Posted in Teenagers
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Schylar’s 13th Birthday Day Our oldest grandchild is 13 today. So, what does that mean really? Hear this from the entomology of the word teenager… 1921, formed from -teen as a separate word + age; derived noun teenager is from 1941 (the earlier word for this was teener, attested in Anmer.Eng. from 1894). Teen-aged (adj.) is from 1952; shortened form teen is from 1951 (though this had been used as a noun to mean "teen-aged person" in 1818). Teeny-bopper is recorded from 1966, from teen but also felt as infl. by teeny. For second element, see bop. What do you think of when you hear the word teenager… or when you read that Schylar is now one? Are they positive thoughts? Does foolishness come to mind? I went online to see if I could find some funny quotes about teenagers, but I found total disrespect for them there. I found a world that has very low expectations for our youth. There were no funny quotes and I found no quotes that applied to my grandson. You see, we haven’t always had teenagers. In fact they are a recent phenomenon. For thousands of years we didn’t even know what they were, but we are now living in the third generation of teenagers. Whose idea was that? Look what Public Television has to say about this history in light of a 2005 documentary done by the University of Maryland. Indeed, ever since the word "teenager" first came into popular use around the time of World War II, the group has been linked to "buying power and influence," a heady combination that promised big business to postwar movie makers, cosmetic firms, clothes manufacturers, and even grocery stores. At the time, the change was revolutionary, only a decade or so earlier, most teenage children had worked for a living. In fact some had been required to pay back the debts they had incurred in childhood before they were free to leave the family home! How did the American teenager go from that prewar position to this one: where retail chains, like Urban Outfitters and the Gap, vie for their business; magazine publishers offer Seventeen, Sassy, YM, and Teen (among others); and television networks like MTV, the WB, and Fox, program with their demographics in mind. Newspapers, from the Staten Island Advance to the Sante Fe New Mexican, feature weekly sections devoted to teenage issues that range from roller-blading to body-piercing, from prom clothes to mosh pits, to what’s hot and what’s not. Documentary and feature films showcased at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival portray this new generation of disaffected teenagers, drug-addled, lying, cheating, stealing, and flunking out of school. What happened? I’ll tell you what happened. Christian parents forgot to read their Bible and some who were reading it neglected to apply or teach the things they read there. Many of these parents are heartbroken and asking themselves “What happened?” Sadly, we are raising a generation “which knew not the Lord nor the works which He had had done…” Judges 2:10 Take a moment to think about what our world considers to be “normal” teenage behavior and activity – then compare it to what the Scriptures say our youth are to give their lives to. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:6-8 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 1:13-14 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Tim 2:1-5 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Phil 2:14-16 approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:10-11 We called Schylar early this morning. He was thrilled to hear so many voices singing the Birthday song in his honor. He was especially excited to hear from Justin, Kaleb and Isaac. His mom and dad surprised him with an over night camping trip and they were just heading out the door when we called. They’ll have a great time. The boys on this end were hoping it was a camping trip to Maine, but with gas prices being what they are – I knew better. The boys helped me do lawns this morning. They love to work and it takes some imagination sometimes to find enough jobs for them. Crysten came over around noon and we headed to the tennis courts to meet Kathy and Toni. The kids ate their sandwiches there. The boys like to play and the little girls like the playground. Rachel and Carrie have no trouble meeting new friends there. Tonight was the final meeting for Kids 4 Truth until the fall. Everyone enjoyed some ice cream. Carrie is staying overnight with Aunt Kathy; Crysten is having a farewell dinner at the Japanese restaurant; Nicole is half way through her first week of being camp counselor at teen camp; and Randy is lonesome and suffocating in the heat of North Carolina. Bob’s on his way to bed and that sounds good to me, too. |
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