Kids. . . Let Them Suffer! . . .
This week I started re-reading The Coddling of The American Mind with our CPYU Reading/Discussion Group (consider joining us. . . it’s not too late). The book posits that one of the lies we and our kids have been nurtured into…
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What Parents Need To Know About Today’s Peer Pressure. . .
I recently had a grandmother tell me about an uncomfortable conversation she had with her elementary-aged grandson. Prompted by watching a TV news story on the current teen vaping epidemic, the inquisitive boy had asked grandma whether she had ever…
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Youth Ministry Checkup. . . What Your Teens Need This Year. . .
It was back in 2011 that researcher David Kinnaman told us that “nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15” in his book, You…
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A Back-To-School And Everyday Prayer For Our Kids. . . .
One of the great misconceptions about worship is that it’s something that only takes place when a group of people gather for a few minutes or so to sing together. While corporate worship is an important part of the Christian…
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When You Recognize The Mug Shot. . . A Sobering Texting Reminder. . .
“Oh my!” That’s what I said shortly after opening this morning’s paper. I recognized the face in the mugshot and knew the name underneath. The headline says, “Police: Texting Key In Fatality: Charge woman with homicide by vehicle after collision…
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Teen Vaping. . . A Helpful Infographic. . .
This morning I had breakfast with a public school administrator. Since every high school and middle school is a microcosm of our larger global youth culture, it’s helpful to hear what educators are seeing, hearing, and having to deal with…
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LGBTQ And A Conversation That Brings Some Clarity. . .
Her story is compelling. Two decades ago she was an outspoken lesbian activist, university professor, and a shaper of queer theory. Today, she is a follower of Jesus, a pastor’s wife, and a homeschool mom. When I first read Rosaria…
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Kids Who Cut. . . And A Helpful Handout. . .
As a culture-watcher, I sometimes like to “rewind” as a way to gain perspective on just how much and how fast youth culture has changed. The practice serves to wake me up at times when familiarity with what was once…
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You Won’t Believe This. . . But I Must Show You. . .
You might already be aware that three weeks ago a 90mph overnight police chase ended in. . . yes in. . . our CPYU office. You can go back, read the story, and see some pictures here. As if this isn’t…
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Pride and Self-Promotion. . . A Warning For Parents, Youth Workers And The Rest Of Us. . .
“My greatest character trait is my humility.” Those words were uttered tongue-in-cheek by a friend back in college and I’ve heard the same thing said by others several times since. Always a joke. But I wonder if we’re predisposed to…
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Youth Ministry Self-Promotion And The Call To Humility. . .
Recently on a Facebook youth ministry group page, a youth worker posted a question we should all be asking from time to time. It was a question about self-promotion. . . which in our social-media-saturated world is a huge temptation…
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Lightning Has Struck Us Twice! . . . Keep Us In Your Prayers. . . .
Somebody called me yesterday and said to me, “Lightning never strikes twice. Yeah. Right.” I could only laugh. Some of you will remember that early on an August morning 13 years ago a car came crashing through my office wall…
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