Do yo Control What You Watch, Or Does Your TV Remote Control You?

Like it or not, by the time this day is over, you will be exposed to as many as 3000 messages, from Britney Spears to Snuggles the Bear. We're vultures when it comes to American culture, Christians being at the top of the list. According to a recent article by Businessweek, Christian teens are more image conscious than their secular counterparts. Ouch! Regardless of what the Marlboro man tells us, there's only one message that really matters, and that's the message of Christ. So don't let marketers PREY on teens and their self-image. They don't need designer boxer shorts to be "all that", all they need is Christ. If the teens you work with a're tuned more into the TV than into J.C., it's time to challenge them with the thunks below:

Brand Names or Brand Marks? No matter who we are, we're advertising what is important to us. Lots of times, we count on things and brand names to make us feel worthy, instead of the brand marks of Christ. If you find that you are caught up in the world's standards of what is hip, cool and "all that", you're not alone. Many young people today feel pressure to look to the TV for standards of coolness instead of their Bible. But what is that all about? Anyone can put on the latest label and dress like a wanna-be, but it takes someone really cool to have the guts NOT to conform. And that's the kind of coolness described in this verse: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Unplug from the Ugh! Okay, let's be real for a second. We all have heard the saying, "garbage in, garbage out". That's why it's important to remind teens to watch what they are watching and really listen to what they're listening to). If you wouldn't be plugged into a show or music if your youth pastor were in the room, maybe you shouldn't be watching it in the first place. Instead, put down the remote and remember this: Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord form a pure heart. Timothy 2:2

You're new and improved! Your favorite cereals claim to be "new and improved" all the time. According to advertising, Wheaties no longer taste like cardboard. But you don't need to be a flake to make the same claim. All you have to do is be in Christ! Therefore, if any anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

The 17 minute a day challenge. Did you know that in any given hour of TV, there's an average of 17 minutes of commercials? Why not unplug from TV for that amount of time and plug into God? Use your clapper to turn off your TV and tune into JC. Just 17 minutes a day can be enough to tune your antenna into heaven. You could spend five minutes in the morning, five in the afternoon and seven at night, or divide it up anyway you want. You'd be surprised how big of a difference those 17 little minutes can make. The best part is, every time you see a commercial on TV, you'll be reminded to thank your heavenly sponsor, God.

Vultures Advertisers will continue to prey on churched and non-churched kids and their lack of self-esteem. Remind teens that the logos on their T-shirts don't matter. It's the logos described in I John 1:1 that can make make a difference in one's life. Logos is the greek word for The Word of God.

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