INFO for Families

These Clips Get Me Thinking

Why am I such a zealot about guiding my teenage kids through the issues of dating, sex, and other unmentionables? It's because the stakes are so high. The trajectory they get on and the choices they make now have the power to impact them throughout their adult lives.

Biblical principles declare it.

Current scientific studies confirm it.

The troubled marriages I encounter prove it.

And some stuff below that I found on YouTube illustrates it.

We used some of these videos in our presentation at Johnson Ferry over the past weeks. And we referred to some of the others. They all get me thinking.

Mark Gungor gives a great presentation about why these issues matter in marriage...and how the foundations are laid when we are teens.

   

 

This Gnarls Barkley music video illustrates powerfully the connections that happen when we give our heart and lives to someone who isn't our spouse. But be aware: in addition to being truthful, it's a bit funky and a lot bloody...in an "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" sort of way. Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

 

Including this video after the Gnarls Barkley one enables me to channel my inner Osmond. I have included both "a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll." (If you were born before 1972, you will probably need to ask somebody what that means.) Taylor Swift's song "Fifteen" beautifully and tragically captures the choices that many of our teens make as well as the regrets they are left with.

 

 

Mark Driscoll is very conservative in his theology but something of a "shock jock" in his delivery. Think A.W. Tozer mixed with Howard Stern. I love this brief clip in that it encourages us to consider WHY our kids want to have a girlfriend/boyfriend. Driscoll is rather extreme in his perspective, but I think he's on to something.

 

Are there any other videos you have encountered that get you thinking deep thoughts about these issues? Please feel free to share them with the rest of us!

 

 

Music P!%nography For the Masses

*The following post uses the "p word" several times. I wanted to make sure your filter didn't block it, so I have "edited" the word. Hope that's not too confusing. Carry on...

Every generation questions the music of the younger generation. It's my right as a parent and I'm darn sure going to exercise it.

"Turn down that garbage!"

"You call that music?"

I sound just like my parents. I'm not proud of myself, but it's reality.

So I know it sounds a bit cliche when I say that much of the music being played on your typical top 40 music station is essentially p!%nography. Before you start calling me an antiquated geezer, please know that there are some people in the music industry who agree.

Recently, Mike Stock, a successful record producer from Britain, declared that pop music today is “99 percent soft p!%nography.” I think he's right.

From the themes to the content to the music videos, many in the music industry are proving the axiom that "sex sells." Walt Mueller's CPYA blog suggested that parents view Katy (of "I Kissed a Girl" fame) Perry's new video for her hit "Teenage Dream."

Wow.

I would characterize the video as the "p" word. It's a catchy tune.  But the video is truly shocking stuff. If it was being marketed to an adult audience, it would be bad enough. But the song has "teenage" in the title. And it was number one on iTunes last week.

Oh, and did I mention that Miss Perry served as the host of Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards this year? it's troubling, to say the least.

But maybe I'm just being an old fart and I should just let kids be kids. Oh, did I mention that number two on iTunes was Ke$ha's song "Take it Off?" Yeah, I never can pronounce her name right, but I know she's pretty big with the youngsters these days. Her song isn't a metaphor for something bigger. It's just about taking your clothes off.

There is some great commentary on this issue in the most recent edition of the Christian Index. Author Rebecca Hagelin has some really good things to say.

Parents should take notice. And stay on guard. But don't freak out. Keep calm. Keep talking with your kids. Don't move into record burning territory. That's rarely productive. Even for small town Florida pastors.

Watch This Video of a Great Song by a Great Guy

Today I hand over the INFO for Families Blog to Johnson Ferry Middle School Minister Chris Connor for a guest post. He's encouraging us all to support JF staff member John McCullough in his quest to be on stage at a big soiree that a local station is putting on.

What does it have to do with marriage and parenting? Not much. Except that John is married. And I think he, at one time or another, has had parents. It's all about relevance, people.

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Here’s a shameless plug for our very own John McCullough. There is a contest that 104.7 the Fish is hosting to find a local artist as an opening act for a concert in a few weeks. Kevin Hunnel made sure that John entered but he is a little late getting into the game. That means we need to help him get some views on Youtube. So I am putting a link to his video entry in this email and you need to go watch the video at least a thousand times, well maybe five or more. So click the link that follows this …  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikiHFySGhog&feature=PlayList&p=3E0B286607F6CDE4&index=2&playnext=30 and show your support for Johnny MC.

The link is to a playlist so if you just left the browser window open his video will loop continuously…more video hits is what we are going for. If you don’t like to have music playing when you are working or you get tired of hearing the same song twenty times, click the mute button and just let the video play.

 

 

Hope this email finds you all doing well.

Top 10 Lists for Media This Week

The folks over at the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding occasionally release their top ten lists of all things media. As a parent, it's always interesting for me to see what is popular in movies, music, music videos, etc. In many cases, I don't have a clue who have the artists are. But it can make for interesting discussions with the kids.

Anyway, here's their most recent release.

CPYU Top Tens as of May 16, 2010

I Want to Punch Billy Ray in the Face

I'm not usually prone to fits of rage. I don't typically advocate violence. But I might be willing to make an exception.

I saw a link on my MSN home page yesterday that referenced the "racy new Miley Cyrus video." I have kids who have grown up watching the drivel on the Disney Channel and I've been watching the trajectory of young Miley's career for years, so I couldn't NOT look.

There will be many debates on line about the appropriateness of the video and the intentions of this young artist. There may even be discussions about the creative merit of the clip. But I don't care much about any of that. She's a young talent that is simply riding the wave of her stardom. She will most likely do whatever her handlers (managers, agents, publicists, etc.) encourage her to do. After all, they have a significant financial interest in the success of her future endeavors.

And this is a critical time. Everyone around her is certainly asking: Will she be able to make the transition from "teen idol" to "serious adult artist?" They are probably losing sleep over it. I'm sure her new video is a strategic component of their overall job security plan. But who is watching out for Miley?

That's why I want to punch Billy Ray in the face. He's the dad. That's his job. It's his responsibility to step in and say "No. It's not worth it. I would love for my daughter to have success, but not if she has to do this."

I'm sure he will release a statement in the coming days in response to all the criticism he is likely to get. I can't wait to hear what he says. But I'm betting that it's going to make me even more mad at him. I want to extend him grace and love...and I'm going to try. But our daughters need dads who will love them enough to protect them...even from themselves.

Anybody want to hold him down for me?

Here's the video. And just because I'm posting it here, it doesn't necessarily mean that I think you should watch it. Use your own judgment there.

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/watch-miley-cyrus-racy-new-music-video/20xlg6p9
 

 

Review of The Rocket Summer's "Of Men and Angels"

This isn't necessarily a "family-focused" blog post, but I wanted to take advantage of this medium to tell you to go out and buy the new album by "The Rocket Summer." My friend Bryce does everything on the record (write, sing, play all the instruments) and it truly is a breakthrough project.

Bryce was in my youth ministry back in the late 90's and it has been a thrill to watch his career unfold. I performed he and his wife Tara's wedding about 5 years ago so he's become sort of a "Timothy" in my life.

Anyway, the record debuted 2 weeks ago. It was #1 on iTunes for several days and a week later had found itself on the Billboard Album charts: #38 of the top 200 Albums, #4 on the Rock Album chart, and #2 on the Christian Album chart (snugly wedged between TobyMac and Casting Crowns). All this without any radio airplay to date.

He's a roaring lion trying to make a difference for Christ in the general market, and you should buy his record.

See a review of the record on the Relevant Magazine site: "Of Men and Angels" Review  There is also a link to a nice interview they did with Bryce.

 

 

 

  

When it Comes to Kids' Music Choices, Parents Must Keep Their Heads in the Game

There's a new CD by Ashely Tisdale that's climbing the Billboard chart. As one of the squeaky-clean stars in the Disney Channel universe, it's no doubt that preteen girls are buying up this release by the cartload. 

But while it would be easy as a parent to kick into auto-pilot and assume that this sweet, young lady who cut her entertainment teeth in the world of Mickey Mouse would be perfect music for their kids. You could think that, but you'd be wrong. I encourage you to look a little bit closer.

Plugged-In, a ministry of Focus on the Family, does a great job of analyzing the content and worldview of many of the artists, movies, and TV shows that are attracting our kids.  For the parent who wants to stay in touch without having to slug through their child's entire iPod library, it can be a great place to start.

Specifically, they have an excellent review of Tisdale's new CD, aptly titled "Guilty Pleasure." You can find it here.  It's quite shocking, especially based upon the music's target audience. (To explore other music and entertainment releases, the site is linked over on the left-hand column of this blog.)

One more thing...if you discover your child has an interest in music or a movie that you feel is not appropriate for him or her, DO NOT kick into book-burning mode. Instead, talk about it with your kids. While you may need to make the call for them about what they are allowed to listen to or watch, it's your responsibility to help them to learn to make wise choices on their own. You can only make choices for them for so long, so you might as well help them to start doing it now. That's the mark of a wise parent.

Be wise....