Bristol Palin: "Advocate for Teenagers"

As I watched Bristol Palin's interview with Greta Van Susteren on FOX News, I wanted to cry. She kept saying, "I wish I would have waited ten years." It's really hard to wake up everyday and wonder what your life would have been like had you not caved into the peer pressure, the sexual temptations.

Her teenage days are over as she once knew them. No more dances, outings with her friends, or even texting without thinking about about the responsibility and interruptions of the new baby. Bristol said, "abstinence is the right thing to do, but nobody can do it." I disagree, yes they can! I know many girls who have succeeded even though it is tough and unpopular.

Do you think you would feel different about waiting until marriage to have sex if everybody was waiting also? If having sex outside of marriage was not cool and girls that weren't having sex were the coolest, I think the attitude would change.

Girls, we are living in friendly captivity and don't even feel the chains. We've conformed so nicely to our sexual culture that we've forgotten who we are.

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Daniel. The Israelites had been taken in captivity into Babylon. They all conformed beautifully within the extravagant sex-driven culture except for four friends: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These boys weren't going to be swayed from their God. They had resolved (made up their minds) that they would not defile themselves. No fiery furnace or lion's den would keep them from God. They would not bow down to the sinful culture they were living in. But guess what? They got to see the hand of God move over their lives! Miracles and encounters with God that were priceless!

Girls, it is possible to stay pure until marriage, but you have to resolve (make up your mind) to do so now so that you will not defile yourself. Find some good friends with the same heart, keep each other accountable, and watch the hand of God move over you.

I really believe that Bristol knows that abstinence is possible; it's just not popular...YET!

I believe she will become a huge advocate; helping teen-age girls to stay sex free until marriage.

Grammy Whammy!

I had just flopped myself down on the couch. Jordan, Jay, and I had made a date to watch the Grammy's together. Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana (Milly Cyrus) came out and sang a cute duo, "Fifteen." Ahh, what great family time!

Then it happened... a young woman came out of a banana, dressed in a fruity costume. At first, I was amused and the song had a very catchy beat. But before I knew what had happened, I was yelling at the television set, " Is that girl promoting lesbianism on national television during primetime?" Jordan curled into a ball as if I was going to throw something at her and responded, "I don't know?" (I think I scared Jordan; I know I scared myself.)

I could have dealt with the large banana, even the fruity outfit, but the lyrics sent me into rage: "I kissed a girl and I liked it.... It felt so wrong, it felt so right.... I liked it". I grabbed my laptop and started my research: Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known by her stage-name, Katy Perry, is a Grammy-nominated American singer- songwriter, and musician. Born in California to pastor parents, she grew up listening to gospel music and singing in church. Perry rose to fame in 2008 with her breakthrough single "I Kissed a Girl." When Katy couldn't make it as a gospel singer she switched genres and sold out for fame.

I went to her website and watched the video. I wanted to vomit. In the video she is making out with girls. In the end she wakes up next to her boyfriend and is very disappointed that she isn't with girls.

I asked my teenage bible study class the next day if they had heard of the song. Not only had they heard it, they liked it. One girl said, "My mom turns it off then we're in her car, but she has no tolerance of homosexuality. I think, to each their own."

I remember being in high school and curious about everything sexually. Our kids are not different. They want someone to give straight, honest answers. Our kids are beginning to buy into the lie that God created them with sexual preferences. No!!! It's a bait from Satan and it's called sexual temptation. It's no different than someone wanting to have an affair. They might prefer it; but it doesn't make it right.

Everywhere our kids look, this message is being crammed down their throats. They are wearing out and giving in by being numb.

God created the family as a "mini me" of the Godhead. We are created in His likeness and His image. Our families represent the Trinity. We were put here to be fruitful (not in a fruity outfit), to multiply (now try that with two women), to fill the earth and subdue it.

I ask you, are we living in Sodom and Gomorrah? Are there any righteous left? Do we fight or run for the hills? "I kissed a girl and I liked it." Hmm, do you smell fire? (Genesis 19:6-23)

Do I Recommend "Twilight?"

Is “Twilight” part of the occult? Should our kids be watching it? Do we need to protest the movie and the books? Where do I stand on “Twilight” is the common question that moms and leaders are asking.

After posting “Twilight” on the blog I began to do some soul searching. How do I feel about “Twilight?” What’s the big deal about it? On a scale from one to ten I give the movie a five. But that’s not what you want to know. You want to know, how I see it spiritually. Is it wrong?

First of all let’s keep this in perspective. This is a fictional movie. Vampires are not real. Melanie Cogdill, a Christian writer for Brio states, “God created us as relational beings, and girls in particular are created to be relational (Genesis 2-3). We tend to focus on relationships, but sometimes we make an idol out of them or fantasize over our desire for a relationship with that “perfect” guy. No guy can ever live up to the way Stephenie portrays Edward. He’s the fantasy creation of a woman writer.”

Now keep in mind I’ve only seen the first movie; I’ve not read the books. And yes, Edward is a fantasy creation of a woman writer. Girls dream about him and long for him because it was put into their hearts. They are to marry a man that will provide for them, protect them, and give them great pleasure (sex) after they are married (Exodus 21: 10). Edward portrays this perfectly. Ms. Cogdill says, “No guy can live up to this.” I ask, “Why?” Jesus Christ is perfect. He said, “If you love me keep my commandments." (habits, walk like me).

Edwards don’t exist because we don’t expect them to? Perhaps it’s time to raise our standards. Expect a young man to control his fleshly desires, keep a young woman pure until marriage. Treat girls with great respect. We need to reinforce true identity to our daughters. They should be treated like royalty; they are daughters of the King.

I find it interesting that the author of "Twilight" and mother of three boys, captivated the souls of so many women with an age old theme: love.

In the first movie Edward isn’t buying Bella expensive gifts taking her on exotic vacations or building her an empire. He is just crazy nuts in love with her. How I long to convey this message of Christ’s love through the way I live and act towards others.

Now to love anything or anyone more than God is wrong. We all need to ask ourselves, are there any idols in our lives. We can idolize Christian preachers, boyfriends, jobs, you name it we can idolize it. It’s wrong in any sense. Just recently a teenage girl asked me, “Why would God take this guy out of my life when our relationship was so good, so healthy, so Christian?” I replied, “Because he’s become your idol.” Girls don’t need to see “Twilight” to become idol worshippers. It’s all over our culture. So if you see idolatry in “Twilight” use it as a picture to explain what idolatry might look like.

In the movie Bella comes from a dysfunctional family. Her mother is all about herself and her love life. Her father devotes his energies to his work but longs for a relationship with a daughter he doesn’t even know. Her family is awkward to say the least. Bella’s family is not uncommon in our culture. Have you ever walked down the halls of your local high school? Half of the kids relate to Bella. It’s one of the reasons they are so drawn to this movie. They are either Bella or Bella is their best friend, they understand her character.

Bella is in love with Edward’s family, the Cullen's. It’s everything she’s ever dreamed of: unity, community, commitment, camaraderie, and love. The Cullen's bring her in like a baby left on the doorstep. Shouldn’t this be our example as Christians? Why are we so afraid to enter into the tax payer’s house (the movie theater) and see the good of this movie? We are missing the point; our kids are starving for love. They want the complete meal deal; boy, family, security, and love. Isn’t this what God meant for the family? Not the condemning…thou shall not do… We need to be more like the Cullen's (just not vampire like), accepting, encouraging, and loving kids where they are.

We are not to conform to the ways of the world (Rom. 12:2). Jesus didn’t conform when he hung out with the prostitutes, sinners, and tax collectors. He simple met them where they were, revealed their need and then filled their need.

If they were hungry; He was the “Bread of Life”
If they were thirsty; He was “the Living Water”
If they were in the darkness; He was “the Light”

How do I feel about this movie? Satan may intend to use it for evil by using Vampires and the gloomy atmosphere of the Northwest. But let’s slap Him in the face and use it for good. Jesus Christ is everything that girls are looking for. As we see girls reading the book or standing in the popcorn line let’s use it as a way to connect.

This movie opened up the lines of communications for my daughters and me. It gave us the opportunity to talk about love, redemption, patience, self-control, gentleness, and kindness. I focused on the good (Phil. 4:8).

I don’t feel that I am qualified to recommend or condemn this movie because I’ve not read the books. However, my point is this; we can be so quick to judge that we miss out on ministry opportunities. “Twilight” has something stirring the hearts of women, young and old. I believe its deep intimacy. Can we use this movie to help women understand their need for Christ (Edward) and the Holy Spirit (his supernatural powers)?

If you are interested in “Twilight” you might want to check out Christian Spotlight http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2008/twilight2008.html and Focus on the Family http://www.pluggedinonline.com/read/read/a0004206.cfm

In His Love,
June

"Twilight"

"Twilight," over two million copies have been sold and now it's the number one hit at the box office. Why?

Over Christmas break I reluctantly decide to accompany my two daughters, Jerrilyn and Jordan, to this box office hit "Twilight."

"Why are so many girls infatuated with a young beautiful girl falling in love with a vampire?" I asked myself. I was curious about the movie, but was determined not to get sucked into the plot.
After waiting in line (that is for the popcorn) I nestled myself into the comfortable rocking chair next to Jerrilyn. She'd seen it once with her husband (he gets a gold star for enduring a chick flick) and couldn't wait for me to see it.

Bella, a young beautiful girl, just moved into an unfamiliar, cold, rainy, town in Oregon with her father. Kids are drawn to the new girl in school, especially a young man named Edward.

"She can't be attracted to Edward, he's not even good looking" I sighed as Edward appeared as large as life on the movie screen.

"Shh....Mom."

As the plot began to thicken, and my popcorn emptied, I found myself sitting up in my chair being drawn to this teenage vampire, Edward.

Why was I all of the sudden finding him attractive? Could it be that he saved her life, that he protected her; or that he was faster than lightning and tittered on the edge of good and evil? Maybe I fell for him because he listened to her and wanted to know her theories. No, perhaps it was because he denied his fleshly impulses of having sex with her because he knew it would change her live forever. All of these characteristics attracted me to Edward but there was one thing that rocked my world. Not only was he willing to die for her; he was willing to live for her. His life would be spent protecting, providing, and being intimate with Bella.

Romeo and Juliet had the dying part down but now Edward comes out of no where and teaches us how to live for somebody else. "Brilliant!" I said to myself.

I ask you: What are you living for? Who are you living for? Why are you living for it or them?


Keep me posted,

June

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

"I just lost my best friend" Jordan cried, as she fell on our bed late one Friday night. My heart just broke for her. Rob was an amazing young man and we all loved him.

Memories of the past began to fill my head. Our oldest Jolene thought she would die when the school hunk stopped calling her. Jacque, our second oldest, let her guy go (although there was no mourning over this and her check book began to recover from it's great depression) and then there was Jerrilyn's love of a life time, or so we thought. All partings bring certain emotions, how would Jordan handle losing her best friend? She had spent so much time and had so much fun with him over the last 16 months.

As I laid in bed and sympathised with Jordan a song began to play in my head. "They say that breaking up is hard to do. Now I know, I know that it's true. You say, 'This is the end' Instead of breaking up, I wish that we were making up again."

One teenager asked me, "How long will I feel this emptiness? How long will I be sad?" I pondered for a moment and then said, "When you say....'This is the end!'"

When King David's son was sick he prayed and fasted. But when the son died (no chance of survival) David got up and worshiped the Lord (2 Samuel 12:16-24).

Are you suffering from a broken heart? Is there no chance of survival in the relationship? Then start praising God. Thank Him for the relationship and find all the wonderful things that it taught you. Praise God that it didn't work out because God has something better for the both of you.

Has it been a long time and you still can't let go of this person? Then ask yourself two questions: Did I see myself through this person's eyes (Do you feel less because of their rejection)? Did you go too far physically and now the two of you are one spiritually?

If the relationship went to far then ask God for forgiveness. Ask Him to break the soul ties that connect you to the other person and then know that you are free. If you see yourself though their eyes ask God for forgiveness and ask Him to give you His perspective and identity.

Beth Moore, a great Bible teacher, says, "You are, who God says you are!" Ask Him who you are.

When will the pain end? When you rewrite the chorus, "I know we're breaking up and I'm going to live my life again!"

As for Jordan, breaking up was hard to do, but she knows that God has a plan and He has one for you.