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Dangers Of The Internet

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, December 02, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Recently on my PlanetWisdom blog I replied to a youth pastor’s question about some Internet snooping software and my opinions about technologies that allow parents to spy on their kids.

I was rather shocked by the responses I received from angry parents questioning my judgment (mainly via email) and realized that either I was completely off-base in my response, or many parents are buying into a story about online safety without doing their homework.

So I did my homework and what I found was pretty interesting.

There is a small number of researchers who have been assessing the severity of online crime against children and adolescence. While any crime against a child is very serious, most researchers seem to agree that there is irrational fear over the dangers on the Internet.  One study conducted with a grant from the Justice Department has actually gone through two cycles of research to measure the changes from the year 2000 to 2005. Most of the research I will share with you was released between 2006 and 2008 and is the most current information I could obtain.

1. The media’s portrayal of online predators is not consistent with what is actually happening.

The idea that sexual molesters are using the Internet to deceptively prey on youth is what most stereotypically comes to mind when we imagine an “online predator”.  While these incidents are indeed serious, they are not as frightening as the public has come to believe. While there are incidents of adults soliciting teens on the Internet, most were not done in the predatory manner the public has come to believe. Most online sexual solicitations happen to teenagers and originate from other teens and 20 somethings.  Of those interactions where an adult was involved, the adult did not hide their age or use deception. Most were up front about their interest in some form of sexual engagement. Most teens involved in this behavior were participating in specific “at risk behaviors”  and met other criteria (read the following report in footnote for more). The average teen not engaging in these behaviors were rarely engaged.The report also mentions that posting personal information is not in itself an at risk behavior. 1

The research goes as far to indicate that talking generally to strangers online is not what puts kids at risk because teens who find themselves in these situations are looking for these kinds of encounters. In fact of those teens who had received an unwanted sexual solicitation 75% said they did not find it distressing and were not psychologically harmed. 2

Dr. Finkelhor who is a primary researcher in this field and an expert in matters of children and sexual abuse had this to say. ” It turns out that the young people who are vulnerable to these kinds of crimes, they’re going online looking for things they’re not getting in their families and in their life. There needs to be information about this that’s available on the Web and the places where these young people hang out. It is important for parents to have conversations about Internet safety, but those conversations should probably be less about giving out personal information and more about what to do if somebody starts to talk with them about sex, and how to deal with inclination to post sexy pictures of yourself or information about yourself that suggests an interest in a sexual relationship. 3

2. From 1992 - 2008 there has been a 53% drop in sexual offenses against children. 4

This goes far beyond the public perception of increased vulnerability and abuse of children. When you consider that the Internet grew during that twelve year span, it would appear that the Internet is not increasing the amount of abuse that is going on in our world. In fact, offline abuse still significantly outnumbers that which occurs online. When one considers that the vast majority of sex crimes against children and teens are committed by someone they know, probably going to church is more dangerous than interacting with someone online. (In fact, 44% of Internet sexual offenders were family members, and 56% were known to the victim offline (friends, neighbors, teachers, youth workers etc). The number of online incidents with a complete stranger are so rare they are statistically non-existent). 5

3. What is clear is that children and teens are more likely to encounter “unwanted” sexual content when involved in the Internet.

There is some debate among the research as to how much of a threat this is compared to traditional forms of finding sexual material offline (i.e a fathers porn stash, or something shared by a friend). What is of note is that there has been a dramatic decline in “unwanted” exposure from 2000 to 2005 as laws and industry self-policing have are working to keep sexual material from reaching the eyes of minors. In fact the majority of incidents involved adolescents and the incidents of pre-pubescent solicitation of adult material was almost non-existent. But there is still a significant increased risk of a minor encountering unwanted sexual content on the Internet 6

What can we learn from all of this?

1. We need to be careful about what we believe.
As parents how we perceive the world around us greatly impacts how we parent. Much of the harm we do as parents is motivated by a desire to do the right thing, we just do it in the wrong way. My upcoming book and seminar titled “Real World Parents” address this need to have an accurate understanding of culture as we seek to biblically guide our children toward spiritual maturity. Christians live in a marketplace that utilizes fear to sell books, fill conferences, and raise money. We need to be wary about any “data” we are given even by our trusted Christian leaders (read: Evangelicals Behaving Badly with Statistics by Christian Smith in Christianity Today).

2. We need to realize that stranger danger is not the best safety message.
Most crimes against children occur by a family member or someone the child knows. Consider that out of the nearly 800,000 missing children reported last year only 115 were the victims of a complete stranger or someone the child only “slightly” knew!7  Researchers claim the key to teaching our children about safety is helping them identify behavior that is unusual or improper from peers and adults be they strange OR familiar. Children also need to know what to do when they are experience these behaviors from others.  Most strangers would definitely help a child in need, we don’t want to scare them from this valuable source of help!

Bottom line: the best safety measure is being involved in the lives of your kids without violating their need to mature and become self reliant.

3. We don’t want to live in fear, but the Internet does have a dark side so we need to be wise.

While I have been making a case that the Internet may not be the safety concern many might believe, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be careful as parents. Keep the computer in a public place, do not allow your kids to have passwords unknown to you, talk with your kids about their online interactions like you would other interactions they have throughout the day.

But please realize that 85% of school aged kids have access to the Internet outside the home and filters and monitoring software are easily worked around. Think of tools like these as very light protections that do not replace solid training. When my kids were little I didn’t let them play with bottles of poison, but I didn’t trust a child safety cap either. I taught them the dangers of these products so even if they came in contact with them, they would know what to do.

What is more, if your children are involved in questionable online behavior, your family (not just the child in question) probably need to seek professional counseling. The studies show that most teens who engage in dangerous Internet behaviors are doing so as a result of problems and unmet needs at home. This is not a time to be proud. Get the help you need.

4. Be aware that research is showing that online interactions are actually good for your kids.

You may not get it as a parent, but the evidence is giving online activity a thumbs up. It won’t be long and your kids will be armed with this data too! Celebrate the positives of the Internet.

Researchers, including participants from University of California-Berkeley and University of Southern California, conducted interviews, studied diaries, convened focus groups and collected nearly 10,500 profiles on sites such as Facebook and Neopets. The $3.3 million study, funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, found that youths use online networks to extend friendships, acquire technical skills, learn from each other, explore interests and develop expertise. This all takes “ongoing maintenance and negotiation.’‘
In what researchers call “hypersocial’’ behavior, media at the fingertips en-able teens to always be connected. And instant messaging, text messages and Facebook have changed dating as well: Couples “telecocoon,’’ creating a full-time intimate community even while physically apart.
As for mere socializing, “It is not a waste of time for teens to hang out on-line,’’ said Mizuko Ito, a professor at the University of California-Irvine and lead researcher for the study “Living and Learning with New Media.’’ Kids on-line, the study said, are learning to be “competent citizens in the digital age.’’

8

Footnotes and sources

1. Online “Predators” And Their Victims, Myths, Realities , and Implications for Prevention and Treatment 2008 by the American Psychological Association 0003-066X/08/$12.00 Vol. 63, No. 2, 111–128 DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.63.2.111

2.

David Finkelhor, Kimberly J. Mitchell,          and Janis Wolak. Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later.          Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited           Children, 2006

3.

National Public Radio (NPR) February 20, 2008 Wednesday Day to Day 4:00 PM EST “The Online Predator Myth”

4. David Finkelhor and Lisa Jones (2008) Updated Trends in Child Maltreatment http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/Trends/index.html

5.

David Finkelhor, Kimberly J. Mitchell,          and Janis Wolak. Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later.          Alexandria, Virginia: National Center for Missing & Exploited           Children, 2006

6. Andrea J. Sedlak, David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Dana J. Schultz. U.S. Department of Justice. “National Estimates of Missing Children: An Overview” in National           Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway           Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 5.

7.

Kimberly J. Mitchell, Janis Wolak, & David Finkelhor. (2007). Trends in Youth Reports of Sexual Solicitations, Harassment and Unwanted Exposure to Pornography on the Internet.Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(2), 116-126.

8. San Jose Mercury News (California) November 20, 2008 Thursday “Chill out, parents: Time online teaches kids important skills, study finds”, Sharon Noguchi Mercury News

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Wisdom On ... Holiness

Posted by Mark Matlock on Wed, November 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

I’m getting ready to spend Thanksgiving with my family in California. My parents home is on a couple of acres and I loved growing up with land all around me. My brothers and I used to dig holes in the back of the field behind our house. When we were on vacation we would wake up early in the morning and start digging and often keep digging until time to sleep. We could do this everyday for days in a row.

That is the funny thing about holes, they can always be a little deeper and a little wider. When are we ever really done?

Thinking about this today led me to this passage in 1 Thess 4.

1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

This passage has always fascinated me because the Thessalonians are praised for living lives that are pleasing to God, but they are encouraged to do so even more. Like the “hole” in my backyard, the pursuit of God’s holiness is never exhausted. We can always go a bit deeper and wider.

I sometimes tend to fall into a few traps when I live to please God.

1. I get all “legalistic” about behavior.

This usually leads to me to living to a set of standards without really grasping their meaning. Soon I am following all these rules, rather than living in right relationships with God and others. So I have to figure out how to please God “more and more” without it becoming about rules.

2. I start thinking of God’s love as something I have to earn.

Once I start living to please God, I sometimes make the mistake of believing that it is my action that earns God’s love rather than my pleasing actions being a response to God’s love. So I have to remember that God’s love is unconditional, that I have to experience it first and then allow my pleasing behavior to be in response to God’s love. If I do the reverse, I miss the point!

That said, I sometimes forget that God wants me to keep improving!

Because I feel that God’s love isn’t dependent on my actions, I forget that His desire for me is to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. I can still grow more and more.

1 Thess 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

As the bumper sticker says, “God loves you just as you are, and way too much to leave you that way”!

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for God’s holiness, that He loves me despite my lack of holiness, and that He gives me power to live a holy life more and more each day.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

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Parents Snooping On the Internet

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, November 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Here’s a question I received from a friend and my response. It’s a huge issue and I’d love to get your perspective on this.

Hey Mark,
Hope all is well. I know you are an extremely busy guy, but I was just curious to know what your thoughts were on about this “Tattletale” computer monitoring software for parents. I was at a “Baptist” Youth Ministry forum and they were really pushing this for parents, but I couldn’t help but have some apprehensive concerns about it…
Thanks for you time!
G

G,

Ok here’s my quick two cents.

1) I don’t trust software to replace my involvement in the lives of my children. The internet is not going away, so as a parent I have to train up my kids to navigate this aspect of life.

2) The marketing for this software plays on fear .. fear which I don’t think is justifiable. If I am actively involved in the computer usage of my children (the same way I am in their school work, friends etc) the internet is relatively safe.

3) That said, If I can’t trust my kids on the internet or they have a history of bad behavior this tool might be of help, or a way in which a parent can give access while maintaining some control. The problem is this software promotes spying rather than filtering, see next point.

4) If I used software like this (which I can’t imagine doing) I would let my kids know I was using it.  I would never snoop on my kids without letting them know I may do that. Even though I may have the right to do so, and it may be in the best interest of my child, I would hope I have the relationship to ask the hard questions and get answers without snooping. I think kids grow spiritually when they are allowed some privacy, privacy with limits. I realize there ARE parents who don’t have this relationship, and that alone should be a red flag that software like this is not really a tool, but a solution for a weak relationship.

5) Don’t believe kids won’t be able to get around this software. If your kids are misbehavin’ they will get around this software. For some it could be a deterrent, but as a parent I wouldn’t put alot of hope in this. I’ve talked to kids who have elaborate connections to people who know how to get around this stuff.

Bottom line: Why would someone buy this?

1. Fear.
2. Illusion of safety (without teaching safety)
3. Solution for an existing poor parent/child relationship.

I just can’t imagine a need for this otherwise.

Okay internet family ... let me know what you think about my response!

Do you agree with my response or am I too trusting? What do you do in your family to keep you safe on the internet?

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

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• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
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Wisdom On ... Mentors

Posted by Mark Matlock on Wed, November 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Yoda, Mr. Miyagi, Fairy Godmothers. Every hero story contains the wise person that enters the hero’s life to help them realize their full created potential.

This summer I had a former mentor of mine, Dawson McAllister, speak one night at our summer camp. Being with him reminded me of how significant mentors are in our lives. Consider this, I would not be involved in youth ministry if it were not for Dawson McAllister. The five years I spent working with him were used by God to alter the direction of my life. Before meeting him I had no interest or thought of being involved in youth ministry.

We all need people who have been further down the journey of life to help us as we mature and grow. Parents definitely play a part in our maturity for sure, but it seems that as we get older, we need someone from the outside to help us take ownership of all our parents have taught us and push us further. I love my parents, but there came a time when I didn’t always listen or believe what they taught me.  There were also skills that I needed that they didn’t personally possess. This is where mentors come into our lives.

Mentors pass on lots of things like skills, secret knowledge, tools, connections,  and discipline that help us as we walk on our journey. Most of all they give us wisdom. They give us access to their years of trials and triumphs so that perhaps we might go further than they did, and with less pain.

Throughout my life I have had a variety of people who have made significant investments in my life. Some of these people sought me out, but most of the time I was the one who initiated the realtionship. I was seeking wisdom. Do you? If so, here is some quick advice about finding mentors.

1. Look for people who are living parts of their life the way you would want to live.

When Jade and I were engaged to be married, we started reading some books on how to have a healthy marriage. I found out that one of the authors had been married three times! I threw the book out and started looking for couples who had been married 30 years or more for advice. It was free and I learned WAY more than I was seeking to learn. This doesn’t mean we can’t learn from other people’s failures, we can to be sure, but we want to look for people who are living wisely (you’ll quickly learn that those people overcame alot too!)

Who can you learn from in your life?

Find people already posses qualities you’d like to have in your own life. Be careful though, you want to make sure these aspirations that you have will help you grow closer to God. There may be people with loads of money, popularity, and power you’d like to be like, but are these the true sources of happiness? Look for people who really seem to know and follow after God. Look for people who walk in healthy relationships. These will be people you want to learn from.

2. Ask for help.

Tell those you’d like to learn from that you need their help. Older people love helping younger people.  When I was a junior member of the Magic Castle (a club for illusionists in Beverly Hills) the experienced magicians would help us learn, especially if we asked. When I became an adult member of the Castle, the help wasn’t as freely available. What did I learn? People love freely investing in youth, as you get older, they charge for it!

Take advantage of your youth and ask for help.

3. Make a commitment to learn from your mentor
Once you find a person who is willing to mentor you, realize that you don’t know everything and you need to be teachable. When I was in my art classes at Biola I was always trying to break the rules and do things my own way. One of my professors whom I was friends with told me I needed to learn the rules first so I could understand why I was breaking them, otherwise I would never really come to understand what I was doing. He was right!

You may not like everything your mentor has you do, but until you understand their way, it is difficult to find your own. Often times, you realize that their way isn’t so bad after all. Brilliant even.


PlanetWisdom’s theme this year, is Unlikely Heroes. We’re exploring how we can mature spiritually so that we can follow the greatest Hero ever, Jesus. Jesus was the master and He discipled (mentored) followers in His ways. We need to continue this practice of learning from those who are wiser than us. Now go find a mentor, learn and grow!

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

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Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Election Reflection Response

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, November 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Wow! My last entry, “Election Reflection”,  generated many responses (some posted and others emailed directly to me).

After reading through the responses I wanted to respond to a few assumptions people made about the last post. Am I on the defensive? Maybe so.

Here are just a few clarifications I’d like to make.

1) My previous blog post had nothing to do with the Obama book published by my employer Youth Specialties/Zondervan. In fact, the last time I’d heard about this book I was under the impression it wasn’t coming out. The Obama book was originally intended as a two part set. One book was on Sarah Palin and the other on Barack Obama.

Why Palin and not McCain?  This election would have been historic regardless of which party won. Obviously The election of an African-American president is significant, but the election of a female vice president would also have been equally significant. So the books were written to highlight the lives (not the policies) of these two individuals.

What also made these two candidates interesting was how their Christian faith played into who they presented themselves to be as candidates. McCain and Biden were very quiet about their beliefs while Obama and Palin were more open to discussing the influence of the Christian faith in their lives.

The reason I believed the books weren’t coming out was that the Christian book buyers (who distribute and sell the books of publishers) weren’t interested in pre-election books. So I thought the project was dead. Turns out the buyers came back and said they’d be interested in distributing one of the books depending on who won the election, and so the Obama book came out. I haven’t read the book (I just received a copy) and can’t comment on it. My blog had nothing to do with the release of the book.

2. Many comments have been made about my parenting abilities, here are a few.

“Balanced?” What’s wrong with teaching your kids what’s right??????

And regarding the success at masking our political leanings from our kids, I say a resounding “FAIL!” You can leave your kids wondering who you’d vote for, but I’d be embarrassed if my kids thought that I would vote for any candidate that actively supports the abortion and homosexual causes.

I do teach my kids what is right. I teach them where God’s word stands on many issues like abortion and homosexuality. Can I also add to that list greed, selfish ambition, arrogance, pride and inaction toward assisting the poor (the reason given for Sodom and Gomorrah’s judgement in Ezekiel 16:49)?

Neither party excels in upholding morality perfectly. So when I talk to my children about candidates I am fair and balanced in that I am critical of BOTH parties failure to uphold the righteousness of God. This is why I must teach them that government is what it is, but living the Kingdom way is so much more!

I strive to teach my children virtues like love, integrity, courage, servanthood, grace and mercy. Character qualities I hope will guide them as they seek to become ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) in a world system that does not match the way of God.

I also teach them that politicians are trying to get votes and will say and do anything to be elected (yes, even pretend to align them selves with Christian voters). So it is never good to accept words without giving a critical eye to what is being said.

As a youth worker of nearly two decades who has devoted his life to helping make disciples of the next generation, I have observed that children whose faith vibrantly survives into adulthood were raised in homes that encouraged “cognitive autonomy”. In other words, they were raised in an environment that allowed them to explore ideas that were different from their parents. This process is done under the loving guidance of parents to be certain,  but it is the home I was raised in and try to raise my children in.

3. Many assume I voted for Obama.

I never claimed that I voted for Obama and to infer this is a distortion of my position and message.

4. To those who liken Obama to Hitler shame on you! (But that doesn’t mean we can’t be critical of our leaders either)

This is EXACTLY the kind of fear mongering and faulty thinking that concerns me about our Christian community. One mother wrote that her daughter was concerned about Obama because he resembled Hitler in that 1) He came to power in economically hard times 2) He was a charismatic communicator 3) He talked about change for his country. If that were the test for someone being like Hitler, then FDR, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton (three recent presidents) would also meet the criteria for becoming “like Hitler”.

It’s great this young woman is reading and connecting ideas learned from the past to current events. She should be commended for that. But she also needs to be challenged in here thinking. To liken Obama to Hitler is the fallacy of “slippery slope” thinking. Have her read my book “Smart Faith” written with philosopher JP Moreland. It discusses things like fallacious thinking, and explores why Christians need to be better thinkers.

The greatest likeness to a past leader I see in Obama is President Franklin D. Roosevelt (I noticed a recent cover of Time magazine that expressed this too!). FDR may be the closest thing this country has had to a “president as dictator” (he was elected for 4 terms!) and a “socialist president” (His New Deal with its “alphabet soup”  programs including Social Security definitely get high marks for resembling socialism) and yet, he did some great things for this country during very hard times. As times improved many of these programs went away, but some still remain.

That said, Christians SHOULD hold their candidates responsible for the way they govern. Should we be concerned? Absolutely! As Christians we stand need to stand for what is just. We need to be loving and gracious in the process ... but I never said we should give Obama a free pass. I simply was stating that we did not need to “fear him”.

FDR said in his inaugural address, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  And as long as we fear only God, this is absolutely true.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Election Reflection

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, November 06, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Around the dinner table last week I asked my kids who they were going to vote for. My son replied “Obama” and my daughter, “John McCain”.

I asked my daughter, “Why?”.  She said because that is who we (Jade and I) were voting for. Dax commented back “No they aren’t, they are voting for Obama.”

I smiled. Neither of my kids had picked up on who I was voting for. I liked this. It made me feel “fair and balanced”.

I responded to the kids telling them they should never vote a certain way just because somebody they knew (even trusted) were voting that way. I then asked them the reasons why they might vote for either candidate and a nice discussion followed.

What concerned me most in the conversation was how much fear my daughter shared with us about an Obama victory. In fact, the night of the election she actually cried because she was afraid Obama was going to take our house away.

Now I have been critical of both candidates, but I’ve never shared the sentiment that I was afraid of an Obama presidency. Where did she get this fear from?

Further probing unfolded various conversations with friends, their parents, and church family members.

I was shocked. While I may have preferred one candidate over another, I’ve never been in fear of either one becoming president. What is shocking most, is that much of this “fear mongering” came from those who would call themselves followers of Christ.

As Christians our confidence lies in the sovereignty of God. We do not need to fear anything or anyone. But rather in humility and grace live our lives respectfully in the world.

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba,  Father.”

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The head of marketing for a well respected presonality in Christian ministry once gave me advice for selling more books, raising more money, and filling more seats.  “The majority of Christians are motivated by fear. Your problem Mark, is that you always think positively and hopefully about teenagers. You don’t have to change the core of your message, just leverage fear more to sell your message.”

I left the office disillusioned. Fear is not the message of the Gospel.

But judging by the tears of my daughter after Obama’s victory, Christians use this message of fear most. Shame on all of us.

Reflection on the election I have a few thoughts about how involved Christians should be in the political process.

1. First recognize that our citizenship is in the kingdom way of heaven and not of this world. (Phil 3:20) My life needs to reflect the kingdom of God and not a political party. There are deeply Christian values found in both partys’ philosophy of government and there are also many values that distinctly go against the kingdom way of heaven. In both parties! So don’t get too tied up in red and blue, your time should be spent living in the kingdom way of God.

Have you examined the aspects of your party that reflect God’s kingdom? Have you been honest about what does not? Can you support the values with scripture?

2. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Mt 22:15-22 Those word’s of Jesus have deep implications. Read that passage and ask exactly what did Jesus mean by this?

Clearly there are certain obligations we have as Christians living in a specific country. But what do you think belongs to God that should not be given to Caesar?

3. Mt 12:21 “In His name the nations will put their hope.” How do you think the world will change most? By changing the government or helping others follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ ? Let’s not put our effort into changing the world through government let’s change the world through the hope they might find in the way of Jesus Christ.

When Barack Obama won the senate seat and gave his acceptance speech, I was impressed by him. Most notably by his sincerity of Christian faith and the message of hope that he presented (in fact I remarked to my wife that he gave witness to a sincere Christian faith rarely seen in politicians who are simply trying to get votes).

I didn’t know much about Obama at that time other than his speech, and I have learned much more about him both positive and negative since then. But I have not seen any reason to doubt the sincerity of his Christian faith. Is he perfect in his walk? By no means, and there are important matters in which Obama and I disagree, his position on abortion most notably. But our churches are full of imperfect Christians, saved by grace, and being ever more transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Whether you voted for him or not, he is now our president and worthy of our prayers. Also,  consider some ideas he has that might actually be good for our country. As brothers and sisters in Christ we should challenge him when we disagree, but with humility, love and grace.

Now it’s time to put our politics aside and begin living out the kingdom way Christ saved us to. To do any less would be an offense to the death Christ died for all.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

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In Spite Of Me

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Over the past few weeks of travel I’ve heard the phrase “God used that person in spite of themselves” meaning that even though the person has character or theological issues,  for whatever reason, God still uses them to change peoples lives.

I personally am grateful for this as I am certain I don’t measure up to the high standards of God’s holiness. But as I listen to others talk, I get the impression that they have become “okay” with the fact that they were less than perfect. Maybe even too comfortable with the idea.

It seems more and more it is considered noble to be comfortable with who you are regardless of how flawed you may be.  This is the idea of being “comfortable in your own skin”. Some people even embrace their imperfection proudly proclaiming, “This is who I am.”

Look, I am aware of my imperfections every day (my kids constantly remind me, every now and then my wife too!). But I don’t think I ever want to be comfortable with them. Since I already know God uses me even though I am less than perfect, I’d like to do all I can to become more like Christ.  I’d like to know that God was using me as I was striving to live a holy and obedient life, rather than my comfort with my sin.

I know I’m sinful and I know that I have a long distance to run to achieve anything near the holiness of God, but isn’t that what we are striving for?

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

As I watched the girls compete in gymnastics last night in Beijing, I was reminded of the fruit of living a disciplined life.

I am thrilled that God loves me just as I am, but I also am aware He made me to be more, and he has given me His power and guidance through scripture to help me run for the prize.

Are you settling for being just as you are, living “in spite of” yourself? Or do you see that Christ can help you become so much more?

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

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The Big News - PlanetWisdom Is Now Part of Youth Specialties

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

PlanetWisdom is now part of Youth Specialties!

For years WisdomWorks has had a great relationship with my publisher and uber youth ministry resource provider, Youth Specialties, helping each other in a variety of ways. Back in 2006 we started discussing the possibility of bringing the PlanetWisdom student events under their umbrella, but the timing just never seemed to be right… until a few months ago. A few conversations with the leadership of Youth Specialties and Zondervan (YS parent company) revealed that God was opening opportunities in both our organizations.

Decisions like this are never made quickly and without counsel (I am accountable to a board of directors who unanimously approved of this transfer) and I am finally glad we are done with discussions and are able to share the news with you.

You may ask what will change? Probably very little this year that wasn’t already in the works. We are 90 days out from our first PlanetWisdom conference of the new season and most of it is already prepared to go, and you will notice some improvements too. Since Jonathan (who puts planetwisdom.com together), myself, and other key WisdomWorks employees will move over to YS to lead these ministries, you can expect the things you love about us to still be there. We are also gaining alot of wonderful new help that will only make PlanetWisdom better.

Clicking on this link will take you to the official press release including a short video from The Skit Guys.

Love you all and can’t wait to see you at a PlanetWisdom event near you!

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Son Of Hulk

Posted by Mark Matlock on Sat, June 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Before the summer becomes busy with summer camps and other projects, I decided to spend the day before Father’s day with my son Dax. He is going into middle school next year and still thinks it is cool to spend time with me, so I figured we’d make a day of it.

one of the items on our agenda was to see the Incredible Hulk. The Hulk is one of my all time favorite comic book characters. Of all the comics I have, I have more Hulk than anything else.

Why? I guess I identify with him in many ways.

1. It is hard to tell whether he is a hero or not, he clearly has special powers, but he doesn always do the right things. I feel the same way about myself. I know God has given me special abilities, but I don’t always use them in the best way.(1 Cor 9:27)

2. When the Bruce Banner is in control, things are good, he uses his head. But when he goes into savage Hulk mode, he often behaves on instinct rather than wisdom. I’m like that too. I’m best when my heart, mind, and strength are all working together (Mark 12:30). It is when I allow one part to go on auto pilot that I get myself in trouble and life is hard to manage.

3. The best Hulk stories (including the new movie) follow the Hulk on a journey to master the beast within. I too feel like my life is a journey, I’m trying to keep my sin nature from taking over. Inside me lies a beast that Christ died for, and God has given me the Holy Spirit so I might live victoriously by walking in His ways. (Rom 8:10)

Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Those are some random thoughts about The Hulk. The movie was pretty good, like Aquaman, Hulk stories are hard to write. I think they did this one well.

Here’s to taming the Hulk in all of us!

Mark

PS. Happy Father’s day to all you dad’s who may be reading. The Hulk is a dad as of this week too. his son Skaar just got his own title. If you wonder where his son came from ... well… that is a story for another day.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Trying New Things

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, June 09, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Flying home from California last week I was served a salad that contained some green olives (did I mention I was flying First Class? Okay .. now I have). I’ve never liked olives, black or green. For years I’ve picked them off pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. Don’t know why, but ever since I was a kid, I had no desire for them.

So why was I about to eat the olives in my salad now?

To discover the reason why we have to journey back to a dinner party several months ago at the home of friends Roy and Rita Peterson. Rita had prepared a wonderful authentic Italian meal and served some toast with a wonderful tapenade (if you don’t know that word, it means “topping”). I ate these little morsels of goodness one after another. As a cook myself I had to know what this creamy concoction was made of. You guessed it “Olives”. I couldn’t believe it! How had I been denying myself of this goodness for so long?

So I started trying things I hadn’t liked before, like broccoli, asparagus, milk only to find that there were many things I wrongly formed an opinion about (however, I still don’t like milk).

Two things I learned from this.

1. There are many things in life we never try for wrong reasons. Maybe we had a bad experience in the past, but as time goes on we change (or forget why we didn’t like something initially).

2. Relationships can cause us to try new things. Most of the time when I try something I never have before it is because someone introduced me to the idea or encouraged, challenged, even dared me to do it.

This is a good reason to have close friends, they influence us more than we can imagine. Not always for the good. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us, He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

So, using wisdom, why not try some new things. Need some help? Ask a good friend to help you identify some things you never do.

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Time For TV?

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, May 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

I have always been a TV junkie, and by always I mean since I was a wee tot. So gather around kiddies and I’ll tell you about the time we bought our first color television, changed channels using needle nose pliers when the knob was broken, and couldn’t afford to by movies on video tape because the cheap ones cost eighty bucks!

No, I won’t bore you by telling tales of the olden days (the 70’s), but I would like you to think about something I realized last Dec while watching the 300th episode of the medical drama ER, (which airs Thursdays on NBC).

My wife and I were almost two years married when ER first aired in September of 1994. Since then we have watched every episode that followed. That means if you don’t count re-runs and commercials, we have watched at least 300 hours of ER.

This number almost made my heart stop beating… Call the ER!

300 hours divided by the 24 hours in a day means that if I could watch ER without sleeping, I would have watched it for 12 days straight!

Since watching TV for 12 days without sleeping is impossible (I think ... maybe something I should try!), let’s break that up into eight hour work days. If my job were to watch ER, I would have watched for more than 37 days! Over a month of my life spent watching ER.

That might not be so bad, but ER is not the only show I watch!

I started noticing that really successful people I know rarely are aware of what is on TV. Maybe because they don’t watch it. They don’t know who Jim and Pam are and when I talk about The Hills, they look out a window. These are the people who refer to American Idol as that Talent Search show. They may sound ignorant of what is on TV, but these are people I really admire for their accomplishments in life. I started asking questions and found most spend the majority of time doing productive activities with their family and using their talents.

So I ask ...
Am I wasting too much of my life in front of the tube? Are you?

These passages come to mind:
Proverbs 12:24
Diligent hands will rule,  but laziness ends in slave labor.

Ecclesiastes 10:18
If a man is lazy, the rafters sag;  if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

I can’t get that month of watching ER back, but moving forward I’m determined to watch less TV. ( this will be hard since I have 3 DVR’s which have not saved time but simply made it possible for me to watch MORE TV!). I won’t give up TV completely (my wife and I have enjoyed our 13 year date with ER every Thursday), but I’ll be more mindful of my time.

Mark

PS. I really didn’t plan this, but my two new books came out and are somewhat related to this post. Wisdom On…Time and Money, and Wisdom on… Music,Moves & Television, get them today!

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Growing Up In the Pond

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, May 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Last night I was talking to a student in my LifeGroup about some faith issues she was struggling with on her path to maturity. she had grown up in a Christian home and had put her trust in Christ at a young age.  I brought up this tadpole idea I thought I’d share here.

Like many who began following Christ at a very young age, we often struggle with our faith as we get older, particularly as we go through puberty. why is this?

I think there are two reasons, but one I want to explore is the idea of “new surrender”.

When we were younger we weren’t fully developed. Our physical, intellectual, emotional, and social selves weren’t fully formed. We were like tadpoles, just a head and a tale. Environmentally we were stuck in the water, not fully able to do everything maturity allows us too.

When we come to Christ at this tadpole stage we give it all to God, our head, tale and the water world of our lives. But as we mature we begin to develop new freedoms and new aspects of ourselves.



Continuing with the tadpole analogy, we get get legs, and the ability to live in our true amphibious freedom both in and out of the water. When we were young we surrendered all we were to God, but now we face new aspects of ourselves, new freedoms that have not yet been surrendered.

Now I must realize that if I want to continue following Christ, I must surrender these new abilities and freedoms as well if I am to continue this walk.

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

What new freedoms do you have that you have not surrendered to Christ?

• Freedoms with time
• Future Career
• Media
• Friendships
• Privacy
• Drivers License
  

What new abilities do you have that should be surrendered?

• My thought life
• Anger
• Emotions
• Feelings of Revenge
• Bitterness and Envy
• Ability to serve
• Ability to use words to build up or tear down
  

Surrender is a tough word. As Americans we do not like the idea of surrender, as a nation or individuals. But the secret of finding the kingdom life is by giving up what we think we know is the way, so that we can truly find it!

Jesus said: Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.(Luke 17:33)

What are you struggling with to surrender? Does this make sense in your own walk toward maturity?

If you have grown up in “the pond” of church you may struggle to find this place of “new surrender”. The Jews Jesus ministered too grew up in the “pond” and struggled to understand him too.  the breakthroughs happened for those who came to understand what surrender truly means.

Centered,

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

One Napkin Revolution Update

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, May 08, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Many of you know I recently resolved to waste less by using only one napkin when I go out to eat, I call this the One Napkin Revolution. (see past blog posts for details)

I’ve done fairly well except for a few instances where the napkins were ... uh .. paper thin. So I had to use a couple extra.

The revolution has caught on .. and some of you have even talked to me about it at PlanetWisdom. Here’s a note from Ali (pictured with me above) who brought One Napkin Revolution signs to PlanetWisdom in Southern California.

While I’m glad she is joining me in wasting less, I’m really excited about what God is doing in her life. I’ll share some of her letter.

  Hi Mark. My name is Ali and my church and I came to Planet Wisdom this past weekend.
I LOVED IT. The message was amazingly motivational. My friend and I had a very deep conversation about when God’s plan for us is going to come and practically everything you talked about with molding us into the Christians we want to be. But I’m also the girl who was sitting in the front row holding the bright pink posters saying “Save a Tree Use OneNapkin.” and you told me to send the pic we took to you so I am doing that. =]

Your blogs are where i go to when i want to read something funny yet serious. And this weekend i felt as if i could relate to you about being the odd one out and not dating and having your friends talk about their boyfriends and girlfriends and you kinda showed me how to deal with that. And most of all… You have me wanting to become a christian motivational [or what ever you call what you doo =) ]] speaker. and i want to THANK YOU for this.

I WILL BECOME MORE..

wait..

I AMMM BECOMING MORE.

Ali
p.s.—- i was holding the poster upside down. =/

Great stuff Ali! I am excited God is at work in your life helping you become more!

Got a story to share or a question you would like me to answer on my blog? Send it to me!

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

How Many Do You Have?

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, May 05, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

I was cleaning up my office today and realized that I have a ton of Bibles (pictured are some of my Bibles, there are two shelves full of Bibles not pictured!).

How many Bibles do you have in your home?

While in Mexico filming a video about Bible translation (see below) we met a women who came to church and didn’t bring a Bible. She didn’t leave it at home, and it wasn’t that she didn’t care. She didn’t have her Bible because there wasn’t one in her language.

It is alarming to realize that with so many Bibles on our shelves there are people in the world today without any scripture in their language. When I ask students in America how often they read the Bible they shamefully admit they don’t read it much. In fact, the students who come to my house on Wednesday night for Bible study rarely bring one of their many Bibles with them.

Take a look at your church’s lost and found. What will the number one item there be found? Probably Bibles!

I’m not trying to lay a guilt trip on you (ok ... maybe a little one), but there are 2,251 languages in the world today that need a translation because none exist. Those languages represent hundreds of millions of people! Clearly, we have been blessed to have God’s word, but what use is it if we don’t put it to use?

Think about the amazing gift of scripture. Reminds me of Psalm 199:97-100

Oh, how I love your law!
  I meditate on it all day long.

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
  for they are ever with me.

I have more insight than all my teachers,
  for I meditate on your statutes.

I have more understanding than the elders,
  for I obey your precepts.

Last week Wes Peterson and I were in Orlando for a conference and drove by the Crown Plaza hotel where we had once discussed Bible translation. We realized that it had been three years ago that God birthed a vision to connect students to Bible translation through a program we helped launch called One Verse. Go check out their website, you can help sponsor verses of scripture so they can be translated into the languages of people who don’t have them. A pretty cool way to change the world! (see the video below of some students in the UK doing just that!)  Wycliffe’s The Seed Company facilitates the sophisticated partnerships it takes to accomplish a Bible’s translation.

So where is your Bible? Have you read it today? For half hundreds of millions of people, they don’t even have one to read. Think about that.

Mark

PS. Here are some videos we made in Mexico and England about OneVerse when it launched in 2006. Students at PlanetWisdom have helped partner with Bible translators from Mexico and others to complete much of the New Testament for a language group in Mexico. Good work everyone!


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About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Expelled!

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, May 01, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Today I went to see Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed with some friends. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this movie it is a documentary exploring why academia is prohibiting the theory of Intelligent Design from being discussed as a legitimate theory of life’s origin.

Expelled, was much better than I thought it would be. Ben Stein raises more questions than he could possibly answer in the given time, but for this intro dialog I think that is okay.

Expelled is really about preserving “Freedom of Thought” more than defending Intelligent Design. Die hard evolutionists won’t be swayed, and Christians looking to understand ID won’t get much info, but for the majority of Americans who have simply assumed Evolution as a theory of origin because of their public education, it may cause them think twice about whether they were taught the full story.

A common attack from atheism and evolutionists is that religion is the root of evil in our world. Atheists point to the Inquisitions and holy wars as evidence. Ben Stein points out that succumbing to Darwinian theory has also led to societal atrocities (i.e. Nazi Germany). While I was at first not sure this was the right way for the film makers to go, when I realized the movie was really about freedom of thought rather than ID alone, I decided it was an important point to make.

Our ability to put out any idea, no matter how ridiculous and think it through is central to American and Christian thought. Here is an excerpt from Smart Faith a book I wrote with philosopher JP Moreland, that shows the unique nature of reason in God’s dealings with mankind.

God is a God of reason. We know this because of the character and actions of God described in the Bible. The Bible teaches, for example, that God’s unique attributes include omniscience: He is perfect in knowledge and knows everything (see 1 Samuel 23:11-13; Job 37:16; 1 John 3:20). The Bible also describes Him as the only ‘wise God’ (Romans 16:27), the God of truth who cannot lie (see Titus 1:2), and completely reliable (see Romans 3:4; Hebrews 6:18). God’s very word is true (see John 17:17), and His church — not the university — is the pillar and support of the truth (see 1 Timothy 3:15). Most amazing of all, the God of the Bible invites His creatures to come and reason with Him (see Isaiah 1:18) by bringing a legally reasoned case against His actions to which He will respond (see Ecclesiastes 6:10; Jeremiah 12:1; 20:12).

Compare this portrait of God with what we know of other gods. With Islam, we have a god who is so transcendent that he is beyond understanding. The Greek gods and the gods of other polytheistic (having many gods) religions such as Hinduism are fickle, are swayed by their emotions, and act inconsistently. The God of the Bible never changes (see James 1:17), requires teachers who diligently study His Word and handle it accurately (see 1 Timothy 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15), and requires His evangelists to be able to give a rational justification for what they believe to all who ask (see 1 Peter 3:15).

With monistic (reality consisting of a single element) religions of the East, we are offered meditations — like the sound of one hand clapping — to escape logical thought. … The Buddhist is to leave her mind behind, but God asks that the Christian to be transformed by the renewing of her mind (see Romans 12:1-2).

No wonder Christians started the first universities and have planted schools and colleges wherever missionaries have gone. No wonder science began in Christian Europe — after all, the same rational God who made the rational human mind also created the rational world so the mind would be suited to figure out the world’s structure.

God created you to be a follower of Christ with your mind turned on and tuned in to the life He made for you. This does not mean God loves academics and scholars more than He loves other people. … But if virtues mirror our God of perfection, then ignorance is not a Christian virtue.

Expelled made many claims and assumptions that my limited knowledge of science and certain events could not verify (and the movie didn’t really do much to verify them either). So you may need to do some homework before using some of their arguments in the real world.

Final Remark: Expelled is an excellent discussion starter about some important issues, but it is a beginning not an end.

Mark

For the planetwisdom.com thorough review click here

Have you seen the movie? Will you? What do you think about this issue?

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Learning To Levitate

Posted by Mark Matlock on Wed, April 30, 2008 | 1 Comments

I’ve been working in Hollywood with my friend Don Wayne on some new illusions for next season’s PlanetWisdom tour.

One of the pieces I’ve been working on is a levitation I hope to do on stage in front of everyone. This video isn’t the completed piece, but shows a part of it ... we filmed this in the living room and tried to make it as easy to see as possible ... Here is a sneak peak.

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The theme next year will center around “Avoiding Stupidity”, which will explore how we apply God’s wisdom to our lives.  Wisdom in Hebrew (hokema) literally means skill or expertise. In the book of Exodus it refers to Pharoah’s magicians, but for God’s people it refers to skill at living life.

Let me know what you think. Nobody wants to be a fool, next year’s PlanetWisdom will try to help you from becoming one.

While you wait for next year’s PlanetWisdom, my new series “Wisdom On…” has some helpful ideas too.

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

This! Just In!

Posted by Mark Matlock on Wed, April 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

The next two books in the “Wisdom On” series just arrived at my door! I am so

excited.

Wisdom On ...Time and Money and Wisdom On .. Music Movies, and Television

I’m really proud of these books and believe they will help you avoid stupidity in your life ... actually I should re-read them too!

They are available for pre-order now at Amazon and will be available on PlanetWisdom.com soon.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

World’s Worst Logo Contest

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

For nearly 15 years.. yes .. since I’ve been married… I have driven Jade (my wife) crazy by complaining about the Sherman Williams’ logo any time I see it. If you have no idea what it looks like here it is ... have a gander:

Isn’t it awful? I can’t think of anything more unappealing than a can of paint being poured over the Earth. Every time I see the logo I have a nauseating emotional reaction like the main character in William Gibson’s book “Patter Recognition”. (and I’m not really an emotional guy, I’m much more rational.. to a fault some would say.)

The image is appalling. Who wants the natural beauty of God’s creation covered with exterior latex? Even if you mix up the finishes with semi-gloss, eggshell, and gloss it’s still an awful idea.

And then there’s the slogan, “Cover the Earth” !  WHY?! Why would anyone want to do that?

The goal to cover the earth with paint sounds like a plot by one of Batman’s nemesis from the campy kitschy television program. Maybe a villain with a name like PaintLord , Demi-Gloss, or PaintRoller Meister!

I see Batman and Robin hanging over a big vat of paint (in an abandoned paint factory no less!) wiggling to escape before the Paint Meister’s scheme is carried out.  Robin cries out, “Holy Gallons Of Semi-Gloss Batman! If that huge paint can in outer space makes it to its destination they’ll cover the earth!”

We are now living in the age of GREEN living and marketing. Sherman Williams, I’m sure you’re good people. But PLEASE change your logo!

Okay Blog friends .. here is your assignment. Can you find a logo worse than Sherman Williams? If you do send it to me, If I think it’s worse I’ll send you some PlanetWisdom gear!

Mark

updated: Wow I’m getting emailed a ton of logos ... some of them real doozies!

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

This Blood’s For You

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, April 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

My wife came home after a meeting at our kid’s school and asked if I wanted to donate blood. I have never done this.

Usually I have been disqualified because of overseas travel, or a recent illness. Today, I had nothing hindering me. Because of my grandfather’s heart transplant, I carry an organ donor card. Since I have to be dead to contribute an organ,  the blood drive seemed like a good thing to do now.

I got a little faint and dizzy at the end, blacking out a little bit, which made me look like a wuss in front of the moms giving blood. Women have always seemed to have more endurance than men, or at least, me.

Someone asked if I would give blood again, and I said “yes” (I even have a frequent donor card now). Giving my blood once, isn’t enough, there will always be a need for more.

Jesus’ blood on the other hand, cleanses us once and for all. He never has to give again and again.  Today, reminding me of that.

Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

I’m saying a prayer for the person who might have to use my blood, not only that they will be healed, but also that they might come to know Christ whose blood can do so much more for their life.

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Interactive Video Sneak Preview #1

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, April 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

We are working on the 2008-2009 PlanetWisdom Season. We’ve made a couple of videos of me doing some interactive illusions, we’ll post different ones over the next week.  We’d like to get your feedback. These videos will only be up for a short time and then they will “vanish” as we tweak them and get them ready for mass distribution. Watch the video and leave your impressions in the comment area ... thanks!

The video has vanished! Stick around and we’ll post another one soon!

<!—<embed src=“http://www.planetwisdom.com/tv/mediaplayer.swf” allowscriptaccess=“always” allowfullscreen=“true” flashvars=“height=240&width=320&file=http://www.planetwisdom.com/tv/video/MarkMagic2Cut1.flv&displayheight=240&searchbar=false” height=“240” width=“320”></embed>—>

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

CEOs and Office Hos (or what I missed in college)

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, April 08, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

I read an article today in the WSJ on the sexual activity taking place on college campuses and how it keeps people from finding meaningful relationships.

“Now, in addition to all of the other coarse behavior on college campuses, students can look forward to parties with themes like “CEOs & Office Hos,” “Golf Pros & Tennis Hos” and “Millionaires & Maids” at schools around the country. I’d be surprised if students haven’t already added Politicians & Prostitutes to their list of weekend possibilities, with the Eliot Spitzer scandal fresh on their minds.”

Donna Freitas writes that her research shows that most students do not appreciate this kind of activity on their college campus and are not satisfied with their own behavior when it comes to dating, romance and sex.

The article has alot of data in it, but it boils down to this: If a community does not support environments that promote meaningful connections with members of the opposite sex, we should not expect many people will find meaningful relationships on their own.

Sadly, we forget experiencing our true sexuality happens when we trust in the One who created sex and experience it as He intended . Yes, God is pro-sex.

Sometimes I think those of us in the church take for granted the teaching we have received on purity and the benefits it offers our lives. I was a virgin when I was married, and when I grew up we didn’t have True Love Waits, purity pledges or jewelery. In fact we didn’t talk much nearly as much about sex in my high school group as I do to the students that meet in my home Wednesday night. And even thought following god’s plan for purity was hard, i admit my mind wasn’t always pure regardless of what my body didn’t do, I am really glad I followed that path. After 15 years of marriage I can say God knows what He is doing!

Freitas describes students in her course on modesty eating up books by Josh Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye) and Lauren Winner (Real Sex). These students who had never been presented with the concept of intentional purity were blown away that people really saved themselves, and they found these ideas refreshing (and somewhat unbelievable).

So for those of you who are tired of messages about waiting until you are married, remember that there are many who have never hear an encouraging word about the power of purity. They have never had anyone encourage them to be virtuous, and they admit to feeling “dirty,” “used,” “regretful,” “empty,” “miserable,” “disgusted,” “ashamed,” “duped” and “abused”. As youth workers we don’t always present it right, but the wisdom of our sexuality presented in scripture is powerful.

Next time you are sharing about your faith, maybe we should also share the satisfaction we find in living a life of purity. Sometimes what we want, isn’t what we need.

What do you think?

Mark

PS. For those of you who feel you’ve already gone too far, God’s plan for purity includes you too! God’s word not only shows us how to walk the right path, but also how to find the path again when we wander off. Don’t feel you can’t experience the life God offers, Jesus died for our imperfections and impurities because we can’t do it on our own. Need help? Just ask

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Extracting Wisdom From the Old

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, April 07, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

It seems that American culture prefers the young to old. A flip around the television stations reveals this is true, and almost every commercial seems to trend toward the young.

What is more old people constantly try to look younger and often act younger than they are.

Parents try to do this too, they try to act younger by listening to their kids music, and wearing the latest clothes.

The tendency of adults to rip-off kids styles I think is what has led to alot of the more extreme clothing and music trends of the last five years. Kids are basically saying .. “Try and copy this!” by listening to and wearing things they think their parents will stay away from. Even If my theory isn’t all correct, you can’t deny, everyone loves being young in America.

So this article from Australia’s Herald Sun caught my attention.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL Michael Jeffery has urged people to spend less time idolising youthful celebrities and look to the elderly for wisdom.

Major-General Jeffery, who retires this year, recommended in an interview published today that Australians put substance ahead of glamour.

“We have had too much of an emphasis on celebrity and that tends to be younger (people),’’ he told News Limited.

“I think there is a lot of the glitz and the hero worship of so-called glamour as against substance, and that impacts on the respect for older people.

“I don’t think we spend enough time extracting the wisdom of older people.’‘

Hmmm ... extracting wisdom from older people. Cool idea. How often do we actually spend time with people older than ourselves with this goal in mind? Wisdom is often learned from the pain and success of past experiences.

Why repeat or experience pain if we can learn from the pain of someone else?

Try extracting some wisdom from an old person today by asking for their advice or opinion on a matter that is important to you. Also, simply asking them what lessons they have learned that might benefit you, could help you think about some things you never thought of before.

Before Jade and I were married we asked couples who had been married over 30+ years for advice. And we asked in airports, parks, grocery stores, wherever! People were happy to share and we learned a ton!

Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength,  gray hair the splendor of the old.

Now go extract some wisdom while you have strength.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

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Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Can We Know Anything?

Posted by Mark Matlock on Sun, April 06, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Proverbs 30: 1-6
The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an oracle :
    This man declared to Ithiel,
    to Ithiel and to Ucal:

2 “I am the most ignorant of men;
    I do not have a man’s understanding.

3 I have not learned wisdom,
    nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
    Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
    Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
    What is his name, and the name of his son?
    Tell me if you know!

5 “Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

6 Do not add to his words,
    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Wisdom Study

Posted by Mark Matlock on Sun, April 06, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

You can be one of the first to take WisdomWorks online personal evaluation tool, the Wisdom Index.

You’ll learn about yourself and the results will hopefully help you avoid living like a fool. If you’d like to participate in the beta version, send your email address to me and watch your Inbox for an invitation to take the survey.

Thanks!

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Girls Gone Wild

Posted by Mark Matlock on Fri, April 04, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Here’s an article I wrote for Ignite Your Faith Magazine, I’ve just been requested to do a radio show about this next Wednesday April 9th for Premiere Christian Radio in London.  I’d love to get your feedback so I have more to talk about in the interview.

Mark

Girls Gone Wild

Why do famous young women like Paris, Britney, and Lindsey spiral so far out of control?by Mark Matlock

Q. Lindsey, Britney, Nicole, Paris—there are so many famous young women spiraling out of control. Any thoughts on why?

A. I’m always happy to share theories, but first I’ll point out that most young stars and starlets do not get caught in scandals involving sex, drugs, alcohol and wardrobe malfunctions. Many just do their job and go home. Others actually are squeaky clean. But it’s much more interesting to hear about those who behave badly. And that makes this seem like an era of “bad girls.” Why? Three ideas:

1) We pay them. We buy CDs and watch movies featuring young women who show a lot of skin, dance in sexually suggestive ways, and perform in sexually charged roles. We reward “sexy” teens and young twenty-somethings with cash. We teach them that being sexually provocative is the way to get rich.

2) We pay attention to them. We watch the scandal shows on TV, buy the gossip magazines, and search for stories/images on the web. We pay attention when starlets get in trouble and get addicted to substances. We teach them that being “bad” is how to stay in the spotlight. We support the tabloids that report it.

3) Bored people with money and weak moral standards drink and use drugs. People who drink and use drugs make stupid choices. Famous people who make stupid choices get their picture taken.

The question for us is: When will we stop paying attention? Is there anything better we can focus on? I’d encourage you to do your part by not feeding the cycle. And pray for these struggling women.

Mark is the founder of WisdomWorks Ministries. You can learn about his conferences, read movie and music reviews, and more at planetwisdom.com.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Ignite Your Faith magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Ignite Your Faith.
March/April 2008, Vol. 67, No. 2, Page 16

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

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Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Creative Limits

Posted by Mark Matlock on Wed, April 02, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Something on how limits actually allow for creativity ... i.e # of musical notes, size of a canvas, limits of a language etc.

White Stripes limits on color schemes and musical instruments etc. Jack White etc.

25 Word story

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Hang With Mom and Dad? Really?

Posted by Mark Matlock on Wed, April 02, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Just read about a marketing study that says teens prefer quality time with parents to just about anything else, cell phones, iPods, computers, etc.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

 

American teens are turning their backs not only on gadgets and Web sites, but on sullen expressions and I’m-terrified-you-won’t-notice-me fashion. Instead, they are rebelling against their parents by not rebelling.

Nearly all teens surveyed in February 2008 by WTRW said they would respond to a promotion involving “A Long Bus Ride With Your Parents.” Quality time with Mom and Dad was viewed as better than a new iPhone, car or a date with pop idols.

While I think this is wonderful, I wonder if it represents the truth.

I have two ideas about the reality of this survey…

1. It is completely true. Teens are craving quality time with their parents.
2. Teens are market survey savvy and are jacking the system so they can’t be “bought” by the slick moves of marketers.

I’m happy with either reality.

What are your thoughts?

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

10 Minute Poem Winners!

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, April 01, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

It was hard (and actually pretty arbitrary) to select winners for this years 10 Minute Poem Contest. We are not poetry experts by any means and with so many poems submitted on the blog, email, and MySpace, it was hard to pick a winner quickly, especially when the only criteria was to write a poem in about 10 minutes!

So here are the poems the WisdomWorks staff selected. Whimsy seems to have won the hearts of many a judge. It was close between many poems, so be sure to enter next time! (but don’t let that stop ya from writing MORE poems just for fun! A good book to get you going is Poemcrazy, by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge)

Winners will receive some PlanetWisdom gear and a signed copy of my latest book , Wisdom On Making Good Decisions. (Winners send me your shirt size!)

Mark

My Reflection
by Samantha

I met a girl
The other day
She was different from me
In many ways

I know I have met her
In the past
But I don’t know
If our friendship will last

Her hair is different
And she doesn’t dress the same as before
I felt like I didn’t know
Who she was anymore

She left her old friends
And joined a new crew
Once a cute guy came along,
She’d leave her new crew too.

Her old friends told her
She was being a fake
They didn’t know
How much they could take

They tried to prove a point to her
And she shed a tear
They told her to look
At herself in a mirror

When I saw all this happening I thought,
“How could this be?”
This new girl seemed
So opposite of me

But when I looked in the mirror,
What did I see?
My reflection! All along
This new girl was me!

Driving in the Night
By Stephanie

The rain slides under the wet wheels.
Lights pass fewer and fewer by the hour.
Nothing but the water falling from the heavens to keep our company.
Headlights from the following car is the only light that pours through our windows now.
The heat envelopes us,
comforting us.
My fingers still wander across the ice cold window,
Seeking the wetness on the other side.

Sleep is beckoning me but I try to resist it’s powerful grip.
My eyes find a sleeping body next to me.
I smile as I see my sister dreaming in peace,
Away from the terror of the modern world around us.
My eyelids are weighted and begin to fall.
As much as I struggle,
Sleep slowly overcomes.
When I awake I wish to find that the light has saved us from our endless darkness.


The Blank Paper
by Kylie

The crisp white paper lays blank,
waiting to be filled with
numbers and symbols. Yet-
and yet it still stays
in it’s purest nature.
My life is like the paper.
Simple and confusing, pure
and unknown—full of potential.
But like my life, the path
of equations is hard to follow.
It seems like all I can
do is make mistakes.
Mistakes that can transform
the entire outcome into
a plus or a minus-
a positive or a negative.
It is so easy to erase, to
forget what all I’ve done
to get where I am.
To forget who I am.
My mind gets jumbled, eraser
covers my desk. It is-
it is so easy to quit.
To quit my dreams and morals,
exponents and division,
myself, and God’s plan for me.
But I will carry on.
I will carry on till I’m close to tears,
but full of pride-
and the answer is clear.
And just like my life, and
just like the paper,
the next equation begins.

Your Hair
by Anonymous

its your hair that eviscerates my resolve
not to look again
not to notice
not to be unshackled from my mission
to complete this tedious duty
to cross it off the list
to be done
but I see you see me notice
and with devastating intention you summon
the sun to dance in your auburn glory
and my industry surrenders
my diligence a victim of your conditioner

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

All You Need Is Love?

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, April 01, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

My son Dax has been hit by Beatlemania this month. We have been listening to Beatles tunes, watching documentaries and some of their early movies like Hard Day’s Night.

This has been easy for me to do first, because I love doing things with my son, and second, I really like The Beatles.

Timing couldn’t be better as American Idol was able to perform the Beatles’ songbook this year, and rumors abound that for the first time The Beatles’ music will be available on iTunes sometime in 2008.

It just so happens that Paul and Ringo (the only two living “Fabs”) were on Larry King Live this weekend (along with Yoko Ono, and George Harrison’s wife Olivia) to talk about the Cirque du Soleil production fusing The Beatles’ music into a Las Vegas Show.

One theme came out of the recent rush of Beatlemania in our home, The Beatles primarily sang about love, hope, and peace.  Virtues we all believe in and can rally around.

I thought it interesting that the one’s who told us “All We Need Is Love” have all been married more than once.  Furthermore, John Lennon never really spent much time with his first son Julian, to the point that he told Playboy in 1980 “Sean [His son with Yoko Ono] was a planned child, and therein lies the difference. I don’t love Julian any less as a child. He’s still my son, whether he came from a bottle of whiskey or because they didn’t have pills in those days. He’s here, he belongs to me, and he always will.

Wow ... what a great thing to hear from your dad! (sense my sarcasm) Even when Julian was in his teens his father still hadn’t connected with him. Julian has said there are more pictures of him with Paul McCartney than his own dad.

All You Need Is Love eh?

While they may have had struggles living up to their ideals, The Beatles ARE right, love is all we need. And artists and dreamers often speak of how things could be , should be. I’m pretty sure Jesus said the same thing when he shared the two Great Commandments (Mark 12:29-31), and the apostle paul wrote about this too to the church at Corinth (1 Cor 13).  But Jesus delivered love in a way artist’s and dreamers cannot. He died for us.

I think of Ecclesiastes, a book in scripture that basically says, apart from God, we are really nothing.

The artists and dreamers help us see life as it should be, but they can’t deliver it themselves. Jesus does not only see life as it could be, but also as it is, and he offers a path to make the dream a reality.  Indeed, all we need is love, but one must consider the source of love. I’ll take mine from Christ, his love is everlasting and it is powerful enough to allow you and I the kind of love singers and poets speak of.

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

10 Minute Poem Week: It’s A Wrap

Posted by Mark Matlock on Mon, March 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Wow, I had no idea so many of you would submit poems. Many posted on the blog, but even more sent their entries to me. Some great creative poems, and all around a minute to write! Creativity doesn’t always require massive amounts of times, sometimes you just have to “do it”.

Today I have to write a chapter for a book Sean McDowell is putting together, and tomorrow I have to write an article for a Southern Baptist magazine for parents of teens. I’m going to compile all the poems and together with the WisdomWorks staff, we’ll pick a few winners and post them here by Wednesday.

Thanks for participating. More fun stuff like this coming soon!

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

10 Minute Poem Week

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, March 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

10 Minute Poem Week

The first thing we learn about God in Genesis is that He is creative (Gen 1:1). As His creation, humans were made in God’s image, this means we are creative too.

But creativity takes time and we take ourselves way too seriously, so in the end we don’t often do much to explore this part of our humanity.

This week I’m sponsoring 10 minute Poem Week. Before you stop reading, note the rules. You have to write a poem in 10 minutes or less. This is not designed to be a lengthy soul searching experience. Simply write a poem in 10 minutes and post it here. At the end of the week, I’ll pick a few of my favorites and send you some valuable prizes and gifts (probably books signed by me and some PlanetWisdom gear.)

Here’s my first one (try and do one a day), based on my race to the gas station before I hit empty last night while returning from San Diego.

Heart pounding, hands clenched
My teeth bite on nothing

Three miles yet, to the watering hole

The light burns like an ember, growing hotter
will I arrive before it burns into flames?

The needle caffeinates my anxious heart

Two miles yet,  to the watering hole

Heart racing, fingers tapping
Teeth declaring I can make it

One mile yet, to watering hole

The horse is sputtering, legs are failing
C’mon nelly, we’re almost there.

Heart beats silent, hands aren’t shaking

No miles left to the watering hole.

See .. it doesn’t have to be good .. just something you do quick ... Enjoy.

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

3rd Space

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, March 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

If you know me you know that I always have some project that I’m working on. And when I get interested in something, I go all the way.  I got into 3D photography one time and even got equipment to make my own viewmaster reels. When I dove into cooking, I found a wholesale spice merchant and bought massive amounts of spices (there are nearly 22 different chiles and spices in my Chili… I put powdered chiles in my chocolate chip cookies too).

I love to learn and I love to make things. Put that combo together and there is always a mysterious box being delivered by UPS to our door that makes my wife cringe, “What is Mark getting into now?”

While there is always something new to discover, two of my longstanding interests since childhood have been magic tricks and comic books. I think one of the reasons I’ve reminded interested in those is because there is a social community that I am a part of. When I lived in California I was a member of the Magic Castle in Beverly Hills, and also frequented the Best Magic Shop. When I moved to Texas my magic hangout was Magicland. These weren’t just places to purchase things (although I did alot of that!) it was also a place to interact with people of similar interests, where we would share ideas and often our lives. I remember the day my son and I drove up to Magicland after traveling a bunch to find that it has suddenly gone out of business. A piece of me died, it was sad.

Two weeks ago the comic book store I had visited for 17 years since moving to Texas closed shop. I drove by the store last night and it was completely vacant like a corpse devoid of it’s life, spirit, and soul. The space was still there, but the connection to people wasn’t, these relationships had no place to congregate.

I think many of us have “special places” that become extensions of our lives. It may be a gym, classroom on campus, mall, beverage joint (like Starbucks). It isn’t so much the physical place that is a part of us but the people we connect to while we are there. Do you have a place like that?

It seems that the church too, should be one of these spaces. Not the building, but the fellowship of people that gives energy to any space it occupies. It seems that less and less the church is not seen as one of these “special” places.

Since it isn’t the space, it must be that something isn’t happening when the people meet.
At the magic and comic hangouts there were some things that made the place special.
1) People you cared about and shared interests with.
2) Challenging one another with ideas.
3) Developing new skills and refining old ones.
4) Being creative together.
5) No or little agenda, just hanging out.

How does your youth group do at this and what could be done better? If the church shut down would people feel loss, would something die?

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

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Lotto Dreams

Posted by Mark Matlock on Fri, March 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

Okay .. here is something I’ve been thinking about.

Ever dream of winning the lottery?

If not the lottery, I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind about what you might do if you suddenly encountered a huge amount of money. In fact several movies have used this premise as a way to examine the nature of happiness. Even the movies seem to have it right on this one, money can’t buy you happiness.

Maybe you have made a deal with God in passing at one time or another where you said, “If I won the lottery (or became rich in some amazing way) I would give it away and be super generous”.

I have thought that, and I am sure many have.

Only a person made of pure evil has never marveled at people who are generous. Anytime I see people giving away checks to help people in need I think,”Man, I wish I had money to do something like that!”

But then I realized something hanging around my rich friends… they never had enough. The only people who were truly generous were those who “budgeted” for generosity.

If you want new clothes, an iPod or PS3 there are only three ways you can get the cash
1) Have it given to you (you can’t make this happen)
2) Work for it (you CAN make this happen)
3) Steal it (not an acceptable way to make the cha-ching)

I realized that I was waiting for someone to “give” me money so I could be generous rather than making generosity part of my financial plans.

When I was just out of college, I had some ideas for some illusions I wanted to perform, but knew I needed some help to build them. Don Wayne (Who helps guys like David Copperfield and Criss Angel do miracles) said he’d help me, but it would cost more money than I had at the time. What did I do? I begged for it, but nobody came through. So,  I invented a dish made out of pasta that only cost me 23 cents per serving and ate it 3 times a day for 3 months to save the money I needed.

When we want something badly, we’ll do almost anything to get it. So why not work hard so we can be generous?

I don’t make loads of money, so I started budgeting for generosity. Our family tries to live below our income so we have some money to “give it away” when we want to.

One man givesfreely, yet gains even more;  another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Pr 11:24)

What made me think to write about this today? I realized I have not been doing this real well for nearly a year. When my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes it kind of threw us into a financial whirlwind with extra doctor visits, daily supplies and medications. I realized I had been less generous this past year than normal. Will it be easy to fix? Nope. But most things worth doing aren’t easy.

If you are waiting around hoping some day you’ll win American Idol or The Apprentice and THEN you’ll be able to be generous I have news for you, you probably won’t even if you have it. Because what you do with little, will also be what you do with much. (Luke 12:48)

Work on being generous now, it’s worth it.

Mark

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

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* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

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Take my Picture, Steal My Soul

Posted by Mark Matlock on Thu, March 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

The snow was falling hard last Thursday in Dallas. The kids were out playing with their friends, building snow persons and sledding down hills, when my daughter came running into the house screaming horrifically. The scream wasn’t one of hurt, but one of terror. What had happened?

After calming her down, she explained that a man in a truck had stopped in front of where she was playing, rolled down his window and took a picture of her with his cell phone. She was certain she’d be kidnapped, the entire incident had frightened her.

I tried to explain that the man was most likely amazed at the unusual amount of snowfall and the kids playing and snapped a picture so he could show somebody how unbelievable the weather was. She didn’t like my explanation, but it calmed her down. While I wasn’t concerned, I definitely didn’t like the idea of someone I don’t know having a picture of my daughter.

Later that night I was watching TMZ (don’t ask), and was watching the paparazzi following Britney, Britney;’s dad, Lindsay, Lindsay’s mom, sister and dad, Miley Cyrus, Miley’s dad (er, Billy Ray) and I thought … maybe we need some new laws about privacy and photography.

I have been playing with this philosophy that everyone’s image, even celebrities, should be considered their personal property. We are made in the image of God, we are all unique creations and as such, nobody should be allowed to represent our person other than ourselves. Our image is our reputation and the Bible tells us we should be careful to protect our “good name”.

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

The problem with photography in our digital age, is that anyone can snap a picture and damage someone’s reputation beyond repair. Many cultures around the world, even many Native Americans refuse to be photographed because it is said to “steal the soul”. I used to laugh at this idea I first became aware of when watching an old Tarzan film. But after seeing the destruction of the seemingly lost souls of Lindsay, Brittney, and other well photographed celebs I’m not sure it isn’t without merit.

What about freedom on speech you may ask?
I have no problem with people using words to report the news about others. Words require a higher standard of accountability than images. Remember the adage, a picture is worth a 1000 words? As you can tell by the way people judge images differently, an image may contain a 1000 words but those words differ from one person to another. They aren’t always the SAME words. Images are subjective, words too, but less so.

For instance,
If you see an actual video tape of me out of context, the news person can say, it is actual footage. They aren’t liable for the “perception” others form of me outside of the context of the image. If a reporter writes about me “out of context” misrepresenting me, I can hold them accountable for their misrepresentation.

The biggest advantage in being owners of our own image is that it cuts down on a ton of crummy television and reporting, because words won’t sell as well as images of celebrities.

My belief, is that if images of others were not considered “fair game” by the press, Americans would be smarter,  the news would have more meaning, celebrities wouldn’t be an all consuming force of media interest, and the streets of Hollywood would be safe from paparazzi.

Images are powerful, maybe more powerful than words, and there should be stronger laws to protect our images (how they are captured, who can distribute them, etc).  Of course laws alone won’t help. People have to value there own image and the image of others. I love people taking pictures of me in appropriate contexts (Once at an event someone took photos of David Crowder and I using the urinals in a bathroom ... not cool) and it is always polite to ask someone before you take there photo.

It is just an idea, one I know my daughter would approve of?

Some things you can do:

1. Ask before taking a picture of another person.
2. Protect your own image (too many naked pics of teens showing up on the Internet and hurting people ... yep .. I get letters)
3. Don’t watch celebrity gossip type shows .. it will poke your brain out :)

Mark

Some questions for you.

1) Am I just being unreasonable or does this make sense?
2) Is the overwhelming reality of digital images and Internet publishing just a fact of life, or should people adopt new standards of courtesy?
3) How many celebrities would willingly let the paparazzi follow them if they had to ask permission (some of them like it ... need it, I think!)

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts

• Ten Minute Poem Winners!
• Wisdom On ... The Future
• 2009 Ten Minute Poem Week
• Does Your Church Smell?
• Back From The Hospital
• In The Hospital
• Wisdom On…New Year’s Resolutions
• My Christmas Memory
• The Truth About Satan ..er.. Santa
• Penn Gets A Bible

Request More Info!

* Youth Workers and Parents only please.

First Name * Last Name * Church/Organization * Email * Phone *

Event City *

Twin Cities, MN Lakeland, FL Tulsa, OK DFW #1 & #2 Washington DC Bay Area, CA Orange Co, CA

Cloth or Paper Napkins?

Posted by Mark Matlock on Tue, March 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment!

I received what appeared to be a great"green” idea from an anonymous poster asking why my One Napkin Revolution couldn’t be “Cloth Napkin Revolution”.

Here was the comment:

How about using cloth napkins at home—you save paper and they’re reusable. You just toss them in the wash. And if you get the flannel kind they’re absorptive and don’t need to be ironed!

My response to this is:

Cloth Napkins ... hmmm. Sounds pretty good, but there is actually evidence out there that disposable paper goods are better for the environment than reusing cloth napkins. When you consider what is required to grow cotton, turn it into fabric, and then the amount of water and energy to wash them, it may actually be better to use paper disposable napkins.  Click here to understand why cloth may be worse for the environment than paper:

This leads to a very interesting reality: Sometimes the better thing for the environment isn’t what you think it is!

Consider energy efficient light bulbs. All CFLs are filled with Mercury, a poisonous metal that never goes away. Mercury is a neurotoxin, the same poison that made the Mad Hatter mad (Alice in Wonderland). What do you do with these bulbs when they go out? You can’t just use these light bulbs to help the environment, you must dispose of them properly otherwise they fill a landfill (or your home) with mercury. Which is better? Less energy used or more mercury in the food chain? The debate rages on (see here for more)

There is also some evidence that using disposable cups are better (or at least equivalent) for the environment than washing a mug over and over again. See here for evidence.

I want to go green, but it may not be as easy as one thinks it is, and things we “think” are helping may not be.  A big part of the “green” revolution is pure marketing to get us to buy things. Be careful and do your homework.

One thing is for sure ... when we use less of something we typically waste (like .. say .. a napkin) we help the environment. Use one napkin only when eating out! Join the One Napkin Revolution!

Do you know of any other “green myths” that need to be explored and shared?

Mark

Here are some other links:

Review of The Skeptical Environmentalist

New York Post On Green Myths

About Mark Matlock

Mark is founder of PlanetWisdom.com and the nationwide PlanetWisdom Conferences. For nearly two decades, he has ministered to youth pastors, students, and their parents. Focusing on transferring Biblical wisdom, Mark’s the author of the recent six book series Wisdom On…, What Does God Want From Me?, and Don’t Buy the Lie. In Fall 2008, Mark launched the nation-wide initiative Real World Parents aimed at reclaiming the Biblical role for families across the country. He resides in Dallas with his wife, Jade, and his two children.

PlanetWisdom Student Conference

Recent Blog Posts