For all the new parents to the Zone ministry and for those who've been with us a while, here's a look at what's happening for October. We'll focus on the virtue of "INDIVIDUALITY."

Notes from the Editor - Body Building
Geeks. Jocks. Brainiacs. Skaters. The Pretty Committee. Were you a member of one of these crowds? Maybe you carried a membership in THE group, the one that everyone wanted to join. Interesting, isn’t it, that no matter how old we are when we join a “club,” whether we give it a name or not, that group of people eventually helps us discover who we are or aren’t? We discover our likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, how we are similar and how we stand out, whether we belong to that group or need to move on.

But being an individual is more than just discovering how we are like someone else or different from others—at least for believers it is. Being an individual is also about how our heavenly Father designed us to make a difference in this world. God, the master Architect, has a master plan in which He is weaving together all our character traits and experiences in order to shape and mold us into the people He wants us to become, and He’s doing this with each of us, twining our lives together in ways that are intricate, beautiful, and mind-boggling.

So in October we’ll be talking about individuality, discovering who you are meant to be so you can make a difference. We’ll introduce kids to some not-so-well-known individuals, each of whom made a difference in the lives of people around them:

WEEK 1:
THE Onesimus – because when you belong to God, you can make a difference.
WEEK 2:
THE Epaphroditus – because when you take care of others, you can make a difference.
WEEK 3:
THE Dorcas – because when you use what you have to help others, you can make a difference.

THE BATTLE WITHIN
Each one of us faces a battle within, a battle that may go unseen by those around, but inside there is major brawl. It’s a battle with temptation. And depending on the temptation and its hold on your life, it may be a battle that seems impossible to win. In this series, Andy Stanley takes a look at the temptations Jesus faced in the desert, and identifies the driving forces behind the temptations we all face every day. Because once you realize what the pull is behind the temptation, you can find the confidence to follow Jesus’ example and respond as He did.

Week One: The Main Event (July 7)

Guest Speaker: Chris Brewer
Bottom Line: In every single temptation you face, there is always more at risk than you think.

In the sport of boxing, the main event is the big fight, the moment where everything is on the line. But for most of us, we are oblivious to the truth that in every temptation we face, there’s a lot at stake as well. When face to face with temptation, the choice feels insignificant sometimes. There are times when it feels like no one will notice, or it’s not really a big deal. But in looking at the temptations Jesus faced, we realize just how much is at stake—not only in His life, with the temptations that were before Him—but in our lives as well, with the ones we face every day.

Week Two: In This Corner (July 14)

Bottom Line: Every time you’re tempted, your confidence in God is at stake, not just your self-control.

When facing temptation, it seems like it’s always about the choice, the decision, the temptation. But it’s always about more than that. It’s not just your reputation or your innocence that’s at stake—it’s your confidence in God. The lure of temptation makes us question whether we can really trust God to come through for us, to be there for us, to provide for us. We begin to think He’s not in our corner, that He’s not looking out for us. But what if we began to see Him there? What if we realized that whatever is luring us away really has nothing to do with what we think it’s about, and there’s a deeper issue, a trust issue, at work? It might completely weaken the pull of that temptation, and it might help us get to the heart of what is really going on.

Week Three: Fixing the Fight (July 21)

Bottom Line: We are tempted to believe we know how God works and how we think we can work Him.

In the boxing world, sometimes things aren’t always what they seem. Sometimes the winner is known before anyone walks into the ring. Sometimes the outcome is pre-determined by a person who has manipulated things behind the scene. Sometimes a fighter takes a dive. Sometimes a boxer throws the fight. And if each one of us were completely honest, sometimes we try to work things as well in our fight with temptation. And who or what we are manipulating isn’t the temptation, it’s God.

Week Four: Hook and Jab (July 28)

Bottom Line: We are tempted to pursue the right thing the wrong way.

Temptation doesn’t always have to be about doing something bad. In fact, sometimes it’s not the end result that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but how we plan to get there. It’s the shortcut, the path, the compromise. And in this fight, this struggle with temptation, sometimes the punches we throw and the ones thrown at us are simply about pursuing the right things but in the wrong way.

Our family has recently gone through the tragedy of losing a dog. Our kids have grown up with this dog and she's been a part of Dale's and my life for 13 years. So, needless to say, it was a little traumatic on all of us. However, in the midst of this pain, we've had the opportunity to have some tender moments with our boys.

I don't know if there will be animals in heaven or not but for the purpose of this event, we told our boys that Nicki had gone to heaven. In our opinion, that was the easiest way to explain to them what happened. And, wow...it has opened a lot of doors for conversations especially with Caiden, our 4 year old, about heaven and dying.

It is tender moments like these when we are hurting as a family in which we need to take advantage of to help further teach our kids about our incredibly awesome God. I know it is hard to do that sometimes but in the midst of explaining things to our kids during this moments, we come to rely upon and give ourselves more completely to our Creator. I think we become less self-focused about the pain we are feeling when we are teaching, praying and encouraging others through theirs. So, take advantage of tender moments, good and bad, with your kids and students to help them learn more about God and what He wants for their life.

Today I just set up a system for parents to get up-to-date status of youth events. This will be used when we are going on trips, like next week when we go to YEC. Let me give you the reasons why this will be beneficial.

1. This will eliminate the question: What time will they be home? It is very hard to know or plan when we are going to be home, especially with large conferences. They always provide a start time, but not an end time. We usually have each youth call their parents to let them know the time. Now I can send one text message and alert all parents.
2. This will allow you to get a glimpse of what we are doing. If something cool is going on, I can let you know via text message as it is happening.
   

All of this is powered through twitter which is a new social media that will become the norm like MySpace and Facebook within the next year. It has already grown from 900,000 users last year to 35, 500,000 users as of today. This will put you on the forefront of social media before your kids are...you'll thank me later.

So how do you receive these update? Two ways

1. Text 'follow rscignite' to 40404
   
2. You can set up a twitter account and choose to follow us on there.

If you have questions about this, please email me or contact me.

I'm not sure if many of you have heard of Tim Hawkins, but he is one of the funniest men that I know with clean humor. I remember a clip from him about a year ago and thought I would post here for you to enjoy (Click Here if you are getting this by email). If you get a chance, support his ministry and rent or buy his DVD's.

Warning: Some language may be offense to some readers. The below content is not intended for kids to read. Viewer discretion is advised.

Two normal teenagers thrust together for one sleepless night of club-hopping in New York City. Hookups, drinking, crude sexual jokes… teenagers are loving Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, starring voluptuous Kat Dennings and Juno's Michael Cera. It's the modern day Fast Times at Ridgemont High… but with only a PG-13 rating.

My dad had American Grafitti- clean by today's standards, but pretty edgy for its time. In the 80's my generation had the R-rated Risky Business and Fast Times. Teenagers in the 90's had Dazed and Confused, also R. The new millennium must have ushered in a new standard, because Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is the same ol' thing, but somehow it squeaked through with a PG-13.

Sure, Nick & Norah's doesn't have nudity. It just has orgasms, implied sex, non-stop sensuality, plenty of sexual references and crude humor. It seems as if the MPAA rating just doesn't spell it out clear enough. Nick & Norah's rating is: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including teen drinking, sexuality, language and crude behavior. Do you think that particular rating prepares parents for this?

• A gay band brainstorming band names: The Jerk Offs, Sh** Sandwich, D**k Ache, and Fistful of A**holes.
• Songs like "I'm Going to Screw the Man" or "Balls Deep."
• Comments from girls like, "You're practically blowing him with your eyes."
• Gay and lesbian references throughout
• A discussion about orgasms ("Word on the street was, you never had an orgasm." "I've probably had a million! How am I supposed to know?" "Oh, you'd know.")
• A couple have sex (out of sight) in the back of the car, resulting in the lead character breaking out cleaning supplies, commenting about having to "clean up the mess."
• A scene where we hear the "play by play" of two other people having sex ("your bra… I can't undo this button on your pants… your hands are cold…") and then we watch the studio's sound meter as it records the girl's orgasm.

If you're offended by the above list… good! So am I. Just realize that many of our youth group kids will be watching this film in the next few weeks. After all, public high schools are even allowed to show PG-13 films without parents' permission. Consider that on your kids' next slow school day where the teacher pops in a movie.

I guess I shouldn't expect anything less. For those of us who put our faith in God and His Word, we know that these are the world's morals, not ours. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, Peter writes:

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

In Ephesians 4:17-24 Paul writes:

17 With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.20 But that isn't what you learned about Christ.21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

In God's word, we are consistently reminded that we are different than the world. The world lives for temporary pleasure and impurity. We, however, aren't supposed to live that way. Both Peter and Paul (above) remind us, "But you aren't like that!"

It's really a shame. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is a very creative film, cleverly written and well directed. Many audiences love the heart and the artistic expression of the lead character Nick through his "mix CDs" (much like John Cusack's "mix tapes" in High Fidelity). Michael Cera's boyish charm delivers once again. No doubt, this movie tells a charming story… sprinkled in manure.

The film also offers parents and youth workers a glimpse of real-world morals and teenage perception of real-world hurt. The characters are genuine and the dialogue is authentic. But unfortunately, Nick & Norah's doesn't reveal real-world consequences. Even though characters seem to experience some loneliness and pain, we never see evidence of "regret." In Nick & Norah's world, apparently casual sex doesn't have any consequences. At least Cameron Crowe's Fast Time's at Ridgemont High showed consequences both physical and emotional.

Be prepared for polar reactions to this film. Despite the concerns voiced by some critics, pro-gay groups love the movie because of its lack of proverbial gay stereotypes. Some parent groups are calling it clean compared to other mainstream films released to DVD the same month (The bar was pretty low: Sex Drive, and Zack and Miri Make a Porno). I've even read some positive reviews from Christians.

So am I being too hard on this piece of "art?"

The film certainly has cinematic merit- it will probably become a cult classic. But I just can't bring myself to praise such an irresponsible film. My concern lies in its abundance of immitatable behavior and its seeming lack of real world consequences. We have enough media lying to our kids right now. This is one piece of art that doesn't need to fill their heads with..