For the last week I have caught myself switching the radio station from The Message on Sirius XM to the ‘80s on 8 station.  We had to drive Collin’s Jeep home from Cabot, Arkansas, and if someone saw me in the car, I would have been so embarrassed.  When Jungle Love came on, I was movin’ all over that front seat!  This morning, Rick James came on and I know I was flying toward downtown singing “Super Freak, she’s super freaky yeah…”  All I know is that my mood changed and I was be-boppin’ into the office.

I often talk to Collin about the music he chooses.  If you listen to some of the rap lyrics, they will make your toes curl.  But like Pastor Rick said this past Sunday, we have become numb to our sins.  NOT that music is a sin, but what the music creates in our heart and our head, such as lustful thoughts, anger (I call it anger music), and definitely sexual thoughts.

But I had to stop and think about the music from the 80’s.  Was it much different then?  I googled the lyrics to Jungle Love this morning and I was SHOCKED.  Of course, when I was young in the 80’s, I didn’t bother to know all the lyrics.  I just knew it was good music for dancing and I did my share of dancing in the 80’s.  Thinking back, I’d probably break a hip now.

My point is, do our kids actually know the music that is going in their ears?  If we could get their playlist and print the lyrics and ask them, “Would you hand these lyrics to Jesus?” I wonder what they would say and if they would be convicted.  I could go even broader, what about adults? Kids aren’t the only culprits.  It boils down to is it edifying and glorifying God?

“Geez Ms. Lisa, you’re being so picky.”

Just think.  God knows the thoughts of your past and the thoughts in your future.  How mind blowing is that?  More than mind blowing, it is intimate. God is intimate in his relationship with you.

When you sing the lyrics, can you sing them to God?

“That’s being a bit literal, Ms. Lisa.”

I think God is very intentional in his word when it says,  ^“—for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God—“ Exodus 34:14.  Personally, I would rather not suffer the wrath of God for silly mistakes and something I chose when I know better.  I firmly believe what’s in your heart comes out of your mouth.

I distinctly remember the conviction of a young lady who was in the youth group at Germantown Baptist.  Her parents battled the music in her life.  They chose to pray over her.  Our battle is not our children and we know that.  Eventually, and I’ll never forget this, she stood before the youth and confessed of her addiction to unhealthy music and was getting rid of her music from her different devices she felt convicted her.  It made an impression on my heart that still is there today.  Now, she is an adult making BIG GIRL decisions.

So I have to do better.  I have to make better choices to be a better example.  We are not going to be perfect, any of us.  But I do believe we should strive to be more like Jesus.

Join me in fighting the fight. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12

Their family seems so perfect, always smiling, laughing.  I never hear of complaining from that family either.  Yet I walk around with my head down and doubts swirling. I’m out of place. I keep asking myself, I know my family is not normal, but when will we be happy?  Is happiness possible?  All these questions in my head!  I’m going MAD!

A friend enlightened me to a few things.  It didn’t matter how many times my friends had told me not to let satan have control, or how many times I had quoted John 10:10 to myself (“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”), it finally struck home when he said, “… you aren’t the only parent who feels feelings and thoughts like you are experiencing – don’t buy into the lie of isolation.”

Satan has convinced me that I am alone, fighting alone, and struggling raising my child alone.  This is simply not true.  I can still feel alone in a crowd, but I know God can fill a space that no one on earth will ever fill.  That’s the lie that satan tells teenagers.  He does steal and destroy, not only teenagers, but adults also.

How can we be examples to our teenagers? Of course, our first resource is to pray and pray intentionally. (Just go see the movie War Room.) But secondly, we must choose joy.  I posted a scripture from Psalms today that convicted me.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,

“I’ll get you out of any trouble.

I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.

Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;

 I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.

I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!”

So, how much am I trusting God to get me out of trouble?  Will He rescue me and my family as we suffer?  I want a party! I want the BEST of care.  Who can give that to me? MY GOD CAN! Who can send satan running? I CAN! Not only from me, but from my teenager who I believe battles more of life than I do at times. You have this same power and control over satan, loneliness, and fear.

God, I’m holding on for dear life.  My family is STILL holding on for dear life.  There are days we feel the walls closing in around us and there is no way out.  I know others must feel this way, but why do I feel alone?  Help others be as transparent as I am being.  Help others know how to pray for and with me.  Remind them that I still miss my baby boy who is in your care.  We are all your children.  I don’t like masks, Lord.  Why do people wear them? Bind satan and his masks from me and my family.  Rescue us from fear and pain.  Lord, watch over my little sparrow and keep him safe.  He’s my only baby left.  Don’t let him feel alone. Amen.

Satan, you have no hold on this family.  No hold.  I refuse to feel alone.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2-5

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.