HPV Shots for Boys
Published October 26, 2011 | 
A new recommendation from the CDC released this week advises boys age 11-13 be vaccinated for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
(Reuters) – Boys should be routinely vaccinated against the human papillomavirus or HPV in an effort to protect them from oral, anal and penile cancers, and to extend protection of girls from cervical cancer, U.S. vaccine advisers said on Tuesday. (Full Story)
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease which causes genital warts and has been known to cause cancer. This recommendation, as tough as it it to hear, underscores just how pervasive sexual activity is among our youth.
I am more than a bit unnerved by the announcement as the father of two boys. My boys are not school-aged yet, but this announcement gives me a view into the world of their future. It is a world where sexual activity is more dangerous than ever – not just emotionally and spiritually, but threatening their very lives.
It doesn’t make sense to offer an opinion regarding the vaccine itself. I am not a health professional, nor well-researched. I am just grieved by the need for such a vaccine, especially in the likes of 11-13 year old boys. I would like to say that statistically boys and girls in the church are more abstinent and therefore safer, but that is not the case.
We are in a sad state…Lord Jesus, have mercy!
That being said, there is always hope in Christ. God is not rocked by STD’s, regardless of how young the victim. His Kingdom will see the eradication of them all. God’s prescription for sexual intimacy in marriage still stands as the best chance for “safe sex.”
I know the sadness I feel is His sadness at the harming of His children. I hope this will be a wake-up call to parents to talk to their kids about sex. When should that be? I recommend while they are still in single-digits. When their doctor will be talking about these vaccines just a couple of years afterwards, it only makes sense.
These are just random musings, but I felt compelled to write about the issue.
Chip Ingram and The Relationship Test
Published February 4, 2009 | One of my favorite Bible teachers is Chip Ingram. I’ve been listening to him for about a decade now on and off. I follow his blog and came across a post today well worth sharing.
Chip explained that live is all about relationships. I wholeheartedly agree. He recommends asking ourselves these questions to do a check-up of where we stand with the most important relationships in our lives.
The original blog post can be found on Chip’s Blog.
Where do you stand?
Relationship with God
- Am I surrendered? Am I experiencing His presence?
- Am I loving Him more deeply? Am I enjoying Him more fully?
- Are there any barriers? Do I sense His pleasure?
- Am I motivated to meet with Him? Am I practicing His presence throughout the day?
Relationship with Family
- As a husband, am I loving my wife the way Christ loves the Church?
- As a wife, am I respecting my husband in a way that honors and encourages him?
- Are we making time for one another and our family?
- As a dad, am I leading my family spiritually?
- As a mother, am I nurturing and encouraging my children’s relationship with one another?
- As child/student, am I honoring my parents?
- As an adult child, am I honoring my elderly parents?
- Am I communicating with my family regularly? Do I pray for my family members and encourage them?
Relationship with Friends
- As a friend, do I love at all times and am I the kind of person who is born to help another person through adversity? (Proverbs 17:17)
- Am I sharpening and helping my friend’s growth in Christ?
- Am I speaking the truth in love? Am I critical or encouraging?
- Am I taking time out to nurture relationships and dig deep wells of relationships in the midst of busy work and life schedules?
- Am I being honest with what’s really going on inside of me?
- Am I a good roommate? Do I communicate honestly and from the heart on a regular basis with those I call friends?
- Am I looking for what I give in relationships or only what I can get?
Relationship with Myself
- Am I taking time for me?
- Am I stewarding well my physical body? Am I getting enough sleep, eating the right food, and exercising?
- Am I cultivating the intellectual side of my life?
- Am I living an unhurried life?
- Am I coming to accept God’s unconditional love and understanding of me when I fail?
- Am I learning to set clear boundaries for those people who have unrealistic expectations for my life?
- Have I discovered my primary spiritual gift and know clearly my strengths and weaknesses?
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