Success, Tragedy and Faith

Here’s an incredible story of growing up with wealth and success, struggling through tragedy, and coming to find true peace through faith in God. This is the firsthand account of a fascinating journey through life by Adolph Coors IV, and over here he shares additional thoughts about our need to understand that being good isn’t enough to gain salvation.

Heart – And Faith – Of An Artist

My friend Jeff Caylor was “twitterviewed” by my colleagues over at Boundless. Jeff’s a talented songwriter/musician who is living in Hong Kong, and talks about his faith and his music. Its a quick read – Twitter, after all, keeps things brief – and if you’re interested in art and culture, you might find it interesting.

How To De-Clutter

Can you relate? I have too much junk in my life. Stuff that takes time, energy and space. I need help, like the advice offered here.

Where to start?

Guns in Church?

Interesting move by the pastor of a church, starting a special service (it is called an “event,” actually) for those who like to wear their guns. Here’s the article, what do you think?

Horror Film Does Disservice to Orphans

Next month a new horror film will be released about a family that brings an orphan into their home. While I’m not a fan of the genre, what really bothers me about this movie is its distorted portrayal of orphans.

There are millions of fatherless children worldwide, and they should be offered our love, not presented as a sick stereotype in a horror movie.

Here’s a short video from someone who takes issue with the film – and offers some interesting perspectives about who orphans really are, and what we can do to reach out to them.

Please Welcome The Plugged In Podcast!

My team is very excited about the new Plugged In podcast! It is a weekly audio program that delivers the kind of thoughtful insights about the world of media and entertainment that you’ve come to expect from the Plugged In staff. Be one of the first to subscribe (here) and let us know what you think.

Advice For Jon & Kate, Mark & Jenny

Two high profile marriages in the news in about 24 hours. Both involved people who have rather unusual stories, younger children, a lot of public pressure and intense media scrutiny. And both couples were known for some religious faith. What to think?

Jon and Kate Gosselin, stars of a television reality show and parents to eight children, announced on TV that they are divorcing. Evidently I am one of only a few who really knew nothing about this couple, having never watched their show and pretty much ignoring stories about their famous family. Until now. Their marital strife has been the subject of tabloids and blogs for some time. Fans have expressed great disappointment with the Gosselins’ divorce announcement, others anger, and in one poll most said the couple should work on resolving their differences and seek to stay together. It doesn’t look particularly hopeful for this young couple, though.

Mark Sanford, embattled Governor of South Carolina, has been in the national spotlight this past year, ever since speculation grew that he might be a contender for the VP slot on the GOP ticket. Closer to home, he has irritated many in his state with his tactics and stances on a number of issues. In recent months, allegations of marital difficulties have surfaced, and those intensified last week when Mr. Sanford all but disappeared, with differing explanations as to his whereabouts by his staff and his wife. The mystery was made public, however, when he confessed to the assembled press corps and a watching world that he had gone to Argentina to see a woman with whom he has had an extramarital affair for some time. As of this writing, the Governor is insisting he will not resign from his office.  Jenny Sanford indicates the marriage can be put back together, but that her husband has some work to do. Indeed.

I’ve got a variety of thoughts about these couples. Sadness for the kids, disappointment that these marriages have unraveled in the public eye (it seems to me that the last thing a struggling marriage needs is a bunch of cameras and reporters asking prying questions and offering opinions about what might happen), and even some hope that somehow these public breakdowns can be patched back together. With God’s help, that is possible, of course.

I think it is imperative for those of us who follow Christ to avoid being judgmental about these couples, to pray for these families and to model grace and forgiveness. Seems to me that’s what Jesus would want from us. No stone throwing, just an awareness of our own tendency to sin and some introspection to make sure we don’t start down a similar path. That’s what He wanted the Pharisees to know in John’s Gospel (chapter 8).

As to advice, if given the opportunity I’d suggest to these men that they (a) leave the spotlight by walking away from their jobs and (b) concentrate on doing whatever it takes to restore the broken relationships with their wife and children. From what I can tell, in the past each man has said that family is of primary importance. So men, do the hard thing, the right thing, and seek forgiveness for your part in the troubles we’re witnessing today and pursue reconciliation with everything in you.

What do you think? Scroll down the page (past all the fine print) and leave a comment.

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Little Girls and Narcissism

I’m fortunate to have three beautiful daughters, two of whom are already in their teens. We’re trying our best to give them a healthy self-image – without going overboard and artificially inflating their sense of personal worth.

Recently, Megan Basham wrote in the Wall Street Journal about a trend she has observed, with a lot of parents concentrating too much on “the little princess” aspects of their daughter’s lives. She’s right – parents do seem  to tell girls they are special, they are royalty, they deserve the best. Nothing wrong with some of that input, but constantly reminding our children that they’re special may cause an over-inflated view of self, don’t you think?

Over the years Dr. Dobson has addressed the need for parents to help their kids develop some good self-esteem, and has also reminded parents of the dangers of raising self-absorbed, egotistical children. Here’s one short article by him about the subject. I’m sure he’ll address the matter more in his new book, Bringing Up Girls, which he’s working on right now – to be published sometime during the next year.

Jim Daly at The White House

In case you missed it, here’s an interview with the president of Focus on the Family U.S., Jim Daly. I thought he had some interesting things to say about Father’s Day, faith and policy – both to the reporter and to President Barack Obama.

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