Whats Next?

Eighty percent of 173 analyzed studies indicate one or more adverse correlations when it comes to kids' exposure to media, such as obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol use, attention problems and poor grades. One of the strongest connections is in the area of sex. Fully 93% of the studies found that children exposed to more media have sex earlier. Researchers also found that the average child today spends 45 hours a week immersed in media, compared to 30 hours in school and 15 hours with parents. [usatoday.com, 12/1/08; nytimes.com, 12/2/08]

YouTube is the most popular Web destination for boys ages 13-17, according to a study by Youth Trends. Almost half (41%) listed YouTube as one of their Top 3 favorite sites. Facebook came in second (34%), followed by Google (30%), Yahoo! (23%) and ESPN (22%). Teen girls favored Facebook: 47% named the social networking site as one of their favorites, followed by Google (33%), YouTube (27%), MySpace (21%) and Yahoo! (19%). [emarketer.com, 11/19/08]

So what is next? Where do we go from here? In not of? In the world, but not of it - John 17, right? What are some ways that you can shield yourself and your family from the stuff of earth?

Here is a list of a few ideas to help you get it started:

1. Pray for your family.
2. Be in the Word.
3. Turn the TV off.
4. Eat one meal a day together as a family.
5. Love your spouse well.
6. Play a game.
7. Read to your kids.
8. Read to your spouse.
9. Spend one day a week "fasting" from TV or radio or the internet or...
10. Serve someone outside of your family.
11. __________________
12. __________________
13. __________________

Keep in mind what Paul said in Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.