Blog Archives

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUTH

2/24/2011

2-1-1 Youth Services For Broward

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUTH
The problems of today’s youth are vast and complicated. From their inner selves to family and outside influences, young people face more challenges than ever before. They face confusion and uncertainty and need to be able to communicate their thoughts and concerns. The consequences when youth don’t get the help they need can be tragic. Parents and families often give up when they don’t know what to do or where to go.

WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO GO?
2-1-1 is the number that youth can call to share experiences and get support when they don’t feel there is anyone else they can go to. 2-1-1 is the number that families and caregivers can call to get information to help get our youth through difficult times. 2-1-1 Broward provides a safe, confidential single source of support and information to youth, their parents and

TEEN TAPES

2-1-1 Teen Hotline is a 24 hour, 7 day a week, free and anonymous telephone helpline for teens that need help or information.

0 Comments

Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence

2/19/2011

0 Comments

Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence

Do you think your teen - or a teen you know - may be a victim of dating violence? It is more common than many people would like to admit. According to the ACADV, 40% of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. And about one in three high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship. That is a lot of teens having a problem that the adults around them are not recognizing.

So, how can you recognize potential dating violence? Make yourself aware of the warning signs. The teen who is being abused will have some of these signs:

Falling or failing grades;
Increased instances of indecision, stops giving her own opinion;
Changes in mood or personality;
Use of drugs/alcohol, not just experimentation;
Emotional outburst , not just mood swings;
Depression;
Will become isolated, insist on ï¿½more privacyï¿½;
Physical signs of injury ï¿½ cuts, bruises, etc.;
Makes excuses for the abusers behavior;
Begins to put herself/himself down.

Although parents may not see many of these, here are the signs concerning the abuser:

Is extremely jealous, hypersensitive and controlling;
Verbally abusive and threatens violence;
Has unpredictable mood swings, with instances of explosive anger;
Uses drugs and alcohol ï¿½ not just experimentation;
Isolates their partner from friends and family;
Uses force during an argument, physical and emotional;
Believes in rigid sex roles ï¿½ women are a possession;
Blames others for his problems or feelings;
Has a history of abusive relationships.

Keep your eyes and ears open when your teen is dating. Stay involved and most importantly be there when your teen wants to talk. These things will help you see the signs of dating violence, should you need to.

0 Comments

10 Lies Christian Teens Tell Themselves About Sex, Dating,and How Far Is Too Far

2/12/2011

2 Comments

10 Lies Christian Teens Tell Themselves About Sex, Dating,and How Far Is Too Far

So, how far is too far? Is that a valid question to ask? In a world where sex is seen in every medium and condoms are being handed out in schools, what is a Christian teen to do when confronted with conflicting advice about what constitutes a sexual activity or abstinence? Here are the top 10 lies Christian teens tell themselves when it comes to answering the question, "How far is too far?"

1. Everybody Does It
Everybody? No. Not everybody is having sex. While the media and people in school may make it seem like everyone is having sex, there are just as many Christian teens (and non-Christians, too) waiting until marriage. Doing something just because everyone else is doing it is just giving into peer pressure. It takes a stronger person, or a person backed up by the strength of God, to resist temptation. When you stand up to peer pressure you are actually saving yourself from committing sin while being a good Christian witness to other teens around you.

2. It's No Big DealSex is a big deal.
Ask any Christian teen who struggles with having had sex before. There are a lot of emotions and spiritual struggles that come from having had sex outside of marriage. It is one of the reasons God placed such an emphasis on sex and relationships in the Bible. Sex is a beautiful act that comes out of the marriage covenant, and it means more than just an action.

3. Virginity is a State of Mind
Some people use the term "technical virgin" when describing their sexual status. Usually this means that the person has not had a sexual act that involved penetration. Virginity is more than that. Virginity is not a state of mind, but it is the conscious choice to not involve oneself in sexual acts until after marriage. Usually this excuse is used if someone wants to justify participating in sexual activity.

4. Sex and Love are the Same Thing
Sex and love are very different, but they are meant to complement one another. If you are in love it does not mean you should have sex. Sex is an act. Love is an emotion. They are very different, and it can be dangerous to mix them up. You should never feel like you have to have sex with someone just because you want to show them you love them. There are plenty of non-sexual ways to show your love to someone.

5. Sex is a Minor Sin.
Pre-marital sex is sin. Sin is sin. However, it is dangerous to think that sex is a minor or equal sin to all others, because it can put you in a frame of mind to make bad choices. Sexual sin is still a defiance of God, and no sin is acceptable to God. Yes, you can be forgiven, but you will have to live with the sin you have committed, which can be difficult if you are not prepared to deal with sex emotionally.

6. Oral Sex Isn't Really Sex
Oral sex is a sexual act. Just because Christian teens are not having sex in the textbook fashion, it is still a sexual act that bonds a man and a woman together.

7. Third Base Isn't a Big Deal
Third base, also known as "heavy petting," is a big deal, because it can lead to other things. Not only is it a form of sexual action, but it can lead to sexual intercourse. It is very easy for Christian teens to get caught up in the moment and forget about any desire to stay abstinent. Sin is very tempting, and it does not always come with warning or stop signs. Going to Third Base can be a danger zone.

8. My Will Can Overcome Any Temptation
God's will can overcome any temptation. If you feel you have the strength alone to conquer any temptation, you are setting yourself up for trouble. Man is known for falling into sin, especially when there is an overconfidence in the self. Christian teens need to keep their eyes on God, and allow God to help set boundaries so they can resist the temptation. The Bible is full of helpful advice when it comes to coping with temptation, and it can be a useful tool.

9. Watching Porn or Masturbating is Less of a Sin Than Having Sex
A lot of people believe that pornography and masturbation are helpful in preventing a person from having sex. However, having sex is not just about the act, but it is about the frame of mind. If you have lust in your heart while you are watching pornographic movies or masturbating, then there is sin there.

10. I've Already Had Sex, So It's Too Late for Me
It is never too late. While the idea of "born-again virgin" may seem a little like "technical virgin," it is not the same thing. Many Christian teens that have already had sex choose to act as if they have never had sex and vow to wait until marriage. Having sex is not the end of the world. God is very forgiving, and He smiles at those who return to Him with a desire to do His will. While the temptation for someone who has had sex can be even stronger than the virgin, it can be overcome with God's help. God is waiting to welcome you with open arms.

2 Comments

What the Bible Says About... Sex

2/9/2011

2 Comments

What the Bible Says About... Sex

Question: What the Bible Says About... Sex

Let’s talk about sex…yes, the “S” word. The Bible actually has a lot to say about the subject. You may think, with all the warnings about not having sex before marriage, that sex is bad, the Bible says something quite contrary to that. Sex is biblical, if looked at from a Godly perspective. So what does the Bible have to say about sex?

Answer: Sex is a Good Thing.

What? Sex is a good thing? Well, God created sex. He created man and woman to create babies. The Bible says that sex is a way for a husband and wife to express their love for one another. Yes, “husband and wife.” God did create sex to be a beautiful and enjoyable expression of love, but only between a man and wife.

Genesis 1: 27-28 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number;” (NIV)

Genesis 2:24 – “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (NIV)

Proverbs 5:18-19 – “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer — may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.” (NIV)

Song of Songs 7:6 – “How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!”(NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:13 – “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” (NIV)

So, Sex is Good, but Premarital Sex is Not?

Right. There is a lot of talk going on around you about sex. Sex is in just about every magazine, newspaper, television show, and movie. It is the point of a lot of music. Our world has gotten lax about sex, making it seem like premarital sex is okay because it feels good, but the Bible does not agree. God calls us all to control our passions and wait for marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:2-3 – “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.” (NIV)

Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable” (NIV)

What if I’ve Already Had Sex?

Everyone falls to sin in some area or another. If your area happens to be sex, there is still hope. While you cannot become a virgin again, you can obtain God’s forgiveness. You just have to ask for it and try not to sin that way again. What truly angers God is willful sin, when you know you are sinning and keep on participating in that sin. While giving up sex may be difficult, God calls us to remain sexually pure until marriage.

Acts 13:38-39 – “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” (NIV)

Romans 1:24 – “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.” (NIV)

But It’s So Tempting!

As a Christian you fight off temptation every day. Being tempted is not the sin, but giving into the temptation is. So how do you fight off the temptation? The desire to have sex can be very strong, especially if you have already had sex. It is only by relying on God for strength that you can truly fight off the temptation to have sex.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “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.” (NIV)

2 Comments

Project U-Turn Prevention Education

2/4/2011

0 Comments

Help For The Youths -
Project U-Turn Prevention Education

Did you notice that our Youths have become an endangered specis? I cannot believe I had to say that, but it is true. Thankfully there is help available.

This is for Parents, Teachers, Guidance Coulsellors, Sunday School Teachers, Community Leaders, Pastors, anyone who cares! Please help us to save the youths of today so that they can become the men and women of tomorrow. We have to protect the legacy that we are building...strong men and women to become future leaders.

Youths, Youths, we cannot save you unless you really want saving. Pay attention to your life choices. Remember to choose good over evil. You have help...ask for it. Become all you can be. Be your best self. GOD wants that for you. He will get you there.Just remember to ask for help when you are faced with what may seem like unsurmountable, dangerous obstacles. GOD will get you through it. Be blessed.

Help Is Available, Use It

Project U-Turn Prevention Education
Project U-Turn - reaches youth, both male and female, as well as parents with abstinence education training. This program encourages young people to set personal goals for their future, thereby helping them to avoid high-risk behaviors which can lead to teen pregnancy and STDs.

Funded by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services - Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) To participate in Project UTurn contact:

Family & Children Faith Coalition
5911 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33144
Office: 786.388.3000
Fax: 786.388.3007
E-mail: info@fcfcfl.org

A Word For Our Youths

0 Comments

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR YOUTH

Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence

10 Lies Christian Teens Tell Themselves About Sex, Dating,and How Far Is Too Far

What the Bible Says About... Sex

Project U-Turn Prevention Education

Archives

Categories