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If you’re not familiar with “sexting,” then you probably need to be–especially if you have a teenager. Sexting refers to the sending of graphic/sexual photos through a cell phone. In the past few years, it has become increasingly popular with teenagers. If you’re still confused, let me break it down anymore: Teenagers (although not just teenagers) are taking nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves and sending them to other teenagers. In other words, underage teens are sending other underage teens nude pictures. It’s scary to think about, but about 20% of teens have admitted to taking part in this.

As you can probably guess the problem goes much deeper than a picture. Teens are able to forward the pics around friends, enemies, acquaintances, and even random strangers.

The government has started taking a stand on this issue. In some states, teens who send or even receive nude pictures of underage teens can be charged with child pornography and labeled as a “sexual predator.” 

However, some lawmakers in Vermont are out to change this. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would legalizing sexting between teens who are 13 to 18, as long as the sexting is consensual. In other words, this bill would make it legal for a 13 year old girl to send a naked picture of herself to an 18 year old guy as long as they both were okay with it. Does something seem a little wrong here?

State Sen. Richard Sears, D-Bennington said, “This isn’t an issue of whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing — I think it’s wrong — but the question is, do we want kids to be prosecuted, called sex offenders, etc., etc., for consensual conduct? No.”

Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan said, “They’re doing it. We don’t want to condone it. We need to educate. But there’s no public interest in labeling them as sex offenders for engaging in a perverted, albeit new, form of courtship.”

If I can find them, I will have the email addresses and phone numbers for Sears and Donovan on here tomorrow.

This past Saturday (March 28, 2009) at 8:30 PM was designated as Earth Hour across the entire world. The task of Earth Hour was simple–turn off all your lights for 1 hour. 

However, the meaning behind everything went a little deeper. Here’s what the official site, EarthHour.org said about the event:

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Obviously, the phrase “global warming” raises a red flag to many people. Immediately, we think of Al Gore, liberalism, and truth that is apparently inconvenient. 

While Earth Hour is something that is being promoted and endorsed by people that believe in global warming, should it also be followed by people who believe global warming is a hoax?

 Christians acknowledge (or at least should) that God created the earth and we have the responsibility to care for His creation. We are called to be good stewards of what He has given us…including resources like water, wildlife, and even energy. It’s all part of protecting what He has given us. 

Is Earth Hour something people from both sides of the spectrum can agree on, even if we disagree on the intended purpose?

Or is it something that should be ignored by conservatives who reject the idea of global warming and acknowledge that God is in control of the earth?

If you completely disagree with the idea of global warming, should you turn all of your lights on so your “vote” doesn’t get counted?

Let the debate begin…

After yesterday’s inauguration, President Barack Obama has officially become our 44th President of the United States (or is it 43rd? Thank you Grover Cleveland for messing that up!)

Many people have different things they would like to request of President Obama, such as:

- Bring our troops home from war
- Solve this economic crisis
- Find alternative uses for fuel
- Discontinue the BCS and institute a playoff system in college football

If you had the opportunity to ask President Obama for one thing, what would it be?

Many people look back at the Supreme Court cases of Engel v. Vitale [1962] and Abington School District v. Schempp [1963] as landmark decisions. These rulings prohibited school-sanctioned prayer in public schools. 

Since that time, many Christians have fought to get prayer back in public schools. Rallies have been held, senators have been petitioned, and lawsuits have been formed. However, the court cases have not been overturned.

Despite the efforts of many Christians to overturn this legislation, we must consider: Is Prayer in School Unconstitutional? I think the best answer I can give is: yes and no.

Contrary to what many people believe, it is NOT illegal to pray in a public school. Students have every right to pray over their meal, pray with friends, and even read their Bible in school. 

However, it is illegal for a public school to sanction prayer. In other words, the principal cannot get up during an assembly and lead the school in prayer. 

Many people have been upset about the removal of school-sanctioned prayer ever since the 1960s. However, is it possible that school-sanctioned prayer is unconstitutional? In my opinion, the answer is yes. 

The First Amendment of the US Constitution established a principle of the separation of church and state. Many people do not know Thomas Jefferson established that principle to protect the church from the state. However, as time has gone by, its purpose has changed to protect the state from the church. In any regard, this very principle is the foundation for why school-sanctioned prayer was outlawed in public schools.

While that might have seemed horrific in the 1960s, we can now look at the Constitution and see that it was actually necessary in order to abide by our country’s foundation. Now some might say “But our country was founded on God. We have taken God out of public school!” In many regards those people are right. Those people, however, should also find some satisfaction in the Supreme Court decisions of 1962 and 1963.

Here’s why: Our country has turned away from God. We can no longer call ourselves a “Christian nation.” We are many things…but a Christian nation is not one of them! By the government removing school-sanctioned prayer from public schools, they actually saved many Christians future battles.

With the introduction and advancement of many new religions into the US since the 1960s, many people are teaching and promoting religions that contradict Christianity. If, in fact, school-sanctioned prayer was still lawful in 2008, what kind of prayers would schools be sponsoring?

If those laws never took effect, a Muslim principal would have every right to lead the school in a prayer to Allah. A Buddhist principal would have every right to lead the public school in a prayer to Buddha. Would Christians be upset at this? Yes and rightly so! 

By declaring school-sanctioned prayer as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court actually prevented Christians from facing further legal battles.

To those who still believe they should fight for school-sanctioned prayer, let me say this: You will never change any hearts or convert people to Christianity by fighting legal battles. Yes, sometimes they are necessary to protect your rights. However, this battle will never change hearts. Individual hearts are changed by compassion, love, and lives of Christian integrity, not by forcing prayer on someone. 

Take comfort in the fact that students still have the right to pray in school, and have the right to pray to the true living God. 

First of all, let me say congratulations to Senator Barack Obama on becoming the 44th President of the United States. Last night was a tremendous day in history, and January 20 will be another historic day when you are sworn into office.

Now that I’ve said that, let me get into a discussion on something I believe needs to be addressed: The whiny attitudes of some Christians the day after the election.

Yes, John McCain did not win the election. There are many evangelicals disappointed today. Disappointment is fine. There is nothing wrong with it. But sour and hateful attitudes? Yes, there is definitely something wrong with that.

I do not agree with Senator Obama on many issues. If you know me at all, you know that is true. There are policies he will put into place that I will not agree with. However, I do NOT have a right to slander him because of those things.

In Romans 13:1-2, Paul wrote, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” 

I am not arguing you have to agree with everything the president says or does. But, you must be willing to submit to his authority. He is the leader of the United States. He is our leader. 

Consider this: Does it make you angry when the liberal media takes cruel shots at President Bush or John McCain or Sarah Palin? What gives you the right to do the same thing to a president you didn’t vote for?

Our country does need “change,” but we can’t expect change to happen if we sit by idly and do nothing. If you really want to see change, do something about it!!! First of all, vote! If you didn’t vote in this election, then close your mouth! Read more…

Lately, I’ve been struck and sickened by a few things I’ve heard during the political campaigns. 

Several weeks ago, a 7th grader in New Smyrna Beach, Florida wore a McCain/Palin shirt to class. Several of her middle school classmates repeated called the girl a racist, and yet the teacher did nothing about it.

Recently, I heard about a girl in Nashville, TN who was engaged in a classroom discussion about the political process. She defended Senator McCain on a few topics. Later on, she was physically attacked by several girls who thought she was a racist for not supporting Senator Obama.

I heard a story yesterday about a college student who was called horrible names because she was white, and that automatically associated her with Republicans and Senator McCain. 

There are many more examples I could include. I have personally heard people say that people who vote for John McCain are racists. 

Something is completely wrong with this! Yes, our First Amendment rights entitled us to free speech, but they also protect us against slander and libel. Read more…

Here’s a little Friday Halloween fun for everyone. Here’s Frank Caliendo’s take on the Presidential Election. Watch, enjoy, have a great weekend, and eat lots of candy:

A couple months ago, I asked people what they felt was the most important issue regarding the upcoming election. It was at the start of the housing crisis, and so most of the answers revolved around the economy. 

Well, 5 days before the big election, I’m asking the same question again:

For you, what issue will affect your vote more than any other in this year’s presidential election?

Very simple question today. I guess this could be somewhat election-related. But, I’m just curious…where do you get your news and who do you get it from?

Do you keep it locked on CNN for Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, and Larry King?

Do you play “hardball” with MSNBC and keep an eye on Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, and Rachel Maddow?

Do you like to keep things “fair and balanced” on Fox News with Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Greta Van Susteren?

Are you only a local news person?

Where do you get your news?

Yesterday I attended the “Get Motivated Conference” at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN. 24 hours later,  I can’t say that I feel any more motivated, but I did get to hear some great speakers give some great advice. I thought it might be nice to share my notes with whoever cares:

Zig Ziglar

- The most important character trait is truth (integrity).

- You can have everything in life you want if you help enough people.

- Always be learning something new.

- “Accepting Jesus was the best decision I ever made.”

- “I read the newspaper and the Bible every morning, because I like seeing what’s going on with both sides.”

Rudy Giuliani Read more…