Legacy Youth Ministry Resources

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Rob and Lisa Build Unnecessary Worries

Most of the things we worry about never happen. And we so easily read into the circumstances of life and our conversations the worst possible scenarios. For a practical example, take Rob and Lisa, a steady couple who are out on a date: One evening, as Rob drives Lisa home, she mentions offhandedly, "Hey, do you realize that we've been seeing each other six months as of today?" But Rob doesn't respond immediately, and the Lisa begins to contemplate the meaning of his silence. She thinks: "I wonder if it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he's feeling confined by our relationship, or senses that I'm trying to push him into a commitment that he's not ready for. And Rob is thinking, "How about that. Six months" Lisa's mind is racing: "Will this relationship just stagnate at our current level of commitment? Or, are we headed toward marriage, children, and a lifetime together. But am I ready for that level of commitment? While Rob thinks: "Six months ago. Yeah, that's about the time I got the car from the dealer, and Whoa! I'm way overdue for an oil change. Lisa, noticing the anguished expression that has come over Rob's face, concludes, "He's upset. He's not ready for a commitment and doesn't want me pushing him. But he can't say anything because he's afraid I'll reject him, and he doesn't want that either. So Rob thinks, "And those idiots never did fix the transmission properly. I paid $800 so that I can keep grinding these gears? I don't think so." And I can tell by the troubled look on Jennifer's face that she's getting disgusted with that embarrassing grind every time I accelerate after a stoplight. Lisa: "Boy, he's really mad now. I should have never put him through all this. But then again, if we can't talk through issues we disagree on, how can our relationship ever hold out for the long run? It's not like I'm holding out for a knight in shining armor to come sweep me off my feet. Is it too much to ask for a guy who can have a decent conversation over a subject that I happen to feel very deeply about? So, he's pulling up to my driveway, but he's got to be confronted about this problem." Lisa, looking very serious: "Rob, before I get into your car with you again, you need to decide what you want out of life, how I fit into the picture, and how you can improve yourself." And as she opens her door, Rob assures her "Don't worry, I'll get it fixed first thing in the morning." (Rewritten from internet source.)

Safety = The Presence of God

"Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God."

Adolescent Suicide Rate

"According to the National Institute of Mental Health statistics, an estimated 5,000 teenagers kill themselves every year - an adolescent suicide rate triple that of 30 years ago." ("Suicide Crisis Spawns Hot Lines, But Prevention Is Still Elusive," Youthletter, April, 1985, p. 27)

Ten Boom and Trust

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom

Unbelief in Disguise

Anxiety is unbelief in disguise. -- Don Hawkins

Worry Empties Today of Strength

?Worry doesn?t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.? Corrie ten Boom

Meddling With Christ's Business

"You are meddling with Christ's business and neglecting your own (which is obedience and praise) when you fret about your circumstances." Charles Spurgen. "Morning By Morning" Dec. 19th. (Rick Mill)

Most Worries Never Happen

When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. --Winston Churchill

Yesterday Using Up Today

Never let yesterday use up too much of today. -- Will Rogers

The Calm Don't Have All the Facts

Anxiety If you can remain calm, you don't have all the facts.

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