Teens Talk - Prom Night

The Grand Rapids Times
April 18, 2008

Each year, high schools have the party of all parties, the Junior and Senior prom.
The Junior and Senior prom to some individuals is a night of smiles and fun.

To others, the prom is a night filled with memories that no one would ever want to forget.

Depending on student’s actions, prom can be the best time of their life, and it also can be a time that they never wish to remember.

When alcohol is involved, prom has the potential to change in to a nightmare.

When someone has a lack of respect towards their prom date it can become a belittling party.

Prom is the last major high school dance, and every student that attends has the right to enjoy it.

Guys, on this night the ladies will be beautiful; treat them with respect, like young women and not sex objects.

Ladies, respect yourselves enough to not let anyone take advantage of you just because it is prom night.

To everyone that has prom coming up shortly, just remember that it still can be a night that will never be forgotten even when you hold on to God’s principles and respect yourself.

Respect yourself. Don’t get behind the wheel after prom if you have been drinking because prom night could be your last night on earth.

Respect yourself. Don’t get a hotel room just because you see your friends doing it.

Respect yourself. Don’t be mischievous and terrorize the neighborhood after prom just because your friends.

Just because prom is supposed to be a memory that you will never forget doesn’t mean that it has to be the worst time in your life because of your actions.

Email me at marcelgamble@sbcglobal.net and let me know how you plan on spending your prom night.
I’m going to leave yah with this, Romans 16:19: “Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. ’

What are your thoughts about this?

Letter To the Editor
Grand Rapids Times
April 11,2008

In the March 28, 2008 issue, The Grand Rapids Times reported that the Kent County Black Elected Officials are hosting a Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Gerald R. Ford Middle School, 857 Madison Ave. SE.

The writer stated, “Everyone is invited to attend.”

During the past 30 years we, as a nation, have said that our society is unique among the nations of the world because of the diversity of our population. Because of the diversity of our population we are able to solve problems using the strength of many personal experiences and philosophical histories.

If this “Town Hall Meeting” were called by only “white elected officials” and run by only lighter skin people of mostly European ancestry, the darker skin people of mostly African ancestry in our community would complain, using many descriptions and accusations, saying that their participation is needed to allow any community planning to be socially, politically, and culturally complete.

In reality, the meeting is being called to discuss problems that plague a very defined area of our city. That geographical area is made up of a very diverse population that is not represented on the platform at the “Town Hall Meeting”.

Please think about these things.

Teens Talk - The World That Preaches To Me

I waited patiently for the world to give me insight and perspective

From this world I have felt neglected and disrespected

Anxiously I wait to see

The day that this world will openly preach to me

This world needs to preach to me

A world that is quick to give me blankets when I am cold

And medical aide when I am old

This world makes me feel powerful

So sometimes I say things to be bold

This world that is mine encourages me to cry

And then turns its back on me

As enormous tears spout from my eyes

My world doesn’t preach to me

My world gives me ways to worship

And religious opportunities

It opens up church doors

There is no path provided

My world expects me to know that I should just follow the Lord

Even if my mind is divided

My world helps me believe

Achieve

Not once has it ever helped me retain a spiritual high

My world equips me with necessities to get by

Except for salvation before I die

My world is remarkable

I will love my world forever

But God is what my heart truly endeavors

One rule that I absolutely had no choice but to follow as a child is still one that I constantly hear today. “Boy you better not leave, this house looking crazy.” I repeatedly heard this comment from my mother, grandmother and aunties. I heard it so much that eventually my appearance became important to me. I began to realize that my outer appearance to others was a reflection of who I was on the inside. If I were on a mission to attract women I would put on a nice button up and my expensive sneakers. If were on a mission to get a job and impress an employer, I would put on a nice solid colored suit. If I were on a mission to do manual labor and work extremely hard I would put on some dirty torn clothes. What attire do you wear before you come to God? Before you come to God it is okay to press the wrinkles out of your shirt but leave the wrinkles in your life. Come to Him as you are. Most individuals do not understand that when God says come to Him as you are He is referring to your inside not your outward appearance. The world gives people churches to come to and Christians to aide others on their journey once they find a church. The world does not provide pathways for people to get from where they are to living a life with God. Just like you may have and iron it’s up to your mom to teach you how to use it. The world can’t provide people with pathways to God because that is not the world’s job. It is the Lord’s job to press the wrinkles out of your life and bring you closer to him. Unlike your outer appearance your inner appearance does not reflect what kind of person you are when you are giving your life over to God. So remember don’t leave the house looking crazy when it comes to how you look on the outside but let God manage your appearance when it comes to your inside. Don’t go to therapy with the expectation to get the wrinkles out of your life; go to God because that is His job. Don’t go to fortune tellers expecting them to tell you that all of the wrinkles are going to be out of you life in the future, just go to God. God created all of us and he allows wrinkles to be inside of us for a reason so go to Him and ask Him why. Proverbs 4:10-12 10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.