Nothing But Parts: Kim Kardashian and the Destruction Of Our Selves. . .
Truth be told, I spent a good portion of last week getting sad, concerned, and even angry. That’s what happens when you see things. What I saw last week was Kim Kardashian’s presentation of her self.. . more specifically, her…
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Music, Kids, and Sexuality. . .Thoughts Prompted by “The Voice”
Today, I’m grieving the continued loss of sexual joy and sanity in our culture. Not surprisingly, the understandings that are prompting my grief will most likely be seen by most in today’s world as silly, hopelessly old-fashioned, and largely unfamiliar in…
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Curating Ourselves to Death. . .
We live in a world that’s set the table. . . quite well. . . to make ourselves over (and over and over) into who we want or think we need to be. Like museum curators who create exhibits for…
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A Post-Reformation Day Prayer. . .
Over the course of the second half of last week, we found ourselves wholly focused on the physical battle our 14-month-old grandson Nolan was fighting. Little Nolan wound up in the pediatric ICU of Georgetown University Hospital in D.C., where he…
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The Naked Baron. . . A Social Media Conversation To Have With Your Kids. . .
High school football is big deal here in central Pennsylvania. Perhaps nowhere here in central Pennsylvania is it bigger than Manheim, the next town over from where I live. Manheim lives, eats, and breathes high school football. The “Barons” have…
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A Helpful Bullying Infographic
It was interesting and alarming conversation with a youth worker this morning. A teenager showed up at the youth worker’s door. There was talk of suicidal thoughts. The spark? Being bullied at school. Okay. That happens quite a bit. Then…
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Driving To The Glory of God. . . National Teen Driver Safety Week. . .
I spotted a news story this morning. . . one of those stories that I typically glance over. My lack of attention is due to the glut of days, weeks, and months that are dedicated to a host of causes.…
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Desperation and Depth. . . Why Our Youth Group Kids Need Us To Pray They Have Difficulty. . .
Are you kidding me?!? Pray for difficulty and suffering?!? You mean we should hope that our students have to face hard times in their young lives?!? It doesn’t sound good at all. I know. But the fact of the matter is, that…
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Why I Treasure College. . . .
Several dozen good friends. . . most that I haven’t seen for years . . . will be gathering tomorrow for a 35th reunion on the campus of Geneva College. I won’t be able to be there due to a…
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Hipsterology. . . Some Thoughts From J.I. Packer. . .
The other day a youth worker friend messaged me while he was sitting through a youth worker training event. These places are where I live and have lived for so many years. Because of my habitual culture-watching default setting, I…
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Seinfeld. . . And The Truth About Advertising’s Lies. . . Just Brilliant!
Yep. . . marketing’s gotten so big that they’ve got their own awards show. Actually, the Clio Awards have been around since 1960, ironically just about the same time that Mad Men gives us insight into the early days of Madison…
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Music’s Next Big Thing. . . Are You Ready? . . .
A little over a year ago, Andrew Hozier-Byrne posted a video for his debut tune, “Take Me To Church.” Known simply by his middle name, Hozier (“hoh-zee-er”) is a 24-year-old Irish singer/songwriter/musician who is quickly becoming a force in the…
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