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?

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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."

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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?