Senseless Violence

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the shooting victims in Omaha. What a horrific event, so random and so unnecessary. May God give grace and comfort to those who are hurting and grieving right now.

I had written this draft a few days ago, and in light of the horrific news from Omaha, it seems all the more timely to post it now.

From Focus on the Family’s pressroom earlier this week:

According to a new study released yesterday from the University of Michigan, children’s repeated exposure to violent television and video games is the strongest predictor of violence in adulthood. The study supports what has been long suspected: viewing violent “entertainment” and participating in “virtual violence” have profoundly serious implications for society.

Check out the entire article for some compelling insights about the influence of the media on behavior.

What are you letting your children (or grandchildren) watch? And when we will awaken to the factors involved in senseless killings?

December Means “Best Of”

Here’s the list of our top radio programs for 2007. They’ll be re-aired in the coming weeks and months. Be sure to  listen in - and find out why these prompted so many to respond!

Top 15 Focus on the Family Radio Broadcasts of 2007:

  1. “A Nation Abandoned by God”
    Guest: John MacArthur
  2. “Understanding the Threat of Radical Islam”
    Guest: Senator Rick Santorum
  3. “Finding God in a Prison Cell”
    Guest: The Rev. Maury Davis
  4. “Passing Hope On to Others”
    Guests: Kim and Troy Meeder
  5. “Delighting in Your Spouse’s Differences”
    Guests: Bill and Pam Farrel
  6. “Radical Islam’s Impact on America”
    Guest: Joel Rosenberg
  7. “Insights on Radical Islam”
    Guest: Michael Youssef
  8. “Fueling the Passion in Your Marriage”
    Guests: Bill and Pam Farrel
  9. “Fathering the Prodigal Child”
    Guests: Charles Stone and Heather Anderson
  10. “Tony Dungy: A Man of Quiet Strength”
    Guest: Tony Dungy
  11. “What Men Need to Know About Women”
    Guests: Jeff and Shanti Feldhahn
  12. “What’s Wrong With Being a Nice Guy?”
    Guests: Paul and Sandy Coughlin
  13. “A Visit with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound”
    Guests: Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
  14. “The Strength of a Man”
    Guest: Harold Davis
  15. “Teen Missions: Changing Lives”
    Guests: Susie Shellenberger and Jacci Knight

Media Violence

From Focus on the Family:

According to a new study released yesterday from the University of Michigan, children’s repeated exposure to violent television and video games is the strongest predictor of violence in adulthood. The study supports what has been long suspected: viewing violent “entertainment” and participating in “virtual violence” have profoundly serious implications for society.

Check out the entire article for some compelling insights about the influence of the media on behavior.

What are you letting your children (or grandchildren) watch?

Congratulations, Odyssey!

Hard to believe it has been 20 years since the first “Odyssey” episode. Today’s broadcast is a testimony to the ways God has used this programming in so many lives around the world.

Here’s a link to the Adventures in Odyssey website, Whit’s End.

Media Misses It

On the Monday broadcast Dr. Dobson talks with Focus on the Family’s Sr. Vice President of Government and Public Policy Tom Minnery about a number of timely issues, including an inaccurate report about presidential politics. Hear what the mainstream media mistakenly reported, and why it matters to Dr. Dobson.

Veterans’ Day, PTSD Programming and More

Talked to an old high school buddy last night. He said he told a co-worker about the three day series this past week about PTSD and its effects, particularly on military individuals and families. There was a son who served in the middle east and survived a deadly attack which claimed the lives of several soldiers in a Humvee. He was deeply affected by that experience.

I was appreciative of my friend’s thoughtfulness, and told him we pray for “divine intersections” to occur in the lives of folks who will listen to the programming we produce. It seems that our prayers were answered for at least one family with this important series.

Related to that topic, it occurred to me that you may not be aware of the many “mil blogs” out there, websites devoted to providing up-close-and-personal accounts from the war front, analysis of activities and military trends, and more info than the main-stream media will ever get around to sharing with the public.

Caveat: Can’t guarantee these links are all worthwhile or even reliable. Many are very good, and this short list will be a good starting point for those who want to know more:

Milblogging.com
Michael Yon
The Long War Journal
Op For

There are many fine military blogs out there, these are some of the top-rated.

Finally, on Monday, please observe Veterans’ Day by honoring a soldier you know, past or present. Acknowledge their service, ask them about their time in the armed forces, and affirm them for their sacrifice.

Kids and Character

Even the trade publications and websites are telling us what we already knew: Parents don’t like television shows that exploit our children, nor do we like programming that reinforces bad behaviors.

MediaWeek had this interesting snippet from an interview with CBS (television network) entertainment president Nina Tassler. The executive reflected on a poor response by viewers to the program, “Kid Nation,” which is a kind of “Lord of the Flies” experiment. There are a bunch of kids running around a TV set without any adult guidance, and the viewer gets to see their selfish and foolish choices lived out on the small screen.

“It was the boldest risk that we took,” she said of the music-drama hybrid. “The true failure would be to stop trying new things.”

Although Kid Nation is drawing young viewers, it is not attracting coveted young adults. The show may be trending up in key demos, but its focus on children apparently offers few entry points for older viewers, especially those without young kids. “I can see how it’s more of a challenge for adults to find a particular character to relate to,” Tassler admitted.

Ratings indicate that Kid Nation is averaging 7.6 million viewers, fourth among the networks in the coveted 18-49 demographic.

I can’t believe that over 7 million people would watch - or allow their children to watch - such a show.

If you share my sentiment, then you’ll likely appreciate the Focus on the Family programs about kids and character - inner qualities that rise above the cultural norms - today and tomorrow.

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