Focus on the Family Magazine - August/September 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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MEDIA / KIDS & TEENS<br />
UPCOMING REVIEWS<br />
For reviews of <strong>the</strong>se and o<strong>the</strong>r titles,<br />
visit PluggedIn.com, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Focus</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Family</strong>’s<br />
media review and discernment website.<br />
TAYLOR SWIFT: MIDNIGHTS<br />
BY ADAM HOLZ<br />
THERE AREN’T MANY MUSIC ARTISTS who wield<br />
enough fandom to generate c<strong>on</strong>gressi<strong>on</strong>al hearings,<br />
but <strong>the</strong> scramble for tickets to Taylor Swift’s<br />
world tour practically broke <strong>the</strong> internet. Senators<br />
c<strong>on</strong>vened this year to review <strong>the</strong> fiasco surrounding<br />
Ticketmaster’s inability to handle <strong>the</strong> demand.<br />
The so-called “Swifties” are <strong>on</strong>e dedicated fan base,<br />
and Taylor c<strong>on</strong>tinues to attract legi<strong>on</strong>s of young new<br />
listeners. Given her popularity, it’s no surprise that I<br />
receive many questi<strong>on</strong>s about Taylor’s latest album,<br />
Midnights.<br />
As <strong>the</strong> title suggests, Midnights is about Taylor’s<br />
thoughts and reflecti<strong>on</strong>s during sleepless nights—<br />
literally, when she’s still up at midnight. In <strong>the</strong>se new<br />
s<strong>on</strong>gs, Taylor is more reflective about life and her<br />
attempts to find meaning in romantic relati<strong>on</strong>ships.<br />
Compared to some of her earlier work, she seems<br />
less angry and cynical, more aware of what she might<br />
have d<strong>on</strong>e wr<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
That’s <strong>the</strong> good stuff. The bad stuff? Unfortunately,<br />
Taylor’s c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al approach to s<strong>on</strong>gwriting comes<br />
with a lot of baggage, too, like harsh profanity, as well<br />
as references to drugs, alcohol and physical intimacy.<br />
The result is an album that, despite some positive<br />
and introspective moments, isn’t <strong>on</strong>e that I can recommend.<br />
Even if Taylor is growing more mature in<br />
some ways, in o<strong>the</strong>r ways she seems to think “maturity”<br />
means embracing reckless and spiritually<br />
destructive choices.<br />
I understand why so many people love this undeniably<br />
talented and insightful singer. But too often,<br />
Taylor Swift isn’t a role model we’d want our kids to<br />
emulate—even if she does know how to write a really<br />
catchy s<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
THE HILL<br />
Can a young man<br />
overcome his physical<br />
disabilities and play<br />
major league baseball?<br />
SCHEDULED RELEASE: AUG. 18<br />
SEA OF STARS<br />
Does this retro-inspired game include too<br />
much mysticism for parental approval?<br />
SCHEDULED RELEASE: AUG. 29<br />
BLUE BEETLE<br />
What will a<br />
teenager do<br />
with superpowered<br />
armor<br />
provided by an<br />
alien insect?<br />
SCHEDULED RELEASE:<br />
AUG. 18<br />
Adam Holz is <strong>the</strong> director of Plugged In. He and his wife, Jennifer,<br />
have three children.<br />
AUG / SEP <strong>2023</strong> FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA 23
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