Teen STDs

Source cnn.com

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- At least one in four teenage girls nationwide has a sexually transmitted disease, or more than 3 million teens, according to the first study of its kind in this age group.

A virus that causes cervical cancer is by far the most common sexually transmitted infection in teen girls aged 14 to 19, while the highest overall prevalence is among black girls -- nearly half the blacks studied had at least one STD. That rate compared with 20 percent among both whites and Mexican-American teens, the study from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.

About half of the girls acknowledged having sex; among them, the rate was 40 percent. While some teens define sex as only intercourse, other types of intimate behavior including oral sex can spread some infections.

Church Let Your Light Shine

Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) reported the largest membership increases in a year, according to the National Council of Churches’ 2008 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. Although Jehovah’s Witnesses currently rank 25th in size with over 1.06 million members, they reported a 2.25% increase since the publication of the 2007 Yearbook. The Mormon church grew 1.56% and is listed by the NCC as the 4th largest “church.” Others among the top 25 largest churches reporting increases include The Catholic Church at 0.87%; Southern Baptist Convention (0.22%); African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (0.21%); and the Assemblies of God (0.19%). The greatest membership losses were reported by The Episcopal Church (4.15%) and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) (2.36%). Both are currently wracked by theological differences and the issue of homosexuality. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America were also hit with large losses (1.82% and 1.58%). The United Methodists saw a 0.99% decrease but remains the 3rd largest U.S. church body with nearly 8 million members.

Daring to be a Daniel

It can be ignored that Daniel's captors had an agenda for his life. The inspiring fact of this story is that Daniel had an agenda of his own. His agenda was intertwined with the God's purpose and will for his life. His captors sought to use his strengths as a weakness and for their own purpose. Is it not the sole agenda of our adversary to use the strength that God has endowed us with and diminish it to become a weakness. Our prayer and faith in God are strengths, not to be confused as weaknesses. Our youthfulness and understanding of life from a biblically sound worldview is a strength, not to be confused with weakness. Daniel's understanding of what is good for his life is a strength. What is God's agenda for your life? Has He capture your soul?

Sunday School Lesson 4/6

Daniel 1:8-20 Hold Fast to Your Convictions

DAN. 1:8 But Dan'iel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.9 Now God had brought Dan'iel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Dan'iel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.11 Then said Dan'iel to Mel zar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Dan'iel, Han-a-ni'ah, Mish'a-el, and Az-a-ri'ah,12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.16 Thus Mel'zar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Dan'iel had understanding in all visions and dreams.18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Neb-u-chad-nez'zar.19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Dan'iel, Han-a-ni'ah, Mish'a-el, and Az-a-ri'ah: therefore stood they before the king.20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

The Truth is. Wright was wrong !!!

It is a good thing to have discussion about the truths of society. It is even positive to constructive place a spotlight on past unpleasantries and use them as a platform to motion forward to progress. The importance of remaining focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the power that thrust all of mankind toward positive reconciliation. Social gospels laced with derogatory statements are not the purpose of the pulpit. The purpose of the pulpit is to reach the masses with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In doing so we must acknowledge sin and assign the root of sin correctly. We then do not damn anyone. Christ is the Judge and damns only those who reject God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit, His Witness. John 5 Verse 22