The following is something that I wrote in my Journal (yes guys can have journals) that I think adults need to hear. I am not trying to be disrespectful. I want adults to realize that this generation needs their friendship and love, and without their friendship this generation is lost.
I wrote this on 2-17-09
“Why can’t adults stop faking like they don’t know what teens are going through? Time and again I hear adults say, “I was a teen once.” Then why can’t adults try to remember what it was like to be a teen and lovingly understand that we are messed up? I hear adults complain about teens using drugs, they act like teens are so much worse then them. Don’t adults sin? So what if you don’t do drugs, do you get drunk? Do you swear? Do you watch junk on the internet? Do you steal? Are you perfect? What gives you the right to look down on this generation for their sins? Maybe instead of looking down on this generation you could come beside us and helps us walk out of sin. Why can’t you love my generation? If you would only stop for a second and realize that behind the graffiti there is a heart searching for your love. Yet you adults simply reject us again and again. You yell at a teen for not wearing a helmet, but ignore the cuts on his arms. You ignore the very fact that without your love my generation will continue to kill itself. I have heard from teens the way you speak to us. Don’t you realize how much I love this generation? Do you not hear them crying? Do you not see the blood dripping? Do you not feel their hearts breaking? How long will you continue to be an adult and scorn this generation? Why do you want to add to their depression? Couldn’t you stop for a moment and be this generations friend?”
I understand that this post is probably controversial and some may see it as disrespectful. So please tell me what you think and comment. Don’t rub this post off, if you thought this is disrespectful, rude, or depressing, then this post was for you. What will you do with it?
Brandon, I am really quite new to where I live and work across the border in another state; my commute is rather long and doesn't leave me with alot of time. I just started a new church and if I were given the opportunity I would gladly open my arms to any young person. I have learned a few things through my own teens and at some point perhaps I will share with you some of those things. I admire your endeavor and your willingess to learn; we can all learn together I would say as none of us are beyond learning. Thank-you for making this available to us and sharing on the forum; there I am MMari. If you have any questions to ask of me feel free.
Brandon, I am so glad you wrote this...I really would like to see more adults read it and take it to heart...We have always been concerned with each one of our grandchildren but in recent years we are seeing a pulling away from them...They were told about Jesus when they were young but their mom is unsaved and they follow and do exactly what she tells them to do...She is not saved...We are finding a gap that is hard to cross with them...They only want us around when we give something...We have tried to bridge this gap but they have refused so many times...It seems that we cannot have any kind of a relationship with them unless we play their drama games...Maybe you can give some advice to me young man...We want to be God's example to them here on this earth but how do you break through the barriers they all put up? We have given each one over to God in prayer and thank Him each day for working in their lives...But for the present we must just sit back and wait for the few crumbs we get with them...God bless you young man for being so honest !!!
Young man, Let me start by saying that God loves both you and your generation. He loves so much that He gave His only Son to die for you (and, for us as well).
On the other hand, whereas there are those of you who hurt and want to be helped, there are those who do not. They could very well represent the majority of you. They could really careless about being reached by the adult generation, and so in the end, make the bridging of the "divide" rough. It is tough therefore to reach and help someone, like a drowning man, who does not want to be helped.
Among other things, augmenting this problem of the "generation gap" between teens and adults, is the mess or messes that the parents of today's "runaway" teens have made. Because they have failed to invest themselves properly in the lives of their own teenagers, from the time they were born, it really is hard for this reason (at least in part) for an outsider to come in and fill that void--to give a teenage something in so short a time, what should have been imparted over quarter of a lifetime or more. Rare at best is the person who can do this effectively, though it is not entirely unthinkable.
Try as you may, I must confess that things are not likely to get any better anytime soon, though we can always hope and pray.
Meanwhile, young man, may I suggest getting to know my Jesus? The peace of mind and satisfaction He brings might be just the thing you need to prepare you so that you may be the one to reach out and do for the next generation of teens what for now nobody else can, or, will. At 16, you do not have long to go before you will be full grown, having kids of your own, looking forward to the same turbulent teen years you now face--only by then, the generation you face will likely be several times worst, at best.
Get yourself a good Bible, and if you can find a good church (big if, and good luck trying!), get involve there. They can council you personally, one on one. In the meantime, have a change of heart (repent) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He can help you to mature and grow to adulthood to be to teens what no one else is likely to ever be. Sadly, the truth be told, no amount of fussing is likely to ever change the way things are.
Bye, now. And, I pray God's richest blessing upon you.
"Meanwhile, young man, may I suggest getting to know my Jesus? The peace of mind and satisfaction He brings might be just the thing you need to prepare you so that you may be the one to reach out and do for the next generation of teens what for now nobody else can, or, will. At 16, you do not have long to go before you will be full grown, having kids of your own, looking forward to the same turbulent teen years you now face--only by then, the generation you face will likely be several times worst, at best.
Get yourself a good Bible, and if you can find a good church (big if, and good luck trying!), get involve there. They can council you personally, one on one. In the meantime, have a change of heart (repent) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He can help you to mature and grow to adulthood to be to teens what no one else is likely to ever be. Sadly, the truth be told, no amount of fussing is likely to ever change the way things are." - Previous Comment
I do try to reach out to my generation... Mostly to children. I am a Christian and am going to a GREAT church, but it is always fine to check and make sure :-). Actually, my passion is already their for teens and children. I have always loved children but in sixth grade I was at a Winter Camp (Camp Cedar Crest) with my church. The Pastor, Pastor John Cox, talked about God's calling on our lives, he told us to pray for God to reveal to us any sort of calling. So I did and at that moment I got nothing. However, After that service while we were walking back to our cabins (I was completely distracted and not thinking about God's calling anymore) and then the thought popped into my head that I am going to be a children's pastor. I was sure it was God! Recently I had wondered if that was just my own mind that created that thought, but after thinking through all the doors God has opened for me I know that that was God. Every opportunity I have to invest time in to these children's lives I do. And for teens, I am always making sure that at my youth group, which has over 150 teens, I am talking with as many people as possible. I try my best to be inclusive and even though some people annoy me, I still welcome them in to my group of friends.
There is still a lot of area for me to improve and many more people I can be reaching out to, but I can't do this alone. My youth pastor can't do it alone. My Children's pastor can't do it alone. My youth leaders can't do it alone. We need your help and your support. Even if you don't think you are the best at connecting with my generation, YOU ARE. Even though if you ask us we will deny it, we want you in our lives. So be a part of our lives (please give us some room sometimes), invest time and even though you might not be able to fill the whole gap, you can help.
i truly love all your writing taste, very useful. don't quit as well as keep posting because it just truly worth to read it, excited to look into much more of your current stories, kind regards!
5 Comments:
Brandon,
I am really quite new to where I live and work across the border in another state; my commute is rather long and doesn't leave me with alot of time. I just started a new church and if I were given the opportunity I would gladly open my arms to any young person. I have learned a few things through my own teens and at some point perhaps I will share with you some of those things. I admire your endeavor and your willingess to learn; we can all learn together I would say as none of us are beyond learning. Thank-you for making this available to us and sharing on the forum; there I am MMari. If you have any questions to ask of me feel free.
Blessings,
Marilyn W.
Brandon, I am so glad you wrote this...I really would like to see more adults read it and take it to heart...We have always been concerned with each one of our grandchildren but in recent years we are seeing a pulling away from them...They were told about Jesus when they were young but their mom is unsaved and they follow and do exactly what she tells them to do...She is not saved...We are finding a gap that is hard to cross with them...They only want us around when we give something...We have tried to bridge this gap but they have refused so many times...It seems that we cannot have any kind of a relationship with them unless we play their drama games...Maybe you can give some advice to me young man...We want to be God's example to them here on this earth but how do you break through the barriers they all put up? We have given each one over to God in prayer and thank Him each day for working in their lives...But for the present we must just sit back and wait for the few crumbs we get with them...God bless you young man for being so honest !!!
Young man,
Let me start by saying that God loves both you and your generation. He loves so much that He gave His only Son to die for you (and, for us as well).
On the other hand, whereas there are those of you who hurt and want to be helped, there are those who do not. They could very well represent the majority of you. They could really careless about being reached by the adult generation, and so in the end, make the bridging of the "divide" rough. It is tough therefore to reach and help someone, like a drowning man, who does not want to be helped.
Among other things, augmenting this problem of the "generation gap" between teens and adults, is the mess or messes that the parents of today's "runaway" teens have made. Because they have failed to invest themselves properly in the lives of their own teenagers, from the time they were born, it really is hard for this reason (at least in part) for an outsider to come in and fill that void--to give a teenage something in so short a time, what should have been imparted over quarter of a lifetime or more. Rare at best is the person who can do this effectively, though it is not entirely unthinkable.
Try as you may, I must confess that things are not likely to get any better anytime soon, though we can always hope and pray.
Meanwhile, young man, may I suggest getting to know my Jesus? The peace of mind and satisfaction He brings might be just the thing you need to prepare you so that you may be the one to reach out and do for the next generation of teens what for now nobody else can, or, will. At 16, you do not have long to go before you will be full grown, having kids of your own, looking forward to the same turbulent teen years you now face--only by then, the generation you face will likely be several times worst, at best.
Get yourself a good Bible, and if you can find a good church (big if, and good luck trying!), get involve there. They can council you personally, one on one. In the meantime, have a change of heart (repent) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He can help you to mature and grow to adulthood to be to teens what no one else is likely to ever be. Sadly, the truth be told, no amount of fussing is likely to ever change the way things are.
Bye, now. And, I pray God's richest blessing upon you.
"Meanwhile, young man, may I suggest getting to know my Jesus? The peace of mind and satisfaction He brings might be just the thing you need to prepare you so that you may be the one to reach out and do for the next generation of teens what for now nobody else can, or, will. At 16, you do not have long to go before you will be full grown, having kids of your own, looking forward to the same turbulent teen years you now face--only by then, the generation you face will likely be several times worst, at best.
Get yourself a good Bible, and if you can find a good church (big if, and good luck trying!), get involve there. They can council you personally, one on one. In the meantime, have a change of heart (repent) and place your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He can help you to mature and grow to adulthood to be to teens what no one else is likely to ever be. Sadly, the truth be told, no amount of fussing is likely to ever change the way things are." - Previous Comment
I do try to reach out to my generation... Mostly to children. I am a Christian and am going to a GREAT church, but it is always fine to check and make sure :-). Actually, my passion is already their for teens and children. I have always loved children but in sixth grade I was at a Winter Camp (Camp Cedar Crest) with my church. The Pastor, Pastor John Cox, talked about God's calling on our lives, he told us to pray for God to reveal to us any sort of calling. So I did and at that moment I got nothing. However, After that service while we were walking back to our cabins (I was completely distracted and not thinking about God's calling anymore) and then the thought popped into my head that I am going to be a children's pastor. I was sure it was God! Recently I had wondered if that was just my own mind that created that thought, but after thinking through all the doors God has opened for me I know that that was God. Every opportunity I have to invest time in to these children's lives I do. And for teens, I am always making sure that at my youth group, which has over 150 teens, I am talking with as many people as possible. I try my best to be inclusive and even though some people annoy me, I still welcome them in to my group of friends.
There is still a lot of area for me to improve and many more people I can be reaching out to, but I can't do this alone. My youth pastor can't do it alone. My Children's pastor can't do it alone. My youth leaders can't do it alone. We need your help and your support. Even if you don't think you are the best at connecting with my generation, YOU ARE. Even though if you ask us we will deny it, we want you in our lives. So be a part of our lives (please give us some room sometimes), invest time and even though you might not be able to fill the whole gap, you can help.
Connect with my Generation,
Brandon Maddux, Author of AmbassadorForGod.com
i truly love all your writing taste, very useful.
don't quit as well as keep posting because it just truly worth to read it,
excited to look into much more of your current stories, kind regards!
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