HEY MIKE! I just finished reading my current devotional book, and I’m having a hard time finding a new one to replace it. Any suggestions or recommendations?
—S.J.H., Elkhorn, Wis.
Kick off the New Year by adding creativity to your prayer times. In addition to daily Bible reading and studying a good devo guide (I suggested a few below), connect with God in a fresh way. Try something new a few times a week. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Take a spiritual trek: Grab your Bible and head off to a local park with a friend. Read Scripture and pray together but also take some time to be alone with God.
Go “There and Back Again”: Start an adventure journal. Write out your dreams and goals, the cool things you learn about Jesus during the year, your prayers, thoughts and feelings.
Write a personal Psalm: Read a few psalms in the Bible and then write out your own psalm to God.
Rock out: Grab your guitar, bongo drums or kazoo. Create a cool worship song.
Get wild about worship: Get three or four friends and create a special worship service for your youth group.
Tune in LIFE: Read Romans 12:1-3. Write out specific ways to live your whole life in worship to God.
You asked me to recommend some devotionals. Pick up these books. Two were written by your favorite advice-giving editor. (Now who could that be?!)
• Teen People of the Bible by Daniel Darling (New Hope Publishers)
• 3:16 Teen Edition by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson)
• Breakaway’s TRIBE Devotional Series (Focus on the Family/Tyndale)
—TRIBE: A Warrior’s Heart by Michael Ross
— TRIBE: A Warrior’s Battles by Michael Ross and Manfred Koehler
— TRIBE: A Warrior’s Calling by Jeremy V. Jones and Greg Asimakoupoulos 
