Katy Perry - Too Much of Her

I haven't seen Katy Perry's new movie. I don't intend to. I don't intend to let my daughter see it. I won't even let my daughter listen to her music. While I agree she is very talented and beautiful, she's using her gifts to glorify promiscuity, alcohol use, and who knows what else (I really, really, really don't want to know what else). As is typical with many who are popular in today's culture, she is targeting our young girls (and boys) with highly sexualized messages that they need not be exposed to.

I've read several reviews, mostly by the liberal media, who either praise her for her honesty or criticize her for her blatant self promotion. None of the usual media outlets say anything about how her candy-coated facade with messages about sex will affect our youth. (BTW, here is my recommended review: Katy Perry: Part of Me) Then again, the minute a conservative Christian steps forward with an opposing view about today's culture we're greeted with accusations of being too over protective, "out of touch," or that we're sheltering our children from the inevitable.  (As I've mentioned before, I'm totally OK with being over protective, out of touch and an avid shelterer.)

By worldy standards, I'm seen as a prude. I would bet that God sees it differently. I still watch television shows and movies that I don't think God would watch with me. In fact, He might just smack me upside the head and say, "What the heck are you thinking??" These are shows, of course, that I watch in my mommy bubble when my sweet daughter is either asleep or out of the room. I am VERY protective of my daughter's heart and mind... I probably should be a little more protective of my own, too. (OK, I'm feeling a little convicted now... darn it!)

The Bible says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)

OK, so here's the thing...

I, personally, think there is a little too much comforming going on in the world... and in our churches (that's a totally separate blog conversation... note to self). Instead of standing on the Bible, we're standing on what's acceptable to the world so as not to offend anyone. We allow our precious little children to emulate popular culture so they can fit in with the world and not be persecuted. GUESS WHAT?? The Bible says that as Christians we WILL be persecuted (Matthew 24:9)... it also says that while we're in the world, God doesn't want us to be OF the world (1 John 2:15-17!).

Have you given in to the pressures of the world in the name of fitting in? What tough choices have you made that may have caused you to be persecuted? 

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what I say.  It only matters what God says.  Of course, I'm always more than happy to share my opinion. :)

By the way, I thought you all might be super excited to hear that I'll be writing more than ever very soon! I'll only be working part time, so that will give me even more time to dedicate to sharing my opinion. Isn't that great??! Thanks for reading!

Expectations of Mediocrity

I don't get it. Why do we expect kids to act or dress a certain way just because other kids are acting or dressing that way?

I was recently involved in an online discussion regarding the way kids communicate with their abbreviated texting language. This "language" is spilling over into everyday life and becoming the norm. People have come to expect this from not only teens, but everyone.

It's kind of like fashion. Everyone wants to be hip and in style and make a statement, regardless of whether or not it looks good. Prime example: low-rise jeans. Why wear skin-tight, low-rise jeans if you have a big ol' muffin top hanging out from all sides? (Let's throw in a fitted t-shirt with that, too.) Because it's the fashion, right? But it doesn't look good. Trust me. It doesn't.

What I seem to find running rampant in our society is the expectation of mediocrity. Please know - I'm blessed to know many amazing families whose children are respectful, intelligent, well-spoken, well-dressed, etc., etc. - I'm not talking about them. :) I'm talking about the people/kids who talk, dress and act like... well... ignoramuses, fools and hoods (short for hoodlums). I honestly can't count the number of times I've gone into a store or restaurant and not been able to understand the employee, not to mention watched as they walked away while yanking up their pants. This is OK? For some, yes, it is. Because they've come to the point of not expecting more. "Well, this is the way it is now. I'll just have to accept it." Sorry, I'm not buying it.

This is one of the responses I posted in the online discussion:

"Why do teenagers/kids have to be like everyone else? Why can't they stand out amongst their peers and NOT write and communicate like imbeciles (regardless of texting language)? And parents who expect that of their children are setting them up for failure. I DO NOT expect my children to ACT like other people's kids just because everyone else is doing it. My friends' kids wear super short skirts and shorts because everyone else is doing it... sorry, not my kids! Skintight clothing and low-cut shirts? Nope, not my kids. Pants hanging down below the butt? Sorry, not gonna cut it. Oh, and I never spoke disrespectfully to an adult EVER as a child or teenager, my children don't either, and if they ever do, boy will there be some heck to pay! My children speak clearly, respectfully and look you in the eye when they speak. I would imagine my 10 year old has a better chance of landing a job than some teenagers. Again - why expect mediocrity?"

One parent's response was she was doing whatever she could to understand her teenager and her friends, and it seemed it also meant accepting behavior because everyone else her daughter's age does the same the same thing. I agree we need to work at understanding where our kids are at in their lives, but it doesn't mean accepting and condoning certain behaviors.

As a Christian mom, I know I hold my kids to a different standard than some other parents. I impress to my children that they should work as if working for the Lord, not men (Colossians 3:23). I also teach my children modesty, not only for self respect, but also to avoid tempting others and being a stumbling block to another (2 Corinthians 6:3). I know by many I'm seen as a prude, old fashioned or someone who isn't "in touch" with the times. As it turns out, I'm totally OK with that!

But here's the thing... I'm afraid that if our society continues on this path of mediocrity, we're going to end up like those in the movie, Idiocracy: a uniformly stupid human society devoid of individual responsibility or consequences. Sadly, I think we may get there sooner than most would like.