Senior Pictures Becoming Big Business
- Statesman
"Our average sale for a senior is $1,200 to $1,500, but some parents have spent up to $5,000," Meyer said.

Study Claims Moms Mimic Daughters in Fashion
- CNN
"We live in a society that one of the main values is to look younger," Ruvio said. "Most of these women have kids, work and they don't have time to monitor the market and see what is cool and hip, so they basically take a shortcut. Through their teenage daughters, they know they're safe."

New York: Sex Ed Becomes Mandatory
- Fox News
It’s the first time in nearly two decades that middle and high school students will be forced to take the mandatory classes, according to a report first published in The New York Times.

A nation in mourning for Navy SEAL Team 6
- Washington Examiner
As the nation mourns its loss, just as it has the losses of 10 years of a war it did not choose and which it cannot avoid, the greatest thing that civilians can do is remember that their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren are what they are because of warriors flying through mountain passes half a world away

10 Hidden Benefits of Having Children
- Fox News
Come along as we explore the top 10 hidden benefits of having children. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/08/05/10-hidden-benefits-having-children/#ixzz1USLudd6r

“Heroes” Sue Rescued Woman
- AP
Two Ohio men honored as heroes for their actions after a 2009 car crash are now suing the woman they rescued from a burning vehicle.

last updated October 6, 2011
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June. 27, 2011

Social Stand-off
- CNN

We all know someone who is a bit extreme about their use of facebook.  Perhaps they post too many mundane details of their life.  Maybe they simply post too much, never keeping a thought private, but instead letting the world know every idea that comes into their mind.  Well, Jason Valdez's recent facebook posts were extreme in their own way.  During a 16 hour standoff with police at an Ogden, Utah motel, Valdez took time to post six status updates, including posting two pictures, as well as adding 15 friends and responding to multiple comments from friends and family.

• If you were stuck in confrontation with police, what might you post to your facebook page?
• If you saw a friends facebook status that indicated they were in a police standoff, what would you do?

Valdez, whom police were trying to serve with a felony warrant when the conflict began, first informed his friends that he was in an altercation with police and  indicated that he may not walk away from it alive.  Over the next few hours, he gave updates on the situation via facebook while many of his friends and family left messages for him - ranging from pleas from family to do the right thing, to friends alerting him that the police had a "gunner in the bushes - stay low."

• Does Jason's use of facebook, rather than calling a friend or family member tell you anything about him? Or, is this simply a sign of the times?
• Proverbs 15:22 says that "Without counsel plans fail,  but with many advisers they succeed."  Can we "crowd-source" wisdom?  Is facebook a legitimate way to gather counsel from friends and family?  Why or why not?
• "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still" (Proverbs 9:9) The web is full of tools to teach and encourage believers.  Are there pitfalls to using these online tools?
• Do you think the increasing tendency to post important events (like proposals, births and deaths) on facebook immediately has a negative impact on society?  Why or why not?
• If you knew Jason, might you have tried to leave a message on facebook to persuade him? encourage him? Scold him?  What would you say to him?
• If you were encouraging your child or a friend to draw a line on what is appropriate and what is not appropriate for posting on facebook, where would you draw that line? Try to think through  some of life's events and categorize them by appropriate method of notification: face-to-face, telephone, facebook
• got engaged
• got the job
• got fired
• pregnant
• moving
• totaled dad's car
• got evicted

[photo courtesy of apαs on flicker]

Monday, June 20, 2011
Honoring those deserving, defaming those not.

Monday, June 6, 2011
Finding money, but searching for fairness.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wrestling with gender issues, and integrity.

Thursday, December 16, 2010
Most prefer "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays"

Wednesday - June 23, 2010
Looking for work? Unemployed need not apply.

Friday - June 18, 2010
Woman Follows Google Maps “Walking” Directions, Gets Hit, Sues

Thursday - June 10, 2010
'Returnaholics' cost retailers billions of dollars a year

Raising Kids For True Greatness

You want only the best for your kids. And you want them to be successful. Sure, there's nothing wrong with that. But what if there was something more? Could your definition of success be leaving out the most important part?

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How do you define success for your child? "Graduates from a prestigious college." "Nabs a high-paying job." "Settles down with a nice family." Sounds good. But what if you got it all wrong?

What about greatness? Where does it fit in? "If you aim your children at anything less than greatness, you'll set them up to miss the whole point of their lives," says author Tim Kimmel. In Raising Kids for True Greatness, Kimmel turns the definition of success on its head and guides you in preparing your child for a life that will easily eclipse the goals of those who are merely successful. More Info.