I liked your advice about exercising character 'muscles' to develop stronger character. I love how it applies to the area of influence. We all have a certain sphere of influence. It starts with our families, moves outward to our friends and fellow church members, and extends to the many others we teach and/or effect through what we say, write, and do.

Many teenagers (myself included) don't feel that their sphere of influence is very significant. I personally see others in influential positions (legal interns...;)) and long for opportunities to have similar influence, though in a different way. Instead of being discontent, I/we need to cultivate what influence we already possess...to be faithful in little, so to speak, so are ready to be faithful in much. If we are good stewards of our current influence, God will give us more and provide us with opportunities to be more effective servants.
Karen Kovaka | 11.16.05 - 10:27 am | #

Definately! I agree. What more can I say?
Carley Anderson | Homepage | 11.16.05 - 1:11 pm | #

Alex & Brett,

Earlier this week I sent a... lengthy... e-mail to you guys, but since then I have decided I would like to write an article in my school newspaper about the ideas you put forth in the series "The Myth of Adolescence."

I don't imagine you will mind me mentioning you guys and your blog in my article, as I will certainly want to give all due credit. However, would either of you be willing to answer a couple specific questions that I could actually quote you on? Technically, I'm not supposed to quote internet sites, but if you were answering a direct question of mine, I would be allowed to quote. And it also might be a little more effective in conveying the idea.

Reading your posts has had a huge impact on me (as I mentioned a lot in the e-mail I sent) and I want to do my part to give all the kids in my school this same incredible encouragement. (As a part of this attempt, I have already quoted you and linked to you on my own blog.)

Anyway, I understand you are very busy, but if this is doable, I can post a few questions here or I can e-mail them to you, whichever is easier for you guys. Thanks for considering.

To God be all glory,
Brian W
Brian Whalen | Homepage | 11.16.05 - 6:57 pm | #

This is all well and good, and you make some very wise, biblical points that can be applied to us as Christiand quite well.
Yet, the situation in France, with a socialist government is that it is expected that the government fix all their problems (as you noted, the decline of the family has taken place b/c of this). We cannot change that situation unless we go and plant seeds of rebelution there. I know many people there, and their mindset is that the arabs and blacks are the problem, and that the government needs to fix it. No one thinks to take it up in their own hands--daring to influence the culture and be different. i wish they could hear the gospel and dotrine preached clearly. everthing is so muddled--all they know is what they don't like or don't want to do. lack of direction is sending them floundering!
pray for France; pray for Europe!
hannah | Homepage | 11.17.05 - 9:53 am | #

Hannah: We much agree with you that we must pray for France and Europe. However, we're a little confused as to what you saw lacking in our article (i.e. "This is all well and good ... yet ...")

We are interested in hearing how you think we can improve. Thanks. =)
Brett Harris | 11.17.05 - 11:15 am | #

Yes, the message they need to hear is the same on this shore as on that.

I have the belief that people by default know that they're supposed to build character and take responsibility as youth, but they refuse to, especially if they know it's socially acceptable.

I personally have had a strong drive to do great things, but have had a stronger drive to play great videogames.

Really, I haven't played a video game for probably..... 4 months, and even then it was only for an hour or so. So yes, I'd say at least 6 months of no real gaming activity.

Yet still, it occupies chunks of my time. I think about "Man, it'd be awesome if I could just take a break from my scriptwriting, from my filmmaking, from my work with the horses and cattle, and just play a few minutes of Halo...."

Now, I don't own Halo, or any gaming console, and never have, BUT, I do own a couple computer games. Age of Empires 2, for instance.

I just simply can't get myself to play them, when I've got other stuff to do. While I want to play them, I want to very badly, I simply can't make myself play them.

It's very, very weird, but I suppose I should be thankful for my incapability in the area of spontaneous time wasting.

*sigh*

Yup.

Well, I gotta go build some filmmaking stuff.

Have a good day guys!

~ In Christ, John.
John Robert Moore | Homepage | 11.17.05 - 5:03 pm | #

you're right. *ooops!* what i had intended to say was not to assume everyone has the same background and capability to apply this to their lives, but then i realized that Biblical truth applies everywhere, and decided to shush myself--but i forgot to take out that bit.
sorry!
hannah | Homepage | 11.18.05 - 3:25 am | #