December 18, 2014

Now that people in Colorado and Washington can smoke weed recreationally, marijuana use should be skyrocketing, right? After all, our kids can now argue that it’s not very harmful. “It’s even legal! What’s the big deal?” Surprise, surprise. Marijuana use has actually dropped a couple notches. I’m referring to University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future study, released Tuesday, revealing that marijuana use dropped 2 percentage points. This highly respected study, now in its 40th year, surveys 40,000 to 50,000 students... Read more

December 4, 2014

Planned Parenthood claims to have developed a sex education program cutting the number of sexually active eighth-graders by about 15 percent, which is something many attest to be “far better than abstinence-education programs have managed.” Are they right? About 10 days ago, my friends over at The Youth Culture Report asked me to write a rebuttal to a liberal article by Noah Smith about “putting the chill on teen sex” (with the upcoming release of my new book, More Than... Read more

November 6, 2014

“Dad, do you have to work now, or can you just hang with me?” Let’s be honest. How often does a 17-year-old girl ask to hang out with Dad? Or let me ask a more important question: how often does Dad say “yes”? Well, when my daughter Ashley asked m this question this week, all my instincts told me to say no. I had three articles due in the next two days, including one due the next morning. Not to mention... Read more

October 30, 2014

Subway launched a Halloween commercial where a girl objects to her friends eating unhealthy. “You guy’s are eating burgers?!! Halloween is coming. You gotta stay in shape for all the costumes.” Then she comes out modeling a variety of sexy costumes like attractive nurse, spicy red riding hood, hot devil, sassy teacher… And people took offense. But what were they offended by? Time Magazine was upset that the ad encouraged women to never stop dieting. Elle Magazine even piped in,... Read more

October 23, 2014

Last month I went to Uganda for two weeks, then flew back to Texas. On the way there, Uganda health inspectors checked us thoroughly. On the way home… the U.S. didn’t do a thing. I kid you not. I looked at my dad who made the journey with me and said, “Seriously?” The contrast was ridiculous. When we arrived in Uganda, health inspectors greeted us wearing masks and rubber gloves. After filling out a one-page questionnaire, they sprayed our hands with... Read more

October 16, 2014

Last Sunday night over 17 million people gathered around the glow of their TV screens to watch a mishmash of human characters scrape a survival out of a world overrun by the walking dead. The show is aptly titled, The Walking Dead. However, week after week, this zombie infested drama has proven to be less about the dead and more about humanity… or the lack there of. It’s no secret. This weekly 42-minute drama is offering something that resonates with... Read more

October 9, 2014

Teens typically think their smartphone use is reasonable. Parents and teachers, however, think teen smartphone use is out of control! Who is right? That’s the question I just proposed in the brand new blog I’m writing to teenagers every week (the blog is being hosted by that amazing new Faith Happenings site, the new online hub of Christian happenings in your city). Here’s a snippet of that blog post: I Don’t Spend Too Much Time on Social Media… Do I?... Read more

October 2, 2014

It’s not like my kids want to brawl with me… they just want me to understand that they know EVERYTHING!!! Last month one of my daughters walked into the kitchen to find something to eat. “I bought some of those rolls you like for your sandwiches.” I offered. “Why would I want a sugary roll for my sandwich?” This is how many conversations can begin with my teenagers. They aren’t defiant; they probably couldn’t even be classified as back talking.... Read more

June 26, 2014

The debate about technology is ongoing. Young people overwhelmingly are embracing their smartphones and other screens into every aspect of their life, while Mom and Dad are tempted to scream, “Can you put down that thing for even one minute!!!” Parents, teachers, bosses… even pastors… are being forced to decide whether to embrace this technological dependence or fight it. Opinions vary. But a recent Michigan State study might just be gravitating towards fighting it. The September 2012 study (not quite... Read more

June 19, 2014

Most men don’t read books on marital advice. In fact, the only way they’ll usually pick something up is if they think it will get them more sex. That’s probably why so many men are reading Doug Fields brand new, 7 Ways to be Her Hero. The book has barely been on the shelves two weeks and men are beginning to hear the buzz. It’s not your normal marriage book. It’s candid, it’s direct… and it’s in a language men... Read more




Browse Our Archives