FINAL : VOICES THAT SUDENTS HEAR

CYNICISM - the disposition to reject any human enterprise as being unselfishly motivated.
It was Sunday morning after a moving time of testimonies from a group of students who had just returned from an epic youth camp experience. I was standing in the foyer of this church waiting for a ride for lunch when I overheard the following conversation between two adults.(My reason for being there was that I had been the guest speaker for camp.)

Adult #1 (male - over 50) - "We will see how long this lasts. It will probably be all gone once tough times hit."

Adult #2 (male over 50) - "They probably just committed because their friends were in on it or maybe they came forward to see if they were going to get anything out of it."

This little snip it of a conversation made me so upset that I had to move on so that I did not insert myself into the conversation and say something that I might have deeply regretted. However it does show that once again one of the major VOICES that the MILLENIALS are hearing is that of a total CYNIC. Parents and grandparents of this generation expressing total disbelief that the YOUTH CULTURE OF TODAY is intelligent enough to make a selfless decision that is in their best interests. The keyword being SELFLESS.

A true CYNIC believes that nobody can make decisions that result in actions where the total motivation is to make things better for themselves and others. To me this is the ultimate ANGST because this line of thinking leads to words like never, always, impossible, & no way becoming a regular part of our vocabulary due to our CYNICISM.

As a youth communicator with more than 30yrs of experience with students I hear those words way to often when listening to others describe what they see in them.

I want MY VOICE TO BE HEARD about this generation: I categorically disagree with the one sided assault by the elder generations before them that declare the youth culture of today to be total consumers, with a bent toward violence, laziness, greed, and apathy. To be sure there is that element with this youth culture but that has been there since James Dean.

I have found that they shield their eyes behind their Oakleys, cover their ears with ipods, wear their ballcaps any way but straight, busting a sag in $100 jeans, and (girls) revealing way to much skin all in a cry for help. IT IS A TEST TO SEE IF ANYBODY CARES ENOUGH TO GO BEHIND THE SMOKE SCREEN OF FALSE BRAVADO TO TELL THEM, "HEY, I REALLY DO CARE ENOUGH ABOUT YOU TO OVER LOOK SOME OF YOUR JUNK." They are trying to be shocking on the outside and unknowable on the inside. We must care enough to penetrate this armor they flash at us rather than taking on the VOICE of a total CYNIC who discounts everything coming from them as being totally selfishly motivated.

BELIEVE ME when I tell you that they are the hope of our country. They are the ones who will reach the others like them in ways that the ELDER generation cannot.

WHEN WILL WE STOP DOUBTING THEM AND RELEASE THEM TO REACH THE 3 BILLION PEOPLE ON THE PLANET WHO ARE 25 & UNDER?

Judg 6:14-15
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" 15 So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." NKJV


Who told Gideon all those negative things about his family and his station in life? Who made Him believe that he was not capable just because of his family lineage? A NEGATIVE, CRITICAL, SKEPTICAL, CYNICAL INDIVIDUAL WHO DID NOT BELIEVE IN HIS GENERATION.

Mark 5:35
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" NKJV


Jesus was on the way to Jairus' house to minister to his daughter who was at the point of death. Jesus get interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood. The above verse appears right after the woman is healed and is the commentary of the observers of the situation at Jairus' house. "she is dead and not worth the trip." Well we know how well Jesus listened to them don't we? He totally ignored their commentary and went to her house and raised her from the dead.

Just like the commentators of old our commentators on today's generation (CNN, Newsweek, Coaches, Parents, Principals - yes, I know not all feel this way)tell us "they are dead and not worth the trip" which  is their assessment of the MILLENNIALS. Well I for one refuse to believe that commentary and I am going to show up in their bedroom and see Jesus raise them from the dead if necessary.

How about you? Will you just give up on them or will you step into the situation and make a difference?

BELIEVING IN A GENERATION,
Ed

CONTINUED: VOICES STUDENTS HEAR

SKEPTICISM - the disposition that is determined to always question and never commit.

In my 32+ years of working with students I have never known of a time where a generation needed someone to be committed to their success like there is now. Everywhere they turn today people are either doubting them or quitting on them. From government to parents and all in between.

This voice of SKEPTICISM yells at them about how bad and lazy they are but never COMMITS THEMSELVES to be an answer to the problem by getting involved. They just sit on the side lines and BRING EVERYTHING INTO QUESTION - even the good stuff this generation brings to the table (gifts, abilities, ideas).

So SKEPTICAL are the previous generations that they almost delight when something this generation attempts does not work, or they get angry and mean when their plans are taking longer to work because times are more complicated (which is not their fault) or people are to stubborn to adopt change (look in the mirror here).

The SKEPTIC takes on a "watch dog" mentality that constantly questions everything from method to motivation of the MILLENNNIALS. They have forgotten how tough it is to live in changing times, so when life requires new methods to conquer new problems they get stuck complaining about the ways of the new generation.

As far as THE MESSAGE (Gospel) it is timeless and will never change but the METHOD of delivery most certainly will change. Words cannot always fix every persons problems (sitting and listening to a teaching). Plus they will not just walk in off the street to hear it so we take the MESSAGE to their problem. Sometimes this world needs to feel it and see it before they believe it. That is the way this generation of youth feel so they are good at responding to the call that way but the generations before seem SKEPTICAL of them for being SKEPTICS of OUR MESSAGE.

Far greater to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure. Than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither endure much or suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.  Sir Winston Churchill

SKEPTICS have been around a long time: John 6:30 They waffled: “Why don’t you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what’s going on? When we see what’s up, we’ll commit ourselves. Show us what you can do. The Message Bible (emphasis added)

The real answer to a SKEPTICS HEART no matter how old or young they may be is found in the verse before that one. John 6:29 Jesus said, “Throw your lot in with the One that God has sent. That kind of a commitment gets you in on God’s works. The Message Bible (emphasis added)

Let's all say it to them together: I BELIEVE IN YOU!!
Ed

Sex Education and Kindergarten

I am departing from my series on THE VOICES THAT STUDENTS HEAR to bring you into a fight that I have been on the front lines of for nearly 17 years.

In my preparation for the my ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS in the upcoming school year I found this link (click on the title SEX EDUCATION AND KINDERGARTEN or cut and past the following  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/09/montana-school-proposes-controversial-sex-education-program/ )that I have enclosed with this writing. At first I was incensed with anger and frustration that this is where our world is but then I calmed down. I began to realize that we are closer to the return of Jesus than we have ever been. I realized that the devil is still doing his thing John 10:10 and Jesus is still doing His.

I no longer have children in a school of any kind but I have 3 grand children. So I asked myself where our school system will be when they hit school age. My answer to that question fueled my life with the need to pray and act.

It is such a privilege and honor to be able to continue to teach "ABSTINENCE ONLY" assemblies in public & private schools all over America (and around the world for that matter - see previous blogs). This will be my 17th year that I have had this privilege and I will never take it for granted. Already I have scheduled three new schools that I have never been to for 2010-11 school year.

It is amazing to me that people want to put the tools and knowledge into a students hands that could destroy them and at the very least scar them for life.

We must consider more than the physical act of sex because of the mental, emotional, & spiritual consequences that accompany sex. Why would we allow someone to teach our children that a "casual sexual encounter" is nothing but natural behavior by two people (which it is if you are married & not the same sex) and it could be normal with two people of the same sex?

WE ARE SIMPLY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO DEBASE SEX TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR WHICH IS THAT SEX IS JUST AN ANIMAL URGE, THEREFORE IT MUST BE NORMAL. Note: Playboy did not invent sex - God did, so I think we should consult the manufacturer on the proper use of this medium of communication  . . . . pause MMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

Helena, Montana is not the first place that this is going on nor will it be the last but as long as I have breath and especially since I have many invitations in schools and churches across America I will continue to declare the TRUTH OF SEXUAL PURITY AND IT'S VALUE TO US AS HUMANS.

Kids and sex is so much more than a CONDOM OR STD ISSUE and those that want to focus on these issues only really do not care about kids at all if they are not looking at the emotional & spiritual damage that is done when students engage in casual sex.

In the picture above I am in a Middle School Assembly in Columbus, GA in 2009.

I hope that you will make your voice heard on this issue in your community.

Feel free to comment!
Ed

Continued: VOICES STUDENTS HEAR

CRITICISM - the disposition that is preoccupied with the incomplete or imperfect.

In the words of James (name changed to protect the guilty) a 16 yr. old, "they want us to come to Christ but when we do, but do not look, act, and sound like they do they complain."

From a Youth Pastor in Georgia: "There are those who complain and criticize this youth culture but they do not want to be part of the solution."


Jesus has always valued life over lifestyle. To know this all we have to do is look at who He chose as leaders or who He would go after (Luke 19 Zacchaeus).Yes, this generation of youth culture is totally different than any other that has come before them.

Traditionalists born prior to 1946
Baby Boomers born 1946-1964
Gen Xers born 1965-81
Millennials born 1982 - 2005

The traditionalists believed that you work your way up the ladder and earn respect then you find meaning to life.Millennials start out looking for the meaning in a job, a relationship, a church, and even the big picture of life rather than quote "earning their spot."  The traditionalists criticize them for skipping steps.

The boomers who quite frankly are not at all sure of their own identity yet are critical because the Millennials are always looking for the big "meaning to life" behind every project or relationship. I have heard the boomers say of this generation, "they ask to many questions instead of just falling in line." Since when did the boomers just fall in line? Check out the 70's!

Many of the Xers are still so steeped in skepticism (which we will be the next voice I blog about) because of the their deep disappointment they feel about all that was promised them that never came to pass. They are critical of anyone who is looking for meaning to life like the Millennials because they just think it is all hopeless. Including the next group of teens to come down the pipe.

This group of students we have on our hands now are the ones that if properly challenged rather than criticized will be the ones to find the solutions we are looking for in our world. Why do I believe this? Because that are connected to each other via social networking in a way that creates collaboration with people they have never even met face to face and they will work out a solution to a problem. None of the other generations to come before them would ever dream of doing this because of trust issues, knowledge issues, and belief system issues. This generation called Millennials, Gen Y, Gen Next, Google Generation, and even the Tech Generation is totally unafraid of finding solutions to the issues of life in a form and a place that others will not look. Why? The are truly purpose driven, solution driven, or big picture fanatics.

Rather than criticizing them lets turn them loose and see what they can do. Rather than tethering them to a style or a method that they do not get nor are they energized by; lets turn them loose with a message and some new methods that light their fire.  Maybe just maybe they can reach the largest youth culture to ever exist (half of the six billion people on the planet are under 25) in way none of us ever dreamed.

Lets stop criticizing and start releasing and challenging.

In His Grace,
Ed