from wingdings to emojis

iJ&.!,

Get that?  Well, using wigdings might have been a funny way of typing when we were in high school, but today, communicating with images is the norm.  We seem to have moved from a written form of communication to communicating using images and symbols (emojis).  How do you deal with social media at your house?  I have read a couple of blogs recently that I think are interesting as you think about being connected and how your family uses social media.  In this blog the author discusses three technical advances in the past 20 years: 1. It’s all portable, 2. There’s no time limit, 3. It’s all around.  He follows with part 2, discussing the way kids think about technology: 1. Everything is temporary, 2. We’re image based culture, 3. There are no boundaries, 4. We’ve lost our privacy, 5. The internet is 24/7.  With these realities present in teenage (and adult) culture, we are going to have to adapt as we relate to one another, we as adults can help our kids learn strategies for using technology in a healthy way.  For me, I try to keep in mind that technology and social media are tools for productivity and relating to people, however they should never replace time spent and genuine relationships with real people.  As you think about how you and your family relate to technology and social media I’d love to hear how you strike a balance, what are your “rules or guidelines”?  How can we as a youth ministry help you as you learn about technology and social media and working with your kids?

LIFE!!

5 years ago we left the hospital with our first baby.  I remember the feeling as we started pulling out of the hospital parking lot… “WHAT ARE THEY THINKING TRUSTING ME TO TAKE CARE OF THIS TINY HUMAN!?”  Yes I meant that to be in ALL CAPS, the voice in my head was screaming.  I felt like there should have been more prep than running through some paper work and making sure we had a car seat to secure this tiny human on the car ride home.  A year ago, we brought #2 home, and believe it or not, I had the same thoughts: “WHAT WERE THOSE DOCTORS AND NURSES THINKING!?” But in the crash course of life we have figured out how to protect these children trusted to us.  We try to catch them before they fall, we hold them up in the pool, keep them out of traffic, you know all the things that protect them and keep them kicking.

But what if there is more?  I think there is…. Deuteronomy 32:46-47 gives us a post script charge that is meant to impart life to us and our families.  After Moses had given the law we have these verses: “take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law.  They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.  By them you will live long in the land…” (emphasis mine)

The words of scripture are not just idle words, not just a means of being spiritual or good, but the words of scripture are LIFE!  We are given these words to provide life to our children, our families, and the world around us. 

This week at youth we will be studying how to memorize scripture.  This is something I struggle with, but if we read, recite, review, repeat, we can hide God’s word in our hearts.  This isn’t just a good thing to do, it is LIFE!  Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (God).”  This is life, scripture imbedded in our hearts, minds, lives, not just keeping us alive, but giving us abundant life.

I hope you will join me in making the scriptures a regular part of our family’s life, one simple method: read, recite, review, repeat.  Impart life!

Knowing When to Stand Strong with your Teenager, part 2

Thank you for being that kind of parent! Thank you for being willing to show your vulnerability by your willingness to say you’re wrong. Thank you for being courageous in standing by what you say when you know you are right! And thank you for knowing the difference between the two!

I have often wondered how different the conversations would have been between Job and his friends when they were counseling him after he had lost almost everything in the book of Job if they had been willing to change their responses to him. Did they sound so right in their own ears that they missed how pious they sounded? And even when they were right, it was lost on Job because of their own self-righteousness! Job even followed their example by becoming self-righteous himself!

Do we do that to our own teens? By assuming we are right, do we not allow for the possibility that God needs a different word spoken? Let me encourage you to always be willing to ask yourself two questions as you walk with your teen through these years! Am I willing to show and teach humility by changing my mind if my decision is wrong? Am I willing to stand strong on what I truly believe is right no matter how hard it is? Courage and vulnerability always go hand in hand!

Some things to be aware of:
September 13- Homecoming we will have 1 morning worship service at 11am (no 9am), Sunday School will still be at 10am and the morning worship will be followed by lunch.  There will still be Sr. High youth at 6pm that night.

For the next 6 weeks we are doing a series on spiritual HABITS (Hang out with God, Accountable Friendships, Bible Memorization, Involvement in Church body, Tithing, Studying Scripture).  If you’d like resources, your own copy of a 12 session devotion, or thoughts on reinforcing these HABITS at home, let me know.

September 19- Fall Rally at Camp Cowen.  Cost= $5, leave Saturday morning, be back Saturday evening.  Sign up by September 13.

Knowing When To Stand Strong With Your Teenager Part 1

Dear Parent,

Have you ever had that moment when you are having a heated discussion with your teen but you are also having a verbal battle in your head with yourself? You know, when you’ve told them “no” as a knee jerk reaction, but you can’t for the life of you figure out why you said no. And as you stand there defending your decision, you are trying desperately to figure out how to save face and change your answer at the same time!

It’s not rocket science but it sure seems as difficult. Can I give you a suggestion when you find yourself in this situation? It’s not earth shattering, but I have found it to work. Stop, even if it’s in the middle of your sentence, and ask your teen to repeat their request. Seriously, it’s that simple. Take a moment to really listen to what they want, ask them questions that will help you more clearly understand the situation, and if necessary, tell them you have changed your mind.

This doesn’t show weakness at all. It does show your teenager that you know that sometimes you realize you are wrong. That shows wisdom. Sometimes, you change your mind because you know you are wrong. That shows courage. And wisdom and courage always result in respect.

And isn’t that one of the main things we want to teach our teens? Respect.

Check out the online parenting class for this month:https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/128265196/583814b696

Fall Rally signup deadline is September 13, check out info, cost is $15

Walking with you,

Lee