From The Archives: A Texting Taboo

What do your texting habits communicate to those around you?
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Best Of: What Have Your Eyes Seen Lately?

Have you made a covenant with your eyes? Here are a few steps you need to take to be successful.
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Best Of: Vampire Craze

These aren't just books. New Moon isn't just another hit movie. We need to talk about it.
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Putting Instagram Into Focus

Could Instagram be another way we're focusing our time and attention on ourselves instead of focusing on God?
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Six Reasons To Guard Your Eyes

So what if porn is everywhere? Why does it matter if you go with the flow and watch, read, and listen to sexual content? That, my friends, is a million-dollar question. Here are six reasons why exposing yourself to porn (remember porn simply means the depiction of erotic behavior) matters.
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What Is Magic Mike Stripping Us Of?

I want to sound an alarm. In movies, books, songs, and TV shows, something that was trickling into your hearts a few years ago is now being piped in at full throttle.
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On The Hunger Games And Riding The Next Big Wave

There are plenty of potential land mines out there when it comes to books we can read, movies we can watch, shows we can turn on, and songs we can listen to. Even so, I'm less interested in placing these pop culture phenomena into the categories of "good" and "bad" on this blog and more interested in helping you squeeze everything the culture throws at you through the grid of God's Word.
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More With The Miller Girls

On Tuesday I introduced you to Emily, Hannah, and Christy Miller, three young filmmakers who are using their talent and resources to teach others about Jesus. Here's the second part of their interview and the trailer for their latest film, Worth Saving.
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Teen Filmmakers Ask If You Are Worth Saving

I am thrilled to introduce you to three sisters—Hannah, Christy, and Emily Miller, three young filmmakers who are boldly telling the story of Jesus in an industry that makes doing so especially tough.
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Why Twilight Isn't Good No Matter How You Slice It

When it comes to our media choices, God's Word doesn't urge us to ask "Are parts of this harmless?" but rather "Is this holy?"
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The Dangers In Breaking Dawn

I'm not a Twilight fan. Actually, I feel more strongly than that. I would say that Twilight has done more to deceive young women and distort God's truth than any other book or movie in recent years.
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Another LYWB.com Movie Break

Yesterday, I posted a series of thought-provoking videos on subjects ranging from hell to tornados to boyfriends. Let's keep the discussion going with two more videos today.

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A Good Reason To Pop Some Popcorn

I've gathered a collection of videos that I found thought-provoking. They don't have a common theme, but they will all help you think about God and the world around you in new ways.

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Good News: Good Girls Are En Vogue and Hollywood Is Listening

It turns out that these days stars who are known for good behavior are the only ones getting movie deals, magazine cover shoots, and million dollar contracts. Actresses who are wild can't get a break and are no longer getting paid. Why the shift? Because of you!
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Weighing in on The Beebs

As is often the case, when we put pop culture through the filter of God's Word, we rarely find an answer that is black and white. Instead let's look at some biblical principles together and see how they speak to girls on both sides of the Bieber fence.
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How To Know If a Media Choice is Wise

Over the years I have found two biblical principles to be extremely helpful as I seek to make wise media choices. In fact, they have helped me so often that I thought I should pass them on to you.
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What do I really think about Facebook?

I shut down my Facebook over a year ago. I don't think it would be an overstatement to say that it is one of the best decisions I've ever made. Here are the five reasons why I'm so glad I decided to pull the plug on Facebook.
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Glee and Northern Pike

So often, the modern media offers us choices that seem safe and satisfying. We are swimming along with themes and messages that seem easy to digest. But too often, that doesn't stay true. By the time we are fully immersed in the lies of the culture, we've fallen for the lies hook, line, and sinker. It is a pattern that can starve us of our appetite for the things of God.

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What Have Your Eyes Seen Lately?

The fourth most-searched word on the Internet for kids ages 7 and under in 2009 was “porn.” For all kids up to age 18, sex was No. 4, porn No. 5. (According to data collected by OnlineFamily.Norton.com.) This supports some research I saw a few years ago out of Britain, stating that the average age of the first inception of pornography has dropped from around twelve or thirteen to age seven or eight. Seen any lately?
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The Inadequacy of a Utopia

If Avatar has inadvertently helped someone recognize the vanity of life apart from Christ, I'm grateful. Restlessness about this world is good. Satisfaction in Pandora, however—or any other fictitious "alternate reality"—is not.

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Avatar vs. Heaven

If Avatar has inadvertently helped someone recognize the vanity of life apart from Christ, I'm grateful. Restlessness about this world is good. Satisfaction in Pandora, however—or any other fictitious "alternate reality"—is not.

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From the Archives: Does Twilight lead to an unholy fantasy life?

Many of you have written about how difficult it is to wait on God's timing for romance. And several of you have been honest about the heartache you've experienced when you've made the decision to link your life with someone other than the man God would choose for you. Surely an obsession with a fictional character, who seems to have it all, does nothing but muddy these waters.

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From the Archives: Twilight—Does it have the power to desensitize us?

There are several reasons why I think Twilight is an unwise media choice. One of the most compelling reasons is that the books get progressively more dark, violent, and sexual.

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From the Archives: Should we avoid dark themes?

As millions of young women everywhere take in the Twilight movies and tune in weekly to vampire shows, I can't help but wonder if this fascination with the dark, dangerous, bad boys featured in these series is fitting for girls who love Jesus.

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Vampire Craze

As millions of young women everywhere take in the Twilight movies and tune in weekly to vampire shows, I can't help but wonder if this fascination with the dark, dangerous, bad boys featured in these series is fitting for girls who love Jesus.

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A Better Perspective on Beauty

The Journal of Advertising published a study on the effects of overtly sexual content in mainstream consumer advertising. The results were not what you might expect.


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What does Kleenex have to do with my modesty?

The Journal of Advertising published a study on the effects of overtly sexual content in mainstream consumer advertising. The results were not what you might expect.


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Growing Up Too Fast

Someday, you’re going to be a mom and hold your first little one in your arms. I hope you’ll be one of the rare Christian parents who understands the risk of letting little girls grow up too fast.
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A Cool Mag to Check Out

A lot of magazines that target us teens can actually really harm us. But I've got the scoop on something new that you'll want to check out.


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Why I Still Don't Own a TV

I grew up without a television. Now that I'm on my own, I still don't own a TV.  Why? I sat down and tried to write ten reasons to help you understand.
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What's Your Summer Fun Idea?

Many of you have made commitments to place firmer boundaries on your Internet and television usage. But I think it's important for us to brainstorm some ideas for how you can use your extra time.
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Have Romeo and Juliet Been Lying to Us?

Do chick flicks have a hidden danger? I'm beginning to think so ...
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An Internet Quiz

Today we're sharing a challenge that's a great litmus test to help you determine if your boundaries are strong in the area of Internet usage. 
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How Can You Use Media for Good?

Sure, media can do some serious damage to our Christian walk. But not all media is toxic, and there are lots of ways to use media to minister to others.  
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What's Your Safety Net?

Exposing ourselves to toxic media can leave us prone to fear. It can lead to unholy fantasy lives and desensitize us to sin. The result can be some serious bondage.


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How Much Media Do You Really Consume?

I'm not for abandoning use of all forms of media. I am for establishing limits so that your media usage doesn't do damage to your spiritual life and relationships.

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Boom Boom Pow!

My pastor preached a kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants message Sunday. He started with Malachi 2:17. It reads: "You have wearied the LORD with your words. ‘How have we wearied him?' you ask. By saying, "All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them."

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Do You Need TV Boundaries?

We're focusing our attention on the subject of media this month. But it's really more a conversation about boundaries.
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A Texting Taboo

When's the right time--or the wrong time--to text?
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Submit your LYWB.com Book Review

If you’ve been tracking our conversation on the blog this month, you know we’ve been talking a lot about discernment. More specifically, we’ve tried to hone in on how to discern truth from lies in the media we watch, read, and listen to.

This can be a difficult task. It isn’t always obvious when a media choice is feeding us lies and it can be difficult to walk away once we realize we’ve been deceived. What’s more, there are so many books, and movies, and shows available to us that finding worthwhile material can seem a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack.
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A Great Tool for the Discerning Reader

If you’re looking for an online tool to help you discern whether a particular book is a wise read, check out www.discerningreader.com. You can find book reviews, recommended reading lists by people like John MacArthur, and author interviews. You can even get the scoop on upcoming releases. Very cool!
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Confessions of a "Twilight" Reader

Admittedly, I have not read Twilight or seen the movie. I want to walk the talk and avoid this series since I’m campaigning hard for you to do the same. But, since many of you have read these books and/or seen the movie, I thought it might be helpful for you to hear from another Twilight reader.

My friend, Jessica has read all four books and seen the movie. She is a college senior and a volunteer in the youth group my husband pastors. As we started talking about this issue in our youth group, Jessica started to re-examine her opinions on the series. I asked her to share them with you.
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Dannah Stops by to Talk About "Twilight"

As part of our focus on discernment, we’ve been talking about “Twilight” all week on the blog. If you’ve been following that conversation, you know that I’ve been upfront about the fact that I think this is a series you should stay away from. But, I don’t just want you to take my word for it. An important part of learning to discern, is listening to trustworthy voices, especially those individuals who are committed to pointing you toward God’s Truth.  Dannah Gresh is one of those voices.

Dannah is the co-author of Lies Young Women Believe. With two teenage girls at home, and lots of contact with young women through her ministry, Dannah is no stranger to Twilight. Here’s her take.
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Should we avoid "dark" themes?

I struggle to make wise choices when it comes to the media I watch, read, and listen to. With so many ways to plug in, tune out, and be entertained it can be really tough to discern which shows, books, and movies are okay and which ones I’d be better off to avoid. Can you relate?

As part of our month-long series on discerning Truth from lies, we’ve been examining the best-selling series Twilight. With over 17 million copies sold and a growing fan base of young women worldwide, it seems that this is a series that many, many young women have given their stamp of approval.

But should they? Should you?

I’ve already given you two reasons why I think we should choose not to read these books or see the movies. Here’s one more—as Christians, it is wise to stay away from “dark” themes.

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Twilight—does it have the power to desensitize us?

It is possible to argue that the first book is harmless. The plot stays relatively clean and the storyline is pretty simple. But, this certainly isn’t true in the subsequent books. In the final book “Breaking Dawn” there is an increasing focus on horror and the occult. Bella dies and is transformed into a vampire. How? Edward transforms her by biting her all over her body. The scene is sexually charged and violent. But, it gets worse. Bella soon gives birth to a half-vampire/half-human baby that rips its way out of her womb. This is obviously scary and violent. But, by now readers of the series are so hooked that it seems they are desensitized. This is dangerous indeed.

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Twilight--Everyone's Reading It. Should you?

“Twilight,” is one little word I can’t seem to escape these days. I’m sure you’ve heard of the four book series written about a teenage girl and her vampire boyfriend. Many of you have even written on this blog that you’ve read the series or seen the movie. And you’re certainly not alone. To date there are over 17 million copies of these books in print. The movie based on the series opened last month and garnered over $70 million dollars opening weekend. The announcement of a second movie seemed to be the most exciting entertainment news in weeks. There are hundreds of fan sites, and opening parties, and loads fan gear available in every mall. All of this amounts to a little more than your average best-selling novel. These books have created a cultural phenomenon. But, just because everyone’s reading (and watching) this, should you? Is Twilight something that Christians should avoid altogether?
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Headlines Expose Lie that Media Doesn’t Matter

Two news headlines jumped out at me last week. The first read, “Study Links Sexual Content on TV to Teen Pregnancy.” The second was more tragic. It said, “Ontario Town in Mourning After Body Found.” Both stories highlighted a link between media choices and actions.
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I’m Taking a Facebook Fast

Our media choices do impact us. With that in mind, I think it is important that we take a hard look at our choices to make sure that they do more good than harm. Otherwise, our media choices can slowly introduce us to lies that lead to bondage.

“If you are taking in regular or significant doses of music, television, the internet, and movies, you are being affected by them. The question is: Are you being influenced positively or negatively? The impact is usually not felt immediately—its more like and IV in your arm that goes drip…drip…drip…gradually pumping a foreign substance into your system. If the substance dripping through that plastic tubing is toxic or poisonous, you may not feel the results right away, but once it gets into your system, your whole body will definitely be affected!

Likewise, the consequences of taking toxic media into your mind and soul may not be realized until further down the road when it’s too late and the damage has been done” (Lies Young Women Believe, 152).

So, I’m turning off the drip. I am going to pray through my media choices, specifically my use of Facebook and I’m going to make sure that the pros outweigh the cons. I am going to strive to be especially mindful of how this particular media choice impacts my spiritual walk. Care to join me?
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A New Trend in Fashion—Modesty!

A recent article on cnn.com addressed a staggering new trend in teen fashion. It wasn’t about a new style of jeans or the latest in accessorizing. This article highlights an even bigger (and certainly more surprising) fashion trend—modesty!
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Twilight—dangerous drama or just fun fiction?

I’ll admit it; I’m not a teenager. In fact, I haven’t been a teenager for…a while. But, you don’t have to be an expert in teen culture to have the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer on your radar screen. It has become quite a pop culture phenomenon.
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Sex and rebellion—is it what teenagers really want?

I think it’s important that this blog be as practical as it is idealistic. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, but I’m also interested in hearing about pockets of culture that are doing things right. What shows do you watch that you think match up to a Biblical worldview? What products do you buy as a result of marketing that is wholesome instead of sexy? What can you do to convince marketers that young women, especially young Christian woman, don’t want to be exposed to so much skin? I have no doubt that you can make a difference. I can’t wait to hear from you.
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Garbage In, Garbage Out

Does your mind work like a computer? Mine does. Just like my computer, my mind is capable of storing unbelievable amounts of information. I can still remember my 10th birthday party, my first day of junior high, and my first date with my husband. Just like a computer, my mind is capable of filing lyrics to hundreds of songs (when was the last time you heard a song on the radio that you didn’t know the words to?) along with data on how to add and subtract, tell the difference between a pretty flower and a poison ivy leaf and diagram a sentence. And sometimes, just like a computer, my mind crashes and I find it difficult to think at all.

Our minds are like computers in another way. Just like computers, what we put into our minds is exactly what we get out. It is a basic law of computer programming that a computer cannot output something that it was not programmed to do. In other words, what goes in is what comes out.
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But What About Magic? What does God’s Word say about wizards and witches?

You gals are sharp! You are always asking questions that stretch me and challenge me to dig deeper into God’s Word. I love that about this blog! Recently one of you asked a great question about whether or not God’s Word allows us to enjoy media focused on magic and fantasy. I think this a great question, and to be honest it is one I’ve not thought much about before. Together, let’s explore this topic and see if we can dig up some Truth.
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A Facebook Breakup: Do the benefits of media use really outweigh the harm?

    A friend of mine recently endured a painful breakup. Within a few days, all 239 of her Facebook friends knew that her relationship status had changed. In fact, I was one of the hundreds of people who received a mini-feed in my inbox telling me that she was now single. Next to the newsflash was a cartoon broken heart. It seemed like harmless fun, but the reality was that she was really hurting.

    All of this made me ask a question that Nancy and Dannah address directly in Lies Young Women Believe, do the benefits of our constant media use really outweigh the harm?  

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