Searching

Dear Searching:
Forget the Internet. The best place to seek answers is God’s Word. The Bible has a lot to say about the end times. Read 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Revelation. (You might want to purchase an easy-to-understand commentary to help you process what you read.)

The Bible is extremely clear on the fact that no one knows when the end of the world will happen except God! So 2016 is a date pulled out of thin air. The issue really isn’t the time that Christ will return, or the date that the world will end; the real issue is to make sure you have an intimate, growing relationship with Him.

Dear Susie:
My teacher recently played an extremely suggestive song in class. I spoke up and said, “This is inappropriate for school.” I was immediately attacked (verbally) by my peers.

I responded that the song sexually objectifies women; it portrays women as sexual toys. Then my teacher got mad at me and turned off the radio. After class, I was sharing Brio with my cousin. I showed her what you guys said about questionable media choices, and I expressed my agreement. She called me “too much of Christian.”

So now I’m wondering . . . can you ever be “too much of a Christian?” I have a magnet in my locker that reads, “Love the LORD God with all your heart,” and I clearly express my opinions through religious terms. Is that being too much of a Christian?

Concerned

Dear Concerned:
Take a peek at Acts 6:8-15 and tell me how you think Stephen would answer this question. Now turn to Hebrews 11:35-40 and tell me what you think some of the faith heroes of the Bible would say. Think about Christ being beaten almost beyond recognition and crucified. How would He answer your question?
I’d love to give you a big hug for standing up for truth! I think God gave you the right words at the right time, and I also think He’s very proud of you for sharing your faith, not only by what you say, but also by what’s hanging in your locker.

According to Christ’s lifestyle, which we’re told to imitate (Ephesians 5:1), no one can ever be “too much of a Christian.”

Dear Susie:
I live with a family of six in a three-bedroom house. It’s hard to get privacy with an infant crying, a 2-year-old tugging at my ankles, another sib trying to get my attention and my parents reminding me to rinse off my plate. This family is too big for such a little space! Got any advice?

Stressed

Dear Stressed:
Believe it or not, there’ll come a time (probably when you’re about 20 years old) that you’ll look back on these stressful days and smile. You’ll actually miss the sounds of a crying baby, your siblings and your parents telling you what to do. But until then, you have to make the most of what you’ve been given.

We all need some space every now and then. So make it a priority to spend some time alone each day. This might not be possible inside your house. Take a walk around the block, climb a tree, sit on the patio—just spend a little time alone. This will help alleviate the stress.