Text & Chat Acronyms

Today while leading a workshop for youth leaders on social media, questions about the new language of the media age were raised. Below is a list of text and chat acronyms put out by the CPYU (Center for Parent & Youth Understanding) (click the picture to enlarge). You can also consult websites like Netlingo.

Text & Chat Acronyms

Giovanni Stepping Down

We are saddened to announce that at the end of this month Giovanni is stepping down from his position as the youth ministry assistant in order to work on some personal and relational things in his life. He has worked tirelessly for the last year-and-a-half and we appreciate all of the effort he has put in to making Planet Impact a better youth ministry. Please pray for him as he engages God in the work He is doing in his life.

Sincerely,

Pastor Kevin

Giovanni Stepping Down

They Won't Tell Us

“They won’t tell us.” That’s a common response I get when I ask parents how their teens enjoyed the Winter Retreat. I happen to know for a fact that God did something very special in all of their lives, and that they had a really fun time, so take comfort that God was at work in your teens. Regardless of my assurances, wouldn’t it be nice if your teen would tell you themselves? Part of their secrecy is just normal teen behavior.

But there is another aspect of why they don’t tell us what’s happening that we can do something about. Sometimes our teens don’t tell us things because we don’t know how to approach them in a way that makes them want to disclose information to us, and more importantly, engage in healthy and meaningful conversation. Whether it’s about a youth event, what’s going on at school, or what they’re doing with their friends, here are some helpful tips from the chapter “My Teenager Won’t Talk To Me” in the book Bold Parents, Positive Teens.

How to Jump-Start Talking for Even the Most Reluctant Teen:

• Use Praise. Few teenagers can resist a genuine compliment. . . . So every day tell your teens something different that you like about them. Include personality characteristics, wise choices, and appearance. . . .
• Be Present. Be available at the time when your teens process the stuff of the day. For many this is right after school or when they get home from school and other after-school activities. Consider picking up your non-driving teen so you’ll have uninterrupted time to listen. Or stop what you’re doing when he or she walks in the door. If you’re at work, call daily at the time your teen arrives home, or have them call you at this time. This habit gives regular opportunities to connect.
• Prompt but don’t Pry. Ask open-ended questions: “What did you like about that?” “How do you think they’ll act next?” “If you could do it over again, how would you change things?” Use your questions to invite conversations rather than pry.
• Be Predictable. Establish talking time that your teen can count on. For [us] it’s the tradition of telling three things at supper. For you it might be working on a jigsaw puzzle every weekend, or just-you-and-me talking time during the regular drive to soccer practice.
• Don’t Pounce. Pick up tidbits carefully so your teen won’t withdraw. Your teen will test you by sharing simple stuff before sharing the deep stuff. So when he says he saw a duck on the way home from practice, show that you’re interested. Even if he’s teasing you, go ahead and ask: “What was the duck doing?”

They Won't Tell Us

"My Kids Are Sponges" by Brian Berry

Great blog post by my buddy and fellow-youth pastor Brian Berry! Enjoy and be inspired as I was.

"My kids are sponges. Maybe all kids are. But I'm acutely aware of my own.

They soak up everything around them and everything I do. They watch me on my phone. They watch me drive. They watch me ..." Read the full article here.

"My Kids Are Sponges" by Brian Berry

RISE 2011 - January 29th

RISE 2011

Cost: Only $15 (includes lunch!)

Sign Up TODAY!

(Click the pic to enlarge)

RISE 2011 - January 29th

Getting Control of Anger in Your Child

By Mark Gregston

Whether angry at the world, angry at America, or just a psychopath, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner struck out with homicidal anger this past weekend in Tucson, taking the lives of six and critically wounding Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. It has become an all too common scene; younger individuals expressing anger by snuffing out the lives of others in public places. 

Whenever such tragic events occur, I receive phone calls from parents wondering if their child may be the next news headline, since their teen also seems angry all the time, listens to the same music, smokes the same dope, wears the same clothes, or has other similarities. I assure them that teens don’t become homicidal just because they are angry or because they have the same interests as the latest mass-murderer. Barring mental illness or being hyped up on alcohol or drugs, most kids wouldn’t think of hurting another individual, let alone taking a life. (Though it does make sense to keep guns locked away from any teen who is expressing anger or is exhibiting depression).

In any event, teen anger must be dealt with or it will grow. It can be expressed in many different ways.  It can be hot, physical and vengeful, or it can be cold, isolating and calculating.  Whatever form anger takes, dealing with it begins with understanding what anger is and what causes it.

With teens, anger is usually ... Read the full article here.

Getting Control of Anger in Your Child

Winter Retreat 2011 Planet Impact Group Pic

Winter Retreat 2011 Planet Impact Group Pic

Winter Retreat 2011 Rules Video

Winter Retreat 2011 Rules Video

Winter Retreat 2011 Stage Build Time Lapse Video

Winter Retreat 2011 Stage Build Time Lapse Video

Winter Retreat 2011 Info for PLANET IMPACT STUDENTS

Winter Retreat 2011 Info Sheet

Here’s What You Need to Know

1. Departure: All students need to be at the church by 12:30pm on Friday, January 7^th to load the busses.
2. Note About Early Dismissal for Smithtown Christian School Students: 
1. You will need a note from your parents requesting early dismissal from school @ 12:30 p.m.
2. You will need to change and report immediately to the main foyer. All students must remain in the foyer area. If you are found wandering the halls, disciplinary actions will be taken. Thanks for helping us maintain a good reputation with the school!
3. Will I need Money? All of your essential meals will be provided from Saturday breakfast to Sunday lunch. You might want to bring extra money for the following things, but it is completely optional:

• Fast food on the way to the retreat, and on the way home. 
• Snack Shop during free time.
• WR Merchandise (t-shirts, sweatshirts, CD’s from our musical guests, books by our speakers, etc.)

1. What to Bring:
1. Bedding & Pillow (yes boys, you must sleep!)
2. Warm and modest clothes for two days (yes boys, you must change your clothes!)
3. Clothes for outdoor activities as the weather permits (gloves, hats, etc.)
4. Towel & Washcloth (yes boys, you do need to shower!)
5. Toiletries (yes boys, you must brush your teeth!)
6. Bible, Notebook, Pen (Yes everyone, you must come expecting God to speak to you!!!!!)
7. IMPORTANT: PLEASE RESTRICT YOUR LUGGAGE TO ONE MEDIUM SIZED PIECE!
2. What Not to Bring: 
1. Cell phones, IPODS, Laptops, other electronics
2. Skateboards or Rollerblades
3. Return: We should arrive back to SGT between 4-5pm – students will use leader phones to call home once we are through the city.

Winter Retreat 2011 Info for PLANET IMPACT STUDENTS