Our Children

I am excited about the interest in our youth and children, as well as missions on every level.

We, at First Baptist, in Avon Park, had leadership in the past that was very passionate about these aspects of our ministry, but also in the most recent past have had some who were less enthusiastic.

Thanks be to God, our present pastor, Doctor Vernon Harkey, is very interested. When I see how the number of our children has increased and the inspiration of those who are leading them, my heart is filled with thanksgiving because I know the children of today are the adults of tomorrow and will be our leaders in the future.

The Bible has much to say about how we are to bring our children up; Exodus 20 is only a start. We are told to teach the commandments and statutes to our children when we get up, when we lie down, bind them as the frontlets upon their heads.

In essence, we are to live the life before them, letting all that we say and do reflect these teachings.

I was very appreciative as I read a report from the Freedom Center. The focus of their message is three-fold: the media, the universities and the entertainment industries.

With so much being neglected and things being taught that shouldn't be, the tide surely needs to be turned. Sometimes, the way things are presented may seem harmless, and in this busy world, things aren't given enough time to get the true picture.

Thank God for all those who are dedicating their lives to expose the truth, without which, we are headed for destruction. If our young people don't have a good foundation, they are at a great disadvantage when they get to college and are denigrated by professors who do not allow students to follow what they have been taught without criticism.

Where abortion is encouraged, homosexuality is presented as normal among many others things. Of course, we need to always remember it is the parent's privilege and responsibility to teach their children.

However, we also have an obligation to provide a clean, healthy, Godly environment in which our children can be taught without discrimination. Our laws are not always being enforced, efforts are being made to change our laws to fit the desires of those who do not agree with the teachings of God's holy word.