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."

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.