One of the songs that I find catchy is "I want to be a millionare". Not only is it catchy but it also resonates with what I wish sometimes, that I would have more money to buy things and to feel safe about the future. As a child or an adolescent, you may not wish so much for money, but you may wish so much to be as popular or as "beautiful" as some other peers in school. This wish may consume you so much that you would do anything to fit in, and be distraught when you don't fit in. I want to warn you about being consumed by these things.

     Those things you wish for- being as pretty or as popular, does not give you the things you need deep inside. You may think it does but it will just disappoint you. One day you will long for somebody to love you for who you are. You may have all the money or beauty in the world but it does not necessarily get you that unconditional love. People could be fickle, sometimes they hang out with you when things are going well, but when bad things happen- you don't satisfy them or you become deformed, they will leave you. Nothing in this world is guaranteed to last through the good times and the bad times. God blesses us with people and things and it is to him we should be thankful. However, they are not guaranteed to last. We should not be running around trying to fill those deep needs, but trust God to provide for those deep needs.

    Another danger of being obsessed with popularity or "beauty", is it disengages us with life. That obsession is like a drug, you could become fixated on one thing, obtaining that drug so you can get a certain feeling back, and abandoning other responsibilities towards friends and family. Let me explain. God made humans to take care of creation, to join God in making this world a better place. This is done through developing our minds and bodies (reading and exercise), cleaning your environment, helping others, etc. Laziness or sloth, as the church of old called it, is a sin against God and a breeding ground for more sin. Just as God is involved in his creation, holding it together, we shold also be involved in his creation. So my plea to you is to look at outside yourself, think of ways you could love God and people better, instead of being fixated on fitting in or being happy. I know it is hard, but know that living in a way that God desires- being just, merciful, and humble, is what will bring you real happiness in the long run. It is for your own good.

     You probably have experienced not being able to get a song out of your head, or not being able to get an image out of your head. Everyone has this experience. I heard this line from a song by Soulja Boy and it got stuck on my head.

This right here is my pretty boy swag (ayee), Pretty boy swag (4x)

This is why your parents don't want you to listen to certain kinds of music or watch certain shows. Some of you may know the next parts of this song , the next words are too sexual for most people. However, the problem with this song, or any song, is usually deeper than the lyrics. I believe that some songs that do not have inappropriate lyrics can actually have a deeper problem.

Let me explain. People usually just look at the language and see if it is appropriate. I advice you to be discerning. When you listen to music, or watch TV, I advice you to think of these questions, not just look to your parent's approval.

1) Is it in line with the gospel? Whitney Houston's song "The greatest love of all" is inspirational for many people. However, it teaches that love for self is the greatest love of all. If Jesus is our paradigm for how a person should be, his followers cannot glorify self-love. The greatest love is shown on the cross, with Jesus giving his life for many. Granted, Jesus' desire is to give his life so in a sense he is loving himself by dying on the cross. However, unlike we humans who are naturally prideful, Jesus is humble. His joy is to give up himself for others so they can live. A prideful person loving himself would look like self-glorification, not going to the cross and giving up his life for the benefit of others, which is truly the greatest love of all. 

2) Is this awakening pride or any sinful tendencies? Think about the first song, it is basically saying, "look at me, if you are this cool, you can have the girls all over you (awakens both pride at attracting girls and the sexual impulse). God's ideal is one man dedicating himself to one woman and offering his sexuallity only to that woman.

Developing discernment is more effective than censorship at home. Children will always be exposed to sounds and images, and parents can't stop it. Parents must go beyond the language or the image, and learn to talk deeply about what their children hear and see. Parents must warn their children that awakening those parts of themselfves that are sinful or inappropriate at the moment will make it easier for them to fall into sin and therefore destroy their lives. This calls for parents to really know the gospel and impart Godly wisdom. Children, know the gospel and live wisely. 

     One of the questions that children, and even adults in school ask is "why do I have to study this?" I have reflected on this question in light of the growth in character that God wants from us and our children. There are two character issues involved.

1. Growth in cooperation. The state has decided that some things need to be learned by its citizens (standards of education). God also calls us to respect the authority of the state. The attitude of being against authority is not encouraged in God's word. What seems to be encouraged is an attitude of cooperation with authority (parents, government, teachers). To cooperate means to work with instead of working against. Authority is placed by God so we can have a more peaceful and orderly society. Standards create order and order is important to God.

2. Growth in industry. Education, both physical and academic, builds up our bodies and minds. Growth comes through hard work, even though we may have talents that God gave us. Hard work develops our bodies and minds so we could reach our potential. Working on a math problem develops the mind and makes it as powerful as God designed it to be. God created humans to subdue creation so it can be used for the benefit of mankind, not just for individuals. That mind and body that God gave you must be developed so it can be used for the benefit of mankind.