A Little Letter To Parents On Youth Sports. . .
The sun is going down later. Spring is springing. Athletic fields are filled with kids gearing up for participation in a variety of spring sports. Sadly, when the games begin, some of the most discouraging activity will be taking place…
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Kids, Smartphones, and Pornography. . .
“At what age should I allow my son to have his own smartphone?” Without a doubt, that’s the question I get asked by parents of pre-teen boys and girls more than any other. The question is asked because wise parents…
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The TikTok Skull-Breaker Challenge. . . What Parents Need To Know. . .
The advent of social media and video-sharing platforms have given kids a new playground on which to engage in risky and impulsive behaviors. Because of where they’re at in the developmental process, kids are prone to act in the now…
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Teen Hearing Loss. . . A Helpful Infographic. . .
A few weeks ago I raised a growing concern about our children and teens regarding the dangers of hearing loss. I actually contemplated whether youth ministry is at times complicit in undermining the health of our kids when we pump…
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Youth Ministry & No-Phone-Freedom. . . or. . . What Happens When We Shut Down For A Week?. . .
“How do I get my students to put their phones down?” That question started coming from a growing army of youth workers several years ago as I would engage them on the great blessings and difficulties of doing youth ministry…
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Teaching Kids To Get Love Right. . .
Happy Valentine’s Day. Four years ago, as I was eating my breakfast in a hotel lobby, I was reminded that it was the weekend we celebrate love and fill the pockets of the folks at Hallmark. A fifty-something husband enthusiastically…
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13-Year-Olds, Smartphones, and Pornography. . .
Last night I finished reading Rachael Denhollander’s sobering book, What Is A Girl Worth?, which tells the story of her courageous leadership in exposing the systemic sexual abuse of young female athletes by Dr. Larry Nassar. I can’t recommend this…
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A Woman’s Take On The Super Bowl Halftime Show And Human Dignity. . .
The conversation continues. . . and so it should. . . because these things do indeed matter. (Here’s what I wrote on Monday). And lest you think that all those who care are only singling out the few minutes and…
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One Way To Reduce Teen Anxiety. . . A Helpful Handout. . .
A few years ago I jumped into the world of teen anxiety. I heard the first person stories. I listened to parents, youth workers, and educators lament what was happening with the kids they know and love. I looked at…
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Shakira, JLo, and The NFL. . . Thoughts On Halftime. . .
I’m really not sure how to put into words the cascade of thoughts, confusion, concern, and sadness that began last night shortly after Shakira took the Super Bowl Halftime stage. . . and which have continued up to this moment.…
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The Super Bowl Ads. . . A Big Ministry Opportunity. . .
Does marketing work? You bet! If it didn’t work, then why are companies willing to fork out $5 million for a 30-second commercial spot during this year’s Super Bowl? If you’re one of those parents or youth workers who plan…
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Kobe Byrant And Necessary Thoughts. . .
The reality and shock of death visited me for the first time when I was seven-years-old. Our President was gunned down and suddenly died. I remember how my young mind raced to make sense of it all. We were glued…
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