In times of terror and tragedy, how can we talk with teenagers in a way that will help them cope and even thrive? I was encouraged to have some great conversations with my 14-year-old son this week regarding the Boston Marathon Bombing, the Ricin mailings, and the Texas Fertilizer Explosion…not to mention the other “regular” stresses that have impacted his everyday adolescent life.…
When playing video games, some people like stealth, and hiding while sniping. Others want to control the battle from the back by using “magic.” Me? I’m usually the Tank. Big. Brawny. And ready to jump into the thick of battle. In Borderlands 2 I’m known as a Gunzerker, because when I get mad, I can wield a weapon in each hand.…
Yup, you read right. It’s time to admit that sharing the Good News about Jesus should be left to the professionals. Let’s be honest: Students don’t always do everything right. They mess up. They get it wrong. They don’t do things exactly how we would want them to.…
Editor’s Note: Jeff Wallace is an anomaly. He’s a longtime African-American youth ministry innovator in the urban world who feels just as comfortable in the outer-space of the white suburban world. He’s a respected strategist in the urban ministry context, but has used ideas he co-opted from the suburban world to invigorate his approach.…
Aurora, Colo.—Chaos erupted Friday during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, when a heavily armed gunman opened fire in a packed theater. Witnesses said the gunman entered an emergency door, threw tear gas, and started shooting at the terrified audience.…
By Marv Penner Kaylee’s urgent text message shouldn’t have surprised me: “We need to talk marv, not doin good. can we plz get together soon.” I set down my phone and that nagging inner voice jabbed at me—“You really should’ve pursued her first.”…
We all have stories that mark profound passages from darkness to light. One of mine happened during a conversation with a junior high girl who’d just served as a leader in a churchwide worship experience during Holy week. This girl had spent several days leading people from her congregation into a deeper relationship with Jesus through an interactive devotional experience.…
Jack White is an iconoclast. He has charisma. He has musical chops. He loves the blues. He’s been part of three bands—two of which were good, and one of which was GREAT. He plays guitars made out of strung wire and Coke bottles—as though he feels he has to work harder for the incredible talent he’s been given…paying some sort of penance for it.…
By Lane Palmer at Dare 2 Share “Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies.…
This is me being honest: I feel I was born to network. I remember one summer I was all about collecting bottles and going to the convenience store to turn them in and get candy. Those were some of my best memories.…
