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Spring Break Truths for Parents by Keith Cook
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23
There is an age old tradition in America. It is almost like a rite of passage for teenagers. It is the time honored tradition for taking a "Spring Break." Spring Break is a time to take off with friends and celebrate spring, summer coming, and school almost being finished for another year. Over the next two days, we will be presenting Spring Break ideas for both parents and young people which we believe can be very beneficial in making your Spring Break and family time count for Christ. Today's truths are for parents; tomorrow will be geared towards our youth.
In years past young people flocked to beaches all over America and partied. These beach parties have been marked by loud music, wild swimsuits, couples pairing up, lots of drinking, and revelry. Communities all over the country have tried to control the flood of usually unruly youth by setting curfews, hiring more police, and keeping down the illegal and harmful activities.
Just the other day I went to a music website and they were advertising songs for spring break. I took a look at some of the titles. I was amazed. Look with me at some of them. (Note some of these are rather crude and you can skip over the following list if you would like.)
American Idiot, Beer Man, Bootylicious, Change Clothes, Cold Hard B**h, Dip It Low, Disco Inferno, Drinkin' Bone, Drop It Like It's Hot, Get the Party Started, Get Ur Freak On, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Hella Good, Here for the Party, Horndog, Hot in Herre, I Fought the Law, I Just Wanna Live, I Love This Bar, I'm Not Okay (I Promise), In da Club, Jerk It Out, Just Lose It, Karma, Lapdance, Last Nite, Lean Back, Let's Get Blown, Let's Get It Started, Let's Get Loud, Like a Pimp, Locked Up, Magic Stick, Mass Destruction, Move Ya Body, Naughty Girl, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, Playgirl, Redneck Woman, Here for the Party, Rock Your Body, Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy), Shake That Monkey, Shake Ya Tailfeather, Shut Up, Slither, Starry Eyed Surprise, (What Happens In Mexico) Stays in Mexico, Take Me Out, The Worst Hangover Ever, Tipsy, Whiskey Girl, You Had Me.
These songs scream lack of self-esteem, bad self image, and insecurity. Girls are being baited to act crude, immoral, and seductive to be liberated as modern women. Young men are being prodded to live it up, party, drink, break something, fight something to experience the ultimate thrill. The Devil's marketing firm is working overtime this year.
Spring break should be a time to celebrate life, family, friends, and fellowship in Christ. There is so much that young people have to live for, but going off and getting drunk, getting high, or getting a room with some stranger is not what being young and full of life is all about.
Those of you who have teenagers (parents - grandparents) what can you do to help them during this special time of year?
1. Pray for them. Pray for protection, wisdom, and courage to stand for Christ.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
2. Pray with them. Let them hear your heart cry for them to God.
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
3. Talk with them about their witness and what Christ really expects from them as they walk out their faith in public and private places.
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12
4. Set boundaries with and for them. Make it plain and simple. Be realistic but also require and demand Godly standards.
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
5. Know where they are at all times and whom they are with. Never let your children ride, travel, or associate with those who break the law by buying substances that are illegal. Never allow adults whom you do not trust or know their values and standards to be with your children.
"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18
6. Have an integrity check when they return from any outing. Make them come and look you in the eye and talk to you face to face about their night or week. I have come up with a new use for cell phones that have cameras attached to them. I advise parents who are doing buddy checks to call their child and ask them to snap a picture right then of the people and the place they are suppose to be with and location they are suppose to be at. It works!
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 27:31, 32
7. Trust them to Christ. He loves and wants the best for them. Allow Him to move in their lives. Provide a good modern Bible for them to read. Purchase good music and good books for them to enjoy. Listen to their spiritual hearts as they share the kind of Christian book, Bible, Music, they want to have. It pays off to let them in the decision process.
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
8. Don't be afraid to provide your youth and their friends with an exciting, chaperoned Spring Break Adventure. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your youth and their friends having the best Spring Break ever with you as a proper check and balance. Be careful not to over participate the Spring Break experience. Decide beforehand with your child which activities you are welcome at.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
Jesus gives youth energy to live life to the fullest and many more days to grow and mature at a proper pace into adulthood. Do not rush doing "adult" things. Many adult things are evil expressions of adults who have nothing to live for. They are tools and toys of the Devil to placate an idol mind and an empty heart.
Daily Prayer Focus: Pray that God will give you wisdom and discernment as you train your young people to put God first in all that they do. Praise God for His Divine Covering and Protection over your youth.
On The Go Prayer Focus: Haiti GoCare team members as they serve the Port-au-Prince area. Pray for Open Doors to share Christ. Pray for local pastors, missionaries, and churches as they reach out to those in need following January¹s earthquake and aftershocks. Pray for Divine Interventions.
Thank you for taking the time to pray for this important division of On The Go Ministries. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.
Copyright (c) 2005, 2010 Keith Cook - On The Go
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