STANDARDS OF YOUTH
IMPACT'S YOUTH ORGANIZATION (YOUNG ONES UNITED TOWARDS HUMANITARIANISM)
By: Amelia C. Borboran
In every step you make, see to it that it will always result to something good. However, good should be assessed whether it is just good for our physical satisfaction or good for our eternal welfare. The latter should be given more weight and preference. We were given free will to choose between good and bad coupled with the accountability for the consequences of our actions. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:35-37). Nurture yourselves with the word of God and unconsciously your mind brings forth better judgment and actions. It is by this privilege to choose that we grow spiritually and with this free will that we can prove that we love God in spite of tremendous odds, temptations and challenges in life.
SENSE OF GRATITUDE
Be thankful in whatever circumstances you have in life. Remember always to thank God who gave us life and brought us here to experience the privileges of mortality. Recognized the awesome wonders of this world He had created for us to dwell but most of all the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus or the atonement for our sins. “Sense of gratitude should be combined with a desire to repay for what we have been given. Like the love and sacrifices our parents had done for us. It’s not just that we feel grateful, or that we express our gratitude, but that we actually experience a sincere desire to give something back. We might think of it as appreciation that stimulates a sense of obligation. Not an externally imposed obligation. But a sense of obligation that arises naturally within us as we recognize how we have been supported and cared for by others.” (todoinstitute.org) Just as Filipinos are readily available for help, they also feel a great sense of gratitude when help is extended to them and voluntarily reciprocates this help in due time.
THE VALUE OF EDUCATION
Look forward for secular knowledge. We can have greater opportunity for improving our lives and do service for others if we are educated. Let us value education that will make who we are in the future. Abraham Lincoln in his poor log cabin shows a note which says, “ill-fed and ill-clothed”. But in his life education had made him famous and it was education that made him as one of the notable President of the United States. “Dear students, continue on with your studies. Value your education—you are blessed to be in school, this is a privilege not enjoyed by many.”- (The D Spot). “Ang edukasyon ay matibay na sandalan ng leadership ng ating pamahalaan lalo na sa darating pang bukas. Panahon na ang kabataan manguna sa bayan at sa bansa kaya dapat kumilos na (Education is a strong pillar of leadership in our government, especially in generations to come. The Filipino youth should play a part in leading the nation). It is your time now to help lead the country, to reshape its fate before the world. Use this opportunity of education, finish your degrees ... [and] don’t let the chance slip away,” President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said.
CHRIST CENTERED FAMILY
Christ centered family brings joy and happiness in the home. Strengthen your bonding with your love ones and develop deep respect with the elderly. In the family we find strong support and environment for our growth. Parents should know the responsibility that children should be loved, nurtured, nourished and cared as they are spirit which came from heaven and were just given for temporary stewardship. Children should however reciprocate these love and nurturing with deep respect, love and gratitude. Support each other in the home and don’t let bickering and contention shatters the joy and camaraderie in the family. "Family, become what you are!" The family must truly become "an intimate community of life and love. The family has the mission to guard, reveal and communicate love, a love that reflects God’s love for humanity.”(CBCP)
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. ” (Latter Day Saints- Family A Proclamation to the World)
ASSOCIATION WITH OTHERS (FRIENDS & PEERS)
Pick the best of all your friends who are compatible with your standards, likes and dislikes. Be low profile, be good and kind to everyone, even if they are not. Let your good example shine on them.
Despite this high-tech world we live in, a true friend is still a gift in your life. You're meeting new people all the time but most of them won't turn into good friends. It's important to reflect on what true friendship means to you and form a definition in your mind so you know if someone you meet might become a close friend.
1. Take the time to think about what a true friend means to you. It's not as obvious as you may think. You may need someone who's artistic and creative while someone else needs a person who loves to be active.
2. Pay attention to your comfort level when you're with a person. A true friend makes you feel at ease. Someone who bombards you with negative comments, criticizes rather than encourages and pushes you to do things you don't want to do will never be a true friend.
3. Identify your differences of opinion. Arguments make a healthy friendship because they force you to think differently about things. But we all have our threshold. If someone has nasty things to say just because of your ethnic background, you're better off looking for friendship somewhere else.
4. Notice if the person shows concern for your well-being. That means they don't give you a dissertation on their life before you get a chance to say anything else. When you start talking about your problems, see if you have their full attention. True friends don't let their eyes wander or glaze over when it's not their turn to gripe!
5. Be honest about whether someone can ever be a good friend. A true friend is someone who can accompany you on the journey to personal growth. Someone who just agrees with everything you say or makes you feel inadequate isn't going to help you reach your potential.
How to be a true friend?
Being a true friend is not that common in today’s society. Everybody needs at least one true friend that can count on. Some of your so called friend may talk about you behind your back but not a true friend
1. To be a true friend may require a lot more love than you normally give. We all have friends but a true friend sticks with you through the good times and the bad times. If you call yourself a true friend the next time one of your friends is sick be there for them. The next time your friend needs to borrow some money let them borrow it.
2. You may find this hard to except but a true friend will lend money to a friend in need not expecting anything in return. A true friend will not give gifts only to want them back later when things don't go their way. A true friend will not stab their friend in the back or talk about them when they’re not around. A true friend sticks around when everyone else doesn't.
3. How can you call yourself a true friend if you don't even know where your friend lives? A true friend rejoices and mourn with their friends all the time. When is your friend’s birthday? What's their favorite drink? What's their favorite restaurant? What do they like to do? This was just a few bits and pieces of information you should know about your friend.
4. I have seen many people who thought they had true friends until they went through something and their friends was nowhere to be found. A true friend will open themselves up and share their deepest secrets with their friend.
How to be a True Friend in 10 Easy Ways (e.how.com)
1. Developed the friendship with truth. The friendship will last a lot longer.
2. TELL THEM YOU CARE by calling. Stop making it a once in a year event. You know a lot of things can happen in a year’s time. Give them a call it will make you feel better.
3. LISTEN TO THEM WITHOUT INTERRUPTIONS, that's why they have you as a friend. Let them get whatever is on their chest off.
4. GIVE THEM SOUND ADVICE NOT WANT THEY WANT TO HEAR. Don't be a yes person tell them the truth. Example is my breath bad, yep very bad.
5. GIVE THEM ENCOURAGEMENT.
6. DEFEND THEM AGAINST ATTACK. Don't let people talk bad about your friend when they are not around to defend themselves. Standup be a friend.
7. DON'T EVER COMPETE WITH YOUR FRIEND ESP. ABOUT MEN & WOMEN.
8. THE SAME FRIEND WHEN THEY LEAVE THE ROOM. Sometime friends are great when you are in the room. But soon as you leave, Bam here comes the defaming.
9. GIVE THEM ALL YOUR MONEY (JOKING) BUT IF YOU CAN HELP OUT DO SO. If you think times are hard now wait a bit they might get harder. We have come to get point were a people will to help out each other.
10. DON'T BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY DO THE SAME FOR YOU. After you have done all of these things don't be surprise when it comes back to you. It's called planting seed of kindness.
IN AND OUT BEHAVIOR
Be simple and clean in appearance. Dress modestly to express honor to God. Avoid wearing revealing pants and dresses and too tight or short that are too short. Don’t flaunt yourself around. Modesty is a way to show respect to yourself and others. Never go too trendy and too fashionable. Never disfigure your body with tattoes and body piercing. Confidence comes within, it comes from your good thoughts, sensibility, wisdom, good judgments and brains. Do not value superficial achievements. Don’t be too idolatrous looking with famous people so much that you tend to forget your own value and possible achievements. Find good role models. Try to discover your own potentials and peculiarity. Hard work and good living leads to a lifetime of achievement and happiness.
AMUSEMENTS AND THE MEDIA
Select entertainment that will elevate your moral and intellectual level. Evade anything that is immoral, vulgar, violent, or any form of pornography. Think that God sees you all the time and we can’t hide ourselves even in our darkest closets.
Internet and Pornography
Computers have indeed changed our lives considerably. At first, the conventional types of computers were mostly design for computations, word processing and keeping simple databases. But with the advent of the internet coupled with the development of sophisticated computer hardwares with multi-media capability, computers then became a vast or limitless source of information in various forms (i.e., video, sounds, still photos, print and various forms of visuals). The web (referring to worldwide computer network) now offers vast or limitless source of facts, almost anything under the sun.
The Internet is a wonderful tool for communication. However, it can become an escape from reality that has the appearance of safety, intimacy and anonymity. Use of the Internet for games, gambling, messages, porn or cybersex can become as addictive as any other drug. These had influence the life of so many youngsters, occupying most of their valuable time supposedly spent for learning and studies.
MUSIC AND DANCING
Avoid listening to extremely loud music, music that creates evil motivations, violence, immorality, offensive languages. Music is not usually a danger for a teenager whose life is happy and healthy. But if a teenager is persistently preoccupied with music that has seriously destructive themes, and there are changes in behavior such as isolation, depression, alcohol or other drug abuse, a psychological evaluation should be considered. A concern to many interested in the development and growth of teenagers is a serious deterioration in the messages of some rock music, including best-selling albums promoted by major record companies. The following troublesome themes are prominent and should be avoided:
· Advocating and glamorizing abuse of drugs and alcohol.
· Pictures and explicit lyrics presenting suicide as an "alternative" or "solution."
· Graphic violence.
· Preoccupation with the occult; songs about satanism and human sacrifice, and the apparent enactment of these rituals in concerts.
· Sex which focuses on controlling sadism, masochism, incest, devaluing women, and violence toward women.
Music is an important and powerful part of life. It can be an influence for good that helps you draw closer to Heavenly Father. However, it can also be used for wicked purposes. Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit.
Dancing can be fun and can provide an opportunity to meet new people. However, it too can be misused. When dancing, avoid full body contact with your partner. Do not use positions or moves that are suggestive of sexual behavior. Plan and attend dances where dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics, and music contribute to a wholesome atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord may be present.
EXPRESSIONS AND GESTURES
Do not use profane, vulgar or rude languages or gestures. Use languages that encourages, uplifts and complement others. Do not use the name of the Lord in vain. Avoid being disrespectful to older people especially your parents. ODD disease is very common to some youngster nowadays. ODD means Oppositional Defiant Disorder, characteristics of being negative, antagonistic, hostile, defiant, disrespectful and one who loves to violate rules and rights of others without concern or empathy. ODD is usually diagnosed when a young fellow has a persistent or consistent pattern of disobedience and hostility toward parents, teachers, or other adults. The primary behavioral difficulty is the consistent pattern of refusing to follow commands or requests by adults.
The behavior of youngster who have this disorder easily lose their temper, often argues with adults, refuse to follow rules, defy request, happy when they annoys people, blame others for their own mistakes and misbehavior and being touchy, easily annoyed or angered, resentful, spiteful, or vindictive.
No matter what circumstances we have been through in the past, we have to control our emotions and avoid hurting other people in words and actions. Exercise great reverence on sacred things especially to our Heavenly Father who have provided this mortal life and to Jesus Christ who gave us redemption and provide a way for our eternal salvation.
DATING & COURTSHIP
Make sure to be at the right age to go on dating. Choose only those who have strong moral standards. Young people should be taught to wait until at least age 18 to begin dating and to date only those who have high moral standards. A young man and a young woman on a date are responsible to help each other maintain their standards and to protect each other's honor and virtue. Group dating is encouraged.
Don’t go to movies or dark places. Plan venues that will keep you safe and remain pure in the eyes of God. Infatuation may be romantic, glamorous, thrilling, and even urgent, but genuine love should not be in a hurry. … . . . .. Time should be taken for serious thought, and opportunity given for [each partner to gain] physical, mental, and spiritual maturity. Longer acquaintances will enable both to evaluate themselves and their proposed companions, to know each other’s likes and dislikes, habits and dispositions, aptitudes and aspirations.
Courtship requires effort and creativity. Too often our modern world suggests expensive and elaborate dating activities. But depth and meaning emerge in a relationship only when two people converse, exploring each other’s feelings and aspirations and sharing concerns and perspectives. This kind of growth best occurs during simple, wholesome activities. There is another challenge common to courtships: curbing the desire for premature romantic involvement is an important part of building a strong friendship during dating. Besides being contrary to the commandments of God, physical intimacy before marriage also blocks the development of true friendship. Courtship is a time to discover who you and your partner really are—and how to nourish your relationship. (Jonn D. Claybaugh, Ensign-April 1994)
SEXUAL PURITY
Never get involved in sexual relationship outside marriage. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage. Prepare yourself to build a strong marriage and to bring children into the world as part of a loving family. Before marriage, do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do that with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body. Protect yourself from the emotional damage that always comes from sharing physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage. In cultures where dating or courting is acceptable, always treat your date with respect, never as an object to be used for your lustful desires. Stay in areas of safety where you can easily control your physical feelings. Do not participate in talk or activities that arouse sexual feelings.
Necking and Petting: “Among the most common sexual sins our young people commit are necking and petting. Not only do these improper relations often lead to fornication, pregnancy, and abortions—all ugly sins—but in and of themselves they are pernicious evils, and it is often difficult for youth to distinguish where one ends and another begins. They awaken lust and stir evil thoughts and sex desires (Spencer W. Kimball)
They are but parts of the whole family of related sins and indiscretions. Paul wrote as if to modern young people who deceive themselves that their necking and petting are but expressions of love: ‘Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves.’ (Romans 1:24.) How could the evils of petting be more completely described? …
“Too many have lost themselves completely in sin through this doorway of necking and petting. The devil knows how to destroy our young girls and boys. He may not be able to tempt a person to murder or to commit adultery immediately, but he knows that if he can get a boy and a girl to sit in the car late enough after the dance, or to park long enough in the dark at the end of the lane, the best boy and the best girl will finally succumb and fall. He knows that all have a limit to their resistance.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1969], pp. 65–66.)
Masturbation: As boys and girls reach physical maturity, curiosity in one’s body may result in self-stimulation (masturbation).
The world rationalizes that masturbation is natural and healthy. However, Spencer W. Kimball states the Lord’s view as follows: “Prophets anciently and today condemn masturbation. It induces feelings of guilt and shame. It is detrimental to spirituality. It indicates slavery to the flesh, not that mastery of it and the growth toward righteousness which is the object of our mortal life.
CONTROL YOUR TEMPER AND YOUR SPEECH
Learn to control yourselves; learn to be in the hands of God as clay in the hands of the potter. Subdue your rebellious passions, dismiss everything that you know or consider to be wrong, and embrace that which is better. (Teachings of Brigham Young). We all have different temperaments, but some of us are more short fused than others. Restrict yourselves from having violent temper. No matter how much you try, there will be situations where you find it impossible not to get angry. After releasing your temper, you realize often times how immature, unnecessary, or pointless your actions were. Ways to control your tantrums or anger:
· The first thing to do is to breathe deeply from the bottom of your diaphragm. This will help reduce that anger. Make sure you breathe from the diaphragm and not the chest because breathing from the chest will not help. Imagine as you are cooling off that your breathe is coming up from your gut.
· Now you want to slowly repeatedly tell yourself to relax. Make sure you tell yourself this silently, otherwise people may think that you are a bit off. If you see people backing always from you, chances are you are saying this out loud.
· Next use imagery. There is two ways to go with this. Either visualize a relaxing experience or visualize chewing out the person or thing making you upset.
· If you can't express your anger in a controlled way, try talking to a
friend, a family member or another trusted person. Think carefully before you say something in anger that you will regret.
friend, a family member or another trusted person. Think carefully before you say something in anger that you will regret.
Control you speech. Bring your tongue into subjection because the Bible says, “a tongue is sharper than a two edged sword”, so as never allow it to speak evil. “ Let not thy tongue give utterance to the evil that is in thine heart, but command thy tongue to be silent until good shall prevail over the evil, until thy wrath has passed away and the good Spirit shall move thy tongue to blessings and words of kindness”. (Teachings of Brigham Young).
GOOD HEALTH HABITS
Dr. Daniel Royal gave the following rules that will bring us closer not just to good health but to optimal health as well:
Rule #1: Maintain a positive attitude. Avoid wasting precious energy on destructive emotions such as anger, despair, jealousy, revenge, etc. Instead, take control of your thoughts and emotions. If necessary, use positive affirmations (e.g., “every day, and in every way, I’m getting better and better.”) The diseases of the mind are more destructive that those of the body." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
Rule #2: Eat a sensible diet. Our risk of succumbing to degenerative diseases (e.g., cancer, heart attacks, strokes. etc.) can be minimized by eating a diet that consists of more fresh fruits, vegetables and organic meats. Wherever possible, avoid processed foods (e.g., white flour), refined foods (e.g., white sugar), and foods with unnatural preservatives, dyes, flavorings, and colorings. As a rule, our diet should be as close as possible to the way mother nature intended it to be.
Rule #3: Exercise regularly. One of the keys to maintaining our "ideal" weight is to remain (or become) active.
Rule #4: Supplement your nutrition. Despite what you may have heard, in this day and age of pollution and adulterated foods, it is virtually impossible to achieve optimum health without supplementation. In fact, many ailments suffered by people today are the direct result of vitamin, mineral, and/or hormone deficiencies. A multi-vitamin and multi-mineral supplement from a reputable nutritional company can provide you with a good foundation upon which to build your health.
Rule #5: Get adequate rest. The average person requires between 7-8 hours sleep. It is during sleep the process of detoxification is performed by the liver. If adequate rest is not obtained then, over time, we increase the stress on our physical and mental health. Whenever possible, commit to retire to bed early and arise early. Resting your mind during each day with prayer or meditation can be an invaluable aid to improving your mental concentration and focus as well.
Rule #6: Drink clean water. The environment around us is more polluted than ever before in the history of the world. Therefore, it is imperative that our choice of water is free from pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants. We also tend to drink too little water. This alone could help to solve numerous ailments. As a general rule, we should daily drink water according to our weight as follows: 2 liters (150 lbs.), 3 liters (150-200 lbs.), or 4 liters (200 lbs. +).
Have a regular check-up with the doctor. Keep away from vices like smoking, drinking, coffee, cola drinks. Avoid anything that is detrimental to your health and your body especially illegal drugs. Eat well-balanced diet but prefer natural and unadulterated food. Don’t make yourself succumbed with too much worries. Be of good cheer always because this will keep you rejuvenated and your perspective brighter every day.
NO MAN IS AN ISLAND
Go hand in hand serving and doing compassionate service for others. We are not living alone for ourselves, we should develop deep concern for the welfare of others also. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). As you devote yourself to serving others, you will draw closer to Heavenly Father. Your heart will be filled with love. Your capacities will increase, and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed. It is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!
Not only do we “find” ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our soul. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to find ourselves because there is more of us to find (Spencer W. Kimball)
“It is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have wholeness in our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose. (George McDonald) Serving other is one of the greatest happiness we could ever experience. It gives us peace and inner consolation.
PERSONAL INTEGRITY
Integrity is our refusal to do anything that will harm or damaged our reputation. When one is loyal to the truth under intense opposition, we say he is a person of great integrity. Integrity is a quality or state of being of sound moral principle. Integrity is uprightness, honesty, and sincerity—yes, all that and even more. Yes, it is the totality of good virtues and good character of a person. It is more than just being honest. “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless. … Knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” (Samuel Johnson) Leaders in schools of elementary, secondary, and higher education know that the true success of their system is measured by the man it forms. Such is also true of families, politics, governments, and religion. Many live by the motto that the end justifies the means. There are those who gain their possessions by deceit, bribery, and dishonest practices, then seek legitimacy by contributing freely to a righteous cause. Integrity cannot be compromised. It has to be followed without justification and with exactness. Are you completely honest with yourself and others? Do you jump to conclusions without taking the time to know the facts before you make your decision? Are you obedient to Him who gave you life? Do you young men and young women stand loyal, in the face of opposition, to those moral principles you have been taught in the home and in the church? Asses yourselves. because by your fruits we shall know you.
CHARITY
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,” he told them, “I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Paul’s message to the early Christians was simple and direct: Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge; even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won’t profit you at all. “Charity is the pure love of Christ.” The Savior exemplified that love and taught it even as He was tormented by those who despised and hated Him.
Charity is unconditional and total expression of love for others. Charity involves doing service, being generous, being kind, being patient and forbearing with others weakness, not happy with the failure and misery of others, have a caring heart for those that are oppressed, depressed, and neglected, even our enemies. It is a deep concern for the welfare of other people without thinking of any return. It is also the exercise of pure love to our Lord. We do His commandments not because we fear His punishment, not because we are commanded, not because it is our obligation, not because we think of the eternal reward. It is purely because we love Him.
CHURCH OBLIGATION
We should live a holistic life. Physical well-being doesn’t only involve having a good physical health, good social standing and relationship with others, successful career and financial stability. The ultimate success is spiritual well-being, our close relationship with our Lord. Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Fear God and do His commandments because that is the whole duty of man.” Everything we do in this world have spiritual connotation. We can have all the things we need in life but if we are far from Him, we can never have that peace of mind. Happiness is the object of our existence but we must find the right path that leads to it. If we nourish our physical body, we should also take care of our spiritual body. Attending Sunday worship, bible classes, reading church magazines nourishes our soul. Taking sacrament and confessing our sins to those whom we have offended and the Lord frees ourselves of spiritual burdens and brings us to a state of joy and contentment. Church attendance makes us grow spiritually and strengthen our personal relationship with the Lord. Give tithes and offerings according to your own free will for God will open the windows of heaven and give you sufficient blessing more than what you were asking.
Isaiah 58: 13 “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words”. The particular verse restrict us from any personal chores rather than Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.
Remember to keep your covenants with the Lord through the rest of the week like praying and thanking God for the blessings and guidance you receive each day. Keeping ourselves clean, pure and unspotted with wickedness everyday truly brings lasting joy and happiness.
GO FORWARD
Matthew 5:13-14, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world.” Keeping the above standards will make you good exemplars and role model that others may emulate.
Go forward IMPACT YOUTH. Show to this world who you are. Be an instrument of peace, unity and righteousness. Stay foot in the standards, policies and discipline the organization had taught you. Be ambassadors of faith and goodwill. Be courageous and firm in the defense of truth. Don’t compromise your principles. Make the scripture as your measuring stick and you will not go astray.
I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ and our loving Heavenly Father will guide you continually that you will have the strength to face the vicissitudes of life and be steadfast though trials and persecutions may arise.
The counsel of Solomon to his son David can be read in Proverbs. “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
This is as well my final exhortation. If wicked people entice thee, don’t go and compromise your standards. God Bless and Be of Good Cheer !!
How beautiful is youth! how bright it gleams With its illusions, aspirations, dreams!
Book of Beginnings, Story without End, Each maid a heroine, and each man a friend!
All lovely things will have an ending, All lovely things will fade and die;
And youth, that's now so bravely spending, Will beg a penny by and by.
Author: Conrad Aiken
For more information please call or text Amelia C. Borboran – 0928-405-7852 or email at amyborboran@ymail.com and impactphils@yahoo.com.
