This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by the Stayin Alive Disco Dodgeball Tournament that takes place at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence Alabama on August 16, 2025. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Research Hospital. Festivities will begin at 10 AM.

I was speaking to someone the other day who seemed to be pretty down on the young people of today. Granted, he works in a field where he interacts with young folks entering the work force and I’m sure he experiences the worst in people from time to time.

However, as I heard him make a few comments that seemed to be down on younger people, I couldn’t help but think about all the things I’ve witnessed this summer.

May ended with watching several kids graduate who already had in their minds what they wanted to spend the rest of their lives doing. Some heading to college while others going straight into the work force. I’ve watched the commitment over the past few years of those who have chosen both of those paths and been impressed.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by the Stayin Alive Disco Dodgeball Tournament that takes place at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence Alabama on August 16, 2025. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Research Hospital. Festivities will begin at 10 AM.

The first half of my summer has been pretty! So I took a little break from the Friday Refresh for a couple of weeks.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This episode of The Friday ReFresh is brought to you by www.benandtravis.com!

I was sitting in my office this week listening to a song that echoes a similar sentiment to the old hymn “Count Your Blessings.” In this song by Seph Schlueter it says,

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This is your Friday Refresh brought to you by BenandTravis.com. There is all sorts of good stuff for you there for the summer — from videos featuring VBS songs along with the lyrics and hand motions to a free blog that can be used for devotionals or articles to fun videos you can show to your youth group. You can also find ways to support our work through purchasing books and/or some Ben and Travis merchandise. That’s BenandTravis.com.

Millions of teens will walk across the stage over the next few weekends marking the end of their high school journeys. Some will go to college while others move immediately to a work career.

Sappy songs will play.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Friday ReFresh is brought you by "The Adventures of Ben and Travis and the Joy Rider" children's book. Preorder you copy today at www.benandtravis.com/books

Links mentioned in this episode:

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Friday ReFresh is brought to you by "The Adventures of Ben and Travis and the Joy Rider" children's book (www.benandtravis.com/books)

As I drove through town the other day a red light stopped me at an intersection where there was an old wooden light pole standing at the corner. It had clearly been there a while based on the condition of the wood. It has undoubtedly weathered a lot of storms.

It wasn’t the light it gave, the power it conveyed through the wires running across the top, or the age of the wood that caught my attention though. What caused me to stop and stare at it for a few moments were the hundreds, if not thousands of nails, staples, and tacks protruding from its chipped and damaged wood.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Welcome in to the Friday Refresh

Brought to you by the Adventures of Ben and Travis and the WorryCoaster.

If you have a little one who struggles with anxiety or you work with students who do, this book, designed specifically for elementary age students -- but helpful to anyone -- is for you.

The back pages even include some helpful tips for working with kids and teens who are burdened by fears and worries.

You might even find that it helps you as an adult. So go to BenandTravis.com and order yours today. That is BENANDTRAVIS.COM.

When is the last time that you stopped to observe your surroundings?

When was the last time you simply paused to take in the sights and sounds of life as it goes by?

We have all heard the phrases “Life goes by fast” or “time flies.” Everyday seems fast-paced and if we aren’t careful it will seem like our kids grow up in a flash and our own youth is left behind.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Welcome in to the Friday Refresh brought to you by the Adventures of Ben and Travis books. The WorryCoaster is in print and ready for you to order. You can have your copies today by going to BenandTravis.com. You can also preorder your copy of the JoyRider that will be out within the next year. Go to BenandTravis.com/books and order yours today.

Brackets. Underdogs. Rivalries. Blue bloods. Cinderellas. Busters. Sweet. Elite. Final. March. Madness.

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Welcome in to the Friday Refresh brought you you by the Adventures of Ben and Travis and the WorryCoaster children’s book. Written by myself and Travis Creasy and expertly illustrated by our friend and brother, Jacob Hennigan.

It is a feel good story of how to overcome anxiety and fear with a section in the back for parents, youth workers and teachers with helpful hints to keep the conversation going.

Go to BenandTravis.com/books for more information.

Challenge Youth Conference (www.cyconline.com) weekend is back again. For over 25 years this conference has taken place in the Smoky Mountains. For many years now it has been in the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge and there have been close to 14,000 attendees some years. Our congregation will have over 40 in attendance this weekend and other congregations will have 100. Travis and I get to do some crazy activities and videos to get the event started and then we also participate in S.W.A.T. (Skits With A Truth) team. Most people who have attended, whether adults or teenagers, have found the weekend to be encouraging in their faith and they often leaved challenged to live a bold life for Christ.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is your Friday Refresh

Brought to you by the Helping. Healing. Humor Podcast with Ben and Travis (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/helping-healing-humor/id1457601152). If you enjoy this short burst of mental health and motivational content then join us as we explore similar topics in a little more depth and a lot more craziness.

You can find the Helping Healing Humor Podcast with Ben and Travis at any of your favorite podcast providers.

Have you ever noticed that almost every day is a national holiday now. When I was growing up we celebrated major holidays and major holidays only.

Things like Valentines Day,

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