Teen Age Boys and Depression

Teen boys who inaccurately perceive themselves as being "too skinny"
are at greater risk for depression, says a new study.

Boys who think they overweight are also at more risk for depression,
although the risk is not as significant as it is for boys who
perceive themselves to be too thin.

Another study published in the same journal also reports that boys
who believe themselves to be underweight and have been subjected to
bullying are more likely to feel depressed and take up steroid use.

According to Dr. Aaron Blashill, who led both studies, these findings
highlight an often underreported problem of body image issues in teen
boys. While girls often respond to body image issues by trying to be
more thin, boys tend to take the opposite approach, attempting to
become more muscular. And they may resort to extreme measures, such
as steroid use, to achieve this goal, Blashill says.

For his research, Blashill used two large, nationally representative
samples of American teenage boys.

The first study included 2,139 boys who were about 16 years old in
1996, when the study began. This sample of boys was followed for 13
years.

The boys in the sample who felt they were underweight, even thought
they were actually at or above average, reported being the most
depressed. These feelings did not change over the course of the
study.

Erasing Old Tapes!

Here is a list of some of the things could be said or we could say about ourselves. 

You're no good
You're a brat
You're stupid
You're dumb
You're ugly
You're good for nothing
You're so lazy
You're such a slob.
You're irresponsble
You never carry through on things
You're so selfish
I can never do anything right
I'll never amount to anything
I have to please everybody
Everybody should like me
I don't deserve anything better

Destructive self talk is not healthy.
Believing what everyone says about you is not healthy.
However, believing what God says about you is the most important.

Numbers 23:19 (NIV) ¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Mercy and Truth Publishers, 19594 350th Street NW, Newfolden, MN 56738, a ministry of Alma Free Lutheran of rural Argyle, MN has recently published a book called Call toThe Ministry.  Pastor Dennis D. Gray was the editor of the book.  Twenty six pastors, 24 of which are ordained, wrote in this book.  The book is a good one to give to those who would consider serving the Lord as missionaries or pastors in the church.  The book can be ordered for $10,00 plus $2.00 postage from the address above. 

Other writings available are:

Fifthy Years Under the Southern Cross by missionary John and Ruby Abel cost is $10.00 plus $2.00 postage. 

A Pioneer Church Family by Rev Trygve F. Dahle - this book is an autobiography of Pastor Dahle and is available for $10.00 plus $2.00 postage.

All books can be ordered from Mercy and Truth Publishers at the above address.

Signs of being Bullying

1.  Injuries that cannot be explained.
2.  Lost or missing or destroyed clothing.
3.  Headaches, stomach aches, flu like symptoms
4.  Changing in eating habits.
5.  Hard to get to sleep, bad dreams.
6.  Lowering of grades, losing interest, not wanting to attend school.
7.  Fewer friends.
8.  A low of self image.
9.  Possible self destruction.

All nine need not be present.

Eating disorders among teens

Eating disorders, which were common among girls, has now become something that boys are facing.  It may be okay for boys in sports like wrestling to be concerned about their weight; however, this growing concern about eating disorders among teen boys is taking place.  It is a pysychological disorder and counseling is advised.  It is mainly, however, a spiritual concern and must also involve in the counseling discussions on how God views the student - male or female.  It could also be classified as an addiction to weight.  At any rate, the student should be taught how God views him or her.  Growing up today has drastically changed since the days some of us grew up. 
Pastor Gray - norwegianalso@msn.com

To any teen ager, parent with teen agers or someone who is a friend to teens:

As the Pasror at Alma Free Lutheran, I am available for conversations with teens, their parents, Bible study leaders and anyone wishing to have a listening ear or a word of advice from the Bible.  Do not hesitate to contact me.  Send me mail to norwegianalso@msn.com.  Please put in the subject line for Pastor Dennis.  I will respond in a timely fashion. 

Pastor Dennis Gray

Doing Youth Work in Free Lutheran Congregations

he main objective of this approach is to involve as many youth in
the local congregation as possible. It is to train them how to be a
part of the local congregation. It is to teach them what they need
to make a stand in our day.

1. Pray - This I did not mention but is a good place to begin.
2. Ask the Church Council what they want to see in a youth program
without tell them yet what you invision.
3. Ask the parents what they want to see in a youth program, what
they want to see happening for their children.
4. Ask the students themselves what they would want to see. This
may at first lead you into the area of having fun but then to explain
to them they need to grapple and be honest with themselves as to what
is actually needed in the spiritual realm.
5. Have them elect officers (realizing they may pick students who
are popular etc - but asking them to choose whom they feel would best
qualify for the positions!)
6. Have sessions training them for their positions....all together
and maybe asking them to meet with you.
7. Also, it would be a good idea to meet with your youth advisors
prior to even meeting with the students - I like to call them Luther
Leaguers.
8. Let them carry out their own program - lead in the studies, do
the responsibilities for set up for meetings, food and entertainment
etc. Not separate from the advisors or pastor!
9. As Pastor you would want to call all students every time their is
a meeting and tell them...never depend on the bulletin, newspaper, or
newsletter - these are fine - but all them ahead of time.
10. It is good to plan for an entire year at once.....even though
you might have to change the plan because of conflicts, like school
events etc.
11. Let it be known that meetings begin and end at definite times.
12. You can add more.