Real Life Stuff
Our faith is important in how it speaks to our day to day life.
It is often when we experience the tough times of life that we turn to our faith for answers. We can always talk to the Pastor or our Faith Formation Leader at church. Turning to our friends and other Christians also helps us know we aren't alone. Finding sources of good counsel and advice is another way to inform the discussion.
It is often when we experience the tough times of life that we turn to our faith for answers. We can always talk to the Pastor or our Faith Formation Leader at church. Turning to our friends and other Christians also helps us know we aren't alone. Finding sources of good counsel and advice is another way to inform the discussion.
Why Does God let bad things happen?
Serious conversation
about a serious question |
Let's say trust in God wins out and becomes our default orientation to life. Where does that leave this question of suffering?
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For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
--Romans 8:38-39, NRSV
--Romans 8:38-39, NRSV
You are Loved
completely … endlessly… unconditionally…
If you take away nothing else, know this--YOU ARE LOVED
We are, each one of us, beloved—surrounded by an adoring God
who never leaves our side.
When we open ourselves to being loved, we change inside;
God's love completes us, filling the gaps in our hearts and allowing our mended selves to more fully love God and each other.
We are, each one of us, beloved—surrounded by an adoring God
who never leaves our side.
When we open ourselves to being loved, we change inside;
God's love completes us, filling the gaps in our hearts and allowing our mended selves to more fully love God and each other.
BULLYING
Everyone has been affected by bullying--either as the target, the one who bullies, or as a bystander. Research indicates that peer intervention is the most effective way to prevent bullying in schools. Go to this wonderful website created by teens for teens to Identify, Respond, Listen, and Act
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"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give
them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." --Deuteronomy 31:6, The Message |
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." --Matthew 11:28, The Message |
The teenage years can be tough, and it’s perfectly normal to feel sad or irritable every now and then. But if these feelings don’t go away or become so intense that you can’t handle them, you may be suffering from depression. The
good news is that you don’t have to feel this way. Help is available and you have more power than you think. There are many things you can do to help yourself or a friend start feeling better |
HOW CAN GOD HELP ME WHEN I'M IN THE MIDST OF DEPRESSION?
When one is in the middle of severe clinical depression, it is difficult, even impossible, to experience God's reality, let alone God's help.
Click the button to read more.
When one is in the middle of severe clinical depression, it is difficult, even impossible, to experience God's reality, let alone God's help.
Click the button to read more.
DRUG USE
Turn on the TV or log onto the Internet and you’re bombarded by
advertising for drugs. While most of these ads are for prescription drugs, they’re creating a culture that says we need drugs to lead better lives. "You've Heard the Fiction, Now Hear the Facts" is the tagline for Just Think Twice--a website where you can get the facts and hear from other teens. |
"Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the
place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20, The Message |
S-E-X
Have the 'sex' talk with your parents.
They care. |
Sometimes it seems like everyone is doing it…especially if you’re not. Surveys show that less than one-third of teenagers age 17 and younger have had sex.
Sex can be complicated and confusing. That’s one of the reasons why three-quarters of teens—both guys and girls—say it’s not embarrassing to admit that they’re virgins. After all, good relationships are built on trust, communication, commitment, and spending time together enjoying things other than sex. Here are two sites to go to for information--but they are not a replacement for talking to your parents--see the video below. |