One of the wonderful blessings God provides us is creativity. Each of us has a creative side that shows itself in some way shape or form, so why not find a way to harness that into youth leadership events?

There are so many things youth leaders and pastors can do to help foster God's creative gifts to us. From battle of the band events to craft shows to poetry readings, using events to show off the talents of creative youth group members is a way to get people involved.

Whether you're a participant showing off your creative side or a spectator enjoying what talents God has provided, these types of events allow youth groups to grow together in celebration of one another.

Proverbs 24:5 - "The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger."" (NLT)

I am not really sure when we started down this path of believing that intelligence wasn't important, but it seems like we reward ignorance far too much. People become rich and famous for nothing more than being pretty or unintelligent. It makes it seem like there is no reason to grow in our knowledge of things.

Yet God tells us something different. Wisdom and knowledge make us far more powerful than the world tells us about. Wisdom that comes from God makes us truly strong, because there is an assurance and strength that God provides to us in understanding. We should never shy away from wanting to be smarter. There is nothing wrong with being the smartest or wisest, in fact, God tells us that there is a strength in wisdom that we should strive toward.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this tragedy at Fort Hood in Texas. Was it religion? Was it one man on a rampage? Was it really fear of serving in Afghanistan? Whatever the answer or answers are, it still doesn't change the tragedy of people dying. It still doesn't alter the fact that this incident happened to those men and women who already had it in their hearts to put themselves in the middle of danger to protect our freedoms.

I ask everyone I know this week to say a prayer not only for the victims and their families this week, but for all our men and women serving around the world. Or even take a step further and do something to honor the troops. We are about to honor our veterans for Veteran's Day this week, and the fact that these men and women serve every day facing danger means we owe them a bit of thanks. Agree or disagree with military action, it does not mean that these soldiers are not out there protecting your freedom to say what you will about what they do.

Disney's "A Christmas Carol"

Every holiday season it seems like there is another twist on A Christmas Carol, and this season is no different with the motion capture version starring Jim Carrey. What is our fascination with the Charles Dickens' tale, and do we really need another incarnation of the story?

Our fascination stems from the overarching theme of the story, which is redemption. We all know someone who is a little Scrooge-like when it comes to faith, some of whom we've seen slowly come to know God. The change in those who were so resistant is remarkable, as is the change in Scrooge.

Yet the fascination with the story is really more of a belief that we ourselves can change. For Christians that change often comes from allowing God to work in our lives. God places people and things in our lives to tell us when it's time to change. It may not be as obvious as three ghosts, but often there are hints that we aren't living quite right in God's eyes - from the pull on our consciouses or the warning from our friends and family.

In the end, we all know at some point we will feel that redemption and freedom from the burdens we have carried. Yet in the meantime, we need to listen to our personal "three ghosts" so that we can rid ourselves of as many burdens as possible. That is why A Christmas Carol will always remain a popular holiday staple.