~ Spiritual counsel by Rick Lawrence, D.D.     

    A Fence or an Ambulance 
    [A poetic case for the value of prevention] 

                               'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,                      
     Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;  
    But over its terrible edge there had slipped 
   A duke and full many a peasant. 
         So the people said something would have to be done,     
       But their projects did not at all tally; 
      Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff," 
      Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."  

      But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, 
       For it spread through the neighboring city; 
       A fence may be useful or not, it is true, 
        But each heart became full of pity 
       For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff; 
        And the dwellers in highway and alley 
         Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence, 
           But an ambulance down in the valley.  

         "For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful," they said, 
          "And, if folks even slip and are dropping, 
           It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much 
          As the shock down below when they're stopping." 
           So day after day, as these mishaps occurred, 
           Quick forth would those rescuers sally 
            To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff, 
              With their ambulance down in the valley.  

        Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me 
       That people give far more attention 
         To repairing results than to stopping the cause, 
         When they'd much better aim at prevention. 
          Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he, 
           "Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally; 
          If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense 
            With the ambulance down in the valley."  

                                       "Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,  
                                        "Dispense with the ambulance? Never!  
                                He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;  
                                             No! No! We'll support them forever.     
                              Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall? 
                                     And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
                             Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence, 
                                       While the ambulance works in the valley?"

                                     But the sensible few, who are practical too, 
                                   Will not bear with such nonsense much longer; 
                                 They believe that prevention is better than cure, 
                                       And their party will soon be the stronger.
                          Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen, 
                                          And while other philanthropists dally,  
                            They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence 
                                          On the cliff that hangs over the valley. 

                          Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old, 
                                         For the voice of true wisdom is calling. 
                                      "To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best 
                                          To prevent other people from falling." 
                              Better close up the source of temptation and crime 
                                          Than deliver from dungeon or galley; 
                               Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff 
                                          Than an ambulance down in the valley.
                                 
                                                              -- Joseph Malins (1895)  

Here are some middle school Kids. They live in a fast-paced world
where drugs and sex are filtering down to younger and  younger  kids. Attitudes of many  teachers  are  ultra-liberal,  and textbooks are laced with subtle humanistic, moral relativism.   Biblical precepts such as the 10 commandments and creationism are often scoffed at and laughed at.  

    In the picture above are some kids just like many you see and know within your families and church.  These kids are in a difficult time of life. They are just a step from their teens and they are looking for answers. They are extremely impressionable and it’s wonderful to teach them Bible verses, but they also need understanding of the application of The Word of God -- how to live their daily lives in harmony with their Christian beliefs.

    These kids also need to be understood. Many Sunday school teachers and youth leaders  aren't  totally aware of  what  kids  are  up  against, and  some  may not be interested in hearing. They think that  teaching non-stop is going to do the job. Our kids, and teens  are often programmed, by the dark side, through  radio, television and society. Satan and the dark side teach them how to act-out what they're hearing and seeing. My youth seminars will go a long way to counter that.

     These youth seminars, not only teach the Word, but I open the meeting for youth to have input and we talk about some of the issues and situations they face and how they can respond and live their lives as righteous believers.

    Psychologists and Sociologists have found through research that, when possible, it may be a good idea to use competent men to offer some teaching time to middle and teen groups? Why?  Not because women may not be as competent, but rather because so many kids and teens, nowadays, come from single-parent homes. They lack the influence of "father" role models, or they are in homes where the father spends very little time caring about them. It helps to have some input from "father figures."
    
     It is my opinion that one of the most wicked problems coursing through the ranks of kids and teens in today’s world is a false humanistic philosophy of moral relativism. This is the philosophy and practice -- as it applies to Christian societies -- of by-passing biblical truths and moral values. This leads to the idea  that  "whatever  seems  right"  to  an  individual is  probably  OK to do as long as you are sincere and, more or less, try to obey the law. This philosophy promotes a drift toward anarchy, and lawlessness.                                                                                                                                    Teens want answers     
     This is the false idea that was so prevalent in       
Nazi Germany in world war II era.  This  concept  
was nonexistent in philosophy  until  Hegel, and other philosophers dreamed-it-up in  the last 2 centuries

     This is an insidious, false doctrine promoting
 all  manner  of evil.  It  is  opposite  biblical
truth as taught by Jesus Christ. He  said he was
speaking  on  behalf of  God, the Father.  If  you 
hold   to   this  philosophy,  you    are   furthering 
Satan's lie, in opposition to God. 

     In  seminars  for  teenagers,  I  teach  Bible truths about God's Will for teens,  and  open 2/3  of  the  session (s) for  Q&A and  discussion.  There  are  a lot  of struggles  for teens in  today's society.  In these  Youth  seminars, they   learn  answers   to   numerous  questions,  for  instance: What is sin?  What's  wrong  with  sex if  you  love  each other? What's wrong with homosexuality?  What's wrong with getting drunk?  What's  wrong  with smoking  or using a little weed?  Isn't the world hopeless?  How  do I know Jesus really exists?  Can he really help me?  I'm happy. Why do I need Jesus?

     Are the 10 commandments really relevant today? How can I get over being shy? I get in bad moods a lot. What should I do?  My friend is thinking about running away. What should I do?  My  friend  is  thinking  about suicide. What should I do? How can I talk to my parents? I fight with my parents a lot. Why? I can't  stop staring  at  people of different  races and cultures. I want to be friendly, but don't know how. Will  you explain about prejudice and tolerance?
     
      I'm having trouble with someone who wants sex and threatens me if I tell anyone. What can I do?  My parent is alcoholic, takes drugs. What do I do?  I have a lot of anxiety... how do I cope with it? I think a lot of negative thoughts. What do I do?  I feel a lot of pressure to fit-in with other kids, what should I do?  I want to feel better about myself. What do I do? Is the Bible true? Does God know about me? Does God care about me? Does he actually love me? Is Jesus really coming back to earth again? When will he come?

       My friends, the world puts an ambulance down in the valley.     
            Believers, need to put a fence around the top of the cliff. 

     The answer is prevention. We need to teach our children and youth of each new generation these truths, or they will keep going over the cliff to their spiritual and moral downfall. Now, more than ever, they need support and teaching. Our teens and college age kids are under enormous peer pressure.   They are bombarded with ungodly influences and values are in freefall. Yet our kids have seeking hearts and minds. We must show them the way.

      I will do my part and the Holy Spirit will be present to change hearts and do the things only he can do. If you book me for youth seminars, the  Holy Spirit will confirm God's Word. This happens again and again as I minister and teach in step with The Spirit.  Zechariah 4:6, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts." 

      I'll bring the Word, experience  and  knowledge in youth issues, and I believe the majority of unbelievers present in your youth meetings will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Also, believers  present will be spiritually and mentally restored, or rejuvenated and have a lot of their questions answered. 

     These seminars are age or education-specific, e.g., kids, teens, college age, young adults and adults. A higher-ed level of delivery is given, depending on the maturity and background of the group. 

      Moses, In the Book of Deuteronomy, told the people of Israel that to keep a right relationship with God, they had to teach their children to obey God's commands and to love him with all of their hearts. This is still true in our age of Grace. We are not under Old Testament law, but many of the precepts and commands are still guidelines for moral and responsible Christian living

   . Should we teach our children to obey the ten commandments? Yes. The Apostle Paul used nine of the ten commandments as guidelines, he omitted only the command regarding the Sabbath. 

     Spiritual rebirth guaranteeing eternal life through Christ, is dependent on turning away from sin and accepting Christ as one's personal Savior. It has nothing to do with working our way to heaven. Eph.2:8,9 says, " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. This tells us that eternal life is a free gift of God through Jesus Christ. Read John 1:12.

     True Christian believers realize there are many biblical commands, whereby our obedience to them leads to righteous, moral and responsible Christian living. If we do not follow these commands and teach them to our children, they can be swayed and won over by the dark side. Parents, spend some time. Listen to your kids and teenagers. Let them talk.  Share with them God's Bible truths and commands. Talk things over. But, be gentle.
  
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