Are You A Belieber?

My niece’s room – a life sized Justin Bieber

Now – she has moved past Beebs – no longer a Belieber
He is having his own challenges
Talk of speeding, drinking, drug use.
Sad – this young man – a few years ago – said he wants to be a role model.

 Reconsider virtues:

Cardinal virtues - latin for “hinges”
Prudence -  better choices
Justice – realize others can get hurt when you speed
Temperance – balance & control in all things
Fortitude - courage to stand up   (positive & negative peer pressure)

 Supported by Theological virtues – gifts from God

Faith – created by God for a purpose
Hope – more to life than meets the eye
Charity – to love God & love neighbor

 Hope   -  is different than optimism

Glass ½ full or ½ empty -  does not matter!

 Events taking turn for worse – John is arrested and thrown into prison

Response by Jesus is to move into Galilee – ruled by Herod.
Taking the message of light into the land of darkness     Hope!

 Needs help to do this -  bearers of Hope

Peter & Andrew – follow me
James & John – follow me
Why – hope!

 1)      Only sure hope is God – the shepherd has walked through the valley of death. Now he walks by our side – we have nothing to fear.

2)     Hope changes our lives – gives us 1,000 reasons to live – and when things do not go our way – our hope rests on Him.

3)     Hope unites us to others. We walk this journey together. We are not alone.

 Am I optimistic about Justin Bieber?  No, I am not.

But I have hope!