Teen Suicide. . . Warning Signs (Part 4). . .
Here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, our local paper regular publishes the Coroner’s Report. Last week, I spotted the November report and read it. Sixty-four deaths investigated. Many listed as “natural.” Others listed as “accidental.” Six were listed as “suicide.” Some…
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A Theology of Masturbation. . . Tackling One of the Toughest Questions. . .
Yes, we want our kids to ask questions about God’s good gift of sex, gender, and sexuality. We might not be well-prepared to answer their questions, but as many parents have said to me, “It’s easier for my kids to…
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Teen Suicide. . . Warning Signs (Part 3). . .
Kids who are considering the dark road of suicide will many times tip you off by giving signals and signs. The last two blog posts looked at the first two (emotional and physical) categories of signals and signs that we…
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Teen Suicide. . . Warning Signs (Part 2). . .
Teen suicide. . . the reality is sobering. It’s on the rise. And, we need to be aware. Certainly our response must be prophetic (instilling biblical hope and the reason for living in kids) and preventive (taking steps to build…
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Teen Suicide. . . Warning Signs (Part 1). . .
Last week we hunkered down in the CPYU studio to record a rather difficult yet necessary upcoming episode of our Youth Culture Matters podcast. We interviewed our good friend Marv Penner, tapping into his years of expertise in youth crisis…
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Forty Minutes Of Conviction. . .
It is what got us in trouble in the first place. . . way back in the Garden. We still invite it in to do its dastardly and destructive work in our lives. It is pride. On this morning’s walk,…
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Suffering. . . The Missing Element In Youth Ministry? . . .
When our kids graduate from our youth ministries and our homes, what will they have learned? And. . . will what they have learned reflect a balanced and truthful understanding of just what it means to follow Jesus? Ask me…
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At What Age Should A Child Get A Smartphone? . . . .
Is it my age? My experience? Is it good old common sense? Or, is it some combination of all three? I haven’t yet figured out where its coming from, but “it” is the way that I’m teetering very close to…
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Powerful. . .
I watched the memorial service for R.C. Sproul and heard, once again, this hymn written by Sproul himself. It was sung at the opening of the service. I revisited the lyrics this morning. Pretty amazing to think about these truths…
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Stealing Back Christmas From Apathy. . .
This will be my 62nd. Christmas, that is. If anyone needs proof of the sad and deplorable fact that “familiarity breeds apathy” . . . look no further than me this time of year. I’m ashamed that it’s this way.…
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Family Communication At Christmas. . . .
We’re only a week away! If your family is like mine, the Christmas holiday season affords you more time than usual to spend together. Your kids are home for a few extra days of vacation, you spend more time around…
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Only 11 Shopping Days Until the Lie of Christmas. . .
I believed it would change my life. Even though I began my impatient wait for its arrival sometime in September, it usually arrived in our mailbox at 1162 Beverly Road a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Its shiny full-color pages consumed…
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