Was going thru some old files on my computer and stumbled across an old talk I helped my sister with for the school....talk about bringing back bad memories.....but you gotta admit...I was pretty good...
Can it be any more sickly sweet????????????????Lindsey: Thanks for the ride Cindy.
Cindy: Your welcome Lindsey.
Lindsey: Oh by the way a group of us are going ice skating tomorrow morning and I was wondering if Monica and Joseph could go with us.
Cindy: Thank you for inviting us Lindsey, but you know we usually go out in service Saturday morning and then Dale promised to come over and build a porch on the house. I really feel it is important for them to understand the importance of getting out in service regularly. And they can learn some valuable skills from Dale that will be helpful to them later in life.
Lindsey: I know, but what would it hurt for them to skip it just this once. I dont mean to be disrespectful, but poor Monica and Joseph dont ever get to have any fun!
Cindy: Lindsey, we just got back from the movies and didnt we go out to Double Daves with the group Thursday after the meeting and didnt they go to the lake with you last week after the Sunday meeting?
Lindsey: Yes, but its another dayand dont they deserve it?
Cindy: Lindsey, Monica and Joseph need to understand the godly view of work and play and that recreation has a time and place. The world provides an abundance of things for teenagers to do to fill their leisure time but, time needs to be spent on other things too, such as family, personal study, association with spiritually mature persons, Christian meetings and household chores. I know here in America most teenagers feel that they are entitled to continual entertainment, but you know in Luke 8:11-15 it show us what this can lead to. Why dont we read that? Would you mind reading that Lindsey?
Lindsey: (Read Luke 8:11-15)
Cindy: what happens to the people that are being carried away by the riches and pleasures of this life?
Lindsey: it says they are completely choked and bring nothing to perfection. What does that mean?
Cindy: They heard Gods work but were so busy with the pleasures of life that they have no time for it and become unfruitful. Being unfruitful would include not going out in service and missing meetings. Obviously we would not want that to happen to us, so which ones would we want to be like?
Lindsey: the ones that fall on the fine soil and bear fruit with endurance?
Cindy: Right, we would want to be productive, going out in service and to the meeting. In this way we will bear fruit and be productive in our ministry. Thats why the society recommends that we go out in service at least once a week.
Lindsey: Does that mean that we cant have ANY fun?
Cindy: Lets look at Eccl 3:12,13 and see what it says about that. (Read Eccl 3:12,13) So rejoicing or fun is part of a balanced life, but so is hard work. I want Monica and Joseph to learn the satisfaction that comes from hard work and the feeling of self-respect that comes from tackling a problem and solving it. If they dont learn to do these things now how will they be able to take care of themselves later in life?
Lindsey: thats true, but dont you think they are old enough to make their own decision? I mean they arent babies anymore.
Cindy: No they arent babies and I do let them make most of their own decisions, but sometimes I do have to make the final decisions about recreation. As they get older and show me by the choices they make that they are progressing to spiritual maturity I will allow them more latitude in their choice of recreation. What I am trying to do is teach them the godly view of work and play. This is what I am required to do as Proverbs 22:6 says. Why dont you read that?
Lindsey: (Read Prov 22:6)
Cindy: so you see, I am trying to teach my children now to value and enjoy hard work and spiritual interests so that they will continue to do so as they get older. In this way, hopefully, they will learn to make choices that are pleasing not only to me, but even more importantly to Jehovah.
Lindsey: Well, what do you think I should do tomorrow? Would it be wrong for me to skip service and go ice-skating?
Cindy: I cant tell you what to do Lindsey. There is nothing wrong with going ice-skating. I was just explaining to you why Monica and Joseph wouldnt be able to go.
Lindsey: I havent been out in service this month, maybe if I could get a ride I could go with you
Cindy: If its ok with your mom we would be glad to take you with us.
Lindsey: I will ask her and call you tonight