For years, I listened only to Christian music, watched only PG-13 films (as long as they were approved by “Plugged In”), played only E-rated video games (as long as no shooting at humans was involved), and prioritized preserving holiness and guarding hearts.…
I watch the Grammy Awards show every year—all 3½ hours (excluding the Red Carpet pre-show, which strains my endurability). It’s a firehose of pop culture and a peek into the mostly narcissistic lives of celebrity performers. Humility is a scarce resource on the program, just as it is on Oscar night.…
It’s the American dream: Grow up, attend the right school, graduate…and then move into Mom’s basement! Okay, maybe that last part is the new “amended” dream. A record number of 20-somethings are opting to live at home rather than leave the nest.…
Share this article about concussions with parents—especially those whose teenagers play sports. Although another football season just wrapped up, the debate about head injuries and concussions still rages. Some people wonder what the fuss is all about, while others fear football may not have much of a future.…
Spilled potato chips. A freshly baked pepperoni pizza. Some wiggly Chinese noodles. Are these the cravings of a pregnant woman? Nope. They’re just a few images young people are using to ask one another for nude photos. And these requests contain absolutely no subtlety!…
Remember when you first started figuring out your sexual identity? One day you’re strangely obsessed with a “special” someone in a “special” way. Soon you’re awakened to a new world of attraction you didn’t realize was always in front of you.…
“Fear itself.” In his famous wartime speech, President Franklin D. Roosevelt told an anxious nation that fear is the only thing we really have to fear. Those words, spoken by an iconic man at an iconic time to an iconic generation, seem like crucial great-grandfatherly advice right now.…
The catalyst and leader of the UK’s resurgence in youth ministry explores how the culture of celebrity has invaded and overtaken all of culture—how it’s impacting teenagers, and what we can do about it. by Pete Ward American Idol winner, teenager Scotty McCreery, is a country singer with a great back-story.…
Recently at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference, I was challenged by many thoughts and exchanges. It’s funny how you can listen to a speaker or sit in a workshop and there is that one thing that worms it’s way into your heart.…
Battling Teen Porn Addiction Arming Kids for the Fight of Their Lives An article from David R. Smith at TheSource4YM.com On a daily basis, millions of teenagers are bombarded by graphic and explicit images through online images and videos. The degree to which they are impacted is as varied as the kids themselves, but none of it is positive.…
