I have written to parents in the past about teens and technology. However, I was recently reminded about the subject and thought it important enough to address again.
Technology is everywhere. Every aspect of our lives is touched in some way by technology. Whether it be cell phones, Ipads, ATM machines, portable DVD players (and the list could go on), we can't seem to get away from it!
Unfortunately, parents many times "assume" that teenagers know how to use this technology. Now, while teenagers know how to use technology they really don't know how to use it! Hopefully the following thoughts will help you understand what I mean.
1. As a parent, take the time to acquaint yourself with all the technology that your children and teenagers use. (I understand that this can be an intimidating task but it is important!)
2. As a parent, teach your children how to use technology. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therfore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Teenagers need to be taught to use technology in the right way - a way which glorifies the Lord!
3. As a parent, you must "inspect what you expect." Now, although this will take effort on your part as a parent and although it may not be pleasantly received by your children and teenagers, it is a very necessary step. If you've taken the time to understand the technology yourself, and you've taken the time to teach them how to use the technology, then take the time to make sure they are using the technology in the proper way. Proverbs 29:15b says, "...a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."
4. If, after following these first 3 points you find that your children/teenagers are not using technology properly, please don't have a "knee-jerk" reaction and simply take the technology away. Go back to steps 1-3 and ask yourself, "Do I understand how this technology works and what it has the ability to do?" "Have I instructed them in the proper use of this technology?" "Have I been holding them accountable for how they've been using this technology?" It may be necessary for you to have your children take a break from the technology for awhile but be sure that it includes plenty of Biblical instruction.
"All Scripture is given is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (what is right), for reproof (what is wrong), for correction (how to get right), for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right): that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Computers began to become household items when I was a young teenager. My father bought our first computer when I was 12. I was intrigued with computers and began to teach myself how to use them. I learned that I could hook a telephone line up to a modem, type in a phone number, and visit "bulletin boards." (Remember, this was in the days before the internet and "unlimited" calling plans.) The online shopping mall that I visited was in California. While I did not get in trouble because of what I was viewing online, the phone call itself cost a lot of money. My parents hit the roof when the $800 phone bill arrived in the mail. Not that I'm blaming my parents, but had they taken the time to find out what that computer could do, then instruct me on how to correctly use that new technology, and then check up on me, they could have saved me a lot of "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth" and saved themselves some money!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
"But make me thereof a little cake first..."
This story in 1 Kings 17 about Elijah being provided for by a widow woman many times is used to illustrate the principle of putting God first. However, I believe it has an even more practical application for us that we many times overlook. Put the man of God - your pastor - first! Allow me to illustrate.
My son, Jeremiah, started cutting grass this summer in order to earn money for camp, etc. Because of his age, though, I have had to drive him, and the equipment, to each house and provide some supervision.
Because of being out of town, one of the yards that he takes care of needed to be cut today! Because of the forecast - They called for rain in the afternoon - I had planned to go home at lunch and take him to get it done.
However, just as I had changed and was getting ready to leave, our senior pastor called. One of the senior couples in our church needed a ride home from the doctor's office. Pastor had planned to ask me to pick them up but when he realized what my plans were, he told me that he would take care of it and for me not to worry about it but to get the yard cut.
The Spirit of God prompted me, though, to press my senior pastor to allow me to minister to this couple (and to be a help to him). I told him that I could take care of it and then help my son get the yard cut. He finally agreed to allow me to do it stating that he had some matters that he needed to attend to in the afternoon as well. He thanked me and we ended our conversation.
I quickly drove to the doctor's office, picked the couple up and took them home. I hurried home, picked up my son (and daughter who is my son's "employee"), and headed to the particular home that needed to be tended to. As we arrived, the storm clouds began to gather. In my mind I told myself that if it began to rain, we'd just have to accomplish it another day.
As we were cutting the grass, the clouds continued to gather and I knew it was merely a matter of time before the rain started.
As my son was nearing the end, sure enough, the skies opened up and it begain to sprinkle. We quickly finished, loaded everything up, and then headed home. As we were driving home it began to rain a little heavier.
I began to think of this passage in 1 Kings 17:13 where Elijah instructed the widow woman that if she would provide for his needs first, that the Lord would miraculously provide for her needs. I believe that most of us know the rest of the story. As I said earlier, we so often use that story to illustrate the priciple of putting God first. However, let me encourage you to do the following. If you have a pastor, find some way in which you can put him first and be an encouragement to him. Maybe you could cut his grass. Or volunteer to watch his children so that he can take his wife on a date. Or make him his favorite dessert. Think creatively. The Lord will bless your efforts to honor your pastor!
My son, Jeremiah, started cutting grass this summer in order to earn money for camp, etc. Because of his age, though, I have had to drive him, and the equipment, to each house and provide some supervision.
Because of being out of town, one of the yards that he takes care of needed to be cut today! Because of the forecast - They called for rain in the afternoon - I had planned to go home at lunch and take him to get it done.
However, just as I had changed and was getting ready to leave, our senior pastor called. One of the senior couples in our church needed a ride home from the doctor's office. Pastor had planned to ask me to pick them up but when he realized what my plans were, he told me that he would take care of it and for me not to worry about it but to get the yard cut.
The Spirit of God prompted me, though, to press my senior pastor to allow me to minister to this couple (and to be a help to him). I told him that I could take care of it and then help my son get the yard cut. He finally agreed to allow me to do it stating that he had some matters that he needed to attend to in the afternoon as well. He thanked me and we ended our conversation.
I quickly drove to the doctor's office, picked the couple up and took them home. I hurried home, picked up my son (and daughter who is my son's "employee"), and headed to the particular home that needed to be tended to. As we arrived, the storm clouds began to gather. In my mind I told myself that if it began to rain, we'd just have to accomplish it another day.
As we were cutting the grass, the clouds continued to gather and I knew it was merely a matter of time before the rain started.
As my son was nearing the end, sure enough, the skies opened up and it begain to sprinkle. We quickly finished, loaded everything up, and then headed home. As we were driving home it began to rain a little heavier.
I began to think of this passage in 1 Kings 17:13 where Elijah instructed the widow woman that if she would provide for his needs first, that the Lord would miraculously provide for her needs. I believe that most of us know the rest of the story. As I said earlier, we so often use that story to illustrate the priciple of putting God first. However, let me encourage you to do the following. If you have a pastor, find some way in which you can put him first and be an encouragement to him. Maybe you could cut his grass. Or volunteer to watch his children so that he can take his wife on a date. Or make him his favorite dessert. Think creatively. The Lord will bless your efforts to honor your pastor!
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