Welcome to Karl Bastian's Blog

Write It… And Toss It

Write It… And Toss It
Saw this Calvin and Hobbes and it reminded me of some GREAT advice my dad once gave me… but first, enjoy the cartoon: Ever gotten so upset about something you sat down and HACKED OUT A LETTER? I have! There were many a letter I wrote that after showing to my dad for his input, he quietly read and then said, “It’s a great letter! Well written! Excellent points! Well organized and presented! Perfect arguments. Now throw it out.” Throw it out?! How could he compliment it so highly, and then tell me to throw my masterpiece out? He was...

FREE eBOOK from KidCheck!

FREE eBOOK from KidCheck!
Hey, just found out about this FREE new resource from my friends at KidCheck and wanted to make sure you knew about it! It’s a FREE eBook called Optimizing Child Safety in Your Organization. It’s jam-packed with checklists, tips, and proven safety strategies. You’ll learn the following: • Why focusing on child safety attracts new families. • How to predator-proof your environment. • Seven steps for choosing the best volunteers. • The benefits of a Child Protection Policy. • Tips for using children’s check-in for more than attendance tracking. With this eBook, you’ll be equipped to create a safe &...

10 Things You Should Never Do

10 Things You Should Never Do
Just some friendly advice: Do not put off backing up your phone or computer. Do not wear white socks with black shoes. Do not send an angry e-mail or text. Do not buy underwear at a thrift store. Do not donate underwear to a thrift store. Do not post “following” on a Facebook thread. (Please) Just select to be notified. Do not drive slow in the fast lane. Do not drive fast in the slow lane. Do not cut your own hair.* Do not run a children’s ministry without a secure check-in system! Need help with that? Visit Kidology.org/KidCheck. KidCheck...

Karl’s Ancient Guitar Chord Books

Karl’s Ancient Guitar Chord Books
This post won’t interest many, mostly posting for myself, but if it helps any guitar players out there, so be it! Not many know I play guitar – honestly, I’m not very good at at, it’s mostly a private hobby, a skill more than a talent, if you understand the difference. I picked it up in college because my roommate, Rich Stafford, was amazing, I and I wanted to learn, and he was a great (and patient) teacher. I LOVE leading kids worship and still enjoy it for personal (and private) worship when in my Man Cave. I own a...

Truth to Youth is Different Today

Truth to Youth is Different Today
One of the most powerful workshops I ever attended was taught by my good friend Dick Crider several years ago. It was about the changing of the very words we use. When we talk to young people today, we THINK we are saying one thing, but the very words we use have been redefined to have completely different definitions. This is intentional, and it is devastating to the Church and to Truth. These are the pictures I took of some of this slides as he taught. Let them sink in and realize that when you talk or teach today, you...