Missed Out or Misunderstood?

It is completely normal to see people wrapped up in a device amidst a crowd of people. Many loathe it ... and many others embrace it. The reality is the devices are seemingly becoming more integrated into life and moments. Here is a very interesting spin on that from Apple ... not just condoning it, but encouraging it. Where will this take us? That is a question that we likely don't know how to answer well.

The Loneliness Mess

We could talk endlessly about the pros and cons of social media and our new waves of technology and connection in our society, but the reality is that it is here to stay. So what does that mean? Is it possible in this time of quick and quantitative connection (facebook, twitter, text messaging, email, etc) that we could find higher probability of loneliness and emptiness? Definitely. Take the 4 minutes to watch this video. At 2:00 minutes he says, "Were collecting friends like stamps, not distincting quantity versus quality and converting the deep meaning and intimacy of friendship with exchanging photos and chat conversations. By doing so, were sacrificing conversation for mere connection and so a paradoxical situation is created, in which we claim to have many friends while actually being lonely." There is a serious danger that comes with the power we have to edit, delete, and choose how we present ourselves. The social network allows us to be who we are ... so we think, but really it only allows us to choose how we appear. The problem is, no matter how many friends we have in social media circles it cannot keep you from feeling lonely. Only real relationship does that. Ultimately, that relationship need is only found in Jesus Christ.

The Undressed Dress Up

Thankfully the undress er, dress up season of Halloween is over. Every year, the outfits become more revealing and inappropriate among our young girls. As long as the celebrity heroes are kids look up to continue the trend it will be a difficult tide to fight against. This comic says it all.

Stats Show Sickening Situation

There is no denying we have found ourselves in a culture immersed with pornography use ... the reality is it leaves pain and destruction in its wake. Stats now show that 56% of divorce cases involve one party who is obsessed with porn. That is a crisis.

I stumbled across this great infographic from Covenant Eyes. The quick details are below, but please take the 2 minutes to get all the details at this link:

10 Surprising Pornography Stats

1. Lots of people are looking for it
2. It teaches men sexual behavior
3. People watch it at work
4. Kids are watching it
5. Kids are seeing hardcore porn
6. College guys are watching a lot of it
7. College girls are, too
8. Christians watch it
9. So do pastors
10. It is causing divorces

Jerel Peters - 2013 Golf Marathon Update

It is Golf Marathon Day! 54 holes of golf for the cause of continuing to see the hope and potential in Ponoka's teens. The fundraising for Youth Unlimited here in Ponoka is almost complete ... and so is the goal! ONLY $1352 left to go! At $1 / hole that is only 25 donations of $54. If you are able to be a part of reaching the goal and moving that golf ball to the top of the flag, it would mean so much to me and to my work with Youth Unlimited. To pledge a donation please message me, call or text (403-348-7205) or email (jerelp@cayu.ca).

How Phones Really Keep Us "Connected"

This is a tough one for me to watch.  A reality check of what happens when I try to stay connected and what it really does to those around me!

Golf Marathon 2013 - Jerel Peters $850 Raised to date ...

Can you help me get this golf ball to the top of the flag? Every donation makes a huge impact! Follow along here to see the latest totals raised!

This September 28-29 I, Jerel, will once again be golfing in the Youth Unlimited 54 hole Golf Marathon. This annual event goes a very long way to helping fund the work of Youth Unlimited in Ponoka. The goal is to raise $10,000 as I continue in my 10th year with Youth Unlimited/Youth for Christ.

AB Streeter Week 1 - Who is Jesus?

Youth Alpha presented in partnership with Youth Unlimited and Ponoka First Baptist Church, premiering September 24.

Golf Marathon 2013 for Ponoka Youth Unlimited / Jerel Peters

This September 28-29 I, Jerel, will once again be golfing in the Youth Unlimited 54 hole Golf Marathon. This annual event goes a very long way to helping fund the work of Youth Unlimited in Ponoka. The goal is to raise $10,000 as I continue in my 10th year with Youth Unlimited/Youth for Christ. The challenges and blessings of working with youth here in Ponoka only grow stronger every year. It is a remarkable privilege to be a part of this ministry and the work God is doing. Would you consider keeping our ministry strong by either donating towards the goal or signing up as a golfer (and collecting pledges) to help me reach this challenging goal. It is amazing to me that God can use two days of golf and the incredible generosity of so many as a part of His life saving work with Youth. Thank you for being a part of it. Want to see if we are reaching our goal? Follow along here at this Facebook Group: Golf Marathon 2013 for Ponoka Youth Unlimited / Jerel Peters.

Are you a golfer interested in having a fun weekend with 3 rounds of golf on the beautiful Ponoka Golf Course? Want to have a remarkable impact on the youth of our community? If so, this is the perfect event for you. All golfers in the Youth Unlimited 2013 Golf Marathon are asked to raise a minimum of $700 in donations (All gifts of $20 or more are fully tax receiptable). If you would like to find out more about this event please let me know. The 2013 Golf Marathon will have a profound impact on the work of Youth Unlimited in Ponoka and the ministry and programs of Jerel Peters.

Is Youth Culture getting Better or Worse?

Depending on who you talk to about youth today ... either the sky is falling or the clouds are starting to clear. So what is really going on with our teens? According to the Focus on the Family online resource, Plugged In indicators that show reasons for worry are on the decline:

"Sexual abuse of minors is down. Teen sexual intercourse and pregnancy are down. Bullying is down. (I know, that one was a big surprise for me, too.) The number of kids reporting being targeted by hate speech is down. The teen suicide rate "has dropped dramatically." Teen drug use is down."

However, according to a Business Insider blog post on the Demise of Guys things for our boys are getting worse through video games and pornography:

-The average boy spends 13 hours a week playing video games. The average girl spends 5. The average young American will spend 10,000 hours playing video games by age 21. That's twice the time it takes to earn a bachelor's degree.
-The average high school boy spends two hours watching porn every week. Men can't escape porn: 13,500 full-length commercial porn films were released in 2011, compared with 600 Hollywood films.

So, what is the truth ... Are things getting worse for our boys or is the current generation of youth actually getting better? There are two things that I find pretty consistent when I consider questions like this: 1. I Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Truly we have an enemy who uses any and every tactic to try and destroy youth. Knowing it is half the battle (Surrendering to God is the other half). 2. God can make good out of even the worst in life. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I am so grateful that my God is Faithful and that he redeems the lost and restores the broken. I am a witness to the fact that even when all around it can seem that all is lost for our youth ... God is doing something incredible!

Youth Alpha ... Coming this September!

I am really excited to begin using Youth Alpha as a resource to help our teens find great answers to some of life's hardest questions! It all starts this September.

Moral Decay - A Sexual Crisis

As I prepared to write some thoughts as a "State of the Culture" address, I took a quick look for some pictures of tooth decay as an imagery of some concerns I have with our current culture. I have to admit that the images of black rotten teeth were too much that I couldn't post it. Looking at those images was disturbing ... they were too difficult to handle. In a very similar way, as I look at some trends and signs in our current culture, I am struck by the realization that it is too much. I am hesitant to even broach the subjects. At the risk of sounding "doom and gloom" it appears to me that we have crossed and will continue to cross some morality thresholds that we will likely not return to unless humanity repents and God relents - both of which seem unlikely at this point.

The morality within our society is decaying at what seems to be a rapid rate. I spend some time studying our culture and analyzing trends and more and more I find that the words of Jeremiah 17:9 ring painfully true, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" We are a sinful people, living among sinful people. No surprise there. The harsh reality is how sinful we have become. At the risk of beating a dying and soon to be dead horse ... I will highlight just one sign of danger ahead that is cause for major concern (possibly more to follow in the next few weeks):

Over-Sexualized

• If we step out of the Church and into the "streets" we find a culture rampant with sex. Six of the top ten songs on iTunes are littered with sex. Including several songs that are so explicit that I couldn't even post the lyrics (*Note: Only one of these songs is actually tagged as explicit because of language - the rest are all considered clean because they only reference sex - no swear words). The top music videos are even worse including scenes of nudity available to any child able to access iTunes (which tragically is most children).
• Further to that we have a Sexual Tsunami that is going to catch many by surprise in the next year. We have seen the battle as LGBT (Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Trans) groups have clamored and fought for rights and freedoms. The "Church" has turmoiled over responses creating division and conflict. As new laws are enacted and freedoms granted we will find the battle will be tilted against those in opposition to same sex marriage and homosexual equality. The faith community has appeared to have no clue how to address this and have stood on two polar opposites - In full support or in total opposition. I don't know that either side is "right". 
• FYI: The USA Supreme court has struck down the federal Defence of Marriage Act that has prevented married gay couples from receiving a range of tax, health and retirement benefits that are generally available to married people. As well, It upheld a lower court ruling to strike down a California law which banned gay marriage, paving the way for same-sex unions there.

So what is the response of the faith community? It is so much bigger than an issue of homosexuality or inappropriate sexuality in movies, music, and TV. It is looming as an insatiable hunger for sex in which any and all forms are encouraged and embraced. What is available for the 12 year old addicted to pornography? Who has the answer for the young man struggling with his sexual identity? What can help the young girl who is desperate for love and will do anything to attain it?

I am reminded of the story of Eskimo Wolf Hunters who would coat a knife blade with animal blood and allow it freeze. They would add layer after layer until the knife was concealed by the frozen blood. Then, fixing the knife in the ground with the blade up the hunters work was complete. The wolf discovers the knife and blood and begins licking, tasting the fresh blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, until the edge of the blade is bare. Feverishly, the wolf licks the blade in the cold Arctic night. His craving for blood is so great that the wolf does not notice the razor sharp sting of the blade on his own tongue. Nor does he recognize the instant when his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his own warm blood. His carnivorous appetite continues to crave more until in the morning light, the wolf is found dead on the snow.

This is our current trajectory. Our society has an unquenchable longing for sex and all around people are chasing feverishly to satisfy their cravings. The moral decay in our society is rampant and far more visually disturbing than I am ready to cope with. However, it is no longer optional as to whether we "the Church" will address it or not. In its wake, the "death toll" of our sexualized society will be tragic and complete. There is a need for hope and help in the midst of all the self-inflicted hurt.

This is increasing as a mission of Youth Unlimited ... addressing the needs and hurts of a sexually rampant youth culture. Join us in praying for our ministry in this area. There is hope in the dark clouds of our culture. Specifically, we are hoping to begin a youth form of "Celebrate Recovery" this fall to assist youth in overcoming addiction and hurt in their lives. 

Clothing Brand for Poverty

Recently, controversy broke out over claims from Abercrombie and Fitch that the only want really good looking people to wear their clothes. Even going so far as to restrict clothing sizes so that plus size people cannot wear their clothing. As an interesting food for thought - I am sharing this video about someone who is targeting Abercrombie and Fitch to make them, "The Worlds #1 Brand of Homeless Apparel."

All in all, a very unique and intriguing strategy to target Abercrombie and their policies ...

#FitchTheHomeless

Sound the Alarm!

You know the moment ... the one where the emergency vehicle rapidly gains on you as you drive down the highway. Sometimes, you have been observant enough to see it coming, other times it seems they have come from out of nowhere stopping your heart as you quickly pull over to the side of the road!

Alarms have a way of getting our attention. At least, they are designed to get our attention. The alarm clock that goes on snooze four times in the morning may not be the best example of that. If an alarm clock goes off on my phone reminding me of an event or appointment, but I am not in the room to hear it, than it may not prove to be too useful either. Alarms are supposed to get our attention.

This past weekend I was at a large youth event with 50 students from our area. On our way to the event, we stopped at a food court in a mall for supper. Just as we had started ordering our food a fire alarm started to go off. Everyone in our group stopped and looked around. A couple of people got up from their meals and begin to leave the building, but most stayed where they were, including the employees at the mall and in the food court. They showed no urgency and no panic ... so we carried on as though nothing was happening; as if there was no loud and motivating alarm ringing in our ears!

As we began our weekend, it became clear that for many people, this youth event and its theme of love was a resonating alarm in the lives of many. They heard the message of love, forgiveness, and repentance and like those who respond immediately to the sound, they began a story of a changed life in Jesus Christ right there. For others, it was as though the alarm were just a pesky sound off in the distance. Yes, somewhat motivating, but not exacting any real change or impact.

All I can say, is that I am so glad that many years ago, I heard the alarm in my life and that I choose to accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour. Today, as I am reminded of that call, I must choose to live in obedience and pursuit of Him.

Smart Phone Safety

I know the posts here have been less than sparse, I guess that means this blog hasn't topped the priority list. Until I have time to get back to sharing some of my journey ... check out this excellent blog post on smart phone safety from Jonathan @ the source for youth ministry ... every parent needs to read this!

Jonathan's Blog

As a parent I have taken extensive precautions with the devices our kids use and heavily monitor any web enabled tech time - it is not negotiable!

Sticks and Stones

Bullied or not ... there is a powerful message here.

Facebook's Fornification App

A new Facebook app is taking the world by storm, I couldn't make a title this trashy, but the truth is that "Bang with Friends" is one of the fastest growing apps available in 2013 as downloads have skyrocketed from 20,000 users to 700,000 in just three weeks. The app's current purpose is to allow users the discreet choice of choosing who, of their Facebook friends, they would be interested in having sex with. The individuals chosen will only know of the desired rendezvous if they also choose to add that person to their list of potential intimate partners. It has been said that finding a sexual partner is now as easy as window shopping on Pinterest. So far approximately 130,000 connections have been made. The crisis and tragedy lies in the fact that these casual and seemingly meaningless encounters carry far more lifelong impact than is ever implied or truly understood. The reality of sexual immorality is that it has devastating ramifications on our lives. It creates a brokenness in humanity, evidenced by the fact that loneliness, abandonment, and emptiness accompanies one-time sexual encounters. There are also the rampant sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Interestingly, the cure for STI's is not going to be found in medication, but in the life-long commitment of a husband with his wife. Above all of this though is the reality of the broken relationship that sexual immorality creates between us and God. A pain so deep, so visceral, that few can understand the reason they hurt so bad, which instead of leading to restoration often leads to continued cycles of brokenness. 

I Corinthians 6:18-20 says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

If God had intended for humanity to reproduce with everyone and anyone, I would think he could have created us like plants ... pollinating every where we went and with everyone we crossed paths with, but he didnt.

Drinking & Driving Double in Ponoka

The Red Deer Advocate is reporting that "Ponoka drunk driving more than doubles Alberta average." This is the statistic shared by CMP Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm when he explained this week that the town’s 2012 rate of 1,181 impaired drivers per 100,000 population was 2.62 times the provincial rate of 450 per 100,000.


The town of Ponoka is proposing a bylaw to restrict liquor store sales and hotel liquor off sales to 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. The statistics are quite remarkable and a tough shot of reality. Another Statistic Chisholm shared states:

•  One impaired driver is charged for every 84 Ponoka residents, compared to Red Deer’s rate of one for every 287 residents and Lacombe’s rate of one for every 780 residents.

The facts seem to speak for themselves as residents in Ponoka come to terms with the reality of alcohols grip here. With the recent addition of yet another liquor store, Ponoka now has six liquor stores, and two off-sales locations.

This is our home. This is our community. For our safety ... for our families ... for our community, something has to be done, before the statistics become more than just drinking and driving charges ...