My Epic Journey

While working on school work, I came across a great evaluation to determine if your student may have a drug or alcohol problem.

1.  Identification with drug culture

• drug-related magazines or slogans on clothing
• conversation and jokes that are preoccupied with drugs
• hostility discussing drugs
• collection of beer cans

2.  Signs of physical deterioration

• memory lapses, short attention span, difficulty concentrating
• poor physical coordination; slurred or incoherent speech
• unhealthy appearance; indifference to hygiene and grooming
• bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils

3.  Dramatic changes in school performance

• marked downturn in grades–not just from C’s to F’s, but from A’s to B’s and C’s; assignments not completed
• increased absenteeism or tardiness

4.  Changes in behavior

• chronic dishonesty (lying, stealing, cheating); trouble with police
• changes in friends; evasiveness in talking about new ones
• possession of large amounts of money
• increasing and inappropriate anger, hostility, irritability, secretiveness
• reduced motivation, energy, self-discipline, self-esteem
• diminished interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, church activities

If your student is displaying any of these signs, it would be wise to dig deep into the reasons for such behavior and changes.

Reference:

Feldman, R. S. (2008). Development across the lifespan (5^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

We are starting a new PARENT ministry at EPIC this January, called P.A.T.H.

Basic definitions of the word Path are as follows:

• a way beaten, formed, or trodden by the feet of persons or animals.
• a narrow walk or way: a path through a garden; a bicycle path.
• a route, course, or track along which something moves: the path of a hurricane.
• a course of action, conduct, or procedure: the path of righteousness.

For the sake of this ministry, P.A.T.H. stands for Parents Applying Truth and Heart.

PATH is a forum designed to bring parents together to discuss difficult topics teenagers are facing today. It is often difficult for parents to realize that they are not alone in the struggles they deal with. We want to bring light to your situation and allow you to see that there are other parents in the same “boat” as you.

So what will we be discussing?

With trends and teenage culture changing at lightning speed, it is important to know what is truly going on in the adolescent world. Topics planned for discussion are, communication, media and Myspace/Facebook, cell phones and texting, dating, self-mutilation (cutting), eating disorders and more.

Experts with both knowledge and passion will be brought in on various topics to give parents a better understanding of what they are up against but more importantly, give them tools as well to help them bring about Christ-centered conversation with their children.

Who’s invited to attend?

Any parent with a child from pre-teen through teen. Invite your friends and the parents of your child’s friends.

When are we meeting?

First meeting, Sunday, January 18th from 3:00-5:00 pm

This Month’s topic?

Unraveling Media.  Take a good hard look at the Internet, Cell Phones, Sexting, etc.  How can you help your teens?  What safeguards can you put into place?

I’m not sure how many of you have seen this video but it just came across my desktop thanks to our Children’s Pastor–Steve Ogle.

This video is quite disturbing in many ways:

I will be showing this video at an upcoming leadership training event, asking the question the video does at the end, “What does all of this mean?”