May 18, 2023
"For the Love of Our Children" Part 1
It is May and Mental Health Awareness month. I can’t think of anything better to focus on than our teens. I always loved working with teens, because I felt it was preventive medicine for their future. We have all heard the concerning statistics of how mental health issues are rising in teens. Suicide, anxiety and depression have skyrocketed (If you haven’t listened to my Episode #80 on "Hope for the Problem of Suicide, w/Matthew Sleeth", check it out). This is only the start of the mental health issues, so it’s hard to know where to focus.
What I have found over my 34+ years of counseling is that at the heart of most people’s problems is Identity. And during the preteen/teen years is where this exploration hits a high note. Who am I? What is my value? What is my purpose? Am I seen, known, loved, accepted?
On this Podcast for the next 6 weeks, we will be focusing on the the journey of identity. In the cultural climate we are in, that means we need to address gender identity/confusion and gender dysphoria, because it seems this is the ‘measuring stick’ youth (and adults) are being encouraged to
use. As Christians’ how do we help kids navigate this journey? My goal in this series is to have conversations; give information, educate, empower and equip parents, grandparents, leaders, and youth. I will not tell you what to do or how to think, although some of my opinions (as well as my guests) will come through.
I want us to think about these issues thoroughly and be equipped to help kids do the same. Today is an introduction and laying of the groundwork to these
conversations. This is not the an easy topic to explore, but it's essential. We have an entire generation of youth who need hope and healing. Let's join together and help change their world.
Resources:
Secular:
*Brain Development: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroscience/how-the-brain-develops
*Partners For Ethical Care: “No Child is born in the wrong body”. https://www.partnersforethicalcare.com/?utm_campaign=a9048682-0163-4986-ba93-ee5f4f6ecb5a&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=0647028a-3f6b-4ebe-b620-40dde3ccc412&cid=696458b6-640a-4b91-ba52-cc29ca6df33a
*Scott Newgent: https://www.trevoices.org/ Fighting to stop childhood medical transition world-wide
*Abigail Shrier "Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing our Daughters" https://www.abigailshrier.com/
*" Correction: Transgender Surgery Provides No Mental Health Benefit": https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/09/71296/
*Erin Friday: https://www.californiafamily.org/2023/02/california-mom-explains-how-she-rescued-her-daughter-from-transgenderism/
*Tavistock Gender Clinic closing: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/04/22/i-worked-at-the-tavistock-gender-clinic-this-is-why-closing-it-was-the-right-move/
Christian Resources:
* Dr. Ann E. Gilles, PhD. https://restoringthemosaic.ca/
*Sophia Galvin https://www.rainbowredemptionproject.com/
*Dr. Juli Slattery https://www.authenticintimacy.com/Juli
*Preston Sprinkle: https://www.centerforfaith.com/about/leadership/dr-preston-sprinkle
*Lou Phillips: https:www.centerforfaith.com
*Sam Allberry: https://samallberry.com/
*Caleb Kaltenbach https://www.calebkaltenbach.com/ “Messy Truth” and “Messy Grace”
*Jackie Hill Perry, “Gay Girl, Good God” https://jackiehillperry.com/
*Erwin W. Lutzer, "No Reason to Hide"
*Rosaria Butterfield: https://rosariabutterfield.com/ "The Secret Life of an Unlikely Convert: AN ENGLISH
PROFESSOR’S JOURNEY INTO CHRISTIAN FAITH"
*Nancy Pearcy , "Love Thy Body”, http://www.nancypearcey.com/
*Andrew Bunt, "Finding Your Best Identity: A Short Christian Introduction to Identity, Sexuality, and Gender”
*Jonathan Morrow: https://www.jonathanmorrow.org/why-kids-need-a-biblical-worldview-and-where-to-start/
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