In Our Darkest Hour...

A history lesson:

Mid-winter celebrations have existed for centuries but it wasn't until the 4th Century that the church chose to celebrate the birth of Christ...and because the Bible doesn't mention any specific dates and because the Julian calendar hadn't yet existed...

The church chose December 25th - a holiday commonly associated with other mid-winter celebrations of pagan gods. Why? Partly because they hoped the popularity of "Christmas" or what was then termed the "Feast of the Nativity" would overtake pagan celebrations. While they sacrificed sole rights to the date and realized that they'd absorb several other traditions in the process...they believed December 25th increased their chances of the celebration being embraced.

Today the shortest day of the year occurs somewhere between December 20th and 24th...but centuries earlier December 25th was commonly the shortest day of the year - the winter solstice.


Why the history lesson? Because I have always wondered "why December 25th?" and I cannot help but assume the same for many others. Based on Scripture it's highly unlikely Christ was born during winter. So why celebrate then? Never before have I been able to see the significance of the timing of the season...but consider this:

On the shortest day of the year...the darkest day of the year...we celebrate the coming of a Savior. In our greatest time of need - a light shines through the darkness. Hope comes...

In our darkest hour...to us a child is born!

May this be a blessed Advent season for you and your family. May you experience the coming of a Savior in new and refreshing ways. And may you experience hope in your greatest times of need.

Soul Food...

It's easy for anyone, including parents, to forget the value of speaking words of encouragement and power...telling those we love - "I love you." Teenagers need discipline and boundaries among other things. But above all - my intuition tells me teens need to know they're loved. And while saying the words "I love you" convey the truth behind them...there are other ways to communicate love to your children:

Physical touch. At some point we begin to assume teens loathe hugs and kisses from their parents. While a wet one from mom can mean certain embarrassment in public - the warmth that comes from knowing they're loved outweighs temporary heckling. Hug your child!

Gifts. I realize what you're thinking - they have everything they could ever need or even want...true. But consider what gifts this holiday season will communicate "love." My dad is infamous for getting me off-the-wall random gifts...and last night as I pulled a Scottish Nutcracker from a box in our basement...I was thankful for the invaluable!

Food. My favorite passion in life!


Many people will tell you music is the universal language of the world...but I beg to differ! Food is the universal language. There is no better way to say "I love you" than a home-cooked meal. Let me explain...

The time...the thought...the perseverance...the resources...the "soul" that goes into preparing a meal communicates more to someone than we often imagine. Preparing a meal is giving a gift!

My fear is that family dinners are rapidly becoming a thing of the past...families seem able to gather around the dinner table for the holidays and an occasional day here and there. But quality time happens more nowhere else than around the dinner table. Stop. Stop yourself. Stop your teenagers. And sit down...take a respite from the hectic and enjoy food, family and conversation. It's practically like saying "I love you" with every bite!

I challenge you to a 5-day Food Challenge...spend one solid week - 5 straight days - eating together at the dinner table and see how it impacts your week and your family! I dare you to try it! Oh...and no television, texting or iPods allowed!

2008 American Music Awards...

this past Sunday winners of the 36th annual AMAs were announced in a show that featured a record-breaking 19 performances and music celebs galore...

Kanye West took home 2 AMAs including 'Favorite Male Rap/Hip Hop Artist' and 'Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album'


But the most hardware went to 19 year-old phenom Chris Brown...including 'Favorite Artist of the Year.'


Why should you know? Because - unlike the Grammys - the AMAs are voted by the people...excuse me...by teenagers via the internet! Who else are teens listening to? Below are the results:

Pop/Rock Category

• Favorite Male Artist: Chris Brown
• Favorite Female Artist: Rihanna
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Daughtry
• Favorite Album: "As I Am" by Alicia Keys

Country Category

• Favorite Male Artist: Brad Paisley
• Favorite Female Artist: Taylor Swift
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts
• Favorite Album: "Carnival Ride" by Carrie Underwood

Soul/Rhythm & Blues Category

• Favorite Male Artist: Chris Brown
• Favorite Female Artist: Rihanna
• Favorite Album: "As I Am" by Alicia Keys

Rap/Hip Hop Category

• Favorite Male Artist: Kanye West
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Three 6 Mafia
• Favorite Album: "Graduation" by Kanye West

Adult Contemporary

• Favorite Artist: Jordin Sparks

Alternative Rock Music

• Linkin Park

Contemporary Inspirational

• Third Day

T-Mobile Favorite Breakthrough Artist

• Jonas Brothers
  

twilight...

is here...


Starting at 12:01 am tonight...theaters across the nation will be engulfed with teenagers anticipating the highly acclaimed release of 'Twilight.' As one writer comments..."if you haven't heard of Twilight, what rock have you been living under?"

This summer I sought out several new reads and while perusing the shelves of Tattered Cover came across the intriguing storyline of 'Twilight'...a modern day remix of Romeo and Juliet...with vampires. And now having read the books, can hardly disagree with the millions who have been captivated by the world author Stephenie Meyers has created...the 4 book series is one interwoven page-turner! But for several million teenage girls...the story of 'Twilight' has become an obsession.

'Twilight' tells the story of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen - a forbidden love story between a 'plain, simple' girl and an 'impossibly beautiful, perfect' vampire.

Richard Corliss of the 'Times' writes (note the 'obsession')...

"You needn't read 'Twilight' to know where its secret pulses reside. Just see the movie version and listen to the reactions of the girls in the theater. There's an audible shiver as they first spy the teen vampire Edward Cullen, his impossibly gorgeous face caked in a mime's pallor, sitting in biology class next to young Bella Swan. When he holds an apple in his hands to present to her - the novel's cover image - the girls emit an awestruck sigh, as if they'd just seen Zac Efron in the flesh or a puppy on YouTube."

Vampires are not the central focus of 'Twilight'...love is. And what estrogen-crazed teenage girl isn't seeking "love?" Any wonder why High School Musical is so intensely popular? It's not "just" the songs!

While 'Twilight' offers something much deeper than the more recent teen ventures of 'Superbad' and "sex, sex, sex...and more sex," the line between love and lust is often more blurred than we imagine. And the fascination between Bella and Edward often flirts with the line between the two...a line teenagers themselves flirt with often. One writer even describes teen's fascination with the novels and movie as "innocent lust." Is there such a thing?

'Twilight' has several redeeming characteristics and is a welcome change from the sex-crazed, grossly-inappropriate humor Hollywood has produced the last several years...but raises important questions about love...and about lust. Ask your teen where characteristics of love present themselves in the book, and more importantly, where characteristics of lust can be seen.

The reality is teenagers are experiencing feelings of both love and lust...and distinguishing the difference between the two is critical - start the conversation at home! Let's not stay hidden 'beneath the rocks'

Batman and Jesus...

So far...2008 has belonged to the superheroes!

While the latest Bond installment and a vampire novel-made-movie remain, the highest grossing movies to date include...

1. The Dark Knight
2. Iron Man
3. Indiana Jones 4
4. Hancock

Together these 4 raked in over 1.3 billion dollars! Hollywood is tremendously influential in our culture and it's important that we know the movies teens watch and engage with the storylines, characters, morals and values being taught.

Take the top 2 movies of 2008 for example...

The Dark Knight follows Batman Begins original storyline highlighted by the late Heath Ledger's Oscar worthy portrayal of 'the Joker.' It's premise? While Batman continues the fight for justice in crime-ridden Gotham...the Joker believes that the world is inherently evil and fights to reveal the hidden darkness in everyone, including Batman.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And while we live in a fallen world effected by sin, do we have the capacity to choose 'good?' Are teens capable of living lives of integrity? Are we inherently evil? or inherently good? The Dark Knight raises several critical questions!

And the same can be said of Iron Man...Robert Downey Jr's surprise performance and the year's biggest surprise by far. Tony Stark, Downey's character, lives a life of success and luxury as the world's leading weapons manufacturer. But after seeing his weapons and technology in the hands of terrorists begins to question what is 'right' and 'wrong,' and whether he has wasted his life.

Teens face issues of 'right' and 'wrong' on every level...and Iron Man shows the difficulty in sometimes choosing 'right' as Tony Stark is harrassed not only by naysayers but by his closest friends as well.

Take every opportunity to respond to Hollywood's message to your teenager. We must be willing to wrestle with the values being taught in movie theatres! Remember...Christ in culture!

text acronyms...

Gone are the days of face-to-face or even over-the-phone conversations...teens text now. And they text anywhere and anytime. With it's growing popularity texting has developed a language all its own. And in effort to keep you in 'the know' with the teens you know and love - below is a short list of common acronyms. Warning...some may be quite scary to swallow!

143 or 459 - I love you

182 - I hate you

CD9 - Code 9, parents are around

F2F - Face to face

HAK - Hugs and kisses

IWSN - I want sex now

KOTL - Kiss on the lips

KPC - Keeping parents clueless

MOS - Mom over shoulder

P911 - Parent alert

PAL - Parents are listening

PAW - Parents are watching

PIR - Parent in room

POS - Parent over shoulder

PRON - Porn

ROTFL - Rolling on the floor laughing

FB - F*** buddy

G2G - Got to go

ILU or ILY - I love you

KFY - Kiss for you

L8R - Later

MOOS - Member of the opposite sex

MOSS - Member of the same sex

TOM - Tomorrow

Kitty - Vagina

Banana - Penis

TDTM - Talk dirty to me

While teens are secretive and will likely never show you their texts...it's helpful to know the lingo. Stay informed!

sex and drugs...but please not sports!

I cringed as I read Walt Mueller's article "Turf Worship." We are easily willing to address the intersection between sex or music and faith...but talking about sport and faith? Eventually I hesitantly agreed that "talking about the intersection of faith and sport with your kids is not an option. It is a necessity." Below are several excerpts from the article...it's okay to cringe - I did.

The sports landscape has shifted dramatically..."It used to be that kids hurried home from school, changed into their play clothes and went outside to wear holes in their knees through, well, play! Now [they] experience sports that are organized for them complete with regular practices, fancy uniforms, skill clinics, expensive equipment, summer camps, the best playing fields and arenas, coaches, paid officiating, aggressive game schedules, out-of-state-travel, weekend tournaments, and, perhaps worst of all, screaming and yelling fans. The price they pay for all this 'priviledge' may be some of the very things that make childhood what it is...And, all the running around cuts deeply into time together as a family."

With the shifting landscape comes increasing pressures. Not sure? Pick up a copy of Friday Night Lights. And, "the pressure's even greater when parents live vicariously..."

And how has the church reacted to sport? "A Christian friend who's a college basketball coach recently told me about taking his team to play at a Christian college. On the ride back to campus...his players - none of them Christians - asked a question prompted by the behavior of the host team's players and fans: 'Are all Christians hypocrites?' " It seems we would often rather avoid the connection between faith and sport altogether.

So what can we do? "Our mistakes in the past have been to either embrace the prevalent cultural attitudes without thought or question as to how those relate to our faith, or - to a lesser degree - to react against those realities with a pendulum swing that demonizes and ultimately dismisses sport as apparatus on the devil's playground...Our goal should not be to eliminate sport, but to cleanse sport of darkness and depravity wherever it exists."

"The play we organize and facilitate should emphasize competition marked by grace, rather than cut-throat war...we should be able to embrace each other as everyone says, 'Now that was fun!' "

"As with all of life, we must view all things in light of eternity. And, we must realize that if our priorities are right, any sting or joy that exists after the game will quickly disappear."

"Disciple kids into integrating their faith into their play...[sports] are arenas in which to encourage [teens] to play to the glory of God."

"The North American idol of sport needs to crumble. No, sport doesn't need to be abolished. We shouldn't forsake watching and cheering for our favorite teams. What we must do is realize that the 'created thing' cannot take the place of the Creator in our lives. Teach your kids through your words and your example that there is a huge difference between the idolatrous error of 'worshipping the god of sport,' and the right response of 'worshipping God through our involvement in sport.' "

In the end..."We've forgotten that all sports are games. Games are meant to be played. Play is meant to be fun." I cringed once again as I quoted Mueller's article, but we must begin to integrate faith and play - whether it be sports, dance, music or even drama. Abandoning sports is not the answer...but taking a look at the place that sports has taken in our lives and in the lives of our teens is critical.

Walt Mueller is the President of CPYU (Center for Parent/Youth Understanding). Photo was taken by Johannes Frandsen.

image is everything...

...and the phrase is no less applicable in high school. Teens are bombarded with images. Shows such as "Project Runway" and "America's Next Top Model" are more popular than ever...and even "I Want a Famous Face" and "Extreme Makeover." Celebrities to imitate. Commercial appeals to wear this...and look like this. The images come from every angle...

Last year nearly 11.7 million plastic surgeries were performed in the U.S. And over 205 thousand of those were teenagers. And according to research and surgeons alike...the numbers are continuing to grow. Whether plastic surgery, though, is appropriate or not is not the central question...but the underlying issues that teens face.

Psychologist Ann Kearney-Cooke writes, "Kids spend a lot of time in chat rooms and they're bombarded by the media with these unrealistic images...When you're a teenage girl, there's this whole myth of transformation that's very powerful: namely that cosmetic surgery can transform your looks and your life. It's as though the question 'Who am I?' has been replaced with 'What image do I want to project?' "

While plastic surgery is one sign of evidence that teens are striving for an "image"...a second is certainly eating disorders. The chances you know someone with an eating disorder are staggering. And like plastic surgery...the numbers continue to rise. Teen Health released the following article that parents may find helpful: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/eat_disorder.html. It's estimated that at least 1 or 2 in every 100 teens suffers from an eating disorder.

The central question of adolescence is "Who am I?" - finding one's identity is the goal of adolescence. But teens often find themselves answering, "Who does everyone want me to be?" Every teenager to some degree feels the need to conform to the images that are projected...the need to look, act and even speak to attract positive reactions from their peers. And it's not only girls who are caught in the problem: guys have similar pressures to conform...they too have an image to uphold.

Families and churches must join the cause - the cause to affirm the beauty of teenagers as God has created them...even "Dove" has joined the cause with their own "Beautiful" campaign. What can you do?

• Be aware of the pressures your teens face. Ignorance is not bliss.


• Be a source of encouragement.


• Be intentional about the positive words you say towards your teen.


• Open up dialogue about these issues...and provide a safe place for your teen to be honest about the struggles they're facing.


• Encourage your teen towards positive environments that reaffirm who they are.


• And most importantly - wash your children in the truth that they are a new creation IN Christ. We find our identities in God...pray that your teen will find their identity in him.

And if your teen is hurting or struggling with an eating disorder - please don't hesitate to seek help! You can contact our ministry at (303) 991 4999

let me check my calendar...

Fill in the blank...

• "Hey - How're things going for you?" "Oh they're good - just staying [ ]"
• "You know I'd love to, but I really can't - I'm just too [ ]"
• "[ ] as a bee!"

We are busy. It is a simple fact. But is it a good thing? Various sources will tell you it's good...others that it's bad. So what are we to think of our busy lives? Being "busy" may not be a bad thing in and of itself...but did you know that the average father spends 3 minutes a day with their children? 3 minutes! Maybe - just maybe - being busy is not always such a good thing.

In October Aspen Grove Student Ministries heads for the hills - our 2nd annual Nederland Retreat...the purpose being for students to "retreat" from the busy-ness that often overtakes their lives. When recently asked why they weren't going...one teenager replied - "I'm just really busy." My initial thought..."Exactly!" The reality is our teenagers are busy...maybe too busy. But another reality is that you're busy...maybe too busy. The tyranny of the urgent, the pressure to succeed, things to which we can't say "no" and a fast-paced society all contribute to the inescapability of being busy.

HomeWord Ministries provides 5 tips for busy parents and an additional 6 tips for busy teenagers that I encourage you to read and consider applying to your lives and to your teen's:

• "5 tips for Helping Busy Parents Reprioritize Their Lives" - http://www.homeword.com/Articles/ArticleDetail.aspx?iArticleId=117
• "How to Get Your Kids Involved but Not Overcommitted"- http://homeword.com/Articles/ArticleDetail.aspx?iArticleId=399

And the fact is that being busy may be keeping you from something more...from doing the things that really matter! Kerry and Chris Shook recently released the New York Times Bestseller "One Month to Live" - challenging audiences to live the next 30 days as though they were their last. If you had one month...only one...how would your life change? What would you begin to say "no" to so that you could say "yes" to the things that matter.

Don't let "busy-ness" rule your life! Besides...even God rested (Genesis 2:2)!

but I'm not 18...

Who're you voting for? It's the question you'll be asked for the next several weeks. Barack Obama or John McCain? And you'll be challenged to look at the issues...

But what about your teenagers? I haven't forgotten that teenagers must be 18 in order to vote...but let's imagine...who would your teen vote for? What issues are important to them? And is it important for teenagers to know the issues?

-

Various teens, in a recent interview by the Courier Journal, were quoted...

"Sit down and talk to [teens]."

"Talk about the issues that are going to affect them, not only now but in the future. I think the environment is a thing that a lot of teens care about."

"One issue they should address is college admission."

"Politics is kind of like listening to your grandpa tell a story about way back when. It's not too grab-at-you entertaining, but it's important."

"Teens need to realize that it's going to affect you. It's important that they realize that earlier...Kids need to learn about politics earlier in life."

-

Parents...continue watching debates, scanning CNN and MSNBC, dialoguing with friends and co-workers and wrestling with issues...but consider involving your teenager in what's happening.

Force the issues and allow them tough questions about the issues and about the candidates. Be open and honest about what's happening this election. And consider issues that may be important to them...

Roe v Wade...Education...the Environment...the War in Iraq...Economy

While they may not be able to vote...your teenager is still important to this year's election and it's important that they know the issues. What happens affects them! Seize the opportunity to dialogue with your teen!

And check out http://www.youthnoise.com/ to learn more about teens and politics or visit http://www.votesmart.org/ to learn more about current issues and the presidential candidates.

dogs...

We did it...we caved...this weekend my wife and I adopted a dog. We adopted a lovely Beagle from the Boulder Valley Humane Society. And though we won't likely duplicate what Uno (pictured below) accomplished this year by being the first Beagle to win the Westminster Dog Show...we have high hopes for Nevi, the newest addition to our family.

We attended our first puppy class last night and the primary goal behind the class was to educate owners to be leaders. If you're like me then you've seen Cesar Milan's show, 'The Dog Whisperer' and watched in amazement as he seemingly waves an obedience wand and mesmerizes dogs to follow him. But what he's really doing and where the dog's owners have failed is...Cesar is leading. Our instructor informed the class last night that there are only two positions available...leader and follower. And that dogs need a leader...

I'm fully aware that comparing dogs and teenagers can seem a stretch. But being a leader with your teenager may not be quite the same stretch. The author of Proverbs writes to parents, "Train a child in the way he/she should go (22:6)." Like dogs...teenagers need a leader.

As I awoke earlier than I have all year this morning, shouted the word 'no' at least 26 times within the span of 15 minutes and cleaned up our hardwood floors after Nevi twice in the span of 1 hour I couldn't help but feel crazy! And the thought of raising children creeped into my mind...ha. As parents I want to encourage you with two ways you can continue to 'lead' your children...

1) Proverbs tells us to "train" a child. Another way to understand "train" is to use the word "dedicate." "[Dedicate] your child in the way he/she should go." Rather than shouldering the burden alone...continually dedicate your teens and their lives to the authors of their lives...God.

2) Remember being careful of what to say when your children were repeating everything you said? Things really haven't changed. Genesis 18: 19 reads, "...he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just." They're continuing to watch and immulate you...'where' are you leading your teenager? Want your teenager to be immersed in God's Word...then be immersed in God's Word. Want your teen to be commited to the Body of Christ when they leave your home...then commit yourself to the church. Lead by example. You will be able to direct and lead your children by what you do yourself.

Keep in mind...this morning I did everything I was supposed to do and Nevi continued to chew on Nancy's slippers...so I can only continue to try. There are never fool-proof plans or magic steps to success and wands that turn things right. But you can always continue to try. And my hope is that Aspen Grove Student Ministries can be a source of encouragement and support as you continue to 'lead' your teens. Need something? You can contact us anytime!

teenagers, Paris Hilton and Jesus...

Flipping channels this weekend we came across something we had to stop and see..."Paris Hilton's My New BFF." Ha!

Paris Hilton is searching for a new best friend via reality television. And the show will be as humorous, trashy and ridiculous as you can imagine. My wife and I only watched briefly before continuing on, but I couldn't help but think...a lot of teenagers, including yours, will be watching this show...


The majority of the posts on this blog have to do with culture and Christ...and how the two relate in terms of your teenagers. I recently came across the article, "Pop Goes the Church," where pastor Tim Stevens writes,

"We are surrounded by pop culture. Every family, every community, and every church has to deal with this reality. It is a new day...We live squarely in the middle of a media-driven, entertainment-crazed world. People around us are not only watching and listening - they are actually shaping their values through the movies, books, songs and TV shows that fill their world. We can get angry about that. We can throw a tantrum, sign a petition, and support a boycott. That's all fine and dandy. But it won't change the facts. The influence of pop culture is here, and it is here to stay. And it is having a drastic impact on the way the people around us pursue and experience their faith."

As ridiculous and outlandish Paris' show may be...it touches on something deep inside us all...the need for community - for friends. My hope is that you can begin to engage your student in conversations using what they're already experiencing...

Stevens later writes, "Somehow, our theology has taught us that God speaks only at church. He only talks to us through his written word or through an individual (aka pastor of priest) who has been trained. This belief is very confusing to us when we feel God tugging at our heart through culture."

I recently watched a movie with no Christian ties or implications...but at the end I had been profoundly impacted. As I wiped away the tears, I realized I had experienced God in a way I had never expected. My goal through this blog is to help you as a parent to better understand the culture your teenager finds themselves in - but my passion is for you to engage your teenager where they are. Rather than shutting off the tv when you find your teen watching "Paris' New BFF," create a conversation...then choose whether to shut it off or not.

Check out how Paul, in Acts 17, chooses to engage the Athenians with God's truth. As families...be weary of embracing or immersing yourself in culture, but be weary of condemning or seperating yourself from culture...instead let's leverage culture!

sex and mtv...

What's the hottest name in Hollywood? Correction...the hottest 3 names in Hollywood collectively? The Jonas Brothers (chances are if you have a teenage daughter you're already well familiarized with their faces)...

And the most talked about event from Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) isn't who won best new artist or music video of the year...not even Kanye's performance or what Chris Brown wore...it's about the silver rings the Jonas Brothers are wearing around their fingers...

Promise rings stole the show Sunday night after British comedian and VMA Host Russell Brand took a stab at the Jonas Brothers choice to wear promise rings. And the topic only heated up when singer Jordin Sparks later spoke out, "I just have one thing to say about promise rings...It's not bad to wear a promise ring, because not everybody - guy or girl - wants to be a slut." You can read more about what happened and the ensuing discussion on the Today Show at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26622839/.

Maybe your teen caught the VMAs or maybe not, but what's being said on MTV and news reports following provides a chance for you to discuss the topic with your teen. Sex Education is and will continue to be a hot topic for Christian parents. And the reality is your teen is having the discussion of sex and what to do about it with their peers, with schools and with others...are they having the discussion with you? Talk to your teenager about sex and about abstinence. They need and want to know what you think and believe about the topic...As awkward a conversation as it may seem to be...just give it a try...they may say "ewww" when you bring it up, but they'll be all the better for it.

And what does God say...that we're to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Cor 6:18) and to find sexual pleasure in marriage and in it alone (Prov 5:18, 19). Not to mention Genesis 1:27 which lets us know God created sex...and in the end he called it...good! For more on what the Bible says about sex and marriage... http://www.biblebb.com/files/tniv/chastity.txt.

what they're listening to...

Our post below highlights some up and coming Christian artists worthy of turning your teens onto. This post...maybe not so much:

The reality is teenagers listen to anything and everything, including new artist Katy Perry. Blender magazine labeled Katy "the next big thing" and Teen People as "one to watch." This Sunday, Katy will be nominated as Best New Artist at the annual MTV Video Music Awards. And her latest single, "I Kissed A Girl" has been this summer's hottest single. What does this mean? It means your teenager has heard of Katy Perry...and listened. And it's important that you've heard of Katy Perry too...

What is "I Kissed A Girl" about? Exactly what it says. Lyrics include "I kissed a girl and I liked it/The taste of her cherry chapstick/I kissed a girl just to try it" and "so magical, soft skin, red lips, so kissable, hard to resist so touchable, too good to deny it, ain’t no big deal, it’s innocent" and describes the feeling as "so wrong" yet "so right" and writes this "don’t mean I’m in love tonight."

And the reality is Perry's song is an honest indication of teen culture, highlighted by sexual experimentation. Homosexuality has gone from disregarded to accepted to praised in many ways in teen culture. And teenagers, whether experiencing homosexual feelings or not, are willing to "experiment" sexually. And the culture tells teens today it's healthy to give anything and everything a try, encourages them to follow their feelings and normalizes things that are not "innocent."

Christian author and cultural expert, Walt Mueller writes, "Because it serves to direct young viewers and listeners, 'I Kissed a Girl' is more than a song kids will listen to. It actually serves as a map to life, guiding impressionable kids into accepting and practicing the values, attitudes, and behaviors that are depicted and promoted in the song. This includes a postmodern ethical relativism, and homosexuality...Feelings [for teens today] are the guide for life."

So what? So Katy Perry has provided us with an opportunity to engage in discussions with teens that we might otherwise not. Talk to your teenager about what they're listening to and about what it means for them. And while we may often listen without thinking...don't assume that your teen hasn't listened or isn't affected by the lyrics of "I Kissed A Girl." F.Y.I...Katy Perry was raised in a Christian home with two Christian pastors for parents and previously released a Christian album in 2001 under her real name Katheryn Hudson.

Talk to your teenagers about what their guide for life and for decisions is...is it their feelings?

music...

Wanting to hear something different playing through your teen's ipod? Below are a few recommendations...


Britt Nicole //

Want someone besides Paris and Lindsay to have an influence on your daughter? Britt Nicole's debut album, 'Say It' may just be what you're looking for...

She writes, "We have all experienced pain, fear, rejection, and wondered at some point if love was even real. While writing for this record, God brought healing into my own life and I believe that He is going to use these songs to bring healing to yours."

Hawk Nelson //

Pop-rock never sounded so good. Their latest album release, "Hawk Nelson is My Friend" is a sure sign of much more to come from this still-young band.

Hawk Nelson writes, "So many people are struggling today. Most of all they need a friend, and we believe everyone has a friend in God."


Leeland //

What's not to love about this worship band from Texas? Sincere hearts, strong lyrics and great music make good for their newest album "Opposite Way."

Front man Leeland Mooring writes, "A major theme on our new album is to encourage our generation to live passionately for the Lord, even when it means going the 'opposite way' of the world."