Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Peer Pressure

There are two Dans in my life putting incredible pressure on me to join them in their quest to rid the world of Mountain Dew and any other carbonated beverage by having a contest to see who can go the longest without drinking any pop (or soda for those of you more sophistatced folks)
This pressure is ridiculous.

I find myself asking questions...
  • Do I dare simply give into to the pressure simply because they say its the right thing? What kind of character would I displaying to the students I work with?
  • What about the people I'm helping employ through my carbonated beverage consumption (at least a week's paycheck per year to someone in the Mountain Dew Corporation)?
  • I have 2 cases of Diet Dr. Pepper sitting in my garage. What kind of stewardship is it for me to let that go to waste?
  • But, I've started walking, I'm eating better... could this be the next big step for me toward a healthier life. Plus, I did say this on December 31, 2007.
Still praying over my choice. A decision will be declared by Friday.

4 comments:

Dan said...

1. You really should always give into peer pressure. I would think you're trying to teach your students that, right?
2. You need to think of the Mountain Dew employees like drug dealers. You don't worry about not buying drugs, right?
3. You have 2 choices regarding your Dr. Pepper. The first is to drink it all by the time the bet starts on Monday. The second is to donate the cans as random acts of kindness. Really, this is an evangelism opportunity. I'm not sure how a pastor could turn that down.
4. My wife just gave me a very cynical idea, which I am not endorsing, but feel obligated to pass on anyway. You could always accept the bet and just plan on losing- soon. But this would be bad.
5. My thought is that you should turn it into some sort of youth group challenge. For every week you go pop free, student participants will do an evangelism opportunity (or something).

No pressure though. None.

Anonymous said...

Don't listen to dan or anyone else that tells you to stop doing the dew. Mountain Dew helps keep your mind sharp, no other beverage is going to keep you awake for those youth group all nighters, and how much healthier are you really going to get by cutting out soda completely. Maybe you could just switch to diet dew. You can't compare soda to drugs because they let kids drink it and it is everywhere, even in the church. If they serve soda and sell it in a church it can't be that bad right?

Janelle Prenkert said...

Wow, tough decision. I know how much you love milk and you've cut that down. Then cut out soda...hmmm, what will you drink?

Tough choice. I support you, whatever that decision is.

Anonymous said...

Go for it!
Question? Is it peer pressure when they are encouraging you to do a good thing?
Don't go for diet, the additives and crap in it are worse for you!