Stories

One Way

2011-02-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

"There's a new club," Tommy told Tammy. Tammy wanted to know all about it. Tommy went on to tell Tammy about the club and the rules. The club was run by the gym coach and was for kids. Both the twins knew it would be difficult getting into the club because of the requirements. But if they were able to get in they could go on outings and do a lot of fun things. The club would only have 10 people in it. Only the fastest would be able to join.

Tommy and Tammy spent a lot of time running. They wanted to be the fastest. They ran to the mail box to get the mail and ran back. The test would be in one week. They raced each other and found they were both fast. Sometimes Tammy won; sometimes Tommy won. Many times their dog would join in the race. He always beat them. But it made the twins run faster.

One day as the twins were running, Tommy stepped into a hole. His ankle was twisted. It hurt so bad. Tammy ran back to the house and called for mom. She got into the car and they drove to where Tommy was at. Mom got down and looked at Tommy's ankle. "He needs to go into the doctor," Mom said.

"It's sprained but not broken," the Doctor told Tommy's mom. After giving Tommy some crutches they headed back home. Tommy was so disappointed in not being able to run in the contest the next day. He told Tammy that she would have to win. Tammy didn't really want to without Tommy, but Tommy convinced her to do it.

The race day arrived. Tommy was on the side line watching the race with his mom and dad. "There are so many people racing," Tommy said. 3 - 2 - 1 the coach yelled and off all the runners went. Tammy was near the front at first but slowly was overtaken by others. The finish line was coming up and Tammy ran as fast as she could run. She came in 10th, just making the club.

A friend of Tommy's who won the race came up and began to talk to him. "I know how much this means to you and so I asked the coach if you could take my place." Tommy was so excited. He was still able to enter the club even though he didn't do anything to earn it.

When they got home, Dad pulled the twins together and asked them if they learned anything today. Tommy said he was so grateful of being able to enter the club even though he didn't win the race. Dad began to tell them that it like going to heaven. You can't earn your way. Jesus paid the price and allows us to go in because of what He did.

Adventure Twins - Light

2010-10-17T18:17:00.001-07:00

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.

Tommy & Tammy ran home after getting off their bus. Dad was going to have a surprise for the twins. “Dad home?” Tommy & Tammy asked almost in unity. “Not yet.” Mom said. The twins took their snacks off the table and leaned up against the counter. Tommy was tapping his shoe on the floor in anticipation. When the twins heard the screen door they ran to the back door. They were disappointed when they discovered it was the dog coming back into the house. The phone rang and Tammy answered it. Her Dad told them to meet him at the end of the drive way. They were both so excited they were out the door in no time.

Dad was just coming down the road and Uncle Jack was with him. The twins hadn’t seen their Uncle in a long time and they loved being with him. Uncle Jack loved to teach the kids lessons through adventure. Now they knew what the surprise was but the adventure stayed a mystery. They would ask Uncle Jack but they knew he wouldn’t say anything. He would just give them clues.

But Uncle Jack surprised the twins by telling them that they were headed to a cave as they got into the car. “We’re going to explore it” They both screamed in anticipation. Dad drove up to the house and got out. “Dad, aren’t you going?” Tommy asked. “No, you just go with Uncle Jack and have fun.” Jack got in the drivers seat and down the road they went. The cave wasn’t too far from their house. The twins knew about it but never went into the cave.

“We’ll have to climb that hill and those rocks.” Uncle Jack said.

The climbing was a little tough but they maneuvered the rocks. When they got to the top they waited for Uncle Jack. He had a back pack on and it took him a little longer to get up.

They were outside the cave. Jack pulled out a large flashlight and proceeded in the cave with the twins. Once deep inside the cave Jack turned off the flashlight. They walked in pitch darkness as they all held hands. Uncle Jack sat the twins down and talked to them in the dark cave. They couldn’t see a thing but was ok with that as long as Uncle Jack was talking. When he stopped they expressed their fears. He told them that in life they will face darkness, but God is a lamp. He also told them that Jesus would always speak to them when they faced darkness. After he got done speaking he lighted a lamp that filled the entire cavern where they were at. They didn’t know it was so large.

They left the cave that day with a greater appreciation for the light.

King Canute on the Seashore

2010-01-09T09:44:00.001-08:00

Canute the 2nd, who reigned during the 11th century, was the first Danish king of England. In this famous tale, he proves to be a man who knows how to control his pride. It is a good lesson for all who aspire to high office.

Long ago, England was ruled by a king named Canute. Like many leaders and men of power, he was surrounded by people who were always praising him. Every time he walked into a room, the flattery began.
"You're the greatest man that ever lived," one would say. "Your highness, there is nothing you cannot do." another would say.
One day he was walking by the sea shore and decided to teach his officers and courtiers a lesson.
They were praising him as usual.
"So you say I'm the greatest?" Canute asked them.
"O King," they cried, "there never has been anyone as mighty as you, and there never will be anyone so great, ever again!"
"And you say all things obey me?" Canute asked.
"Absolutely!" they said.
"I see," the king answered. "In that case, bring me my chair, and we will go down to the water."
"At once, your majesty!" They scrambled to carry his royal chair over the sands.
"Bring it closer to the sea," Canute called. "I notice the tide is coming in. Do you think it will stop if I give the command?"
His officers were puzzled, but they did not dare say no. "Give the order, O great king, and it will obey," one of them assured him.
"Very well. Sea I command you to stop."
He waited a moment, quietly, and a tiny wave rushed up the sand and lapped his feet..
"How dare you!" Canute shouted. "Ocean, turn back now!
And in answer another wave swept forward and curled around the king's feet. The tide came in until the King was encircled by the water.
"Well, my friends," Canute said, "it seems I do not have quit so much power as you would have me believe. Perhaps you have learned something today. Perhaps now you will remember there is only one King who is all-powerful, and it is he who rules the sea and holds the ocean in the hollow of his hand. I suggest you reserve your praises for Him."
The royal officers and courtiers hung their heads and looked foolish. And some say Canute took off his crown soon afterward and never wore it again.

Aesop

2010-01-09T09:25:00.001-08:00

Aesop - The Fox and the Crow
A crow once stole a piece of meat. She flew to a tree and held the meat in her beak.
A fox, who saw her wanted the meat for himself, so he looked up into the tree and said, "How beautiful you are, my friend! Your fethers are fairer than the dove's."
"Is you voice as sweet as your form is beautiful? If so, you must be the queen of birds."
The crow was so happy in his praise that she opened her mouth to show how she could sing. Down fell the piece of meat.
The fox seized upon it and ran away.

2009-12-21T08:21:00.001-08:00

The Golden Touch
There once was a King named Midas. He had more gold than anyone else and he wanted more. One day as he was in his gold storage room a stranger came up behind him. "You have a lot of gold," he said. Startled the King looked up at the stranger and was fearful that he would loose his gold. "It looks like you have all the gold you need," the stranger continued. "No, I want more," King Midas replied.
"OK, tomorrow morning when you wake up everything you touch will turn to gold." And sure enough everything the King touched was turning to gold. He was so happy. His sheets, his pillow, everything turned to gold. With excitement he ran out to his daughters garden and began turning the flowers to gold. Feeling hungry, Midas called for a servant to bring him some food. But once he touched the fruit it turned to gold. Just at that time his daughter came in from outside crying. "My flowers are dead," she said. "But they are gold."
As Midas picked up a glass to drink something it turned to gold. Just as the King was about to get up, his daughter brushed up against him and instantly turned to gold.
The stranger came back and asked the King if he was happy now that he had so much more gold. "I'm miserable, I can't eat or drink and my daughter is turned into gold." The stranger told the King to go down to the stream and get water. Everything the water touches will turn back. The King eagerly ran down to the stream.

Lesson: Desire only things of God

Magic Thread

2009-04-14T06:14:00.000-07:00

Peter was a boy that liked to day dream his time away. When he was in school, he'd dream about being older. When he was at home he'd dream about leaving home. He was not content and always wanted something different.
One day as he was walking in the woods behind his house he met an older lady. She knew Peter was not content, so she offered him a ball with a magic golden thread. "If you want time to speed up pull the thread." said the lady. "You can't tell anyone and be careful."
Peter excitedly took the magic ball and thread. The next day he went to school and began to day dream about school being out. Then he thought about his magic thread. He pulled it and in a instant school was over.
Peter was so excited that his magic thread worked. Each day he began to pull the thread and school was out. Peter thought if I pull it more then I'll be completely out of school. He pulled it and found himself on graduation day.
Peter left home to go to college. College got a little hard one day so he pulled the thread just a little and a year pasted by. He spent some time in college but when it got a hard he pulled the thread. The time went by so fast and he was finished college.
Peter met a girl and wanted to marry her. When he asked her she told him she wanted to wait a year before marriage. Peter didn't want to wait so he pulled the thread. It was instantly the wedding day.
He was happy and wanted children, so again he pulled the thread. A child was born. Peter was happy, but still not completely content. He pulled the thread again and two more children were born.
One day his wife became sick. Without thinking completely Peter pulled the thread, not wanting to see his wife suffer. The day instantly came that she had died.
Peter had a tough time taking care of the children by himself so he pulled the thread. He found himself completely alone. All the kids were now grown up.
Peter looked at the thread. It had turned from gold to silver. He looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was gray and he was alone. He did not pull the thread any longer.
He took a walk in the same woods he did as a boy. He ran into the same old lady. She had not aged a bit. The lady asked Peter, "Did you like the golden magic thread?" Peter told her that he didn't. I wish I could of put the thread back in and back up time. The lady told Peter that he was very ungrateful and then asked him if he wanted one more wish. Peter without hesitation said he wanted to be a little boy again without any magic thread.
Peter's Mom woke him up. Peter looked around and told his Mom about the bad dream he had. Peter then went to school and did not day dream. From that time on he appreciated everything around him.

Mr Vinegar

2009-02-21T04:17:00.000-08:00

There once was a man named Mr. Vinegar. One night he snored so hard he knocked the roof off his house. His wife woke him up telling him what he did. Mr Vinegar said, we'll go to the forest and make our home there and we'll find our fortune. He took his door on his back and they went.
When they got to the forest Mr. Vinegar climbed a tree and made his home. He put the door on and they went to sleep for the night. Voices woke the couple up.
"10 pieces of gold for you, and 10 for you." the voices said.
"Robbers" yelled Mrs. Vinegar as she fell out of the tree. Right behind her came the door and it fell right on the robbers.
The robbers were so scared they ran away. Mr. Vinegar look down at the ground and saw all the gold coins. "Tomorrow I'll buy a cow and I'll be the happiest man alive."
So in the morning Mr. Vinegar set out for the town. He found a farmer with a cow. "If I could only have that cow." said Mr. Vinegar. "She's a good cow." said the farmer. "I'll give you 50 gold coins for her."
Mr. Vinegar led the cow down the street. He was feeling like he was the luckiest man alive.
But at one end of the street he met a man playing bagpipes and people putting money in his jar. He stopped and listened.
Oh, that's such beautiful music. "If only I could have that bagpipe." The man with the bagpipe asked him what he would give for it. Mr. Vinegar replied, "All I have is this cow."
"Sold" said the bagpiper. When Mr. Vinegar tried to play the bagpipes he couldn't and no one would give him any money.
Just then he saw a guy with gloves. "If only I could have those gloves." Mr. Vinegar said. "I'll trade you for the bagpipes." the guy with the gloves said. "Sure" said Mr. Vinegar.
Mr. Vinegar headed down the road again and this time saw a man with a stick. Mr. Vinegar was really tired and needed something to help him up the hill. "Oh, if I could only have that stick." "I'll trade you for the gloves," said the man.
With his stick in his hand he went up the hill. Over the hill a bird started mocking him saying "Dunce, Dunce". Mr. Vinegar threw the stick at him and went home.
When he got home his wife asked him where the cow was. Mr. Vinegar told her the entire story and said, "Let's go home and take care of our little house."

The Tortoise and the Eagle

2009-02-09T04:54:00.001-08:00

"You flyers have all the fun." A tortoise lay in the dirt whining to the birds soaring overhead. "It's just not fair. You float with the clouds - I scrape over the rocks. You have the wind in your feathers - I have dust in my nose. Oh, won't any of you teach me to fly?"
An Eagle was hovering nearby. "What's in it for me if I teach you to fly?" "I'm rich," said the tortoise. "I'll trade half my fold for flying lessons." "Prepare for takeoff," said the eagle as he hooked his talons to the tortoise's shell and pumped his wings. The eagle lifted the tortoise up, up, up above the clouds, and promptly let go.
The tortoise closed her eyes. The wind whistled in her ears. "I'm flying!" she yelled.
"We call that falling," answered the eagle.
The tortoise opened her eyes and saw jagged rocks below. "Landing lessons ... I'll trade the rest of my gold for landing lessons!"

Wisdom is more precious than what?

Frog & Toad Together

2009-01-19T11:32:00.000-08:00

In the Children's Book Frog & Toad Together, two central characters discover the limits of mere trying when Frog bakes a batch of cookies. "We ought to stop eating, they say, as they keep eating." "We must stop, they resolve, as they eat some more." "We need willpower", Frog finally says, grabbing another cookie.
"What is will power?" asks Toad, swallowing another mouthful. "Will power is trying very hard not to do something you want to do very much", Frog says.
Frog discusses a variety of ways to help with will power, putting the cookies in a box, tying the box shut, putting it high up in a tree but each time Toad points out (in between bites) that they could climb the tree and untie the box. In desperation, Frog finally dumps the remaining cookies outside on the ground: "Hey, birds! he calls, Here's cookies!"
"Now we have no more cookies", says Toad sadly.
"Yes", says Frog, "but we have lots and lots of will power."
"You may keep it all", Toad replies. "I'm going home to bake a cake."

Genghis Khan

2009-01-19T11:22:00.000-08:00

Genghis Khan was a great king and warrior.
He led his army into China and Persia, and he conquered many lands.
One morning when he was home from the wars, he rode out into the woods to have a day of sport. Many of his friends were with him.
All day long Genghis and his huntsmen rode though thewoods. They didn't find the game they were looking for.
On the way home Genghis separated from the group and took a passage that was a little longer. His pet hawk had left his wrist and flown away.
Genghis was thirsty and decided to stop at a spring. He jumped down from his horse. He took a little silver cup from his hunting bag. He held it so as to catch the slowly falling drops.
It took a long time to fill the cup; and the king was so thirsty that he could hardly wait. At last the cup was full. He put it to his lips, and was about to take a drink.All at once there was a whirring sound in the air, and the cup was knocked out of his hands. The water was all spilled upon the ground.
The king looked to see who had done this thing. It was his pet hawk.
The king again filled his cup, this time only half full. Again the hawk knocked the cup out of his hands.And now the king was very angry. He tried and for the third time the hawk kept him from drinking.
Then he filled the cup again. But before he tried to drink he drew his sword. The next moment the hawk lay bleeding and dying on the ground. When he reached for his cup he found that it had fallen between two rocks. The king determined to have a drink climbed up the rocks only to find a dead poisonous snake had fallen in the water.
The king stopped. He forgot his thirst. He thought only of the poor dead bird lying on the ground below him.
The hawk saved my life! he cried, and how did I repay him? He was my best friend, and I have killed him.
He took the bird, mounted his horse and rode home.He said to himself: I have learned a sad lesson today, and that is, never to do anything in anger.

Effective Parenting

2008-06-16T11:39:00.001-07:00

Effective Parenting by Ginger Plowman
The first step toward effective parenting is to realize that biblical obedience is complete, immediate, and evinced with joy. You might teach this concept to younger children by explaining that obedience is all the way, right away, and with a joyful heart.
The second step toward effective parenting is to expect nothing less than biblical obedience. Don’t be wishy-washy or you’ll raise wishy-washy children who have a hard time determining when to and when not to submit to authority. Determine the “family rules” and establish a strong family identity in Christ by expecting your children to obey authority.
The third step toward effective parenting is to faithfully administer consequences when children disobey. When disobedience is met with consequences children learn the law of the harvest. They learn that God has built the principle of sowing and reaping into their worlds. While administering consequences is not pleasant, it’s a prerequisite for peace: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).
By avoiding the snares of ineffective parenting and adhering to God’s design for discipline, we move past the frustrations of not knowing how to handle issues of disobedience and into a confident, well-balanced approach to raising our children.

Let the Children Pray

2008-06-02T12:41:00.001-07:00

Let the Children Pray

Joshua saw things differently than the other Israelites. He believed God was a big God who could use the children of Israel to defeat the people inside the fortified cities of Canaan. He had had his spiritual eyes adjusted because he lived in the meeting Tent, in the presence of his heavenly Father. Today, your child learned that his heavenly Father wants to use him to do the miraculous. He is ready to pray for the sick and to listen to his heavenly Father for words of encouragement. Unfortunately, children are often stopped in their initial steps of faith by the fortified cities of established ministry teams populated by adults who do not really believe God will use children.

Will you support your child’s fist steps of faith? He might not fit the right mold or do everything in order as defined by adults; but he will do the “God stuff: if you allow and encourage him. Please give him opportunities to pray in your church. Encourage him to come forward and help pray for the sick and the broken.

Fathers

2008-05-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

To Be Like our Heavenly Father

With every new car, we get an owner’s manual. We may not read it, but we look at it when something lights up on the dashboard. We don’t et owner’s manuals when we have children. When our children’s warning lights go off, we don’t always know what they mean. We don’t always respond correctly; that is, we don’t always respond the way we know we should. We are in good company. The apostle Paul also struggled with this feeling. He said he didn’t do the things he wished he did, while he did the things he wished he didn’t do. All parents fall short of the example of the heavenly Father.

Today your child learned about the character of his heavenly Father. He learned that God is consistent, merciful and dependable. He learned that God has no favorites, ant that He has a special plan for his life.

Fortunately, our child’s heavenly Father is also our Heavenly Father. We can also go to Him and cry, “Please help me, Dad, to be a better parent.” If you feel his need, please pray like this: “Father, I want to be like You, but sometimes what I want to do, I don’t do, and the things I don’t want to do, I do, Please forgive me. Please help me to be more like you. Thank You, Father God.”

Know When to Quit

2006-12-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

Does your teen expect too much of herself?
Some children are perfectionists. If she doesn't hit a home run or make 1st chair in the band, she's ready to give up. Encourage your teen to learn from mistakes and grow into the person God indented.
Are others expecting too much?
Be careful that you're not pushing your teen to fulfill your dream of going to medical school or becoming a professional athlete. Let your child remain true to his own interests and abilities.
Is the situation appropriate for your child?
Your child's activities may cut into family time. If an activity does not enrich your teens life, it may be a time for a change.
Is your child's schedule hectic?
If your teens after-school time is packed with extracurricular activities such as sports or clubs and part-time jobs, you may need to guide her to a place where she is not working without purpose. Being over involved is not necessarily being effective.
Teens should call it Quits if they....
*are constantly fatigued, irritable or not able to concentrate.
*have no spare time because of involvement in an activity.
*are self-critical regarding the activity.

"The Talk"

2006-04-20T04:08:00.000-07:00

I'm finding that many of our teenagers want adults to speak to them about doing what is right. Teach the teen boys to watch their hands when they're with a girl. Teach the teen girls to make the boys respect them in a "hands off" fashion. Girls need to know that the only way a correct relationship can develope is for the mystery to remain until a commitment is legal - marriage. Boys and men are wired that way.

Lust

2005-11-02T04:55:00.000-08:00

How does a person conquer lust? - Love, Love. Lust and love can not live together. A person is either in lust or living in love. If you build up love for God & others you'll see lust as an enemy. When lust tries to stick it's ugly head up, love will stomp on it. First things first. You must have a complete renewal of your heart. Jesus will forgive and clean you. Go to him and ask for forgiveness of your sins. Love is so much more better. You agree?

Communication Tool

2005-11-01T04:27:00.000-08:00

I gave the kids a new tool. I explained to them when they are in a converstation it should never be "one way." If someone is doing all the talking, most of the time it's not good. Dr. Dobson has an illustration: Imagine you have a stack of softballs. You play catch with someone else. Those softballs are actually questions you toss out at another person and you wait for a reply. Jesus used questions and statements to get the lady at the well interested in his direction. It's fun.

What is Love?

2005-05-06T04:58:00.000-07:00

My views on love: I believe love is a choice, not a feeling that we have. A guy sees love differently than a girl. A girl is relational; a guy is competitive. A girl enjoys the process; a guy wants to get to the end. For example: A guy and a girl goes into a store. The guy wants to get the item and leave; the girl wants to look around and is OK if they leave the store without obtaining anything. With that said I restate my first statement - Love is a choice, not a feeling that we have. If, especially the girl, sees love as an emotion or something she feels, she may allow anything because "it feels right" and she wants to keep the guy after all she sees that as love. The guy on the other hand sees love as a destination he must get to. A couple may think they have fallen in love at first sight - but that's attraction not love. There is a difference. Attraction can lead to love, but it takes time. It takes a guy a little longer to develop to the point where love is in his heart (remember girls are relational and that doesn't take as long). If the girl allows the guy to get to his appointed destination before he can commit (marriage), then she forfeits his process of love. Because Love is a choice.

2005-05-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Study Shows Power of Purity by Aaron Atwood, assistant editor
Teen virginity leads to greater life success.
Virgins rank higher on scales of life satisfaction, per capita income, positive net worth and lower divorce rates, according to a study published in the journal Adolescent and Family Health.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 7,000 men and women and found overwhelming support for abstaining from premarital sex.
Dr. Reginald Finger, medical analyst for Focus on the Family and the study's lead researcher, said its results are clear-cut.
"We found men and women who were virgins at age 18, when evaluated approximately 20 years later, had just over half the risk of divorce, had completed about a year more education and had about 20 percent higher annual income compared to those who were not virgins at 18," he explained.
He also found women are especially helped. Those who abstain from sex are more likely to have a positive net worth and less apt to use welfare benefits.
The results quantifiably challenge the rhetoric of pro-promiscuity organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which often tout the benefits of virginity as unrealistic and outdated. They argue that parenthood is the real reason teens suffer as the result of premarital sex, so they urge school boards to turn sex education into "how-to" classes.
"These better outcomes were not merely the result of avoiding teenage pregnancy or fatherhood. The outcomes are inherent to remaining abstinent," Finger noted. "The unmistakable message of this study is that abstinence is the best course for our children and teens."
Linda Klepacki, sexual health analyst for Focus on the Family, said outside marriage, no one is ready to bond in the way that sex bonds two people. The rejection that follows having sexual partners outside of marriage sends ripples throughout a person's life and may affect self esteem and bonding with a future husband or wife.
"Sex is such a special act that God gave us, we can't experience the fullness of that mystery outside of marriage," Klepacki said. "And teens who are having sex aren't thinking about the deep connection that their bodies are making with their minds and emotions at this level or the long-term implications that come from having multiple sexual partners."
That message is out there, but it's often cloaked as simply disappointment. In an interview with Blender Magazine, Eva Longoria of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" confirmed she wasn't ready for her first sexual experience when she was a teen.
"There was no epiphany," Longoria said. "I remember saying, 'Oh, that's what the fuss is about?' I think sexuality is a funny thing. I don't think it's something you can deeply experience at 18 or any time before that — it was too personal and emotional . . . to be valid at that age."
In the waves of controversy over abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education in public schools, many are missing the real story. Studies are proving what people have intrinsically known for centuries, but students aren't always hearing that sex before marriage is devastating.
Christina Espenscheid, a twenty-something virgin and abstinence educator with Alpha Center in Sioux Falls, S.D., said she knows the liberation that comes from staying true to God's design for sex.
"I have a lot more fun being a virgin than if I weren't. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am looking for Mr. Right, but I have more benefits as a virgin," Espenscheid said. "Right out of college I moved 900 miles, which I couldn't have done if I'd had a serious boyfriend or a child.
"I have a lot of freedom. I've never had to have an STD test. I can answer those tough medical questions when I give blood like, 'Have you ever had sex with a man who has had sex with other men?' with 'No, I'm a virgin' — it is very freeing. I can say to my husband on our wedding night, 'I'm going to vow to know you and only you.' "
She credited her mom and dad for providing a foundation for abstinence.
"They didn't tell me and my brother and sister, 'Don't have sex — but if you do, use a condom,' " she said. "They told us, 'Don't have sex.' So I'm living up to the expectation of my earthly father and my heavenly Father.
"Most teen girls don't understand the differences in intimacy between guys and girls," Espenscheid noted, her voice carrying a tone of teacher and communicator. "Many teens don't see what a healthy relationship looks like in their home, and they are missing that role model in their lives."
FOR MORE INFORMATIONTeens and single adults hear the "thou shalt nots" of sexual behavior, but are they being equipped with a positive, biblical approach to sexuality that empowers them to make wise decisions about their behavior? In "Your Single Treasure," Rick Stedman evaluates personal value and sexuality, and will help teens and singles discover that they are a gift from God, promoting strength and tenacity for a commitment to abstinence.
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Dating (Courtship) Can Heal and Repair

2005-05-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

God uses relationships to heal us and to change us. I'm not responsible for someone else. If I think that I will resort to control. Control kills relationships. Whatever you do to form a relationship you will have to continue in order to keep that relationship. With that said, barring a controlling situation a good relationship will cause a person to grow. What if the relationship breaks up? Use a four letter word: EDIT. Edit out the bad parts and keep the good. There is always something good in a relationship, even the worst of them.

Dating

2005-05-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Dating lets someone learn what he or she likes in the opposite sex. Dating should be a time of learning. Not everyone completely knows everything about themselves and the other person. What if the person is an intellectual? Some may find that stimulating while others find it an endurance contest. Learn about the other person before giving your heart. Dating gives a context to learn sexual self-control and other delays of gratification. I have counseled many young ladies concerning this. They come into my office hurt because the boyfriend did not respect them. I explained to them that guys love through respect. When a girl gives up everything in a relationship the guy loses respect. A guy is a conqueror by nature and when he's bagged the catch he may not go after anything else. If he's worth it he will wait till marriage. When you keep the boundaries you will enjoy a much richer relationship.

Infatuation

2005-04-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

I believe it's easy to distinguish real love from infatuation?
I hope you marked false. Infatuation is one of the most exhilarating events in a human experience. But know this, "infatuation" is self centered. As a teenager myself I was lonely but when Miss Right came along, infatuation was lighting my darkness. I was lonely no more, but was it love? No, it was a replacement. Is infatuation OK? I would say yes, if you realize it's not love. A person can fall in love with being in love. There's a difference. Real love is not about me or how the other person makes me feel. Real love is my unselfish service to my mate. How can you tell if it's infatuation or real love? TIME Give yourself time to learn. How much time is determined by the maturity of the person.
Randy

Ecstasy

2005-04-06T06:25:00.000-07:00

The greatest feeling in the world is, "falling in love." Yet, that feeling doesn't last. Ask any married couple. When reality hits, words start flying. Why is the dream world crushed? Let's look at "falling in love". Is it possible? I don't think so. You may be attracted with strong feelings because he is handsome or she is pretty. You may like the sound of her voice. He may be very appealing and you fell a powerful attraction but is this love? No, you may have fallen in love with his or her image but you don't know the real person yet. You're not acquainted with his or her thoughts, habits, hopes, fears, plans, skills or abilities. Some only act upon the outer shell and thus when the honeymoon time is over the "real" person emerges and reality hits like a movie with a bad ending.
Randy

Boundaries in Dating - Dating Builds Relationship Skills

2005-03-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Intimate relationships take a lot of work and a lot of skills. Hopefully the skills needed is learned before coming into adulthood. When young people begin dating, they find out that they possess some serious insecurities, or they lack certain relationship skills, such as communication, vulnerabilities, trust, assertiveness, honesty, self-sacrifice, and listening. When dating they recognize their own immaturity and begin to build the characteristics needed. (At least that's the wise thing to do.) The only way to build those needed personality features is through the life of Jesus. He is the perfect pattern. You may say, but he never dated, he never married. Yes, but he had the greatest example of relationship that was ever known to mankind. His love for his Heavenly Father. Jesus is the ultimate example.

Randy

Dating - Why waiting until Marriage is smart

2005-03-24T04:38:00.000-08:00

I've listened to many girls, hurt after dating problems. Every case was because they gave the guys "full benefits." Guys by nature are conquerors. When they receive the "trophy" early they become bored with a relationship. Girls if you want to have a chance to have a relationship that will last with a guy make him respect you. Let them know that you'll have no wrong touch until after marriage. Why? You will weed out any relationship that will not last. Girls: Don't think you can "give" yourself to a boy and he will see it as love. That doesn't happen. In order for him to love you he must respect you. If he can't wait then his words of love are shallow. Also get it out of your mind that if you don't "give" yourself to him, he'll find someone else. If he can't be committed to you with out strings attached he won't be committed to you after sex. That's straight talk.

Pastor Randy

Dating (Courtship)

2005-03-23T05:46:00.000-08:00

Dating provided a context to work through issues. Dating offers people a place to find out what value another person has. They may find out that there is a certain "something" they are attracted to and the "something" is fleeting. As in the case of a girl being attracted to a boy's "maturity" only to find out that's not the case. It's sad that many will date the opposite of what they don't like. Example: A girl dates a boy because her own dad was very dominating. She finds one that is passive. This may be fine at first but she grew up a certain way and to deny that upbringing is to invite disaster. Over time she may dislike the passiveness and long for more authoritarian figure. Dating will bring: self discovery and discovery of the other person.

Randy

Boundaries in Dating

2005-03-22T06:02:00.000-08:00

Dating gives people the opportunity to learn about themselves, others, and relationships in a safe context. I guess when I was at a dating age the last thing I wanted to do was learn. Why? Probally because no one ever told me I could or should. If I had guidance I would have grown in self confidence. Dating should be done in the correct context. A single person must date within a community of people who care about him or her. For teens, this context is their parents, friends, youth group. Talk about your experiences - (not only the negative points). Don't allow anything to go into the dark recesses of your imagination. Yes, it's probally true you will be misunderstood. But, if it's the "right" thing to do then all will turn out correct.

Randy

Boundaries in Dating

2005-03-21T05:50:00.000-08:00

(When I speak of dating I talk about Christians with Christians.)
There are some people that should not date. They aren't ready for it. It's not so much an age level but a maturity level. Not dating is a good idea for those who are vulnerable to destructive romantic fusion, who are being used by others, or who are avoiding maturity. I received a comment back from a person on the internet. He said that he observed his friends in dating and then took a more careful approach. What good advice. Don't jump completely into a relationship with grand ideas of romance.
Here are some benefits of dating:
1. Dating (Courtship) gives people the opportunity to learn about themselves, others, and relationships in a safe context.
2. Dating provides a context to work through issues.
I'll go more into detail next time.
Randy

Spiritual Champions

2005-03-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

Pick out good people to model after. You will become who you are around. You may not feel comfortable to be around people more smarter than you but you will begin to change your thinking if you do. You may not feel comfortable to be around people that are "holy" but your behavior will change. Do you want to be challenged or do you want to live comfortably?

Teen Terms

2005-03-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

I'm compiling a "Teen" dictionary. If you have any words that teens use please post them here and put the definition.
All for fun.
Example: bad means really good - (Hopefully I'm not out of date.)

Thanks
Randy

Dating

2005-03-17T06:44:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all those of you that gave advice on dating. One of the things that came out the most is to be careful when going into any relationship. I think this may be a by product of dating and I'm not sure this is always good. Young people should be smart when getting into any relationship but to learn to be guarded may hurt you in the long run. Why? If you get into a pattern of guarding yourself, you may bring that into a marriage. I try to counsel people to clean the slate after each relationship - even friendships - when those relationships go bad. Relationships are a risk. You will get hurt when you enter into a relationship. Knowing that up front can help you deal with it when it happens.

Randy

Hurting because of a Relationship

2005-03-16T05:13:00.000-08:00

I had a young lady call last night. She was crying hysterical because her boyfriend is treating her terribly. He breaks up with her and then goes to another girl. Then when he needs something he goes back to her. I hear so many stories like that. That's why we need to look at the subject of Dating.
7 negative tendencies of dating:
1. Dating leads to intimacy but not necessarily to commitment.
2. Dating tends to skip the "friendship" stage of a relationship.
3. Dating often mistakes a physical relationship for love.
4. Dating often isolates a couple from other vital relationships.
5. Dating, in many cases, distracts young adults from their primary responsibility of preparing for their future.
6. Dating can cause discontentment with God's gift of singleness.
7. Dating creates an artificial environment for evaluating another person's character.
All though I may not agree with all of Joshua Harris's depictions of dating I think it worth looking into. It's not unusual for a young person to throw themselves into a relationship (especially a girl) and not adhere to the boundaries. That's very dangerous. I'm not speaking primarily about physical boundaries here.
Randy

Why Dating?

2005-03-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

The question is not whether or not you are dating. The questions are more along the lines of "Who are you in your dating and who are you becoming in your dating? (I prefer the term courtship) What is the fruit of your dating for you and for the people that you date? How are you treating them? What are you learning? Why ask yourself these questions? Why not just "Have Fun"? Because for many people the pain and suffering of dating becomes too much. How about just giving it all up? Let me tell you this illustration: You go out for basketball. No one makes any rules and a lot of people start getting hurt. You get tackled when you try to make a basket. So, you think I hate all basketball and I need to stay away from it. Sound thinking? No It's the same in dating. Yes, dating is a potential to get hurt. But if you know the rules and live in those rules dating (or courtship) can be very rewarding. I plan to dedicate some space to go deeper into the rules of dating. - Stay Tuned.

Raok someone today

2005-03-14T05:54:00.000-08:00

Raok - Random Acts of Kindness. Say a nice word to someone at school that doesn't expect it. Talk to a shy person and give them a good comment. Don't expect anything in return.

The beauty of a person

2005-03-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous - and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! Psalms 139:13-15
Reading this should cause a warm fuzzy feeling to enter into us. God formed us. We don't have to hate ourselves and the way we are. We can love ourselves and we should. We were wonderfully made.
Enjoy yourself today.

Randy

The Beginning

2005-03-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

All human life begins as one tiny cell, so small that you couldn't see it without a microscope. This first cell of life is called a zygote, which begins to divide and grow inside the mother's uterus.
The uterus is a special place inside the mother's lower abdomen, or what you may have called the stomach.
God says that, "I knew you when you were a zygote". I knew you. Think about that. The word "knew" is a very intimate word. It's a word that used by a husband and wife. God was that intimate with you. At that point you were very vulnerable. Yet, you were protected. Yes there was a time you were a zygote. Any time during the first 3 months you could have died because you were so delicate. But you didn't and your here.

Spiritual Life

2005-03-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs a spiritual life. Why? Because it's in our make up. We won't be happy unless we fill ourselves with the Heavenly Father's love. I found that out when I was in the Navy. I was sailing on the Pacific Ocean. Someone told me about Jesus and I desired what they had. God flooded me with his peace. I've gone after him ever since. What is a spiritual life? A routine of studying and reading the bible; prayer to God. Yet, statistics show that only 1 out of 20 families had any type of worship experience together. (These are people that report going to church) We need Jesus.
Randy

My other site:
Explore Zek's world
Family Pictures
Kalli
Parenting Devotions
My Bible Devotions
My Journal
What's Happening with the Kid's of 1st Assembly?

Children's Ministry
Heir Force

Community

2005-03-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

It's so important to be able to operate in a community of believers. It's important to connect with other people. I've seen that girls can connect better than boys but when boys do connect it tends to be stronger. In this context connection means developing a meaningful relationship with someone in your same sex. We practice our relationship with Father God among ourselves.

Pastor Randy

My other sites:
Explore Zek's world with me.
Family Pictures
Kalli
Parenting Devotions
My Bible Devotions
My Journal
What’s Happening with the Kid’s of 1st Assembly?

Children’s Ministry
Heir Force

Teenage Fatigue

2005-03-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

Another physical problem occurring with both boys and girls during puberty is fatigue, or lack of energy. Your body will be investing more resources into the growing process you will seem to loose energy for other activities. This phase usually doesn't last too long. You may not believe it but you do need more sleep than when you were a little younger for the above reason. It's even more important to eat the correct foods during this time. You body must have the vitamins and minerals and protein necessary to enlarge itself in so many ways.