All Bound Up in Freedom

(This post is especially directed towards teens and young adults, but can apply to anyone.)

I want to create this post so that the readers will take a closer look at themselves, identify what negative internal factors, any negative external influences, are taking precedent in their lives, and hopefully take steps to eradicate it. I look back on my own teenage and young adult years and wish that I had had someone to instill in me the beginnings of the self-confidence and character that I have today. Would I have made better choices? Would I have been a better parent?  Those are the kinds of questions that I want you, the reader, to ask yourself after reading this.

Teenagers and young adults have more temptations thrust in front of them, have more expectations of them, more exposure to the world, and more decisions facing them more in today's time than in any other time in history. In an effort to be accepted by peers, survive painful relationships, get through school, or pursue a future of happiness, young people can fall into traps that lead them away from a positive, constructive life.



 

Most young adults look at their immediate world, and think they are imprisoned by their parents, their school system, their job, their peers, their social status, or their life in general. When the negative feelings prevail, it is very easy to become entrapped into an exaggerated view of themselves, which causes an unfulfilled life.

In the video above, the dot flits around with what looks like freedom in the life of the squiggle. She is constantly being entertained, but not by the squiggle. He is simply the instigator in the type of entertainment she has, not the source of it.

People like this are always seeking something to placate themselves for the moment. On the outside, they are full of life, but on the inside, they are miserable. There is no thought for the future, only the instant gratification that can be had at that moment. While they are having 'fun', being the 'life of the party', all is good. But once the 'high' is over, they crash. They have nothing in their foundation to sustain them.

Do you know anyone like this? Go to school with them? Work with them? In a relationship with them? Or, are you this person? Is your life chaotic and out of control?

Scripture tells us that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. (1Cor. 14:33) If chaos, confusion and disorganization is prevalent in your life, it might be time to take a closer look to see 'who' is actually ruling your life. And, if it is not God, then there is only one other choice.

Meanwhile, as the dot is propelled aimlessly around by the squiggle, the line is looking at himself more closely. He realizes that he is rigid, stiff, and inflexible, and that makes him boring to those around him. Particularly, to the dot.

People like this are usually strict, legalistic in the beliefs, unoriginal in their thought process, daily life, and the treatment of others. They get their enjoyment in life by following schedules, being ritualistic, and planning their life so meticulously that there is no room for spontaneity.

Do you know anyone like this? Your parents? Your boss? Coworkers? Yourself? Is your life so planned out that you have no time to for others? Are you so focused on your routine that you fails to see the needs of those around you?

Scripture tells us to be careful about following ritual and ceremony so strictly that we lose sight of the real meaning behind our actions. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, the religious sect in his time, about their attitudes concerning others in regards to themselves. And they bind heavy burdens and place them on the shoulders of men, but they are not willing to touch them with their fingers. (Matthew23:4)

 If your life is ruled by rituals and schedules that have to be adhered to no matter what, the maybe you have become a robot, and are so automated that any humanity you once had is gone. 







But, the line knows he has to change if he wants to have a chance to show the dot his love. Isn't that the way of us all? We're content to live life just floating along until someone or something comes along that makes us feel the very thing that we are lacking.

The line makes some changes, going off in a different direction. He is so excited that he could do it that he goes overboard, getting himself in a huge tangle. He realizes that without some order and discipline, he could look and act as unpredictable as the squiggle.

So, he hones his skills, develops his talents, and with a positive attitude, is able to bend himself into beautiful, ornate designs. He learns that 'freedom is not a license for chaos.' He decides that his God-given talents are too good to be squandered by putting on a show. He learns that he can express himself in any shape he wishes.

Scripture tells us, through the writings of Paul, that all things are lawful, or permitted, but not all things are expedient, or beneficial. (1Cor. 10:23) So, there is no point in doing things just because you can. If there is no benefit to yourself, or to others, then it becomes vain glory, which is equally detrimental to your peace.

When the line presents himself to the dot, she is amazed by his newly-acquired abilities. At once, she has a direct comparison with the organized beauty of the line to that of the chaotic state of the squiggle. She also realizes that what she thought was freedom was actually 'anarchy and sloth', or disorder and laziness. She now saw his flaws; flaws that were an intricate part of his character, and not just a phase he was going through. Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Cor. 14:40)

The dot had thought she was free because that was what the squiggle wanted her to think. As long as she thought she was free, she was under his control. Therefore, she was actually his slave. Freedom is not present if you are bound by the whims and desires of someone else, whether it is an actual person, or whether it comes through your own thinking. You can only be free when you are allowed to express yourself through the person who truly sets you free, and that is Jesus Christ.  Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever commits sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. (Matthew 8:34,36)

Dying To Be Cool

A new study shows heart disease, lung cancer, and emphysema may be more prevalent in popular youths. The University of California and the University of Texas collaborated on a study which found that popular students in seven different California high schools were more likely to smoke cigarettes than unpopular students. (see full article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249965.ph )

When I was growing up, almost everyone in my family smoked in one form or another. My dad preferred Winston's, and smoked about two packs a day, but quit cold-turkey in 1980. My great-grandfather, Bly, smoked a pipe. Even though he lived to well into his 90's, it was throat cancer~caused from the raw tobacco in the pipe~that killed him. The cancer came to the top of his skin like giant bruises, 2 to 3 inches in diameter, all over his body. He died the day after my 19th birthday.

All teens are looking for acceptance~they need to fit in, be a part of the gang, yet be unique at the same time. In their search for the place within the popular groups, they fall into the trap of being just like everyone else. It was not so many years ago that I was a teenager myself, and I have since raised two of them, so I know what I am talking about.

Everyone knows that cancer kills. And, everyone knows that one of the many ways to get cancer is by smoking. But, what is the reason behind the smoking? Why would  teens  risk their lives to 'look cool'? Are the peers they want to be accepted by really a better person than they? Of course not! Sometimes, acceptance and confidence can be hard things to come by, especially if there's turmoil at home, grades are low, or there is other social pressures. Smoking does not keep things like this from happening, or make them go away if they show up. In fact, if anything, it shows weakness of character in person who gives in to the peer pressure. A person should not have to smoke just because their 'friends' do.

It's time teens and young adults found their  originality. And the best way to do that is live their life for Jesus. After all, He was an advocate for the minority in His day~women, outcasts from society, children-teens included. Remember, Mary was young when she was chosen to bear the baby Jesus~probably 13-17 years old.

A person should not have to risk their health, or die, just to be accepted and 'look cool'.

Sui-cide

                                   

Sui-cide: The act of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind.  
 

Is there anyone out there who has a dark cloud hanging over them? Is that dark cloud in the form of lonely life, being bullied, or any negative situation or circumstance going on right now? I know how you feel.....I went through the same feelings, both as a teenager and as an adult.

 

I was a very lonely teenager....had a large family; lots of cousins, but no real friends. I grew up ina very small mountain community, and that did not help. Seven times in my early teenage years my sister took a butcher knife out of my hands. To me, a stab in the heart would do the job. She never told my parents, and of course, neither did I.

 

I made it through high school, then married soon after. Leaving the little mountain community was a temporary solution to the depression. I went on with my life~had children, divorced, worked two jobs, and entered into another abusive relationship. In March, 2004, I decided I'd had enough of the abuse, and 144 pills-2 days in ICU-7 days in the psych ward later, I felt much better. The doctors said I should have died, but God had a bigger purpose.

 

Ultimately, all I was looking for was love and acceptance, none of which I got growing up except from my paternal grandparents. All this time~since I was 14 years old~I knew who my Savior was....but I was searching for 'my purpose' in the wrong places. After this attempt, my life changed drastically....and has continued to improve in leaps and bounds. All I had to do was put Him first.

 

My challenge to any who are thinking about or considering this permanent solution to a temporary problem to seek help. Not just the help that will put you on medicines that will 'regulate' you. Seek the Great Physician that can repair ALL the damage, no matter where it comes from. Whether it is from child molestation (which I suffered) unloving parents (me again) no positive role models in my peer group (ditto), a change will come if you sincerely seek it from Him. You can be alive again, in a way that you never thought or imagined.

 

Before you consider taking your own life, give Him a chance.

 



To Tattoo or Not To Tattoo?

They shall grow not old,

as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

As the going down of the sun

and in the morning

we will remember them.

Lest We Forget.

The tattoo above is on my younger  daughter's  right side. It is remembrance of a fellow National Guard that was killed in battle just weeks after graduating from boot camp. My daughter was among those that graduated with him. This man was married, and left behind two small children. All those that graduated with him got the same tattoo in memorial to this soldier. 

There are those in a lot of religious denominations that frown upon, and are vocally against, any tattoo or other bodily marking. They will quote Romans 12:1-2 (Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.) in their 'righteous' condemnation.  But, yet, God says He looks at the heart of a man, and not at the outward appearance 1 Samuel 16:7 (But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”) So, which is it? Or are they both right? The following excerpt from a blog on tattoos will shed some light on the subject:

Here are my thoughts on the subject, for whatever they may be worth.Leviticus 19 includes the following: 27 You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord. (all Bible quotes are ESV. The NIV also uses "tattoo.") Anything in the Bible should be taken seriously, of course. However, we can divide the commandments in the Old Testament (OT) into three types:
Cultural and Civic -- commandments for the OT Israelite culture, like commands on how to divide the land among the tribes.Ceremonial -- commandments concerning the worship of the Israelites, like commands about feasts. Most of the OT commands are of this type.Moral -- commandments for all cultures, at all times, like the commandment that husbands stay with their wives (Genesis 2:24, repeated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5). Moral commandments, though they may be stated first in the OT, are also found in the New Testament.
We can't always tell which type of command was meant. They are not identified as such in the Bible. The church generally does not hold that the first two types of commandments are binding on Christians. At the Jerusalem conference, the leaders wrote as follows, when Jews felt that gentile Christians must obey the ceremonial law: Acts 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29a that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Even some of the prohibitions in Acts 15:28-9 are not taken the OT. But, if that's true, I bet they don't preach against clipping off the edges of a beard. It is easy to confuse our own prejudices with what God commands. I can remember when that happened with not was binding by most Christians anymore. 1 Corinthians 8:8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. The Acts 15 statement was about the ceremonial law. It does not undo God's moral laws.So what about tattoos? The context seems to indicate clearly that Leviticus 19:28 is ceremonial or cultural, not a moral command. Not only is not a moral commandment, but it is probably speaking particularly of a situation involving death of a loved one, and, likely, refers to practices of the heathen neighbors of the Israelites. So why do some Christians speak out against tattoos, saying that the Bible is categorically against them? One reason may be that they don't distinguish between the three types of commandments in ring wedding rings, not wearing a tie, not having your hair cut or wearing pants if you are a woman, not having a beard, or not having long hair if you are a man. Opposition to these ways of presenting oneself is and was cultural, not moral. In our own congregation, attitudes on these matters have changed, which is just as well, because they aren't based on moral commandments.

No one ever went to hell just for wearing a tattoo. People go to hell because they don't believe in Christ as Savior and honor Him as Lord. Nonetheless, there are some principles that would seem to apply about tattoos, and to other choices about how we present our bodies.
1) Why are you doing this? If a tattoo is meant as a statement of rebellion against God, or our parents, or is a display of personal pride, then we shouldn't get it.
2) What is it showing? "Four-letter words," insults, anti-God statements or pictures are some of the things that should be avoided, of course.3) How much does it cost? We need to use the money that God has given us wisely. This does not mean that we can never spend money on fixing ourselves up, or on things that we enjoy, but we should be careful, and have the right priorities.
4) Is it immodest? Is the purpose to arouse lust in others, or is it likely to do so?5) Does it put your health at risk?
6) How will it affect other people? We can't live solely for other people, but we need to be careful that we don't drive others away from Christ, or weaken other Christians. Some groups (motorcyclers, some African-Americans, some military personnel) might be drawn to Christ by some tattoos, whereas other groups might not.
7) Has God given you a personal conviction against this (or for it)? If so, you'd better abide by that conviction. (1 Corinthians 8 speaks about some of these things.) However, we should be careful not to expect others to live according to our personal convictions.
8) Have I promised not to do this? There are certain vows that go with joining our church -- which has no prohibition on being tattoed -- or other bodies, and promises should be kept, unless there is a more important moral principle in play that wasn't anticipated when you made the promise.
9) What's my attitude? (In this case, toward those who disagree with my opinion about something external, or who may be affected by what I might do.) My attitude must be one of love, honor and integrity.
(see full blog at: http://sunandshield.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-bible-says-about-tattoos-1.html )

I think my daughter, and all those in her unit, showed fully the action in #9.

Body Image

          

      

When my younger daughter was ten years old, she came home from school one evening and announced at the dinner table that she was not hungry. After pressing her for more details on why she was not hungry right after school, she told me that two of her 'friends' had called her 'fat'. She took the remark to heart and completely altered her eating habits, no matter how much I objected to it. The thing that made me the angriest was that she was not even 'overweight', much less fat! She was short--shorter than most of her peers--but NOT fat.

As school ended for the summer, and those friends drifted away, she returned to her 'normal' self. During the last few weeks of school, when the remark had been thrown out, it had affected not only her eating habits, but her psyche as well. The girl that was always bubbly and smiling had become withdrawn and silent. Thankfully, as the summer passed, she had a growth spurt, and had shot up four inches by the time school started again.

Those two 'friends' had not been so blessed, and now she was taller than the both of them. Her confidence and normal eating pattern had redeveloped over the summer, so I had my bubbly, smiling daughter back, and almost as tall as me to boot! I never got to meet those girls' parents. If I had, they would have heard an earful on how an undeserved scathing comment had affected my daughter, as well as what I went through trying to undo their damage.

We are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) and we should not let the insecurities of someone else determine how we think of, or see, ourselves. Our young people are bombarded with the world from every angle. The thing that needs to be developed in them more than anything else is their confidence in who they are, as well as their confidence in who they are in the Lord.

Galatians 3:26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.