Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a nationally known psychologist. He is the director of one of America's
largest psychological clinics— The Christian Counseling center in Pasadena, California.
parties, special times and genuine compliments !
eousness when we become a Chris tian. We yield ourselves to the won der-working Power of God and allow Him to do His work in us. It is not trying to be a Christian, but trusting the faithfulness of God to mold us as clay. G O O D M O N E Y FO R G O O D G R A D E S ? Q. Would you be so kind as to dis cuss the following matter? My grandchildren are not setting the world afire ivith the best grades. Consequently, I offered a reward of $1 for every A, and 50$ for every B on their report cards. They are all under 12. But to my amazement only one was eager to get the money. I am wondering whether 1 made a mistake in trying to bring up their grades in this way. I wish they could improve to the point where they would really enjoy reading a n d studying. Please tell me what your views are. A . I am grateful that you, a grand mother, are sufficiently interested in your grandchildren to help them with their school work. You say you offered $1 for every A and 50 O L D H A B IT S D IS M A Y N E W C H R I S T IA N Q. Do you suppose I was not re.ally saved when I recently accepted Christ? I thought I had a true ex perience with God, but I am still impatient; have the same old bad habits that I used to have. I have prayed these things would go away so I could be a good Christian. Some times I feel like a hypocrite. A . I suppose there are thousands of men and women who have feelings like yours. The fact that you have recently become a believer and yet retain a lot of the old things of your former life is quite natural. God does not promise to eradicate these things. He says He will make us new creatures; will give us new de sires and aspirations; but t h e s e changes are not completed over night. You will have the same na ture you had for the last 10, 20, 30, or 40 years. But God is at work in us that we might be “. . . conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). Little by little you will see changes being made as you grow in grace and the knowledge of His Word. I would suggest that you spend time each morning and evening reading a portion of the Word. Take a chapter in the New Testament and then one in the Old Testament. Ask God to guide you and pray, “God, as I read Your Word, You show me what You want me to have today and fill this need in my life. I need the old habits removed and replaced with new and holy thoughts and desires.” As you follow this pattern each day, you will be amazed at what will happen to you. Give yourself a few years and when you look back, you will see how God has accomplished what you could not do. Remember we do not turn over a new leaf and put on a new garment of self-right M A S S V A N D A L IS M Q. What, in your opinion, is the cause of mass vandalism in our pub lic schools, other private buildings and in private business? A . I believe that mass vandelism is a natural reflection of our present society. What can we expect from youth who are not saved — who do not know Christ as their personal Saviour, whose natures have never been changed? So many of our children are from broken homes. Sometimes we pass very lightly over the words “broken homes.” But actually, broken homes mean broken hearts. Lawlessness among young people is often the result of lack of super vision. Most boys and girls who com mit crimes have very little guidance from their parents. Some delinquency may be attrib uted to physical causes. Not long ago an experienced psychiatrist arranged for every boy in a certain correction home to have an electroencephalo gram (brain wave test). It was found that approximately 25 percent of these apparently healthy, normal boys had at some time sustained an injury to the brain. No doubt this was an important contributing fac tor to t h e i r maladjustment. Of course through medication and psy chotherapy most of these young men were able to get along satisfactorily. The greatest remedy and preven tion for juvenile crime is the gospel. When men and women and boys and girls accept Christ as their personal Saviour, God gives them a new na ture and He puts new desires into their hearts. This is certainly the answer to all sorts of difficulties. THE KING'S BUSINESS 26
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