Not long ago, I got a phone call from my good friend Tom Butler. Tom and I went to school together and we often talk about all sorts of subjects. Our conversation began with his delight in his new job. By the time the conversation had gotten cranked up, he was in rare form. He was stuck in five o’clock traffic in Charlotte and suddenly a barrage of subjects and complaints came streaming forth with hardly a breath taken. I think he complained about every pet peeve from politics to sports. So, when he finally took a breath, I told him my latest pet peeve. (We all need a friend like this to tell our peeves to!)
My recent pet peeve is one that some of you might find annoying too. If you read my column or listen to my sermons, you know that I love movies. Recently while attending a movie, I was amazed by the number of teens that could not manage to tear themselves away from their cell phone/blackberry long enough to watch the very movie that they just paid for. Instead, the teens, one sitting two seats over from me, continued throughout the movie to text friends. Ironically, the movie theater had a large sign that asked people to turn off their cell phones and even ran a pre-movie message about doing so. Of course the teen next to me got there late and missed the commercial and obviously did not read the sign. Yes… I am getting old! Maybe this might not bother you. Maybe I should just sit there and ignore the small bright lite (in a dark room) just because… you know… they’re just kids right? That might have been a life or death text… right? Nah!
Kids are kids are kids! Things haven’t changed that much. I am sure that somewhere in the late 80’s someone walking near my car probably thought I should turn that music down. It was annoying! In the 70’s, my brother-in-law needed a hair cut and a shave… according to guys my dad’s age. In the 50’s and 60’s, it was rock and roll that would destroy the culture. But none of that stuff was interfering with my watching a movie was it?
Proverbs 13:24 says, “A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.” Rude is still rude. Do I care if kids have cell phones? Not one bit. But when it comes to acting with respect for others, I absolutely think that parents should teach their kids when and where it might not be appropriate to use some of their gadgets. Don’t get me wrong; a few weeks back, I took a group of middle school kids to a camp. I love to be with young folks. And no, Christian kids aren’t all angels nor are non-Christian kids devils. It really depends on parents doing their jobs as parents. Parents, I beg you. Stop… slow down and take the time to teach your children the morality and principles of faith. In 20 years, they won’t care how many ballet classes or ball games they played if they have a solid Christian foundation in their lives and in the lives of their parents. We live in a generation where kids are busy six days a week and parents feel guilty about getting them to church on Sundays. Too many folks run themselves ragged trying to give it all. Yet all that is really important is to have Jesus Christ in the life of every family. I have four kids, so I know it’s not an easy task. But, it is a choice!
My recent pet peeve is one that some of you might find annoying too. If you read my column or listen to my sermons, you know that I love movies. Recently while attending a movie, I was amazed by the number of teens that could not manage to tear themselves away from their cell phone/blackberry long enough to watch the very movie that they just paid for. Instead, the teens, one sitting two seats over from me, continued throughout the movie to text friends. Ironically, the movie theater had a large sign that asked people to turn off their cell phones and even ran a pre-movie message about doing so. Of course the teen next to me got there late and missed the commercial and obviously did not read the sign. Yes… I am getting old! Maybe this might not bother you. Maybe I should just sit there and ignore the small bright lite (in a dark room) just because… you know… they’re just kids right? That might have been a life or death text… right? Nah!
Kids are kids are kids! Things haven’t changed that much. I am sure that somewhere in the late 80’s someone walking near my car probably thought I should turn that music down. It was annoying! In the 70’s, my brother-in-law needed a hair cut and a shave… according to guys my dad’s age. In the 50’s and 60’s, it was rock and roll that would destroy the culture. But none of that stuff was interfering with my watching a movie was it?
Proverbs 13:24 says, “A refusal to correct is a refusal to love; love your children by disciplining them.” Rude is still rude. Do I care if kids have cell phones? Not one bit. But when it comes to acting with respect for others, I absolutely think that parents should teach their kids when and where it might not be appropriate to use some of their gadgets. Don’t get me wrong; a few weeks back, I took a group of middle school kids to a camp. I love to be with young folks. And no, Christian kids aren’t all angels nor are non-Christian kids devils. It really depends on parents doing their jobs as parents. Parents, I beg you. Stop… slow down and take the time to teach your children the morality and principles of faith. In 20 years, they won’t care how many ballet classes or ball games they played if they have a solid Christian foundation in their lives and in the lives of their parents. We live in a generation where kids are busy six days a week and parents feel guilty about getting them to church on Sundays. Too many folks run themselves ragged trying to give it all. Yet all that is really important is to have Jesus Christ in the life of every family. I have four kids, so I know it’s not an easy task. But, it is a choice!
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