By MARILYN TINNIN

You know the early stages of parental frustration—the Terrible Twos and the Fearsome Fours. They can leave you exhausted, but nothing can prepare you for the jolt and the anxiety that hits with the teenage years. Today’s parents recognize that today’s culture has a million seductive traps waiting to swallow their teenagers, and the list of dangers multiplies by the week. In a society that has grown increasingly permissive and absent of moral absolutes, the statistics on churched and un-churched teenagers are not far apart.

You are invited to Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison on August 20, at 7:30 p.m., to hear from an array of the best and most knowledgeable experts in the county on the topic of “Learning to Identify Risky Behaviors in Young Adults.” This is a great opportunity to equip you with helpful knowledge. There is no charge to attend although you are required to register at events@capstonetc.com or by calling 501.729.1716.

Adrian Hickman, Executive Director of Capstone Treatment Center in Searcy, Arkansas, says, “I think the biggest reason for a parent of any age child to attend this conference is to gain knowledge that will help them to be successful in raising their children to be good and faithful men and women. The knowledge I’m talking about basically uncovers the hidden spiritual battle for the hearts of our children. All children will go through this battle. Prepared parents will make the difference in the future of our kids, our culture, and especially the church.”

Dr. Andrea Barthwell, the keynote speaker, is former president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Appointed by then President George W. Bush, she served as Deputy Director for Demand Reduction of the Office of National Drug Control Policy from 2002–2004. She is the recipient of the prestigious Betty Ford Award for contributions to the field of addiction medicine and has been named by her peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” in addiction medicine.

Sponsored by The Center for Hope & Healing at Broadmoor, Capstone Treatment Center, Cirque Lodge, Cumberland Heights, Menninger Clinic, New Beginnings, Two Dreams, and St. Dominic Health Services, this is an evening that will be rich in information and in the opportunity for a panel discussion with Chapman Sledge, MD; Adrian Hickmon, PhD; Bev Roesch, LCSW; Johnny Patout, LCSW; and Brad Kennedy, MRC, CRC, CPRP.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:7-11).