Jonathan's Blog From The Source
Posted on: 09/11/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
It’s always fun when a quality film comes out that points to faith and hope, and maybe even shows churches in a good light.
This little feature clip just crossed my desk yesterday. It’s a film called The Good Lie, and it looks like it’s going to be excellent. Reese Witherspoon… with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer behind it. Wow.
Maybe I’m biased because I’m heading to Africa this Sunday… but this looks GOOD!!!
Posted in Entertainment Media, Faith, Movies | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 09/4/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
I constantly receive emails from people who can’t come to one of my training workshops, but wonder if we provide any free online training.
I’ve always answered, “Yes!” and provided a link to our Free Training Tools page, which includes a myriad of free online video training. But here’s the link to another training… this time… an entire workshop I taught online via “webinar” earlier this year titled, Grappling with the Smartphone Generation.
NOTE: I don’t typically like these kind of “online training webinars”… because they’re a little static and dry Continue reading “Free Online Training”
Posted in Internet, Movies, Music, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, Speaking/Training, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 08/5/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
In my previous post I discussed the growing popularity and availability of sexually-charged entertainment, shows like Game of Thrones or the upcoming movie, 50 Shades of Grey.
Popularity, availability... how about the morality of these shows?
In a world where this kind of entertainment is commonplace or “no big deal”… I’m starting to hear a lot of Christians growing comfortable with it. The Millennial Generation in particular really likes Game of Thrones and doesn’t seem to have a problem watching it.
So that’s why I asked you the question. Is it okay? If we have put our faith in Christ alone and are being sanctified by Him, when does this modern “art” and entertainment become a distraction slowing us down, a sin that we need to “strip off” (Hebrews 12:1,2)? Continue reading “Should I Watch Game of Thrones, PART II”
Posted in Entertainment Media, Jonathan's Rant, Movies, Sexuality, TV | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 07/29/14 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Game of Thrones anyone? How about the new Fifty Shades of Grey?
In a world where this kind of sexually charged entertainment is rapidly becoming the choice diet of mainstream audiences… what are Christians to watch? I mean seriously. How many times do we have to watch Facing the Giants?
I just read an article sharing John Piper’s thoughts on “Nudity” and Game of Thrones, and I was compelled to chime in. Yes, I realize that I’m taking a risk to even speak out about Game of Thrones, especially to my Millennial readers (currently, age 19-34), because… Continue reading “Should I Watch Game of Thrones?”
Posted in Entertainment Media, Jonathan's Rant, Movies, Sexuality | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 04/24/14 3:20 AM | by Jonathan McKee
(and 5 Ideas to “Socialize”
the Socially Isolated)
In a world where 4 out of 5 teenagers are social media users, you’d think young people would be growing more… social?
Sadly, no.
In fact, most research is revealing quite the opposite. The reality is, the more time a young person spends dialoguing with people through screens, the fewer close friends they have, and the more difficult it becomes for them to actually communicate with people face to face.
Let’s break that down, and then I’ll provide 5 ideas to help you “socialize” a generation who have socially isolated themselves Continue reading “The Social Media Irony”
Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Movies, Music, Parenting, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Social Media, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 04/17/14 3:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Easter is just around the corner… some of you are still preparing lessons or discussions, or even looking for ways to engage in meaningful conversations with our kids about the amazing sacrifice Jesus paid for us.
Year after year I return to this clip from the Academy Award winning movie Ben Hur.
I love the mystery and power of Jesus they created in this scene Continue reading “My Favorite Easter Clip”
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Posted on: 12/30/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee
I usually try to keep up with upcoming films, but this one caught me off guard, a new film about the life of Jesus, coming to the theater this February.
The film is titled, Son of God. I saw the preview for the film when my family all went to see The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (really fun movie- worth seeing in the theater) the afternoon of it’s release. It was an interesting set of previews before the PG Mitty, with both Son of God and Noah (coming in March). It’s intriguing to see a surge of upcoming films telling Biblical stories (including one I’m a little nervous about).
Apparently Son of God is based on the History Channel’s miniseries Continue reading “Son of God Movie”
Posted in Entertainment Media, Family, Movies | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 11/20/13 10:43 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Do you notice that kid who seems to disappear under the radar?
In the shadow of a tragic teen suicide, and a weekend training youth workers to notice and connect with teenagers, I was pleasantly surprised by a film that, interestingly enough, has also slipped under the radar. This movie tugged at my heart for young people in a unique way and is no doubt the best film I’ve seen in literally years now.
The 2013 gem of a film is titled The Way Way Back, with Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph and Toni Collette, to name a few. This brilliantly written story introduces an awkwardly shy 14-year-old teen named Duncan whose single mom (Collette) has started dating an unfortunate choice in a boyfriend (Carell). The mismatched bunch go on summer vacation to a beach cabin where Duncan tries his best to escape each day. Duncan finds community in an unlikely place, the Water Wiz Water Park managed by Owen, a free spirited man who befriends Duncan.
This film captured the essence of parenting and youth ministry, specifically three elements Continue reading “A Heart for the Unnoticed”
Posted in Bullying/Cyberbullying, Entertainment Media, Family, Marriage, Movies, Parenting, Self Image, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 10/21/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee
“34% of Millennials watch mostly online video/no broadcast TV.”
That’s what the headline says, and I’m inclined to believe it. Think about it. College kids, in dorms… how many of them have DirectTV? Not many. My son and daughter (both in college) binge more on Netflix than anything else. Tired of studying? Catch up on three episodes of Breaking Bad in one sitting. Alyssa (a college freshman) watches live TV only Continue reading “Young People and Binge TV”
Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Jonathan's Rant, Movies, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
Posted on: 09/9/13 3:01 AM | by Jonathan McKee
Do you ever wonder if teenagers are the same across the globe?
I’ve been in the city of Kampala, Uganda almost a week now hanging with teenagers, parents, and youth workers. I’ve spoken at several youth events, taught a parent workshop, and spent four full days (so far) training and interacting with youth workers (two days of training to go). It’s been a wild ride… literally!
I think you’ll be intrigued by Continue reading “The Infiltration of US Culture”
Posted in Entertainment Media, Internet, Movies, Music, Smartphones/Cell Phones, Speaking/Training, Travel, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
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