To start off I should tell you that Dating itself is not mentioned in the Bible. Dating in kinda a newer thing, if you want direct advice from the time period of the Bible penning about how to find a spouse it goes like thus… “You have little to know choice, get over it”. Oddly enough, that’s not as helpful in present times. But what we can do is understand how we should act in our relationships with the opposite sex, directly from biblical wisdom. See God knew things would be different now and if you look, you can find out what he’s thinking for us in today’s time. S0 without further ado, Tips on dating, From the Bible:

Tip 1) Parents

Now hold on, before you stop reading! I know that parents can drive you crazy. Even more so when it involves members of the opposite sex, but I promise this is helpful information. So for starters, if your parents have a “No- Dating” rule, then with all of my heart and collective strength I recommend that you listen to them. Really, I do. See, you live under their roof, in their home, sleeping on their furniture, eating their food, and asking for their money to do stuff. So just on logic, you want to be on their good side for as long as possible. But, if my word isn’t good enough let me bring up Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ”that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”. God has granted your parents both authority and responsibility for you under their care. If you follow along with your parents and honor them, God promises that you will enjoy your long life and it will be well with you. How cool is that? Now if your parents are lax on the dating but disapprove of the person you are with, perhaps you should seriously question why you are with them? Because your parents want what best for you (that why they make you eat your veggies and go to Youth Group) It may seem stupid at the time, or maybe like they just had you having fun, but they are really looking out for you, So give them a listen. Cause, believe it or not… they once had to have a relationship before they me each other, so they might know a thing or two about how dating works (or doesn’t).

Tip 2) Patience

So you found the person you are going to spend forever with and want to give them everything right now… but why? Look this is hard for a teen (or adults) to hear sometimes, but it’s cool to have patience. If you have found that perfect someone who you know you are going to be with, then why is waiting for that to happen so bad.. why rush it? The only reason I can come up with to rush it is because you don’t think it’s really gonna last and you want to be intimate, kissy, or touchy with them while you still have the chance and that is stupid (sorry.. it is) Because you don’t want to just settle for the right now, cause if you wait then you get the best. You get what God has set in place for you, because He loves you and knows you best. Check out Genesis 29:16-20 “ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.  Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful.  Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.”  So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” I gave a friend some advice one time, about being patient and not just throwing his heart to the next girl he met. I asked him under what circumstance would he need to tell , verbally, I love you, prior to him being ready to make a life commitment to her. Because we have become so quick to say those words, but in reality those words mean,” I will lay down my life for you, all that I am, I will put aside for you, to focus on your needs and desires first” Because we know that that is love, Jesus says in 1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” Until we reach that point, it’s ok to like someone .. it’s even ok to really like someone. But love isn’t a feeling that make you warm and fuzzy, it’s a choice to give everything you have to a person and if your to young now, be patient. You can even be in love and display it without having to say it. Every action you do can declare in a godly way that you love this person. If it is for real it will still be there when you grow up. And if it’s not for real and fades, that’s ok. Better you be patient and find out, then rush into saying “I love you”, letting you heart get all tangled up, possibly getting intimate, kissy or touchy then having it all fall apart. You deserve to have those words spoken to you and have them truly meant to the fullest and so does the person you might be with. So don’t rush in to saying “I Love You” cause it’s alright to like someone a lot until you can make a commitment. ( Disclaimer: this isn’t a law or a rule, just something to think about… Why would you NEED to say I love you before you willing to make a life long commitment?)

3) Faith (or Phaith)

When you are with someone a lot, you start absorbing some of what they are. For example; My wife, Mrs. Q, started reading comic books while we were dating. Se had never really read a comic book before but started to because of me. As well, I started learning about sharks and squids and things because of her. We shared what was in our life because we were so close, we stated to have things in common. This is one of the reasons its so important to share your faith with any significant other. They need to be able to appreciate and enhance your relationship with Jesus and the only way to do that is to be a Christian. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16a says ” Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.” While you may go to school with Non-Christians and may even look like a non-christian, and possible even have the same DNA as a non-christian God has made you a “new creation” when you accepted him into your life. The word that is used is like the same word used for when a caterpillar is changed to a butterfly.  That’s a pretty radical change, and I can honestly say, I haven’t seen and butterflies carrying around any caterpillars because they are romantically involved. I was asked ” But what if the person you like isn’t a christian…yet? Can you date them and take them to church?” This comes kinda back to patience, cause if you care for them and they care for you then you don’t have be in any hurry to be in a relationship. Take them to church as a friend and be honest with them. I don’t date Non-Christians, but I like you and Jesus can change your life. Missionary Dating doesn’t work… I’ve seen more friend say “this won’t affect my faith” While they date a non-christian to then just see them walk away. As their friend it’s heart breaking, because you try to warn them… and if they had just never started that relationship in the first place they would never had to chose we between their other or Jesus. But, In a relationship with 2 Christians, you can pray together, share what Jesus is doing in your life, share Bible readings, maybe even do a Bible study together. It’s awesome to have Christ in common!

4) Respect

See in the world of relationships, respect is one of the most important things to remember.  Because if you don’t marry the person your with, someone else probably will, so you are with someone else spouse. That means some one might be with your future spouse… hopefully showing them the respect you would expect. See the bible says to deal with absolute purity. Let’s check out 1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity” Wow,, treat girls like your sisters? Treat boys like brothers… eww! Let em help you picture what it means to respect in this manner. I am going to use a boy as an example but this works both ways. So say a boy is out with a girl (awwww) they are sitting watching a movie. Suddenly he thinks of putting his arm around her. Then he goes to lean in for a smooch or more … WAIT! See I want this boy to think, if a guy was out with my sister, would I want him to be doing what I am doing right now? Would I want her to come home and tell em all the details? So reversing this around, Ladies,  would you want your brother moving in on some girl like you might be moved in on for a smooch… or more? I didn’t think so. Realize that You are not only keeping yourself pure, but the person you are with as well, because they deserve to present themselves to the spouse God has picked out for them pure, just as you do.

Bonus) Prayer

Seriously on of the best tips I can give in this whole regard is praying for your future spouse… Now! Right now, turn to the Lord and go, “Lord, you have the perfect person for me, I just want to pray that that person is growing in  You, making good choices and staying pure, Thank you for them, Amen”. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) says “pray without ceasing”. I recommend you make a list of Spiritual attributes and pray that God places thois person in your life at the right time. Take a couple of minutes this week and make a list of 10 things you want your spouse to be (Godly things, not just that they are “hot”) Then every day or so just take a few minutes and pray for them. How cool would it be if on your wedding day you can turn to them and say “I’ve been praying for you since I was a teen”  (that would be SO COOL!)

So I could probably write a good amount more on this but in reality, if your in the Word of God regularly and keeping an active prayer life, you will be learning new and awesome ways God can make you into an awesome boyfriend/girlfriend! So keep up your walk, be a Revolutionary Christan and …

Later Days

As the Youth Director at WKBC I see teens facing the onslaught from the media telling them that they aren’t anything if not in a relationship and that sex is a main part teen dating (i.e. “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” is a show about a girl who gets pregnant and then the drama focuses on her and her friends dating and having sex). This simply isn’t true in God’s eyes. While so much of the teen culture is full of creativity and expression, when it comes to dating, the Scriptures are clear on honoring your parents and on purity. God wants his people pure, not just sexually but in all areas of our lives. For the next few weeks the Youth Group is going to be taking a look at what God has to say when it comes to purity and dating, along with drugs and alcohol. It is very important that teens have a solid grasp on Gods word in this area, so I highly recommend that you encourage your teens to join us for the next 9 weeks ( Teens, be encouraged to join us ). Below is the schedule for the upcoming lessons. If you have any questions or concerns please email me at MrQ@wkbc.org or call me at 401.212.6793. I’d love to hear from you.

Lessons:
3/11: How to relate to relationships (A lesson on how we treat each other everyday.)
3/18: 100% pure, like Juicey Juice (A lesson on how God desires us to be pure in all areas of our life.)
3/25: God designed you to have sex, but not now (A lesson on the joys of being patient for marriage.)
4/1: No Youth Group: Maundy Thursday
4/8: Are you datable? (A lesson on analyzing a teen’s life to see if they are ready to date; this include what there parents say about it.)
4/15: It’s not that kind of yoke, but you can still be scrambled (A lesson on the risk and danger in dating a non-christian.)
4/22: Modesty and chivalry (A lesson in our regards to the opposite sex.)
4/29: How your brain works and how far is too far? (A lesson in the dangers and objectifying the opposite sex)
5/6: Using drugs and alcohol can lead to a “Lot” of trouble (A lesson on the dangers of loosing your inhibitions.)

Some Facts About Teens/ Dating/ and Sex:

• Every year around 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant.
• Unmarried teenagers having children account for 24 percent of all unmarried expectant mothers.
• 47.8% ( about 1 out of 2) of the teenage population have had sex.
• 13 percent of girls and 15 percent of boys said they had sex before the age of 15
• Over half of males (55%) and females (54%) ages 15-19 report having oral sex with someone of the opposite sex.
• Teens interviewed on Good Morning America say that “parents would be shocked if they new how common oral sex is”
• 39% of U.S. teens say they used alcohol in the past month.
• 75% of teens say that their “friends usually get high at parties”

Later Days…

His Servant,
Thomas Quicksell (Mr. Q)

PS.

Please mark your calendar for Sunday, April 25th at 12:30pm. There will be a meeting for all the parents of teens to discuss ways in which the Youth Ministry and parents can partner to better equip the teens. Childcare and a light lunch will be provided. To sign up either email me at MrQ@wkbc.org or sign up in the Family Room. Thank you and I hope to see you soon.

I am very excited about snow camp this year for sooooo many reasons! First off, Snow camp is awesome! It’s a great time every year to focus on Jesus and have a great time as the teens of WKBC! Secondly, This is the biggest group we have ever taken! Seriously, we are looking at almost 2 vans full! (and since this is the biggest trip and the church only owns one van, be in prayer for us finalizing the transportation). And C, We have all of you going! You are going to make this trip spectacular!

We are going to be meeting at WKBC at 3pm on Friday the 12th… You need to get here at 3pm, I understand that some of you are not your own rides… you need to be here at 3pm still. At 3pm we are packing the vehicles so that we can leave on time, in order to get to Camp Berea on time.

We will be arriving back sometime in the afternoon on Sunday, there will be calls made home when we enter into RI.

Attached is the Permission Slip and Paintball Information, all students must have this Permission Slip filled out prior to arriving at the church and if you plan on playing paintbal that waiver must be filled out prior to arriving at the church. (Even if you are 18 or older!)

What to bring to Snow Camp:

• Check to WKBC for $70
• Your permission slip and paintball waver form
• Warm Clothes (boots, gloves, coat, hat, snow pants, ect…)
• Bedding, Sleeping Bag, Pillow
• Bible, Notebook, and Pen
• Spending money for Snack Shop and Bookstore
• Towels and Toiletries
• Cameras (remember to tag me in those facebook photos! )

What NOT to bring to Snow Camp:

• Any personal media device including, iPod’s, game devices, walkmans, ect..
• Headphones of any kind.
• Pocket knifes or multitools
• Drugs or alcohol
• Ect..

(items will be confiscated on first sight)

You are allowed to bring your cell phone for emergencies only,  please note they are not to be used (this includes texting or any other uses)

Please use your best discretion when packing. If in doubt, leave it at home. All items confiscated will be returned directly to your parents or guardians upon return home.

As of this time if you are on this list you are responsible for the remainder to the balance due on the trip regardless of attendance. No students will be allowed to leave the church property with out having the remainder of the balance and there permission slip turned into Mr. Q.

Later (and Colder) Days,

Mr. Q

Click Here For Permission Slips

So last week I introduced some of you to Doctor Who. Yes, he’s a time-lord from the planet Galefrey with the chosen name “The Doctor” who flies though space and time in his TARDIS . Sci-fi is fun because in it we convey our hopes, fears, and beliefs all in the realm of story telling. The Sci-fi Showcase this past week was “The Doctor… who?” and we took a look at The Doctor and his desire to “make people better”. The thing is at best Doctor Who is entertaining but fictional, he can’t really make everyone better. On the other hand, an inspiration  for the character is very real, and has to power to makes us better indeed. The Bible is briming with this image that God wants to heal us; “…for I am the LORD, who heals you.”  Exodus 15:26, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,…” Jeremiah 30:17, and then theres my favorite, “who forgives all your sins,and heals all your diseases”  Psalms103:3. It’s all talking about Jesus! Jesus wants to make people better, but not just from their sickness, but better all around, he wants us to be free from our sins.

This is a cry to us who know Jesus, we have been seeing The doctor to heal ourselves but pass the dying on our way. We have friends, family and strangers that are in need of “medical” attention. It’s hard because we are scared to share our faith ( I mean what if they don’t want to hear it), we figure we should talk about God at church and not at school or work. But as Christians we have been made like Christ, joint heirs and children of God and (since I’m running with this analogy) you have an “Honorary Doctorate” . You, as official medical staff, can take the sick to see the Doctor! Cuz it’s only by Jesus can anyone be made better. So Keep sharing Christ with your friends, be bold, talk to them, You never know who wants to know how to be cured. Some may push back and not want to hear it, but you never know until you try. All I know is I’ve been to the walk-in-clinc about 5 times this month do to sickness, I would love someone to tell me how to get better.

“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

Allons-y and Later Days!

Mr. Q

“Astrid: This Christmas thing? What’s it about?

The Doctor: Long story. I should know. I was there. I got the last room.”

While we pray for Haiti remember to lift up the families of those who are missing, remember to pray for the courage of those trapped. While we pray, remember those digging with bare hands for strangers, and remember the leaders that have trying times ahead of them. Most of all, pray with a passion that God uses this to bring glory and honor to His name in the lives of the people in Haiti. Seek His face in knowledge that while there are people trapped under debris, God can speak to there hearts in this time. Pray that the brave ones digging though the rubble can seek after the truth with the same passion and bare handedness. Pray that the families can be comforted by experiencing the grace and peace that can only come from knowing Jesus.

We get very caught up in our own lives… day to day, never thinking how quickly it could be rocked. Christ is real, and we need him. Nothing in our lives matter more than that. Somehow the stress and drama of everyday life seem to pale in comparison to the depth of turbulence in Haiti right now. I pray that there are voices sharing Christ at this time in Haiti.

Seeking His Face and Later days,

Mr.Q

We have started a couple week series on “Being a Revolutionary Christian” and we will continue to take a firm and heavy Biblical look at what has become to be a Christian teen and what it is in the eyes of  Jesus.

Last weeks message was about why  we would need a revolution, and it starts with Luke 9:23-26 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” So many of our teens have seen a multitude of teens claiming Christ by word or dictation but not action or deed in there life. They don’t want to lose themselves, their time, their friends, or their hobbies and continue to try to build and save there lives themselves. They don’t understand the need for action on behalf of Christ. Let me start by stressing this,  doing good things can not save you, the Bible say the best stuff we can do are like rags to God. When your time comes He will not care about any  good thing you did apart from Him. In the same regard He won’t care about vain words spoken with a hard heart. Matthew 7: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” There is and needs to be an honest desire to do his will in those who have Christ in there hearts. Sometimes it’s tough, messy, painful, or down right embarrassing but we strive to honor him and follow his teaching. If you claim salvation but have no desire to serve Jesus as Lord you may want to think about why that might be missing in your life.

We have saturated a country with Christian who proclaim salvation but are horrified at the prospect of acting upon it. This is the current status quo and it’s time it’s overturned. God has given a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline to his people, not a spirit of timidity. (see 2 Tim 1:7) But so often we settle for the mediocore Christian experience that Satan wants for us and we forget to be the Revolutionaries that Christ died for us to be.

Don’t just be a good Christian, Be a Revolutionary one!

Wrap up with this, You are amazing in Christ! It’s true, in Him your brilliant!

“ I can do all things through him (Jesus) who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:6

later days,

Mr. Q

This Thursday, December 10, at 6pm is the Youth Ministry Annual Christmas Banquet. All of those in 7th-12 grade are invited for a time of dressing up and celebrating the Lords Birth. Remember to bring a wrapped gift worth $5. There is still time to sign up to bring food, See Mr. Q

Jesus is  what Christmas is all About Charlie Brown

and Later days