No subject off limits!

Wow, the subjects we have to talk about with our kids get crazier and crazier don’t they? Just when you think you’ve talked about the scariest thing….there is another subject just waiting to become the next shocking topic. This past weekend we visited The Church at Brookhills to hear David Platt talk about Homosexuality. We knew it would be enlightening and we were not disappointed. The fact that our teenagers deal more directly with this subject should encourage all of us as parents to hear more on how to biblically discuss this with our kids. Kevin and I have had conversations with the boys before, but I will admit – that most conversations were lacking a bit of biblical authority and scripture. Sometimes as Christians we know just enough to be dangerous. Just enough to misquote and believe what we think is the truth. Do you know what I mean? The bottom line is this – I took a million notes and have a few things outlined in my Bible, but I still don’t feel adequate enough to wrap it all up for you. I totally encourage you to visit the website for The Church at Brookhills and listen to the podcast on this one. Do I think you’ll like it? Well, my 16 year old could not write notes fast enough on Sunday am. That tells me it might capture your attention as well!

Homosexuality has been a subject that our oldest has been hit with a few times. He has had friends from both church and school admit to struggling in this area. Our culture encourages the behaviour. Our teens are encouraged to experiment, go with what feels good. In some ways, they are taught that the Bible is not the absolute – its been translated one too many times to be completely accurate so don’t look only to that source. YIKES!!! The most accepted trend seems to be with girls experimenting and experimenting in very social situations, like parties. Its totally no big deal for a girl to kiss another girl. Its not even considered disgusting. That…breaks my heart. There are teenage girls, that one day, will deal with guilt and shame and possibly even addictions they just walked right into during their high school year. Bottom line – God is clear on sexual issues and it is in the Bible. We need to be constantly affirming the word of God in our children as an absolute authority. ABSOLUTE. Something that Platt also said Sunday was that while we need to be absolute and strong within our convictions, we must also love people….even the people that go against our lifestyle and our convictions. You don’t have to condone what they do…but you are called to love all people and teach your children to love. We cannot morally decide what sin is ok and what is an outrage. That doesn’t make much sense does it. All sin is equal in the eyes of God. Sin is sin…and we are all sinners in need of HIS grace. Thank you Jesus for your grace!!!!

There is a pretty new song out right now called ‘I kissed a girl’. It is by a young singer named Katy Perry. You may not know this, but Katy Perry was raised in a Christian home and before she broke out as an edgy secular singer, she was singing for God. She was a Christian recording artist and was under the name Katy Hudson. A lyric from one of her songs, Faith Won’t Fail from 2004 “For He’ll prevail in the midst of all my trials and tribulations. And He’ll prevail in the midst of all my sin and temptations”. What happened and how are Katy’s parents? Are they completely disheartened? Do they question what they did???? What they didn’t do???? I have friends who have teenage children who they are praying will find their way back to God. Its been a reality for me to see that sometimes, no matter what we do or pray, free will allows and even demands that our children walk their own spiritual journey as they grow older. It is for this reason we have to be sure we are equipping our children with the word as much as possible. Remember, the bible tells us that though all of our temptations are different, He will not allow more on us than we can handle.

I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

So that means when our kids become an age where they are responsible for walking in their own spiritual walk, they will have the ability, tools, gifts…everything….they need to make their own decisions if we bring them up in the way they should go. As parents, that is a part of our releasing that into His hands. I am beginning to learn how to do that. Their spiritual life is not about me, or Kevin. So my reaction to my kids when they fall or make a wrong move, has to be one of teaching and sometimes discipline because its all about THEM and their walk with God. We have to teach them to find their trust in the Lord. Wow…what a job! But one with amazing rewards too. Check out the music your kids are listening to. Are there songs that you need to discuss with them? What about Katy Perry…any of her songs on your teenagers IPOD? Check it out and see. And…for a list of other songs you may want to check out…click on the link to the top songs for this week below.
P.S. Don’t forget to visit The Church at Brookhills website for David Platt’s podcast - AMAZING
http://www.brookhills.org/