April 2012
© 2012 Marlene Bagnull
My seven-year-old granddaughter was here today. We had a long talk about how she disobeyed her mother yesterday, screamed no, and stuck out her tongue. And we talked about last week when she said, “I don’t like having a brother. I hate him.” As a punishment her mother told her she had to write “I will be nice” 100 times. Of course, Laura didn’t, and mom gave up arguing with her.
Well today, I decided this was one of those battles (and yes, I pick them carefully) that needed to be won. I gave Laura the choice of writing “I will obey and say kind words” only 50 times if it was readable and if she didn’t moan and groan through the process. Giving her a choice must have been the key for she did it without her usual theatrics of “I can’t. It will take forever!”
Why am I taking time to tell this story? Certainly not because I think I’m a model grandmom or all-wise. I grieve over the seeds of rebellion that are already growing in my granddaughter and can’t help wonder what her teen years will be like if Jesus tarries.
Then I received an email from Donna Partow, an author who has served several times on the faculty of both the writers’ conferences I direct. The statistics Donna shared about American teens deepen my concern for my grandkids and for all of America’s youngsters. And they contribute to the burden I carry for children at home and abroad who are abused, homeless, hungry.
From Donna Partow
Are you ready to be shocked? Here are some national statistics about American teenagers:
- 1 in 3 have been drunk in the past month
- 1 in 4 will use illegal drugs
- 8000 contract an STD every day
- 1 million are pregnant
- 750,000 get abortions each year
- 1 in 10 have been raped
- 9 out of 10 have seen pornography online
- 1 of 2 are no longer virgins
- 40% have inflicted self-injury
- 1 in 5 have contemplated suicide
- Over 1,500 kill themselves each year
- 53% believe Jesus sinned
- 83% believe truth is relative
What part will you play in reaching this profoundly lost generation?
It’s because of these concerns that I direct the Colorado (May 16-19) and Greater Philly (August 1-4) Christian Writers Conferences. I truly believe Father can use our writing to make a difference. Will you respond to the call to “write His answer”?
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Marlene Bagnull is the author of five books includingWrite His Answer: A Bible Study for Christian Writers and the compiler/editor of three other books. She also has over 1,000 sales to Christian periodicals and has taught over 40 one and two-day Christian writers seminars. This is her 15th year directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. She is the founder (in 1983) and director of the August 1-4 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
