Mailbag: March 2010
17th March 2010 by Emma Johnson
How old do you think is the right age to get a boyfriend?
This is a loaded question - especially because I don't know how old you are! Let me start by saying everyone is different. I don't think that it's so much about age, but the kind of relationship you have.
A boyfriend when you're 23 is very different to a boyfriend when you're 13! At 23, you're looking for husband material, at 13 you're still working out who you are and what personality traits you like in your friends. It's good to have lots of male friends and I think it's fine to go out in a group. But if you're talking about dating one boy and going to the movies with just them, for example, then I think 16 is probably a good age.
Talk to your parents about this though, because they will usually have some ideas of their own!
I try to pray, but I kind of run out of things to say after about two or three minutes. (Then it feels like I have this big awkward silence with God.) What is some stuff I can do to help me get better at prayer?
One simple method to start you off is ACTS.
Start by telling God how much you ADORE him. Why do you love him?
Then move through and CONFESS. Ask God to forgive you for the wrong thoughts, attitudes and actions you've allowed into your life.
Give THANKS - for the smallest thing to the biggest victory!
Finally, SUPPLICATE! Big word, but in short, now's the time to ask God for the things you need. Then spend some time just enjoying being with him.
It might be refreshing to know that there is no right way to pray. Sometimes we have short convos, other times we chat for ages. Don't forget, a conversation involves listening too! The most important thing is to keep your talks with God fresh; and remember, God loves just hanging out with you - no pressure!
I'd really like to invite my friends at school to church, but it's hard because I don't think they'd like my church very much. What else can I do?
I've found that people will put up with daggy music, bad morning tea and dodgy sermons (for a while anyway). But what they won't put up with is being ignored. If you work hard at making them feel welcome, you’re halfway there! If you're still unsure, then invite them to something that's not a church service, but has church people there.
Most of the people I know who have been saved recently have been saved through their friends. Don't tie yourself up in knots, just remember that God is the one that brings our friends into relationship with him, we just introduce them!
Going to church is a great way of celebrating that and growing in your faith. As long as the worship is genuine, it's always good!
By Emma Johnson
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