The Problem With Perfect

As a new school year approaches, children, teens, and young adults will encounter a plethora of choices and challenging decisions. With the widespread availability of cell phones and computers, accessing online content, including inappropriate material, is easier than ever. So, how can we protect our children of all ages from harmful materials that can affect their well-being and future relationships?

While an addiction to explicit content is not a medical diagnosis, many would cite the negative financial, relational, and self-esteem consequences that stem from an industry that often does not reflect healthy, consensual, and respectful interactions. Repeated exposure to unrealistic images and behaviors can negatively impact one's sense of normalcy now and in the future.

When children use home computers, parental control apps such as Bark or Aura can be installed on their devices to restrict access to inappropriate websites. However, tech-savvy individuals, even young ones, can sometimes bypass these controls, or accidently wander into pornographic sites. Additionally, there are numerous books and websites designed to address these concerns. Research suggests that the most effective approach involves frequent, honest, and direct conversations about the negative aspects of explicit content, and the anxiety, depression, and stress often associated with such an addiction.

Being a parent in 2024 is challenging; being a young person navigating issues that may conflict with their religious values, parental advice, and peer pressures is even harder. At the very least, let's offer our prayers and support to all involved. 

Resources:

Addictionhelp.com

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrOrs6lz21mjwUJPIFXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1719682213/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.addictionhelp.com%2f/RK=2/RS=QnCrf0.ApfONEMuTAtfnXzHCmSM.

Pornography Use Among Young Adults in the U.S.:

https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/pornography-use-among-young-adults-in-the-united-states

New Report Reveals Truths About How Teens Engage with Pornography:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-reveals-truths-about-how-teens-engage-with-pornography-301717607.html.

"Who are the people in your neighborhood?"

Those of a certain age will remember Mr. Rogers singing that ditty. Once upon a time, we celebrated with our neighbors, borrowed a cup of sugar from the folks next door, and probably worshiped with some of them every Sunday. Busy schedules, a desire for privacy, or the simple fact that decks on the back of the house have replaced sitting on the front porch, have significantly impacted how we interact with those who live nearby.

In today’s world, although loneliness has been deemed an epidemic, knowing our neighbors may be rare. Yet, as Christians, God commissioned us to “Love thy neighbor as Thyself.” In fact, a reference to our "neighbors" appears in over 100 verses in the Bible.

Our guests, Chris and Elizabeth McKinney, have written two inspiring books about Neighboring as an act of faithfully following Christ. They are with us today to share their call to Neighboring and to offer helpful and practical tips for getting to know those in our neighborhood. With Labor Day right around the corner, now may be a perfect time to plan a potluck or fish fry and invite those on your block to join you for food and fellowship. In doing so, you might find yourself being the fisher of men Jesus calls us to be.

Special Guests: Chris and Elizabeth McKinney, Authors and Podcast Hosts

Chris (MDiv, Covenant Seminary) and Elizabeth McKinney live with their four daughters in Columbia, Missouri. They work for Cru City and serve as associate staff at their church, The Crossing. They are the co-authors of Placed for a Purpose and Neighborhoods Reimagined: How the Beatitudes Inspire Our Call To Be Good Neighbors. They write, speak, and are passionate about equipping believers to love their next-door neighbors. You can find them on Instagram at Placedforapurpose.com and as co-hosts for the Placed For a Purpose Podcast.  

Do you remember your first day of school? 

Regardless of one’s academic status, be it kindergarten, middle school, senior year, or a freshman moving into the dorms, the first day of school is a milestone moment. Quite often, more tears are shed by parents than pupils. There’s just something about witnessing your child embark on a journey independent of you that creates a little (or big) tug at the heart.  

As the first day of school quickly approaches, we turn to an expert educator for advice on preparing students for academic success. Her advice was wise and winsome. It turns out that parents and teachers are the key to success in the school year ahead. 

Join us for all of Judi's advice and help the kiddos in your life have a great school year.

Special Guest:
Judi Schoonover is a retired Kindergarten teacher and pre-school screener for the Columbia Public Schools with more than 40 years experience in education. She is something of a legend in Columbia, MO, where she lives with her husband, Dan. 

Mistakes are made every day. Some require a simple, "I’m sorry." Others may result in lengthy conversations and a restructuring of the issue. And then there are mistakes that change a person’s life forever. Robin’s brother, Buddy, made that kind of mistake.

Truth be told, we’ve all made mistakes. The hope with every error is that we learn from it and do not repeat it. It is not our job to judge, there are Courts and Commandments that render judgement. Maybe our role is to accept people for who they are, forgive them their trespasses, and support them as they re-engage in society. 

It’s said there are things in life that either make us or break us. The question becomes, "How do we respond?" Our guest has responded with graciousness and tenacity. He refuses to allow his restrictions to overshadow his successes and welcomes discussions about his past. In his own words, he entered prison “spiritually sick and addicted to alcohol,” and returned to society 13 years later as a spirit-filled, recovering alcoholic who is the first to give all the glory to God. In fact, he is convinced he would not be here today without his time in prison, and his eventual spiritual renewal. 

Now that’s a testimony!

“In order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experiences that shaped you.” Andrea Dykstra

Our guest is a man of faith, a proud Marine, a loving husband, and a devoted father, son, brother, and friend. At the tender age of 22, he was charged with a crime that shaped his life forever. For the next 13 years, he would be incarcerated, making restitution, addressing the alcohol addiction he had nurtured since he was 14 years old, and becoming a spirit-filled, faithful follower of Christ. 

The Bible has plenty to say about sin and redemption, so does the Court of Public Opinion. Our guest makes no excuses for his transgressions. Rather, he recounts his life in prison as a time of personal and spiritual growth. It can be easy to cast the first stone. It gets more difficult when you recognize the person behind the punishment.

Please join us as we learn, first-hand, about the struggles and successes of a man who overcame hardship and heartbreak to become a living, breathing example of God’s goodness and forgiveness. 

And by the way, did we mention he’s Robin’s beloved brother, Buddy?

We hear them on the daily: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Turn that frown upside down. Just stay positive. Those adages may be helpful for some of life’s challenges, but what happens when a devastating life event brings pain and suffering? How do we continue to find hope and strength in the face of unimaginable hardship?

This month’s series includes Robin’s insight into one of life’s most difficult experiences. Insight into the criminal justice system, restitution, and forgiveness. Insight into the reactions of family, friends, and communities when someone is convicted of a crime that changes lives forever. 

One of Robin’s favorite scripture verses is Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. The verse is not about the good of suffering’s end; rather, it affirms that things are working together for good in the midst of suffering and that God is working even in suffering for our good. Please join us as we are reminded of God’s grace in the midst of suffering.

We live in troubled times. We are surrounded by demands, expectations, and frustrations. So often, the squeaky wheel gets the attention, not the gracious individual holding the door for us. Some might say we’ve become a culture of impatience, and many might agree.

Impatience is easy to identify. We become irritable; we let anger and resentment surface; we may even articulate a few expletives just to further demonstrate our dissatisfaction. We’ve all seen impatience in action. 

Patience, on the other hand, may appear passive and polite. Patience is the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of adversity. But how do we become more patient and be the kind of person we want to be? Join us as we discuss our own struggles with impatience, and review an expert's suggestions for fostering it. 

At the end of the day, how do you want to be remembered? Ask yourself this question and give the episode a listen. 

Show Notes:

Ten Tips for Cultivating Patience During Uncertain Times
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/fpm/issues/2020/0700/p43.html

The Khan Academy:
https://www.khanacademy.org/

Road Rage Statistics By The Zebra, updated September 15, 2023

Imagine an inexpensive pastime that improves your mental and physical health and cognitive function. 

Welcome to the world of birdwatching.

If you are a birdwatcher, you are in good company. Birdwatching is quickly
becoming a national pastime. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing,
Hunting and Wildlife, 57% of the US population 16 and older reported wildlife
watching in 2022. Birdwatching ranks up there with 50% of US adults who follow
baseball, and 41% of US adults who say football is their favorite sport to watch.

What is it about watching birds that is so attractive to so many? Some might say it
is an inexpensive hobby for all ages and abilities. Others may taut the
benefits of being in nature. Whatever your focus or interest, birdwatching is an inexpensive, unencumbered way to while away a lovely day.

Bird Watching 101: A Guide for Beginners
https://ny.audubon.org/news/bird-watching-101-guide-beginners.

How Birdwatching Can Improve Your Life:
https://www.wbfi.org/2023/01/04/how-birdwatching-can-improve-your-life.

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Dr, Merry Lin says that the cultural clarion call to be your authentic self isn’t inherently wrong. The methodology is. While the popular world will tell you to
“live your truth” and “trust your gut,” she argues that neither strategy brings you into
contact with your essential, God-given identity.

In this episode, Dr. Lin, author of Rebecoming: Coming Out of Hiding to Live as Your God-Given Essential Self (Baker Books, July 2024) discusses the hard-won, honest
truths of how we can live authentically. Blending her personal growth journey, psychological training, and clinical experience, she explains why we must first unbecome our inauthentic self to rebecome our essential self.

Dr. Lin's wisdom offers hope for a better way of living, helping to become the person God intended.

Special Guest:
Dr. Merry C. Lin, PhD has been practicing clinical psychology for more than 30 years. She is the executive director of Dr. Lin & Associates, a team providing psychotherapy, coaching, and consulting services in Toronto, Canada. A wise counselor and respected speaker, she can be heard on her popular podcast, The Fully Lived Life, as well as on several TV and media shows where she is a regular guest. In addition to providing support to leaders, she is a social justice advocate working globally to equip leaders who serve survivors of human trafficking, abuse, and trauma.

To learn more about Dr. Merry's work, go to:
https://www.drmerry.com/

To order Rebecoming with the discount we discuss in the episodes, go to:
https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/553598, 

Most of us agree that we can all use the wisdom of those who have gone before us.  Whether it's a new career, a big life decision, or a transition to the "next" phase of life - some sage advice can go a long way. 

In this special episode, we surprise Tom May, Robin's husband and co-host for the episode, with words of wisdom from those who are seasoned veterans of grandfathering. On the precipice of becoming a grandparent, Tom unpacks the advice he's given and how he thinks it will help him move forward in this new season. He also reflects on the impact his grandfather made on him, as well as the sacrifices he saw his father make when he became a grandparent. 

The result is a special episode that reminds us all, no matter what season of life you're in, that time is a thief and every moment is one to treasure.

Special Guest: 
Tom May is the husband of creator and co-host, Robin May. He is the supporter of her dreams, father to their two adult children, and soon-to-be granddad to the couple's first grandchild.