COMMANDMENTS FOR YOUTH

The Children's Responsibility to the Parents The New Testament binds a great responsibility on children when it says in Ephesians 6, verses 1-3, "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth". The key words are "honor" and "obey". There is no time limit on this. God does not free a child from this responsibility simply because he has now gone to college or is married. A child in the earliest years of adulthood makes a tragic mistake by neglecting his parents. It is necessary that we say something about the word "obey". Children are to obey their parents "in the Lord". One must never forget that his allegiance to God comes before any man. That includes government, companions and parents. The early apostles expressed it well when they were commanded not to preach in the name of Christ. They responded by saying in Acts 5, verse 29, "We ought to obey God rather than men". The term "obey your parents" indicates that the parents have laid down some laws or provided some instruction to guide the children. This is what is meant by the wise man when he said in Proverbs 22, verse 6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it". It is understood then that the law is to be obeyed by the child is that which will make him a fine, decent, responsible person. Instructions of parents should be revered by children beyond the parents death. No time limit then on "Children obey your parents in the Lord" Ephesians 6:1. The other word that stands out so predominantly in the children's responsibility to their parents is the word "honor". The Bible says in Ephesians 6, verse 2, "Honor thy father and mother". This responsibility deals with the child's attitude and respect toward parents. Webster's New World Dictionary says of the word honor, it is "High regard of great respect given". "Something done or given as a token of respect". The home for centuries has provided an environment for one to learn all of the ABC's of Christian living. It is in the home that seeds of character can be sown and given an opportunity to flourish. The great principles of God are to be taught, practiced and cultivated in the home. The child who has learned to honor parents can then effectively show high regard toward his fellow man. He later can easily show respect for a companion and his own children. It is important that we pause to say that parents have the responsibility to provide the proper atmosphere in the home so that the child can develop an appreciation for law and order given by parents. Such an environment will cause children to rise up and call their parents "blessed". The example of parents set in honoring and loving one another is far-reaching in the heart and life-pattern of the child. When a child cannot see parents love, respect and honor one another, it is extremely difficult for him to rise above this obstacle and honor those that do not honor themselves. Remember, in order to manifest honor towards others, you must respect yourself. Christ provides us with an example in all things. Having returned from the visit to the city of Jerusalem at the age of 12, the Bible says that Christ, "was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" Luke 2, verses 51,52. Christ was obedient to his parents. His affection and respect for his mother was manifested from the cross. He was concerned about her care and well-being. He gave this responsibility to the beloved Apostle John (John 19:25-27). You shall always be children in the eyes of your parents and in the eyes of the Lord. Your response to the commandment, "Obey your parents" and "Honor thy father and thy mother", will be a pretty good yardstick measuring how well you will obey your Lord and give Him honor through faithful worship. The child's responsibility is a lifetime achievement, an achievement that will be richly blessed in all walks of life. In the words of Ephesians Chapter 6, it is the first commandment with promise. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA When your child quits attending church: Click to View A poem... "Somehow I lost you, Son, along the way--- I do not know just how it came to be; I only know that you were mine one day, Then suddenly you slipped away from me. Did I say 'suddenly'? I do you wrong, For not in rash decision did you go, Setting your sail in anger, pushed along By overwhelming force, or undertow. "No---it was gradual---your craft was new, And I left you alone to try it out; I walked the shorelines for a while, and you Held to your course with confidence, no doubt, But when the night grew chill, I went inside, Leaving you, Son, alone with the wind and tide." Mary Oler, The Reaper Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA The Bible and Treating the Elderly with respect I read recently in a newspaper that instances of child abuse were rising in the United States, but instances of abuse of the elderly were rising twice as fast. This is one of the indications that treatment of the elderly needs to be an area of great concern to all of us. There seems to be two views of age in today's society. The most prevalent view seems to be that of repulsion. Age is looked upon as an incurable disease. We fight against aging, we do not want to be reminded of what time can do to us. Thus, the aged elderly person is cast from society. They are made to feel useless, a burden to family, and often are cast off, avoided except on rare occasions of birthdays and Christmas morning. Another view is that age is beautiful. That age demands respect and dignity. That the elderly are giants of the forest, wise, full of experience, worthy of our praise and adoration. This is the view the Bible holds on age. In Proverbs 23:22, Solomon exhorts his son to "harken to your Father who begot you and do not despise your mother when she is old." In the story of Job, we find that Elihu the younger of Job's friends waited until the older men had spoken to Job. He also treated his communication to Job with admiration and respect, since Job was his elder. In Exodus 20:12 we find the commandment - to honor your -father and mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. In Mark 7:10-12, we find Jesus saying, "He who speaks evil of his father and mother, let him surely die." He goes on to say that the Pharisees had made void the law of God by their disgraceful treatment of the elderly. I am reminded of Caleb, who at the age of 85 came to Joshua and took possession of that inheritance he had earned. Age demands an inheritance. Old age should be a time for ego integrity. The elderly have made their mark on life. They have performed well, and have confidence that their life was well spent in raising children, making the world a better place, and in training the next generation. They have a wealth of wisdom to share, experience to relate, expressions and advice on life to share. They await new experiences, and are getting prepared for the last experience of this life, and for a whole new world beyond death. They have earned our love and respect. Nature herself teaches us that age demands dignity and honor. The older the redwoods, the more majestic. The older wines and cheeses are, the more they are praised and honored for taste. Should it not hold true that the older a man, the more he is to be appreciated by others. I am convinced that young people are missing one of the greatest opportunities available when they do not get to know the elderly and associate with them. All too soon these towering pillars of faith and wisdom will pass from our midst and the loss will be tremendous. In closing, let us remember 4 lessons that might make all the difference in the world on our view of the elderly. First, age does not mean that someone is useless. I have been shamed by the failure of the young to use the talents of the elderly. I am inspired by their fighting spirit. In our efforts to destroy them we have tried to make them useless. They have fought back saying, "I exist. I have something to offer you if you will accept it." I have been amazed at the elderly people who have accepted challenges of work in the church and done fantastic work. Get to know your elderly in your neighborhood or family. You might be surprised by their wit, humor, and their ability to guide you. Secondly, allow them to share with you their life. Some of the greatest lessons I learned about life, I learned from my grandfather. He was 86 and full of cancer, yet he taught me some lessons on living. He was full of humor, wisdom, and was a strong man of faith in God. His advice I will never forget. I am reminded of Timothy as he learned from the Apostle Paul, an old warrior instructing the new recruit. Had Timothy now allowed Paul to share his life with him, the church might have been hurt, even destroyed where Timothy was concerned. Thirdly, age carries with it only one promise. That when we are old we will receive the respect, dignity and honor that is due us. That someone will care and want to return the love and care that was given so long ago to others. It is the Golden Rule in effect. They now want others to do unto them what they have done unto others. Fourthly, remember - growing old is not a disease or a woe to humanity. It is our right. It is a privilege allowed by God. It is an opportunity to be useful and productive a little longer in the service of our family and of our God. Truly age is beautiful. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA What Teenagers Need to Understand About Dating! Adolescence is a time when the individual questions "Do I like myself?". "What am I going to do for the rest of my life?", "What are my good qualities?", "How should I change?", or "What do other people think of me?". It is a time of growing. The teenager is leaving childhood where he was dependent upon his parents to direct him, to provide for him, and to make his decisions for him. He is becoming an adult capable of caring for himself and, in turn, being responsible to and for others. There are certain activities in which our society generally expects teenagers to participate. One of these is dating. First, let's review the purpose of dating. Against the scale of the centuries, dating is a new phenomenon. Traditionally, children worked until their parents decided that it was time for them to marry, the parents then selected the mate, and the new home was begun. Our society feels it better for those whose lives are most directly involved to make the important decision as to who they will marry. Accordingly, dating allows young people to be exposed to different personalities and to judge (to some extent) the effects that the various personality traits might have upon a lifelong relationship. Dating lets boys and girls see these traits at work in a variety of situations. This is important experience and education. Also, dating lets the young person observe himself, or herself, under diverse situations, and it's important that each person get to know himself very well. There are also other reasons for dating, such as having a good time, being socially accepted, and just being with friends. Dating is fun. It is a time to get to know another person more completely, a time to share ideas, plans and hopes, a time to do interesting things with someone special. When a teenager begins to date, he is uncertain about many things. That very first date causes both excitement and anxious moments. One of the most important decisions a teenager will make is choosing the people he will date. The Bible tells us in I Corinthians 15:33,"Do not be mislead: Bad company corrupts good character". (NIV), and in Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked " (RSV). We easily recognize the influence of our friends in our lives. They influence us in many ways that are more important than just clothes and hair length. If our friends use drugs, obscene language, or engage in premarital sex; how much harder will it be for you to remain acceptable to God? II Corinthians 6:14-16 says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God". If we form close personal relationships with persons whose moral standards are opposed to Jesus' teachings, are we not endangering our salvation? Sometimes questionable dating situations develop because of the places selected and the type of recreation chosen. Study Bible Call Tape # 215, "Choosing Christian Recreation". If we choose a date who shares our moral standards, we have made a good beginning. However, remember that both you and your date are human with normal male and female sexual drives. These are God given, they are normal, and they can bring much joy and fulfillment. But remember, God placed very specific restrictions upon when the sexual drive may be fulfilled. I Corinthians 6:9-10 says, "Don't you know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanders nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God". (NIV) If on the majority of your dates you are alone, and you go to cozy, intimate places, are you not making it easier for Satan to break you down? Double dating can be a help. It is also a good idea to avoid prolonged, steady dating. Time and familiarity with another person can slowly but very surely break down our defenses. It is a valuable guideline to consider dating as a hands-off activity. Once a boy and girl begin to touch, feel and caress one another, the stop signs become blurred and convictions lose their strength. Remember that under conditions of mutual respect, the boy will never try to take advantage of the girl, neither will the girl tempt the boy by thoughtless dress or action which will tend to arouse his natural desire. Mutual consideration is a two way street. In conclusion it should be pointed out that dating is an important, but a small part of a teenager's total life, just as the icing is an important, but a small part of the cake. Dating too often (or for too many hours) is like a cake that is all icing. Keep dating activities in balance; do not let dating interfere with your duties to God, to family, to school, or to self. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA Dating Rules For Teenagers If parental influence is not great enough to maintain control of the child through these powerful group influences and if normal group behavior includes immorality, trouble will almost surely come to your child soon. It is not without obvious reason that the Bible warns against certain association, saying, "Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals" I Corinthians 15:33. ASV The old-fashioned requirement of having your child end his outside activities at a reasonable hour is quite valid and applicable today. Unlimited time for amusement often leads to poor performance at school, at work, and at home. The family that waits up for a late comer will also suffer for lack of rest. Too, the younger children will clamor for the same unlimited privilege. You have the right and the duty to control your children, for the Bible says that, "He that provides not for his own is worse than an infidel" I Timothy 5:8. Providing for your children includes love, direction, discipline, and control, as well as the physical necessities of life. We do not advise an ever-abiding, all-prevailing control of the child. Parents must not stifle the growth of the child by over-control; as the child matures, parental control should be gradually released. It is indeed a fine line that we parents must walk; that between too much and too little control - and it requires the nicest kind of judgement. Dating, to fulfill its intent and purpose, should be a "hands-off" activity. There are several ways that you can assure your child the fun of dating without endangering his future through over-involvement; some of these are: Request double dating with couples of known Christian characteristics. Discourage steady dating. Refuse too much dating. Do not allow dating with companions of too great an age difference. The interests and intent of an 18 year old man are frequently quite different from that of a 14 year old girl. Insist that late hours be avoided. Control the activities included in dating. Study the message, "Choosing Proper Recreation". Early training of the child is important. Obedience to parents must be developed early, even in their infancy, and be habitual. It is important to gain and to maintain rapport with your children early in their lives. In this way communication and control can be maintained throughout their lives into adulthood. For further study of this vital matter, we refer you to messages, "Discipline - Alternative to Tragedy", "Effective Discipline Part I", and also "Part II". For an extensive study we recommend the book, "Dare to Discipline", by Dr. James Dobson, director of Child Development, University of Southern California School of Medicine. You may check this book out from your local library. May God bless you as you strive to help your children through this wonderful time of their lives. Click Your Choice Back to START Dating Rules For Teenagers If parental influence is not great enough to maintain control of the child through these powerful group influences and if normal group behavior includes immorality, trouble will almost surely come to your child soon. It is not without obvious reason that the Bible warns against certain association, saying, "Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals" I Corinthians 15:33. ASV The old-fashioned requirement of having your child end his outside activities at a reasonable hour is quite valid and applicable today. Unlimited time for amusement often leads to poor performance at school, at work, and at home. The family that waits up for a late comer will also suffer for lack of rest. Too, the younger children will clamor for the same unlimited privilege. You have the right and the duty to control your children, for the Bible says that, "He that provides not for his own is worse than an infidel" I Timothy 5:8. Providing for your children includes love, direction, discipline, and control, as well as the physical necessities of life. We do not advise an ever-abiding, all-prevailing control of the child. Parents must not stifle the growth of the child by over-control; as the child matures, parental control should be gradually released. It is indeed a fine line that we parents must walk; that between too much and too little control - and it requires the nicest kind of judgement. Dating, to fulfill its intent and purpose, should be a "hands-off" activity. There are several ways that you can assure your child the fun of dating without endangering his future through over-involvement; some of these are: Request double dating with couples of known Christian characteristics. Discourage steady dating. Refuse too much dating. Do not allow dating with companions of too great an age difference. The interests and intent of an 18 year old man are frequently quite different from that of a 14 year old girl. Insist that late hours be avoided. Control the activities included in dating. Study the message, "Choosing Proper Recreation". Early training of the child is important. Obedience to parents must be developed early, even in their infancy, and be habitual. It is important to gain and to maintain rapport with your children early in their lives. In this way communication and control can be maintained throughout their lives into adulthood. For further study of this vital matter, we refer you to messages, "Discipline - Alternative to Tragedy", "Effective Discipline Part I", and also "Part II". For an extensive study we recommend the book, "Dare to Discipline", by Dr. James Dobson, director of Child Development, University of Southern California School of Medicine. You may check this book out from your local library. May God bless you as you strive to help your children through this wonderful time of their lives. Click Your Choice Back to START Teens! Use Your Freedom Wisely! There is a positive kind of freedom and there is a negative kind of freedom. Positive freedom is liberty to become and to do as we should. Negative freedom is liberty from control, from regulation, and from restraint. People under positive freedom live in mutual accord governed by laws that protect the vital interests of all. An example is where vast numbers of automobiles, driven by non-professional drivers, ply crowded streets rarely having difficulty. Here, all benefit while most follow the rules although they might find it easier to speed, to cut corners, to use wrong lanes, or to ignore traffic signals. People acting without controls under negative freedom do so although their exercise of freedom might violate the rights of others. Consider how a student's freedom to play his stereo loudly in the dormitory conflicts with the rights of other students to study or to rest, or how the freedom of one student to cheat on tests denies all of the other students their right to a fair system of grading. True freedom requires individual maturity and self-restraint. Free societies have comparatively few police; they require that individual citizens police themselves. If many citizens fail this duty, the society must either fall or become oppressive. Positive freedom, under law and under self-restraint, is outlined in the Declaration of Independence of the United States and in the basic documents of other western countries. It is also completely defined in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. The apostle, Paul, wrote in I Cor. 6:12 and 10:23: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any . . . All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." God wants Christians to be free and happy. His followers should not be sad prisoners of their faith. So that Christians can be both free and happy, God limited Christian freedom. Christians live within God's prescribed confines from respect of God's will. Others obey these limitations because they are necessary, logical and time proven. Freedom's first limitation is that the things we do must be expedient, or beneficial. The New Testament's original writings in the Greek language used a word best translated as to be creative of harmonious situations. We can do as we please when our activities build harmonious situations. But, we must understand that freedom is a spiritual, not a physical, dimension. We can understand this by remembering some, although surrounded by wealth, are unhappy, remaining prisoners within themselves. Others, like Paul and Silas (in Acts 16:25), although physically imprisoned, sang hymns of joy and praise to God. The concept that freedom is physical is one of the great misunderstandings of our times. Paul instructs us, in Galatians 5:13: "For brethren we have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." To express freedom's first limitation more generally, we ask, "Is this good for my soul?" Humans are not bodies that have souls, rather they are spirits that will live somewhere as long as God exists. Where our spirits spend eternity will be influenced by how our activities meet this first limitation. Will this activity create a harmonious situation, is it good for my soul? Abiding within limitation number I is an obligation to ourselves that we must keep. God's second limitation on our freedom is that we must not be mastered by, or brought under, the power of the things we do. Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. Thus, servants of Christ must never serve other things. But you say, "I will not be slave to anyone or anything, I shall be free". This is a popular myth; no human has ever lived who wasn't mastered by someone or something. It might have been kin, or boss, sexual drives, lust for wealth, liquor, cigarettes, or drugs. Everybody has a master of some kind. It is better to be slave to the master of the universe than to our own selfishness, indulgences, and bad habits. How free is the alcoholic? How free is the slave of the desire for material gain, surrounded by wealth, yet desperately unhappy having no real purpose in life? Mankind can stand great pain, suffering and privation. Mankind cannot stand life without meaning or without purpose. Materialism and other modern concepts confuse young people. Many don't know what they should believe, and their lives have become without purpose or meaning. This is one reason why suicide among our young, ages 15 through 23, are the greatest cause of death, second only to accidents. We must choose which master we will serve (we will serve someone or something). To be free we must choose our activities to include only those that serve Jesus and His kingdom. In so doing, our lives will have clear meaning and purpose. God's third limitation to our freedom directs that our activities be constructive. That is, they must edify, or build-up, both those around us, and ourselves. This is so because freedom is also a social dimension. You cannot take another's goods because this conflicts with his right to keep them. You cannot speed on the highways because this interferes with the rights of others to travel safely. The notion of absolute freedom is an absurdity. No one has ever been absolutely free to do everything he might wish to do. All of us are bounded and constrained by the needs and rights of others and by our own limitations. We easily fall for the cheap solution, "I can do what I want as long as nobody gets hurt". How do you judge who gets hurt? What is hurt? How much hurt is permissible? Can you speed ahead on the highway squandering fuel without consuming from those you have passed? Will they get to their destination if the service station's allocation ends with you? Is the decision made by two young people in a moment of passion theirs to alone to make? Are their families implicated? Is the child, should one result, unaffected? Over 112 million young, unmarried women will give birth this year in 40 ; how free do they feel? Freedom is a delicate balance of many relationships. We can do what we want, but it must be beneficial to all, it must serve the true Lord of us all, and it must be constructive for all. By limiting our activities in these ways, we will attain and maintain true freedom. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA Teens & Going Steady? Let us start our study by reading from Genesis Chapter 2, verses 21-24. "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man'. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh". This passage tells us that God instituted and approved of the marriage of one man to one woman. God has not seen fit to change this arrangement. Marriage is a lasting relationship which must be entered into with much thought and preparation. God has left the method of selecting a mate up to the individual. The pattern of dating; then going steady; followed by engagement and finally marriage has developed in this country. Too often, insecure teenagers find a person with whom they can be comfortable and mistake this feeling for love. Going steady and cleaving to each other seems to naturally follow this mistaken feeling in many cases. However, going steady may be a dangerous bridge between dating and engagement. When a man decides to take one woman and cleave to her, the two are to be married. The practice of deciding to go steady too quickly, has robbed America's youth of a privilege which God has allowed. Please do not allow yourself to enter into this social trap that can put you in a relationship so filled with temptation that you may not be able to endure. Too often, premarital sex is one of the unfortunate results of going steady. Sadly, American sociologists seem to approve of intimate sexual contact by couples going steady. In Galatians Chapter 5, however, God condemns sexual relations outside of marriage along with drunkenness, witchcraft, and murder. After it is too late, many married couples realize that their insecurity has led them to make a tragic mistake. In Luke Chapter 14, verses 28-29, we read: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him". It is in your best interest to date several different people before you decide who you wish to marry. Allow me to use this illustration: A man brings you a large container filled with diamonds of various values. You are told to pick one and only one. You have as much time as you desire. However, after you make your choice, there will be no chance to exchange it for another one. Would you be so foolish as to hurriedly reach in and grab the first diamond, or would you take your time and examine all of the precious stones. If you carefully selected the one that was most precious to you, no one would be able to persuade you that you had made a bad choice. In counseling young married couples, I hear the same story time and time again. Many have been like the foolish man who grabbed the first diamond. They now realize that they were misled and made a hasty decision with which they must live for the rest of their lives. Most tragically, many of these marriages end in divorce. If God's pattern is followed, marriage will result in happiness and fulfillment, not regret and sorrow. Don't let your own insecurity rob you of a free and happy youth which God intended you to have. Click Your Choice Back to START Teenage Marriage: Weigh it carefully! The rapid increase in the number of early marriages over the past several years coupled with the extremely high rate of divorce within this same group makes this subject extremely important. If you are a teenager and are seriously considering an early marriage, these are a number of potential problem areas of which you should be aware, so that, if you do decide that this is the best course of action, you will be alert to the possible difficulties which could lie ahead. First, the problem of adequate financial support is obvious. Although money does not buy happiness, it is true that a tight financial situation can create tensions which can undermine an otherwise happy relationship. While some financial problems are to be expected in almost any new marriage, it is important to take time to think sensibly, so that such problems will not destroy what could otherwise be a beautiful relationship, if not undertaken prematurely. This is not to suggest that you wait about marriage until every possible financial problem has been completely solved, but rather simply suggests that you do not close your eyes to the real situation whatever it may be. Talk with other young couples who have been married for several months to get a more realistic idea of the financial problems you are likely to face. It is unfortunate, but true, that what sounds like a lot of money to you now, may seem to be very little when monthly bills must be met. It is also a good idea to realize that if parents or in-laws are depended upon too heavily for financial support that this can provide the basis for other later family conflicts as well. Regardless of the good intentions involved, it is almost always true that the person who controls the money ultimately rules the situation. Although some newly married couples find it necessary to temporarily make their home with their parents, this is generally not a wise choice unless absolutely necessary and then only for as short a period of time as possible. (Genesis 2:24). The old proverb which states that "no house is large enough for two women" can also apply to other members of the family as well. Not only does this type of arrangement tend to produce family conflicts, but the lack of privacy also tends to make early sexual adjustments much more difficult, thereby producing an atmosphere which can lead to far more serious problems in later years. A second problem which must be faced by those who enter into an early marriage is the problem of personal maturity. While immature and irresponsible actions may sometimes seem funny before marriage, they can become serious pitfalls within the marriage bond. This is one reason why a courtship of at least several months should precede any marriage, since even the most irresponsible and self-centered person can put on a good front for a few weeks or months. Two keys to the real personality of a young man are, first, the kind of things it takes to make him angry, and second, the way he treats his mother. With only extremely rare exceptions a person who mistreats his mother will after marriage soon also be finding equally plausible sounding excuses for mistreating his wife. Don't let anyone fool you, regardless of all the promises which may be made, the habits of a lifetime are very hard to change. This same principle, of course, holds equally true for a young lady as well. One of the surest signs of immaturity and irresponsibility in both young men and young women is a lack of willingness to do a reasonable share of work in a consistent, dependable way prior to marriage. When such an indifferent attitude is demonstrated before marriage, you can be sure that it is only likely to become worse after marriage. A third potential problem to be considered is the problem of growing apart. This simply means that while two young people in their middle teenage years have much in common, that in many cases, our ideals and goals change as we pass the teenage years, to such an extent that we may easily find ourselves married for life to a person with whom we will ultimately have very little in common. Perhaps the worst mistake of all is to marry simply to get away from an unpleasant situation at home. Even if you are presently facing home problems which seem almost unbearable, you will not have to remain in such a situation forever. When you marry, however, it is for life. (Matthew 19:3-9). So don't let current personal problems drive you into a marriage which you may otherwise not really want. Such a choice usually proves to be a very poor trade indeed, and one that often leads to a lifetime of regret. The extremely high rate of divorce among those who marry early should act as a large caution sign to those contemplating an early marriage. Sometimes early marriages work out beautifully and if you decide to marry at an early age, you may very well be among them. Those which have been successful, however, have almost always been those which have been entered into only after very serious thought and consideration. If you are a Christian, you need to spend time in prayer and meditation before reaching a final decision. If you are not yet a Christian, a right relationship with God would be a valuable asset to you in reaching such an important decision. Early marriage, though possessing certain inherent dangers, is widely practiced in contemporary America. By way of discussing the dangers of early marriage, may I point out that true love is the only basis upon which a successful marriage may be constructed. (Many happy marriages are made, they do not just happen.) One problem here is a proper definition of love. "Love is a dynamic that seeks the highest good of its object, regardless of sacrifice or suffering." In Ephesians 5:25, Paul says: "Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for it." True love would therefore dictate that one not subject one's loved one to undue sacrifice and suffering due to one's own lack of preparation and ability to provide adequately for them. While money is not the basis of a happy marriage, it can be allowed to become a prominent factor in the dissolution of marriage. After seriously considering the potential problems mentioned in Part I of this two part series on Early Marriage, if you still feel that an early marriage is your best choice, or if as a very young man or woman, you find yourself already married, there are a few basic, simple, scriptural rules for marriage, which can help you in making your marriage happy and successful. Marriage, by scriptural definition is: "The blending together of two lives, two personalities of the opposite sex for as long as the two shall live in this world. It is the building of a home that respects the law of God and protects the morals of mankind." Marriage is sanctioned by Jehovah God and is to be had in honor among all men as you may observe by reading Genesis 2:18-24. God said: "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him." (Verse 18) Adam then said: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man" (Verse 23) Moses then added: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh' (Verse 24). Marriage, in God's divine plan, is monogamy in form, (one husband for one wife) (I Corinthians, Chapter 7, verse 2). It is procreative in design, (Genesis 1:28; 1 Timothy 5:14); patriarchal in government, (I Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 5:23); religious in spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4-9); and is intended to be indissoluble in nature (I Corinthians 7:39 and Matthew 19:6). Three distinct purposes are served in God's divine arrangement of marriage: Companionship - God said: "It is not good that the man should be alone." (Genesis 2:18). If the wife forgets the design of her creation, the marriage will likely be unhappy. She is first, last, and always a companion to her husband. Procreation - God said: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Genesis 1:28). Sexual gratification - God teaches through the inspired apostle Paul: "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence; and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control." (I Corinthians 7:2-5). If you will keep these simple rules in mind and remember that marriage is a serious business because God is its author, it is a life lasting contract and it involves the rearing of a future generation, you can have a happy, successful marriage. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA 10 Bible passages for Teenagers! One of the burning questions of the ages has been, "How can I get the most out of life?". Each person in each generation must wrestle with this idea. Since God made man and knows what is the best life for him, man should want to know God's advice for the good life. I have selected ten key statements from the Bible which tell one how best to live. Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4. Living for this world and its pleasures is a serious mistake. To gain the whole world and lose one's soul is foolish - Luke 9:25. If we sow to the flesh, or to earthly pleasure, we shall reap corruption, or misery - Galatians 6:7-8. Living for God is the better way. We are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:26, so we are spiritual beings, who, like God, will live eternally. If we seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness our earthly needs will be supplied . Matthew 6:33. Read Romans 8:28 and Psalms 37:25. Obey your parents in the Lord; honor your father and mother - Eph. 6:1-3. The good life starts early. Obeying parents in the Lord and honoring them with one's life is a way to live well and to live long. It is not good for man to be alone - Genesis 2:18. Human beings were made by God to function best when they have a companion with whom they can share their lives. God intended that a man leave his father and mother and cling to his wife Genesis 2:24. He that will not work, neither let him eat - II Thessalonians 3:10. Since the days of Adam, God has decreed that man must work if he is to eat Genesis 3:19. One cannot be pleased with himself if he does not earn his keep Luke 10:7. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might Ecc. 9:10. Human life at its longest is very short - James 4:14. If one is going to get the most out of life, he must decide what he is going to do and do it with all his might. Think of these things. Read Philippians 4:8. Allowing one's mind to dwell on low, base things will cause one's life to be low and base. Thinking on high and inspiring things will life one up to a high and lofty way of life. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7. Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them Matthew 7:12. There is great satisfaction in loving one's fellow man and giving of self for his good. Give and it will be given unto you - Luke 6:38. The secret of receiving is found in this verse. Jesus said give first and then you shall receive. Take no thought for your life - Matthew 6:25-32. God cares for the flowers, the grass, and the birds. Since we are more valuable than they, God will certainly care for us. We therefore should not spend our time worrying. Christ died for the ungodly - Romans 5:6. Life can be good if it is freed from the guilt of sin through Jesus Christ. Bonus: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA True love is more than skin deep! Click to View John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, * Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen. I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat.. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?" The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!" It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I will tell you who you are." Click Your Choice Back to START 10 Things young people can do for God. Some of the world's greatest accomplishments have been done by young men and women. Alexander the Great became king before he was thirty years old. Some of the great works of Shelley, Byron, Keats, Chopin, and Mozart were composed when they were teenagers. Hitler and Mussolini built their power on the dedication and energy of young people. Today, Communists make their strongest sales pitch to youth, because they know of the influence and dedication of the young. Now, much of the mission work of the church is being done by young adults. And the church needs consecrated young people. Times are perilous and our cause is the greatest that the world has ever known. The very hope of the human race lies in wise youth committed to high principles. Young people need the church - they need Christ. Those who are indifferent to the way of the Lord are inviting sorrow on their lives and souls. Jesus says to young and old alike, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34). Here are ten things that you can do to serve God and gain life's greatest blessing: (1) OBEY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST Christ commands us to believe in Him (John 8:24), to repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), to confess His name (Matthew 10:32-33), and to be baptized into Him for the remission of our sins (Romans 6:3-6). Study Tape # 46, "How Can a Man Be justified With God?", for further information about this most important step. Every young person who can understand these commands should obey them. There is nothing you will ever do that will mean so much to you in coming years. (2) KEEP THYSELF PURE (I Timothy 5:22) If you like a real challenge, the challenge of conquering our own will is life's greatest, for sin is easy. Besides the personal satisfaction that moral purity brings, it brings also the blessings of God (Matthew 5:8). (3) BUILD A CHRISTIAN PERSONALITY True greatness 14,es in spiritual things. Emphasize prayer, study, and righteousness, and they will bless you. "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul"' (Matthew 16:26). Those who follow Christ learn how to do good unto all men, even their enemies. Their lives radiate the beauty of his way (Matthew 5:14-16). Christianity brings peace with God, peace with others, and peace within. (4) LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST Christ has commanded His disciples to take the gospel to everyone. You can be a soul-winner. And nothing enlarges one's faith and spiritual capacity like teaching the lost. (5) GET A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION You CAN get a Christian education if you really want to. Your doing so will help you in a thousand ways. A Christian college education will help you to be the best and most productive citizen possible in God's kingdom. (6) PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A DECENT PROFESSION The New Testament strongly commands honest and honorable work (I Thessalonians 4:11,12). The Christian life is not that of a parasites but one of industry and service. (7) BUILD A CHRISTIAN HOME Next to obeying the gospel of Christ, the greatest favor you will ever do yourself is to build a Christian home. When you marry, MARRY A CHRISTIAN. (8) PREPARE FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP The church needs every competent leader and teacher that it can get. Develop your talents for Christian leadership by the sincere and zealous practice of spiritual responsibilities. Be USEFUL in the Lord's service. (9) ENCOURAGE AND HELP OTHERS Everyone bears a burden. When we help bear other's burdens and encourage them in Christ's walk, we fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). (10) BE FAITHFUL THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE (Read Revelations 2:10) Many perils will beset your pathway. Temptations and disappointments came to the Lord and they will also come to you. And all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer some persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), but God calls us to a life that man cannot destroy and to treasures that are eternal. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Keep your faith and it will keep you. There is great potential in your life. May God bless you as you develop it in His service. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA When young people finally leave home for good. Young people leave home for a variety of reasons. The most usual is that they grow up and leave their parents to be on their own, and to start a home of their own. Sometimes children leave because of conflict within the home. Whatever the reason, when you leave home, time should be taken for deep consideration and for prayers for guidance. Take full advantage of this golden opportunity to improve the direction of your life toward the higher and the better. You should, at this time, review the goals of your life thoroughly, I suggest that you study the message, "What Youth Can Do". If you judge your life to be lacking in goal and purpose, or headed in a direction away from these desirable ends, re-evaluate your attitude and prepare yourself for changed ideas and standards. If you are already aligned with Godly goals and intent, your job is to reinforce and continue to develop these attitudes and to take all precautions not to lose ground through development of slovenly habits or ways of thinking. Now, when you are starting your new life, you will have two major obstacles to overcome if you are to maintain a high moral standard or to improve a lower one. The greatest obstacle is yourself for the Bible tells us that, "The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38). With no one to awaken you and make you get up and attend worship, it is all too easy to neglect this duty. Without outside guidance, you will often be tempted to neglect your studies or fail to report to work. A mature person has the initiative to stick to a job until it is finished. Your first conflict will probably be between what a friend suggests and what your conscience requires. Here are two basic rules: (1) Never violate your own conscience. (2) Never hesitate to seek advice from your parents, elders, or minister of the church. Once you have established a path to follow through careful thought, prayer, and counsel, do not allow your friends to become an obstacle. Do not let them do your thinking for you; do your own thinking. Friends are people with likes and dislikes similar to those of your own. You share your deeper thoughts with them and you care about them and they care about you. Obviously, they way they think and the things they do greatly influence your outlook and activities. If you choose friends of good moral and spiritual outlook they will help strengthen you. If your friends are people who disrespect God, their parents, and the law, it will be exceedingly difficult for you to avoid a disgraceful, a sad, and a turbulent life. For this reason God has warned, in I Corinthians 15:33 ASV, "Evil companions corrupt good morals". A true friend really cares for your spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. One who calls himself a friend but who would influence you into evil thoughts and actions is really a selfish person wanting only to find someone who will condone his sinful life. Seek true friends. As a last and most important point, I ask, indeed request, that you who are Christians go to the Elders of the Lord's congregation nearest to your new location and place yourself under their spiritual care and oversight. Make yourself known to them as a Christian for the scripture says: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: For they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief . . ." (Hebrews 13:17). May it be that your new life will always be in line with God's intent and purpose; be sure you know what God's will is - study your Bible regularly. May God richly bless you in the days and years to come. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA The Bible story of the boy who ran away from home! There is a song titled, "Where Will You Be When You Get Where You're Going?" That suggests the theme for this Bible Research message ; "You Can Go Home." It has been a real popular song among the younger generation. The theme raises a most profound and disturbing question for many. The reason is simply because they have no goal, no purpose for living and are just drifting along like the leaves carried by the wind. It reminds us of a young man Jesus spoke about in one of His parables. The story is found in Luke, chapter 15, beginning with verse 11. It reads: "A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him unto his fields to feed swine. And he would have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said unto him Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found, And they began to be merry." That concludes the reading of Verse 24. Here is a very touching story of a father who had two sons. The younger son wanted to become independent of his family, so he asked the father to arrange for him to have the share of the inheritance that would fall to him at the father's death, only he wanted it now. This generous, goodhearted father made the arrangements. Now, this observation is in order here: Parents don't always do what is best for their children. They sometimes err in judgement as it would appear this father did. Another thing, a teenager does not always know what is best, nor will he always make wise decisions. He may seem very certain about his direction today and yet reverse the decision tomorrow. This should not surprise us since he is limited in experience. As a result, he is often unsure as to what is best. So with our young man in the story. Once his wish was granted, he was free to chart his own course. He was set on getting away from home where he could be his own boss. Presently we find him in a distant land far away from family and relations. He is having a great time with many exciting and thrilling things to do. It is easy to make friends so long as he was paying the bills. Much faster and much sooner than he expected, he ran through the inheritance. To his surprise, his fair-weather friends began to disappear rapidly. The inheritance that could have made life easy for him financially, had been recklessly blown. This story has its modern day counter-part. All too many of our generation have at one time been in the far country. In fact, multitudes remain there. In case you fail to understand: The far country is the place where every human being is, who is not in tune or in touch with God our heavenly Father. Many of us have left our earthly parent's home. It wasn't easy to do providing we enjoyed a happy family relationship. For others we could hardly wait to get out, the relationship was so unpleasant. I have had teens tell me: "My parents didn't care when I left home. They didn't cry nor show any emotion." I always reply: "how do you know they didn't care? Just because they didn't cry or outwardly express emotion that was obvious, doesn't mean 11 they were unconcerned. Some people cry inside, while others are not very good at showing emotion or expressing feeling. How about YOU? When the day comes to leave home, it finds most young people truly excited and perhaps a bit anxious. For the first time we are going to be on our own, able to make our own decisions, with no one looking over our shoulder. Our minds are exploding with new thoughts. We are going out into a world that offers a supermarket of differing ideas. Like so many young people, the young man in our story wasn't out there long until he found out how cruel and how harsh people can really be. In a very short time he found himself EMPTY. This characterizes the life of so many today. Along with this, he became terribly lonely. Those who had been his friends while there were good times and free meals, suddenly didn't seem to have time for him any more. It is somewhat shocking to wake up one day only to find that people have been using us. You talk about emptiness and loneliness,---it's difficult to describe. Here in Luke, chapter 15 is the story of our 20th century. It shows how genuine and contemporary the Book is. This young man found himself empty, lonely, in pain and confused. Nothing seemed to work or go right for him. He had no peace of mind and found no satisfaction in anything. To top it all off, he was at the point of starvation. He had to stoop to feeding hogs which, for his Jewish culture, was offensive to say the least. It wasn't very long until his hunger pains were so acute that he would have gladly eaten the husk left by the swine. This young man had no intention of ending up in the hog pen when he left home, but then, neither does anyone else. It was then as it is today, the natural consequence of having no real purpose for living, no goal for which to shoot. But then, a strange thing happened. Suddenly there flashed before him memories of home. With this he came to himself. Memories can be precious but they can also be frightening at times. You recall in the story of the rich man and Lazarus that God has Abraham say: "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise, Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented." Luke 16:25. This rich man was asked to remember. Tell me--where will you be when you get where you're going? One person said; "I came to myself, and I took a look to find that I was just a bunch of garbage." May I suggest that the point at which we come to ourselves is a very crucial moment and a very important juncture in life. It requires absolute honesty, and the boldness to stand up and face ourselves in the mirror even though we are not happy with what we see. Pleasant memories of home caused this young man to come to himself and when he did, he suddenly thought, "I will go back home to my father and simply ask to become-a hired servant. For I am no longer worthy to be a son." My friend this is bold, but is essential. It isn't easy to go home smelling like a pig while making no defense for your behavior. Just to say, "I was wrong" is embarrassing and humiliating to put it mildly, but it is also necessary. Of course, there was also the question of what sort of reception he would get once he returned home. Contrary to what he deserved, his father was waiting with open arms to receive him back. In fact, he ran out to meet him. After an embrace and a hearty greeting, the son launched into his little prepared speech. "Father, I am no longer worthy to be called your son-just allow me to be as one of your hired servants." But the father interrupts, limy son, my son!' "I'll have none of this servant business." He calls for the finest robe, a ring, sandals and the whole outfit to dress up his son. The fatted calf is killed and a banquet is spread, it is an occasion for rejoicing. For, says the father, "This my son was dead and is alive--he was lost and is found." This calls for a home-coming celebration. Now what is the most wonderful lesson about this story? Simply this, you can come home no matter where you are. You can come home to a loving, compassionate Father. And when you do, you won't be scolded, put down, or turned away. You will be received with open arms by a loving Father who has been waiting and longing for your return. True, you won't be worthy of the reception you get, but then who is? Isaiah wrote: "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6. The prophet was talking about God laying the burden of our sins upon Jesus. Like this young man, you will need to come with the proper attitude. Like him, you will need to confess you sins, Romans 10:9-10... and if you have never been a spiritual son or daughter, you will need to be baptized into Christ so as to be clothed with the new robe of righteousness. Acts 2:38. Why not make this home-coming day? Return to the Father and allow Him to prepare a banquet for you. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA Is running away from your parents home the answer? For various reasons many young people run away. Often, they are seeking a solution to some kind of problem or they have allowed someone else, who also wants to run away, to influence them. Most young people do not realize the dangers and temptations that they face. Runaway girls are often like sheep among wolves. There is plenty of male companionship, perhaps a free meal and a temporary place to stay, but the girl must pay the price. In many cases the price is the sacrificing of her moral character. Other forms of mistreatment may occur, even to the loss of life. The question for boys is, how will they live when their money is gone? Jobs are hard to get, especially during the school term when it is unlawful to employ youth of school age during school hours. There is the temptation to steal. If they are driving a car, how will they get the money for gas? If they have stolen a car, the crime becomes more serious when they cross the state line. In most cases they may be picked up by the police. IS THERE A BETTER SOLUTION? The question that every young person should try to answer is, "What is the best solution to my problem?" After all, being a runaway only adds another problem, not a solution. If one is being abused and justly seeks relief from a bad situation, the runaway is looked upon as being the problem and authorities may deal with him as an unruly child, and may never learn what caused him to run away. If you feel that you are being mistreated, go to your local juvenile court, see a probation officer, juvenile judge, or talk to a police officer, preferably one who handles juvenile affairs. In many localities, one may file a dependent petition in his own behalf in the local juvenile court asking for the court's assistant. This focuses attention upon the mistreatment that he is suffering and he is not looked upon as a problem child who has run away. Perhaps, the first one to whom you should seek advice is your minister. If you do not know one, turn to the yellow Pages of your phone book and call a minister of the church of Christ. He will be glad to talk with you and assist. There is a national source of help for one who has run away. He is advised where to get shelter, food and counseling. The caller's confidentiality is maintained. If young people wish to communicate with -their families the switchboard can connect them by phone or can deliver a message. They can contact "The National Runaway Switchboard", a twenty-four hour hotline, toll free, phone 1-800-621-4000. Every young person who thinks of running away should carefully examine his reasons for wanting to leave home. As one leaves childhood years and grows up into the teens toward adulthood, this is called adolescence, and one often seeks more and more freedom from parental control. In fact, one may want more freedom than he has maturity to handle. Such a person thinks that he has enough mature judgment to run his life when he really does not. Some parents grant their children almost total freedom. This can cause a youth whose parents care very much for their child's future to appear to be too strict. Such a parent will not want their child to start dating too young. They will want to know who their friends are. They will want to help guide them in their decisions about where they go and how often. The person whose attitude is, "I do not care about what is right, what is dangerous to my health, my reputation, my education, my family or my soul", may run away to seek freedom to do what he wants to do. This person is not justified in running away. This person is running from the right to do wrong. When one seeks help through proper legal channels from abuse and mistreatment, he seeks to get away from that which is wrong and to do that which is right. A BOY WHO LEFT A GOOD HOME THEN CAME BACK: Jesus told the story of a young man who left a good home where he was loved, how he followed the course of, "If it feels good, do it", how he paid the high cost for low living, saw his mistake, then returned to his father's house. He said, "A man had two sons. When the younger told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die!' his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there wasted all his money on parties and prostitutes. About the time his money was gone a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the swine looked good to him. And no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.' So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming, and was filled with loving pity and ran and embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and am not worthy of being called your son . . . But his father said to the slaves, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put in on him, and a jeweled ring for his finger; and shoes! And kill the calf we have in the fattening pen. We must celebrate with a feast (Luke 15:11-24) (From the Living New Testament) This is how Jesus illustrated man leaving God and seeking to fulfill the lusts of his flesh. The downward road of sin always leads one to be in want and in a deprived and troubled condition. The loving father in the story represents God's desire to have his "runaway" children come home to a right relationship with Him. Forgiveness is awaiting all who repent and turn in loving obedience to Him. Your real problem may be rebellion against God and His will for your life. Click Your Choice Go To Start: WWW.BIBLE.CA