By Karen E. Jones | Ph.D., Professor of Ministry and Missions, Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana. | February 2010
Eyes Online: Eyes on Life Scars that Wound: Scars that HealSeduced By Sex: Saved by Love
Jan Kern
Standard Publishing, 2008, 239 pp., $13.99,
StandardPub.com
Teens likely will resonate more with this series on self-injury, online addiction and damaging sexual behaviors than other resources on these topics. This is because they are true stories of real young people who have overcome serious addictive behaviors. They read like novels, but also include insights into the addictions, discussion questions, Scripture and creative activities for those in the struggle.
All three offer such common sense explanations about their respective issues that it would be difficult for a teen to ignore his or her personal need for help. Kern clearly draws a connection between our actions and our spiritual lives, as well. For example,
Eyes Online reminds readers that online images and experiences remain with us in "our real-world activities and relationships." That includes the roles we play, "whether in a game, in a chat, on a networking site or at a porn site…And if you're role playing with others, there's a good chance you're doing that with God."
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While these books are designed for teens, they would be invaluable resources for parents or anyone in a position to offer help for hurting young people struggling with these serious addictions.
