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

Young People and Selfies

Posted on: 03/12/14 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Smile!

“Aren’t we cute?”

Within seconds the selfie pic is posted to Instagram, and Tweeted to her 326 followers. Just another emblematic snapshot from the life of today’s teen.

Five years ago we didn’t even know the word “selfie.” Fast forward to the end of 2013 and it was declared “word of the year.”

What’s the fascination teens have with selfies? Does this desire to snap pics in everyday life make them narcissistic?

When most people hear “selfie,” they probably think of a Continue reading “Young People and Selfies”

Posted in Bullying/Cyberbullying, Entertainment Media, Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Self Image, Sexuality, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

The Bro App

Posted on: 03/10/14 3:25 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Okay, this is either really hilarious… or really sad.

It’s called the BroApp. A couple of Australian tech guys noticed a market for a product that would help irresponsible “bros” text their girlfriends regularly to tell them they care.

Hmmmmm… I’m not sure if this is the same thing as when I used to hide little love notes in my wife’s luggage before she left on a retreat.

It’s like this. You select your girlfriends number, some messages, and the Continue reading “The Bro App”

Posted in Humor, Jonathan's Rant, Marriage, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Kids React to Rotary Phones

Posted on: 03/6/14 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

It’s always funny to see how kids react to pieces of our past… and that’s what the YouTube channel “Kids React to…” loves to show us.

A while back I showed you a video of theirs, Kids React to Lady Gaga. This week I stumbled upon their newest video, Kids React to Rotary Phones. Hilarious!

(ht Ypulse.com)

Posted in Humor, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

Do You Really Want to Know?

Posted on: 03/5/14 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Do-You-Wanna-Know-the-Truth A teenager asked me about illegal downloading of music the other day, wondering if it was legal to turn YouTube videos into music.

“A friend of mine said he researched it and it was okay.”

The timing of her question was interesting, in a climate where I’ve witnessed countless ethical questions being answered with messy morality rooted in ignorance.

So my response to her was as follows Continue reading “Do You Really Want to Know?”

Posted in Faith, Jonathan's Rant, Music, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

These guys stuck out

Posted on: 03/3/14 10:06 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I speak at about 25 events a year. And in a world where most Christian events contain two elements—a band, and a speaker—I hear A LOT of worship bands.

Last weekend I heard a band that really stuck out.

Let me explain “stuck out.”

I was hosting and speaking at one of the eleven Youth Specialties Team Training events. This one was in Phoenix, and Kara Powell, Brian Aaby and I were the speakers. The doors hadn’t opened; four of us were Continue reading “These guys stuck out”

Posted in Music, Speaking/Training, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

American Idol’s Spiritual Advisor

Posted on: 02/24/14 3:30 AM | by Jonathan McKee

American Idol is still captivating American audiences, and this season the show has brought a new adviser backstage to act as a “life coach” for the young Idol hopefuls… a Christian counselor who has been helping NASCAR drivers since 1999.

Let’s be honest, it’s not easy to find good clean family programming on that big television screen in our living room. There’s Duck Dynasty… and there’s… uh… hmmm… hold on… give me a minute and I’m sure I’ll think of something!

My family has really liked American Idol over the years, but sadly, at times the show has brought in mentors whose actions were a little questionable– like the time Continue reading “American Idol’s Spiritual Advisor”

Posted in Entertainment Media, Leadership, Parenting, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment

On the Road with Mom and Dad

Posted on: 02/19/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Eleven days, ten nights… over a week on the road with Mom and Dad. Poor Ashley!

Ashley is my 16-year-old, and for the last six days, she’s been in five cars, one plane, four hotels and three states with Lori and I. And we’re only halfway into it.

It’s not torture for Ashley, but it’s not her first choice for her winter break. “All eleven days? I can’t hang with my friends for any of it?!!”

Her 18-year-old sister Alyssa thinks she’s nuts. “You’re stupid Ashley. You get to go to Continue reading “On the Road with Mom and Dad”

Posted in Family, Personal, Travel | | Leave A Comment

The Naked Truth

Posted on: 02/14/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Tonight I speak to a few hundred middle school kids about sex at an event at a church near Chicago called The Naked Truth.

I’m really proud of this church for addressing this subject so candidly with families, a subject that is often hushed by the church. I’m excited to share the explicit truth with these young people, especially in a culture where they hear so many explicit lies.

Here’s the intro to my talk Continue reading “The Naked Truth”

Posted in Sexuality, Youth Culture, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Keeping Teens Safe Contest

Posted on: 02/10/14 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee

WINNERS NOW POSTED! SEE BELOW.

It’s time for my first contest of 2014. I’ve got some great giveaways for youth workers this week: your choice of any one of my books, OR… a free registration to the Youth Specialties’ Team Training event, coming to another 8 cities across the US! (of which I’ll be teaching at 3)

Winning is simple. Just use my blog’s comment feature in this post to share your best “careless” story in no more than one paragraph. I’ll choose three winners Continue reading “Keeping Teens Safe Contest”

Posted in Contests, Youth Ministry Philosophy | | Leave A Comment