Show & Tell: Bloggy Depth & Breadth

I'm continually amazed at the breadth and depth of the blogosphere... there is so much to learn, so much to read, so much to challenge and encourage. Here's some of the good stuff I've come across in the last week or two. Take a break and pick out some (or all) of these articles to read... I hope you enjoy these great reads as much as I have. Seriously, I know I probably say this every time... but this Show & Tell is FULL of great articles. ~Jess



Some deeper analysis of HOT-BUTTON ISSUES:

• MYTH OF ADOLESCENCE: [In a recent "teach your children about sex" post, I went off on a tangent about the term "teenagers" that was interesting to many of you.] Here's a GREAT summary of how the adolescent years have sadly declined to become seen as years that are expected to be wasted away, when "teens" are really capable of much, much more. Written by one of the Harris brothers (who was himself a teenager when he wrote this), it's a great read. Click to read the "Myth of Adolescence".
• Barbara Curtis, of "MommyLife" blog fame, wrote an interesting article in Crosswalk called, "Why Some Evangelicals Are Throwing out Birth Control." Regardless of where you fall on the issue, it's a good read.
  
• What did the leaders of the Protestant Reformation think about birth control?, you might ponder from time to time. Well, maybe not. But if you're interested in reading a fairly concise summary of how Reformers dealt with the birth control issue, this article is definitely worth reading.
• Another example of pets taking priority over people. Blegh!
• SELECTIVE ABORTION: How a mother could casually choose one child over another and then continue to raise and "love" the "chosen" child is absolutely beyond me... Terry has written a great article about this horrifying issue of our day.
• Newsweek has a heartbreaking and eye-opening article about the continued sexualization of American young daughters, and how it played out at Halloween this year.
• Linda Hirschman has gotten a lot of ink and airtime over the last year by blasting homemaking women. But my bloggy friend over at "The Cappuccino Life" has highlighted an interesting hypocrisy in feminist circles. A WOMAN who stays home with her children is often degraded and made fodder for derision, but a MAN who stays home with his children is praised to the heavens. She points out that, according to their thinking, homemaking is fulfilling... but only if you're a dad!

Political Commentary from women like us:

• Elizabeth considers the Presidential race in her article: POLAR BEARS OR ABORTED CHILDREN? This interesting article examines the choices we have to make when ranking our priorities in the political races that are coming up. For her, it's how does her environmental concerns stack up against her desire to see abortion end. For you, it may be something different- but it's a good read.
• Tamara asks, "Is America Ready for a President in a Skirt?" (just a hint: she ain't talking about Hillary)

CONSIDER THESE ARTICLES, examining the breadth of the life of a Christian woman, in order from young womanhood to death:

• Bekah has written a great article about walking in freedom after being raised in legalism.
• I've been enjoying wearing skirts much more often this last six months, and found this post with some pretty (read: not frumpy) options for wearing skirts, particularly in the colder months. (I especially like the cute greenish plaid one halfway down.)
  
• Anna of Domestic Felicity wrote a great article about her own experience of courtship as a young woman with an imperfect past... "Courtship with a Difficult Background". Let this be a reminder to all of us as we raise our children... to not be closed off towards imperfection in our children or their potential mates, as though we ourselves are without flaw.
  
• Amy Jane has an EXCELLENT article for young women preparing for marriage: HERE COMES THE WEDDING NIGHT. Even if you're already married, you'll want to bookmark this one or print it out for a young woman you know or to save for your own daughter... she has done a very thorough job of addressing real issues surrounding preparation for the wedding night.
• Justin Taylor and his wife have adopted two children and are in process to adopt another. His article about adoption has compiled some very interesting information about adoption-- how Muslims view adoption, how Christians should see adoption, and biblical basis for adopting. VERY interesting read.
  
• The illusion of "The Perfect Family". This pride in perfection (of behavior, spirituality, etc.) is a very common problem that I've seen among homeschooling families I've known- and something we try hard to avoid. Having super-human expectations sets our kids up for failure and ultimately, for rejection of our "fake" and "forced" faith. Here's a couple of interesting quotes that sum up some of my thoughts as well:
  

  "It is vital that our children understand the “why” behind our actions and decisions and if we are too proud or busy to take the time to be open about these things, we will breed rebellion."
  
  "Unrealistic expectations have a very real and detrimental side effect… anger. When perceived expectations and standards aren’t met, anger follows, and it can destroy a family."

• Continuing that theme of how expectations set children up for success or failure, but looking at it from a different angle, Jason's wife examines how LOW EXPECTATIONS set our children up for poor behavior and character.
  
• Truly, balance is where it's at. Les Riley has a great article about neither diminishing nor worshiping the role of the family. He examines the "family-centered" model that many homeschooling families can set as the standard, and calls it what it is: idolatry.
  
• ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE?, is what Camilla asks of parents. The truth is, raising children is HARD work, and it takes a lot of effort on the front end to have children that you actually can enjoy and delight in on the back end. So, young mothers, ARE YOU WILLING?
• Andrea points out that families are one of God's favorite methods of sanctifying us, and that even Christ was placed in a family for His raising and development.
  
• Steph raises a thought-provoking issue: As Christians, are we obligated to keep living (having a heartbeat) no matter what, even if it means being in a vegetative state?
  

Interesting stuff. Now, for the humorous end to this Show & Tell... today I've got two "laughs" for you...

Amy's son's failure to READ directions, AND a Wal-Mart cake decorator's failure to FOLLOW directions.

They're both hilarious-- so check em out. Happy, happy reading! :) (And let me know what you think about all or any of these links, if you get the chance!)