When we’re tired and need to rest, there’s nothing better than resting and relaxing on a big puffy couch. We call our living room couch “the hotdog bun” because the cushions roll all around the body.
God can be like a big puffy couch when we lie down, relax every strain, and lay off every burden. Our part is to rest; His part is to sustain us as we rest upon the couch of His will.
Each case should be considered on a case by case, teenager by teenager, basis. Some teens are ready to finish high school and move on to the college level, at least the community college level. There is an interesting article on this topic and Fox & Friends did a story on this topic this morning.
I have a friend currently in 10th grade considering doing this very thing. She was homeschooled from 1st-8th grade, entered public school in 9th grade and is passing each subject with flying colors. She works hard and has parents who greatly support her. I have complete confidence that she could pass a test to graduate early from high school and enter a community college then transfer to a 4-year college to complete her degree. Her maturity level is well above some high school students and she isn’t interested in a lot of the typical high school scenes.
The only concern I have is the social aspect of college life. Is a 16 year old ready emotionally and socially to enter the college scene?
Fox News did a story on the ad campaign to be seen on Washington, DC buses through December: “Why believe in God? Just be good for goodness sake.”
One answer: Because being good doesn’t earn us eternal life, eternal security, a Heavenly reward. There is only one way to Heaven -through Jesus, and acceptance of him.
See Psalm 16 (The Message). “Don’t go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale … My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! … And then you made me your heir!”
I frequently read the posts on this blog. I thought his question was an interesting one. I have my opinion and thoughts on paid ministerial staff and was just wondering about the opinions of others. What do you think?
Here’s a great article about a non-profit organization that is looking for ways to improve neighborhoods, help neighbors, and give hope to people. We should all keep our eyes and ears open to opportunities to do the same.
Throughout my several years of teaching elementary students, early childhood students, and doing children’s-family ministry, I haven’t encountered any children who acted like or wanted to be the opposite gender than the one in which they were created. However, after reading 2 recent articles (this article and this article) on transgender children, it makes me think about what we are facing in 21st Century children’s ministry.
This isn’t a time of children’s ministry as in the 1980′s or even in the 1990′s. We cannot plan and develop small group classes like we used to. We must form groups to meet the needs of all children in attendance. Maybe segregated classes don’t meet children’s needs; maybe we should form co-ed classes with the occasional boys’ group and girls’ group. Of course, small group formation all depends on who is in attendance and the needs of the group and the needs of community. One region of the country may be dealing with different circumstances and needs than other regions.
We must do our research. Get out of the office. Talk to and meet people. Find out what they are dealing with and guide our churches and ministries to develop a plan to help.
