SEX 101
What to do in a Messed Up World?
by Arlene Penick on 10/24/11
In the Book of Psalm David writes: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.” (Psalms 51:5-6)
In all of our cases, it feels like we can just never get away from sin. Everyday I continually repeat the same mistakes over, and over again. It’s like someone keeps pressing the rewind button on my life. I might yell at my parents, curse out my friends, or take a quick glance at my friends test. We try to correct our wrongs, but we just stumble the very next time we are tempted. Besides breathing, it’s as if sin is the only other thing that comes naturally.
I know what is right. When I take just a second to contemplate what God asks of me, it is almost never too hard to determine between good and bad. The Holy Spirit is always there for those who wish to have a clear understanding of what God wants from His children, in this sinful world. Throughout life, it is unfortunately very easy to go astray, thankfully the prophet Isaiah reminds us:
“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6 NLT)
Through these verses, Isaiah is trying to convey to us that there is always hope in this desperate world. Though there may not appear to be a way out, Christ has already made the way, through His death on the cross we are all redeemed. There is not a single person, nor a single bad habit that can have complete power over our lives, unless we willingly relinquish all control.
-Kyle D. Smith - High School Senior
The Unspoken Practice
by Arlene Penick on 05/24/11
"A lesser but still a significant percentage of girls engage in what was once called self- gratification." Alberta Mazart ? Masturbation is not a subject that one talks about freely. Perhaps many would like to keep this subject a private matter. However, from the statistics, we see that many boys and girls are practicing masturbation. 
"Between 95 and 98 percent of all boys engage in this practice of masturbation and the rest have been known to lie. It is as close to being a universal behavior"…. Dr. James Dobson.
Is this an area we need to start a dialogue on? What are your thoughts?
G.O.D. Attraction
by Arlene Penick on 05/24/11
Have you ever heard the saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover?" For example, an apple may appear to be sweet and juicy, however when you see what the apple looks like inside it may be dry and rotten to the core.
My question to you: Is it possible to always recognize a homosexual by the way he or she looks, acts, or talks. Why or why not?
Abortion-is when you hold the life of an unborn baby in your hands, and make a decision to take life instead of giving life. Your choice to abort will end the baby’s life. It will never see its mother face, touch another’s hand, or hear a loving word or song. Life is no more!
Why would a person choose to abort? Perhaps, rape, incest, an unhealthy child, or interference with future plans are a few reasons.
To decide to abort is a final and permanent decision. You cannot bring back life after it is gone. Abortions are legal, but are they ethical? God is the giver of life; we are not, so it’s not our right to take it. Here is a real life story!
Why Wait?
by Arlene Penick on 05/24/11
Patiently waiting for something may be the very thing needed to enrich and enhance lives for a brighter future. Are there benefits to waiting for sex till marriage? Share a few.
Can You Say No When you Feel Yes
by Arlene Penick on 05/24/11
Abstinence is saying no to sex before marriage. You must make the decision to delay sexual relations till marriage. No one else can do it for you! As we look around our world today, it seems as if abstinence or delayed gratification is not what people live by today. More and more the media today, base relationships on feelings. Whatever feels good, do it, with no regard as to what is right for the people involved. It’s hard for young people to understand why a loving God would start preparing the body for sex before the proper time to have sex. That’s a question that many pre teens and teens are asking. There is a purpose to His plan. God has a plan! Even though the hormones are released, estrogen for the females and testosterone for males, there is still a lot more growing to do. It’s growing time. Hormones set things in place. The force to have sex at an early age is real and powerful. Jesus understands! He offers you His strength and power as you go through this waiting period! Make God’s promise your strength. "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (GNB) 
