This week's episode of "The Secret Life.."-Abstinence, Adoption, Homosexuality

Teenagers today have so many different messages they are bombarded with daily. However, the way they view these topics today are completely different from my generation of 20 years ago because the morals of America have changed. We are in a society that discusses that diversity is about accepting people for who they are no matter if this contradicts ones values or religious views. I agree that we should show respect and love for all people but we do not have to accept their sin as who they are. In fact, if one challenges someones sexual orientation in a negative light then one is viewed as prejudice or homophobic in today's culture. This week's episode showcases topics of homosexuality and abstinence. These are topics I want to address individually in blogs below. The show also continued to indirectly and directly hit topics of cheating (Jack & Madison), disrespecting parents (Amy vs. George) and adoption (Amy and Heather - new pregnant teen character).

Summary 1: Abstinence
This week Grace is adamant about telling other students about her regret about having pre-marital sex. She invites all her friends and acquaintances at school to come to church to hear her talk on abstinence and to "witness" to them why they should not have sex before marriage. She begins with a silly poem she wrote which was ridiculous. No one smiled or laughed, in fact, they began to boo her as she began to try to justify her stance. No one takes her seriously because her stance makes no sense and is not grounded in the word of God. At the end of the show, Jack tells her that she is really not ashamed that she had sex and she really wants to have it again. They begin to kiss one another in the church after every one leaves. Heaven forbid they have sex in the church.

Blog 1- You have a choice
Abstinence should be practiced by all teens and single adults. Grace is a Christian teen who does not understand why she should not do this. She knows God does not like for us to have pre-marital sex. However, she does not understand the true reasons why God does not condone this for her life at this point. God is a Holy God. We as humans simply do not have a clue what true holiness is and do not have any comprehension of God's awesome existence as a holy, majestic, loving God. In order to be in right relationship with God we must resist the devil, the flesh and the world's standards and live as holy a life on earth as we possibly can through the power of the Holy Spirit. Apart from God, we cannot even begin to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit. When one is truly saved, one seeks to practice the word of God and has the power to live by the Spirit and not by the Flesh. Young people and singles should have a purity plan in place and seek to live by it always. Choosing to date people who have the same morals and religious beliefs is a start and a must. Grace and Jack have different opinions on pre-marital sex and it will cause Grace to eventually compromise her faith and walk with God if she is not careful. Living off the cuff is dangerous in this world and I do not recommend it. It is imperative to know how to handle your life when it comes to dating relationships. Know what the word of God says about pre-marital sex. Live by the Spirit and seek God's guidance in who to date. God should set the standard in your dating relationships and when he is put first in your life, your life will be blessed as well as your relationships. Recognizing your soul mate is hard enough, but when one gets involved in sexual relations prior to marriage, it is hard to recognize the one God has for you if you compromise your purity. Keeping the relationship pure is imperative and gives more clarity and wisdom to know and recognize your soul mate. Do not be deceived by someone who says they love you and is pushing for sex with you, because true love waits.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice. and hold fast to him.

James 4:4
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God

Summary 2- Adoption
This week's episode also brings in yet another teen issue- teenage pregnancy. We have a new girl by the name of Heather who approaches Amy's boyfriend Ben to hang out with because she thinks he must have a thing for pregnant girls. She basically propositions him and this puts Amy on the defensive. Amy intends to go out and be fun with her boyfriend before this new girl steals him from her. George, however, has decided that neither of his daughters will go out with boys for the evening but will stay at home to be a family support to their mom. In the end, Ben did go to see Heather, but decides the friend she needs more than him is Amy. At the end of the show Amy is counseling and encouraging Heather in her choices as a pregnant teen discussing private adoption as a viable option for her. She also offers to be there by her side when she goes to the hospital.

Blog 2: You have a choice
From someone who struggled with infertility for 4 years and chose to go the route of adoption as the way to grow and build our family; this episode topic meant a lot to me and gets a thumbs up. Teens have a choice. They can choose to keep and raise the baby, they can abort the baby or they can choose to put the baby up for adoption. With adoption they also have different options from choosing an adoption that is open, semi-open or closed. Adoption is a major theme throughout the bible. There are many people in the Bible who were adopted. To name a view: Jesus, Moses, and Esther. Adoption is a wonderful blessing for both children and parents. It is a great way to love a child or children who do not have a home or a loving, stable home environment. "The Secret Life" has always done well with this issue. They had the character of Amy look at various options, and now they have her counseling and encouraging another pregnant teen giving her great advice. I can totally see Amy's character growing and maturing and beginning to help others who are going through the same issues she faced. I also liked that George refused to allow Amy to talk to him disrespectfully and stood firm in his stance not to allow her to go out with Ben. Amy has become high and mighty and very disrespectful not only to her own parents but to others as well. After she spoke with Heather she had a realization that her parents could have thrown her out. Amy now seems to have a new appreciation for the support and love she received from her parents during her difficult time as a pregnant teen and teen mother. Amy was blessed to have parents who have held her hand through this crisis in her life because not all parents are so merciful or supportive.

Ephesians 1:5
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--

Romans 8:23
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Summary 3: The Homosexual Agenda
Griffin is the new guy to the community and high school this year. He has befriended Ashley, Amy's little sister. He has become her best friend and protector. However, this week Ashley's has decided not dating in high school is something that may go by the wayside when a new boy prospect approaches her and asks her out. Meanwhile, in Griffin's short time at school, he has publicized to the entire student body that he is a homosexual. He wants everyone to know who he is and that this is his identity. In a scene this week he discusses his desire to have a boyfriend with Ashley's new boyfriend's mom. She is a little freaked out to say the least that her son would be friends with a homosexual. However, Griffin assures her that her son is not gay but totally in love with Ashley.

Blog 3: You have a choice
I do not know of any television show since the 90's that has not showcased the homosexual agenda at least once within their story lines. The days of the past when homosexuality was never spoken of and was the dirty, shameful secret are over. The late 90's brought about a new word called "diversity". This means that homosexuality is not considered a dirty, shameful abomination anymore but it is just the identity of who someone is. As a society we are to embrace and accept this. However, as Christians this is still an unacceptable sin. In fact, the word of God says this is an abomination/ sexual sin that will send any one who chooses this sinful lifestyle to hell. This is a very touchy subject here in America. I personally know several people who are homosexuals from the workplace. I really care and like all of my friends who choose this way of life. I pray for them all daily along with all my other co-workers, friends and family. I do not hate any one who chooses this way of life and am sorrowful that they have been blinded by their sin. However, the word of God is clear on this sinful lifestyle.

Leviticus 18:22
Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Roman 1:18-27
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may by known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- his eternal powers and divine nature-- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

This is the word of God which is inerrant, infallible and God-breathed. If you know someone who is entrenched in this lifestyle please share these passages of the Bible with them. Let them know that God can deliver them from this lifestyle if they come with a repentant heart and are determined to commit their life to him. Pray for deliverance and to live by the power of the Holy Spirit minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, month by month, year by year until this stronghold is uprooted from your body and life. Because this is a stronghold it must be dealt with in such a manner as one powerfully addicted just like a drug addict, sex addict, alcoholic. God is faithful and will see you through.

Scripture Verse & Prayer for today

Acts 26:18

Lord, I pray that you will open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus.

We all know loved ones, friends, family, co-workers, and leaders of our government who are not saved. This is a great prayer to pray for them specifically by name. Lets commit to praying this prayer for them daily.

This week's episode of "The Secret Life.."- Amy & Adrian- Neighbors and Enemies

Summary:
On this week's episode of "The Secret Life" Amy and Adrian once again go head to head. Both Adrian's dad and Ricky urge her to apologize for upsetting Amy the previous week. Their stance is if she is going to be in Ricky's life and neighbors with Amy then she must resolve their differences and apologize for the past. Adrian approaches Amy to do this with great reluctance at school. Amy is defensive right off the bat and calls Adrian a slut numerous times before Adrian gets the opportunity to apologize. Adrian retaliates and calls Amy's mom a slut. The football coach and counselor overhear the disagreement in the hall and calls them down to stop. Amy proceeds to go off on him and majorly disrespects his authority in front of everyone in the hallway who witness the exchange. As a result, the coach/counselor decides to suspend Amy for her lack of respect. It is just for the day, but it should have been longer with her attitude. He called her mom, who did not even get on to Amy, to her surprise. It was as though she expected to be in trouble with her mom and was a little disappointed she was not in trouble. Once again, Adrian was blamed by both her father and Ricky for Amy's suspension. So once again they demanded that she go and apologize to Amy. Adrian did as she was told but she apologized haphazardly. Amy continued to call her a slut over and over again and did not accept Adrian's false apology. Thus the show ends with both of the girls stating how much they hated each other and vowing they would never be friends.

Blog 1:
I think this was a good topic to focus on this week. Rivalry in middle and high school is not uncommon especially between girls. Jealousy is an ugly thing and it does cause hatred. However, as Christians, we are called to forgive, pray for and ask blessings over our enemies. It is just that simple. When we apologize it should be with pure motives and sincerity. Jesus says in the word of God that it is easy to love those who loves us. The real test is when we love those who do not show God's love back to us. So this is my challenge to the readers today as well as to myself, to love others despite whether they love us or show kindness or God's love to us. This is what it means to live the faith for Jesus. So live it today for him and you and others.

Scripture Verse:
James 4:1-3. 7-10
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battles within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail, Change you laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

This week's episode of "The Secret Life.."- Who Cheated Over the Summer

All the talk this week on "The Secret Life" and theme of show was who cheated on who and who did not. What a theme for a show about teenagers! Cheating on your boyfriend and girlfriend is a reality with our culture. However, it should be addressed from a different angle than what television presents. I personally feel it should not be the focus of an entire show, but unfortunately it was. It is all about sex and it should not be. Teenagers, summed up in a nutshell, if you are wanting to have healthy, viable relationships, then you should practice good dating habits in your dating relationships now. When young people cheat in their relationships while they are young and prior to marriage it is not setting a good standard for the future.

Adrian, Ricky and Jack are the television program's teenage adulterers or rather fornicators. They should not be the example that any teen should follow. The cheating pattern in dating relationships not only develops a poor foundation for future marriages it causes cynicism, lack of trust, and a great deal of pain to work through in future relationships. The word of God warns against the adulterous woman. This should be an indication that cheating is not a part of God's plan for your life. Cheating/ adultery should not be glorified or presented in a way that draws others to this way of life.

Proverbs 5:1-6
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; sharp as a double edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.

Scripture Verse for today

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Personal Reflection:
This verse really struck a chord with me because so often I do not have verse 17 in the forefront of my thoughts when I feel I have been mistreated by someone. "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed". Wow- this one hits you right at your core. How quickly I want to strike out to someone with my words to hit back at them when things do not go my way. Let us all focus on this scripture throughout our days to keep God and his way in the upper most part of our thoughts, hearts, words and emotions. Living with gratitude toward God, being joyful for what he has done for us on the cross and encouraging one another through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs should be our daily focus in all life issues and daily circumstances. Living in this manner should guide us in our daily walk to resist the temptation to live in the flesh and instead live by the spirit to honor and glorify him in every area of our lives.

Prayer:
Father God, please help me and my brothers and sisters in Christ to walk in the Spirit daily in all that we say, do, and think. Help us grow in your word and maturity of Christ in our hearts and lives. Help us to be a reflection of how you would handle each and every circumstance in our daily lives. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen

This week's episode of "The Secret Life.."

Blog 1: Classroom/ Classmate Thoughts

It is truly a shame that television writers and producers think that the only thing that teenagers think about is sex. Are teens curious? Yes, how can they not be with all the media messages they get throughout their worlds? However, sexual intimacy is to be reserved for marriage not pre-marriage. Therefore, their thoughts should be on their studies, hobbies, being a good friend, living for God and serving him and others. In the classroom scene of "The Secret Life" each teenager is contemplating and dwelling on sex. They are consumed with different thoughts about sex. Two boys are obsessed with thoughts on who is having sex in the classroom. A boyfriend and girlfriend regret having sex with each other and are thinking they cannot do it again. Lastly, one girl feels deep regret for not having sex with her ex-boyfriend because she feels he broke up with her because she didn't have sex with him. Then you have the teacher thinking how wonderful it is that the children seem so engaged and interested in her lesson. Unfortunately, she could not be farther from the truth. Teens, if your thoughts are constantly on sex, I would tell you that this is an obsession and idol in your life. Our thoughts should be holy, pure and pleasing to our Father in heaven. We should strive to live for Christ in every area of our lives, serving God and serving others. As I watched this episode, the verse that came to my mind was this:

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Blog 2: Synopsis of Adrian and Ricky- Trust and Commitment issues

This week's episode continues down a vicarious pathway between these two classmates and lovers. Adrian and Ricky are very possessive of one another, and do not have any trust for one another either. In a prior episode, Ricky has requested a commitment from Adrian for a monogamous relationship. They agree, but it is only lip service. We learn this week that their commitment is a total sham and that not only are they having sex with one another but with others as well.

Commitment for teens and singles should first come with a commitment to God. Adrian and Ricky are both lost and do not know Christ. They do not know the meaning of commitment and what it means to have a relationship that is guided by purity, trust and real love- God's love. They both hunger for this. Teens are not ready to have sexual relationships for this very reason. It is destructive to them and others. The writers of this show have made this a mini-"Sex in the City" or "Melrose Place." This relationship between Adrian and Ricky should not be portrayed on television as something any teen should desire. It is the wrong message for any teen to receive. Not only can the way they are living cause pregnancy and STDs, but over time it will cause a great deal of heartache attached with cynicism and lack of trust in future relationships. If one has premarital sex and on top of that has multiple sexual partners simultaneously, how can they expect to have a healthy relationship in the future? This is destructive in so many ways and on so many levels. Our dating relationships should model what we hope for and expect in a marriage. I do not think people go into a marriage with the hopes it will fail but when relationships are not established and developed according to God's plan then most of the time they will fail. I will add that both Adrian and Ricky do not have good role models as parents in this drama. Here in America this is now a challenge for so many young people because they do not have moral/ Christian parents or role models to model what a healthy, committed relationship is to be. However, young people, you have a choice and you can rise above the bad examples and bad media messages out there and live your lives differently for God.

Challenge: Teens strive to have healthy dating relationships now, begin by putting God first and setting boundaries. Strive also to have a relationship that would model what you hope for in a marriage minus the sexual intimacy. Keep the relationship pure. Develop a friendship that involves hobbies you can do together and enjoy together. Live the faith for Jesus in anything and everything you do.

Scriptures to live by:

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

2 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

1 Kings 8:61

"But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his command, as at this time."