High School, Teens & Stuff!

                                                        


  Our daughter started high school this week. What a challenge! It seems like just a short while ago we were rejoicing because she was potty trained, and now high school. So, we greet this stage of her life with mixed feelings, We're happy to see her nearly grown, but that also means it won't be long before she's taking college entrance exams. Although she is not too far into these "teen"" years, none the less, getting adjusted to the 'personality' changes that seem to leap out with hormones and development can be very challenging!
   If it wasn't for the grace of God through Jesus Christ of Nazareth I'm not sure we would get through these
trying times. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. Notice the part"when he is old", it says nothing about when he/she is a teenager! I  take that to mean they are liable to depart from it somewhat, but hopefully return to the Lords' ways eventually.
   As parents we have to start learning to 'let go'. When we see an obvious mistake they are on the verge of making, unless it is a super serious mistake, we should not say anything and let them learn from the experience. Easier said than done I assure you. Our tendency, as parents is to want to smooth things out and
help them avoid these mistakes, but they have to learn some things the 'hard way'.

Fear

Fear seems to destroy all that is good in our lives! As Christians, we cannot allow fear to control our lives.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? "(Psalm 27:1)

We have to allow Christ to give us His Peace. " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Satan wins when we have our doubts, when we allow our fears to keep us from staying positive and focused on what is good in our lives! Give your thoughts to God, pray, fellowship with other believers, and ask for God's strength for all of our weaknesses.

Believe, Trust, Pray !!

Long Term Friendship

   Everyone needs friends! Sometimes friends can disappoint each other and get on one anothers nerves, but in the end true friends get over it and the friendship becomes stronger having survived various problems. This month marks the 50th year of a friendship of mine. We met when I was 6 & he was 7, played together laughed, cried, got in trouble together.
   Even a friendship as strong as ours is dwarfed by the company of the Holy Spirit. "A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs18:24. For those of us who have accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we have the Holy Spirits' presence to guide and comfort us until Jesus returns. "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.  Not only do believers have the Holy Spirit to guide and comfort, did you know that we are also considered as "friends" by Jesus Christ himself? " you are my friends, if you do what I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made know to you." John 15:14 & 15.
   How cool is that? To be considered "friends" with the Saviour of all mankind! Praise God from whom
all blessings flow!!