What does the Bible have to say about Bullying?

I was talking to a teen last night and she started to open up and share what has happening in her life especially as it relates to school. She has had a terrible year at school not because of her choices but because of constant harassment and bullying.


This morning I called the school she attends and had a heart to heart chat with one of the guidance counselors at her school. I was really impressed with the guidance counselor and her desire to help out the affected student. She is willing to work with me and our ministry to bring some help in this area.

I have a lot of thoughts about this topic and I have some very strong convictions. I thought I would spend a few days teaching on this subject and digging into His Word. The Bible is not some ancient book that has no relevance these days. The Bible also cannot be manipulated by us into making it say things it doesn't say and conversely we can't throw out the truths it speaks because it doesn't suit us.


Most of us have heard about the parable of the "Good Samaritan" found in Luke 10. The religious leaders asked Jesus a question, "what they should do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus did respond, but not in the way they thought he would. He asks them basically this, "You know what the law says, what does it say. You tell me!"


Have you ever been around people that think they know it all and they have to tell everyone all around them in order to feel good about themselves. The religious bullies of the day were the Pharisees. They wanted to tell everyone what to do and impose their own foolish rules on people. They thought if they could control people, then they could walk around with their puffed up ego. They loved to call people names and "kick them around". People like that are so annoying. They think they know more than any one else and have the power to control them.


Jesus response was so telling. "Tell me He says what does my Word say? What does it say? What does it say?" I just imagine Jesus being so fed up with their incredibly domineering ways. They respond by quoting scripture, "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself."


Jesus responds, "Do this and you will live!!!!" Should be simple right. Love God with all of you and love others. Sadly we are taught just the opposite. There are many voices all over the media and in peoples homes that say, "Do what ever you want, look out for number one, walk over other people, say what you want, kick people, hit people, harass people and forget about God."


Bullying is a complex problem and has various ways of showing up. If we want to teach people how to deal with bullying we need to start at the most basic level. We need to love our neighbor. If we truly love our neighbor and treat them as God wants us to, we wont need to try to show everyone else how amazing and powerful we are.


Really strong people don't need to tear others down to feel good about themselves. If you want to feel good about yourself, DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE!!! I know the world out there tells you a different message but they are lying to you!


Maybe it is time to bring Jesus back into our schools and teach a new message. That would be radical wouldn't it!

Exciting times

I am so thrilled with the way this ministry is developing and the way God is providing for us on our Friday night drop in. We had the most teens ever drop in and spend time with us, 15 to exact.


What happens on a Friday night is hard to describe. It is a place to come and have some free food and drinks, listen to some music, play some games, hang out with new friends, share what is going on in our lives, love on some amazing teens and be an encouragement.


I was reminded as I sat at a table at the drop this Friday night, how there were many nights in the past where we had just one or two teens coming. It was those nights we were able to poor directly into those teens lives. There were a couple of nights where we were having bad weather and no one could get there. I went those nights myself and took advantage of the time to be able to really pray for those we were attempting to minister to.


We are to the point now that we need to up our game so to speak. We need to come up with more creative ideas on how we can meet these teens at their point of need. I am looking forward to spending quality time with God, seeking His heart and making the changes we need. He is the potter we are the clay!


One area we need to improve on is food. It is time for us to get back to offering warm meals for these folks. I remember when we first started how we cooked large amounts of food and had lots left over. I have a feeling we wont have much left over these days if we were to put together some amazing casseroles or scallops.


This week Jerry and Jenna are going to be working hard promoting the ministry and I am going to be seeking the Lord and then people to see if we can get some more financial support. The bigger the drop in gets the more resources it is going to take to run it. I am not even slightly worried as I know God's provision is there, it always has been and will continue to be. God is good!


I am so excited about what is happening, please join me in prayer as God leads this ministry forward.

Susan's Birthday

Hi


Saturday we had a big birthday bash for Susan, and it was amazing! Susan  is a young girl (13 on Sat) who comes from a challenging family situation. She has 7 other wonderful brothers and sisters and they were all removed from their parents home by social services. You could not ask for better kids. The love they share for each other after all they have experienced is so amazing. 


None of these kids have ever had a birthday party when they were at home.  So we decided that we would through a party for Susan. Turning 13 is a pretty big deal, your almost a teenager, if you ask Susan she would tell you she became a Lady! 


We had a special cake made just for her, it was beautiful! It had a big soccer ball on it as well as a little girl that looked like Susan. The members of Boaz had come together and donated money to get Susan a gift that left a permanent smile. A Bench Jacket! Every girls dream at that age. She also received a Taylor Swift CD, soccer ball, lots of clothes and a purse from her sister. 


Oh I forgot to mention, Susan dressed up like a princess, and let me tell you she was the most beautiful princess I have ever seen! 


Boaz did this for Susan because from the first day we met her she touched all our hearts. You would never know the pain that that little girl has been though because she has such an optimistic outlook on life. The way she loves not only her family but everyone she meets is amazing. She deserved this day! 


The smile on Susan  face is an image I will gladly keep forever. She was the happiest girl in the world. Her foster mother made a whole weekend out of her birthday and took them to a hotel, where they swam for two hours!  


Thank you to all the Boaz board members for making this day possible, Thank you to Morning Gate Church for letting us have the party there, and Thank you to their step mom for being an amazing Mom to these girls!

Jenna Novak

Week 2

Hi,


My week two started off great! I got to sit in on a Boaz board meeting! Thats right a real board meeting! I was a little nervous at first but it went great, the board members are all very friendly. I had the chance to explain to them what Scott and I have accomplished so far the first week. We now have advertisements on the radio for Boaz teen drop in, as well as flyers made up to be put up around the beautiful city of Fredericton. We now have a FaceBook page for Boaz as well as a twitter account,  @boazlighthouse! We are planing a Boaz yard sale for June 4, and a soft ball tournament June 25! We are very excited to be making these forward steps in the Ministry! 


Last night at youth I spoke about "What are you willing to battle for?" It went pretty good for the most part. We had a relay race where the winner got $20. The winner was Olivia, but she wanted to give her money she won to Susan who was up against her. We decided to give them both $10 .They deserved more though because of lack of thinking on my part and they ended consuming a little face paint :(


Our talk went great though and we had a lot people sharing their stories with was amazing. Looking back at all the youth you would have no idea there is as much hurt in their live's as there is. I just thank God everyday for leading them to us and I pray that we make a difference. With Gods help everything is possible !


Jenna

Sad on this Mothers Day

I have gone through this day feeling very sad. Even now as I write this blog I am battling against tears. I hurt for others pain.


Today is Mother's Day and for my own mother, grandmothers and wife I am truly grateful.


I am full of despair today, because this ministry touches the lives of hurting and abandoned teens and for many of them today is painful. While we talk about our mothers and how thankful we are, others are once again forced to reflect on how they were treated. They have to relive the horrible abuse they endured at the hands of  a "mother" that was supposed to love and nurture them.


Some of these teens have been blessed to have wonderful foster parents or people that have opened their doors and let them stay in new homes. They can see the way a parent is supposed to love, and for that they are thankful.Yet for many others the sting of rejection, and lack of loving parents ways heavy on their hearts. 


 I have been researching what this day means and its origins. I sometimes wish days like today would be taken off our calendars. I am sure these traditions are started by people who have had good mothers. Sadly there are many not so good mothers and I wonder how people who have had to live through these types of moms feel. Maybe they feel cheated, maybe they feel overlooked or maybe they feel sad.


If you know someone who hasn't had the blessing of a good mom, in the midst of your celebration take the time and remember them and pray for them. Give them a call and let them know you care. Today has to be a very difficult day for them. I know it has been for me and I have a great mom!

Week 1 Recap/ Jenna

Hi,


It's Jenna again! So I have almost completed my first week of working with Boaz Ministries. It has been a long week to say the least, but it has been an amazing week. On day two I got to meet one of the most amazing and adorable couple EVER! Roxy and Syd! They were such an inspiration to me as I move forward in my relationship with my fiancé.


Day three was an emotional day as I sat in on some counselling with Scott . The lady had lost her husband. Again, I was so inspired by this amazing woman. She had the heart of an angel. Even though she was dealing with this horrible situation she was still thinking of others and how she could help out. She gave $40 to "feeding the needin' ". She was probably one of the strongest people I have met. I am not normally an emotional girl but I think I prayed at least five times to ask God for the strength not to cry! I love God!


Today has been great as well. We met with some very important people that have to do with Alpha Canada for students. We go to a conference tomorrow. I can not wait! I love this job! I am busy all the time but yet it does not feel like work because I have God by my side. I can not wait to see what next week has to bring!


Jenna

First day at Boaz

Hello,


My Name is Jenna and like Scott mentioned I have been working with him helping teens for a few months now. I come from a family that had no idea what love or God was. There was a lot of anger and abuse in my house hold. I use what I went through growing up not as an excuse for my anger but rather a tool to help the young teens today that are also dealing with abusive households.


 I believe that I have much to contribute to Boaz and hope to change some lives. I realized working with Scott today (first day on the job :) ) that ministry is not just all fun and games. Its a lot of planning and organizing as well as time. Going in to this I honestly thought that it would be a sit back and relax job that might get emotional at times. Wow was I wrong. I definitely did not expect homework tonight..thanks Scott ha ha. 


Although it will be challenging I know that I will truly love working for this ministry and I know in my heart that God wants me here.  Great things are going to come from Boaz, just wait and see!


P.s I wanted to thank Scott for putting that amazing photo of me on here lol.

New staff

I am pleased to announce that we have a new staff person working for the ministry for the next six weeks. Jenna Novak is finishing up her criminology degree and is doing a six week work placement through her school.


Jenna is an amazing young lady that has a huge heart for the Lord and for hurting people. She has been working with me at Morning Gate Church for the past few months and has demonstrated her deep compassion for teenagers especially.

I have invited Jenna to share her experiences in working with Boaz through this blog. Stay tuned as Jenna talks about how this ministry is impacting her and how she views ministry in general. I for one am looking forward to the difference she makes in reaching hurting teens in our city and around the world!