Jonathan McKee, Author at Jonathan's Blog From The Source

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

A Peek Inside the Top Music of 2016

Posted on: 12/20/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Every year-end we write a special Youth Culture Window article dissecting every Billboard No. 1 hit song of the year.

This year there were eleven No. 1’s filled with break ups and hook ups, drugs and alcohol, sung by musical legends and unknown newbies. 2016’s most popular songs were marked by tremendous diversity in theme, genre, and artists.

But when the music ended, what did our kids really hear?

Take a peek at our breakdown. We share lyrical excerpts, some links to online videos, and a brief discussion of the song’s meaning to help you understand what elements were imparted to teenagers through the music.

Here it is!

The No. 1 Songs of 2016
What Impact Did They Make on Young Listeners?

Posted in Entertainment Media, Music, Youth Culture | Tags: adele, billboard hot 100, black beatles, closer, drake, justin bieber, panda, pillowtalk, rihanna, teenagers, the chainsmokers, Top music, top songs of 2016 | Leave A Comment

Responding to argumentative teenagers

Posted on: 12/19/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Many of you caught when I was a guest on Focus on the Family’s daily broadcast last month (a video clip of that show HERE). Focus had me back last week to continue the conversation with Jim Daly and John Fuller about parenting…

…and this time to talk about the 7 vital changes I’d make If I Had a Parenting Do Over.

While I was there they filmed a quick Facebook video about “Why teenagers argue with their parents!”

Good times!

(And as nice as it is to buy it from Focus… Amazon has it at the moment for a crazy pre-sale price of just $6 and change!)

Posted in Books, Parenting | Tags: Focus on the Family, If I had a parenting do over, Jim Daly, John Fuller, Jonathan McKee, parenting teenagers, why do your teens argue | Leave A Comment

My Top 5 Titles in 2016

Posted on: 12/15/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

The year-end is upon us and we’re looking back at the best and worst of 2016. Here’s yet another Top 5:

At the beginning of 2016 my 19^th book hit the shelves, and I signed contracts for two more, one which I finished writing this summer and will release next month. (You’ll hear about the second one soon enough—but I’ll tell you this. It’s based off the popularity of my candid book to young men, but this one is to ALL teens about what it actually looks like to be wise with social media.)

I always find it interesting to see which of my books resonated the most with readers… I can never predict it! Continue reading “My Top 5 Titles in 2016”

Posted in Books | Tags: books, books for teenagers, devotionals, Jonathan McKee, most popular parenting books, parent workshops, parenting books, Top 5 titles of 2016, youth ministry books | Leave A Comment

My Top 5 Time Traps

Posted on: 12/12/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I love the year-end, because that’s when we post all the fun lists with the year’s top stuff!

That means we’ll be looking back at the entertainment media in our culture like the top movies, the top songs (our annual recap of the No. 1 hits of the year, see last year’s here)… and then we’ll look at your top clicks as readers like my articles you read the most, my most popular books, etc.

But let me start with the most random of lists…

MY TOP 5 TIME TRAPS OF 2016
Yes… these distractions have cost me countless hours in the past year!
Continue reading “My Top 5 Time Traps”

Posted in Personal | Tags: 4K movies, aldo shoes, blue letter bible, Jonathan McKee, precept bible study, the walking dead, top 5 of 2016 | Leave A Comment

It Ain’t My Fault

Posted on: 12/6/16 4:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Oxford Dictionary just released their brand new “word of the year” for 2016, and it should serve as a sobering slap in the face as to exactly how irrational and foolish we’ve become.

The word is post-truth.

The definition is basically this: who cares what’s true. It’s only what “feels right” that matters (see Romans 1:18 for an expanded definition).

We just posted our brand new Youth Culture Window article, Who Needs Truth?, about this dangerous mindset and how today’s young people are Continue reading “It Ain’t My Fault”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Jonathan's Rant, News, Youth Culture | Tags: Christian values, morality, oxford dictionary word of the year, post-truth, teenagers, what feels right | Leave A Comment

why STDs are at an unprecedented high

Posted on: 11/30/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

The CDC posted a press release last month revealing STDs are at an unprecedented high in the U.S. In fact, “despite recent declines, 2015 was the second year in a row in which increases were seen in all three nationally reported STDs.” It will be interesting to see where these numbers come in at the end of 2016. The increases from just 2014 to 2015 ranged from a 5.9% increase of chlamydia to a 19.0% increase of P&S syphilis.

Yikes!

This is where everyone begins tossing theories around. Some blame Continue reading “why STDs are at an unprecedented high”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Music, News, Parenting, Sexuality, Social Media, Youth Culture | Tags: cause of STDs, CDC report, rise in STDs, sex, sex education, sexual activity, stds, teen stds, teens, teens sexually active | Leave A Comment

“Guy’s Guide” a Cyber-Monday Hit

Posted on: 11/28/16 4:27 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s always interesting to see which resources are a hit during that key shopping weekend Black-Friday through Cyber-Monday. And this year… it’s a bold little devotional for young men!

It’s crazy to watch which books Amazon move. Amazon ranks the books hourly so anyone can see how books are ranking among books in a certain category… or among ALL BOOKS EVER! And this weekend my candid little book for guys is going gangbusters!
Continue reading ““Guy’s Guide” a Cyber-Monday Hit”

Posted in Books, Personal | Tags: Amazon books, discipleship tool, Guy's Devotional, Jonathan McKee books, Spiritual Growth, The Guy's Guide to God Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket, Top selling books | Leave A Comment

A quick clip

Posted on: 11/23/16 4:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Most of you already heard that today I’m the guest on Focus on Family’s daily radio broadcast. Here’s a fun video clip Jim Daly, president of Focus on Family, posted on his Facebook page… the three of us talking about using technology to connect with tech-obsessed kids:

You can catch the entire broadcast online HERE. (And the book is on sale for just $9 HERE.)

Posted in Books, Entertainment Media, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones | | Leave A Comment

Author: Jonathan McKee