Crisis of Life: Youth
TOM HOLLAND

A college roommate who now chairs the Psychology department of a western university was talking to me about the so-called "mid-life crisis." He observed, "There are crises in all phases of life."

For some, youth is a crisis period. Think of the young people who never live beyond their teens. Each year thousands of young people die in accidents.

Youth is a crisis period because decisions are made in youth that impact the remaining years of life. Someone once observed that many people spend the first half of life making the last half miserable.

God's word recognizes that youth can be a crisis period of life because the Lord says so much to and about young people. For example, the familiar admonition to the young: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth..." (Eccl. 12:1). Consider the sobering reminder that young people will face God in judgment (Eccl. 11:9).

Some young people will be judged as 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 year-olds. These were the chronological ages they had reached when death snatched them into eternity.

Some people die physically in youth; others die spiritually. Which is the greater tragedy?

The crisis of youth is seen in the sinfulness of the world to which they are constantly exposed. The parents of those of us who are older would not have permitted people to use the profanity in our homes that is now the daily offering of television. God's name is now blasphemed in stereo. Lust is presented in living color. Greed is presented as an honorable approach to life.

The Lord Jesus Christ is still the hope of youth. The word of the Lord is the power by which the way of youth can be cleansed and directed (Psa. 119:9).

There are some genuine Christians today among our young people. The apostle John accurately assessed the matter when he wrote, "I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2: 14).

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Audra “Doc” Anderson (the father of Pauline Howard) who passed away this past Friday (14th). Brother Anderson had been confined to a nursing home for several years. Keep Pauline and the family in your prayers. Funeral arrangements were not available at print time.
       We are also saddened to report the passing of brother Clay Hightower (the father of Terry Hightower) who passed away on Thursday morning (13th) at his home in Winter Haven. Clay was friend to many here at Orange Street. Keep Terry, Vicki and the Hightower family in your prayers
      Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Monday, Feb. 17:
Ott Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven,
Visitation: 6:00 pm - Funeral: 7:00 pm.

        Internment will be Tuesday at 10:00 am at the Lakeside Memorial Park, Section "B" (the one next to K-Mart).
        In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Florida School of Preaching in memory of Clay Hightower.

PW Teams Meeting
Both visitation teams “A” & “B” will meet together today in the annex, after the morning worship. There will be a soup and sandwich lunch after the meeting. Members of both teams are encouraged to attend and take part in the work.

On the Bulletin Board
A presentation of new photos and correspondence from Jim Ezekiel and the Pinecrest congregation have been posted on the front bulletin board in the foyer. Take time to check out the work that Jim and Chris have been doing in the Lithia/Pinecrest area.

Marriage Seminar
A marriage seminar is scheduled for this coming Friday and Saturday (Feb. 21 1nd 22) here at Orange Street. The mixed and men’s sessions will be conducted by Glenn Colley and ladies’ sessions will be conducted by Cindy Colley. There are flyers in the foyer with the schedule and details.

Temporary Address
Several have asked for the address of Becky Patterson (Ken and Ora Lee Skinner’s daughter) who recently had back surgery in Tennessee. Ken and Lee will be staying with her for most of February while she recovers.      Click Here For Address:

Dishes
Ladies - there are still several dishes in the foyer from the recent funerals. Make sure to pick-up yours before they get damaged.

Without faith, Christianity would have perished from the earth before it ever began. The world has been strong and unrelenting in its opposition to Christianity— and it always will be. But wherever there is faith, God will always give the victory.

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:
For more information check the bulletin board in the foyer

• Feb 16 - TODAY 3rd Sunday Singing
3:00pm - South Florida Ave. - Lakeland
• Feb 21, 22 - Orange Street coC
“Marriage Seminar” w/Garry and Cindy Colley
• Feb 23 - Cupid’s Café @ Orange St.
After PM service - The men do the cookin’
• Mar 14, 15 - “Relay For Life”
See Wanda or Ora Lee for details