Archive for 'For Parents'

have they forgotten THEY wanted US?

 23

It’s easy to understand why some parents can simply stop trying to spend time with their teenager. Mom and Dad suddenly become “un-cool” or even “embarrassing.” But their efforts shouldn’t stop because it can easily be misunderstood that Mom and Dad no longer care. As an adult i have come to bribing for a little quality time with my parents. But we should never have to bribe our parents to spend time with them. They also should not have to feel they need to buy cars, video games or other forms of entertainment for their kids as well. As a teen it can be tough to talk to either parent on any issue, but its so important. For our “Artist Of The Month” Skillet, they have a song called “The Last Night.” Its about this teen who is a cutter. In the second verse it says, “I’m so sick of when they say it’s just a phase, you’ll be ok. Your fine.” This kids parents are brushing off the situation. In that moment as parents they’ve forgotten how they wanted a child. Instead of calling their child’s pain a “phase,” they should be fighting for their safety.

What do I sound like?

This question came across me the other day. I asked myself, what do i sound like? When I was with one of my friends the other day we started talking about some of the greatest shows we’ve ever been to. Like Haste The Day, Gwen Stacy, Taking Back Sunday, and one of my favorites, Anberlin (which by the way was an amazing show at the glasshouse last December).  As we kept listing off all the artists we know I started thinking, what is my selection of music telling my friends. Am I listing off the “appropriate artist” to indicate that I’m a believer of God?

underoath_banner_by_underoathfanclub

“…they knew that this would happen, we’re so run down. Good God can you still get us home… How can we still get home? I’m not dreaming. We’re forgetting our forgiveness.”

This happens to be one of my favorite bands, Underoath. This is a lyric from their song, “Too Bright to See, Too Loud to Hear”. When I first heard this song i seriously wanted to cry. It mean so much to me. The one artist that i know that would give off a positive influence,  yet still describe me it would be Underoath.

something to think about…

21

What do you allow to interfere in your relationship with God?

Book for the month:

 

2625983An “im up, what more do you want from me?” sticker hideously controls the back of Ayden Kosacov’s bedroom door. In his mind what started as a joke is slowly becoming his ‘glorious and underrated mantra’.

 

Ayden Kosacov is alive, and that is about all you can say. In the throws of a mundane and jejune life Ayden is slowly coming to the realization that if all his world is a stage than he wouldn’t care if he did or did not miss the final scenes. Through an almost ‘accidental’ suicide attempt and the recovery that soon follows, Ayden learns that there is more to living than just being alive. Finding his way through diverse experiences and people he comes to terms with God, his family, and finally himself.

 

The Orphaned Anything’s style of writing is in the likes of Dennis Johnson (Jesus’ Son) and Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius) and yet designed to give life lessons, encouragement, and hope like books by Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist) and Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz).

 

Check back once a month to see the new book or artist that we hope you’ll fall in love with!