October 2, 2018

Make A Different Choice

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

The party was loud and wild. Drunk teens stumbling to their cars. Disrobed teens scattered around the front yard. Young men using a decorative fountain as a urinal. And the police not responding because, well, no one wants to take on one of the town’s “elite” families.

Where were the parents? It’s an obvious question. No one seems to know. It wasn’t the first time such a party occurred. In fact, the party were back the next night.

Sadly, many of these kids are “Christians.” They were raised in church. They attend church. They have all the right clothes, gadgets and cars. They have every advantage but one: They apparently don’t have parents who supervise and hold them accountable for bad behavior.

Why? Another obvious question. It’s difficult to condemn what you do on a regular basis. Oh, they might not do it in public but the teens see the drunken revelry in their own homes. They hear the sexual comments. They know about the affairs, the parties, the driving when drunk.

I wish I didn’t know all these things. I wish it were something in another town, another neighborhood, another family. But it happened right here. It still happens. When will it end? How many lives must be destroyed before someone says enough?

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

– Ephesians 6:4

Some of the parents are quick to point the finger at others. They demand that God be placed back in the schools. I can only shake my head. They need, first, to put God back in their homes. They need, first, to clean themselves up and be an example to their kids of how people of faith should live. They should be the example of upright living and not of debauchery.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

But whether parents do their job or not, teens can and must rise above bad examples and live upright lives that are dedicated to God. Parents can learn from their children. They can see good and change. Kids shouldn’t have to lead the way but, make no mistake, they can.

This is a sad situation that plays out far too often in way too many towns. Teens, refuse to be sucked in by peer pressure. And parents, step up and set a better example. Stop blaming others when your kids get in trouble because they’re following in your footsteps.

Every day begins anew with a chance to take a different path. Take it.

September 22, 2018

Watch Your Language

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. – Ephesians 4:29

They are really nice. They are. They are quick to laugh, smart, and basically good people. But, oh, their mouths. It’s just so sad.

Foul language and inappropriate comments can and will derail anyone’s future. People don’t want to be around it. And, honestly, employers don’t want it in their workplace.

I know. Someone is saying about now that I’ve never heard (whatever it is they think is most awful). I spent much of my adult life in the construction industry. I’ve pretty much heard it all. I have a high tolerance for offensive language. I learned long ago to let it roll off of me. But there’s language and, then, there’s language.

Curse words don’t make you appear older or more sophisticated. Just the opposite, in fact. And making crude comments about co-workers or others can get you in trouble legally. It’s wrong. It’s offensive.

And it’s just so unnecessary. Words can set you apart either in a good way or a bad way. What do people hear coming from your mouth? Do they hear you bragging about getting drunk on Friday night? Do they hear you talking about private things that have no place in the public arena? Do they hear you spewing curse words in every sentence?

There’s another side to this too. When you’re surrounded by people with foul language and bad habits, do you join them or do you opt out? Can you resist the lure of sin or is your desire to be part of the crew too strong?

We are to be in this world but not of it. We are to live with others, work with them, be around them, but not become like them. It’s not always easy, is it? That’s exactly what Satan is counting on.

I am a Christian. I try really hard to wear my faith each day. Do I fail? Daily. But I try and people see that. They comment on it. They understand that I am set apart even when I don’t say that to them directly. There’s a difference.

They have their own choices to make. If I look down on them, all I do is make them defensive and turn them away from Jesus. I’m not supposed to judge them anyway. I’m called to love them right where they are and trust Jesus to handle the rest.

I’m not sure who first said we’re the only Bible some folks will ever read. But it’s true. Loving people, being kind, draws more people toward Jesus. They want to know what it’s all about.

It’s so easy when our lives are filled with people who think and act and believe as we do. But that’s not real life. We live in what is sometimes a very dark world. Be the light.