GUIDED BY PURPOSE, THESE TEENS WON'T BE STATISTICS

There are families with teens quaking in their boots all across this Coast,
wondering, where will the death angel strike next? Will my teen be a
statistic in the morning paper from overdosing on drugs?

I belong to a group of families that have trained their children from the
womb to keep their bodies pure and clean. They have taught their children
that there is a purpose for doing so.

If it sounds as if this is heading into a religious field, that is right,
and it works. These families teach their teen girls to dress modestly. No
garment that would cause a boy to lust after their body is allowed out the
front door. The boys also clothe themselves modestly. Their hair is kept
off the ears and off the collar. These teens are given a purpose for such a
dress code.

They are taught that body piercing and tattooing are unscriptural. That
rock 'n' roll music will only contribute to their demise, because it
glorifies the drug culture. Behavior that conflicts with their purpose does
enter not their minds or daily lives.

These teens are obedient to their parents. They maintain top school grades.
Their parents know at all times where they are, what they are doing and
with whom. They have been taught that there is a purpose.

The Purpose: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31. The purpose is to glorify
God, and not ourselves, in all we do.

Commandment 1 to all teens and parents: "I beseech you therefore, brethren,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and accept- able, and
perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2.

Commandment 2: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." -
I John 2:15.

If you think I'm "blowing smoke," visit these teens and their parents
across U.S. 90 from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ocean Springs. If you
are concerned about your teen and the death angel, you will.

A.A. LOYER JR.
Gulfport