Month: February 2009

My Next Book!

Some of you have asked if I plan to write another book.  

I am now considering a second book!  But I’ll need YOUR help.

I’m thinking of publishing a book based on the Learning the Hard Way series.  I may choose some of the stories that I’ve already posted on the blog (with a more expanded response).  But I’ll need more contributions in order to make a whole book. 

If you’d like to contribute to this project, send me your story of how you learned the hard way.   The instructions would be about the same as the website contributions:

*I’ll consider stories from anyone, but I’m primarily interested in hearing from Filipinos.

*Your real name and email will be kept anonymous. I will give you a pseudonym or nickname, and I might give some very general information (example: “John,” a first year college student).

*I’ll be responsible for editing the English.

*Your story must be submitted through email—not in the comments section here. If you are extremely cautious, just create an free email address for the purpose of corresponding with me.

*You must specifically tell me that you are interested in having this story printed. I never post the content of someone’s email (even anonymously) without his/her permission.

*The story should be no more than about 4 pages. 

Here are a few more things to consider:

You will not get any royalties if I use your story (remember—you’ll be completely anonymous and I’ll be the only one who knows your identity).  If this seems unfair, please keep something else in mind:  I have a lot of work to do after you submit your story (editing, emailing you for clarification, etc).  It isn’t just as simple as copying and pasting your work into the book. 

Since this is going to be printed, I will get your approval on the final version of your story.  I want to be 100% sure we are both satisfied no one could identify you by the story.

If I do use your story, I’ll give you an autographed copy of the new book (once it is printed). 

Your story might keep someone else from committing your mistakes or encourage others who have made the same mistakes. 

So, do you want to help with this project?  First, go back and read the original post that started the Learning the Hard Way.  Then let me know if you are interested

I’m waiting . . .

"13 Year Old Father": My Reaction

I didn’t really plan to write about this story–I could care less about tabloid gossip.  But I’ve been asked about it during some of this week’s speaking engagements, so maybe it’s time for me to say something.

Just in case you haven’t heard, pictured here is Alfie Patten, the so called “13-year-old” father.  The young mother is his 15-year-old girlfriend, Chantelle Steadman.  These aren’t the world’s first (or youngest) teenage parents, but Alfie’s extremely young appearance has turned this baby’s birth into a media frenzy.

So here’s my reaction: I’m skeptical and sad.

First and foremost, I’m skeptical—very skeptical.  This young man looks prepubescent, meaning it appears he has not yet gone through puberty.  Am I the only one who has noticed this?

I was also a “late bloomer.”  I still looked like a boy while some of my classmates were already starting to looking like young men.  If my memory serves me correctly, I was about 14 before the major transformation was really underway.  Simply put, I wasn’t physically capable of getting someone pregnant when I was 12 (I won’t go into further detail, but I think you understand what I’m saying).

Here’s my point–a prepubescent boy simply cannot father a child, regardless of his biological age.  I’m amazed that so many seem to be overlooking the obvious.

This is the main reason I haven’t mentioned this story in any of my purity presentations–I simply don’t believe it (not to mention the fact that I already have a collection of stories regarding the consequences of impurity).

Could I be wrong?  Of course!  I’m not this kid’s doctor.  Even if I am wrong, I’m still surprised that so few are asking if he is biologically able to be a father.

But I’m also deeply saddened by this story.

I’m saddened to hear of another teenage pregnancy.  Another girl becomes a parent about a decade too soon.  Another boy (whoever it turns out to be) is a father before he even knows what it is to be a man.

I’m saddened that a teenage boy is getting labelled by the media when they aren’t even sure of all the facts.

I’m saddened because those who should be protecting these children are instead milking the publicity for every dollar (or pound, as the case may be).

To all of my fellow pastors/youth pastors–please think twice before you use this picture as a handy sermon illustration.  Let’s have more integrity than the tabloids.  We’ve already had enough of urband legends (such as the biochips that were supposedly going to fulfill prophecies in Revelation).

That’s what I think.