Isn't Everybody a Christian?

Over the years changes have been coming to the appearance of religion and spirituality throughout North America. For years, especially in the United States, it seemed that everyone was a Christian. It was just a part of the fabric of society. Many went to Church. Many claimed Christianity as their belief system. Not so anymore. 

A recent survey by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life says that the number of Protestants has fallen below 50 percent for the first time in American history. The followers of Catholicism are continuing pace, but that appears to be mostly due to immigration, because many U.S. born Catholics are leaving the church.

The survey also revealed another startling fact: The number of people who are not affiliated with any faith rose 4 percent in just the last five years. Nearly 20 percent of the population say they are of no specific faith at all.

For some this is a discouraging thought. In my perspective ... it opens the possibility that those who  claim to be Christians, may actually be followers of Christ, not simply followers of a culturally accepted religion with little impact on life. 

Webinar Announcement!

This is a must watch for parents, grandparents, and youth workers! A very valuable $25 if you order the webinar. Clink the link below to get all the details.

http://www.cpyuresourcecenter.org/webinar-12-6-2012.html

The Barbie Effect

Want to know where culture is going? Take a look at Barbie to see how things have changed:

Barbie is so unrealistic that she would not be considered healthy if she were a real woman. It is said that if Barbie were a real life woman she would be over 6' tall, over a 40 inch bust and a 22" waist. The average american woman is 5'3 with a 37" waist. This creates an extremely dangerous gap between the desired look of young girls and the typical reality. This simple "toy" creates anxiety and negative body image for young girls today. Girls today need to see an example of beauty demonstrated through a healthier lens. They need to see beauty as not defined by thin waists and large busts.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." I Peter 3:3-4

Webinar: Pornography and your kids

I have discussed some of the crisis in our culture surrounding the issue of pornography, but what can we do about it? I love the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding ... they are a valuable source of resources and insight into youth culture. They are presenting a webinar this Thursday that is sure to be valuable time for parents, youth workers, and pretty much anybody that cares about pornography's disastrous impact on youth and our culture. The cost is $25 but don't let that stop you! I will be watching it on Thursday morning if anyone wants to join me.

Thursday, November 8, 2012
 11:00PM - 12:00PM MST

Seminar Description
 Gone are the days when a boy would have to look high and low to find pornography. New technologies have combined with our brokenness to create a world where even the youngest of our kids will be found by pornography. . . long before they go looking for it themselves. In this 1-hour live webinar, CPYU President Walt Mueller will get you started on a journey to understanding and responding to the powerful role pornography is playing in the lives of our children and teens. Youth workers and parents are invited to log on to learn how pornography is shaping youth culture and our kids, along with an introduction to practical hope-filled strategies for equipping kids to live godly lives in the midst of a culture where pornography has been normalized.

Webinar: "Pornography and Your Kids: What You Need to Know and What You Need to Do"

The Pornification of our Culture - Part 2

Two hours. It was exactly two hours after I posted my blog post "The Pornification of our Culture" to the web that I was walking the hallways of a local school connecting with students when "Out of the Blue" one young man who recently turned 18 says to me, "Guess what I just bought?" Over the past few months he and I have connected fairly well, but I wasn't sure what the big news was so I just said, "What." The surprising answer ... "A porn mag." He chuckled and thought that it was pretty neat that he could buy it and it was in his  possession. Normally I would have engaged in some discussion about why it is destructive and encouraged him to not view pornography, but in this moment (with my heading swirling in information from the research I had just finished) I unloaded on him with a mass amount of statistics, warnings, and questions. It was a good thing he had a spare because in the middle of the hallway we were going to class. We talked for a while and he definitely understood where I was coming from and why I felt the way I do about it, but the interesting thing to me is that for him, it seemed it was so much less about a desire to view pornography and so much more about access and opportunity. Being 18 now meant that he could. It was available and it was easy. Sure more difficult than clicking a few buttons, but still somehow convinced that because he can, he should. Reminds me of the great words of Paul in 1 Corinthians, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." (1 Corinthians 6:12-13).  Now to explain that to an 18 year old boy who just bought his first porn magazine ...

The Pornification of our Culture

It is hard to look at youth and culture today without seeing an abundance of broken and damaged teens ... searching for belonging and charting their course through adolescence. I realize in this moment that the word pornography is becoming common-place in our world. It is a word I should have felt awkward writing, but truthfully it is tragically becoming well known, and by many even accepted! What was your reaction to the title of this blog? Shock!? Surprise? Confusion at this made up word? The use of the word "Pornifiecation" is not new anymore ... it is "the perceived pervasion of society in general or an aspect of it by the imagery, language, and attitudes associated with pornography" Or specifically, "Sexual desire is commodified, pornified and the media leads the way." The prevalence of pornography should alarm and surprise us all, but truthfully we know that an unfathomable amount of education for society today happens through pornography.

A provocative and painful story by ABC News titled, Porn Before Puberty, reveals the shocking truth about the accessibility of pornography for today's youth. The study says that "Internet porn may be replacing sex-ed for kids in the digital age." A documentary called "Sexy Baby" chronicles the story of one young girl, Winnifred who says, "When I can reach into my back pocket and basically pull out some porn its so easy and you can't really blame a bunch of children who can't really understand what to do with that." The documentary explores a statistic that claims nine out ten children between ages 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the internet. Nine out of ten! My son is only 8 years old. I would love to pretend that I don't have to worry about pornography's influence on him, but reality tells me now more than ever we must be vigilant. This is the world we live in.

Have you seen the messages of pornography to our children? Its in the "Bratz" baby dolls wearing thongs, the padded bras on bikinis aimed at 7 year old girls, (That's right 7 years old), and in the playboy logo'd clothing for little girls in the Sears Wish Book this year. We can pretend it doesn't exist, but the "pornification" of our culture is completely a reality. Winnifred says, "We're like the first generation to have what we have ... so there is no one before us that can ... kind of guide us. I mean we are the pioneers." Her insight as young teen is tragically true. This is a world that we have never seen before, and the influence of pornography is more than damaging, it can completely destroy our children and our teens. One last poignant thought from Winnifred, "If parents are able to talk to their children about what real love and real sex later on is. Most of the kids I know would trust our parents over two porn stars that I've never met." Touché.

So parents ... we still have a say, and to do nothing in the onslaught of "pornified" sexuality is to relinquish that voice for our children. Consider this research from Crossroads Church in Red Deer: "The number one protective factor inhibiting female promiscuity is family activities. In fact, for every increased family activity per week—with the father figure present—a 9% decrease in sexual activity is the result." Help stop the invasion of our children. Spend time with your family. Combat the pornification of our culture.

3,170!

Thanks to a large group of incredibly generous people we were able to collect 3,170 diapers at the October Baby Movie event. Those diapers will be given to pregnant and parenting teens throughout Ponoka. Wow! Thanks so much.

A Fun Contest!

Golf Marathon 2012

Bigger Than Me

I have really enjoyed a book of prayers by Scotty Smith (Everyday Prayers). The daily prayers are so reflective, poetic, and significant that I can't help but be drawn in spiritually. Check out the following prayer for September 13.

A Prayer About Triumph

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." (2 Cor. 2:14)

    King Jesus, I greet and praise you this day for being a most merciful and mighty Savior. You completely save those who come to you in faith, and the very faith we need for coming to you, you freely give us in the gospel. You're the great warrior of the heart. You've come to overthrow the reign of sin by the reign of grace. You are the victorious King. 
    Jesus, I gladly take my place in the triumphant procession Paul described in this passage. I humbly assume the posture of both the conquered and the conqueror. I praise you for rescuing me from the dominion of darkness, a kingdom in which I was both a willing citizen and a desperate slave. Only the gospel was powerful enough to set me free. Thank you for triumphing over me and in me.
   I'm also grateful to be among those released for a life of announcing your triumph of mercy and grace. What more could I want for the rest of my life than to be someone through whom the fragrance of the gospel is released--the aroma of forgiveness and freedom, the incense announcing a kingdom of reconciliation and restoration?
   Jesus, how I praise you that life in the gospel is not a preoccupation with the 'victorious Christian life' but a preoccupation with you, the victorious Christ! You are my loving master, not my private masseuse. Forgive me when my prayers reflect a greater commitment to my comfort than to your kingdom. Free me from 'claiming' things you never promised. Give me much more joy in living for your glory than in living for my personal gain.
   Wherever you take me in the triumphant procession of the gospel is the best place to be. However you want to spread the fragrance of knowing you is the best way to live. I pray in your glorious name. Amen.

Incomparable Christ

The Incomparable Christ

Thanks to the great crew that made this video happen. Truly there is no one like Jesus. 

Oatmeal Challenge

Tuesday. Oatmeal. Challenge Accepted.

Oatmeal is a common (much to my disdain) breakfast food in the Peter's household, but yesterday began our families journey to grow in generosity and in a small way to grow in understanding the needs of the impoverished in our world. It is our goal that every Tuesday we will eat Oatmeal for Supper. It was surprising how simple the meal seemed. No dessert. Just Oatmeal. We prayed for our sponsor children and put $5 into a jar to start our Oatmeal Challenge Fund ... together we will decide a cause to share our resources with as we begin to build up the fund.

Who will join us in the Oatmeal Challenge? Oatmeal for one supper a week and a mere $5 to those that live daily with so much less than we do, it seems a pretty small sacrifice. One I hope it will teach our children powerfully.

They can use an iPhone, but can't tie their shoelaces.

I came across a study recently that exposed the "Top 10" things that children today can and cannot do: Schoolchildren can use an iPhone but cannot tie their shoelaces.  The poll was conducted by electricity provider, npower.

TOP TEN THINGS CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 13 CAN DO:
1 Work a DVD player - 67 per cent
2 Log onto the internet - 58 per cent
3 Play computer games on games console (wii, Xbox or similar) - 50 per cent
4 Make a phone call - 46 per cent
5 Use a handheld games console (Nintendo DSi, PSP or similar) - 45 per cent
6 Use an iPhone (or smartphone) - 42 per cent
7 Work Sky Plus - 41 per cent
8 Send a text message - 38 per cent
9 Search for clips on YouTube - 37 per cent
10 Use an iPad (or tablet computer) - 31 per cent

TOP TEN THINGS CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 13 CAN'T DO:
1 Recognise three types of butterfly - 91 per cent
2 Repair a puncture - 87 per cent
3 Tie a reef knot - 83 per cent
4 Read a map - 81 per cent
5 Build a camp fire - 78 per cent / Put up a tent 78.5 per cent
6 Spot a blackbird, sparrow or robin - 71 per cent
7 Make papier mâché - 72 per cent
8 Make a cup of tea - 65 per cent
9 Build a den - 63 per cent
10 Climb a tree - 59 per cent

While I have to admit that I would have trouble identifying 3 types of butterflies ... the findings make an interesting point ... kids today are learning skills in a different arena than kids from previous generations. Children today are tapping into technology at massively increasing rates ... an area of knowledge that will likely prove valuable, maybe even necessary for survival in the coming years. The question is, will that leave them lacking the needed life skills to survive? As obesity rates climb higher and higher, and social skills drop lower and lower (thanks to texting and "Facebook") - we may just be setting up our children and culture for some of the greatest challenges in history.

Fatherless Generation

As I begin reading my latest book, "Fatherless Generation" by John Sowers I am struck by how significant the presence and investment of fathers is for their children. In his book, John Sowers says, "Rejection is the defining characteristic of the fatherless generation." In the United States about 1/3 of youth are fatherless and searching for dad.

This week I connected with a teen girl who admitted the challenges in her life stemmed from her longing for acceptance from her dad. He lived in the home, was a part of the family, but was too busy to really notice her. She felt lonely and depressed. With all of her ability she was trying to communicate to her family that she needed them, but as many teenagers do, she turned instead to rebellion and a world of hurt and disappointment.

As a father it is easy to see how quickly I fall short and how often I neglect my children for the urgent in life. So when I get it right and really connect with my kids it feels great. This week Ayden and I joined a couple of other dads in a father/son campout for a couple of nights. We slept in a tent, made campfires, hiked, carved sticks into knives, biked, and just had fun. I know that my son truly needs that,  and so do I. It has been said that this generation does have a father, they just haven't been properly introduced yet. As we work with youth in Ponoka, this is our goal ... introducing a generation of hurting teens to a Father that never abandon's them.

Peters Update - August 2012

Happy Birthday!

"Happy Birthday." A familiar refrain heard annually by all of us. Not a necessity of life, but certainly a joyful time for most. A time to be thought of by others, a time to be treated a little more special, and a time to celebrate. For one teen in Youth Unlimited programs this month, her birthday led to a less celebratory experience. Katie had contacted her to wish her a happy birthday, to join in the celebration. The young lady shared stories of how she had received numerous phone calls and texts to mark her special day, but it wasn't to wish her a happy birthday. This particular birthday meant she would receive a special financial blessing, and so one by one her friends and family members contacted her to "share" in her joy; all neglecting the fact that it was actually about her. Katie's birthday wishes for her were the only ones she heard that day. Our work with teens in Youth Unlimited is all about relationship. In the midst of their ups and downs we aim to journey with them ... with a message of hope and a promise of life. Sometimes, that can mean we are one of the only voices around them that is truly there just for them.

Fair Trade

Ugh. That is what I thought when I came to the sad realization that in the last week I had purchased a discounted pair of pants made in Bangladesh. I stopped by an outlet store in Edmonton, The Gap, and found myself lured to purchase a pair of Khaki Dress pants priced at 50% off. What a deal. When I got home I felt pleased with my purchase and confident that I had shopped well. They fit great, they looked good, and they were priced right. It wasn't until this morning that it struck me, the tag on the pants clearly says, "Bangladesh." I had been reading a Shop for Change article from World Vision and read about Child Labor in Bangladesh. Admittedly, I did not think at all about the ramifications of my shopping while I was in Edmonton, it seems we (in North America) have this incredible ability to be very naive or ignorant on issues of great importance that require great sacrifice ... this is one of those areas. With my convictions emboldened I set out on a quest to discover the policies and ratings of "The Gap" and their impact on slave and child labor. While they are not perfect, I am relieved to find that www.rankabrand.org gives The Gap an A rating on Labor Conditions and Fair Trade. My visions of neglected, abused, and disadvantaged children making my pants is not as tragic as I feared at first. In retrospect these are my thoughts: 1. I am still not convinced that the Gap is doing all they can/should to prevent child and slave labor, but I am confident that measures are being taken to protect children. 2. I have a responsibility to be an ethical consumer ... making a choice to purchase goods or services that tries to address the harmful practices underlying the production and marketing of these goods and services. 3. When shopping I need to think local, fairtrade, ethical consumer, and even check out goodguide.com.

Have your own thoughts on fair trade, ethical consumerism, or something else listed here? I would love to know what you think ...

Taylor Swift ... Raising the Next Generation

Taylor Swift was interviewed last week by Lesley Stahl from 60 Minutes. Swift is truly an iconic figure in music today and her influence is certainly significant on our teens. At around the 12:00 minute mark she said something profound.

(Taylor Swift)

"I definitely think about a million people when I'm getting dressed in the morning."

(Lesley Stahl)

"Your a role model and you know it."

(Taylor Swift)

"I think its my responsibility to know it, and to be conscious of it. It would be really easy to say, You know, 'I'm 21 now I do what I want ... you raise your kids;' but its not the truth of it. The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation so make your words count."

Hmm. Too bad so many artists and performers have chosen to leverage their status so destructively! On this one, Taylor Swift has it right and is using her status and opportunity well. Feel free to check out the video for yourself.

Peters Prayer Update - June 2012

Lacombe Half Marathon 2012

www.runlacombe.com

YC Edmonton 2012

It is that time of year again ... 3 days; 16,000 screaming teenagers; dozens of big name music artists, speakers, and presenters; and a whole bunch of God space in the lives of kids. The theme for YC 2012 is Surrender. That is the prayer ... that our group of 40 (among thousands) would surrender to the God of the Universe. Pray that in the midst of it all (conversations, concerts, messages, "sleeping" on the floor at a Church, laughing, thinking, praying ...) God would move in the hearts and lives of each person to move closer to Him and to Jesus Christ! It is going to be awesome!

Family Soccer 2012

Blog Poll

I need your help ... I enjoy writing in this blog, "Out of the Blue" and I hope that there are a few people who enjoy reading it. Please use the poll on the right side of this page to help me know what you think is the most valuable way that I could use this blog? Thank You!

Teens and Technology

Courtesy of: Online Schools

I came across this interesting infographic about digital use among teens. There is no denying that mobile technology today is greatly influencing and shaping our culture. I was just talking with Katie this week about the fact that I used to think negatively about younger teens using a mobile device and how uncommon that seemed. Interestingly, I wasn't very surprised, this week when I saw a girl around 10 years old walking with a cell phone in hand and texting. It almost seemed appropriate that she have a cell phone ... I realized that we have arrived at a new normal. It happens all the time ... things that seem unlikely, sometimes even unfathomable, become reality. For example: Skinny Jeans (seriously - who believed that so many people would be wearing them?!); Hollywood's ability to move the "appropriate line" in movies and TV; and of course, the prevalence of media consumption among teens. From cell phones to iPods, DVD's to PS3; Facebook to texting ... we have arrived at a new reality. The consumption is phenomenal, and its influence is exponential. It affects their grades, their friendships, and even their happiness. Ironically, many teenagers have come to believe that without Facebook, texing, and mass consumption of media - they will be unhappy. As it turns out, the opposite may in fact be true. Hmmm.

Love Your Neighbor

The past few months have been a continual stretching, pushing, and pulling for me in this area of loving our neighbors. The biggest challenge ... to love people you don't know. A little too slowly, but certainly stepping in the right direction, we have been getting to know those who live in our neighborhood. We are learning names, discovering hobbies, and hopefully soon ... getting to know their stories. I am nearly ashamed to admit that last week we watched as a family across the road from us moved out after 6 months ... we didn't know their names. Hadn't even introduced ourselves. Oh sure there are those great excuses, we don't want to appear creepy; we are so busy; people in our culture just don't do that sort of thing; etc. They are all poor and pathetic excuses. In Matthew 22 Jesus is asked, "Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?" His reply, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself. I think he kind of ... meant it. So here we go, attempting to live it. The challenge, to love your neighbor. I mean really love them. Care for them. Pray for them.

The method? Our plan is to get to know the names of as many of our neighbors as we can over the next month. It all comes together on Sunday, June 10 when we invite all of our neighbors - Yes, all - to join us in a block party. We will host a BBQ on our street for everyone. A chance to connect, to introduce, and to eat - because eating is good, and connecting is great. They say that communities are safer if you know your neighbors by name. Imagine how safe they can be if you care about them and what is going in their lives. Imagine what could happen if a little of Jesus inside of us, actually trickled out on those who live around us. Wow! You would almost think that was how He intended it ... almost.

Adam Cnossen

Lots going on in our families little world today! Katie's brother Adam is 2 hours into a surgery to remove a tumor from his tongue. It is going to be a long day of waiting, praying, and trusting God, but I think Tom says it well in his journal this morning (caringbridge.com - adamcnossen):

Well, the big day has arrived. Our alarm went off way too early this morning (3 am) We arrived at the hospital by 5:30 and Adam was brought to a room where he had to shed his clothes and put on a gown and await further instructions. He was in good spirits this morning - not jovial, of course, but he had a good peace about him. He looked so healthy there - he got a good tan over the weekend - the nurse asked him if he was an athlete. They checked his vitals - yes, healthy as a horse - but he has this deadly little tumor on his tongue and it must come out - yes we prayed for a miracle - that he would get up this morning and it would be gone - but he said he checked in the mirror and it is still there. His OR nurse came in and checked him out and says that this is the best thing to do - get rid of the cancer. His doctor is one of the best - in North America - he is blessed - and this guy has done lots of these - a piece of cake???????? We still know Who is in charge of this one - don't we? Some trust in chariots and horsemen - but we trust in the Lord! They came in, right on time and wheeled Adam down those long , quiet hallways of the hospital - we were right there with him till we got to the OR doors - and we said goodbye for a while - we'll see ya on the other side - and we are hoping that will be sometime late this afternoon. So he is in there right now as I write this - at 7:50 - so he is already 1/2 hour into his surgery. We have no idea what they do first or last , we just know that when he is wheeled into ICU this afternoon or this evening that he will have lots of tubes and wires connected to him, that he will have a trachea tube and that he probably won't know what hit him - and neither will we. But we know one thing - he is in God's hands - those Everlasting Arms that hold his children in times like these. We are overwhelmed with the love and support of so many friends through all of this - we love you! I will update this post later tonight if I can. Tom & Donna

Brilliant?

Recently, while I was at a local school, I was taken aside by a staff member who wanted to show me one result of a school strategy session. Under each of the schools Mission/Beliefs were brainstorming ideas and concepts to further the goals of the schools. The first mission/belief deals with fostering a positive climate in the school. Included in the brainstorming were these words: "Jerel Peters - He is Brilliant." While brilliant is really out of the blue and obviously exaggerated, I find it an incredible compliment that I would be associated with helping the school to foster a positive climate. I am so grateful for the favor and blessing that God provides to make it possible for us to do ministry in the local schools! There are so many kids, with so many needs ... and there we are, right there in the middle of it all. It is a privilege and a honor.

Life Update ... April 2012

A lot has happened over the past couple of weeks, particularly a missions trip to LA with 44 youth. Check out our latest update and some pictures and hopefully there will be some consistency back to "Out of the Blue."

Making "Dirt & Worms" (Pudding, Oreo Crumbs, and Gummy Worms) to serve to families
staying at Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, California.

California 2012 - Jerel Peters

In just a few days our 2012 California Mission's Trip will be on. To follow our journey check out the details on our blog WCYU Missions (missionsyu.blogspot.com). The link below will take you to my blog entry from the other day.

WCYU Missions: 6 Days Until California 2012 - Jerel Peters: In just under one week we will be headed for sunny California ... Hi, my name is Jerel Peters. I have been working with Wolf Creek Youth Unl...

Funny or Folly

So today I ventured out on what I hoped would be an epic adventure with my son Ayden. Last year Ayden won a family pass to go skiing ... we are not usually much for skiing, but considering it was set to expire and realizing that in just one week I will embark on an 11 Day Mission's trip to California (Yup. It's a tough life!) I kept Ayden home from school and drove to Red Deer for a day of skiing. Well, that turned out to be much more awkward than I had thought when we arrived and were instructed that we had a family pass for a ski park in Edmonton ... ugh. That is right. We were 90 minutes away from our highly anticipated Daddy and Son skiing day. Realizing that the $140 to ski in Red Deer was just not feesible we carried on to Edmonton and settled in just after lunch. Four incredible hours with my son later ... and I had completely forgotten about my little oops in traveling to the wrong city. I was easily out done by my rather brave, and ambitious son. I drove way further than I had anticipated. I feel exhausted and out of shape. It was Awesome! Funny or Folly ... probably more funny than folly, but all in all ... totally worth it!

Kony 2012

Kony 2012 was released on March 5 in an attempt to raise awareness of Joseph Kony; a war criminal and the leader of the notorious LRA. 

Kony 2012 details how Ugandan children live in fear of being abducted and are forced, among other horrific acts, to murder their parents. The video has gone viral with over 7,000,000 views (that is 3,00,000 more than this morning when I last checked). 

We invited Invisible Children to come to our local High School in September 2011 to share about the battle against the LRA and the efforts to capture Joseph Kony. Invisible Children is a movement seeking to end the conflict in Uganda and stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers.

Check out the movie, sign the pledge, and share it with others.

Cody's Story

A story from one young man through the lens of Wolf Creek Youth Unlimited/YFC. WCYU Design.

Baby Formula & Pepsi

Baby Formula & Pepsi ... Out of the blue? Yup. Today we had a chance to pass along some baby formula to a teen dad in our community. The connection was certainly unexpected, uninvited, and unbelievable. What started with sharing some much needed baby formula turned into a conversation about why there are no programs like Muffin Morning (Katie leads each week for the teen moms in Ponoka) for the teen dads. We talked about paintball and hanging out and before I knew it I was off on a drive with a young dad who was so proud to show me his cool car and all the work he had done to fix it up. The obvious conclusion to our time in his mind was to stop at 7-11 for a drink before heading back to Church where we had met to to pass along the baby formula. So off to 7-11 where my favorite cold beverage and I reacquainted. A cold can of Pepsi, a proud and ambitious teen dad, and of course - some baby formula. Yup, out of the blue.

What Youth Workers Do ...

Just a little fun food for thought. Some days get so crazy it can be hard to know what I really do, others my purpose is so clear and the moments so perfect that it almost seems surreal. All I know for sure is I love what I do ... watching God work while I strive to see the hope and potential in young people in our community!

What Happens When ...

What happens when you put a Christian, an atheist, and a "Muslim" together in a discussion. Well that is a great question. While running a program this week in which we were learning about diversity I stumbled upon the aforementioned Religious beliefs. This particular program is not hosted as a Youth Unlimited program, so when challenged about my spiritual convictions vs. another's I took the opportunity to save that chat for a coffee another day. What happens when ...? Well I am wrestling this week with how to take the story of Jesus and intersect it in the mess of "Religion" in a way that reveals truth and love. In a way that doesn't argue for and against beliefs, but instead points to the one true God and His incredible story of redemption through Jesus Christ. Hopefully what happens when ... turns into a story of welcoming into the Kingdom of God.

Gentleman - This is a football.

Years ago, Coach Vince Lombardi led the NFL Green Bay Packers to three straight league championships and five in seven years. Amidst all the success comes the story of a time in pre-season where he stood before his football team pigskin in his hand and looked out at his players before delivering a powerful challenge! "Gentlemen, this is a football." I took only five words and communicate so effectively. Last week I had the opportunity to experience my own "This is a football" moment. I was at our Youth Unlimited/YFC regional conference in B.C. Our key speaker for the week was Carl Medearis. He wasted no time with our staff whose primary job is to communicate Jesus to youth. His challenge? Live full out for Jesus. Make sure your preaching Jesus. Get to know Jesus. Hmm. Just like that we are back to the basics. Too often Christians are lured to preach so many truths, doctrines, and practices that we can almost neglect the actual Gospel ... Jesus Christ.

Allow me to further the challenge. What would it take for you to get to know Jesus? My challenge is to memorize the story's Jesus told. To study the Gospels. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Gospel, The Good News: Jesus.

Brother & Sisters

"So What?!"

No earth shattering, heart wrenching, out of the blue news here ... just another story of a ridiculous media influence with a demoralizing message. Drum role please ... What happens when you put American rappers "Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa together for a special collaboration on some of their "excelling" lifestyle? Answer ... A song titled, "Young, Wild, and Free." That is sure to be a tasteful little morsel for the young and impressionable minds that will soak up the content repetitiously through their headphones ... or should I say their "Beats - By Dr. Dre" headphones.

In its first week, it sold 159,000 digital copies, debuting at #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 44 on the Canadian Hot 100. More recently it topped 1 Million in sales!

So without any further delay ... I present to you a few stanzas from, "Young, Wild, and Free."

So what we get drunk

So what we don't sleep (smoke weed)

We're just having fun

We don't care who sees

So what we go out

That's how its supposed to be

Living young and wild and free  

 Uh, and now I don't even care

Long as me and my team in here

There's gon' be some weed in the air

Tell 'em Mac-

Blowin' everywhere we goin'

And now ya knowin'

When I step right up

Get my lighter so I can light up

That's how it should be done

Soon as you thinkin' you're down

Find how to turn things around

Now things are looking up 

From the ground up Pound up

Yea, roll one, smoke one

When you live like this you're supposed to party

Roll one, smoke one, and we all just having fun

So we just, roll one, smoke one

When you live like this you're supposed to party

Roll one, smoke one, and we all just having fun  

Truthfully, it seems a waste of time to share insights or lessons learned through media such as this, but it it certainly qualifies as "Out of the Blue" so here are 3 thoughts:

1. "That's how its supposed to be" ... It is becoming increasingly normal to live young, wild and free. In fact you are not normal when you don't. Just yesterday I had a talk with a couple of teen guys at our local high school who were stunned that I had never smoked pot. It almost seemed an injustice to them! More and more, our culture says smoking, drinking, and partying is normal. It is acceptable.
2. "Soon as you thinkin' you're down" ... So according to this song the "obvious" solution to feeling down is to smoke weed. I will admit that I have turned to chocolate when I am feeling down (who am I to say that is more acceptable or appropriate) - we need to be teaching youth how to truly "Look Up" when life is tough. Burying our emotion in addiction or imperfect coping mechanisms will never do what we hope.
3. "We all just having fun" ... Wow! What a lie. Nothing serious here, were just having fun. No consequences. No problems ... No clue! 

So What!? Do more kids smoke weed because of this song? Maybe. Does it make doing what feels good and living how we want culturally acceptable? No. Mankind has been doing that forever.

Peters Prayer Update - February 2012

Double Standard - By Haley Brochu

Haley who works alongside me with Youth Unlimited here in Ponoka blogged this thought today ... it is a brilliant truth on a tragic reality, so I am sharing it.

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 Double Standard - Haley Brochu 


While I was at drop in over the weekend I found myself a number of times saying "Hey don't use that word please" or "Hey, you know that you can't use that language here" more than once the response was "That's not a swear word" or "I use that word at home". The most prominent double standard that most teens deal with is the one where the rules that are put in place to guide their lives are not modeled by the adults in their life, leaving them questioning why adults can do things they can't . . . for the most part I think double standards are dangerous. In some cases adulthood does make the difference but If you don't want your child to use certain language, you using it probably isn't the best example. But I think a new double standard has surfaced, Where schools, youth centers, organizations (extra curricular activities) etc. used to be working with parents, they are now enforcing rules that aren't enforced at home. They are actually working against each other. I am not saying this is true of every home at all. But it seems to be an increasing reality in the lives of teens I see on a regular basis. We think we are enforcing normal rules "don't swear", "be respectful", "don't sleep around", when really we are introducing a whole new set of rules into the lives of these teens, and they don't get it, they don't see why we would ask these things of them. It drives me a bit crazy . . . (yes I know I don't have kids so I'm not trying to tell anyone how to parent, but I do spend a lot of time with them so I think my opinion is valid) But I just wonder when good common courtesy and respect stopped being a home enforced rule. And what are we supposed to do with that when we interact with teens . . . follow suit?

Thirsty?

I am struck by the words of Psalm 63:1-5. Today in my memory verse (A verse a day for 443 days), I committed to memory Psalm 63:3, "Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you."

I had to read the surrounding verses to grab the context ... I realized this is not nearly true in my life, though I desire it to be. Yes God is my God, but I don't believe I seek him very earnestly, or thirst for him ... at least not in the way the Psalmist speaks of. To say my whole being longs for him, would be true, but also a stretch as much of my life dictates otherwise. Though it is literally a dry and parched land that we live in, it seems I have developed a great perseverance at finding satisfaction in the dessert. I could drink deep from the ever-flowing spring, but I allow myself to search for drops of rain instead. Let this be the prayer and desire of our heart:

1 You, God, are my God,

earnestly I seek you;

I thirst for you,

my whole being longs for you,

in a dry and parched land

where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary

and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,

my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,

and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

The Incomparable Christ

One doesn’t need to look far in our world, or even in our own community, to quickly stir up the incredible controversy surrounding Jesus Christ. Interspersed in the documented facts of his life, death, and resurrection are many conflicts founded in doubt and disbelief. Throughout history there have always been voices of condemnation and rejection of Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. Even as Jesus lived on the earth in preparation to die for the sins of mankind, he was surrounded in controversy. The religious leaders of his day stood in opposition to him as they sought to trap him in his words (Matthew 22:15). This obviously did not go as they had planned and in the end the Scriptures say that his answers left them amazed and so they went away. There will always be those that choose to stand in opposition to the authority and deity of Jesus Christ, but it does not change the reality of the choice presented to all of humanity; the choice to accept God’s gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Peter and John, two of Jesus’ followers while he was on earth, stood before the religious leaders after Jesus had been crucified and rose from the grave. In the midst of opposition they confessed their allegiance: “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12; NIV). Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

An unknown author summarized well the “The incomparable Christ:”

“Almost two thousand years ago there was a Man born contrary to the laws of life. This Man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He did not travel extensively. Only once did He cross the boundary of the country in which He lived; that was during His childhood exile. He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were inconspicuous and He had neither training nor formal education. In infancy, He startled a king; in childhood, He puzzled doctors; in manhood, He ruled the course of nature, walked upon the billows as if pavement, and hushed the sea to sleep.

He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for His service.

He never wrote a book, and yet all the libraries of the country could not hold the books that have been written about Him.

He never wrote a song and yet He has furnished the theme for more than all the songwriters combined. He never founded a college, but all the schools put together cannot boast of having as many students. He never practiced medicine, and yet He has healed more broken hearts than all the doctors far and near.

Every seventh day the wheels of commerce cease their turning and multitudes wend their way to worshiping assemblies to pay homage and respect to Him.

The names of the past proud statesman of Greece and Rome have come and gone. The names of past scientists, philosophers, and theologians have come and gone; but the name of this Man abounds more and more. Though time has spread two thousand years between the people of this generation and the scene of His crucifixion, yet He still lives. Herod could not destroy Him, and the grave could not hold Him.  He stands in Heavenly Glory, proclaimed of God, as the living, personal Christ, our Lord and Savior.”

A Loss of the Senses!

A study by McCann Worldgroup found that 53 percent of teens were more likely to give up smell than social media. It's true, Mariya Karimjee writes (Teen more likely to give up smell than social media) A new study by the McCann Worldgroup, which polled 7,000 16 to 30-year-olds across the UK, US, Spain, China, Brazil, India and Mexico, found that 53 percent of young people (between the ages of 16 and 22) would give up their sense of smell rather than sacrifice their social networks, PC Magazine reported. According to the study, many said that they would feel "isolated and out of the loop without social networking."

Just a little perspective on the unique and complex lure of social media in the lives of young people today.

8-In-8

A lot can happen in only 8 days ... in the last 8 days, our Church, Ponoka First Baptist, witnessed 8 people confess their faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized. Five youth and three adults over two Sunday's shared, with conviction, the reason why God had led them to make the public declaration of their faith in Him! There are times in life where you watch God work and know that you are witness to some pretty incredible, and awesome events ... this is one of them! It is a great moment to pause, and to consider the greatness of our Saviour.

Peters Family Christmas Newsletter