GRRRRRRR...

Danger Ahead Warning:

Prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour...

Will attack anything that looks at it, breathes too loudly or refuses to give it its way.

Has no patience in getting what it wants.

Does not want to follow rules

Will eat you alive even if you are just a bystander

And I am not just talking about Satan. I am talking about your fellow peer who is angry and out to devour who ever crosses his/her path. It may not just be a peer, it could be a close friend who will bite off your head when she has a bad day. Or maybe it is you when you feel something is unjust. Whoever it is, you fear greatly when his/her lion side roars.

How do you deal with the lion? Are you a tamer, prey or do you roar back? Maybe you are the one feeding the anger? Maybe you get all the other lions going?

First of all, you and I should never be the one feeding the anger. And I am not just talking about doing something to make them mad. You and I cannot encourage their anger over a situation. It is wrong to justify the reason to seek revenge. When the complaining starts, never encourage a negative behavior especially one that intends to cause harm to others. Also, do not sit there and feed your own anger.

Instead of feeding the anger, we should become the tamer. Holding on to anger, fighting, quarrels do not help us. Just look at the list of scriptures below.

Proverbs 26:17
Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

Proverbs 17:14
Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Ephesians 4:26
"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control

Proverbs 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,

Are you seeing any positives to anger? Will it do any good to come to school and let the whole world know you are mad and someone is going to pay? Does anyone win when you or your friend start biting off every one's head?

In life you will have reasons to be upset. But, destroying those around because you got detention for no homework...really are you helping anyone including yourself? Is giving looks that could kill because someone complimented someone else more than you going to help?

Maybe it is just time for teens and some adults to take a chill pill and be a little more forgiving. And if you think your anger and ugliness is justified, just think how God responds to you when you ignore Him, use His name in vain, worship others instead of Him. He loves you and forgives you.

Choose forgiveness instead of resentment. Choose serving instead of selfishness. Choose love instead of hate. Choose breathing instead of stewing.

This is my life, I choose:

Write this verse on my mirror and memorize: 1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

*as I brush out my tangles, ask God to forgive me letting my anger destroy others.
*as I put on my contacts (eye makeup), ask God to help me see how I feed my anger so I may change my thoughts.
*as I brush my teeth, ask God to help me speak words of a tamer.
*as I put on my clothes, to put on the armor of God

Alone

Keep me as the apple of your eye,

hide me in the shadow of your wings...

Psalm 17:8

Discouraged? Defeated? Tired of trying to avoid trouble? Feel alone? Weary of enemies? Well, I have some good news.

You are the apple of God's eye.

You can find protection and rest in God's arms.

You are at a time in your life where you are constantly surrounded by people (in person or online) yet you probably feel more alone than ever. The loneliness comes from having no one with same morals and convictions, no one understanding you, tired of trying to fit in or maybe you are actually alone at home and/or school. But my friend, you are not alone.

In those dark and lonely times, choose to be like David and call out to God. Before David was king, he hid in caves to save his own life. The man knew loneliness and fear. But in that darkest time, he called out to God.

You my friend can do the same thing. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders, when the darkness overwhelms you, when no one answers your cries, call out to God. He will hear you. If you do not know what to say, use one of David's Psalms like Psalm 17 to cry out.

The world will be mean. Sometimes the world may be actually trying to devour you. But do not worry, God will hide you in the shadow of his wings because you are the apple of His eye. Just choose to cry out to God.

This is my life, I choose:

Write this verse on my mirror and memorize: 1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

*as I brush out my tangles, ask God to forgive me for depending on the world.
*as I put on my contacts (eye makeup), ask God to help me see Him in my darkest times.
*as I brush my teeth, cry out to God and share all your worries, fears and loneliness.
*as I put on my clothes, to put on the armor of God

Spring fever: Spreading Quickly

Health News Bulletin:
Spring fever is still on the rise and spreading quickly. It seems to be very contagious. Symptoms include stupidity on choices that lead to harming self or others. Treatment should be started immediately and include not hanging out with others showing signs of stupidity and by keeping your focus on God not coolness.

Alright, maybe there is no actual illness called Spring fever, but a lot of fellow peers seem to have the symptoms. For some reason teens think they become immune to consequences this time of year. Just because school is almost out, your generation thinks they can do whatever. And the whatever seems to include slacking in school, disrespect, shop lifting, smoking, drinking, sex and for some reason pot or prescription drugs.

You want to hear the other breaking news? The consequences of the actions are the same in the spring as anytime of the year. The end of the school year does not mean, you can choose to do whatever you want with no consequence. But the only word I can think to say is "DUH."

My words of wisdom to you this morning, do not hang out with other idiots. Remove yourself from situations or places where spring fever is out of control. Remember the only way to survive this dangerous spring fever is by keeping your focus on God and His purpose for you. And just in case you are unclear on your purpose, it does not include frying your brain, lungs or any other organ with any chemical or drug. It also does not include spending time in jail or failing in school.

Look, the next few weeks are going to be a little insane. Temptation and stupidity will be all around. Your flesh is going to long for fun. But fun does not have to be stupid.

Choose carefully these next few weeks. Be aware and alert. Be prepared. Use wisdom from God.


This is my life, I choose:

Write this verse on my mirror and memorize: 1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

*as I brush out my tangles, ask God to forgive me for unwise choices and for following spring fever.
*as I put on my contacts (eye makeup), ask God to help me see the situations I need to remove myself from before I am in them.
*as I brush my teeth, to ask God to help me speak to my friends so they do not make stupid choices.
*as I put on my clothes, to put on the armor of God