Go ahead, pick the item closet to you and try to balance it on your face.  Difficult?  Let me help…. Rule Number 1: Start Simple, Go Large You would think that…

That’s how many days old you are if you are 80 years old.  In 1992, my great-grandmother turned 80.  At that time, I was a 12-year old math and numbers nerd.  I also had a really corny sense of humor, as you’re about to see. A few days ago, I got a mysterious letter in…

The Bible is full of children.  Some are named and some are not.  I’ve written a camp curriculum that highlights various kids in the Bible and what we can learn from their lives.  Here are my favorite 5.  What are your favorite kids in the Bible? 5. David (1 Samuel 17) – The Bible talks…

Our church meets in an old theater in downtown Richmond, VA. The lighting and ambiance of the lobby and foyer area is perfect for a Saturday night concert (dim lights). So on a Sunday morning, a parent once tipped me off to the lighting scheme and suggested we turn the lights up so the kids…

You might think that the indispensable tool in ministry is the Bible. It is certainly indispensable. But I would argue that the Bible is more than a tool. It is a foundation, a weapon, and God’s very Word to us. I see tools as skills that we learn along the way that aid in reaching…

Thanks to my friends who know way more about websites and web design, I’m going to have a brand new website up and running very soon (at www.JesseJoyner.com). I’m switching from iWeb to WordPress, which I’m sure to some people is an obvious choice. But I have been using iWeb for so long that I…

I have a confession to make: I used to be that guy who would knock on your door hawking educational books for your kids. Please don’t judge me.  It was a reputable company with quality products and top-notch training.  I would check in with local police and town halls and get any necessary permits.  In…

Disclaimer: Trader Joe’s did NOT pay me to say these things. I usually hate grocery shopping.  For me, it is one of the most boring activities on the planet.  But not when I’m at Trader Joe’s.  Here’s why I love this little neighborhood grocery store (which is actually a national chain that does a great…

I just completed my first marathon – and I juggled the entire distance.  Here are a few tips for those of you considering this feat: 1. Read www.justyouraveragejoggler.com – This guy, Perry Romanowski, is a star joggler – and he keeps a consistent and informative blog on joggling (running and juggling at the same time).…