I read your column very often. I am 14 years old and attend a high school in Clarendon. I am being called by God. Very often He answers my prayers and helps me in times of need. I am very shy to go to him but I have made up my mind. To be a Christian is not claiming but a responsibility. I look at some of the people in my church and see they are acting. I do not want to act like them. I know very well I am going to be a different person and dedicate my life to God.

warner woman

Today, I was approached by a 'warner woman' and she told me of things that would happen to me in the future. She is not the first to approach me in this manner and tell me things about myself and the future. I have now made up my mind to serve the Lord.

I am not a virgin, which I am ashamed of because I lost it with the wrong person. After we broke up, I made the mistake of having sex again with two other guys. My present boyfriend knows this and does not agree with my decision to not have sex with him. I have never had sex with him. I am thinking of breaking up with him because of it, but we have not made up our minds yet.

I have a teenage study Bible which says it is ok to have a relationship with kissing and hugging but forbids sex before marriage.

It would be nice to find a young Christian man my age who is willing to wait and abide by the law of marriage before sex.

I pray the Lord will keep you and hope you continue your wonderful work in counselling. I am awaiting your advice.

S.V., Manchester

Dear S.V.,

I regret hearing you were sexually active even before you reached the age of consent which is 16. However, I am impressed by your desire to serve the Lord and hope you would not allow your present boyfriend or any other man to toy with your body. You told him of your past, including the guys with whom you had sex, so he believes you should have sex with him too. Tell him you have come to realise your mistakes and the guys with whom you had sex could have been arrested and charged because they had sex with you when you could not consent. And remind him you have not yet reached that age.

Concerning the warner woman, please do not get carried away by what she told you. She may not be speaking the truth. However, read your Bible, pray, attend church and ask God to lead you. Focus on your schoolwork, do the very best you can in school so you will be able to pass your exams and go to college.

My prayers are with you. Let me know how you are doing.

Pastor