Teens, drugs, smoking and drinking!

“Do not be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life, instead be filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18

I am not surprised at the information I read in articles and websites about smoking, drinking and drugs amongst teens.  Even though the government says they are educating teenagers on the dangers of these things, society is still influencing teens through advertising, movies and music teaching them that it is cool to engage in such activities. Unfortunately these activities are typical among teens today. I believe this is caused by poor relationships between teenagers and their families and friends.

I feel that society is making a difference in some areas such as preventative commercials, introducing the “care card” as identification and bringing more awareness to schools. The fines for the people responsible for selling alcohol and cigarettes to teens have greatly increased over the years, making them more careful about whom they sell to. In Mark 9:42 it states “If anyone causes one of these children who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck”. This shows that those responsible for leading teens into temptation are in danger themselves.

I would suggest that teenagers develop better relationships with their families, choose their friends wisely and make sure they have a Youth Pastor to go to in times of need. Teens need to be aware of the consequences of their actions, instead of focusing on the social acceptance they think they will gain. Teens also need to learn how to say no and not be ashamed of that. Teens should know that they don’t need to drink, smoke or take drugs to fit in. In my belief, these activities may lead to future sin. I also believe that if teens had a closer relationship with God, there would be less of these activities pursued by young people today. In Romans 6:23 it clearly states “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

God's hand on our lives!

On Friday God did something amazing for us, which really showed that He had His hand on our lives. My youth group and I were heading over to Vulcan for a youth convention on Friday. My mom, two friends of mine and I were in our van and my youth group were in a bus. We drove to Coleman and then stopped at the “Husky” to get some gas. The man that came over to help us asked where we were going and we told him. We told him we were going to take highway 22 to Vulcan. Right away he told us not to take highway 22 and to take highway 2 instead. He said highway 22’s roads conditions were really bad and dangerous. So we took his advice and took highway 2. When we got back from the convention my dad told us that there were 65 accidents that happened on the way to Vulcan. We thanked God immediately knowing that one of those accidents could have been us. You never realize how much God has His hand on our lives until you experience something like that. 

Pull yourself out of the dumps!

I had a rather unpleasant half of a day this week. I was feeling “down in the dumps” I was upset about something and because of it I almost had an awful full day.  It’s at those times when you want to curl up into a little ball and be grumpy all day, not only ruining your day but others as well. And I could have let the devil win. But I didn’t! It’s at those times when you need to tell the devil to take a hike! Because is staying in the dumps going to get you anywhere? No! When you’re like that you’re hiding your light! In the Bible it says, “Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all “. So many times we hide our light and let our emotions get the best of us. God wants us to be a light for others! So we must pull ourselves out of the dumps and into the sky! That’s what we’re supposed to do. The first step is to smile! Go on smile! I guarantee it will help! So my challenge for you, dear reader is to be a light to some one else and pull yourself out of the dumps! Smile! The lyrics to one of my favorite songs pretty much says it all! “Today's a new day, and there is no sunshine. Nothing but clouds, and it's dark in my heart and it feels like a cold night. Today's a new day, where are my blue skies, where is the love and the joy that you promised me you tell me it's alright. I'll be honest with you, I almost gave up, but a power that I can't explain, fell from heaven like a shower now. When I think how much better I'm gonna be when this is over, I smile, even though I'm hurt see I smile, I know God is working so I smile, Even though I've been here for a while I smile, smile.. It's so hard to look up when you look down. Sure would hate to see it when you give up now. You look so much better when you smile, so smile”.