by Jeff | Mar 22, 2015
Once upon a time, in a far away land lived ladies and gentlemen. They were distinctly different from the boys and girls just turning 30 today. Might not be too far off from a future fairytale. But seriously, there are days that I wonder: what happened to raising men to be gentle and strong, and women to be pure and compassionate? Sarah Boes from More Precious Than Rubies (MPTR) is back with Jeff, DW and Jason to talk about this shift and give encouragement to the ones who feel that they might be the last lady or gentleman out there. This is for you! Let us know you’re out there on the TweetBack.
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Does too much praise turn kids into narcissists?
A recent study suggests it. Jeff and DW think they’re on to something. Do you think we should praise people for doing things they should do anyway – like brush their teeth? Somewhere along the way, we’ve learned to be needed instead of wanted. Being needed and being wanted are pretty different things. There are different rules
[Tweet “We always praised children thinking that it would make them more confident. #HNRTB”]
[Tweet “Ladies and gentlemen are not self-centered. #HNRTB”]
Links discussed
More Precious Than Rubies
A new study from The Ohio State University suggests that constant – and perhaps undue – praise for our kids’ tiniest accomplishments, or non-accomplishments, may have the unintended side-effect of creating an over-inflated ego. And this can have serious consequences both in childhood and later on in life. Read more
What are the characteristics of a gentleman? Chivalrous, courteous, honorable, realistic, polite, gallant, respectful, noble, and decent. Read more
Becoming a Proverbs 31 woman
by Jeff | Mar 15, 2015
Whether life has been fantabulous for you lately or not, most of us would agree that a good friend helps make things a little more so. Jeff, DW and Jason are back to share some insights about making great friends. Joining them this week is Maria Hameister from Cru.
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[toggle title_open=”Maria Hameister” title_closed=”Maria Hameister” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Continue…” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Intern at Cru
Maria is on staff with Cru here in Northeast Wisconsin. She is involved in helping young adults find hope and build genuine relationships at various college and high school campuses. Maria joined Cru after graduating from St. Norbert College in 2013 and spends time mentoring young women and coordinating events with Cru.
Maria has also been featured on Moments of Hope with executive director, Jeff Strommen. [/toggle]
On the Show
[contact-form to=’hope@hopenet360.com’ subject=’Re: Who would you be friends with?’][contact-field label=’If you could be friends with Taylor Swift%26#x002c; Donald Trump or Flo from the insurance commercials%26#x002c; who would you pick and why?’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]
Fifteen Reasons we all Need Friends
[Tweet “To have good friends, we must be a good friend. #HNRTB”]
[Tweet “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future. #HNRTB”]
by Jeff | Mar 8, 2015
Spring is in the air! For many teens around America, that also means prom season. This week, Jeff, DW, Jason, Mike and Jordan talk about ways to avoid making prom your ultimate trust bust this year. Be part of the Tweetback!
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What do we want to accomplish?
This is a fair question to ask when there is controversy around a particular topic. Here’s what needs to be said:
- Encourage conversation between parents and teens about important stuff. Address the “we’re not gonna talk about it” crowd. Parents differ on whether their teen should attend school dances in public school. Parents reserve the right to allow or disallow their child to participate. Many parents don’t care, though, and that’s why we’re bringing it up.
- We’re glad that teachers & parents invest time and money in fun, safe activities for teens. Hope that by talking about prom before prom helps make it a fun, more safe experience for everyone.
- You may believe that good teens should never go to prom. Valid. We believe that conversations save lives and it’s important to talk to the “I’m-Going-to-Prom Crowd” this week.
Fair enough? On with the conversation!
According to USNews.com (click for source)
The Facts.
Prom is not a cheap occasion, averaging between $835 and $1,125. Check these numbers out from Liberty Mutual/Students Against Destructive Decisions and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- 90% teens believe their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night.
- Only 29% believe driving on prom night comes with a high degree of danger.
- 36% of teens say their parents have allowed them to attend parties where they knew alcohol would be available.
- 14% of teens say their parents have hosted teen gatherings with alcohol.
- 54% of students drank more than 4 drinks on prom night.
[Tweet “Don’t mistake prom night for your wedding night. #sexisnotlove #HNRTB”]
Jeff’s Prom Facts
- Trends are overrated. You’ll laugh at those pictures in 15 years.
- Spending $1000 on prom is your worst financial decision of 2015. #wheredidmymoneygo
- If you think a dress, hairstyle, new nails and makeup makes you beautiful, you have no idea what beauty is. #redefined
- A date for prom does not make it the best prom. #dontdatealoser
- Even the prom queen struggles with feeling beautiful.
- Prom Court honors mean basically nothing after graduation.
- Don’t mistake prom night for your wedding night. #sexisnotlove
- Early curfew is better for your health.
- Failure to plan is planning to fail.
- Getting your friends and you home safe is your #1 goal.
Bonus: Don’t be afraid to be different. Successful people usually flow against the grain in how they do things, anyway.
What are you most looking forward
What didn’t we cover this week?
3 Tips for Parents to Discuss Prom Safety with Teens – US News
Drunk Driving After Prom: Perception vs. Reality – US News
Teenager takes his great-grandmother to prom – Fox News
by Jeff | Mar 1, 2015
Doctor says mother’s prayer restarted dead boy’s heart
Jeff and DW head back to the salt mine this week, wrapping up the Love Is series with Jason and Mike. If we say that we love someone, but have little faith that things can change for the better, do we really love? This challenging question is so important and complex, especially after being hurt over and over by someone you love.
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SERIES EPISODES: Love is Patient | Love Is Kind | Love Is Honest | Love Is Hopeful
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[Tweet “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”]
Show Notes
Miss part of the Love Is Series? Catch up on previous episodes here.
[Tweet “Love is like a delicious homemade, tasty scone. #HNRTB”]
Okay, well maybe that’s not the best way to describe love, but I do love a tasty scone in the morning. The point is that there are so many wild and crazy ideas of what love is. When you ask someone to define it, usually there’s a pause to think a little. How would you define “love” to someone? How do you know when you feel loved? Can you fall into love (and out of it)? Why do we do such crazy things for love today? And when we are pained by someone else, can we ever love them again?
Mentioned on the Show
Doctor says mother’s prayer restarted dead boy’s heart
LGBT group cancels protest because church is ‘too nice’
Remember, disagreement doesn’t mean that someone doesn’t love you. We can disagree with someone and still love them. How silly is it if you chose not to love someone who didn’t like pizza and you did? That’s crazy, right? Yet we see examples of this happening every day in our society that we can no longer disagree without being ridiculed or called out publicly. If we’re going to truly see love overcome in our world today, then we have to know how to agree to disagree about something and still love the person with whom we disagree. In fact, that is the essence of forgiveness. When we love others, we are willing to go the distance, knowing that reality isn’t reflective of the greatness that is to come when we are driven by hope.
by Jeff | Feb 22, 2015
The Love Is series continues this week with the light topic of honesty. Honestly, it’s a huge discussion. Most of us have been disappointed by someone who has lied. Why is that? Does telling the truth trump being right? Join the TweetBack and add your voice!
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SERIES EPISODES: Love is Patient | Love Is Kind | Love Is Honest | Love Is Hopeful
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Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! If you like the podcast, support it.
Plus, we’ve got some exclusive interviews with some students who were at Winter Jam at Silver Birch Ranch. We chat about emojis, real life problems and struggles. It was a ton of fun getting to know them and we wanted to share part of the fun with you this week.
[Tweet “Love rejoices in the truth. #HNRTB”]
[Tweet “Get around people who love you and who are honest with you. #trust #HNRTB”]
Challenge
For one day, decide to not tell a lie.
Did you take the challenge last week? Share your experience!
by Jeff | Feb 15, 2015
The Love Is series continues this week. Being kind to someone who is kind to us is pretty easy. But what about being kind to people who aren’t kind to us or others? How are we to respond?
Podcast: Download
SERIES EPISODES: Love is Patient | Love Is Kind | Love Is Honest | Love Is Hopeful
Subscribe & Support the Podcast
Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! If you like the podcast, support it.
Plus, Terra Kay is back on the show this week and has an update from her human trafficking awareness tour during Super Bowl week! Learn more and support local human trafficking efforts in Wisconsin through Damascus Road Project. (Link)
Tweetables
[Tweet “Random acts of kindness is like jumbo shrimp. Not compatible. @wagerdaw #HNRTB”]
Today wraps up Random Acts of Kindness Week. But don’t worry! Random Acts of Kindness Day is coming in November. Don’t wait for a good reason to be kind, though. Live kindly today!
[Tweet “It got to the point where I didn’t want to accept his gift. @wagerdaw #HNRTB”]
Is there ever a time where you should say no to someone’s act of kindness? Yes, unfortunately. Whenever there are strings attached, you know it’s no good. But is anyone really kind without getting something in return?
If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.
– Chinese Proverb
[Tweet “When we love, kindness becomes primary rather than reactionary. #HNRTB”]
We are kind because Jesus is kind first.
The Challenge
Do one kind thing for someone who you don’t like, who isn’t kind to you, or who you haven’t done something kind for in a long time. Don’t accept anything in return.
