Wow, it's been a long time since I updated this blog huh? Sorry about that. And after I'm through this time you may wish I didn't update it all.
I had a rough night last night. I let my guard down and let a few boys get under my skin. Normally, this primarily positive preacher can let most things slide down my well-oiled, thick hide. But last night at AWANA I got got!
I have a real fear for the future of this nation if we continue to produce young men with the behavioral problems and blatant disrespect for any and everything.
I know that we are to love these kids and to try to help shape them into young men and women God can use. I also know that I was a snotty little kid once, but the difference is I knew fear. Fear and/or respect was, and is, a very real part of my life. I respected and feared my parents because they had the ability and the right to punish me, to bust my backside, and/or remove independence and property from me.
Teachers, likewise, were respected because there were consequences for bad behavior, not the least of which is the knowledge that they could tell my parents (see above paragraph!).
Church leaders were certainly respected for the above reasons but also because I knew that they were God's people, working for Him. I knew I didn't want to mess with that!
I think our problems started when discipline stopped. When did it become wrong or bad to correct a child in the manner God intended? Do we really think our gluteus maximus muscles are there just for seat cushions?
Spare the rod, spoil the child. I believe it, I believe the Bible teaches it. And I believe I can show you some examples of the truth of this.
There are practically no repercussions for bad behavior today. While there is no doubt in my mind I could fix the problem with the misbehaving boys last night, but I didn't particularly want to go to jail or be sued by some system misusing parent or lawyer.
My heart is torn today, I hope I can find an acceptable means of reaching these boys and helping them grow into productive members of society. But I only have 2 hours a week to try. My heart really goes out to the school teachers and administrators (at least the good ones) who face this situation 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
My hopes for the future of this world are not as positive as they were this time yesterday. I hope I can get past this rough spot and regain the desire to teach boys to be men.
Boys and girls need fathers and mothers...period. It does make a difference. Authority figures need a means of correcting bad behavior. People need the Lord.
Have a good day my friends
