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.