Standing Youth

For some reason, I have a heart for the young.  Especially the teens. I like talking to them, listening to them, and helping them.  God has given me some opportunities to do that.   This week in Vacation Bible School, one of the verses that we are basing our themes around is 1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 

I have read this verse, but this week it has been given meaning to me.  My first night of teaching, I taught the teenagers.  Though my son was kinda mouthy, it was interesting.  There were ten of them.  All but two I knew and had mostly watch grow up.  These kids are really good examples of what this verse talks about.  Even though they are young, adults should take note of them.  These kids lead by example.  They are showing the adults around them how they should talk (well sorta), behave, love, have faith and keep pure.

  These kids are know and are trying to be examples not only for the older believers, but shine as a light on the pathway for the younger kids. The kids behind them are looking towards them and mimicking what they see.  I urged these kids to be the example God wants them to be.  I encourage each of us to take a closer look at the teens and urge them to follow God's plan for their lives.

Prayer for our Teens

Today, I drove Allie and Austin to school.  No big deal, but I am glad I did.  As we drove up the long, upwards drive to the school, I noticed that there were these little yellow flags lining both sides of the driveway.   Austin and Allie both told me that each of the small flags represents one of the 480 plus people who died in a drunk driving accident last year during Ohio's prom season.

This weekend is Lebanon and Monroe's prom, and a bunch more.  The last two days at Monroe have been somber.  I got a text from Allie saying several people she knows died! On Wednesday, the Grim Reaper visited the school and went in to classrooms and had people follow them.  Those chosen, were to be silent throughout the day.  Each participant that was killed, received a black t-shirt that told on the back how they died.  This has been a lot of the topic of conversation at my house.

Yesterday, there was a massive vehicle pile-up to simulate what could happen to those who get behind the wheel drunk. Then a gathering in the gym, where the "dead" were laying.  I think a lot of it hit home to at least Allie and Austin.  All through school they are taught that excessive drinking is wrong, yet it doesn't change the fact that a lot of them do participate.  I am sure that home life, peer pressure and such plays a huge role in this.

Today, let's pray for all the teens of America.  Let's pray that they will make the right choices and that they will have a safe and fun prom.  Let's keep them all in our hearts and minds today as they prepare for their parties and that next year there will be fewer flags lining school drives.

Psalm 71:1-7


In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
         Let me never be ashamed.
    ²In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
         Incline Your ear to me and save me.
    ³Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come;
         You have given commandment to save me,
         For You are my rock and my fortress.
    ⁴Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
         Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man,
    ⁵For You are my hope;
         O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.
    ⁶By You I have been sustained from my birth;
         You are He who took me from my mother's womb;
         My praise is continually of You.
    ⁷I have become a marvel to many,
         For You are my strong refuge.