Teenage depression is a complex, subtle and dangerous phenomenon. It is complex because of its many complicated causes and effects. It is subtle because it almost always goes undetected, even by the teenager, until a tragedy occurs. It is dangerous because depression can result in the worst of happenings -- from school failure to suicide, even murder.
I was born in 1945. During that year a bomber struck the Empire State building; the war in Europe ended after Hitler's suicide in Berlin; Franklin D. Roosevelt died and was succeeded by Truman; Rocky Graziano was named "Boxer of the Year"; the Nuremburg war-crimes began and ABombs were dropped on Japan, starting the atomic age and ending the war. It was also the year automobile production was resumed in the U.S. after having been halted during World War II .
The last cars rolled off the the assembly lines in January 1942, so that tanks, trucks and guns could be built for the war. It was not until after the war, in 1945, that cars would return to the assembly line for the 1946 models. My family's car was a blue '50 Packard, which I could kick myself for not restoring before I left home in 1967.
Defining moments are times when decisions were made that defined our lives with either positive or negative consequences. By identifying these, we become more effective in sharing our testimony in Christ with others.
Likewise, defining moments are found throughout the Scriptures, such as the scarlet thread of redemption that brought forth payment for sin and salvation to the world through Jesus Christ.
”I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.” (Psalms 40:10, NKJV).
My parents took me to church and held me as a baby in their arms, while singing and hearing God's word. I remember how friends of the family shared God's love with me at Church and Sunday school. I memorized John 3:16, the Apostle's Creed and many hymns, such as "Jesus Loves Me This I Know" and "The BIBLE, That's The Book For Me." I even sang in the choir as a teenager, while Rita Beth played the piano.
The key to living in God’s presence is to meditate your covenant, experiencing yourself united with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection throughout the day. King David knew the importance of the Ark of God, representing God’s covenant with His children. It had been housed in the wilderness tabernacle’s Most Holy Place where the Shekinah glory of God dwelt during the old covenant.
Later in the Old Testament, David and his men rescued the Ark and “They brought the Ark of God and placed it inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.” He exhorted the people to “Remember His covenant forever — the commitment He made to a thousand generations” (1 Chronicles 16:1,15, NLT).
The world is full of dummies when it comes to Christianity. The need for someone to explain what it means to be a Christian is evident. We see the Catholics shamed by the actions of the priests. The Episcopalians have their genders confused. In the Protestant church alone, there are several hundred denominations who can't agree. Do we have to be a part of these organizations to be a Christian?
The church is made up of those individuals who are called out of a confused world, not an organization confused by the world. Today, many are leaving one church organization while shaking their heads in disgust, only to join another. Many are looking for someone to agree with their judgments. Others feel dependent on the church organization they belong to for their salvation. What is the truth?
I'm asking the youth of today to be rebellious, boldly opposed to the works of the devil, who is the real enemy, and not rebellious toward parents and those in authority.
This is an empowerment message -- fighting back against evil things. We fight by harnessing our natural rebellious attitudes and rebel against those things that are trying to steal, kill and destroy our lives. Rebelling against evil is the wise thing to do, so that we can have a life free from bondage! Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10, NLT).
Suicide Prevention Line: Text or phone 988.
It's impossible to predict which young people will turn violent, but certain behaviors have been identified as risk factors. Parents should consider it a warning sign if a child:
Have you heard the saying, "You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free?" Freedom simply means to be set free from the bonds that hold us captive. We mostly think of physical captivity, but our views concerning life can be very binding. What views hold you captive today?
For instance, is it habits like illegal drugs and illicit sex that hold us captive, or is it lying thoughts that say these practices bring pleasure? In reality, these vices lead to much pain. In our shallowness, we try to change things externally, not realizing it is an internal imagination of the heart that holds us in bondage. We believe an untruth to deceive and mislead.
Let's face it! Many of us are living defeated lives for various reasons. Often we look outwardly to blame our defeat on people, places, things or circumstances, but instead, let's look inwardly, asking ourselves a few questions that might spark some insight.
It is pretty common knowledge that we have three enemies who try to defeat us: the world, the flesh and the devil. This world system has been in our face since we came forth from our mother's womb. This evil world looms before us and tells us that God is far away, in the distance. We grab the closest treats to satisfy our persistent cravings. And we blame everyone else, instead of taking responsibility ourselves. Could it be that we are our own worst enemy?
The first time I took illegal drugs was in the summer of '67 in Texas. My fraternity brothers, many of whom drank, spoke negatively against marijuana, but I had met an airline stewardess at work, who turned me on to marijuana. She helped me get some from a member of the rock group, "The Five Americans." I knew of this group, who played at a club named "LouAnn's" in Dallas, where I took my dates. Back then, matches made from wood came in small boxes. These boxes would be filled with marijuana and sold for $15 each. I learned fast that marijuana was also called "pot, weed or grass". We bought a box, but it turned out to be stems and seeds. She told me I got burned, but I didn't know the difference. I was disappointed, because it didn't get me high like the other stuff.
One of my favorite songs in the '60s was "Love Is All You Need" by the Beatles. Children were singing this song around the world. I don't know if the Beatles understood the enormous truth behind their message, since they were singing about a "feeling".
At the same time, our generation was singing with the Righteous Brothers, "You've lost that loving feeling, now she's gone, gone, gone", which reflects a sensual, romantic love between male and female from the Greek word Eros. This erotic kind of love was freely flowing among the flower children.
Our purpose is to share the answer to the drug problem. The answer was shared with 300,000 people as Bob Dylan performed for Pope Paul. The pontiff told the crowd that, "...the answer to life is blowing in the wind...the wind that is the breath and life of the Holy Spirit, the voice that calls and says 'Come!'" He that has an ear, let him hear!
At last you can know the truth. The truth about the BIG FOUR KILLERS of this day and age. The truth concerning the way to escape the ultimate death that comes to all who don't wake up to the BIG RIP-OFF!
Are you being RIPPED-OFF? Ask yourself this most important question! Today you can know the TRUTH and be SET FREE from the BIG RIP-OFF that wants to steal, kill, and destroy your soul. Find out how to escape being rippedoff by reading on, and by taking heed.
Jesus Christ has not always been the preeminent One in my life. My childhood was full of toys, dogs, cowboy shows, snap pistols, Scouts, building go-carts and vacation Bible school – even faithful appearances at the local Methodist church with my family.
To me, church was full of do’s and don’ts. I felt those do’s and don’ts hindered me from the fun and games of life. Besides, as far as I was concerned, I was on my way to heaven because I went to church every Sunday. I didn’t connect Christ’s death and resurrection with my salvation.
At the age of twelve, I allowed Jesus to become “a part” of my life. I thought that giving God some of my life (and being sprinkled in baptism) would be sufficient to join the ranks of Christianity. Boy was I wrong! A definite relationship with the Spirit of the Living God was missing. As a result, the power of God never filled the void in my heart.
And now I show you the most excellent way
1 Corinthians 12:31b
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another" (Rom. 13:8). Prepare your heart for praying for your family. Let God search your heart toward them with this love check-up. Love deficit hinders effective prayer, because you are not free to have the mind of Christ who loved all people enough to die for them. Faith without love is not effectual, because faith works through love (1 Cor. 13;2; Gal. 5:6).