RAISING TEENS FOR CHRIST

                    A teen needs love not rejection, praises not curses, motivations and encouragements. They need those inspiring voices to continue ringing in their ears. For these words, when expressed even in actions, speaks volumes to their souls. This stage, the teen doesn't think he can rise, all he thinks about is the opportunity wasted and failed projects; trusts broken and hopes shattered. This is the sad music the walls of their heart absorb the feeling of unworthiness.            An average teenager, full of dreams and life might see the wavering storms and plan on ways to conquer. He  might work on these tactics and might be progressing, however, the views from different people(their disapproving comments) restrains the teen from moving forward. This demotivation can come from people very close the teen like parents, siblings or friends.              In an average Nigerian home setting, parents are the teen superior and it is expected that the child show resp

                            DEPRESSION AND PARENTAL HATRED.         As a teenager develops, they witness certain changes in their psychological and emotional statuses. These changes arises from their new life - life as a teenager.         A teen is prone to be sentimental about things and impulsive in taking decisions. However, the outcomes of these decisions does not always turn out right.   The thinking faculty of a teen cannot be compared to that of an adult, neither a child; teenagers are leaving childhood stage with it's elements and entering adulthood with whatever comes with it and so, they don't think childish neither do they think as matured as the average adult. Driven by their passion and high expectations, they are faced with the risks associated with disappointments. This forms the bedrock of my exposition.        ' Growing up, I had lots of dreams ruled out, planning to be executed with time. I had high hopes and faith that I would succeed. I made prep

Adanna, The girl of the family, The daughter her father looks up to pursue his legacy, Adanna, The light-skinned slim girl, Who everyone admires her physique, She is prime, Her voice flows melodiously when she speaks, The birds can't contend with her melody, Adanna, She is the girl parents boasts about to their children, The girl everyone guy wants to marry But Adanna feels lonely and weak Because Papa wants Adanna to live his life; To be the queen of the land Adanna wants to pursue a course in medicine To help the kwashiokor-stricken children, The heavily pregnant women And hypertensive men To transform her community Papa, The man who shelters her And provides for her, Disapproves, Mama too, Her once best friend, The one who feeds her, And gives her excess soup to lick, Isn't supporting, Will Adanna uphold to her decision or behold to her parents?                                                                                                  

        T he world of books is the most remarkable creation of man; nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall, nations perish, civilization grow old and die out.        After an era of darkness, new races build others. But in the world of books are volumes that live on, still as young and fresh as the day they were written; still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead.         Welcome to the world of books, where your relevance will outline your generation. 

                    WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO BE FRIENDS.            When it comes to finding friends, perhaps the first step is understanding what exactly friendship is. Does it mean you have each other in your Facebook list?Or that you see each other everyday ? Not really.    A relationship needs to have some key elements in order to be labeled as friendship. A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP THAT IS RECIPROCATED.          In order for a friend to truly be considered a friend, he or she has to also believe you are their friend also without question. For these types of folks, they assume someone is their friend until they find out otherwise. FRIENDS ARE KIND AND ACT AS  A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE          It should go without saying that real friends make you feel good, as opposed to bring you down. People who are genuinely your friend put your relationship above being right or trying  to feel superior. If someone constantly puts you down, he or she is not a real friend .

WHO IS MY FRIEND?                                  This question has been misunderstood by many; people can't give a direct definition or explanation who a friend is. Understanding this will help eliminate those who you think are friends to you.               A friend is someone other than your family or lover that you share close affection with. You share kindness, sympathy, empathy, compassion, common interests, common beliefs, loyalty, and fun with them.              Also, a friend is someone you allow to influence your life, whose mindset is same with yours.                       5 BUILDING BLOCKS OF FRIENDSHIP: 1) True Friendship is built on the same material.        Prov 27 vs 17. Friends stay together, as long as the think together. Associate with those that have same mindset with you. 2) A friend loves at all times.        Prov 17 vs 17. A friend is a source of sustenance and lifting. 3)A friend is ready  to risk his friendship for you to make it in life.

            T here are some changes a teenager experiences in this stage of his life; and most of those changes are controlled by environment, friends, and even parents.             Some of those changes may include : 1) Behavioral Changes. 2) Emotional Changes. 3) Physical Changes. 4) Social Changes.   These are some of the aspects teenagers experience changes. BEHAVIORAL CHANGES: •Making excuses. •Strange or violent behavior. •Creating stories to hide drug and alcohol abuse. •Loss of interest in hobbies and activities. •Spending more time alone. •Making frequent phone calls. •Often in secrecy. EMOTIONAL CHANGES: •Anger and defiance when confronted about behavior. •Depression and mood swings. •Decrease in motivation. PHYSICAL CHANGES: •Scratching or picking at the skin. •Needle marks on arms. . •Changes in weight or sleep habits. •Fatigue and drowsiness. •Having strange items, such as scales, lighters, needles, balloons, tin foil, mirrors, pipes, condom et

                          W hile peer pressure can be positive, many teens may be wondering how to resist peer pressure to  engage in risky behaviors. Learning how to handle peer pressure as a teenager involves planning  ahead, choosing the right friends, and keeping open communication with trusted adults. The following strategies are important for handling peer pressure effectively: 1) Learn to say no:                   Declining to participate in activities that you are not comfortable with is away to resist peer pressure. Plan ahead and practice what you will say if you’re pressured to do something you don’t want to do. For example, before going out with friends, you may practice what you might  say if offered a cigarette. You could decline with a simple “no, thanks,” or say that you don’t want it to interfere with your soccer training, or you could state that it makes your allergies  worse. Sometimes saying no may involve leaving an unsafe situation. In these cases ,

             The effects of peer pressure can be beneficial or negative. One area in which peer pressure can have a negative influence is drinking and drug use.              A review of the research shows that peers have a greater influence on adolescent substance abuse. Peers can encourage friends to use drugs and alcohol or tease them for being afraid to try them,which can lead to the initiation of drinking and drug use.               The effects of peer pressure can also influence sexual behavior in teens. One study found that peers’ views about sex have a significant effect on the sexual behavior of adolescents.                In addition, having peers who are sexually active is linked to engagement in risky sexual activities. It is important to note that despite the negative effects of peer pressure, there are some benefits associated with peer influence. The previous study did find that peers’ beliefs could positively influence attitudes regarding contraception and saf

          P eer pressure is about being influenced and choosing to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do, in the hope of feeling accepted and valued by others. It isn’t just about doing something against your will.            Peer pressure might result in teens: choosing the same clothes, hairstyle, or jewellery as their friends. listening to the same music or watching the same TV shows as their friends, changing the way they talk, or the words they use.           Wanting to be more like your friends is a normal part of being a teen. Peer pressure isn’t always a bad thing.              Sometimes, peer pressure can result in unhealthy or dangerous behaviors, but it can also influence teens in positive ways, such as by encouraging them to put forth their best effort in school.                             TYPES OF PEER PRESSURE  1) Negative peer pressure. 2) positive peer pressure.                Negative peer pressure and Positive peer pressure can both influence the