The dangers...I mean blessings of growing up in Christian Home!!!

I am still reeling a bit from my weekend movie fiasco!!! Although I have to say that going to see "Nacho Libre" yesterday was definitely an uplifting thing...while the movie was absolutely absurd and ridiculous (and therefore I laughed through most of the movie....I think even guffawed at one point!), it was relatively clean. No cursing, no sexual inuendos--unless you count a rather unattractive man in blue tights offensive, it was just a funny movie!

But my movie disaster of Saturday night, still has me just wondering some things!! Why doesn't sin offend us? Why does the world hold such a hold on our lives? Why are we more concerned with our actions being considered "cool" then godly? Why are we more concerned that our dress matches the latest style instead of matching the modesty that God asks for in the Bible?

Ladies--I struggle with this just as much as you do....so I'm just being open and honest with you all! How have I "grown up" Christian, and yet I'm so far from truly being what God calls us to be --

Romans 12:2 "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."

How many times do we say "I just wish I knew what God's will is"? Well, there's our answer right there...by NOT conforming to this world and being transformed by the renewal of our minds, we will PROVE what God's will is. And it says that it is GOOD, ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT...what more could we want?

When things in the world stop shocking us, we are in REAL trouble! And they can't just shock us...and then we continue on! They must repel us, and cause us to go the other direction! It's not enough to just notice the pile of dog dirt in the yard....you have to make sure NOT to step in it--noticing it does NOTHING!!! Talking about it does nothing!!! Unless you actively avoid stepping in it...you will end up with dog poop on your shoe! While its a gross analogy (and obviously one of my own, since it lacks any grace or dignity!!! I apologize for offending anyone), this sinful world and our sinful attraction to it are NO different! And those of us who have grown up in church are certainly walking around with some dog dirt on our shoes...and denying it even tho the stench makes it absolutely undeniable!!

I'm intrigued by a book by Karl Graustein called 'Growing up Christian"...another youth pastor has outlined the book as this:

The dangers of growing up Christian:
1. False assurance
2. Lack of appreciation for the saving and forgiving grace of God
3. Loving the world
4. Pride or self-righteousness
5. Mimicking our parent's convictions
6. Forgetting the familiar (taking blessings for granted)
7. Being too shallow
8. Trusting in ourselves and others instead of trusting God
9. Not taking sin seriously
10. Lack of discipline (laziness)
11. Lack of faithfulness (not using our gifts and talents)

How many of us know someone who was the "model" teenager growing up, and then somehow between college and adult-life has just fallen away from God? Or how many of us have been that person--maybe even hiding it for YEARS from people, until finally you realize that you are so far away from God that it takes a total about-turn to come back? How many of us are doing that right now? Ladies--your teen years are not your years to play and experiment. They are not even truly your "fun" years with no responsibility! They are the years that God has graciously given you, most of you, to spend in a christian home to prepare you for life without your parents. Don't waste them by falling in love with the world, complaining about your parents and their love for you (translation: rules), or even half heartedly following Christ on Wednesday and Sundays while chasing sin every other day of the week! Start living your radical life NOW!!! It won't get any easier--and you won't ever again have the loving support of christian parents and christian youth pastors and youth workers to help you navigate through this world!!! Soak it up now!!!

So I'm wondering ladies...and yes this means I have to hear from my small group....should we add this to the list of books what we would want to read for the book club this summer? Here is the description from CBD...

Do you know teens that appeared to be Christians in high school, but later walked away from their faith? Young Christians that party on Saturday night and put on their Sunday best for church the next morning? High school students that are attracted to the values and practices of the world? This book is a unique resource that addresses the many issues that challenge teens growing up in a Christian environment. Packed full of practical suggestions, this book will help teens overcome these dangers and grow in their faith and love for God. Youth ministers, teachers, and parents will find here a helpful resource to use with 15 to 18 year olds.

Start praying about this!

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=52611X&netp_id=381535&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW