Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sexting on the rise among teens
Parents of teens and tweens take note: here is a disturbing report on the rise of 'sexting' among teens in the US.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Princess and the Frog
Here is a good review by Russell Moore of Disney's new animated feature The Princess and the Frog.
Christmas Sale at Desiring God
Desiring God has some great Christmas deals right now. In fact, you can get a collection of all of John Piper's major works for $200. They also have packages for dad, mom, and kids.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
More About Santa
Following up from my last post regarding Santa Claus, here is a great article by Noel Piper (wife of John Piper) on how her family has addressed the Santa issue.
How to Benefit from the Bible
Here's a good post from James MacDonald on how to get the most benefit from reading your Bible.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Top Ten Cultural Moments of the Decade
Newsweek has selected its list of the top ten cultural moments of the decade. As you view their list, ask yourself, "what does this tell us about the state of our culture?"
Blessed to be a Blessing
Psalm 67:1-2 (NIV)
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah 2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah 2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Why Require Unregenerate Children to Act Like They're Good?
John Piper poses a great question, and gives an even better answer.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Truth About Santa
I normally try to stay away from the controversial here on my blog, but I thought this might be a fun discussion, so here we go.....
A few weeks ago my 6-year old son created quite a stir in his Sunday School class when he boldy announced that Santa isn't real. There was at least one little girl who was very upset about this pronouncement. I haven't heard from her parents yet, but perhaps they just haven't tracked me down yet.
Every year around this time it's not unsual to hear parents questioning whether or not they should tell their children that Santa isn't real. From my son's announcement, you can probably guess my point of view. Yes, tell your children that Santa isn't real. Or, at least don't tell them that he is real. Why would I say that you may ask? Here are a few reasons:
1) He isn't real. I know that some adults like to pretend as if he is real, but the plain fact is that he isn't. And please don't give me the "he exists if we believe he exists" garbage.
2) We need to tell our children the truth. If my six-year old asks me if Santa is real and I tell him "yes", I am lying to him. As parents one of our most important responsibilities is to model truth-telling to our children. We do this in big and small things. While you might consider Santa a small thing, when it comes to the truth there really are no small things.
3) The primary and most important reason is that when we don't tell our kids the truth we send mixed messages about what Christmas is really about. Christmas is not about Santa, trees, lights, ornaments, and gifts. Check that...it is about a gift. The gift. The gift that God the Father gave in sending His only Son on a rescue mission. Christmas is about God becoming flesh as a baby boy born to a teenage virgin. A little baby that would grow up, live a perfect life, and die on a Roman cross as the penalty for our sin. That's what Christmas is about. And when we get fixated with Santa, and allow our children to do the same, we run the danger of failing to see Christmas amidst all the trappings that our culture brings to this special day. If you don't see the danger, take some time this year to notice how most American's celebrate Christmas without any recognition of the one from whom it's name is derived.
I suggest this: the next time your child asks you if Santa is real, take the opportunity to tell them the truth, about Santa and Jesus. Maybe this Christmas will be one that you will remember for a long time. The Christmas your child came to know Jesus as their Savior.
A few weeks ago my 6-year old son created quite a stir in his Sunday School class when he boldy announced that Santa isn't real. There was at least one little girl who was very upset about this pronouncement. I haven't heard from her parents yet, but perhaps they just haven't tracked me down yet.
Every year around this time it's not unsual to hear parents questioning whether or not they should tell their children that Santa isn't real. From my son's announcement, you can probably guess my point of view. Yes, tell your children that Santa isn't real. Or, at least don't tell them that he is real. Why would I say that you may ask? Here are a few reasons:
1) He isn't real. I know that some adults like to pretend as if he is real, but the plain fact is that he isn't. And please don't give me the "he exists if we believe he exists" garbage.
2) We need to tell our children the truth. If my six-year old asks me if Santa is real and I tell him "yes", I am lying to him. As parents one of our most important responsibilities is to model truth-telling to our children. We do this in big and small things. While you might consider Santa a small thing, when it comes to the truth there really are no small things.
3) The primary and most important reason is that when we don't tell our kids the truth we send mixed messages about what Christmas is really about. Christmas is not about Santa, trees, lights, ornaments, and gifts. Check that...it is about a gift. The gift. The gift that God the Father gave in sending His only Son on a rescue mission. Christmas is about God becoming flesh as a baby boy born to a teenage virgin. A little baby that would grow up, live a perfect life, and die on a Roman cross as the penalty for our sin. That's what Christmas is about. And when we get fixated with Santa, and allow our children to do the same, we run the danger of failing to see Christmas amidst all the trappings that our culture brings to this special day. If you don't see the danger, take some time this year to notice how most American's celebrate Christmas without any recognition of the one from whom it's name is derived.
I suggest this: the next time your child asks you if Santa is real, take the opportunity to tell them the truth, about Santa and Jesus. Maybe this Christmas will be one that you will remember for a long time. The Christmas your child came to know Jesus as their Savior.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Fascinating Article on Abortion in New York Magazine
Al Mohler comments on an amazing article on abortion in New York magazine. This is great news for the pro-life movement in America!
Christmas Tips for Dad
Mark Driscoll has 16 tips for dads to make most for their families during Christmas this year.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Top Books of 2009
One of my favorite bloggers, Tim Challies, lists his top nine books of 2009. Review the list here.
Family Research Council's New Report on the Effects of Pornography
Family Research Council has just released a comprehensive study entitled The Effects of Pornography on Individuals, Marrige, Family, and Community. Here are the critical points of the study:
•About 25 percent of those who go on the Internet do so for sexual purposes.
•Up to 90 percent of youth aged 15 to 17 reported accidentally coming across pornography online. About one quarter of these youth said this happens "somewhat or very often."
•The more often adolescents are exposed to sexually explicit material on the Internet, the more sexually uncertain they are.
•Adults who steadily consume pornography are three times as likely to be unfaithful to their spouses.
•In one study, 56 percent of divorce cases involved an obsessive interest in pornographic websites, and 33 percent involved excessive time in chat rooms (a commonly sexualized forum).
•Repeated exposure to pornography prompted respondents to consider engaging in "recreational sex" as important, and to be very accepting of sexual permissiveness.
•The use of Internet pornography makes participants almost four times more likely to engage in paid sex.
•A recent study of college freshmen found that habituation to pornography led to tolerance of sexually explicit material, requiring more novel or bizarre material to achieve the same level of arousal or interest.
•Internet sexual offenders report that more than 11 hours of their week is spent viewing pornographic images of children on the Internet.
•Pornography consumption is closely related to sexual aggression.
You can read the full report here.
•About 25 percent of those who go on the Internet do so for sexual purposes.
•Up to 90 percent of youth aged 15 to 17 reported accidentally coming across pornography online. About one quarter of these youth said this happens "somewhat or very often."
•The more often adolescents are exposed to sexually explicit material on the Internet, the more sexually uncertain they are.
•Adults who steadily consume pornography are three times as likely to be unfaithful to their spouses.
•In one study, 56 percent of divorce cases involved an obsessive interest in pornographic websites, and 33 percent involved excessive time in chat rooms (a commonly sexualized forum).
•Repeated exposure to pornography prompted respondents to consider engaging in "recreational sex" as important, and to be very accepting of sexual permissiveness.
•The use of Internet pornography makes participants almost four times more likely to engage in paid sex.
•A recent study of college freshmen found that habituation to pornography led to tolerance of sexually explicit material, requiring more novel or bizarre material to achieve the same level of arousal or interest.
•Internet sexual offenders report that more than 11 hours of their week is spent viewing pornographic images of children on the Internet.
•Pornography consumption is closely related to sexual aggression.
You can read the full report here.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Incarnation Poster
The Resurgence is offering a cool poster that succinctly explains the incarnation. Download it here.
December Free Audio Book
Christianaudio.com's free audio book for December is The Brother's Karamazov. You can download it here.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What is the most effective way for parents to influence their children?
Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage, answers this question here.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Hunting Tiger Woods
This week I have been mulling over writing a post about the Tiger Woods scandal, but CJ Mahaney beat me too it. You can read his excellent thoughts here.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Two Messages that Parents of Young Children Should Memorize
From Chris Brauns:
All your life, I have been willing to die for you. I can honestly tell you that it came down to your life or my life, I would give up mine on your behalf. So, if I am willing to die for you, then having you upset with me because I am protecting you is a relatively small thing in my world. If protecting you, means you being mad at me, then so be it.
Read the full article here.
All your life, I have been willing to die for you. I can honestly tell you that it came down to your life or my life, I would give up mine on your behalf. So, if I am willing to die for you, then having you upset with me because I am protecting you is a relatively small thing in my world. If protecting you, means you being mad at me, then so be it.
Read the full article here.
Church Signs
In my message this weekend I mentioned my dislike (an understatement) of many church signs. This morning I was sent a few pictures of such signs by a friend. Here are a few examples:
A Review of Palin's Rogue
Here is a good review of Sarah Palin's recent book Going Rogue. If you are a Palin fan, you might not like this, but I believe it to be a fair and honest assessment of the book and the woman behind it.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Girls Gone Mild
If you are a parent of a young girl, you need to watch this. Nightline ran a story last week entitled Girls Gone Wild about a ministry entitled Pure Fashion, that encourages young girls to dress modestly.
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