tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post8945723751303970236..comments2023-09-28T10:51:06.218-04:00Comments on ANNIE B. JONES: thoughts on high schoolers and jesus.Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899277351488775904noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-68643054385947480502010-05-06T16:13:04.997-04:002010-05-06T16:13:04.997-04:00I hope I wasn't the anon one - I'm just pl...I hope I wasn't the anon one - I'm just plain blog illiterate and can't seem to get the identify portion correct! LOL -- but, I feel your comments are quite justified, and the only thing that is worse, is our own children are products of "no longer faithful" which breaks my heart. I am so grateful that this is a passion for you and Jordan - keep up the great work and keep on writin'!<br />Love you, Auntie MAunti Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-78273217930029128692010-05-04T12:52:31.331-04:002010-05-04T12:52:31.331-04:00I think teenagers mostly want to be understood. E...I think teenagers mostly want to be understood. Especially by the adults who "impose rules" on them. My suggestion would be to ask them what would make class more interesting and something they enjoy being a part of. Give them some ownership in it. You certainly don't have to take all of their suggestions, but find at least one that you could incorporate. Even something small like adding coffee to the class, if it's what they want, gives them some ownership and helps them feel understood, which opens a door. And, if the suggestion lends itself to teaching responsibility as well, then take that advantage. Using the coffee thing again . . . you provide coffee and supplies, they provide the labor of making it and cleaning it up. I'm certainly not an expert on teens and how to guide them through a messy life to a radiant love relationship with Christ, but I figure it never hurts to first meet one of their primary needs.Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14949817365098472850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-37547620968507467752010-05-04T10:41:13.451-04:002010-05-04T10:41:13.451-04:00Reading this blog made me sad. Reading all of the...Reading this blog made me sad. Reading all of the comments along with a book I am reading, made me realize just how much of a universal problem this is.<br /><br /> Before you were ever a thought to daddy and I, we prayed diligently about our future children. We prayed for them to have a walk with Christ that was true and concrete so that they would always have that passionate relationship with the One who made everything possible. To understand that there was something bigger (God). We wanted them to get it when they were young! <br /><br />My point is not that daddy and I were (or are) the perfect parents (we all know that most of my children's memories of me are the mistakes I've made and the jokes it has provided for family fun); but that we really took seriously the blessing from God it would be to have children and be allowed to be stewards of them for 18 years.<br /><br /> Our family marched to the beat of a different drum, you know I've never been a conformist. I'm sad for all of the parents who are missing the boat of the most precious gift God can give them.....children; and the responsibility that entails.<br /><br />Like it or not,childen are a reflection of their parents/homes. Sadly more often than not, a product of misplaced priorites. Will they choose to be a victim or rise triumphant?momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-30637529325711357612010-05-04T10:22:57.808-04:002010-05-04T10:22:57.808-04:00Wishing I had a mentor who had genuine passion for...Wishing I had a mentor who had genuine passion for Christ. High school was when I consciously walked away from God.rebekahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17999264774530749624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-62268462363568162272010-05-02T21:25:33.821-04:002010-05-02T21:25:33.821-04:00As a teacher in the public school system I feel yo...As a teacher in the public school system I feel your pain. It is even more hurtful though when we are talking about our little brothers and sisters in Christ.<br /><br />Sometimes I want to shout to the top of my lungs. WAKE UP PARENTS. SEE WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO YOUR KIDS! However, I just continue to work with the kids. Showing them through myself and my story, and most importantly God's word that there is SO much better out there. <br /><br />I will pray for the families, that is where the revolution needs to take place. I will also pray that we stop the cycle and really wait to be ready to start our own families who will hopefully abide and dwell in God's will.Sabrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08067051616983260115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-60439815783013372722010-05-02T09:21:12.723-04:002010-05-02T09:21:12.723-04:00This reminds me of something my friend Brandi wrot...This reminds me of something my friend Brandi wrote. She is the youth pastor at her church and was recently ordained. http://rmfo-blogs.com/brandi/2010/04/28/ordination-sunday/Karihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11427522030281989523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-87821004057520111702010-05-02T08:41:58.609-04:002010-05-02T08:41:58.609-04:00I think part of it is not what they haven't se...I think part of it is not what they haven't seen but what they have seen. If our parents are models for how God loves us and they see mediocrity as acceptable how can they not expect the same from the Father?<br /><br />If every relationship they have ever had has bailed on them in one way or another, how can you expect them to want one more let down?<br /><br /><br />It isn't what they don't know; it's what they do know. They know disappointment and frustration and pain. If they think a relationship with the Father is even remotely similar to any other relationship they've ever had then it would be a very smart self-preservation instint to steer clear of what you're offering. To them it might as well be snake oil or tonic.<br /><br />What you might want to just try for this semester is that even in just the smallest increments, there life is better with Jesus than without him. You talk about wanting them to fall in love; approach it like a dating relationship. There's flirting and crushes then some casual dating followed by love, then followed by commitment and adoration. This semester flirting and crushes may be as far as you get.Elizabeth Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06839396246682146742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-68765922359659208372010-04-30T17:16:39.525-04:002010-04-30T17:16:39.525-04:00Annie, I completely understand.
The line of this ...Annie, I completely understand.<br /><br />The line of this that got me the most - "Or, perhaps even worse, what if they grow up and become like their parents?"<br /><br />I strongly believe that God has some big things in store for this generation, and I know He will use us in their lives for His purposes. He is good. They will see it.jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11348689568073335317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-52861818312524026242010-04-30T15:05:13.457-04:002010-04-30T15:05:13.457-04:00I needed this. I'm excited to test the waters ...I needed this. I'm excited to test the waters of another church this summer. I know these problems exist everywhere but I hope to learn from a different leadership how to curb the apathy. <br /><br />I lubs you!Chethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09418586614937297377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-9704808636867636112010-04-30T14:52:51.622-04:002010-04-30T14:52:51.622-04:00that was REALLY good. I can totally relate. thanks...that was REALLY good. I can totally relate. thanks so much for sharing; and heck no, you wanting excellent,& a relationship is NOT too much. it's what we ALL should desire and fight for.Rachel Applehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10470874452559690236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183263500164049344.post-21289647495645961372010-04-30T13:18:05.757-04:002010-04-30T13:18:05.757-04:00Hang in there. You and your husband's actions ...Hang in there. You and your husband's actions can have a great affect on these kids. <br />I went to church all my life, and no one ever showed me how to actually live for Christ by example until I was in my *twenties*. <br />Will be praying for you guys!H. K. Marcumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04766574165916301583noreply@blogger.com