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Teens’ Biggest Problems

We all know the typical problems that are associated with teenagers. We all know about the real temptations that today’s teens face. These temptations are real and difficult.

While teens certainly face the temptations of drugs, sex, and alcohol, from my experience there’s a larger problem facing today’s teen…an identity problem.

This problem of identity is the catalyst to most of the issues teens face. This identity problem is real and epidemic among today’s youth.

The lack of a self identity often drives teens to give into the temptations that attack them. When they don’t know who they are, teenagers often seek identity in the things that mask themselves as identities. We all know that no one’s identity is found through acceptance, possessions, or a feeling, but they too often seem like attractive substitutes.

When our identity is in a solid source, we don’t seek to find it elsewhere. That’s why it’s vitally important that teenagers are given the solid option of Christ in which to find this identity. When our identity is in Christ, the other temptations don’t even appear attractive any longer.

So, we must teach and preach Christ to all ages. No one wants a watered down identity when they can have the real thing!

Agree?
Disagree?
27
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Church Ministry, Life

DISCUSSION 1 Comment
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Life Change

It’s amazing to me how I can have a head knowledge of something without if affecting my life, but when the Spirit teaches me something, it begins to have IMMEDIATE impact.

I think that most people that have been in church for a decent amount of time have a head knowledge of everything they need to be effective Christians. Most of the people within the church, however, don’t have a spiritual knowledge of the same essential principles.

How do we move from a basic head knowledge to a spiritual knowledge? By spending time with God and allowing His Spirit to teach us.

Only then does the KNOWLEDGE become CONVICTION which brings LIFE CHANGE.

23
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Church Ministry, Life

DISCUSSION No Comments
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Use the Bathroom Outside

Melissa and I got Copper a couple of months ago. He still hasn’t quite figured out that he’s supposed to use the bathroom outside all the time yet. So, we often find ourselves cleaning up his accidents.
The other day I was sitting on the couch and started smelling his special gift for me. I went over to the other side of the room, and sure enough, he had left me with a present. It wasn’t that much poop, but I could still smell it from the other side of the room. This got me to thinking…
One turd in the corner, can stink up the entire room.
It’s true in a lot of circumstances…
One turd (no matter it’s size), can mess up an entire project.
One turd, can cause an entire family, company, or church to stink.
The solution: we have to train people to use the bathroom outside…we have to teach them to deal with their problems, before they become a detriment to the entire operation.
14
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
DISCUSSION No Comments
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Who and Who’s We Are

We kicked off our “Down, But Not Out” series last night at Pneuma. We really saw God move and some teens perspectives changed. It’s always cool to see people realize that they no longer have to walk in bondage and can live in freedom.

In Galatians 2:11-16, Paul calls out Peter for changing his actions due to the people around him. Truth is, the peer pressure that we all face is like this passage. Too often, we’re ready to change who we are and what we do for other people. We all want acceptance and none of us want to be left out…the problem comes when we’re willing to change who we are to satisfy those desires.
Towards the end of that passage, Paul gives us some insight into how to overcome others having a negative impact on us. We have to understand who we are and who’s we are. In other words, we have to be comfortable with who we are. When we see ourselves as a child of Christ, we become comfortable with the person we are. When we realize that we are saved through Christ alone, not by what we’ve done, it changes what motivates our life. No longer are willing living for the acceptance of man, but for the glory of God.
I feel like so many teenagers (and adults) are longing to fill a void in their lives. They try to fill that void by jumping for thing to thing, people to people, relationship to relationship, hobby to hobby, but can’t quite fill the void. Sadly, many times these people fail to answer the questions of who they are and who’s they are. They fail to fill that longing.
We all need identity….we all need Jesus….
08
Oct 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
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Blog, Church Ministry

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90% Isn’t Enough

It seems like most of the church is 90 percent committed. They’re committed enough to God to attend church and maybe even serve in some capacity. They’re committed enough to give a portion of they’re income as long as they’re sure they have some extra. Most of the church is even committed enough to reach out and help people within the community.

However, most of the church is only committed 90 percent. What if they exceeded the 90 and became 100 percent committed to Christ and His cause? What if they were willing to not only serve in the church, but become a PART OF the church? What if they were committed another 10 percent and gave their time, talent, and tithe in faith that God will provide? What if the church was willing to commit another 10 percent and be intentional with reaching lost people.

What if the other 10 percent is the portion that fosters permanent life change?

I don’t know what it takes for people to exceed the 90 percent mark and move to 100, but if we all did it, the world would be changed forever.

It’s only 10 percent, but less than everything just isn’t enough!

28
Sep 2009
POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson
POSTED IN

Blog, Church Ministry

DISCUSSION No Comments