Karl Zimmerman's blog

It's pretty easy to choose between good and evil and a clear right and wrong.  The hard part is making a decision between two (or more) goods.  And that's often what we're faced with.

I just talked to my daughter, who is now (gasp!) a sophomore in college.  She is a Linguistics major and would like to study abroad and has a chance to do so in Vienna.  Should she go for one or two semesters?  Fall or Spring?  Should she stay at college for the summer where she has a job lined up or come home to St. Louis where it is uncertain?  Decisions, decisions.

I am also faced with it.  Personal and career and ministry, lots of stuff have come up lately.   We are all faced with it every day and some are bigger than others. Read more »

It is a pretty unique time for me -- besides having fun doing music and youth ministry these days, we just celebrated two graduations in my family -- my two daughters Paula and Amy. Paula just graduated high school, now headed to the University of Illinois and Amy, 8th grade, is off to Cor Jesu Academy. So the last few days and weeks have been filled with Senior send-off's, goodbyes, and more than a few tears and hugs.  And not just with my daughters, but all of the awesome teens and young adults who are moving into the next chapter of their lives. Excited or scared, homesick or giddy, stressed or lonely, happy or sad, strong or weak, lost or found -- no matter how we're feeling, the Lord wants us to place our trust in Him every day. Read more »

Discerning God's will is something that teens, heck everyone, deals with every day. What college should I go to? What major? Should I work evenings or leave more time for youth ministry stuff? Should I date? Who? Should I be a priest or sister?  Should I get married? Who and when? Where should I work? If this piques your interest, you're not alone. But I am going to ruin the suspense and just say it -- I don't know the answers. Most of us really don't know for sure, but I'll tell you what I do.Pray. Well, I always TRY to pray, not just when you need an answer for something. Sometimes not easy, but I believe God can and does reveal His will. Read more »

A teen approached me last week and told me she prays for me every day. A good friend and core member just sent me a text message and told me they prayed a rosary for me. My youth minister and I prayed together in the parking lot last week. Complete strangers walked up to me at the Steubenville conference and told me they are praying for me.This blog is really a simple thank you. Thank you for your prayers.It has taken me a long time to realize this. But I now know everything I do in music, heck my life, comes from God’s grace. Your prayers literally carry me through everyday. Read more »

I have many memories from this past weekend – the trip to Washington D.C. with 800 or so teens from St. Louis – Life Really Matters. Friday Night, Jan 20 6:00 PM: The House Band plays as groups begin to arrive at CBC High School. Read more »

Happy Thanksgiving! Kind of a time to clean up and get ready. For me, Thanksgiving weekend is the time to clean my closet, my desk, organize and file music. Basically, simplify, reset. I'm going to let Advent be that for me. Read more »