Synopsis of this week's episode of "The Secret Life.." on 7/27/2009

The last couple of days I have contemplated the last episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager. I think the most frustrating part of the show for me is that Amy and Ashley's parents are not good role models to them and their marriage has absolutely no foundation in Christ. The story has truly escalated with these two parents- Anne and George. Initially, you had two people arguing in front of their children or loud enough for them to hear their arguments anywhere in the house or anywhere in neighborhood for that matter. Now they are separated but still at offs with one another. Anne, the mother, who has been mentioned in earlier blogs, is pregnant. The man she has been dating has been deemed the birth father. However, he was medically diagnosed with never being able to have children and so this pregnancy is supposedly a miracle. Now, we learn through conversations with Ashley and her dad George that he never received a vasectomy. Anne and George were together intimately approximately the time she would have been impregnated. Ashley's is completely exasperated with her father because she feels her mom needs to the know the truth before she marries this other man for all the wrong reasons. George is convicted and decided he will tell Anne at his daughter's urgings before Anne makes a poor decision in marrying this other man. The most unbelievable part of the show is when George approaches Anne to come clean and let her know about the great possibility that the baby is more than likely his, she refuses to hear what he has to say. She shuts him down in a bullying fashion and forces him to sign the divorce decree so she can marry this other man.

Blog 1- Children and Parents:
Ashley is so frustrated with her dad George in this week's episode because he has not been honest with her mom. She is truly at her wit's end and exasperated with him. Children want to have parents that they can respect. They do not need a friend or buddy, they need a parent. When parent's are responsible, upright in the family and community and are moral/ Christ-like they are more secure and confident in their lives. Parent's who are like this, need to be cherished, appreciated and respected. Parent's who discipline their children love them and want the best for them in this life, it is not to make their lives miserable.

Challenge: Parents be the kind of parent who lives the faith for Christ daily in front of your children consistently. Children respect your parents when they discipline you- it is because they love you and want the best for you- appreciate them!

SCRIPTURE VERSES TO LIVE BY AS CHILDREN, PRETEENS, TEENS & ALWAYS:

Proverbs 1:8-9

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn you neck.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-- which is the first commandment with a promise-- that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

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

Blog 2- Husbands and Wives:

This whole issue and story line is so horrendous that it rendered me speechless in knowing where to start in addressing these issues between Anne and George. So after much deliberation and prayer on the matter I want to address a couple of guidelines for husbands and wives. Honesty and open communication coupled with love and respect would have gone a long way here. This relationship has been long overdue for a major overhaul and counseling session. Anne had no business getting into another relationship with another man until the divorce is final and she had time to heal. Marriage will not solve everything and getting into another relationship and marriage before resolving current issues is the wrong solution even if there is a pregnancy involved. A word about George's character, he is definitely as self-centered as Anne-- probably more so. He is a creep who lusts after other women, he is an adulterer and a liar. George is definitely not a spiritual leader unto Christ! However, two wrongs do not make it right for Anne to jump into bed with another man before her divorce is final. That makes her an adulterer too! This show is not real life, but it is true to our culture. I will also add it is not right once a person divorces to have premarital relations following divorce either. One last point, should Anne be a Christian I would encourage her to focus on God and his word. Embracing God as her provider and spiritual leader in the absence of a husband's love, care and leadership. Remember, marriage is between God and husband and wife but ultimately we are held accountable to God for our own deeds and misgivings within a marriage.

Challenge: Husbands and wives be focused on God within your marriage, pray for one another, and be the best you can be through Christ to your spouse. Love, respect, pray for one another and live the faith for Jesus and your spouse. Make your example one where you are following hard after Christ and living your life in a manner worthy of the gospel and worthy to follow!

SCRIPTURE VERSES TO LIVE BY IN A MARRIAGE:

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.


Ephesians 5:22-28

Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water with the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Scripture Verse for today

James 1: 22-25

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.

We had a great discussion in our Sunday school class on this scripture. It really made me think. So often even as Christians we read the Bible in a hurry, and truly it is at a glance. Then we get into the day to day grind and so many of us including myself end up acting like we are not Christians when we allow ourselves to get frustrated with life's worries - like things as small as traffic jams or when things just do not go our way. However, if we would take the time to really reflect on the word and allow it to transform our lives, remembering the lessons of the word and submitting to the Holy Spirit's direction- this is when I believe we will begin to live the word and apply it to our daily living. Let us all stand firm and submit to the challenge to put our faith into practice- Living the Faith for Jesus.

Scripture Verse for today

2 Timothy 3:1-5

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

Sounds like our generation, doesn't it? As I have watched The Secret Life of the American Teenager many of the adults/ parents/ foster parents on the show have urged their teens not to have sex but most have said they just cannot do without. This is a sad statement of where television has gone, but even more this is I am afraid true to life these days- the last days.

Episode 4 and 5 on The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Last night's episode of The Secret Life of the American Teenager basically focused solely on sex as did the previous week. The show is focusing every conversation around sex and as a result it is promoting sex as an idol in every American teenager's life. This is dangerous to say the least because of it's false Christian undertones. This is where teenagers and the younger generations are getting the wrong messages and information about what it means to be a real Christian. They are being discreet about it. This is why people need to know what the word of God says about sex and also the purpose of our lives.

I found it interesting that Grace stated in one segment that no one at any age should have premarital sex. Then in another segment is questioning why God would place us here on earth to have sex and then just die. Her character is a very confused teenager and Christian. We are not here to make our focus simply on sex. Making sex our focus of just about every conversation we have is an obsession and idolatry according to the word of God. We all have a God given purpose and calling on our lives. We are given gifts and talents that can be used for the glory of God, but it is up to each one of us to choose to use these talents for the glory and advancement of God's kingdom or not. If Grace was my friend in real life I would tell her that she needed to focus on her relationship with God and walking in the spirit daily. In Galatians 5: 22, it says that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and gentleness. Christians should actively strive daily to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh. We should be an example to our non-Christian friends by living the Word of God daily. This includes what we choose to talk about with our friends and family. Our conversations should be full of light and salt. When we fail, we should humble ourselves, ask forgiveness and repent and get back to walking in the Spirit with our Lord Jesus. Grace also did not seem to know that our main purpose in life as Christians is to spread the Good News to the world about Jesus- termed in the bible-the Great Commission. It is not to make our sole focus of every conversation on sex especially pre-marital sex. This is not of God and definitely not a part of his calling on our lives unless we are married. Single people, young and old, should focus on serving God and others and not themselves. Sexual intimacy is a beautiful act of marriage that should remain within the confines of marriage where it is sacred and a part of the marital covenant not just between you and your spouse but God as well. If you do not know your gifts or talents, pray to God to reveal them to you and then start to live for God and serve him and others through the utilization of your gifts and talents.
Lastly, Live the Faith For Jesus daily.

Scripture Verse for today

The Wise And Foolish Builders

Luke 6:46-49

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Episode 3- The Secret Life of the American Teenager

Week three has brought more conversation on sex. It is the primary topic on the show. Grace's reaction to her father's death has shook up the whole crew. Pastor Pappas (Jack's step-dad), talks with Grace this week. This was the most outrageous and upsetting part of this week's episode. He definitely does not know the Word of God because in an effort to console Grace and persuade her in going to her dad's funeral he discusses things about God that simply are untrue. It is shameful that this program would have a character who is to be a spiritual authority of God's word on the show present this untruth about God. Wow! the liberal agenda is truly making head ways that are so deceptive to our children. Any young person watching this show could be seriously deceived if they did not know the word of God. The pastor states that he does not think God has a problem with pre-marital sex under the right circumstances- it really depends on the circumstance, situation and age. He states that he feels God made the no-sex provision because of how women were viewed as property. He said sex is complicated and was probably just too complicated for young people but older people are probably more equipped to handle such situations.

Lies, Lies, and More Lies. God is a holy and pure God. He does not condone pre-marital sex under any circumstance at any age. I have discussed in the past that there is not a double standard between young people and single adults or married adults for that matter. Christians and Pastors are to know what the word of God says about pre-marital sex which is defined as sexual immorality in the bible. We are to live the faith for Jesus and there most certainly is not a double standard for anyone according to the Word of God.

I Corithians 6:13b
"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Michael Jackson- has the world made him an Idol?

You cannot turn on any news outlet without seeing long-term coverage of Michael Jackson memorial services replayed and analyzed even a day after his memorial service . I have not seen anything like this. Was he a great entertainer? Yes, but it is concerning to me that the world seems to put so much emphasis on his life, death and memory. It is not healthy. No one, but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, should be idolized like this- Jackson was just a man and he was not perfect.

Last week, we were having our weekly bible study with the senior youth girls at church. One of the girls was astonished and confused that so many people seemed to like him after so many years of people calling him a "Freak" and a "Child Molester." She did not understand the switch. She is right because many were conflicted about his life. The first part of his life people loved him and the second part of his life they saw a transformation that was well lets just say majorly different. We have a whole generation of young people who saw a different Micheal Jackson than my Generation X and other generations before did. However, looking back at his life. it is nothing to worship or idolize by any means at any time. Why? He was a human and made mistakes just like the rest of us.

The word of God says in Exodus 20: 3-6
" You shall have no other gods before me."
"You shall not make yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them: for I , the Lord your God, and a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."

The world has placed too much emphasis on this man who is not a King and not God. There is only one who deserves our praises and worship and that is Jesus Christ, our King and Messiah.

Scripture Verse for today

Freedom in Christ
Galatians 5:1, 13-14

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Let us remember this day that our freedom was at a cost. God gave his only son up on the cross that we might have eternal life if we believed in his son Jesus Christ. Let us take up our cross daily and be bold and passionate for our Christ. Our liberty here in America came at a price as well. Many died that we might have religious freedom. Our nation was founded on Christian principles based on the Bible. Our Christian freedom is being tested and we will have to choose who we will serve. We must fight for this even if it costs us our life here on earth. America has been blessed because we were a Christian nation in the beginning. However, things are rapidly changing here in America. Our President says to the world that we are not a Christian Nation but a nation of citizens. This is concerning, but in line with the word of God. The line is being drawn, which side will you be on?

Acts 4: 19: But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God."

Scripture Verse for today

Galatians 5:6b-9, 16, 19-23

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth. That kind of persuasion does not come from the who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

As I reflect on this scripture, I think how hard it is to operate in the spirit and not in the flesh. However, as Christians we are called to live and walk in the Spirit. We must put our focus on the Lord daily, by praying, reading his word and commiting it to memory so that it becomes a part of our daily walk. We have a choice as Christians, but the lost do not. We can to choose to operate in the flesh and sin like the lost in the world or we can choose to live through the Spirit. When we live in the Spirit, our life will be so much more rewarding in Christ and our testimony will grow stronger in the Lord daily. Choose to live the faith for Jesus so the world can see our light shine so that our Father in heaven will be glorified and they too will desire salvation in Christ Jesus.

More Confessions from Gov. Mark Sanford

Governor Mark Sanford continues to make confessions about his extra-marital affair with his mistress and now states he crossed the lines with a handful of women over the last 20 years of his marriage. Not only did he commit adultery, he did it with tax payers' money. Mr. Mark Sanford should resign his position as Governor because he has shown himself not only to be unethical but unfortunately a hypocrite of his faith. He talked the talk but did not walk the walk. He condemned the liberal agenda and their representatives for doing the very thing he does. This is why so many people no longer have respect for the Christian faith. When I think about the situation with Mr. Sanford, I think of the bible verse in Isaiah 7:9b, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Remember fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, if we are going to preach the truth then we must live the truth in our own lives too. I hope this situation challenges fellow lawmakers, politicians, and Christians to live the faith for Jesus.