Christmas Cantata

Yesterday evening was our church’s annual Christmas cantata. We had a little over 320 people in attendance, which was a great crowd. Our program was Christmas On The Air by Majesty Music. The whole production went well- nobody flubbed up their lines, everyone sang when they were supposed to- a real answer to prayer.

Afterwards, we also had our annual cookie fellowship. Yummy! There were five tables of cookies- each table was 8′ long- that’s 40 feet of cookies! So many cookies, so little stomach…haha.

 Not a picture of the actual cookies- but you get the idea…

Set a Good Example

‘When in Rome, do as Romans do.’ Have you ever heard that phrase? It means that while you are with a certain group of people, you should do everything like they do- take on their customs, talk like they do, etc. But is this a good way to follow? Not always. If we are supposed to follow worldly examples, how are we supposed to show we are Christians? In order to set the right example and to show we are Christians, we must act in a demure, self-controlled way. Christians should change this phrase to “When in Rome, do as Christ would.” Don’t follow the crowd!

No Room?

Monday afternoon, I was at a teen Christmas party. We were playing games, hanging out, eating junk food, and laughing. Well, we decided to pile into a medium-sized room to play four on a couch. Let’s just say there was barely enough room to hold 20-30 teenagers! The game started out well, but as it went on, we realized there were just way too many people playing. It began to get almost uncomfortably hot, people were trying to spread out without touching anybody else, but that wasn’t going to well! Finally, around half the group went to play Twister and a better sized group for the game stayed behind. It reminded me of how Joseph and Mary couldn’t find a place to stay as they traveled through Bethlehem. It must have been crowded, hot, noisy, and close. Mary might have been very uncomfortable riding that donkey- especially with people swarming around her all the time. And to top that off, she was in the last stages of pregnancy! This Christmas, be sure to make room for Jesus in your celebration. Don’t get too into the gift-giving, family time, and the joy of no school without first giving Christ a big thank-you for being born to die.

Freely give, freely receive…

Something very interesting has happened over the last week. I began to think about giving money to the church instead of keeping it all for myself. I found myself happier, and feeling a wiser steward of my money than before. I also felt a little less selfish! Well, last Sunday evening, when our church took it’s monthly benevolent offering, I felt the Lord prompting me to give just a dollar. I thought I had left my money at home- in fact I hadn’t seen my wallet inside of my purse earlier! But, I found it, took out the dollar, and decided to give.

Wednesday evening at our youth meeting, we played an ongoing game of not saying the word ‘I.’ We were each given five pennies and could take one every time we caught someone saying the forbidden word. I ended up with the most pennies-12. The prize, strangely enough, was a dollar! Now, our youth leaders have never given out money as prizes before- and it was also strange how they were so happy giving it away. This shocked me, and I instantly thought back to the benevolent offering, where God had prompted me to give a dollar.

Now, I am not sharing this to puff myself up, or to make you think “Wow, she’s such a giver.” I simply believe that when we give at the Lord’s leading, He will repay you- maybe not in monetary form, it could be a simple blessing.

“Ships are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

What if ships were built for the purpose of just sitting in the harbor and looking pretty? They’d be of no use! Simply sitting and bobbing in the harbor might be a nice thing to do, but nothing would get accomplished. The world’s trade industry would stop. Cruises to the Bermuda Triangle would abruptly become non-existent (ha ha). This may sound strange, but what if I told you that ships represent teens in today’s world? Young people (ships) everywhere just sit around in their parent’s house (harbor), not wanting to do anything hard (sail) for fear of failure (storms). What are they doing in the ‘harbor’ that is so leisurely? Well, they are enjoying a nice, cushy life with no need to explore their horizons! There appears to be no desire to expand comfort zones.

In the harbor, there is a purpose: protection. Ships being built (little children) need this, but once fully built, well-equipped ships (young adults) are built and ready, they should set sail!

Yes, your parents provide protection, and there is nothing wrong with living at your parent’s house until marriage (as long as you are involved with their ministry); but if you are going to sit around and wonder when you can get out of the house and do something big, it’s time to get involved with something worthwhile, like a ministry.

“But I’m afraid.” Sure, isn’t everyone when they do something new? I remember the first time I spoke at Bright Lights in late October. I was terrified! I could almost feel the eyes of the girls watching my every move! I was so nervous! But then, four meetings later, Bright Lights is the highlight of my week; and I look forward to speaking without any fear. See how my comfort zone grew? You can too if you put in effort. Fearing failure can be a hard thing to overcome, but God’s grace will help you through. Every experience will bring along a ‘storm’ or two, but with God, anything is possible.

You were built for sailing! Go!

 

 

Busy Times…

Sorry I haven’t posted in such a long time! My family and I have been so focused on Christmas preparation. December is such a busy year for us!

 In our busy lives though, there are three things we should always make time for:

1. Prayer- We should always make time to talk with God, even when we don’t feel like it. Prayer helps us confess sin, praise our Maker, and so much more!

2.  Our Quiet Time- Get into God’s word! He wrote a whole book of information on how to live! Isn’t that neat? We should always read our Bible- everyday. If you are always rushing places, try taking it along with you in the car.

3. Church- Don’t just be a Christmastime Christian- go to church regularly.  Even when it seems like your life is too jam-packed to do anything else,  it is important to go to church and get recharged for the week.

Merry Christmas!

Dress to Glorify

I know I haven’t updated in a while… and I am finished with the Mean Girl series.

Dressing Femininely and Cheaply-

And Still Look Great!

Lately I have forsook wearing jeans to my youth group meetings on Wednesday evenings. It may not be for good- but I definitely feel less casual and more worshipful when I do! When I was at the Bright Lights leader’s conference, I wore a skirt all week and began to love it! As my time there in Iowa went on, I began to think about worship and felt several new convictions for just about everything involved with it. I knew I should start being an example by dressing up a little more on Wednesday nights. If you should wear your best clothes at Sunday services when you meet for worship, why not make Wednesday meetings the same? At first, I thought every one would think I was weird. But then I thought “Hey, it doesn’t matter what these other people think!” Then another thought crossed my mind- we sometimes play very rousing, fast paced games. Sometimes these games involve running, kicking, and jumping. Games young ladies in skirts couldn’t play! Then the thought that followed- “Well if I can’t play it in a skirt- then I probably shouldn’t play it at youth group- I will just sit it out.”

At church, Quest (co-op classes I take outside of the home with other homeschooling kids) and at dance, and among my friends; I am known for having a nice style and wardrobe. It surprises people all the time to find out that only about 15-20% of my clothes are bought new- the rest are bought through consignment, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value World, and garage sales. I know of a few girls who complain about the high cost of clothing, then proceed to tell of how much everything was on their last shopping spree. Recently, a girl excitedly told us she found a great deal on jeans- they were only $23! Considering the fact that was a deal, it is possible that this girl has slowly built up a wardrobe that has the value of $1000 or more! It is possible to wear nice clothes that are ‘name brand,’ look updated, and fit well for just a few dollars.

You do not have to spend huge amounts of money to find the best look. Faithful searching – not too much more than it takes to cruise the mall- can have you a new outfit or two in no time. If you do go to the mall- leave your money at home or stick to a strict budget.

Things to buy used- shirts, skirts (The Salvation Army is usually amazing for skirts!) jeans, shorts, and tanks.

Things to buy new- headwear, scarves, underthings, and socks.

Being frugal, thrifty and determined to look for what you want will help greatly. If you have you have a digital camera, and need a shirt or skirt to match another article of clothing, take a picture of it and keep your camera in your purse when you go shopping. This has worked for me very well! Be sure to take a close up of the color(s) in the article of clothing; then a whole picture so you know the pattern.

One last word about purchasing clothes- if you are in doubt about something- don’t buy it.

Makeup is good-

IN MODERATION!

I enjoy wearing makeup. but I do not wear it everyday. When I go in public, don’t have to wear it unless I feel like it. I wear light, soft colors, and wear a bit of mascara and lip gloss. That’s it- no eyeliner, foundation, or blush. Eyeliner makes the eyes look dark and Gothic; foundation and blush make teens look like airbrushed models. I know of one girl who wears foundation, and she looks polished- maybe too polished. It just doesn’t look natural. In the world of make-up, less is more. One girl I know has this problem of putting too much on- she pencils in her eyebrows, wears bright red lipstick, wears a very thick line of eyeliner, blue eyeshadow, applies many coats of black-black mascara, and bright red rouge. To top it off, she has literally orange hair and has a flamboyant wardrobe of multi-colored pieces. Some people talk often about her, and they all agree it is just too much!

Remember to apply less- it will count for more! Makeup is to enhance what you have, not cover up or create something new!

A Word on Shoes and Swimwear

Shoes can be immodest if they are too gaudy (super high heels or lots of patterns and attachments). Short skirts paired with high heels makes the wearer look very immodest, not at all Christian, and like she is trying too hard to look good. Flats are good for just about everything, except skinny jeans. Skinny jeans and flats give the appearance of a rocker, and the wearer is made to look a lot shorter, and thus wider.

Swimwear is hard to look cute and modest in! Bikinis and one pieces are both very revealing, so I buy a two piece- they come with a modest tank and a mid hip length skirt with shorts underneath. They cover up a lot that a one piece doesn’t. If these two-pieces just do not work for your body type- try Swim Modest- their website is swimmodest.com

I hope this was an encouragement to you, and hopefully you have learned something new and will apply it to your life.

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child

Every year, our church participates with Operation Christmas Child- a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. This is an easy way to be a missionary without even leaving your own town! It is so easy to get involved with OCC.

The children involved with Sunday school at our church get together the Saturday before the Collection week starts to pack many boxes. The packing party is this weekend and I am looking forward to it!

For more information- go to

samaritanspurse.org

Lions and Tigers and Mean-Girls-Oh-My!

Friends Who Need Other’s Approval

Recently a friend asked me a question- “What do you honestly think of my guy friend, ‘Jeff?’ I want your honest opinion.” Well, looking at the guy, I saw nothing that would last for eternity. Sure, he had a pleasant face, and he looked halfway decent, but the outward appearance really doesn’t mean anything. I noticed how he blindly answered our elders questions, and how he came across as shallow. His eyes didn’t show the brightness I’ve come to notice in the people I definitely know are saved and living for the Lord. Besides the way he talked and acted, I noticed his lack of character.

My reply was to the effect of- “He doesn’t seem to be a very good kind of guy. He’s comes across as shallow.”

Boy, was my friend angry! of course, she’d asked for an honest opinion- and she got it! So why was she mad?

 She only wanted approval and to be noticed.

This world is filled with people looking to get their peers’ approval – even Christian teens who claim that they are full with the joy of serving the Lord. If they think that they are so full of the Holy Spirit, then what’s up with all this “Gotta buy a new purse because Gwen got one.” “Ipod has a new device that you can actually use as a web cam! Gotta get that too.”

WAIT A MINUTE! Will purses and web cams and all the other things matter in Heaven?

No.

Will having a cute guy-of-the-week on your arm be the thing that makes God say, “Well done?”

No!

The only time you will ever be totally fulfilled will be when you stop dating, quit coveting, and start serving the Lord. In your teen years, He is your one and only love. His approval will come when you dedicate your life to him.

Even though my friend asked me for my ‘honest opinion,’ she may also have been meaning- “Do you see Jeff? Look at me I have a boyfriend.”

 This world is a look at me! world. This is also a way they try to find approval outside of Christ. In any case, please don’t think you need guy friends or money or clothes or human approval to find fulfillment.

 Matthew 6:24- No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (material things)

2 Timothy 2:15a- Study to show thyself approved unto God…

1 Samuel 16:7b …For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Lions and Tigers and Mean Girls-Oh-My!

Girls That Are Mean To You Intentionally

I have always wondered why girls act so mean sometimes. Seriously- good, Christian girls! I have seen this wrong treatment of other girls in various places. The Mean-Girl attitude is taking over churches and Christian schools everywhere. Tasha attended a solid, Baptist church. One of the topics most heavily preached was brotherly love. Yet, the girls in her Sunday school class never offered her a seat next to them, never included her when she tried to join in on their discussions, and rarely let her have a turn on the youth room piano between and after services. Tasha never thought it was fair that a new girl could come and be accepted quickly, while she’d been trying to be friendly and had attended that church since she was 6!

 Maria went to the local Christian school in her hometown. They had a chapel service twice a day, and the students came mainly from the strongest Bible-believing churches in the tri-county area. Maria was never a loud one, but she wasn’t shy either. She tried her hardest to get noticed by raising her hand in class, doing her homework, and minding her own business in the middle of conflicts. Yet, the it-girls were out to get her. They stole her homework, gossiped about her behind her back, interrupted her in class, and got away with it. There was nothing Maria could think of that would stop these girls and their cruel actions. How do you deal with this kind of behavior?

First of all, don’t retaliate. Getting back at them is immature, and they will think your efforts are funny. Know that God will eventually deal with them in His time and way. Don’t play their games, because if you hate their actions, don’t act like them.

Secondly, tell your parents how you feel. (In my experience, telling your youth leader or somebody else in charge doesn’t do much good. They can tell these girls to stop, but they can’t make them listen). Your parents will help you and pray for you.

Lastly, know that friends do not come in just your age level. When you help out with a class or teach in VBS, you make friends with younger kids. They look up to you, and you can mentor them in a friendly way.

The Mean Girls at your church or school might grow out of it or they might be that way all their life. But realize this: from how they’ve treated you in the past, if they ever stop being mean to you, would you want to be their friends? It’s not about who you know, what you’ve done, or what you’ve got. Your life is for God’s glory. Not your own!