Our Struggles... and what God's Word says about them...

We had another GREAT Wednesday night with our Casa students ~ wow!!
Lots of eating, sharing, laughing, connecting,
playing, praying, contemplating... and did I say laughing?

Kathy provided the most delectable enchiladas (a beef and red sauce and a chicken and cheese sauce) with chips, salsa & salad and Gwen provided an over-the-top ice cream sundae bar. We were doubly-blessed by the food and that Kathy & Gwen were able to stay the evening to share the joy of our teens and then a third blessing as several parents were able to join us for the dessert time.Hey teens, after dinner wasn’t the time that Dan of introspection and sharing just wonderful and real? As the 18 of you broke into 4 groups to come up with the 5 biggest struggles that high schoolers face today ~ I was so proud of your openness and courage to call it like you see it.

We came back together compiling a master list and then broke in groups again
to research what God’s word had to say about these struggles …

And here are the struggles we identified with encouragement from God’s word:

1. Profanity - Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:1-9

2. Procrastination & Prioritizing – If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. Ecclesiastes 10:8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Drugs and alcohol - Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:15. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-20

4. Sexual Sins - 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, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God. 1Thessalonians 4:3-5

5. Peer Pressure - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

6. Self Image / Self Esteem - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1:21-22 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

7. No Universal Truth – I will also praise You with the harp, even Your truth and faithfulness, O my God; unto You will I sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. Psalm 71:22 He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. Psalm 91:4

And then ~ time for dessert & more goofing off! Can't wait 'til next time! Bet Trey feels the same way :)