First-time parents are generally clueless the first go-round. Sure, they have probably talked with their doctor and read the latest parenting books and how-to guides, but sometimes the best way to prepare yourself is to learn from other’s successes and mistakes. Parenting blogs provide an outlet for real moms and dads to teach one another about the thrills and challenges of parenthood. With all of the helpful blogs and resources at your fingertips today, there’s no reason why any first-time parent should be left in the dark about parenting, children’s health, baby food and financial responsibilities. Here are 50 blogs for first-time parents:

Moms Know Best

From first-time mommies to supermoms, these women share their individual stories of motherhood by blogging.

1. The Adventure of Motherhood.
   Learn how to plan a successful play date, master potty training and see what books this mother of one is reading on this informative blog.
2. The Snyder 5.
   This mother of three boys shares her advice on working, parenting and keeping it all together, here.
3. a mom amok.
   This New York mom talks about living in the city with her two kids, and documents their many adventures, here.
4. Another Day, Another Moment.
   See how this first time mom is handling her son’s terrible twos, here.
5. Janet Lansbury.
   This former model and actress, turned mother and parent educator shares her insights into early childhood and parenting, here.
6. Motherlode.
   The Motherlode, a New York Times blog covers some intriguing topics, such as adoption, autism, and other points of interest for parents.
7. Click Clack Mom.
   This Army wife and fist time mom shares her experiences with pregnancy and parenting on this blog.
8. Just By Living.
   This stepmother of one writes about her transition from fashionista to mommy on this colorful blog.
9. Notes from the Trenches.
   With six boys and one daughter, this busy mom writes about her daily adventures of motherhood and madness.
10. Suburb Sanity.
    See what this mom of the ‘burbs has to say about raising a tween and teenagers, here.

Fatherly Figures

These dads don’t hold back from sharing the many ups and downs of fatherhood, but will make you laugh along the way.

11. First Time Father.
    This first time dad shares his excitements, challenges and lessons learned from fatherhood, thus far.
12. The New Dad Blog.
    This dad documents his family life and children’s activities through pictures and posts.
13. Daddy’s Lil’ Squirt.
    This first time dad and stepdad writes about his adventures parenting “Squirt,” while living in Belize.
14. Dorky Dad.
    See what this dorky dad has to say about household projects and surviving fatherhood.
15. DadCentric.
    Modern dads unite on this hilarious blog that breaks the mold on what fatherhood is all about.
16. DadRevolution.
    Fourteen dads from different backgrounds and locations collaborate to share their experiences and advice on how to be a good dad.
17. Daddy Dialectic.
    This blog is written by and for the modern-day dad, with a special focus on egalitarian relationships and redefining gender roles in the 21st century.
18. Real Men Drive Minivans.
    Here you’ll find father-approved recipes and parenting tips from this work-at-home father.
19. Out-Numbered.
    You’ll get a good laugh from this dad’s blog about the adventures of fatherhood and raising two girls.
20. DadLabs.
    DadLabs is the place to find cool, do-it-yourself crafts and activities your kids will love.

Health

These blogs provide current news, information and health discussions that every first-time parent should know about.

21. Mayo Clinic News.
    You’ll find comprehensive and credible news about children’s health and safety, here.
22. Milestone Mom.
    This occupational therapist shares her knowledge of child development and provides home therapy exercises and activities to attain important developmental milestones.
23. Parenting and Health Daily.
    Here you’ll find news and advice about children’s health, as well as how-to guides for first time parents.
24. Center on Media and Child Health.
    Check out the latest news and research about the effects of media on children and adolescents’ health, from this reputable health blog.
25. News Anchor Mom.
    From one mother to another, this news anchor and mom filters the news to provide information that specifically impacts mothers and children on her blog.
26. Momma Data.
    This psychologist, former researcher and mom of three devotes her time to investigating the biggest health issues affecting children today and setting the record straight on her blog.
27. Postpartum Progress.
    Katherine Stone sheds light on postpartum depression and other mental illnesses related to childbirth in this widely-read and praised blog.
28. Healthy Child.
    This blog discusses environmental hazards that can affect you and your child’s health, what preventative measures to take and how you can spread awareness.
29. ParentDish.
    Get the latest health and safety news, tips and advice from every stage of pregnancy to your child’s infant, toddler, big kid, tween and teen years.
30. Baby Shrink.
    This psychologist and mother of four can help you understand the developmental stages of children and what’s going on in your baby’s head.

Food and Fitness

Learn how to make homemade baby food, lose baby weight and live a healthier life with the help of these food and fitness blogs.

31. Simply Baby Food Recipes.
    Find quick and easy recipes for homemade baby food categorized by age range, food group, ingredients on hand and even picky eaters.
32. Wholesome Baby Food.
    Learn about the benefits and tricks to making wholesome baby food from home.
33. Baby Food Charts.
    This blog discusses infant nutrition, feeding guides and provides a handy food chart for your growing baby.
34. Mush Homemade Baby Food.
    This momma is serving up homemade baby food and teaching new moms how to do the same with simple recipes you can try at home.
35. Super Healthy Kids.
    This blog provides healthy eating tips, nutritious recipes and realistic meal plans that your kids will love.
36. What are my kids eating?.
    This mom explores what her kids are eating at school and at home, and shares healthy recipes you can try at home.
37. Healthy Kids Challenge.
    This blog teaches parents and kids about nutrition, exercise and ways to make your school a healthier environment.
38. The Active Family.
    From one family to another, this active bunch shares fitness advice, healthy eating tips and exercises that are fun for the whole family.
39. Baby Fat Diet Blog.
    Moms will find dietary tips to lose unwanted baby weight on this mom and dietician approved blog.
40. Fit Moms Fit Kids Club.
    This blog encourages mothers to create fitness goals, eat well and make healthy lifestyle choices that they can pass on to their children.

Family Finances

These financial blogs and parent-approved resources can help any first-time parent prepare, save and plan for the future of their expensive bundles of joy.

42. Working Parents and Finances.
    This working dad shares his money saving tips and how to lessen debt on this financial blog for parents.
43. Everything Finance.
    This blog provides tips to manage your account, get out of credit card debt, save more money and plan for future expenses.
44. Wise Bread.
    This team of bloggers provides personal finance advice, debt management tips and financial news.
45. My Dollar Plan.
    Here you’ll find investing tips, credit information and active free money ideas to help you save now and in the future.
46. Frugal Dad.
    Frugal Dad teaches parents about money saving tips that could make you a millionaire in 10 years, as well as ways to get out of debt and be financially prepared for an emergency.
47. Money Saving Mom.
    This mother of three shows parents how to stretch their money, save with coupons and live frugally.
48. Not Made of Money.
    This wife and husband team teaches other couples how to save money, eliminate debt and make more cost effective decisions.
49. Penny Pinching Parent.
    Here you’ll find coupons, deals at popular stores and several other ways to penny pinch.
50. The Centsible Life.
    This stay-at-home mother of four helps other parents get a hold of their finances, stretch their money further and fulfill their dreams on a budget.

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Cults are more than just convenient narrative devices for thriller and mystery writers. In reality, they penetrate families and peer groups and leave an emotional trail of destruction behind. Whether disguised as a religious organization, a job opportunity or a self-help group the three most common masquerades they share many sociological and psychological phenomena. While not a definitive list by any means, this one points out a few of the more typical and dangerous amongst them for the benefit of those afraid for their lives or the lives of a loved one. Organizations such as Cult Hotline and Clinic, reFOCUS and Cult Awareness and Information Library dedicate themselves to promoting an awareness of how these dangerous groups operate. Most major metropolitan areas and college towns host their own cult hotlines and rehabilitation centers as well, all of them far better equipped to providing valuable resources on either escaping or staging an intervention than a mere website. Look them up, give them a call and help save a loved one from a horrifyingly restrictive, exploitative situation. If you think you might be in a cult, please read over this and other available resources (the links provided above are a good start) and analyze the situation at hand. Escaping and intervening will prove neither easy nor safe, so be thorough in research and prudent in exercise.

1. Were you approached to join in a moment of weakness?
   A common misconception about cults is that they tend to attract those marginalized from mainstream society because of their looks, quirks, pocketbooks, etc. Interestingly enough, people from all walks of life can fall vulnerable to these groups. One of their main recruitment tactics involves seeking out individuals suffering from periods of depression, grief, low self-esteem and other emotional universals everyone unfortunately seems reluctant to acknowledge. Cults prey on their need for companionship and validation, offering them a loving, nonjudgmental environment where they can (supposedly) be free. Most of the people who end up entwined in such organizations merely want some degree of release and love from others who ask little of them. When recruiting, cults sound great; their reality isn’t quite so much, though.




2. Are you incapable of leaving?
   Cults, most especially those with commercial interests, make escape incredibly difficult for members fed up with their tenets. Emotional manipulation and pressure and, in more extreme cases, threats or acts of physical violence are utilized to intimidate possible defectors into staying. Those whose recruitment strategies involve preying on individuals experiencing moments of emotional weakness typically bring up how they “rescued” or “saved” or “provided a home and/or family” for them. Hoping, of course, to guilt trip them into staying by cutting down their defenses and forcing them to feel like ingrates. Any reasonable organization would realize that not everyone fits their expectations and ideologies and grant their members the freedom to depart as they see fit.




3. Do the leaders or members higher up in the organization enjoy tossing out shame, guilt and insults?
   Even when members do not pose any threat of leaving, they find themselves subjected to regular batteries of humiliation and degradation. Questioning anyone in any position of authority results in insulting or condescending language meant to break their spirits rather than civil discourse. Whenever members grow concerned with unfulfilled promises, they end up bearing the brunt of the blame told that their lack of faith or slack work ethic resulted in dissatisfaction rather than the fact that higher-ups held no intentions of actually doing anything for them in the first place. Spunkier participants may end up undergoing specially choreographed “breaking sessions,” subjected to a series of verbal abuses meant to snap their psyche. Instead of offering the loving home and family promised during recruitment sessions, they strive to reinforce the negative emotions that initially inspired people to join.




4. Do you feel isolated from loved ones?
   In order to prevent outside influences from leading adherents outside the fold, cults attempt to isolate them from the friends and family who loved them before they joined up. This undoubtedly ties in with their desire to exploit the depressed and unsure, reaching out with false promises of a ready-made set of replacements entirely without judgments or prejudices. Provided, of course, that they question nothing. A cult’s brand of “unconditional love” comes saddled with an agreement of unyielding conformity without it, these newfound companions drift off at best and participate in shaming rituals at worst. Kind of like junior high. Some organizations with a religious bent may ram the opinion that anyone outside their circle deserves ridicule and spite for rejecting the “one true path.” Reinforcing an “us vs. them” mindset drives larger wedges between victims and their family and friends from a “previous life,” nurturing paranoia to prevent rescues and escapes.




5. Have absolute truth claims ever slipped into the conversation?
   One of the more common scare tactics employed by cults involves absolute truth rhetoric, where only adherents receive ultimate rewards. Along with those experiencing personal weak points, they also tend to target anyone encumbered with spiritual questions. Preying on existential fear, more religious cults tout their ideologies as the only real solution to life’s big answers. All others come packaged and sold as dead ends where nothing but torment and toil await. Natural questioning gets squelched, dismissed as evil and shameful. Leadership demonizes friends and family outside the collective for not believing in their doctrine, furthering the isolation of its individual components. Be wary of any organization whose literature and discussions claim that what they have to offer is the only possible path towards happiness and salvation in life.




6. Is your reading material censored?
   As a means of perpetuating isolation and unquestioning compliance, cult leaders and their appointed authority figures censor the reading materials available to members. Anything critical or revealing of their strategies never makes it to the lower tiers as a means of keeping them under control. Their media intake revolves around glorifying the organization, and more extreme cases may ban any works promoting free thought and intellectualism that could result in some seriously questioning followers. Legitimate groups with any degree of transparency take no issue with their members reading, watching or listening to any criticisms levied out on the practices. They may not agree with what’s being said, of course, but they see no real imperative to restrict access to any of the people or publications, either.




7. Can your “friends” keep a secret?
   Gossip runs rampant amongst cult leadership and members, in spite of referring to themselves as “family” and “friends.” Lower-tier individuals eager to slink up the ranks attempt to earn the trust of their peers, relaying any whispers of insubordination to their superiors. These shady communities encourage members to spy on one another and report back. Sound familiar? Like something out of Orwell or the Third Reich? If you start suspecting that your peers may be taking advantage of any trust for their own personal gain not to mention your rather brutal punishment then you might just very well be in a cult! Likewise, if upper echelons of the hierarchy start sniffing around asking questions about what your friends have told you in the strictest confidence, then you may want to make your way out of the organization as quickly as you can.




8. Are you expected to hand over money or possessions to move up?Not every cult structures itself around a level system requiring some type of compensation to move up, but enough of them do to render the practice a warning sign. Both religious and commercial cults can employ this method, and monetary, sexual, servile or other types of favors sometimes work in tandem with snitching to score a promotion. Because many of these groups exist under the leadership of one particularly charismatic individual, the tributes go straight into his or her bank account and all the givers receive in turn is a usually negligible amount of status. Rare is the cult that operates under a meritocracy, seeing as how that generally defeats the purpose of heaping obscene amounts of possession and power on the leader.




9. Do you have to go to a meeting to even understand what the organization is about?
   When it comes time to recruit more troubled individuals into the fold, cults typically utilize vague language when first encountering a potential new member. Rather than explaining up front what the organization hopes to accomplish and offer, they push them towards informational meetings. Oftentimes coached to remain upbeat and happy at all times, members sent out into the fertile fields of the real world skirt questions about their “benefactor’s” true motives and keep on promoting those group sessions instead. Either that or they speak in vagaries and absolute truths if not a combination. After ensnaring unsuspecting individuals looking for a little guidance and a couple of friends, cults typically occupy adherents’ time with a cramped schedule full of largely meaningless work. Like pretty much everything else they do, this tactic is just one more weapon to combat thinking, escaping and thinking about escaping.




10. Is the leader a megalomaniacal, paranoid, power-hungry tyrant of a crazy person?
    Yes, yes, it probably is an unfair stereotype to paint all cult leaders as less-than-benevolent, egomaniacal sociopaths who exploit individuals suffering from entirely-too-human doubts and depressions for their own personal, monetary and sexual gain. In reality, though, most cult leaders are less-than-benevolent, egomaniacal sociopaths who exploit individuals suffering from entirely-too-human doubts and depressions for their own personal, monetary and sexual gain. Why else would they go out of their way to lie, steal, cheat and manipulate their way through life? Most of the common strategies wielded by cult leaders aren’t exactly the nicest or the sanest out there. So keep a sharp eye tuned to his or her behavior. If the suspect reacts to questions regarding authority with verbal or physical violence, starts spouting off absolute truth rhetoric, requests some type of compensation in order to reach some sort of inner sanctum (PROTIP: You won’t.) and enjoys disavowing the First Amendment, then he or she is either a cult leader or just a really, really, really terrible person.

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A new school year has arrived and your child is ready for the next challenge. But what if the new subjects they’re studying prove to be too difficult? Not every parent is equipped with the knowledge – or memory – to give their child adequate tutelage, and let’s face it, patience can wear thin from both sides even if you know what you’re doing. If you can afford it, the easiest solution is to hire a qualified tutor. Determining who to hire is dependent on how much you can afford to pay, their qualifications and how well they get along with your child. If it works, you’ll find that not only will your child’s grades improve, but so will their self-esteem and outlook for the future. Here are 10 reasons your child needs a tutor.

1. They work hard, but results are minimal
   If your child puts forth the effort each night but isn’t seeing results, a well-trained tutor would be a good investment. A tutor will teach them how to study independently, which is a basic skill they’ll need to have mastered by the time they enter college. They also offer tutelage pertaining to note-taking, organizational and time management skills that will improve your child’s chances of success in every subject.
2. They’re easily discouraged
   Does your child’s motivation wane as the subject becomes more difficult? A couple of bad grades can lead to several more, and before you know it, they’ve fallen into an academic hole of which they’re unable to find their way out. The personal attention provided by a tutor can steer them around it, giving them the confidence needed to conquer a challenge.
3. Lessons don’t match their learning style
   Not every student learns in the same manner. Perhaps your child is a social learner who needs consistent interaction in order to fully grasp a subject. If their teacher is more of a lecturer, a tutor can provide the social learning experience your child desires. Additionally, lesson plans tend to be rigid and teachers generally prefer not to stray away from them. The use of alternative methods can provide your child with easier and more efficient ways to solve a math problem, balance an equation or write an essay.
4. Their teacher is subpar
   Like any other profession, the teaching profession has its good and bad apples. During secondary school, students typically lack the study skills to learn a subject on their own, so they’re unable to compensate for wasted class time. A qualified tutor can teach your child everything they need to know and more, breaking their dependence on their subpar teacher.
5. They consistently struggle in one subject
   Perhaps a subject like math just isn’t your child’s strong-suit and they’ve never performed well in those classes. By hiring tutor who specializes in that particular area, you can turn your child’s weakness into a strength. A good tutor should be able to tap into your child’s potential, or at the very least, ensure the subject is no longer a drag on their transcript.
6. Curves only cover the problem
   Your child may have a decent grade, but it doesn’t mean they fully understand the subject matter. What they miss now could affect them in the future, causing them to fall behind their peers. For example, if they struggle with polynomials in Algebra, they’re destined to struggle in chemistry and physics.
7. They’re nervous about college
   The ultra-competitive nature of high schools these days has caused many kids to fold under the pressure. Teenagers who can barely manage their current lives are expected to know exactly what they want to accomplish in the future. A tutor encourages them to focus on the task at hand, teaching the study skills, time management skills and mindset they need for success -now.
8. They experience test anxiety
   There’s no denying the SAT and ACT are key components of the college application process. A good or bad score can affect your child’s ability to gain admission into the school of their dreams. Luckily, there is an abundance of experienced SAT and ACT tutors who can teach your child essential test-taking strategies that will enable them to maximize their score. These tutors possess the resources – like practice exams – that can be used to quell big test anxiety.
9. School isn’t challenging enough
   Perhaps your child isn’t being sufficiently challenged by their studies and you don’t want their potential to go to waste. Or maybe they’ve taken an interest in a particular subject – like a foreign language – and you want to cultivate a passion. Either way, a tutor will utilize your child’s free time in a stimulating manner.
10. No other help is available
    As previously mentioned, you may not be able to offer the help your child needs in order to realize their potential in a subject. After all, it has been years since you were in their shoes, and more likely than not, teaching isn’t your strength. A good tutor will be able to explain the tedious details of a subject in way that your child can understand.

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If Ben Franklin were writing today, he’d likely say that nothing in this world is certain but death, taxes, and religious scandal. There have been so many church leaders plagued by scandal that Wikipedia has an entire category devoted to cataloguing the ways various men and women of God found themselves brought low by lust, anger, or good old-fashioned greed. The people on this list are notable not just for their mistakes, but ultimately how ordinary they are: they slept with the wrong person, bought the wrong house, etc. These are the church leaders who’ve shot themselves in the feet, and who might be forgiven but will never be forgotten.

1. Ted Haggard: Ted Haggard founded New Life Church in Colorado Springs, a military town with major evangelical ties (Focus on the Family and Young Life are both headquartered there, among others). The church grew to more than 10,000 members, and his prominence led Haggard to become the president of the National Association of Evangelicals. He was, basically, one of the kings of the modern evangelical movement, noted for his strong statements against gays. However, in 2006 a gay prostitute came forward and claimed that he had sold Haggard crystal meth and gotten high with him, and that the two had been engaging in a sexual relationship for three years. Haggard initially denied all allegations, then admitted to buying the drugs but not using them and to getting a massage but nothing more. The resultant scandal forced him to resign from the NAE and New Life and relocate to Arizona, though in June 2010 Haggard announced plans to start up a new church in Colorado Springs. His public downfall led to drops in attendance and contributions at New Life.
2. Jim Bakker: Jim Bakker is one of the more famous religious figures to meet with scandal. Bakker and his wife, the uniquely made-up Tammy Faye, founded “The PTL Club” and the ensuing PTL Satellite Network, which brought him fame and fortune in the 1980s as he became one of the biggest televangelists in the nation. The money turned out to be his undoing: Bakker sold “lifetime memberships” at $1,000 a pop for people who wanted the privilege of an annual three-night stay at a fancy hotel at Heritage USA, the PTL Club’s Christian theme park in South Carolina. However, investigators found that only one hotel was ever built, and it only had 500 rooms. Bakker sold way more memberships than he needed and pocketed more than $3 million for himself. Bakker stepped down from his roles ahead of the disclosure of an affair with Jessica Hahn, who was paid to keep quiet about the sexual encounters. Investigators also found out that Bakker cooked the books. He was eventually indicted for mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. He served five years in prison after reductions.
3. Pope Benedict XVI: Taking the papacy in 2005, Benedict XVI (formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) has been hounded by allegations of involvement in and knowledge of sexual misconduct for years. On one hand, he’s been lauded for pursuing those members of the Church found to be abusing minors and denouncing their terrible acts. On the other, some accuse Benedict XVI of aiding in a cover-up of the abuses of Father Peter Hullermann, who abused several boys only to be transferred to another parish and allowed to resume his duties, at which point more boys were abused. There’s speculation about how much Ratzinger knew about Hullermann’s reinstatement, though he has denied complicity in any wrongdoing. Still, it’s a contentious issue for many Catholics.
4. Henry Lyons: Henry Lyons started out as a rising star within the Baptist world: after serving as vice president of the Florida Baptist Convention and then its president, he became president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. in 1994. However, Lyons was soon brought down by revelations of inappropriate spending. To wit, some of the cash he raised in the name of the organization went to buying himself a new house and a car. There were also allegations of adultery. In 1998, he was indicted for a host of bad deeds, including fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, extortion, and conspiracy. He resigned as president of the National Baptist Convention and was sentence to five years in prison. He was paroled in 2003, and unbelievably made two more unsuccessful attempts to regain the presidency of the convention.
5. George Alan Rekers: George Rekers, a Southern Baptist minister, met with infamy in mid-2010 for sexual indiscretions. Rekers had long been a major player in conservative Christian circles: he was on the founding board of James Dobson’s Family Research Council as well as the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, a group that dedicates itself to “converting” gay men and women into straight ones. Rekers was very outspoken about his beliefs when it came to the wrongness of homosexuality, which made his eventual scandal that much more ironic. In 2010, it was reported that Rekers had hired a gay male prostitute from Rentboy.com as a travel assistant, and the hired man claimed that part of his duties had been to give Rekers nude massages. Rekers said he’d just hired the guy to carry his luggage. The FRC soon distanced themselves from Rekers, though he maintained his innocence in the face of curious evidence.
6. Joe Barron: Joe Barron was a minister at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, one of the biggest megachurches in the country, boasting more than 26,000 members and a regular worship service attendance around 14,000. In 2008, Barron was caught in a sting operation by Dallas police for soliciting sex from a minor. He’d thought he was propositioning a 13-year-old girl with whom he’d been chatting online, but when he showed up to meet her, he was greeted by the boys in blue. Barron was, understandably, asked by church officials to resign, and he promptly did.
7. Coy Privette: Coy Privette was well known in North Carolina as a pastor and politician. He served four terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives, he’s the county commissioner of Cabarrus County, and he was pastor for 14 years at North Kannapolis Baptist Church. He was also president of the state’s Christian Action League when, in 2007, he was caught doing something pretty bad: Privette received six charges of aiding and abetting prostitution. His life started to unravel when his bank called the cops about a suspicious check Privette had written to a woman who turned out to be a prostitute. That was pretty much the end of his time as a religious leader in the state.
8. Earl Paulk: Earl Paulk wasn’t like other Southern white preachers of the mid-20th century: He openly preached against racism and was one of the few white pastors to march alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. Yet he was also hounded by scandal from the start, and left Atlanta’s Hemphill Avenue Church of God in 1960 because he’d had an affair with a female parishioner. He then went on to found the church that would become known as Chapel Hill Harvester Church and later the Cathedral at Chapel Hill, but sex scandal followed close behind. He and other pastors were accused of sexual manipulation, then Paulk was sued by a woman claiming he’d forced himself on her when she was 17. Other women came forward as news of Paulk’s affairs spread. But the kicker was when Paulk’s nephew, Donnie, revealed that DNA testing proved he was Earl’s son, not his nephew. Earl Paulk had slept with his sister-in-law years before. This led to a successful perjury charge, since Earl Paulk had stated under oath in previous cases that he’d never had an affair with anyone other than Mona Brewer, who was suing him at the time. He lived the rest of his life in legal and moral disgrace, dying in March 2009 from cancer.
9. Lonnie Latham: Lonnie Latham was the senior pastor at Oklahoma’s South Tulsa Baptist Church and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee, but he had to step down from both roles in 2006 when scandal caught up with him. He was busted for propositioning a man for oral sex, and the man turned out to be a plainclothes cop. Latham didn’t offer cash for the act, so he wasn’t charged with total prostitution, but still, it was enough. He was tried and acquitted (lack of evidence), but the brouhaha was still big enough to paint him as a man mired in scandal.
10. Fred Phelps: Fred Phelps, founder of Kansas’ Westboro Baptist Church, is an antagonistic guy who exhorts his parishioners to protest events with signs reading (among others) “God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers.” It’s not hard to see how he doesn’t just create scandal, but invites it. He was also arrested in 1951 and found guilty of battery against a Pasadena police officer, and in the decades since he’s been arrested for more battery, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and contempt of court, to start. Phelps has been able to dodge serving any time, despite being convicted in 1994 of contempt of court and two counts of assault. Phelps has also been sued many times, like the 2006 suit brought against him by the family of deceased Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder after Westboro congregants protested at his funeral. Phelps and his daughters were found guilty of invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress. All in a day’s work for one of the most scandalous religious figures in the country today.

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Christian music isn’t just trying to tell a story, it’s trying to make a theological argument. Unfortunately, sometimes that means that too much energy is spent making a moral case while not enough energy goes into making sure that the song, and especially the accompanying music video, is up to snuff. I’m sure that the artists, directors, writers, and everyone involved in the creation of these videos had nothing but the best intentions, but that doesn’t keep them from being dreadful, head-scratching, and hilarious in all the ways they were never intended to be.

1. “666,” DeGarmo & Key: DeGarmo & Key made history by being the first Christian group to get a video on MTV. Unfortunately, that video was “666,” which seemed to be about Satan will chase people through computers and suck their souls dry via floppy disks. The network, however, pulled the video for violent content when the original cut showed a woman being engulfed by flames. The clip is about as far form controversial as you can get, though, unless you count crappy mid-’80s visual effects as controversial.
2. “Pray,” MC Hammer: In addition to shamelessly sampling “When Doves Cry,” this MC Hammer video makes religion look like a Pepsi commercial. His sentiment — “We’ve got to pray just to make it today” — is a noble one, but how that translates into dancing next to a fountain while wearing hot green parachute pants is anyone’s guess.
3. “The Renewed Mind Is the Key to the Christ in Me,” The Way: I’m mostly sure that’s the right title; some of these videos, despite their infamy, don’t have much info to go on. Still, this epically awful video features some amazing dancing and lyrics. And by “amazing,” I mean, “This is one of the funniest things you will ever see.”
4. “Shine,” Final Placement: This video is so hilariously awful that it spawned a viral craze earlier this year, with the original video and its growing number of tributes now housed at one site. Final Placement is a group of high schoolers who play, well, like high schoolers, but it’s the low production values of the video that make it truly special. Here’s hoping these kids live this one down.

“Shine” by “Final Placement” (Original Video) from F.P. Shine on Vimeo.

5. “Life,” The Brothers: There are no words:
6. “Dogs of Glory,” Jim Steager: I am willing to admit that this video goes pretty quickly past “unintentionally hilarious” and winds up in “gut-churning terror,” but you have to laugh at it or it’s just too scary to watch.
7. “Such Great Heights,” Confide: Don’t let the dreamy opening fool you: This isn’t The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights,” but an insanely angry thrash-metal version from a Christian group called Confide. The moment the rock kicks in is jarring; everything after that is pure comedy, as the band members jump about for no reason.

Confide “Such Great Heights” from Daniel Chesnut on Vimeo.

8. “Honestly,” Stryper: Christian glam metal: What could go wrong? As it turns out, plenty. Stryper was the Christian answer to the musical genre that never should have been, and their videos are cut from the same cheesy cloth as their secular late-’80s brethren. The clip for “Honestly” is so over the top that it’s impossible to take it seriously, which the band members clearly do.
9. “Jesus Christ Is Coming,” Jim Blackmon: This one’s so bad it almost takes the title, but instead it winds up a close second. Shot for what looks like $14 including postproduction costs, Jim Blackmon’s “Jesus Christ Is Coming” loses any claim to seriousness somewhere between the confused blonde aimlessly banging a tambourine on her hand and a long-haired guy with red face paint that’s the least intimidating Satan ever filmed. You can’t not laugh.
10. “Jesus Is My Friend,” Sonseed: This one has it all: bad ska-ish boogie, awful lyrics, an ugly melody, and an utter lack of awareness about how bad it all looks together. The members of Sonseed, which looks vaguely spiritual but is honestly a nonsense word, outdid everyone else with this performance of “Jesus Is My Friend.” One look and you’ll be changed forever, and not in a good way.

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People say children are the greatest gifts in life. If you’re not a parent, you may wonder what that statement truly means or if that really applies to your life. Sure, procreating is our evolutionary purpose, but let’s be honest, not everyone is cut out to be a parent. If you aren’t ready to take on the responsibilities, the stress, the sacrifices or those unexpected calls from the principal, you may not be mother or father material now or ever. Here are 10 ways to tell you’re not cut out for parenthood:

• If you struggle to make ends meet
  Depending on your income and expenses, the average cost of raising a child today is nearly a quarter of a million dollars and more if he/she goes to college. Bottom line: Children are expensive. If you are living paycheck to paycheck and still can’t get ahead, you may not be cut out for parenthood yet. Being financially stable, and living within your means before having kids, will help prepare you for the future expenses of raising a family.
• If you aren’t in a stable and happy marriage/relationship
  If you are struggling to get along with your significant other or can’t see eye-to-eye on important decisions, you may not be cut out for parenthood. Bringing a baby into an unhappy home isn’t going to solve these problems either. Marriage/relationship counseling can help couples work through their issues, strengthen their relationship and better prepare for a family one day.
• If you aren’t willing to sacrifice your needs and wants
  If you aren’t willing to give up your weekly happy hours, vacations, shopping sprees and other pre-parent outings, to take care of your child, you may not be cut out for parenthood. Being a parent is a full-time job and your child’s needs will always come before your own. Parents will naturally have to change their spending habits and lifestyle choices to accommodate the needs of their kids.
• If you have substance abuse problems
  If you struggle with substance abuse, you are not cut out for parenthood. You cannot safely raise a child when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor will you be setting a good example for how to be a responsible adult. There is simply no way you can fulfill all of the necessary duties of parenthood if you aren’t completely sober.
• If your are married to your job
  Kudos to those who are career-driven and take pride in their work, but being a parent may force you to put your job on the back burner sometimes. If work is No. 1 in your life and you plan on keeping it that way, you may not be cut out for parenthood. Plenty of parents work full-time, but they have to work that much harder to be there for their children. So, if you aren’t up for this sacrifice or challenge, you might want to wait on kids.
• If you or your partner is unsure about having kids
  When considering having a child, couples need to be onboard together. If you are unsure about having a child or your partner is hesitant, you have a lot of discussing to do before taking on this responsibility. Parents need to be on the same page and if one person is against the idea, you may not be cut out for parenthood.
• If you aren’t a patient person
  Patience is key in all phases of life, especially parenting. From infancy to adulthood, kids will test your patience every day. If you are inpatient, easily irritated and not willing to adapt or change your ways, you may not be cut out for parenthood.
• If you are depressed or moody
  If you are clinically depressed or moody before having children, your condition may only worsen as a parent. Postpartum depression is also a concern for parents, who feel sadness, fatigue, anxiety and irritability after the birth of their child. Children of depressed parents may face negative effects, such as behavioral, social and learning problems, as well as becoming depressed themselves. If you find that your depression or mood interferes with your health and happiness, you may not be ready to take on the responsibilities and stress that comes with parenting.
• If you can’t get by with little to no sleep
  Children will keep you up late at night and wake you up early. For most parents, this takes some getting used to, but they adapt over time. If you are not ok with getting less than eight hours of sleep, or cannot function properly on little sleep, you may not be cut out for parenthood.
• If you have little to no experience with children of different ages
  If you have little to no experience with kids of different ages, you may need to reconsider having a child right away. It’s important that you spend some time interacting and watching over kids before having your own. Doing so will open up your eyes to parenting, and help you decide if you actually enjoy children and are cut out for parenthood.

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Supposed practitioners of witchcraft struck fear in the hearts of Europeans because of their bizarre countercultural practices. During the Early Modern Period, the presence of a witch entailed sorcery, black magic and general blasphemy, and in order to prevent and deter harm to society, massive witch-hunts were undertaken to weed them out. According to some estimates, the result was the killing of up to 100,000 women and men who were accused of witchcraft. The most infamous method of execution was burning at the stake, which was believed to cleanse the soul, but served simply as entertainment to many who witnessed the gruesome punishment. Although we are centuries removed from the Burning Times, witches continue mystify and keep our imaginations churning. Here are eight famous witches – or supposed practitioners of witchcraft – who were burned at the stake.

1. Joan of Arc
   The teenage French heroine is best remembered for leading the resistance against the British invasion during the Hundred Years War, but died as a witch – at least to the British. She was captured by the Burgundians in 1430 and turned over to the British, who tried her for witchcraft and heresy due to her abnormal and unladylike behavior. She was burned at the stake in 1431.
2. Petronilla de Meath
   Petronilla de Meath is recognized as the first person to be burned at the stake for witchcraft in Ireland. She was a maid for Lady Alice Kyteler, who was accused of witchcraft and charged with the crimes of demonism, sorcery and the murder of her husbands. The torture of de Meath was demanded in order to extract a confession, and she admitted to using a magical ointment that enabled her and her mistress to fly. Her death occurred in 1324.
3. Angela de la Barthe
   Angela de la Barthe confessed to giving birth to a half-wolf and half-snake creature that fed on human babies who she had stolen. Because of her devilish dealings, she was burned at the stake in Toulouse, France in 1275. She’s the first documented witch to be publically executed.
4. Maggie Wall
   A statute near the small village of Dunning, Scotland currently reads “Maggie Wall burnt here 1657 as a Witch.” Nobody knows why she was accused of witchcraft. But given the widespread fear of witches that persisted during her lifetime, it’s not difficult to comprehend that just one small act could have caused this faceless woman to become one of the thousands of women who were executed in Scotland for witchcraft during the 1500s and 1600s.
5. Catherine Monvoisin
   Also known as La Voisin, Catherine Monvoisin was a midwife and French sorceress who was a personage in the Affaire des Poisons, in which several members of the aristocracy were executed for witchcraft and poisoning. She was a well-known practitioner of medicine, provider of abortions and maker of love powders and potions, and she served many famous Parisian women. Monvoisin was burned at the stake in 1680.
6. Janet Brown
   Janet Brown was accused of meeting with the devil, whose presence was made as a man at the back of the Broomhills. A mark on her arm was said to be left by the devil – likely a birthmark, scar or mole – and she was eventually found guilty of witchcraft and executed in 1648.
7. Alesoun Balfour
   Alesoun – or Alison – Balfour was accused of taking part in a plot to murder Orkney Earl Patrick Stewart. His brother, John Stewart, was thought to be behind the plot and his servant, Thomas Paplay, named Alesoun Balfour as an accomplice. After Alesoun, her husband, son and daughter were tortured, she confessed to witchcraft. Her execution occurred in 1594.
8. Marie Balcoin
   During the reign of Henry the IV of France, Marie Balcoin was a sorceress from Pays de Labourd who was said to have eaten the ear of a small child in a Sabbatic meeting. As a result of her action and her other witch-like activities, she was burned at the stake – the year it occurred is unknown.

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With the right array of music, a wedding can be transformed into a truly magical occasion. That’s why brides, grooms and wedding planners carefully select the tunes, basing their decisions on a number of factors, including their personal tastes, the settings of their weddings, the meanings of the songs and when they would be played. Although coming to a consensus on a list isn’t always easy, there are a handful of songs that many wedding attendees will agree are most fitting. Here are the top 10 wedding songs of all-time.

1. “At Last” – Etta James
   “At Last” was originally sung by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday – who were members of Glenn Miller’s orchestra- for the musical film Orchestra Wives, and covered by Nat King Cole before Etta James took it to new heights. Its lyrics are perfectly suited for weddings: At last / My love has come along / My lonely days are over / And life is like a song.
2. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
   Legendary Broadway performer Fred Astaire was the first to sing “The Way You Look Tonight,” and since, it has been covered by a who’s who of talented singers – most notably Frank Sinatra. It has appeared in numerous hit movies, including “Father of the Bride” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” The song captures the groom’s adoration for his bride.
3. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
   There isn’t a more blessed occasion than your wedding. Louie Armstrong describes the feelings of most brides and grooms on their big day in “What a Wonderful World.” More than just a popular wedding song, it has persisted as one of the top feelgood songs of all-time.
4. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
   In “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Presley mentions that he has fallen for a special gal and their togetherness is inevitable. The song was adapted for his 1961 film “Blue Hawaii,” in which his character, Chad Gates, returns home to Hawaii after a couple of years in the army and eventually marries his girlfriend.
5. “I Turn to You” – Christina Aguilera
   Christina Aguilera’s version of “I Turn to You,” which was written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren, resonates with family, friends and lovers, making it a versatile tune for weddings. But perhaps its most appropriate usage is during the father/daughter dance – the intension of the song is to thank a parent.
6. “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole
   “Unforgettable” was originally going to be titled “Uncomparable” by writer Irving Gordon, but the studio preferred the more memorable title. Through the years, the song has been covered by numerous talented artists, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jr.
7. “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
   Twain and her husband Robert “Mutt” Lange wrote “You’re Still the One” when they became an item in the mid-’90s, as they were enduring criticism about the validity of their marriage due to the age difference and Lange’s stature in the music industry. Unfortunately, they eventually separated, but the message of the song remains fitting for the big day.
8. “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” – Bryan Adams
   Ranked 16th on Billboard’s All-Time Top 100 Chart, “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams is regarded as one of the best soft rock ballads of the generation. The song was written for “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” but experienced success as a part of Adams’ “Waking up the Neighbours” album.
9. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
   Clapton wrote “Wonderful Tonight” about his eventual wife, Pattie Boyd, as she was dressing to attend a Buddy Holly tribute hosted by Paul McCartney in 1976. The day after their wedding, Clapton sang the song to her on stage in Tucson, Arizona.
10. “Faithfully” – Journey
    “Faithfully” was the song of choice for the wedding dance of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, but don’t take that as a bad omen. Most brides and grooms are faithfully committed to each other at the times of their weddings. The song was penned by Journey keyboard player Jonathan Cain, who dedicated it to his wife.

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So you’ve decided not to attend a Christian college. Perhaps circumstances prevented you – like price, distance or opportunity – or maybe it just wasn’t your thing. It certainly doesn’t mean you’re any less of a Christian. Secular colleges are filled with Christian students and there are plenty of opportunities for them to strengthen their faith. If you manage to control your environment, college will be an enlightening experience that’ll equip you to live the rest of your life as a successful Christian. Here are eight tips for Christian college students who are attending secular colleges.

1. Set aside time for prayer
   College is a busy time. You have to balance your studies, work and social life, so finding time to pray each day can be a challenge. But if prayer remains a high priority, you shouldn’t have trouble sacrificing some of your less important activities. Consider spending less time on Facebook or watching TV, and make use of your downtime – like the time in between classes, for example.
2. Attend church regularly
   Many college students haven’t woken up on a Sunday morning since high school. For them, Sunday morning is a time to catch up on sleep after a weekend of partying. For Christian college students, it’s time best utilized for worship. Don’t break your old habit of attending church every Sunday. Churches of different denominations are often located near campus, making it easy for students swing by.
3. Join Christian organizations
   On-campus Christian organizations enable students to come together in a Christian-friendly environment. For example, Chi Alpha is a national ministry sponsored by The Assemblies of God Church – that’s located on 300 campuses across the country. Young Life also has a presence on many campuses. Most secular colleges support ministries of different denominations; there’s a concerted effort to reach out to Christian students.
4. Choose the right friends
   They don’t have to be Christian, but make sure your friends are positive to be around and respect your beliefs. They shouldn’t shun you for not partaking in activities that make you uncomfortable. Of course, you can expand your social circle by joining on-campus Christian organizations, which are composed of like-minded students.
5. Maintain consistent contact with your family
   The people who have most influenced your commitment to faith are your family, so it’s important that you keep them in mind after you’ve gone off to college. Call, text, email and message them as much as possible, and when you visit home, attend church with them.
6. Don’t become preachy
   Just because you’re living a certain way, it doesn’t mean all of your friends should live the same way. Don’t take the holier-than-thou approach to being a Christian. Your friends are imperfect and so are you. Accept them for who they are, and they’ll accept you for who you are.
7. Enjoy your science classes
   After all, college is supposed to broaden your horizons. Although you may disagree with what is being said in regard to evolution, you should sit back, relax and enjoy the lesson. You don’t have to accept it as fact, so unless your professor or classmates attack creationism, don’t attempt to make it into a religious discussion – it would disrupt the class.
8. Stand up for your faith
   If your faith is blatantly under attack by a fellow student or professor, don’t hesitate to stand up and speak your mind. In a civil manner, do your best to convey your point of view. If someone attempts to antagonize you, take the high road and ignore them. If you think that a professor is unjustly penalizing your grade as a result of you defending your beliefs, drop the class and inform the dean of their department.

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Sometimes great inspiration comes not from holy books but from works by authors and philosophers who are struggling with issues like morality, ethics, and the meaning of good and evil. These spiritual books are a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their faith and explore the big questions in life.

1. Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl’s brutal personal experiences in a World War II concentration camp are detailed here, as is his theory of logotherapy, which posits that the search for meaning in one’s life is the primary drive of existence. His harrowing time there helped him develop a belief that hope for the future is the only way to survive the despairs of the present. This slender but stirring volume has sold more than 10 million copies around the world.

2. Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
A titan in the field of modern Christian writing, C.S. Lewis appears twice on this list, first with his masterful defense of faith, Mere Christianity. Beginning with observations of a moral law, Lewis builds a case for the existence and necessity of God. The book was adapted from a series of radio addresses Lewis gave on the BBC between 1941 and 1944.

3. My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers
Oswald Chambers’ book is broken into daily devotionals for easy reading and regular inspiration. The information is also available online.

4. The City of God, Saint Augustine
One of the oldest volumes on the subject, Saint Augustine’s The City of God from the early 5th century was a major theological work examining the conflicting “pagan” religions of the time and arguing that the real focus of Christianity is on the afterlife and not political matters.

5. Blue Like Jazz, Don Miller
Subtitled “Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality,” Don Miller’s biographical work explores his understanding of God and Jesus through the lens of the emergent church and a younger approach to interacting with the world.

6. Traveling Mercies, Anne LaMott
A memoir writer like Miller, Anne LaMott is known in Christian circles and the mainstream for her fresh, honest attempt to wrestle with faith and to work out what it means to be in the world. Traveling Mercies talks about her life and her journey from disbelief to faith.

7. The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis’ brief novel uses an interesting spin on Christian morality by presenting a series of letters from a senior demon to a younger one on the methods of temptation. The book is one of Lewis’ most loved, though it’s a bracing read and stern reminder of the importance of making moral choices.

8. Tuesdays With Morrie, Mitch Albom
Sports writer Mitch Albom’s moving examination of life and death through the eyes of a mentor became a nonfiction best-seller and eventually a TV-movie.

9. The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship is a hallmark of Christian and spiritual writing that examines Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and its practical application today. It’s Bonhoeffer’s best-known work.

10. The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God is A.W. Tozer’s attempt to implore readers to pursue deeper spiritual relationships, and though he wrote more than 40 books, this remains one of his most popular. The entire text is available online.

11. I and Thou, Martin Buber
Martin Buber’s influential spiritual text discusses the nature of human relationships. He reasons that the goal of all relationships is to draw us closer to God, and he breaks down the sense of self into forms used for approaching other people. It’s a compelling, thought-provoking book.

12. Pensees, Blaise Pascal
Literally meaning “thoughts,” Pascal’s Pensees is a fragmented but compelling collection of wisdom that he was working on assembling into a cohesive book but remained incomplete when he died in 1662. This book is the source of Pascal’s Wager, in which he posits that it makes more sense to live as though God exists.

13. Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton
Chesterton’s bibliography covers a variety of areas, including journalism, sci-fi, and philosophy, but his apologetics entry, Orthodoxy, is one of his bigger titles. He believed that Christianity was an “answer to a riddle” and something that helped him understand human needs better.

14. The Sabbath, Abraham Joshua Heschel
One of the 20th century’s leading rabbis, Abraham Heschel’s The Sabbath is a meditation on the sacredness of celebrating shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. He argues that his religion is one that respects time, not location, and that resting for a day to focus on community and family is a necessary part of having a health relationship with God.

15. The Four Quartets, T.S. Eliot
These four poems were published over six years, and many believe them to be T.S. Eliot’s last great accomplishment of his career. The poems — “Burnt Norton,” “East Coker,” “The Dry Salvages,” and “Little Gidding” — mix theology and literature in arguing that Christ is necessary for man’s salvation. The frank religious nature of the poems put off some critics, including George Orwell, but won over many others.

16. Waiting for God, Simone Weil
Simone Weil was born to agnostic parents and was almost caught by surprise when she converted to Christianity at 23. Her book Waiting for God is a description of her journey toward spiritual enlightenment

17. Christ and Culture, H. Richard Niebuhr
The Niebuhr brothers were two of the most important theologians of the 20th century. H. Richard Niebuhr’s Christ and Culture is a classic text in which he delineates the ways in which Christians interact with the culture of the world around them, based on his examination of the way we perceive history and construct our stories. He discusses five principal views, ranging from Christ against culture to Christ transforming culture.

18. The Nature and Destiny of Man, Reinhold Niebuhr
The older brother to H. Richard, Reinhold Niebuhr is a famous theologian and thinker known for his philosophies of a “just war.” (President Obama has cited Reinhold Niebuhr as one of his favorite philosophers.) Niebuhr’s The Nature and Destiny of Man, written against the backdrop of World War II, remains one his most famous works. He works through complex problems including the moral nature of humans and the call to live in harmony with God.

19. I Have a Dream, Martin Luther King, Jr.
One of the most socially relevant preachers of the 20th century, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and addresses were gorgeous calls to action and justice based in biblical concepts of equality. This book includes his “I Have a Dream” speech, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” and the sermon “I See the Promised Land,” which King delivered the day before he was killed. A beautiful example of the socially transforming power of the gospel.

20. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek finds Annie Dillard writing her own Walden, using her cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains as inspiration for thoughts on faith, humanity, and nature.

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