Paul Masek's blog

I have been thinking a lot about mustard lately, and not because I like it.  I don’t.

The reason I have been thinking about mustard is because of its significance at a recent Steubenville St. Louis Mid-America Youth Conference (significance which, by the way, was initiated by a bishop – just one more of the countless reasons I love being Catholic!). Read more »

Have you ever wondered why every youth minister you’ve ever met refers to his or her spouse as the most attractive member of the opposite sex ever created?

You know that it’s true.  But how is it possible?

Could it be that God rewards those who dedicate their lives to youth ministry by graciously making an attractive spouse His sweetest gift while fulfilling the promise of Mark 10:28-30?

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. Read more »

I have heard it said on many occasions from several reliable sources: “It takes thirteen positive comments to make up for one negative comment.”

Now, I want to be honest. I have been unable to find the scientific research to back this up, so if anyone out there has access to that empirical data, please hook me up.

However, something about the statement speaks to my heart. I highly suspect that it does take thirteen positive comments to make up for one negative comment. What do you think? Read more »

"It’s All Good.” You’ve probably heard that phrase before, and I want to tell you from the start that I have never been a fan of it. While I suspect that the intention of those who utter those words is to be positive and look for the good things in life (a very noble thing!), I still don’t like the phrase because, quite frankly, sometimes things in life are not good. An honest appraisal of reality reveals that many things can be bad, hurtful, unfortunate, and evil. We live in a sinful, broken, fallen world and sometimes even the most well-intentioned people miss the mark; even those of us in ministry. And while I definitely believe that good can come out of even the worst situations, let’s be honest - sometimes it’s not all good. Even in ministry. Read more »

Now, please... 

Don’t freak out.

Don’t remind me that the Cubs haven’t seen World Series action since 1945...and they lost!

Don’t rub it in my face that they haven’t won a World Series in over 100 years.

Don’t tell me to jump on HWY 55 and drive until I land in The Lake. Read more »