Digging in Deeper: Romans 7:15

“For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

As a parent, you quickly learn that every different age your kids go through has its challenges, but also its joys. They’re adorable when they’re babies, but you don’t get any sleep. Toddlers are great comic relief, but the tantrums get pretty old. When they’re in the no man’s land of early- to middle-elementary school they’re the most fun because of how much they are drawn to just play, but that’s also when they can start to become little punks. Well, I’ve got two right now that are teenagers. (Now there’s a sentence that makes you start feeling old…) Teenagers have attitudes. And emotions. In spades. But they are also reaching the point that they are starting to be able to meaningfully process the world around them in ways that reflect real critical thinking. You can start having an actual conversation with a teenager in ways other stages don’t quite allow. They also ask good questions that desire real answers. Today’s post is the result of one of those good questions. Maybe you’ve asked this one before. Here are some of my thoughts.

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Something Different

“Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth! From the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have established a stronghold on account of your adversaries in order to silence the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:1-2 CSB – Read the rest)

A little something different for you today. I did not preach yesterday because it was Youth Sunday and the kids led the service. Instead of something more from me today, I thought I would share with you how the service went. In particular, take some time and listen to the testimonies and messages from these terrific teens. They really did a great job. Speaking in front of people is tough. Sharing what God has done in your life in front of other people is even tougher. Yet here are five young people who stood up and did just that. The leadership of our young people wasn’t limited to what happened on stage earlier. We had youth running the sound board, the slides in the room, and even the livestream itself. They all did an incredible job leading the church in worship from every different position. You can fast forward to the speakers if you don’t want to sit through the whole service, but take some time today to be impressed with what our young people put together to give glory to the Lord.

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Morning Musing: Proverbs 22:15

“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”  (ESV)

We live in a culture that worships youth.  We fight the signs of aging (there are apparently seven of them).  We resist the pull of the years.  We celebrate youth movements.  We look for the young people to come and save us.  If a movement or idea is sparked by young people it is automatically assumed to be good and wise.  We are told to let children be themselves.  The truth, though, is that while it is good the humanity of young people is recognized and defended more than it used to be, most of this cultural moment is foolish to the highest degree. Read the rest…