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Giving Thanks for 2020
Dear John,
It's okay to admit it: it's been a tough year! We’ve probably all heard at least one person say, “I can’t wait for 2020 to be over.” Perhaps we’ve said it ourselves. For many, 2020 has been a year of frustration, disappointment, and heartache, and we may be wrestling with how we can give thanks right now. That’s exactly why Thanksgiving is so important this year.
Scripture calls us to “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) This doesn’t mean that Christians glibly ignore reality. It means that we remember that our joy and hope are based on something—someone—far greater than our circumstances and because of that, we celebrate and give thanks! Because we know that God is on the throne, that his purposes will prevail, and that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, we give thanks in the midst of turmoil.
This year, as every year, I am thankful for the steadfast love of God. In a world that is full of change and upheaval, God remains faithful and unchanging. The uncertainty and unrest of this year has been a constant reminder of this glorious truth, and I thank God for those reminders, difficult as they may be.
I am grateful for the way that this year has been a reminder of the blessing of family. In the face of, and often because of, the difficulties of this year, families have been drawn closer together and in a recent survey asking Americans what they are thankful for this year, the top answer was family! Let’s thank God for the good gift of family and pray that families will continue to be strengthened and drawn together. At Minnesota Family Council, strengthening the family is our primary mission.
I am thankful that God holds the future. None of us entered 2020 expecting the year that we’ve had, and maybe you feel apprehensive as we approach 2021. We don’t know what next year holds, or even what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds tomorrow, and we know that we can trust him. In Psalm 27, David writes, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
And that’s my prayer for you and our nation this Thanksgiving, that we will be confident and strong in the Lord, taking heart, waiting for Him—and thankful for His presence with us, which is more than enough. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! [Click here to share this Thanksgiving letter]
In Christ,
John
Teens and Screens: Why Kids Feel More Connected but Lonelier than Ever
It’s a paradox: there are more opportunities to connect and communicate with one another than ever before, and yet in many ways, people are more isolated, disconnected, and lonely than ever. This is especially true during a year that has been filled with lockdowns and canceled events, but the loneliness and isolation of a tech-driven culture were already prevalent before 2020. In many ways, technology has overpromised and underdelivered, and America’s teenagers are increasingly feeling this. Drawing off of research from Amy and Andy Crouch in their new book My Tech-Wise Life, Barna Group recently reported on this trend, writing,
Despite the promises of social media to help connect people, teens worry that technology is coming between individuals. In fact, data show that nearly seven in 10 teens (68%) agree that devices keep them from having real conversations, and a third (32%) says devices sometimes separate them from other people. Younger generations see a paradox in which tech simultaneously connects and disconnects them from their peers.
Barna also found that teens and young adults are also aware of the way that technology is affecting their attention span and work ethic.
When Barna asked how technology makes 13–21-year olds’ lives harder, top answers related to productivity, with over half of teens stating issues like wasting time (54%), procrastinating on work (53%) and being generally distracted (50%). Nearly two in five respondents (37%) admit they get bored easily when they are not online.
In 2018, 95% of America’s teenagers owned or had access to a smartphone. At the same time, screen time and social media use have been linked to an alarming uptick in depression rates among teens within the past decade. The overwhelming ubiquity of digital technology is practically inescapable, but that does not mean that it has to rule our lives.
Continue reading at The Family Beacon
Support RELIGIOUS FREEDOM with your holiday shopping!
Did you know that when you shop with Amazon Smile, Amazon makes a donation to Minnesota Family Institute at no cost to you?
This is one of the easiest ways to support our mission of advancing life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota! You can support our mission while you shop by clicking here (smile.amazon.com/ch/41-1439560) or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to Minnesota Family Institute.
Our allies at Pro-Life Action Ministries are holding a Christmas Caroling for Life event on Saturday, December 12. Get more details at plam.org. **Please note that the details of this event may be changed due to evolving COVID-19 restrictions. The PLAM website will always have the latest information.
Educating and Equipping Parents on the Transgender Trend
Get Your Copy of the Minnesota Parent Resource Guide! The Parent Resource Guide sheds light on the consequences transgender ideas have on kids' lives, while equipping parents to play a positive role in creating a truly welcoming school community.
Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same! Click to order your copy today:
Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council’s vision for strong families and communities through Christ. As we pivot from a contentious election to the challenges ahead, we need your support now more than ever. Click here to give now. We are grateful for your partnership with us through prayer and financial support.
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