Comments for Parents Geeks and God http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com parents . teenagers . tech . god Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:22:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 Comment on Is this too Far: Using Twitter as a Part of Worship by Parents Geeks and God http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/427018168/ Parents Geeks and God Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:45:54 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=632#comment-85 <strong>Is this too Far: Using Twitter as a Part of Worship...</strong> Technology is so integrated into our lives these days that it’s not uncommon to hear people say they’re “fasting from technology.” For some it’s as valuable (and addictive) as food or even crack! I sometimes call our ... Is this too Far: Using Twitter as a Part of Worship…

Technology is so integrated into our lives these days that it’s not uncommon to hear people say they’re “fasting from technology.” For some it’s as valuable (and addictive) as food or even crack!
I sometimes call our …

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/10/17/is-this-too-far-using-twitter-as-a-part-of-worship/#comment-85 Comment on 10 Types of Teen Internet Users by Shaping Youth http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979239/ Shaping Youth Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:28:23 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/09/18/10-types-of-teen-internet-users#comment-84 Hi Bart, yes, Vanessa is one of our Shaping Youth correspondents, and we're bringing her aboard as an advisor from the Gen Y perspective, she's great...these ARE helpful...in fact I think I'll do a repost with her permissions as well... To her point, my teen has 'mashedup' some of these 'types' at different ages and stages...She passed through e-mail (never checks it) begged for IM, which was short-lived due to my focus on cyberbullying/lack of traceability and media literacy among some of the kids using same, now it's MySpace, (the middle school hangout for swapping messages and silly apps) but she rarely has time to 'check it' (she treats it like e-mail) as she's out and about... I'd add the YouTube music lyrics finds where kids share their taste with each other, and sing along in karaoke style...AND the emerging 'virtual worlds' where kids engage in role play/chat. As you can see in my post here on 150 Virtual Worlds forthcoming for kids, youth advocates need to have a major heads up on that tidal wave/tech tsunami too. Good news? I'm highlighting a few of them that are INCREDIBLY positive value-based, character driven, eco-minded, examples of global citizenship. More on all that soon. Here's the VW post: http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=2088 And along those lines, I ran a whole series on gaming ethics/kids in VW digital space here: http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=1957 which ALSO might help... Hi Bart, yes, Vanessa is one of our Shaping Youth correspondents, and we’re bringing her aboard as an advisor from the Gen Y perspective, she’s great…these ARE helpful…in fact I think I’ll do a repost with her permissions as well…

To her point, my teen has ‘mashedup’ some of these ‘types’ at different ages and stages…She passed through e-mail (never checks it) begged for IM, which was short-lived due to my focus on cyberbullying/lack of traceability and media literacy among some of the kids using same, now it’s MySpace, (the middle school hangout for swapping messages and silly apps) but she rarely has time to ‘check it’ (she treats it like e-mail) as she’s out and about…

I’d add the YouTube music lyrics finds where kids share their taste with each other, and sing along in karaoke style…AND the emerging ‘virtual worlds’ where kids engage in role play/chat. As you can see in my post here on 150 Virtual Worlds forthcoming for kids, youth advocates need to have a major heads up on that tidal wave/tech tsunami too.

Good news? I’m highlighting a few of them that are INCREDIBLY positive value-based, character driven, eco-minded, examples of global citizenship. More on all that soon.
Here’s the VW post: http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=2088

And along those lines, I ran a whole series on gaming ethics/kids in VW digital space here:
http://www.shapingyouth.org/blog/?p=1957

which ALSO might help…

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/09/18/10-types-of-teen-internet-users/#comment-84 Comment on 15 Secrets to Growing A New Family Tree by Bart Lewis http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/366963801/ Bart Lewis Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:01:10 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=39#comment-5 @Writer Dad: Thanks! I'd love for this list to be added to. I'm actually going to add descriptions to each of these as well! Bart Lewis @Writer Dad:

Thanks! I’d love for this list to be added to. I’m actually going to add descriptions to each of these as well!

Bart Lewis

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/07/31/15-secrets-to-growing-a-new-family-tree/#comment-5 Comment on 15 Secrets to Growing A New Family Tree by Writer Dad http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/366963802/ Writer Dad Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:18:23 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=39#comment-4 I don't think there's anything more important than #2. We eat all our meals together and it makes such a difference. It's a time without distractions when you can connect with those closest to you. I wouldn't trade my mealtimes for anything. I don’t think there’s anything more important than #2. We eat all our meals together and it makes such a difference. It’s a time without distractions when you can connect with those closest to you. I wouldn’t trade my mealtimes for anything.

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/07/31/15-secrets-to-growing-a-new-family-tree/#comment-4 Comment on 4 Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones by » 4 Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones A Teens: What The World Is Saying About A Teens http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979240/ » 4 Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones A Teens: What The World Is Saying About A Teens Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:21:16 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/06/16/5-reasons-parents-teens-need-iphone/#comment-83 [...] Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones Posted in June 16th, 2008 by in Uncategorized 4 Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones HERE ARE 4 OF THE MANY REASONS THE NEW iPHONE 2.0 IS A GREAT IDEA FOR PARENTS OF TEENAGERS! Not [...] [...] Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones Posted in June 16th, 2008 by in Uncategorized 4 Reasons Parents & Teens Should Get iPhones HERE ARE 4 OF THE MANY REASONS THE NEW iPHONE 2.0 IS A GREAT IDEA FOR PARENTS OF TEENAGERS! Not [...]

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/06/16/4-reasons-parents-teens-need-iphone/#comment-83 Comment on American Idol, Shout to the Lord, and Ben Stiller’s F Bomb by steelmag http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979241/ steelmag Thu, 22 May 2008 16:49:21 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=86#comment-82 Ben Stiller is Jewish... Ben Stiller is Jewish…

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/04/09/american-idol-shout-to-the-lord-and-the-f-bomb/#comment-82 Comment on American Idol, Shout to the Lord, and Ben Stiller’s F Bomb by Navy Brat http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979242/ Navy Brat Thu, 22 May 2008 02:54:19 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=86#comment-81 It's nice to see American Idol's tribute to EVERY type of music, not just rock, pop, and country. Being so close to Memorial Day, I think about how this country is about the freedom everyone has to worship as they choose, and seeing something this distinctive and positive that encourages so many people, and uplifts so many to do good and amazing things is really a poignant indication of what this show is all about...to inspire. People don't call it "inspirational music" for nothing. Too bad they caved and change the lyrics. So what if Ben Stiller showed the cruddy underbelly of a rotting corpse that Hollywood is today? They're all about money, and they know how to make it....and lose it. It says "every knee shall bow and every tonge confess." Either you belive it or you don't. I would say that contrast between the soaring moments during the praise song performance and Ben Stiller's moronic ravings was a prime demonstration of the choice we make every day: either let Christ live through us, or do our own thing. It’s nice to see American Idol’s tribute to EVERY type of music, not just rock, pop, and country. Being so close to Memorial Day, I think about how this country is about the freedom everyone has to worship as they choose, and seeing something this distinctive and positive that encourages so many people, and uplifts so many to do good and amazing things is really a poignant indication of what this show is all about…to inspire. People don’t call it “inspirational music” for nothing. Too bad they caved and change the lyrics.
So what if Ben Stiller showed the cruddy underbelly of a rotting corpse that Hollywood is today? They’re all about money, and they know how to make it….and lose it. It says “every knee shall bow and every tonge confess.” Either you belive it or you don’t.
I would say that contrast between the soaring moments during the praise song performance and Ben Stiller’s moronic ravings was a prime demonstration of the choice we make every day: either let Christ live through us, or do our own thing.

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/04/09/american-idol-shout-to-the-lord-and-the-f-bomb/#comment-81 Comment on American Idol, Shout to the Lord, and Ben Stiller’s F Bomb by Ubah http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979243/ Ubah Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:36:56 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=86#comment-80 Andrew-- Sorry that you felt I was creating "straw men" or that I was in anyway attacking anyone "in full force" . Actually, straw men are sham arguments that are set up to be defeated -- that would imply dishonesty in my discussion, and I while you might disagree with my take I hope you would believe that it was my honest feelings. I was more concerned with the misplaced focus that the discussion (not only here but web wide) was taking. If you feel that sending money to American Idol is wrong, then for you it is wrong You are correct, that are numerous Christian organizations that would gladly take your dough. However, I think the argument (and I hate that word) is larger. I think we are so trapped by the way we define words like spiritual, preach, gospel, and discernment. Our world and how we relate to it, is so limited by the way we interpret these words. Remember what Jesus said when told by his followers that others where casting out demons in his name (and they weren't part of the group}? Remember what Paul replied when told that others were teaching about Jesus just to spite him? It didn't matter, in both cases what was of importance was the ends. Were demons leaving, yes. Were people hearing of Jesus, yes. With the charities sponsored by AI (or the Red Cross or whoever), will the hungry be feed and the naked clothed, yes. That sounds like God to me. In Him -- Ubah Andrew–
Sorry that you felt I was creating “straw men” or that I was in anyway attacking anyone “in full force” . Actually, straw men are sham arguments that are set up to be defeated — that would imply dishonesty in my discussion, and I while you might disagree with my take I hope you would believe that it was my honest feelings.

I was more concerned with the misplaced focus that the discussion (not only here but web wide) was taking. If you feel that sending money to American Idol is wrong, then for you it is wrong You are correct, that are numerous Christian organizations that would gladly take your dough. However, I think the argument (and I hate that word) is larger. I think we are so trapped by the way we define words like spiritual, preach, gospel, and discernment. Our world and how we relate to it, is so limited by the way we interpret these words.

Remember what Jesus said when told by his followers that others where casting out demons in his name (and they weren’t part of the group}? Remember what Paul replied when told that others were teaching about Jesus just to spite him? It didn’t matter, in both cases what was of importance was the ends. Were demons leaving, yes. Were people hearing of Jesus, yes. With the charities sponsored by AI (or the Red Cross or whoever), will the hungry be feed and the naked clothed, yes. That sounds like God to me.

In Him — Ubah

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/04/09/american-idol-shout-to-the-lord-and-the-f-bomb/#comment-80 Comment on GPS Tracker for Your Teenager And Your Sanity by You have to see this! « GCC Student Ministry Parents Blog http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979245/ You have to see this! « GCC Student Ministry Parents Blog Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:47:29 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/04/08/track-your-teen-driver-at-anytime-for-their-safety-your-sanity/#comment-62 [...] April 12, 2008 at 11:47 pm · Filed under Uncategorized GPS Tracker for Your Teenager And Your Sanity [...] [...] April 12, 2008 at 11:47 pm · Filed under Uncategorized GPS Tracker for Your Teenager And Your Sanity [...]

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/04/08/track-your-teen-driver-at-anytime-for-their-safety-your-sanity/#comment-62 Comment on American Idol, Shout to the Lord, and Ben Stiller’s F Bomb by Andrew http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/parentsgeeksandgod/comments/~3/407979246/ Andrew Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:14:11 +0000 http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/?p=86#comment-79 To Ubah and Smyers - stop creating straw men by claiming that "all us Christians" aren't helping people and good ol' American Idol steps up to the plate as usual to do the "work of the Lord" while we sit back and do nothing. Sure, there are probably some who do, in fact, sit back and do nothing, but it is ridiculous of you to make comments like that. I would recommend supporting a Christian ministry that is helping people, both spiritually through the preached gospel, and physically, through food, shelter, caring for the poor and the needy. That IS our work, just as you said. And God IS bigger than what they may have intended- I totally agree with you there. I love that song and it was awesome to see people singing it! However, Christians need to be smarter than this. Just because you hear a Christian song sung on a fund raising night does not necessarily mean you should go and send all your money in to American Idol!! We should help the poor AND preach the gospel to them. We all know American Idol will NEVER preach the gospel, so it would be better to find a different ministry to support, or to just get out there ourselves and start preaching and caring for the poor ourselves! Either way, I am tired of these pathetic straw men that people like to create, these caricatures of lazy, uncaring, unloving Christians who do nothing to help anyone etc. ad nausem. It gets REALLY old. So grow up, and start discerning better. This isn't something we should be fighting over, yet anytime a Christian discerns something, the straw men start appearing, and the attackers come in full-force to defend the world. We absolutely could, and should, do a LOT better as Christians, which is part of the reason that I come and post THESE things, to help people to wake up spiritually. We need to be on guard, always defending the faith, always preaching the gospel, always sharing the love of Christ, and obeying all the commands of our Lord, including helping the poor. To Ubah and Smyers - stop creating straw men by claiming that “all us Christians” aren’t helping people and good ol’ American Idol steps up to the plate as usual to do the “work of the Lord” while we sit back and do nothing. Sure, there are probably some who do, in fact, sit back and do nothing, but it is ridiculous of you to make comments like that. I would recommend supporting a Christian ministry that is helping people, both spiritually through the preached gospel, and physically, through food, shelter, caring for the poor and the needy. That IS our work, just as you said. And God IS bigger than what they may have intended- I totally agree with you there. I love that song and it was awesome to see people singing it! However, Christians need to be smarter than this. Just because you hear a Christian song sung on a fund raising night does not necessarily mean you should go and send all your money in to American Idol!! We should help the poor AND preach the gospel to them. We all know American Idol will NEVER preach the gospel, so it would be better to find a different ministry to support, or to just get out there ourselves and start preaching and caring for the poor ourselves! Either way, I am tired of these pathetic straw men that people like to create, these caricatures of lazy, uncaring, unloving Christians who do nothing to help anyone etc. ad nausem. It gets REALLY old. So grow up, and start discerning better. This isn’t something we should be fighting over, yet anytime a Christian discerns something, the straw men start appearing, and the attackers come in full-force to defend the world. We absolutely could, and should, do a LOT better as Christians, which is part of the reason that I come and post THESE things, to help people to wake up spiritually. We need to be on guard, always defending the faith, always preaching the gospel, always sharing the love of Christ, and obeying all the commands of our Lord, including helping the poor.

]]> http://www.parentsgeeksandgod.com/2008/04/09/american-idol-shout-to-the-lord-and-the-f-bomb/#comment-79