Resource Awareness

I have recently been spending a lot of time researching and locating resources. Specifically in the Fort Worth area. This process has helped me realize that there a lot of people out there needing resources and in many cases the resources are available. The problem is that it is hard to find many of them. Using an internet search leads to a long list of hits and confusing links to weed through.

Because of this I wanted to put out some guidelines I use when searching for resources helpful to teens and families.

1. Use your relationships with people to find resources. This is really the best way. By asking people who have been there (other parents) or people who work in the mental health or rehab field you will quickly find options to contact.

2. Search for related services that might be able to point you in the right direction. For example, you may not need a rehab facility but if you call them, they could refer you to other services. Even something like calling a local hospital may be helpful.

3. Think simple. You don’t have to use clinical terms to find “therapeutic rehabilitation facilities for adolescents”. You can simply search for difficult teen, teen challenge, or dealing with a teen and find resources that may be helpful.

4. Check out the resource. Not everyone is helpful or has been checked out. I recommend calling and/or visiting any resource you find before committing. Along with this I recommend checking out multiple places for comparison sake. You may find that you didn’t think of things to ask until you learn what else could be included.

If you still feel like you aren’t finding what you are looking for, here are some resources I frequently recommend.

ACH Services – Established in 1915, ACH offers lots of options for helping youth and families. Including a 24 hour toll free number 1.888.296.8099.

Sundance Behavioral Health Center – Offer classes for teens and parents on a multitude of issues.

Teen Challenge – A national faith based organization that works especially with drug issues for youth and adults.

You can also refer to our Resources page, as we try to keep this up to date with new resources we find.

For those that read, I recommend Donald Miller’s new book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. I have not read anything like it in terms of helping you and your teen be intentional with how you live. Be informed, this is not a parenting book, it is a book about paying attention to how we live.

Leave a comment, letting us know how these things help you Live Life Better.

To Save a Life Movie

Just a short post with more of a review to come. My wife and I recently had the opportunity to go see the To Save a Life movie. I was somewhat skeptical as it is a low budget film. However, the producers left nothing to be imagined. They tackled tough teen issues and didn’t leave out any of the details.

Here’s the trailer:

As we watched I thought how tough it must be for teenagers to deal with the pressures they do every day. I also thought about how many parents live in denial or are so checked out of their teens life that they have no idea what the teen is going through.

I have encountered many parents that say “They’re really a good kid”, I understand what they mean but I have found myself thinking, “No they aren’t”. No one is naturally good, we have to work at being good every day and teenagers have to be taught how to be good by mentors, parents, teachers, & coaches. If they don’t receive this guidance it makes it tough for them to be a good person as they grow up.

If you haven’t seen the movie, don’t put it off. It is well worth the money and time and movies like this need the support of us as movie goers. Click this link to Fandango to find local times and locations. To Save a Life movie

Fields of Faith 2009

I wanted to share briefly about the experience TL was excited to be a part of last night. A group of volunteers from Teen Lifeline gathered with several hundred students at Birdville ISD’s stadium for an evening of refocusing. The event was put on by FCA but was open to any students in the North Tarrant area. The night opened with a worship band that invited the students to let go of the things that were weighing them down by focusing on God and worshiping him. Then several students gave their testimony about how God had worked in their life to show them how He was walking with them and that He would always be there. This was followed by more worship and a speaker. This is where we came in. The speaker, a youth pastor in the area, invited students to go to one of three areas on the football field. One was for students committing to Christ for the first time, the second for those that wanted to recommit, and the third was our area where students could address an issue they are dealing with. It was amazing to see a lot of students wanting to pray about recommitting. It was exciting and actually required us to send over some volunteers to pray with the mass of students wanting to do that. Then students began to come to us. I know was at work because it can’t be easy for these students to come forward and admit what is going on for them. We prayed about everything from pride and self-esteem to cutting and drugs. It was an amazing time and a great way to use the gifts God has given us to pray with the students. The follow up will be happening through local churches so continue to be in prayer about that.

It was an amazing blessing to be a part of such a great night. If you were unable to participate this year, definitely make a note to look for Fields of Faith next year, where ever you are in the U.S. It definitely promotes a life lived better.

The Surprise Hill

About the same time I was feeling good about the hill I had overcome. I started noticing that there was a new hill that was giving me problems. This hill was at the end of our run when I was the most tired and ready to be done.
This gives me two thoughts. One, know when you are good at facing challenges and when you aren’t. When I was facing the other hill at mile 2 or 3 I was able to conquer it. But when I was facing this hill at the end of the run I was struggeling. This applies in life when you are just tired. We are all so busy and just keep going and going. We need to be able to recognize when we need a break. This is what vacation should be about. Not always just going to do something we don’t usually get to do. Sometimes it should be just taking time to relax. Using this time wisely will help reduce the stress that everyday tends to bring.
Second sometimes you have to know when to go another direction. We have decided the last few weeks to avoid this hill and instead go around another way. This is proving to be a good break from something I was beginning to dread. I hope that when we start going that way again I will appreciate the time away and start looking for the good it does me to take on this challenge again.

Take a moment to share a challenge you have overcome or maybe just how you avoid challenges at difficult times. All with the purpose of living life better.