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.