January 2017 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

The Big Game QUIZ

Posted on: 01/30/17 4:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s almost Super Bowl time… and that means our annual free BIG GAME Quiz!

For those of you have been following TheSource4YM.com for the past few years, you probably look forward to the fun little FREE resource we provide every year called the Super Bowl “BIG GAME Quiz!” (I just posted it HERE). This quiz is a fun little party game you can use at your Super Bowl party at your church or your home. People fill out the quiz as they enter your party, predicting scores, catches, runs, etc., then you fill out the results during the game and tally up the winner (and PLEASE… remember to tally up the answers during the game because that’s how the quiz works). Continue reading “The Big Game QUIZ”

Posted in TV, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Social Media Keeping Teens Awake

Posted on: 01/26/17 4:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Exactly how much does social media entice today’s young people?

Enough to wake them up in the middle of the night just to check and see if they got any new Snaps?

A brand new study out of the UK revealed that one fifth of today’s young people are actually waking up at night just to check social media. Funny that this is a problem… when the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to even allow phones in the bedrooms Continue reading “Social Media Keeping Teens Awake”

Posted in Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: keeping kids awake, national sleep foundation, parenting, smartphone, social media, teens losing sleep | Leave A Comment

Is college for me?

Posted on: 01/24/17 4:38 AM | by Jonathan McKee

How much do college grads make compared to those with just a high school education? How many college grads are unemployed compared to others?

As our kids grow up, they’ll inevitably face the question, “Is college for me?” As a caring adult, we can give them good information to help them make an informed decision… and the answer to these question might be eye-opening for them.

Today I was writing our next Continue reading “Is college for me?”

Posted in Money, Parenting | Tags: college, college degree, educational attainment, high school diploma, higher learning | Leave A Comment

Where I Messed Up

Posted on: 01/19/17 4:36 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Learning from Past Parenting Mistakes

(The following is an exclusive excerpt from Jonathan McKee’s brand new book, If I Had a Parenting Do Over, released this week.)

Most parents don’t advertise, “Here’s where I messed up!”

It’s embarrassing!

So they keep it to themselves. Sadly, this keeps Continue reading “Where I Messed Up”

Posted in Books, Parenting | Tags: Jonathan McKee, parenting, parenting book, parenting help, parenting practices, parenting regrets | Leave A Comment

If you’d like a sneak peek

Posted on: 01/17/17 4:23 AM | by Jonathan McKee

As one of my regular blog readers, you know I enjoy giving you unique opportunities to read and try out resources before they’re even finished, chiming in with your opinion. This month I have one of those opportunities.

At the end of this month I’ll turn in a finished manuscript to my publisher—my newest book-in-process—The Teens Guide to Social Media and Mobile Devices. This is the first time I’m even releasing this title (it comes out later this year).

Here’s where you come in. I’m looking for Continue reading “If you’d like a sneak peek”

Posted in Books, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media | Tags: Jonathan McKee, mobile devices, parenting, smartphones, sneak peek, social media, teens | Leave A Comment

Do you want a “Do Over?”

Posted on: 01/11/17 12:43 PM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s time! (I’m so excited!)

My publisher just emailed, and they’ve received my brand new book, If I Had a Parenting Do Over, fresh from the printer… and boxes are on their way to my house, my upcoming workshops, Amazon, LifeWay… and all the other book stores. (Many of you saw Jim Daly talking with me about this book on Focus on the Family’s Facebook page just a few weeks ago).

And Amazon is literally crazy right now! “Crazy” in a good way.

Amazon changes prices all the time… so this could change before you even read this. But at this second… as I type this… they have my new book for the best you’ll get it. Get this Continue reading “Do you want a “Do Over?””

Posted in Books, Parenting | Tags: Amazon books, do over, fresh start, If I had a parenting do over, Jonathan McKee, parenting, parenting regrets | Leave A Comment

Mixed Feelings about Rowling’s Newest

Posted on: 01/10/17 4:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Lori and I went to see the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them over Christmas break, a fun movie introducing great characters… but it left a bitter taste in our mouths.

As you know, Fantastic Beasts is yet another fantasy adventure story written by JK Rowling, and a prequel of the Harry Potter Series. Like the Harry Potter films, it’s well written with creative dialogue and likable characters… and also plenty of magic, wands, spells, and incantations.

On the positive side, it was a really fun film with a noticeable battle between good and evil. But at times I really struggled to enjoy it, because I was struggling with… there’s no better way to say it… the beguiling comfort with witchcraft.

Don’t worry… I’m not turning into someone crying “Satan” with the rationality of Chicken Little. We’ve all seen Continue reading “Mixed Feelings about Rowling’s Newest”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Faith, Jonathan's Rant, Movies | Tags: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, J.K. Rowling, MACUSA, magic, pentagram, witchcraft, witches | Leave A Comment

Ariana Grande upset about being objectified

Posted on: 01/5/17 4:33 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Pop singer Ariana Grande went on a Tweet rant about being “objectified.”

I’m sorry. I’m trying my hardest to not roll on the ground laughing.

I honestly checked the date. Nope. Not April 1^st. I was about to check Quentin Tarantino’s Twitter and see if he was upset about gratuitous violence.

Apparently Ariana was getting food with her boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller last week when a young boy approached the two of them Continue reading “Ariana Grande upset about being objectified”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Jonathan's Rant, Music, News, Sexuality, Social Media | Tags: Ariana double standard, Ariana Grande, dangerous woman, Mac Miller, side to side, women objectified | Leave A Comment

The drawbacks of constant connectivity

Posted on: 01/3/17 4:33 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Do you ever think about the ramifications of “constant connectivity” with our devices?

Do your kids?

I’m actually writing a book on it right now. That’s probably why I found this video so intriguing… and a great resource as well. In fact, I’d show this incredibly insightful little video to today’s young people at youth group, at church, or even at home after a family meal. Then if time is short, I’d ask one question:

“Is he right?”

Tons of application here Continue reading “The drawbacks of constant connectivity”

Posted in Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: coping mechanisms, dopamine, millennials, missing peice, Simon Sinek, smartphone, social media, stress, workplace | Leave A Comment