Transitory Psychosis

I read with interest an article regarding a Stanford University study on multitasking. (Read it here.) Like most people in my age bracket, I was taught early on to do one thing and complete it before moving on to the next. With the absence of cell phones, the Internet, Facebook, and a lot of other modern information streams that wasn’t too difficult–provided I had the self-discipline to turn off the radio and TV.

Fast forward a few years to the contemporary world. Today we are inundated with non-stop streams of information coming at us from all sides. The old saw about men and television is that men don’t want to know what is on TV, they want to know what else is on TV. In other words, men don’t just sit and watch one thing. They constantly click the remote to other channels (or games) to see if they are missing something that might be better. Of course, I’ve learned that men aren’t the only ones affected by that virus. Women do it too.

The problem is that as information streams multiply, the remote virus seems to spread. We seem to feel an irresistible urge to mentally “change the channel” every so often. We seem to feel a need to know what is going on in the world (Internet), in the lives of our friends (Facebook), and even in the lives of people we haven’t seen in years or wouldn’t pick up the phone to call. In fact, there is even an urge to know what is going on in the lives of people we’ve never even met (Twitter).
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One reason some people deny the existence of God has to do with the presence of evil and suffering. The argument goes like this: How could there be a good and loving God when there is so much evil and suffering in our world?

That statement is usually followed by a rehearsing of all the heinous activities occurring in our world: war, cancer, child molestation, slavery, etc. If God really exists, they say, why doesn’t He do something about all of this?
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At what age should parents have the “sex talk” with their kids? Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of answers to that question. This week I’ve heard of one parent who has scheduled a date for “the talk” with their 13-year-old son. I’ve heard others say it should be no later than 14.

Let me preface my remarks by saying I do not profess to be an expert on this issue, nor do I claim to have done this perfectly with my own kids. However, I do have some experience in dealing with this issue as a parent, pastor, and informal counselor.

That said, if you are waiting for any age that ends with “teen” to talk to your kids about sex, you are too late. In fact, if you are waiting until the double-digit years to bring up the subject, you’re too late. In addition, if you think having the “sex talk” is both the beginning and the end of the discussion of this issue, you’re mistaken.
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Sex is the unspoken word in many homes and churches. Maybe it’s because the subject makes us uncomfortable, or perhaps we don’t talk about it because we’re afraid we’ll stir up inappropriate feelings or activities. Some Christians I’ve met would just as soon the topic never be addressed in their presence. Whatever the reason, I say it’s time we get over it.

In a sense, sex is like the sun–it is. You can close the doors and pull the blinds, but it is still there. Even when you don’t see it, the sun is still there and still shining. In the same way, trying to hide your eyes from sex doesn’t stop it from being. The truth is that sex is part of the human experience. That’s why we simply have to talk about it.
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How do we evaluate ourselves? What it the measure we use to determine if we are pretty, wealthy, successful, intelligent, etc.? Determining that measuring rod will have a lot to do with whether we are happy, content, and confident.

Unfortunately, the measure we often use is that presented to us in the media, particularly print and various forms of video. How many women have looked at the magazine photos of two-time mother Britney Spears in a bikini and mentally compared Brit’s appearance to their own? How many guys have witnessed the amazing athleticism of a world-class athlete like Kobe Bryant and felt almost unworthy to pick up a basketball? How many people who are rich by world standards look at guys like Bill Gates and feel they can’t possibly measure up?

The truth, of course, is that all of those people are part of a tiny minority who have the right genetic predisposition, training/coaching, opportunities, health, and support to get where they are. I’m not depreciating their accomplishments (I’m not necessarily applauding them either), but these people are far from ordinary. They aren’t even above average. So using them as our yardstick is not only unwise, it’s silly. On top of that, these people often lack the Christlike character we are called to emulate as believers.

We’re silly to measure ourselves by standing alongside the super-elite. Instead, we need to learn to see ourselves as God does–a unique individual with gifts, strengths, and weaknesses all our own. “Success” in His eyes is not based on how we measure up to others, but whether we fulfill His will for us.

I was reminded again last week of the importance of paying attention when reading purported “news” stories. “The Changing Face of Abortion,” a Newsweek web exclusive (9-23-08), addressed the fact that although abortion rates have been steadily dropping since the 1980s, especially among teens, women having abortions today are older and more likely to be mothers and minorities.

While the article was neither groundbreaking nor particularly significant, I couldn’t help but notice the sources quoted. Statistics came from the “nonprofit, nonpartisan Guttmacher Institute.” Experts quoted came from Planned Parenthood and the National Organization of Women (NOW).
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I’ve been musing a bit lately about technology. Understand, I’m not a technophile. I try to benefit from it when possible, but I’m not one to go out and buy the latest electronic gadget. I don’t even have Internet access at home. (Not that I’m against it, I just don’t have it.)

Lately, we’ve been looking at TVs. Ours is dying. We’re down to just getting three channels now and no, I don’t have cable, either. (Again, I’m not against it, but when the TV was working well we got 9 or 10 channels without it.) Anyway, the TV search has led to all sorts of considerations. Do I need one with a hard drive? Do I need an iPod dock? (BTW, I don’t have one of those, either.) I’m committed to HD, since everything is going that direction anyway, but how big do I need (32 inches, 44 inches, 63 inches)?
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I just watched the YouTube video below of NBA star Kobe Bryant leaping over a fast moving Aston Martin sports car. This morning the video was approaching 2.5 million views. The video is part of the introduction of Nike’s latest basketball shoe Hyperdunk.

Although at first glance the video may look genuine, Nike acknowledges that it isn’t real. KeJuan Wilkins, a Nike spokesperson. “This was done with professional editing and something people practiced and rehearsed.” Obviously, no NBA team is going to allow its franchise player to attempt such a stunt.
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Picking up where I left off yesterday, what is a Christian’s best approach to dealing with our increasingly decadent popular culture?

While the first reaction is to isolate ourselves from it, seeking to shut off all contact with that which disagrees with Christian beliefs, I’m not sure that will work in keeping our young people safe from evil influences. The fact is that popular culture is pervasive. We cannot live in this world and be untouched by it.
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One of the greatest challenges for Christian youth workers and parents today has to do with how we respond to and deal with an increasingly decadent popular culture. In my observation, many conservative Christians seem to respond to the culture by attempting to isolate themselves and their young people from it.
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