(Fwd) Attitudes of our teens

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I had this message bounce back to me yesterday and I am not sure why. 
 How do I get an explanation?  Maybe it was just a system problem?

Cyndi Taylor


------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From:          Self <DOCOM/CAT>
To:            higher-fire@prairienet.org
Subject:       Attitudes of our teens
Date:          Wed, 14 Aug 1996 13:53:12 EST5EDT

Hello Everyone.  I hope Jesus has blessed your day.

I have just returned from a week of vacation.  A family reunion at a 
camp in Tennessee, white water rafting, and Six Flags Over Georgia.  We had 
a wonderful time.  We had devotions each morning at the family 
reunion (Sunday thru Thurs.)  The family is several different 
"religions".  Lutheran, Apostolic, and some I don't quite know.  We 
are the only UPC family branch.  Or should I say remaining family 
branch in UPC.  They all started out but most have let down on many 
things.  Standards was first, and things just progressed from there.

Anyway that isn't the point but is good background.

The reunion was at a Nazarene camp ground and while we were there the 
UPC district came in on Monday with their teen camp.  I was very 
saddened at what then transpired.  Two of my sons, a friend that 
isn't in church, and several of the cousins that are not really in 
church were playing basketball.  Of course most of the boys playing 
basketball had on shorts.  Some of the boys that showed up for camp 
had gathered around and when the boys walked by with their shorts the 
teens held up their hands and were saying "Bless them Lord" and 
things like that.  But it was in a ridiculing way.  My kids were very 
upset since we have been trying so very hard to be a witness to the 
family.  

Another incident was when my boys and two of the cousins were 
throwing horse shoes.  Several of the girls from the camp came 
over and were watching.  At one point they picked up the shoes and 
started conversation with the boys.  One of the UPC counsellors then 
came over and asked the boys to leave and told the boys that they 
were trying to keep them separate.  This didn't go over well either.

My husband talked to one of the counsellors and explained our point of 
view and they apologized.  It isn't the counsellors fault but more so 
the attitude that the teens at camp had.  I wonder if parents realize 
how their kids act when they don't think someone is watching.  

Several years ago my daughter started Bible Quizzing.  It wasn't too 
long before she and I had a very big blow up.  I told her she had 
better get that self-righteous pentecostal noise out of the air and act 
the way she knew she should.  It is not Christlike to go around 
thinking you are holier than everyone else.  We are doing a great 
injustice to our children if we allow this sort of behaviour.  No one 
is to judge another.  

I hope I haven't hit too close to home for some of you but I really 
think parents need to evaluate their children's attitudes and the 
reason they are doing what they are doing.  If a young UPC teen is 
being holy and separate it should be because they are doing it as on 
to the Lord.  If this is the case they shouldn't be looking down 
their noises at others.

Parents put some thought into it.

God Bless you All.

Cyndi Taylor